The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership's first ever Open Access to Finance Forum will be held on September 13 at the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill.

The event is being held in partnership with BCRS and Dudley Council and will be the first in a series that will be held across the Black Country.

The event, which will run from 4.30pm to 7pm, is designed to allow companies to informally meet the wide range of financial services providers operating in the Black Country.

Financial bodies attending the event to offer access to finance will include commercial banks, corporate financiers, law firms, business and financial advisors, small business loan funds, accountants and business schools.

Stewart Towe, chairman of the LEP board, said:

"Offering access to finance is on the Local Enterprise Partnership's key priorities. We hope as many local businesses as possible will get along to the event at the Copthorne Hotel to receive support that is out there for businesses to raise their funds."

Councillor Les Jones, leader of Dudley Council and LEP board member, said:

"This is the first in a series of events aimed at local businesses which will give people direct access to a number of financial organisations which can offer support. I hope plenty of local businesses will take the opportunity to visit the first of the access to finance forums which is being held in Dudley."

Paul Kalinauckas, Chief Executive of BCRS, said:

"We have received a high level of interest in this event. This highlights the fact that local businesses require more help and information to find out what funding is available and on what terms."

Attendance to the event is free but people must register in advance at events@bcrs.org.uk

To find out more information, or to exhibit at the event, contact 0845 313 8410.