A 51-YEAR-OLD NatWest 'boost bus' touring across the country made a stop in Warrington to offer free business advice amid the 'uncertainty around Brexit'.

The vehicle parked up at Centre Park last Wednesday to offer entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) the opportunity to boost trade with tips and support.

The bank has brought together national and regional partners, as well as support organisations in the industry, to provide the service.

The 1966 Routemaster bus has visited more than 350 locations across England and Wales – and travelled over 50,000 miles.

So far, it has welcomed more than 30,000 people on board.

Visitors last week received ‘valuable guidance’ to help them on their journey, while having the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions with other entrepreneurs and experts.

It also offered SMEs the chance to get access to ‘hands-on expertise, unique business insight, seminar sessions and networking opportunities to meet peers and potential partners and suppliers’.

Chris Lawrenson, director of business banking with NatWest in the town, said: "We have a strong presence in Warrington.

"The location, between the powerhouses of Liverpool and Manchester, is great.

"I think it is very, very clear that the authority here is very ambitious about the town.

"Despite some of the uncertainty around Brexit and the election, there is a real desire for people to be entrepreneurs and start up their own companies."

Kim Meadows, business growth enabler at NatWest, added: "Our 'boost bus' is a great way to get into communities, including Warrington, and support those aspiring to grow their business.

"By collaborating with experts, we hope to provide a broader range of support to help more entrepreneurs realise their business ambitions than ever before."

Catering on the vehicle was supplied by Jen Perry, from Warrington-based Room Forty.

She said: "I'm delighted to be invited on the bus as a SME and to be providing some of my produce.

"I'm thrilled too to be raising money for Breast Cancer Care as part of this initiative."

The cakes that were baked were paid for by NatWest, with people on board asked to make donations to the charity.