Business Networks - connect, learn, grow and influence

the hive (Weston-super-Mare)

A sense of community is important at the hive. With a strong team that supports their clients and significant links with a thriving business community in North Somerset, a sense of community is important at the hive.

From business support, workspace, meeting rooms and a community of like-minded businesses, the hive believes that the power of community can’t be over-stated.

The hive is a place to mix with, and learn from, other start-ups and fledgling businesses. This is how new ideas come to life – a wealth of innovative thinking right at your door. Why not stay connected at the hive, the home of business support?

Friday Lunchtime Networking (Weston-super-Mare)

Meeting on alternative Fridays at The Stable Games Room, FLN was established in 2017 by a handful of local business owners who wanted to create a professional, supportive and engaging networking environment where local businesses could build strong professional connections in a relaxed and friendly lunch time setting.

Their collective objective is to promote, support and grow each other’s businesses through effective collaboration, meaningful referrals, and increasing their core membership.

Their core values are centred around mutual trust and respect, embracing a structured but informal approach to their meetings which are always lively and full of good humour.

Portishead, Bristol & North Somerset Networking (Portishead)

Their vibrant business networking community is a friendly group of business owners and professionals who love to talk business, share insights, discuss ideas, and truly get to know one another.

Entry to meetings is £10 (including coffee) and there’s no annual commitment, just book the meetings that you’d like to attend.

At the moment, they meet on Fridays at The Windmill, 58 Nore Road, Portishead, Bristol (North Somerset)

Freelance Mum Netwalk North Somerset (Clevedon)

The Freelance Mum netwalks are child-friendly events, designed for you and your business, to make connections, grow your business, with fresh air and fresh thinking!

They meet at Clevedon Sea Front – Salthouse Fields Car Park (pub end) – for a netwalk along the seafront. This event is run by the fab Freelance Mum Fairies, Amy & Claire.

Parking: Salthouse Fields Car Park (use MiPermit app – location 708014) or free in nearby roads.

As with all FM events, children are always welcome, and they take place whatever the weather – unless there is a severe weather warning!

Women Mean Biz (Clevedon)

Join Women Mean Biz and you’re joining an established network of businesswomen and entrepreneurs working in all sorts of businesses from start-ups to established companies and large corporations. The only qualification you need to join is the desire to be successful in your business.

Each group meets once a month for a two-hour session over lunch, and all meetings follow the carefully developed WMB format. You’ll be given the opportunity to swap and share ideas, gain new contacts, build alliances and partnerships and get the support you need to drive your business forward.

The Coastal Networkers (Clevedon)

The Coastal Networkers are a group of professionals who enjoy meeting together to network and talk business.

Their meetings are free to attend and there is no membership as such. All they ask is that you let them know which meetings you are going to attend and add yourself to their mailing list.

At the moment, they meet every other Wednesday in Clevedon, North Somerset.

Business Improvement Districts

Weston super Mare BID

The Weston BID is delivered through Weston Town Centre Partnership Ltd and covers Weston Town Centre and works with c. 400 Voting Levy Payers.

Link: https://westonbid.superweston.net/

Clevedon BID

The Clevedon BID is led by a group of local business owners and managers working together to improve the town as a place to run a business.

Link: https://clevedonbid.com/

Chambers of Commerce

North Somerset has a thriving support network of Chamber of Commerce bodies representing specific towns across North Somerset

Weston-super-Mare Chamber of Commerce

Email: info@westonchamber.org.uk
Website: www.westonchamber.org.uk

Clevedon Chamber of Trade, Commerce and Technology

Email: hello@clevedonchamber.co.uk
Website: www.clevedonchamber.co.uk

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)

A national, not for profit membership organisation with an excellent range of benefits and useful free resources that are designed to help any small business owner, or someone self-employed.

Access to a wide range of free networking events and webinars

• An on-demand page to watch previous webinars on topics to help support your business back
• A Knowledge Hub with hundreds of jargon-free articles, guides, training opportunities and more all designed to help small businesses
• A Small Business Sustainability Hub designed to help you to progress your journey towards net zero.

They also offer a range of support in your area through their local Development Manager Ruth Lambert and regularly post about new grants and support schemes on the South West Regional News pages of their website.

Business West

Business West helps companies grow, innovate and export. They build professional communities and tackle challenging business issues on behalf of organisations. They lobby, influence and deliver tangible results.

They have a proven track record of connecting people, public bodies and private companies, to nurture a more productive and inclusive business landscape – equipping them with the support and tools needed to fulfil their potential & turn their vision into reality.

Everything they do contributes to making our region the best place to live, learn and work.