BUSINESS experts will be offering free advice at a special 'pop-up' event next week.

They will answer questions on a wide range of topics during the session, at Steeton Hall Hotel.

Areas covered will include maximising use of social media and websites, human resources, tax and accountancy, staff development and training, marketing, accessing finance and exploring new markets.

Among those present at Thursday's (Feb 11) event will be Mark Delves, the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) growth manager for Craven and Bradford, who will outline some of the support available to businesses.

Any type of firm, new or established, is invited to attend the 8.30am to noon session.

Eric Hawthorn, managing director of telecommunications company Radio Design and an LEP board member, said: "Whether you are starting-up or a more established operation, this is an efficient way to speak to a number of local experts on issues that impact on your business.

"There is a wealth of support out there and pop-up events like this are an informal, low-risk way of answering your questions and sampling the support available to help boost the performance of your business."

Experts on hand will also include Heather Robinson, a digital marketing specialist at agency Skittish.

"At pop-ups I'm always asked about how to get greater engagement with customers on social media," she said.

"It is important to get the right balance of tone and content to keep customers interested in the brand.

"There are some great local businesses which use social media really well.

"I will be talking to attendees about how they too can harness the power of social media to build relationships with their customers."

A number of businesses in the district are already benefitting from LEP support.

Award-winning Haworth-based engineering firm Airedale Springs received backing to invest in state-of-the-art equipment and it has recruited five new apprentices.

Chairman Tim Parkinson said the new machinery had more than halved overall production times and the apprenticeships mean vital skills are passed on and expert knowledge retained.

E-mail info@the-LEP.com to book a place at the pop-up event.