A first Access To Free Money event was hosted by MakeIT 2020.

The event, held at Ransom Wood Business Park, Mansfield, provided a platform for diverse funding opportunities to be explained —followed by a one-to-one workshop with each provider — for companies to find out if they were eligible.

MakeIT 2020 is part of Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 with steering group members and business leaders — Russell Jones, Martin Rigley, Shane Gunstone, Gary Jordan, John Mattinson and Ian Jephson.

The event highlighted the £21m European money available for businesses trading in Mansfield and Ashfield for the next 18 months.

The event was told that if businesses don’t spend the money, it will be sent back.

Delegates heard about funding opportunities, ranging from training, innovation, growth, start-up, recruitment and capital.

Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 operations director Caroline Cox said: ‘The majority of SMEs have a desire to grow their business, but either finance or a lack of business advice support prevents them from either putting the plans into place or delays them.

By highlighting a diverse range of funding opportunities, we are hoping to have inspired businesses to explore and take action.

“We thank Jephson Shopfitters for sponsoring this event and helping us make it happen.”

2020 chairman Russell Jones said: ‘The funding process is a minefield. This interactive workshop streamlined and simplified the opportunities.

“Judging by the turnover its clear to its clear to see there is a demand for businesses to know more and we want to help our community become bigger, better, stronger.”