A FIRST-EVER event organised for businesses in Scarborough by York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is set to go ahead next month.

A networking lunch for east coast businesses has been organised by the chamber at the Royal Hotel, Scarborough, starting at noon on Friday, March 19. Tickets cost £15.

The speaker at the event will be Mark Hulster, the chief executive of the North Yorkshire Moors and Coast Business Advice Agency. It is hoped that the lunch will become the first of a series to be held in Scarborough.

Len Cruddas, Chamber chief executive, said: "Scarborough is a first-class business area and a driver of the county's economy. We look forward to seeing existing members and prospective new ones at the lunch which should be very interesting.

"More businesses from the Scarborough district are joining the chamber and benefiting from the range of services available to members, including the networking opportunities these very popular lunches provide."

The chamber has well-attended monthly networking lunches in York and the decision to hold one in Scarborough is part of a drive to take its services to other parts of North Yorkshire.

The announcement of the Scarborough lunch follows hot on the heels of the launch of monthly lunches in Harrogate. Apart from stimulating business networking in each town, the chamber also aims to create greater links and networking between members throughout the county.

The lunches are timed to last two hours so as not to intrude on the working day. For further details, phone Susie Cawood on 01904 619513.

Updated: 11:46 Tuesday, February 17, 2004