Breakfast business networking event hailed as big success

Danielle Eastlea presents at the front of a filled room.

Braintree District Council’s business networking event hailed as big success by businesses, partners and organisers.

Braintree District Council’s business networking event hailed as big success by businesses, partners and organisers.

Businesses joined speakers and organisers for a series of talks at the Council’s new enterprise and innovation centre in Great Notley.

Speakers across various sectors shared information about upcoming grants and business support as well as cyber security, green accreditations and sustainable transport and health and wellbeing in the workplace.

Braintree District Council also unveiled its economic strategy and the priorities set to support and grow the local economy over the next five years.

Businesses used the opportunity to make connections, network and socialise.

Clare Scammell, Owner of GKs Graphics in Witham, said: “As a new business owner I am so grateful for events like this. I had no clue about the help and support that was available to me, whether it be grants, new initiatives in the Essex area or business support in general. It can be a daunting task researching on your own and so having a networking event outlining everything among friendly faces means a huge amount to me.”

Richard Evers, Chair of the Pumphouse Community Brewery in Toppesfield, said: “Pumphouse makes fine, traditional real ales at our micro-brewery in Toppesfield and is the only community owned brewery in the East of England. But the challenges we face are shared by businesses and organisations throughout the Braintree district. My team and I were impressed with the access to information, expertise and opportunities outlined during the presentations."

Cllr Frankie Ricci, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Inward Investment at Braintree District Council,  said: “I would like to extend my thanks to the speakers and the economic development team for their hard work in the organisation of this event. I know from speaking to colleagues that businesses found the session useful and informative. Our ambition over the next five years as we deliver our new Economic Strategy is to support as many organisations as possible with the initiatives we have in the pipeline.”

This event received £1K from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

Published: 13th June 2023