Small firms to get credit advice

Some smaller retailers have already had to cut their prices

Small business owners are being invited to attend a week of events designed to help them best cope with the fall out from the continuing credit squeeze.

Organised by the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies, the week of seminars, workshops and surgeries aims to give practical advice.

With one-on-one independent financial advice also available, it will run from 28 April to 2 May.

Events will be held across the UK, with details available on the NFEA website.

Worries

People thinking of setting up their own business are also invited to attend.

"We are not criticising the government or the banks or big business - but we know from talking to small businesses that they are worried about what they are reading and hearing," said NFEA chief executive George Derbyshire.

"And we know that many entrepreneurs, particularly those who have started businesses in recent years, have not had the experience of managing their business through a downturn."

For those individuals not able to attend an event in person, online advisers will also be answering specific credit crunch questions on the free and confidential Small Business Advice Service website.