Working in partnership Brighton & Hove Business Forum and Creative Development have identified a need for specialised business support in Brighton.

A pilot study carried out in November of last year found that companies in the creative sector were lacking the help they needed in order to grow. Whilst generic help had in some cases been useful, many Brighton-based creative entrepreneurs felt that it came from a culture that did not understand, or have the experience of, their sector.

The creative sector has been earmarked by the local authority as one of the city's fastest growing industries and therefore potentially a key contributor to economic growth.

The pilot study, funded by Business Link, led to a programme of support called Creative Exchange. This takes a very different approach to supporting business in that it seeks to find out exactly what a business needs to help it grow (what keeps the owners awake at night) then draws on the experience of local practitioners who understand the working style of creative businesses as well as the local area to delver specific advice.

The objective was to ascertain the degree to which the creative industries require ongoing business development and how it should be delivered to ensure optimum efficiency and effectiveness for both the businesses taking part and for the funders who supported the pilot. A target was set for 40 businesses to receive in-depth support. Almost 100 came forward with their requests.

To continue the good work with the initial 40 and support the remaining 60 businesses further funding is needed.

Anyone looking for an opportunity to raise their company profile and be associated with a much needed project should contact the Business Forum's city centre manager, Soozie Campbell on 01273 380040 or scampbell@brightonbusiness.co.uk.