AN ECO-FRIENDLY business in a remote part of the district will share its sustainability stories with SMEs at a national virtual event on Friday.

The First and Last Brewery, in Elsdson, will be joined by Alnwick business Coffee and Kin , as part of the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise’s (NICRE) showcase of tackling climate change in the rural economy in ‘Your business journey to Net Zero’.

The event will give SMEs practical solutions and tools to help them achieve their low-carbon goals – register for the event here.

The owners of both businesses will share their net zero journeys in conversation with NICRE’s business development manager Melanie Thompson-Glen from 2.40pm to 3.10pm, as well as being part of its virtual exhibition from 12.45pm to 1.30pm.

Melanie said: “As Coffee and Kin and First and Last Brewery have demonstrated to great effect, it doesn’t matter whether your SME is based in a rural area, it can still play its part in helping reduce the impact on our environment.

“Both these businesses have embraced sustainability and we would urge fellow SMEs to come along on Friday to hear their story and get tips on how they can achieve their low-carbon goals.

“The sessions are part of our aim to make a practical difference by tackling society’s grand challenges – such as Net Zero – and fostering resilient and sustainable rural economies.”

NICRE’s showcase will also feature Paul Topham, rural business specialist from its business partner Azets who is managing partner of the firm’s Durham office.

The event – which runs from 9.40am-4.20pm – is being held by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) in conjunction with the NP11 group of Northern Local Enterprise Partnerships.

More information is available by emailing nicre@newcastle.ac.uk or business.engagement@beis.gov.uk.