THE opportunities are there but you have to seek them out – that’s the message from Herefordshire’s business community.

Cautiously optimistic representatives of county businesses met at this year’s Herefordshire Business Expo to explore the potential offered by a possible economic upturn.

Having been through the worst recession for decades many businesspeople were discussing growth prospects at Hereford Leisure Centre and hoping that we’ve seen the worst.

Mary Rose, sales manager at Mark 1 based on the Three Elms Trading Estate in Hereford, said: “I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet but we are taking staff on in the next couple of months.

“I still think we will get peaks and troughs before the economy evens itself out.

There is business out there but you just have to go and find it.”

Padraig Hurley, self build co-ordinator for Hereford timber frame manufacturer Taylor Lane, is another hopeful of an upturn.

“We have had a lot more interest in terms of getting quotes. That has picked up in the last couple of months,”

said Mr Hurley.

“We've been taking staff on since November and that looks set to continue for the next quarter.

“We like to think the worst is behind us and we’re certainly optimistic.”

Also present at the expo was Genesis, a Harewood End company set up in October last year.

It offers conference and training facilities in a converted barn and although events director Dawn Caddick admits it was a courageous decision to start a business in a recession, she says belief is vital.

“We said let’s go for it. I know it was a brave move but eventually it will pay off. I don’t think we have ever been apprehensive. We just said this is our vision and that is what we want to achieve.

“Everybody seems to be a bit more positive but I have only noticed that in the last month or so.”

Doug D’Aubrey, managing director of Executive Training and Consultancy, which provides advice to county companies, said Herefordshire businesses have to promote themselves.

“The big problem for Herefordshire is that it tends to be a little bit marginalised and businesses in this area have to work harder to promote themselves,” he said.

“First of all they have to network and come to trade shows and show the world they are there.”

Also present at the event, organised by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, were Herefordshire Council and representatives from the Edgar Street Grid project.