Gay entrepreneurs to promote enterprise

As the Capital concludes its celebration of the Pride Festival Fortnight, the UK’s self-styled gay chamber of commerce plans to take a slightly different tack.

The Gay Business Association (GBA) will invite its members, spanning myriad industry sectors, from web design to restaurants to pet supplies, to share their expertise in starting and developing a business.

On Thursday, festivalgoers considering a career in enterprise will be able to “Ask The Experts”.

Gay and lesbian entrepreneurs will speak about the legal obstacles in starting up, the best way to develop a business plan and product ideas, marketing methods, as well as how to deal with the workload and pressures of running a business.

The event is part of the larger Pride Festival Fortnight programme coordinated by London City Hall and Pride London, sponsored by Morgan Stanley and supported by the GBA and a host of other organisations.

“Pride is one of the key cultural events in London’s calendar, celebrating the contribution of London’s lesbian and gay community,” said mayor Ken Livingstone. “I am committed to supporting Pride’s continuing development and to working with the lesbian and gay community towards achieving equality.”

Celebrations will conclude on Saturday with the Pride Parade, beginning at Park Lane. The parade will be followed by a rallies in Trafalgar Square and at the Virgin Mobile Cabaret stage in Leicester Square.

Ask The Experts runs from 6.30 p.m. this Thursday at the New Connaught Rooms in Holborn. More information is available from the GBA’s web site at www.gba.org.uk