A Norfolk town has set up a forum to represent the business community, to promote collaboration, provide a meeting place for members to learn and share ideas, and to contribute to the development of the area.

The Harleston and District Business Forum was officially established last Wednesday at a meeting attended by local businesspeople along with Ed Nottingham, chairman of Diss Business Forum, and Harleston town councillor Eric Bird.

Clive Attwood, director of Attwood Acorn independent financial advisers, was appointed chairman.

He said: 'This meeting was mainly about choosing a name and appointing the committee. At the next meeting [on April 25] we plan to do some brainstorming for events, direction and ideas about what we hope to do next.

'We should come away with an initial programme and some good ideas to push things forward.'

Regular events will be organised for members, including breakfast and evening meetings with guest speakers.

Other committee members include: Leighten Ball, of GM Autotech, (vice-chairman); Chris Aldrich, Red Dune, (secretary); John Bower, Bounce Back Physio, (treasurer); Meryl Harding, Just Truffles, and Simon Marjoram, All Things Greener, (events co-ordinators); and Virginia Skoyles, Utility Warehouse (publicity).

About 50 businesspeople from Harleston, its industrial estate and surroundings met at the Swan Hotel last month to discuss working together.

That meeting followed a consultation and the publication of a report – Have Your Say: Deeds From Words – which suggested that establishing a business group was 'the highest priority and a pivotal component in collectively and cohesively enhancing the future quality of the town'.

For more information, visit www.hdbf.org.uk or call Mr Attwood on 01379 852789 or email attwoodacornltd@fsmail.net. To become a member, for �25 a year, email Lucy Marjoram at info@hdbf.org.uk.