UNIQUE Ladies Networking has responded to the coronavirus restrictions by creating a new online networking service.

The organisation, which has 15 groups across the North West from Tameside to Merseyside and into Yorkshire, normally has popular monthly meetings in towns including Bolton at the Bolton Whites Hotel, Wigan, Blackburn, Lancaster and in the Ribble Valley.

Now, rather than getting together physically, “meetings” are being offered online employing Unique’s blend of networking and inspirational speakers using the digital tool Zoom.

Unique’s founder, Chorley businesswoman Suzy Orr explained: “Unique is all about supporting women in business – that’s why I started it five years ago.

“During the current crisis, they cannot go to meetings but we wanted to ensure that they could still get together for mutual support at a time when they really needed it.

“Everything is at a standstill currently and people are panicking about being at home, especially when they have a business to run.

“It’s good to continue to focus on business and the online meetings provide other people to talk to and share ideas and can really help morale.

“We wanted them to be open to everyone and not necessarily about making money so we’re offering this service free for the foreseeable future.

“Our franchisees are very excited about this and it’s already proving incredibly motivating.

“This online system could even take networking into a different future model.”

Suzy added that if any women were not confident about using digital tools like Zoom, Unique was happy to help them beforehand.

“This is an opportunity for us all to network in a different way,” she added, and to possibly learn new skills.

The two-hour meetings are easily accessible and people are welcome to join using details on the website www.uniqueladies.co.uk

- Do you have a business story? Are you doing something different amid the coronavirus crisis? Email newsdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk