SMALL businesses across the region will have a chance to network at a unique event this December.

Small Business Saturday takes place at Central Library, in Southampton, on December 7 and will feature key talks from business figures.

There will also be speed networking sessions and information on how people can get involved in starting up a business.

The event will take place in the Fountains Cafe from 10am until 4pm and will be opened by the Mayor of Southampton Cllr Ivan White.

The programme event so far features talks from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), James Hardiman on 3D printing, Fiona McMurray on the Bridging the Gap Fund, and information on how pop-up shops can revive the high street.

The Southampton event has been organised by David Vane, from the Solent Business Growth Network, on the back of the success of Small Business Saturday in America.

The UK event was initiated by Chuka Umunna MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and has now gained support from the Prime Minister David Cameron.

David Vane said: “I plan to engage with the FSB, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, the local enterprise partnership and Enterprise First to talk about their start up packages as well.

“We will have several speakers talking about pop-up shops, crowd sourcing, 3D printing and a speed networking sessionions.

“The aim of the day will be to celebrate small businesses in the city and their innovative ideas.

“It will also be to encourage people who may have ideas about starting up a business to come and see what we are doing.

“We will also be on hand to provide information about loans and funding too.”