A ‘TASTER’ discussion session for businesses at the University of York’s Ron Cooke hub proved a resounding success.

The idea was to bring together business people from sectors as diverse as IT, leisure, hospitality and property to consider issues that affect them – and to offer answers.

Of the 40 delegates who attended, half have expressed an interest in signing up to the full programme.

The event was organised jointly by the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and the University of York Management School, which will offer the sessions.

Five people were each given a table to discuss a central topic and conclusions were jointly announced.

Now the university is to go ahead with the programme, the first event in which will be some time this month or in July.

Susie Cawood, head of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It was really positive. The management school put together the programme to help business owners and managers to work through their issues.

“It also gives businesses access to students, which in turn helps to bridge the difficult transitional stage between education and employment – very important in the economic climate.”

Dr Eileen McMorrow from This Little Piggy, which specialises in open innovation consultancy and brokerage, said afterwards: “It was really stimulating – a great opportunity to share ideas and get input from other business owners.

“Often people from other businesses can bring a different perspective to solving common problems around business growth and innovation.”

For more information, contact Tom Ashurst, the Chamber’s product and services executive by email at tom.ashurst@yourchamber.org.uk or by phone on 01904 567838.