A campaign to develop a business power house around the Tewkesbury junction on the M5 was launched last night.

Some 50 business people attended the event at the Porsche Centre, Ashchurch which was organised by Tewkesbury Borough Council.

The aim was to highlight how the area around Junction 9 of the M5 - less than 60 minutes from Birmingham, Bristol and Swindon - has excellent access to customers and suppliers all over the UK.

The borough council's lead member for economic development Councillor Robert Bird spoke with passion about the potential the area has to offer businesses, whether they are start-ups, expanding or relocating.

It was anticipated that 40 per cent of the county's economic growth would come from the Tewkesbury area. Economic development was a key priority for the borough council.

"It is businesses that drive growth and we have got to do what we can to help," said Councillor Bird. "At the end of the day economic prosperity makes life better for everybody in this area in which we live and work."

Tewkesbury was perfectly situated at the gateway to M5 Growth Zone, well connected with a well-qualified workforce and an array of commercial facilities.

The event included an exclusive viewing of a new Tewkesbury business video showcasing the area to promote inward investment which was created for the council by Mosaique, the Tewkesbury based design consultants.

Tewkesbury already has some world-leading companies based in the area, including Moog, L-3 TRL and G4S.

Tewkesbury Borough Council says it can help drive businesses forward with a wide range of support including help with funding through grants, loans and finance; mentoring and training together with business networking.

The authority has also created The Knights of Tewkesbury, individuals who represent the interests of the business community and for whom they will lobby.

The Knights include Chris Curr, general manager of Moog Industrial Group; Abid Naser of online survey solutions supplier SmartSurvey; Bruce Keen of Tewkesbury Saw and Nicki Halford, owner of Halfords Traditional Butchers.

For more details visit www.tewkesburybusiness.co.uk  or speak to the council's economic development team on 01684 272249.

We at Punchline applaud Tewkesbury Borough Council's drive and initiative in helping to promote business in this county. Local authorities don't always get a good press but Tewkesbury is setting an example others might like to follow.

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk