MORE than 80 business owners form Saxmundham, Aldeburgh and Leiston had a close shave with one of the region’s most successful entrepreneurs when he joined them for a late summer party.

King of Shaves founder Will King, who is originally from Lowestoft, was at Aldeburgh Yacht Club on Wednesday (September 14) for the Heritage Coast Market Towns Initiative (HCMTI) event.

He was joined by East of England Businesswoman Entrepreneur of the Year, Naomi Tarry, director of Best of Suffolk.

Business owners heard the story of Mr King’s rise to entrepreneurial success and about his own business philosophy.

His talk fitted in well with HCMTI and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce’s Social Media Overview, planned for November, will cover the fundamentals of social media and the terminology used to put businesses on the path to their digital marketing and social strategy, organisers said.

HCTMI project co-ordinator Annette Mason-Gordon said: “The party provided the perfect platform for the launch of the Leiston Town Guide, full of useful information, maps and advertisements to attract both tourists and residents to this town with character, together with flyers detailing the benefits offered by Saxmundham and Aldeburgh Business Associations to their members.

“One of the most innovative initiatives introduced by the HCMTI is the ‘Where’s Rudolph Campaign’ linking the traditional Christmas Fairs in the three towns, giving association members the opportunity to advertise to the local community, enhancing the fairs with a fun treasure hunt and the chance of winning �500 worth of vouchers donated by Waitrose.

“This will be a perfect close to a highly successful year for HCMTI and will endorse their philosophy by giving something back to the community.”

The HCMTI was established through funding from Suffolk Coastal District Council, Suffolk County Council and Magnox South to enable the Business Associations in Aldeburgh, Leiston and Saxmundham to work together to encourage inward investment, promote local trading, services and tourism.