CONSIGNIA is very definitely not the flavour of the month with more than 150 small businesses attending an advice day.

Firms' representatives at the HM Customs & Excise business advice open day were asked what they thought of Consignia's plans to charge some individuals and companies an early delivery fee of £14 a week.

Results of the poll, carried out by Big Small Business Initiative (BSBI) showed a resounding thumbs down to the plan which Consignia say will be trialled in 14 yet to be identified pilot areas.

David Parker of the BSBI said the one day conference, held at the De Vere Hotel in West Swindon, was the perfect opportunity to ask those most likely to be affected by the situation.

"Here we had every single Government department giving free advice to the enterprises that really matter and who are the people most likely to have strong views," he said.

"In a survey of 150 local businesses represented at the event, 78 per cent felt it was very important for them to receive their mail first thing in the morning.

"Less than one per cent felt they were prepared to pay the charges.

"BSBI is not surprised by the strength of feeling among Swindon businesses.

"Although there is a move to use electronic communications more and more in business, receiving mail first thing in the morning is still vitally important."

The event was one of a number sponsored by the BSBI and organised throughout the country by Customs and Excise. More than 700 people attended the Wiltshire Business Advice Day, which was locally sponsored by Business Link.

There were 20 seminars on various subjects.

Among the 32 stands at the event were those manned by representatives of Business Link Berkshire, Federation of Small Businesses, University of Bath in Swindon, Swindon Chamber of Commerce and Newsquest Wiltshire, publishers of the Evening Advertiser.