MORE than 40 people attended the first Southern Shropshire Business Forum in Craven Arms, which has been hailed a success by business leaders.

Business network representatives from eight towns across south Shropshire spoke about their groups, about how the economic situation was affecting members and issues they would like the forum to tackle.

They called for advice and assistance about such issues as faster broadband speeds, business rates, shop-local schemes, and promotion of their towns.

The meeting was presided over by Carole Clayton, chairman of the Economy and Lifelong Learning Deliver y Group of the Southern Shropshire Partnership, and representatives from Business Link, County Training and Shropshire Council’s economic development team came along.

“I am really pleased the forum was well-attended,” said Gwilyn Butler, Shropshire councillor for Cleobury Mortimer and cabinet member for community working. “Businesses are stronger working together and this is a really effective way of pooling resources.”

Ludlow businessman Andrew Corbett said: “I sit on the Shropshire Business Board, which works well for policy and projects at a countywide level, but the extra local relevance of the Southern Shropshire Business Forum will enable tight links to grow between real business people and Shropshire Council across the area.”