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The www.firmcontact.co.uk is a web site that will give local businesses the opportunity to venture onto the internet and have a presence on the web for the first time.

Training and support is being made available to help them develop internet-age business skills at the City Learning Centre at Abraham Moss College.

Future developments on the site include discussion forums so local businesses can discuss issues of concern and exchange views and information.

The site has been set up by Cheetham and Broughton Business Network and ISaware, an organisation funded through Europe to provide free advice to small businesses.

The Cheetham and Broughton Business Network is co-ordinated by the Cheetham and Broughton Regeneration team.

Martin Pagel, a member of the Cheetham and Brougton Partnership Board, welcomed the initiative.

He said: "Firmcontact will enable businesses in Cheetham and Broughton to promote themselves on the internet and keep them in touch with local issues relevant to them.

"With 81% of businesses now online, we need to support businesses in the city, particularly in regeneration areas, to be part of the new-age technology boom."