Alok Sharma, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Reading West, met today with Tilehurst residents and co-directors Stephanie Cook and Lisa Millward to learn more about their recent business start-up The Booking Agent which has been trading since the start of the year.

The Booking Agent provides a completely free service to corporate and charity clients who want assistance with planning, organising and booking external conferences, events and accommodation.

Stephanie Cook said: “The Booking Agent’s proposition of saving clients time and money has proved a hit and despite starting the business during a recession we already have over 40 regular and loyal clients. We are very keen to grow our business and the fact that our service is completely free has proved to be a real attraction for clients.”

Lisa Millward added: “We are not a 9 to 5 business and our clients appreciate that we are flexible and available to deal with their queries outside normal working hours. This has certainly helped us in winning business referrals from satisfied clients.”

Alok Sharma said: “I was pleased to hear about Lisa and Stephanie’s success with The Booking Agent and their self-belief and courage in starting up a business during difficult economic conditions appears to be paying-off. Small and medium-sized businesses are very much part of the lifeblood of our local communities, we need to do everything we can support our local businesses and we certainly need more successful start-ups like The Booking Agent.”

For further information about The Booking Agent please visit www.thebookingagent.co.uk.

Photo: Alok Sharma with Lisa Millward and Stephanie Cook from local business start-up The Booking Agent.