BUSINESS lead for Monday, December 8 with pic

THE Big Bolton Business Expo returns to the town on February 11, and is set to become the largest so far.

It’s the fourth event run by business marketing and support organisation thebestofbolton at The Bridge Conference Centre in Bradford Street and it’s set to be the most impressive.

Already, more than 60 of the 75 stands have been snapped up by keen local companies. The main sponsor is NatWest, media with the Bolton News and Bolton FM, Business Rescue and FSB stepping in as sponsors and Lexus the car park sponsor. The Chinese Buffet is the food sponsor, Rijo42 sponsors the beverages and Craftprint sponsors the bags.

The event offers a blend of information trade stands and networking that has made it popular with exhibitors and visitors alike. It boasts a wide range of companies – from Synergy Dental Clinic and The Wedding Room to Studio 57 and Bolton Kia and from KBL Solicitors to Bolton Whites Hotel.

Many are regulars at the annual show and found contacts and orders resulting. Copyprint Services has been at every Bolton Business Expo since they began in 2010.

John Hynes from Copyprint said: “I firmly believe that it’s not about the business you do on the day but about making contacts and keeping in touch. A contact we made at that first Expo came to fruition last year, which turned out to be our biggest single contract to date.”

The 2015 Expo is also offering 10 selected local charities to have the opportunity to exhibit.

David and Gaynor Ramsden run thebestofbolton which currently works with more than 130 local independent businesses and organisations, representing a comprehensive cross-section of trades and business sectors.

They ran their own business in Bury, Authorized Access Security Centre, for 23 years which not only gave them valuable experience in sales, marketing, operations and business finance but also showed them the importance of networking.

“Bringing businesses together in this kind of Expo is a powerful marketing tool and a unique way of creating positive exposure,” explained Mr Ramsden.

“We very much encourage people to Buy Local and support local businesses, and find that companies in Bolton are also very good at supporting each other. Initiatives like this highlight the rich variety of our business community, and offer a rare opportunity to find so many vibrant companies under one roof.”

Commented Jemma Staines, Relationship Manager for NatWest: “We are proud to be the headline sponsor of the Big Bolton Expo. NatWest is very keen to support local independent businesses and we believe that the Expo is a fantastic way to bring businesses together and connect with local people.”

More information about the Big Bolton Expo is available at www.thebestof.co.uk/bolton