The third Telegraph & Argus Business Networking Lunch is being held this week.

The event is at the Midland Hotel, Bradford, on Thursday, February 26, from 12.30pm to 3pm, with an influential guest speaker from the business community - Adam Oldfield, managing director of Leeds website development form Zagota (UK)..

The lunches were launched in February 2003 to help the business community in Bradford support each other, and another was held last July.

Business built Bradford, particularly during the time of the city's booming wool and textile industry. Not just the impressive mills but also many of the magnificent Victorian buildings, which contribute so much to the unique character of our landscape, were the product of a thriving business culture.

Karen Young, T&A group events manager, said: "Wool and textiles are still here, but they play a much smaller part in the scene today.

"Commerce cannot afford to stand still, however, and the mills have been replaced by engineering, printing, financial services and a dynamic and exciting new technology sector."

Pre-lunch drinks will be served in the reception area of the hotel, where people will have the opportunity to meet up. After lunch the room will be available for people to 'network' with as many other business people as they wish.

Networking is important for all businesses - from the one-man operation to a multi-national - because more than 80 per cent of small businesses source products locally and regionally. This is even the case for categories such as photocopiers, computers and plant equipment.

People in small businesses have greater authority in the purchasing decision, with more than half having final decision-making authority and 43 per cent actively involved in purchasing of goods themselves.

The Telegraph & Argus Business Networking Lunch aims to connect business people, and if you would like to attend there are still a few tickets left. Contact Karen Young on (01274) 705269 for further details.