July 2nd, 2007 - Derry - Over thirty Spencer Road, Duke Street and Clooney Terrace business owners descended on a packed Café Zest on Tuesday evening to take part in the first of a two-part marketing workshop designed to help raise the profile of this up and coming area.

The event, imaginatively titled, "Marketing Spencer Road", was organised by the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce under their Business Information Advice & Guidance Service and in response to calls from local business owners for a more proactive approach to the development of Spencer Rd and surrounding areas.

Often overlooked as a shopping and leisure destination, Spencer Road has been undergoing something of a renaissance in recent years with both locals and visitors to the city being attracted by a host of new, and newly refurbished, businesses.

As Seonaid Hughes from the Chamber of Commerce explained, "The Chamber are committed to helping businesses from all areas of the city whether it be through campaigning on their behalf, organising events or, as in this case, providing access to information and support."

"Of course this is something that needs to come from the business community itself and the businesses we've spoken to are all extremely keen to help raise the profile of the area. As it turns out, the response and support has been so great that the event is completely booked out.", she added.

It's this involvement from the local business community that suggests that this workshop runs a better chance than most of delivering real results, something that the workshop providers, local marketing company FreeForm Media, were keen to stress. "When the Chamber approached us about running this workshop it was important for us to know that the businesses themselves wanted to do something - the last thing we wanted was for this to be just another talking shop", said Managing Director of FreeForm, Mark Nagurski.

Emphasising the need for local businesses to take control themselves, Mark continued, "It's fantastic to see so many businesses taking an interest in how their area is viewed. By working together I think the businesses in the Spencer Rd area can provide a great template for other areas of the city. In fact, I'd love to see more of these workshops springing up across the town and would welcome the chance to speak to any business or businesses interested in arranging one for their area."

The second workshop takes place on Tuesday, July 10th at 5:30pm at Café Zest on Spencer Road. Interested parties can reserve their place by contacting Seonaid Hughes on 02871 262 379. Any business or businesses interested in holding a similar event in their area can contact Mark at FreeForm Media on 02871 368 189 or by visiting www.freeformmedia.co.uk.