TOWN centre retailers are being encouraged to discover how Durham County Council can help with training and development.

Throughout this month retailers can complete a survey to help them identify gaps in their training needs.

The responses will then be used by the council to look into providing training sessions to help businesses make sure they have all the skills necessary to help them succeed.

Councillor Neil Foster, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “As part of our ongoing support for County Durham’s town centres we’d like to encourage all retail businesses to take part in the survey.

“High street shops are essential to the economy of the county so it’s vital that we help them as much as possible to thrive.

“We already offer a number of formal qualifications and informal training courses but we’re keen to find out from the businesses themselves if there’s any other training we could provide to help them even further.”

Businesses can take part online at durham.gov.uk/retail where they can also view the range of support on offer from the council covering everything from advice to funding for shop improvements.

Council staff will also be visiting a number of retailers across the county to encourage them to take part and tell them, face to face, about all of the ways that the council can help their business.