Businesses in Hackney have been given guidance on riding out the recession by an award-winning business guru.

Rene Carayol, who has chaired economic conferences across the world and interviewed leaders from Bill Clinton to Mikhail Gorbachev, took time out of his packed schedule to pop into a Hackney pub this week.

The Three Sisters in Hackney Downs was filled with local business owners keen to talk to Mr Carayol, who also presents the BBC’s Pay Off Your Mortgage in Two Years series.

Mr Carayol said: “The place was packed and everyone had a pen and notepad. It was great to talk to people who wouldn’t normally be able to afford the advice.”

Tony Attille, the pub’s landlord, said: “Lots of people who came had worries about how to avoid doors closing, and wanted to know if they should reduce prices. Rene gave great advice.

“He doesn’t have to come and do an event like this, and people were really receptive.”

Read Rene’s top five tips on surviving the recession here.