A FORMER Dragon and business start-up guru will be visiting Salisbury to give the first talk in the new Enterprise Series START.

Doug Richard starred in the first two series of the popular BBC series Dragon’s Den which provides small businesses the chance for investment and he will be giving the talk on Thursday, December 11 at the Old Fire Station Enterprise Centre.

It has been launched by the Enterprise Network Swindon and Wiltshire who will be hosting a series of free networking and learning events with top UK entrepreneurs.

They will be sharing their knowledge and insights with start-up, growing and innovative small businesses across the county.

It is supported by Wiltshire Growth Hub and Wiltshire Business Support Service which will run a becoming your own boss workshop in the morning of the event.

After the networking lunch, businesses can book a session with experts offering free, impartial advice on all aspects of starting and managing a new business including business branding, sourcing finance, registering a business and recruiting staff.

Future events in the series will be held in 2015 at The Enterprise Network’s other Enterprise Centres in Ludgershall, Trowbridge and Royal Wootton Bassett, live streaming of the day and with a focus on growing and expanding, fast track expansion and innovation.

Rachel Finlay, the event organiser, said: “We have a budding entrepreneurial spirit here in Salisbury and it is great to have somebody of Doug Richard’s ilk to come here and give us an idea of the national perspective.”

The Enterprise Network, a £5.2m initiative led by Wiltshire Council with Government and EU funding, is nurturing new and growing small and micro businesses by supporting them right from the first light bulb moment.

It has four Enterprise Centres in Wiltshire offering affordable offices, meeting rooms, co-working and networking opportunities alongside free, impartial, business advice.

For more information visit theenterprisenetwork.co.uk.