ENTERPRISING Dorking firms are signing up to a business event designed to help them work together to beat the recession.

Dorking Business Show is preparing to return for its second year, run this time by Dorking and District Chamber of Commerce, with the goal of promoting local enterprise and supporting businesses of all sizes.

Business owners can rent a space at the show in Dorking Halls, on September 22, to meet other business bosses and gather a range of information.

Chamber chairman Rick Parish said: "The show provides an excellent opportunity for new and existing businesses to meet other people in similar shoes, discuss how they are managing to survive despite the economic climate, share tips and solve problems as one."

Businesses can pay for one of 68 stands at the show (53 have already been reserved) or can visit for free, as representatives from around 500 businesses did last year.

The show's main sponsors are Waitrose and the Atrium Business Centre and the event is also supported by Spaghetti Media, Squiggle Design, Dorking Flowers, the Wow Gallery and the Dorking Advertiser.

Mr Parish said: "The support of our sponsors has enabled us to keep the prices of our stands at a reasonable level and offer a 'Business Cares' exhibition hall which is proving very popular with its reduced stand rates for social enterprises, charities and enterprises offering taster sessions to visitors free of charge."

"Not only will the high quality of last year's show be repeated, but this year's show is even bigger and better."

Wow Gallery owner Caroline Salmon said: "The show will provide a wealth of knowledge to help businesses get going and growing, as well as some super taster sessions, with really interesting charities and social enterprises in the Business Cares room"

Matt Day, owner of Spaghetti Media, said: "Dorking and Mole Valley are in the limelight just now because of all the interest with the Olympics so it is a really exciting time to be a business owner. The show will be timely in getting local businesses together to brainstorm about how the Olympics will affect us and how to gear ourselves up for what will hopefully be a very busy and successful year."

The exhibition runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm. An "early bird" breakfast is available for £8 per person from 7.15am for those who have booked.

For more information or to book a stand call Caroline Salmon on 07591 487337 or visit www.dorkingbusinessshow.com