Apprentice winner Tim Campbell will kick off a summer of activities aimed at helping small business owners in Great Yarmouth understand how technology can better help them run and grow their businesses.

In his role as ambassador for payments company Worldpay’s High Street to iStreet campaign, Tim will host a free breakfast workshop on June 10 for local small companies at Enterprise GY, starting at 8am.

He will be joined by a range of experts in digital marketing, accountancy and telecoms who will offer practical guidance on how to embrace and use technology in a “race to stay relevant.”

Attendance is open to all local business owners in the Great Yarmouth area.

Through a partnership with the Association of Town and City Managers, Tim and Worldpay will then work with three small and independent business owners for twelve weeks, providing them with tailored insights, technology and mentoring to help them become more efficient, and enable them to deliver the same kind of personalised, joined up, hassle-free service today’s shopper expects from larger businesses.

Tim who won the first series of The Apprentice in 2005 beating Saira Khan, said: “Regardless of the rapid changes technology is bringing about to the way people interact with their high streets, people still love them.

“By embracing the opportunities technological advances can present and listening to customers’ needs there is still a place for the cherished brands and stores that many local residents trust and love. Being defeatist is not an option. Responding to the changes is.”

Dave Hobday, UK managing director, Worldpay, said: “As far as retail and technology are concerned, the time for ‘wait and see’ has gone. Digital technology could unlock £18.8bn of revenue for SMEs, while reducing their costs by up to a fifth.

“Whilst we’re seeing pockets of innovation in many corners of the UK, we also know that many small businesses are struggling to adapt. We want to empower these businesses to turn uncertainty into opportunity and reassure them that technology is a friend, not a foe.”

To register for the workshop contact town centre manager Jonathan Newman on 01493 745828.