A new networking breakfast will be launching on the Granby Industrial Estate.

The Dorset Echo will be launching the Granby Business Breakfast in association with the Dorset Echo Industry Awards and Weymouth College.

The business breakfast will be held monthly, with the first meeting taking place from 8am to 9.30am on Wednesday, June 21 at the Dorset Echo offices.

Following the success of the Dorset Echo Industry Awards and the opportunities that have developed for local businesses through the associated networking, the Dorset Echo recognised that there was a need for a flexible drop-in networking event located on the Granby Industrial Estate.

The Granby Business Breakfast is designed to be accessible to all businesses and so it will be complementary for all attendees. It will be an informal opportunity for businesses to network with local businesses from across myriad sectors, whilst enjoying a breakfast pastry kindly prepared by Weymouth College and a hot drink.

Each breakfast meeting will host an advice session where guests can informally chat on a one-to-one basis and seek advice on a particular topic.

The first meeting will be an introduction to apprenticeships by Weymouth College following the recent apprenticeships levy.

Julia Cohen, head of external partnerships at Weymouth College said: "At Weymouth College we believe passionately in the partnership between students, local businesses and the wider economy.

"We want to ensure the right training options are in place to not only support our students on their journey to employment but also to provide West Dorset business with a workforce trained in the skills they are looking for.

"We fully support the Granby Business Breakfast initiative and look forward to the opportunity to share ideas and feedback with local business leaders as we continue to strengthen and develop this important union between industry and education within West Dorset.”

David Makepeace, head of advertising and regional digital manager added: "As the Dorset Echo is very much part of the thriving Granby business area and with an array of businesses covering many industry sectors, small, medium and large.

"We are delighted to have instigated the Granby Business Breakfast in order to not only stage advice sessions on key current topics but also the opportunity for us all to ‘meet our neighbours’ to foster business relationships and perhaps assist in identifying how we all might be able to build mutual partnerships for the future.

Any businesses wishing to attend or provide an advice session should express their interest by e-mailing cheryl.barrett@dorsetecho.co.uk