A WORKSHOP to help aspiring mature entrepreneurs start up their own businesses is to take place next week.

The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) will be running the interactive workshop for the over 50s at the Innovation Centre at Norden House, on Basing View.

The introductory session is free to attend and will be offering advice and mentoring help to develop budding enterprises, running from 9.30am to 1pm.

Figures provided by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed that self-employment is gaining popularity with 14 per cent of the UK workforce – 4.2 million– registered as self-employed, which is an increase of 367,000 in four years.

There are currently 13,600 self-employed workers registered in Basingstoke and Deane, with PRIME promoting self-employment as a viable route into sustainable employment, which could be a possible alternative for the 1,000 unemployed over 50s in the area.

Thirty people from Basingstoke have previously contacted PRIME for help in setting up a business and the one-day workshop will help people over the age of 50 decide whether self employment is the right option for them, covering issues such as the benefits of starting a business and how to develop a business idea.

For those who are looking for further support in setting-up a business, PRIME will be facilitating a longer course, beginning in September 2013.

This course involves three classroom days, as well as coursework, and covers the practical skills needed to run a business, such as researching a business idea, planning finances and how to market and sell a product or service.

Further details can be found at www.prime.org.uk/courses or by telephoning 0845 862 2023.