THE third Forest Entrepreneurs Fair was held at the Speech House hotel as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

The fair is a flagship event for Forest Entrepreneurs, a voluntary group of local business people, which offers support to businesses in the area.

As well as the opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs there were also a number of seminars on aspects of business such as web presence and finding and retaining customers.

The fair also hosted one of the regular meetings of the Coleford Area Partnership’s business club.

Andrew Maliphant of Forest Entrepreneurs said without the group the support it provides – including one-to-one mentoring – would not be available.

He said: “Once people have set up their business they still need support which is why we are here with the fair, with bi-monthly evening meetings and the one-to-one service.

“There is an increasing need for the service and that is why we have decided to keep it going for at least another two years.”

The number of business start-ups is closely linked to the general employment situation, said Mr Maliphant.

“When times are tough people are more prepared to look at self-employment.

“It went a bit quiet earlier in the year but we had nine people at a start-up course in September and 18 at a meeting in October.”

Among the event sponsors was Fiona Greaves, of Forest Physiotherapy, which is now based at the Vantage Business Village in Mitcheldean.

She said: “Since starting my own business two and a half years ago I’ve realised how many small businesses there are in the Forest.

“There is so much going on and so much support.”

Visitors to the fair included local businessman and voluntary director of the GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership, Neil Ricketts.

He said: “I’m here as an active supporter of people who are starting businesses.

“The Local Enterprise Partnership is keen to see more entrepreneurs and events like this support that.”