More than 1,000 people are expected to visit a show to encourage support for their local businesses, according to organisers.

The Ilkley Business Forum will hold its third Summer Showcase in the town on Saturday, June 16, as part of its campaign to stimulate trade in the LS29 postcode area.

To help promote the event, the organisation, which is now three years old, has committed a larger budget to the showcase, and the chairman is confident more people from further afield will flock to the King’s Hall and Winter Garden venue.

Forum chairman Steve Butler said: “As the forum goes from strength to strength, this year’s Showcase will be even bigger and better than before.

“We find people really respond to the idea of supporting their local businesses. In such difficult times as these, the Summer Showcase is an opportunity not to be missed.”

Visitors will have the chance to sample the wares and services of exhibitors, benefit from special promotions, enter a prize draw and even attend workshops – a feature introduced to the event this year for the first time.

Organisers say a wide range of small and medium-sized companies – from stationers to chiropractors to Bettys tea rooms – have already taken up the offer of discounted stands, which ends this Saturday.

The White Rose Classic cycle race, held from the town the next day, is expected to give Showcase visitor numbers a further lift.

Steve Tennant, of jewellers Ashworth and Tennant, said: “I’ve booked for the third year running because it’s been such as resounding success for the business. A product we launched last year just took off and people have continued to visit my shop since.”

The forum is also backing the Ilkley Shopping Trail, from May 11 to 13, when shoppers will be invited to follow a route to visit more than 20 participating retailers with special offers.

For more details, call Steve Butler on (01943) 816207 or e-mail enquiries@ ilkleybusinessforum.co.uk.