BUSINESSES in a borough are to get free online workshops to help them survive the coronavirus pandemic.

The sessions will be run by Rossendale Council and will cover issues including Covid-19 guidance and support, access to finance and debt management.

The first one is scheduled for Tuesday November 17.

Organiser Rossendale Council’s business advisor Brad Hacking said: "This is such an incredibly tough time for businesses, and we want to make sure that we are there as much as possible. We will be offering support to our local businesses in a variety of ways from free workshops to one-to-one advice – and all at no cost to the businesses.

“The first workshop will be delivered by Phil Morton, our public protection manager. He will be giving us an update on the business support currently available and also an overview of the current Covid guidance and how his team is working for the business community.”

Mr Morton said: “It’s so difficult for businesses to keep abreast of the guidance as there have been quite a few changes recently. There may be questions they feel are specific to them that they’ve been unable to find the answers to and having a real person there to ask is often reassuring."

The workshops, to be held via Zoom, will include a question and answer session.