BUSINESS owners in and around Hambleton are invited to join regular brain-storming sessions and information events.

On Monday (March 3) local industry heads, SME owners and business professionals will be attending an event at Santander’s Northallerton branch.

It is part of the new First Monday networking scheme for companies in the Hambleton area to meet once a month to share information and ideas and discuss issues affecting local businesses.

It comes as a major regeneration plan was unveiled for Northallerton in response to the closure of two of Northallerton’s biggest employers – the prison and the Rural Payments Agency – resulting in the loss of about 500 jobs. It comes on top of a string of other public sector jobs in the town as employers such as North Yorkshire County Council have had to make severe cut-backs.

Santander’s local business manager Fraser Anderson said: “Monday’s networking event will be a great opportunity to listen to the thoughts and concerns of Northallerton’s SME community and see how we can develop our resources to help champion and support local business.”

The new and informal networking group will be held in the branch on Northallerton High Street on the first Monday of each month from 5pm to 7pm. There is also a prize draw for all attendees, with prizes donated by the local business community.