Here is a round up of some free business events, workshops, webinars and seminars around the UK. They cover a wide range of topics about starting and running a business. To find out more and book your place click on the events you are interested in. Lets Talk Programme The Barclays Let’s Talk Business programme - – - read more >

Google is hosting a Build your own website event in Birmingham. Date: Thursady 30th September 2010, 6.30pm to 8.30pm  Venue: The Custard Factory, 30 Floodgate Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4AA View map and directions Status: PRIME supported event Google UK’s Managing Director Matt Brittin will host an exclusive event for businesses in Birmingham and the West Midlands. Together - – - read more >

The National Franchise Exhibition  is going to be  at the NEC in Birmingham on the 01st & 02nd of October 2010. It is the main franchise exhibition in the UK and the only one to be officially supported by the British Franchise Association. The exhibitor list includes McDonald’s, Thorntons, Subway and a host of smaller franchisors. Tickets cost £8 for one - – - read more >

Date: Thursday 28 October 2010, two sessions 12:30pm to 3:30pm and 4:30pm to 7:30pm Venue: Birmingham Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3HQ Location map  Status: PRIME event  Are you over 50 and thinking of starting a business or becoming self-employed? Then come along to PRIME’s FREE taster workshop at the Birmingham Central Library. BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE * - – - read more >

Date: Thursday 10 June 2010 Venue: Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, CV8 2LZ Status: PRIME attended The Open Day programme is the biggest government business support road show, designed to provide free information and support to businesses, through a series of exhibitions across the country. It is organised by HM Revenue and Customs, who invite local organisations and representatives - – - read more >

After 30 years in finance and leasing, 58-year-old Robert White has started a new trade as a domestic energy assessor. West Bromwich man Bob spent 30 years in finance and leasing, as sales manager, business development manager, and managing director. With the recession the market declined, and Bob found himself made redundant three times in - – - read more >

Lynn Swift worked for almost 30 years for the same local law firm. Following redundancy, she now runs her own successful legal business in Walsall in the West Midlands.  Called H & B Inheritance, it deals with wills, probate, deeds of variation, lasting powers of attorney and changes of name.  Lynn had been thinking about - – - read more >

Date: Monday 2 November 2009. Time 1pm to 4.30pm Venue: Suite 4, The Lakeside Centre (on the Aston University Campus), Aston Triangle, Birmingham, West Midlands B4 7ET Status: PRIME event Are you over 50 and thinking of starting a business or becoming self-employed? Then come along to PRIME’s FREE taster workshop at Aston University, near - – - read more >

Date: Thursday 19th November 2009, time 1.00pm to 6.00pm Venue: The Holiday Inn, St Quentin Gate, Town Centre, Telford, Shropshire TF3 4EH Status: PRIME event Map and directions Are you over 50 and thinking of starting a business or becoming self-employed? Then come along to PRIME’s FREE Essential Enterprise Day in Telford. FREE presentations by - – - read more >

Date: Wednesday 16 September 2009 Venue: Aston Villa Football Club, Villa Park, Birmingham, B6 6HE Status: PRIME attended The Open Day programme is the biggest government business support road show, designed to provide free information and support to businesses, through a series of exhibitions across the country. It is organised by HM Revenue and Customs, who invite local - – - read more >

Susan Port, 57 from Warwickshire started her own business after retiring due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In July 2006 Susan became the UK and EU sole distributor for Babynobumps Ltd, a company which provides safety hats, to protect babies’ heads from bumps and scrapes. Three years down the line, Susan is in talks - – - read more >

Date: Thursday 23rd July 2009 Time:  1.00pm to 7.00pm Venue: The Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury, SY1 1UY  Status: PRIME event Thinking of starting a business? Planning to be self-employed? Come to a FREE Essential Enterprise Day FREE presentations by World Class Black Country Business Guru – Tom Edge on  “AGE IS NO BARRIER”,  ”top tips for - – - read more >

William Cawley, 53 created a heritage walk with a terrifying twist, when he invented the Shriek in Leek ghost tour. Bill first did the ghost walk in November 2005 as a fundraising event for Children in Need. Over 40 people turned up to be spooked, raising the charity £100. Seeing the opportunity to make money - – - read more >

Date: Thursday 26th February 2009 Time: 1pm to 6:30pm Venue: The Bank’s Football Stadium, Bescot Crescent, Walsall, WS1 4SA  Status: PRIME event Essential Enterprise Day is a free PRIME event for anyone over 50 who is thinking of starting a business or planning to be self-employed.  PRIME’s programme of free workshops is available on a first come - – - read more >

This piece in the Birmingham Post takes as its starting point Richard Branson, but goes on to profile two local business starters in their 50s and 70s. It also refers to recent PRIME research into the extent and importance of older entrepreneurship. Meanwhile Branson fans can follow his latest adventure at 9pm on Tuesday the - – - read more >