SOCIAL enterprises will descend on Bolton to work to boost their business.

Organisers of a flagship event to be held at the Reebok Stadium next month are urging social enterprises to “come out fighting” as they face up to the challenges of tough economic times.

Bolton will host Social Enterprise North West’s In Business For Good trade fair on October 18.

It is the first time the event has been held outside Merseyside.

High-profile guests and speakers will include TV’s The Apprentice finalist Claire Young and leading industry expert Matt Smith, whose experience at the Key Fund has seen more than £7 million invested in social enterprise.

Social enterprises play a key role in the economy of Bolton and the trade fair is an important annual event — showcasing their work and helping them grow and develop their operations.

Liz Douglas, who runs the successful social enterprise The Roots Project, on the Pungle estate in Westhoughton, said: “Finding funding is tough, but it’s especially tough when you’re setting up, as there are pots of funding available when you’re up and running.

“I got help from an organisation called Unlimited which was enough to get my project going and then I went out fund raising.”

Ms Douglas says Social Enterprise North West was instrumental in the success of the Roots Project by the help and mentoring they have her.

So much so that she is now a mentor to others wanting to start social enterprise projects and is attending the trade fair as a guest of Social Enterprise North West.

The social enterprise sector in the North West generates about £3 billion annually, employs more than 50,000 people and harnesses the capacity of 30,000 volunteers.

The latest SE100 Report by RBS shows the top 100 social enterprises in the UK reported a combined growth of 51 per cent last year.

That compares with just five per cent growth from FTSE 100 companies.

Specialist workshops will be taken by experts.

The trade fair runs from 10am until 4pm on October 18. Visit senw.org.uk for details and to book.