Fizz and fun offered at women-only networking event in Carlisle

18th November 2014

More than 50 local business women enjoyed a networking event in Carlisle as part of Clydesdale Bank’s Business Week.

The session, held at the Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre on Tuesday 11 November, included demonstrations and sampling by a local artisan chocolate maker and day-spa firm. Attendees were also invited to network over a buffet and drinks.

Karen Nicolson, Small Business Relationship Manager at Clydesdale Bank’s Carlisle Centre, said: “Our aim was to provide an enjoyable evening whilst at the same time helping local business women make new contacts and network.

“We want the local business community to know that we welcome the opportunity to support ambitious businesses and we look forward to engaging with them.”

Clydesdale Bank’s Business Week was held from November 10-14 to help businesses invest, connect and network where it matters most.

Business Week has seen more than 250 customer-focused events staged at the Bank’s UK-wide network of Business and Private Banking Centres.

Across the country, businesses were invited to meet with some of the UK’s leading financial experts to discuss their most pressing commercial issues such as; planning and securing finance for growth, improving profitability and succession planning.

Research* commissioned by Clydesdale Bank as part of Business Week suggested that small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the North West are ready to invest nearly £9.4bn into the economy over the next 12 months. According to the research, 80% of the North West’s 481,000** SMEs are ready to invest, with each small business spending on average 6% of turnover. Key areas such as new equipment, more staff and increased marketing are at the top of their shopping lists.

*Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 802 UK adults aged 18+ from 9th-17th October 2014. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria. www.opinium.co.uk

**Department for Business Innovation and Skills SME population figures