CALLING all entrepreneurs and business people in Chatteris. Fenland Council is holding an open evening at 5.45pm next Thursday to encourage local people to think about setting up in business at its South Fens Business Centre in the town. The fully-servic

CALLING all entrepreneurs and business people in Chatteris. Fenland Council is holding an open evening at 5.45pm next Thursday to encourage local people to think about setting up in business at its South Fens Business Centre in the town.

The fully-serviced business centre has become a hothouse for knowledge-based companies and the council is keen for Chatteris residents to see what the centre can offer them.

Chatteris is currently the gateway to the Fens and the South Fens Business Centre is attracting businesses from all parts of Fenland and the area north of Cambridge. But the council is keen to encourage local people to be part of the success story and as Chatteris grows, the business centre provides an ideal opportunity for local businesses to move in.

Currently, there are 45 units occupied by 28 knowledge-based and service companies operating out of the centre, ranging from accountancy firms and IT specialists covering a host of specialisms to precision engineering and publishing firms and a care agency, too. There are at present nine units available for businesses to move into.

The open evening begins with a buffet and drinks and there will be a short talk on the part Chatteris plays in the Fenland economy by chairman of Chatteris Town Council, Councillor Florence Newall.

The talks will be followed at 7pm by a tour of the centre and there will be opportunities for local people to talk to businesses that have already chosen to base themselves there and to the Fenland Council economic development team.

Leader of the council, Councillor Geoffrey Harper, said: "We are keen to encourage business growth in Fenland and we are particularly keen for local people to take advantage of the business opportunities that South Fens Business Centre can offer.

"The economic future of Fenland looks brighter than it has done for many years and this open evening is an expression of our commitment to encouraging local people to play as full a part as possible."

n Diary date: Local businesses are being offered the opportunity to showcase their products and services at a business exhibition organised by Fenland Chamber of Commerce at the Oliver Cromwell Hotel, March, on Tuesday, March 20.

This free event will provide a unique opportunity for Fenland businesses to make new business contacts while promoting Fenland as the vibrant and forward-looking enterprise community and business sector it has become.

Sponsored by Train to Gain, the exhibition will be officially opened by John Elworthy, news editor of the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard.

Exhibition stands are now available and can be booked by calling Maria Briggs at Fenland Chamber of Commerce on 01223 209817 or e-mailing m.briggs@cambscci. co.uk