HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced dates for its spring and summer Business Advice Open Days.

The events offer businesses free practical advice on a wide range of business topics. As well as HMRC, a large number of other organizations offer help and advice at the events, including Business Link, the Health and Safety Executive, ACAS, and the Intellectual Property Office.

The events also feature specialist HMRC seminars covering subjects such as VAT and self-employment, for which places can be booked in advance; however, there is no need to book to visit the exhibition.

The locations, dates and venues of the new events are:

• Newark – Wednesday, March 3 – Kelham Hall
• Shrewsbury – Thursday, March 11 – Shrewsbury Town Football Club
• Darlington – Thursday, March 18 – Scotch Corner Hotel
• Wellingborough, Northants – Thursday, March 25 – Knuston Hall, Irchester
• York – Thursday, March 25 – York Racecourse
• Alnwick, Northumberland – Wed April 14 – White Swan Hotel
• Edinburgh – Thursday, April 22 – Murrayfield Stadium
• Crawley – Thursday, April 29 – Lingfield Park Racecourse
• Chigwell – Tuesday, May 11 – Menzies Prince Regents Hotel
• Blackpool – Wednesday, May 19 – Hilton Hotel
• Oxford – Thursday, May 27 – Kassam Stadium
• Coventry – Thursday, June 10 – Stoneleigh Park Showground
• Newbury – Tuesday, June 15 – Chequers Hotel
• Haltwhistle, Northumberland – Thursday, June 17 – Haltwhistle Methodist Church Hall
• Llandudno – Thursday, June 24 – Venue Cymru
• Sunderland – Thursday, July 1 – SFC Stadium of Light

Roger Lovell, from HMRC’s Business Liaison Team, explained that: “HMRC’s Business Advice Open Days bring together the expertise of a wide range of organizations under one roof. They’re free, you can drop in any time, and the feedback from people who attend them is that they’re really worth a visit. So, if there’s one coming to a town or city near you, make a date in your diary.”

The Business Advice Open Days are aimed at both individuals who are new to business and those whose operations are well-established, and offer free advice on finding customers, meeting liabilities, and getting to grips with tax and cash flow.

HMRC will be offering businesses practical advice and offering information on its time-saving and business support initiatives. Information on the Business Payment Support Service, which can allow businesses to delay tax payments during difficult times, and its quick and easy online services, will be available. There will also be seminars explaining the basics of VAT and what to do if self-employed.

Lovell observed that: “It’s inevitable that some people will find tax issues daunting, or be worried about meeting their liabilities during today’s tough times. This event allows us to bring our advice directly to the business community and offer practical assistance where it is needed...Our partner organizations will also be on hand to explain their services and how they can help small and medium sized enterprises.”

Last year, more than 10,000 people attended a Business Advice Open Day.