PETERBOROUGH businesses that would like to expand or who have issues they need to resolve are being invited to attend new monthly surgeries being organised by Peterborough City Council Leader, councillor Marco Cereste (left).

Councillor Cereste, is organising a series of business surgeries, in partnership with Opportunity Peterborough, to assist established city companies to cut through the red tape and overcome those issues that are hindering their development plans.

Councillor Cereste said, “Our growth plans are not just about attracting new companies to the city, we also want help those existing established businesses thrive and prosper.

“Our message is very much that ‘Peterborough is open for business’. We want to encourage entrepreneurship in the city and help businesses solve any issues they have by removing as much red tape as possible to allow this to happen.”

Panellists including councillors Cereste, cabinet member for business engagement Gavin Elsey and cabinet member for housing, neighbourhoods and planning Peter Hiller, city council chief executive Gillian Beasley, executive director of operations Paul Phillipson, head of planning Simon Machen and Opportunity Peterborough’s director of economic development Neil Darwin are among those who will attend the monthly sessions to offer advice to businesses.

There will also be the opportunity to have individual detailed or sensitive conversations with panellists.

Councillor Elsey, cabinet member for business engagement added: “Whether a planning issue is stunting your expansion plans, you are looking for new premises or need to change or add differing usages to your planning consent, these sessions are there to help you discuss and resolve any issues you have in a timely manner allowing entrepreneurship to be free flowing through the city.

“This is a real opportunity for us to assist our city stakeholders to realise their aspirations and make a positive contribution to the future growth of existing Peterborough business.”

The two-hour sessions will be held once a month, at Stuart House. The first session is on Tuesday 10 August 2010 between 12noon and 2pm. To book an appointment at the first surgery, please call Sally Goulden on (01733) 452481.