A finance consortium, which helps small businesses grow without resorting to banks and loan companies, has opened a branch in Maldon.

Advantage Business Angels (ABA) represents more than 700 people looking to invest amounts from £10,000 to £3,000,000 in new UK companies.

Steve Tyler, a Maldon resident for 25 years, now runs ABA's East Anglian operations from his home in the west of the town and will visit existing or would-be small traders interested in the scheme.

"ABA can introduce small business owners and entrepreneurs to people actively looking to invest money and expertise," he said.

"Investors would be prepared to give a sum in exchange for a 20 to 30 per cent share interest in the company. If over 25 per cent, they would have voting rights. They also help growing companies."

Mr Tyler said Maldon was ideally situated for ABA's help. "It is great to see businesses flourishing. There was a spate when there were huge numbers of empty businesses, but we seem to have turned the corner."

Published Thursday June 17, 2004

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