A NEW Billericay-based business networking group is already doing its bit to boost trade in the town centre.

The group holds breakfast meetings at the Deli 37 cafe in Billericay High Street.

Organiser David Barnes, who runs Basildon-based Barnes IT Solutions, said: “We started the group because of the evidence that bringing local businesses together can do great things in generating business within the district.

“By meeting like this people can promote their businesses, share tips and ideas, and devise ways to pool resources, such as websites.”

The group is being backed by the South Essex branch of the Federation of Small Businesses.

David, who is branch vice-chairman, explained: “The federation’s support means there is no charge for businesses which attend. We also pay for light refreshments for anyone who comes along.

“The venue is provided free of charge by Deli 37 and that has been a factor in the group’s success”

Deli 37 was chosen as the venue because it is a locally run independent outlet rather than a corporate chain.

“It is a local small to medium-sized business, like the rest,” said David.

Birtug Kazim, Deli 37’s owner, gave up a flourishing career as a postgraduate sports therapist to open his high street business. His clients included West Ham, Tottenham and Leyton Orient football clubs.

“It was a great job, of course, but I really badly wanted something where I was my own boss and could make my own decisions.,” he said. “I come from a family in the catering business, so that seemed the natural way to go.”

Living in Billericay, Birtug realised the town lacked anything quite like Deli 37.

He said: “There are coffee shops that belong to the corporate chains, but there was nothing like this, with the homely touch, offering home-made food cooked and prepared on the premises.” Birtug’s partner, Claire Gallen, a trained chef, works alongside him.

“She was doing really well in the property business, even during the recession, and her firm didn’t want to lose her,” says Birtug. “But like me she wanted to do her own thing.” Birtug is too busy preparing breakfast for the group to do any networking himself for now, but fully backs the concept.

“Simply by co-operating and talking to one another, local businesses can do a lot to keep and increase trade in the town,” he says.

l The Billericay networking group meets regularly at Deli 37, 37 High Street, Billericay, between 7.30am and 9.15am.

For details of future meetings, see www.fsb.org.uk/essex