Ealing Council is recruiting Southall businesses to its free training scheme to help traders attract more customers and improve their profits.

Award winning retail specialists Vision, funded by Ealing Council, has been working with independent traders in other parts of the borough and around 30 businesses will graduate from the programme next month.

The Vision On team will hold sessions with traders to give them tools and tips in making a business more successful.

Southall businesses will receive training on 21 October and inductions take place a week prior to this.

For more information about the sessions or to book a free place call 07801 258595 and speak to Susan Williams at Vision On. Visit www.vision-on.co.uk for more about the company.

Argiros Agapiou, owner of The Golden Chip, in Boston Road, Hanwell, has recently taken part in the programme.

He said: "The sessions give you a different perspective, encouraging you to think of ways of making the shop look nicer that you may not have considered before."

"We didn’t need to do much but the scheme has made a difference to us, I would certainly recommend other businesses to take part."

Ealing Council is spending £1.6million to improve shopfronts as part of the council’s £15million town centre regeneration programme.

Businesses may be eligible to apply for a grant of up to 90% of the costs to improve their shopfront. The grants are available to independent businesses across Acton, Central Ealing, West Ealing, Hanwell and Southall.

Councillor David Millican, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: "Ealing has great character and a lot of this is down to the wonderful local businesses we have in the borough."

"Traders have welcomed the training courses and shopfront grants and the council will continue to do all it can to help them boost trade and encourage people to shop locally."