In tough times, starting your own business can be a real alternative to the dole, as hundreds of Branson wannabes hope to find out at a pioneering show in Kent today.

Kent 2020 Vision START-UP LIVE goes live for one day at the Kent Event Centre (Kent Showground), Detling.

Talks, workshops, exhibitors, expert clinics - including confidential one-to-one help - and enterprise exercises for students are on the agenda at the first show of its kind in the county, all designed to help people of all ages turn their good ideas into great businesses.

Taking part will be accountants, marketing and design agencies, legal services, business centres and office space, media and database providers, sales training and coaching, web design and hosting, IT / telecoms and software, banks and investors, insurers, printers, logistics companies, sale agents and franchisors.

The free admission show, supported by Kent County Council, runs from 11am to 7pm. It is hosted by BSK-CIC and builds on the success of the annual Kent 2020 Vision, also organised by Pembury-based Revolutions Events.

Many visitors have already registered, but Jane Ollis (pictured above), BSK-CIC chief executive, said that anyone who hadn’t got round to it would be welcome to turn up on the day.

“Despite the uncertain outlook, now is a great time to go into business. Every recession will be followed by a period of expansion, so starting a business today means being ready for the next wave of growth.”