FOR many people an afternoon in the pub is a chance to catch up with friends, socialising and having a laugh, but for a certain group the concept is all that and more.

An Afternoon in the Pub, or PM in the Pub as it is also known, is the brainchild of four residents with different skills hoping to bring together the business community in St Albans.

Wanting to move away from the formal idea of networking, social media expert Chrissie Saunders, copywriter Simon Gold and graphic designers Tom Palmer and Matt Bigg came up with the idea of organising informal meetings in the pub.

The fifth event was held yesterday at Bar 62 in Catherine Street, and was a special child-friendly afternoon for businessmen and women to bring along their little ones.

Simon Gold said the free event is becoming more popular as the word spreads across the district.

Explaining the thinking behind An Afternoon in the Pub he said: "This is essentially giving businesses an informal place to meet and chat.

"St Albans has such a vibrant business community and this is one way of traders to meet and get to know one another. Especially for those setting up new businesses alone, they can come along and pick up tips and advice for free.

"Some business meetings cost a lot and are formal, this has no structure, anyone can come along to meet other business owners."

Looking around the room it was clear to see so many people with smiles on their faces, talking and getting to know each other.

After learning of the shop closures across the city centre in recent weeks, it seemed having the opportunity to talk and pick up advice from people in the same situation acted as a positive for those trading in such difficult times.

Kirit Patel from Cuthberts Toys in Christopher Place said social media, in particular Twitter, has acted as a platform for him to meet other businessowners. Currently he is appealing to the Valuation Office Agency over the shop's high business rates and said the Twitter community in St Albans is more vibrant than anywhere else in the country.

For more information visit www.anafternooninthepub.co.uk