SKIPTON market traders will be offered free advice and coaching on digital skills at an event in the town on Friday (July 20).

Google Digital Garage is on a tour of market towns to help people grow their businesses, career and confidence.

And, for the first time, the training will be tailored to market traders to help them reach new customers beyond their area and grow.

The bespoke training courses for Skipton will include: building a digital marketing plan, how to make your stall more visible online, and social media strategy.

There will also be a variety of free workshops and face-to-face coaching for anyone from the area, whatever their level of experience. Topics covered will include: taking your first steps online, how to build your digital CV and personal brand online.

Ronan Harris, managing director of Google UK, said: "In the digital age, a basic understanding of how the online world works is useful and when it comes to business, it’s essential.

“We want to give market traders in Skipton the digital skills they need to make the most of new technologies to level the playing field against their competition, reach new customers beyond their local area and grow, ensuring their markets remain at the heart of the local community.”

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, said: “I am delighted that the Google Digital Garage is coming to Skipton. It is a great innovation that offers small and medium sized businesses the chance to learn digital skills, tailor-made for their businesses.

"I particularly welcome its focus on more rural areas like ours; it follows up on the excellent work Superfast North Yorkshire have already done to improve connectivity in our area.”

The Google Digital Garage will be at Skipton Castle on Friday from 10am to 4pm. Visitors can either book in advance or simply drop by for on-the-spot help. For more information, or to sign up to a session, visit: g.co/MarketsTourUK