BY understanding the state of the economy, small businesses in Salisbury and south Wiltshire are adopting a sensible approach to their expansion and spotting new opportunities for growth.

That was the verdict of Mr Glen, who not only opened the fair, but also spent time talking to each of the exhibitors.

He said the week leading up to the trade fair had been a difficult one, with the Budget making many businesses anxious about its implications.

“The government has recognised that the main thing we need to do is to rebalance the economy,” he said.

“The reduction in corporation tax should go some way to demonstrating our commitment to growing the private sector.”

He said that, despite the uncertainty, the mood among exhibitors was buoyant and there was “a lot of optimism about the economy”.

“Relatively young and new businesses have a |sensible approach about not expanding too quickly, and by understanding the state of the economy, they are seeing new opportunities,” he said.

An example, he said, was exhibitor Charlotte Mitchell of Wilton floral design company Floral Whispers, who was running classes and workshops alongside her weddings and events floristry business.

“Charlotte’s classes can fill a gap when Wiltshire College is not able to offer these flower arranging classes because of difficult times in the funding of state education,” he said.

“Established businesses who have weathered |difficult waters seem well placed to do the same again, concentrating on cost containment and delivering core products and services well.”

Most exhibitors came from Salisbury, Amesbury, Wilton and the surrounding villages, and many offered prize draws and competitions, including Eco Print’s “Crap Draw to win a genuine rhino poo pad.”

Salisbury Hospicecare was selling tickets for its summer draw to win a World Cup seat signed by |former England and Southampton footballer, Graeme Le Saux.

Hospice fundraising co-ordinator John Lakeman was also launching the charity’s Waterside Walk on August 29 and promoting its Big Night Out on September 4 hosted by Christopher Biggins.

Nikki Leighfield, of Amesbury Baby Centre, said it was important to be at events such as the trade fair to raise awareness of the businesses in Amesbury.

She said the town’s traders wanted to show people they did not have to travel to far off shopping centres, as everything could be obtained locally, a sentiment at the heart of the FSB’s Keep Trade Local campaign.

She, too, is diversifying by holding events, such as her mum-to-be evening at her Stonehenge Walk |premises on July 22.

George Trytsman, chairman of the Salisbury branch of the FSB, was pleased with the success of the trade fair, which was organised by Banshee Events and which was being held on a Saturday, having been held on a Tuesday last year.

He paid tribute to his committee, who had turned up at 5.30am that day to set up the stands.

“The trade fair has been well received and the exhibitors all made a great effort in setting up their stands,” he said.

“There was plenty of networking going on and I am pleased John Glen not only took the time to open the fair, but also to meet all the exhibitors.”