Two leading business organisations have joined forces to expand networking events across the county.
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has joined forces with Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster to offer more Business Bites networking events.
The chamber has been hosting Business Bites since 2021 across the county, including in Penrith, Workington, Barrow and Carlisle.
Businesses of all sizes, are invited to come along for free for relaxed after-work networking in a social setting over drinks and canapes. Everyone is welcome, you don’t need to be a member of BECBC or the chamber to attend.
With a focus on community and collaboration rather than selling, the events have gained a crowd of loyal followers. A recent event at the Halston in Carlisle was a sell-out, following the first Businesses Bites of the year in Penrith which welcomed over 50 guests.
The collaboration with BECBC came about after calls for more combined networking events on a larger scale.
Eve Halliday, head of commercial and business growth at Cumbria Chamber said: “Here at Cumbria Chamber, we are constantly listening to local businesses and tailoring our services accordingly. Recently the feedback has been that with so many networking events to choose from, it’s hard to know which to attend.
“There’s also the perception that you must be a member of the chamber to come to Business Bites or that members of other organisations won’t be welcome. That’s simply not the case. Our new partnership with BECBC makes it clear that these events are open to all.
“Over the past two years Business Bites has become a huge success, bringing businesses together around the county to foster collaboration and relationship building. Working with BECBC we plan to build on this success and bring more people together from a diverse range of backgrounds and sectors.
“We also plan to deliver more events in West and South Cumbria building on the momentum of our first three Workington Business Bites which have seen steadily increasing numbers and positive feedback from attendees.”
There has also been a new venue added – on March 23, Business Bites will take place for the first time at the The Fleece at Ruleholme, near Carlisle.
Dianne Richardson, CEO of BECBC, said: “Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at BECBC and working with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce to offer a wider range of opportunities to build networks makes sense for members of both organisations and the wider business community. Cumbrian businesses benefit when we all work together.”
On March 30, Business Bites returns to Penrith, and will be in Workington on April 20 and Kendal on April 27.
The events then continue on a bi-monthly basis throughout the year.
