AN ANNUAL summit is set to return to Darlington in a bid to support town-based businesses – from start-up enterprises to established companies.

A business summit will launch the return of Darlington Business Week, which will offer more than 20 events and workshops for entrepreneurs and business owners to attend.

The five-day initiative will reveal forecasts and plans for the town’s economic growth and how those in the sector can meet new demands expected on them from customers and those involved in the supply chain.

Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for economy and regeneration said: “It is fitting that the summit is the first event of our first ever Business Week as it sets the scene of where we are with business and the economy in Darlington and what the future prospects and plans are for growth.”

An update on the Darlington Economic Strategy is expected to be delivered during the summit by business owners who have worked alongside One Darlington – formerly the Darlington Partnership – and Darlington Borough Council to create it.

Cllr McEwan added: “This is an event that I would strongly urge anyone who is keen to invest or who already has a business interest here to attend as it provides a fantastic networking opportunity and the chance to gain a local and regional insight into the economic situation as well as the opportunities for future growth in Darlington.”

The business week will run from Monday, September 18, until Friday, September 22, with the summit commencing on the first day of the annual event, hosted in Teesside University’s Darlington campus, off Haughton Road.

Delegates are expected to network with other fellow sector workers and to meet with potential new customers as part of the summit.

Breakout groups will also give feedback on their ideas of "barriers and opportunities" facing their buisness world.

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman has also confirmed that Keith Wilson, a representative from the Tees Valley Combined Authority, will attend the summit to discuss “action plans” for the borough’s economy.

The summit will begin at 8.30am, with several speakers addressing visitors across a range of topics before the session ends at around 11am.

Places on the summit are free and can be booked online by visiting darlington.gov.uk/businessweek

Alternatively, for more information call 01325-406305 or email business.support@darlington.gov.uk