Help for entrepreneurs!

If the answer is 'Yes', then why not take advantage of the free monthly drop-in business surgeries run by the enterprise organisation NWES in partnership with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council?

They take place at the Tickfield Centre in Tickfield Avenue, Southend, from 10am until 4pm on Thursday 25th October, Thursday 29th November and Thursday 31st January, 2013.

No appointment is needed for the surgeries, which give advice on everything for business start-ups, from developing a business plan to identifying sources of finance.

Participants can just turn up to take part, and even go on to join a free one-day planning course - supported by Barclays Bank - which focuses and supports the key areas of a business plan.

Further support and training is then provided by NWES if required.

The surgeries are led by Emma McCulloch, who has worked for NWES for five years as a business advisor helping start-up businesses.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Enterprise and Regeneration, Councillor John Lamb, said: "Southend has an above average number of new business start-ups.

"We are very keen to capitalise on the enthusiasm of local entrepreneurs by offering free support.

"These surgeries have been taking place for a few months now and are expertly led by Emma, who has a passion for helping clients start up in business.

"They're a great opportunity for people who are thinking about setting up a business or who have a business idea and don't know what to do next.

"We need to guide those who want to run their own enterprises by helping them make the most of their prospective plans and giving the very best advice we can."