SMALL businesses which need extra help to take the next step forward are invited to an event in Nottingham later this month.

Future Factory, a European-funded organisation, is holding its Make a More Sustainable Future event on July 29.

Visitors will find out how their business could benefit from Future Factory money, tour the new project space set in the heart of the newly restored Newton-Arkwright building, and learn how businesses have benefited from the project in the past.

Future Factory helps East Midlands small and medium enterprises to improve their business by helping to pay for product testing, research and mentoring.

Project director Lynn Oxborrow said: "The event will allow people who have used the project to share their experiences and tell others about what they have achieved and how the project has affected them.

"Projects like Future Factory help to make businesses think more critically about how they can tackle the future.

"They can change people's mind-sets in terms of thinking further forward, which is a challenge at the moment, as businesses are focusing more on reviving."

Debbie Bryan was one of the first people to join Future Factory when it was launched in October last year.

She creates fashion accessories such as bracelets and scarves, as well as household items like lamps and mirrors.

Her product was launched in June 2006, and says she knew very little about the business world at this time.

Ms Bryan said: "Future Factory is a very exciting prospect for local businesses, as it brings creative people together who will have things in common and be able to help each other.

"A problem I have found in the past with Nottingham is that you are unaware of other business people in the area, and this project is vital for solving the issue."

Debbie opened her shop Debbie Bryan Studio & Shop, 18 St Mary's Gate, The Lace Market, in June last year.

The project has helped her to contact other businesses.

Ms Bryan said: "Thanks to Future Factory, I now receive support through one-to-one mentoring, which gives me the opportunity to share my ideas and get advice.

"Without it, I would never of had the chance to receive this quality of support."

The Make a More Sustainable Future event is from 4.30pm to 7pm on July 29 at Nottingham Trent University's City Campus.

For further information, or to secure a place, contact Angela or Phil on 0115 8488675 or e-mail futurefactory@ntu.ac.uk.