ABOUT 1,000 people attended a huge event promoting self-employment and the support available for entrepreneurs in Plymouth.

The Plymouth Biz event brought potential entrepreneurs flocking to Armada Way’s Guildhall to learn about how to step into self-employment.

More than 40 businesses and organisations, offering services for people looking to start their own business, were involved as the Guildhall was packed with information stalls.

And a “street market” outside the building featured 11 city businesses, including recent start-ups, each promoting their products – including crepes, cakes and photographs – and showing what can be achieved by a start-up venture.

The event, which was extended by two hours to meet demand, also featured high-profile talks and interactive workshops involving, among others, top chef Chris Tanner, HM Revenue and Customs’ Chris Daily and Ann Murray, Trading Standards’ Lynda Braddock and Ash Mashhadi from social media specialists Design Inspiration.

Kevin Kelway, marketing executive at Millbay-based start-up organisation Outset Plymouth, said the event was “really busy” with people interested in starting their own businesses.

“This is the right time for support and guidance,” he said. “This shows Plymouth has entrepreneurial spirit, and we need to embrace that.”

He said it was also important for his own organisation, which is hoping for a three-year extension to its financial support, from the European Regional Development Fund and Plymouth City Council, when it expires next October.

Rob Guy, business finance adviser at Outset Plymouth, which finds funding for businesses, said: “It’s a really exciting event, showing potential entrepreneurs the support available.

“Hopefully, by the end of their visit they will feel confident to start their own enterprise.”

Chris Tanner, of Tanner’s Restaurant, said he hoped to inspire others by explaining how he and brother James started their business.

“We did it from scratch and that’s what it’s all about,” he said.

Sue Grant, Plymouth City Council’s managed workspace manager, gave advice on how start-up firms could find a home at Stoke’s City Business Park and Cattedown’s Business Centre.

“It’s about getting people together and thinking about how they could grow and move on,” she said.

The Plymouth Biz event, visited by Plymouth City Council leader Vivien Pengelly, was organised by the First Steps to Employment Partnership, and rounded off Global Entrepreneurship Week, in Plymouth.

In the city it was dubbed Plymouth Sustainable Enterprise Week and featured events, competitions and high-profile launches aimed at celebrating and stimulating entrepreneurial development and success in the city and region.

The week’s events included a guided tour of the council’s City Business Park, in Stoke; advice on patents, copyright, designs and trade marks from Plymouth PATLIB, the Intellectual Property Information Service based at Plymouth Central Library; and free self-employment advice at Cattedown Business Centre Enterprise Club.

The week also began with the launch of the Plymouth Enterprising Women (PEW) network, involving about 180 businesswomen.

“We are still buzzing from that,” said Mr Kelway. “And we ended with the city’s biggest ever self-employment fair.”