Our January Networking Meet Up Was a Great Success – What’s Next for 2026

We’re delighted to share that the January networking session took place as planned and was a real success. Thank you to everyone who showed up to fill the room with a lively discussion on how the small business community in the Peak District would like to organise themselves as we step into 2026.

The room was full of energy, honesty and practical insight, with local business owners openly sharing what works, what doesn’t, and what they genuinely want from networking and business support across the Peak District. The facilitated discussion confirmed something we’ve long felt –  there is a strong appetite for connection, collaboration and locally grounded support, and people value having a consistent space to come together.

Introducing The Business Hub Club

Following the withdrawal of support from the FSB, we’ve dubbed the networking and connection sessions going forwards under a new working title:

The Business Hub Club

While the name is new, the spirit remains the same – friendly, inclusive, practical networking rooted firmly in the local business community. The January discussion helped us sense-check this direction and gave us confidence that continuing independently is the right move.

The Next Date Is Confirmed for 25 February

Our next Business Hub Club meeting will take place on:

📅 Tuesday 25 February

⏰ 5.00 – 6.30pm

📍 Peak District Business Hub, Aldern House, Bakewell

Sign up right here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/business-hub-club-networking-event-in-bakewell-tickets-1981431456826?aff=erelexpmlt 

This session will build on the conversations started in January and begin to put some structure around what the rest of the year could look like.

Shaping the Year Ahead

One of the most valuable outcomes from January was the feedback from the room about how people want networking to work going forward and that regular monthly sessions were what people wanted in order to maintain relationships, where quarterly felt too spaced out.

Based on those conversations, we’ll now be:

• Reviewing format options (discussion-led, pitch sessions, clinics, light-touch ‘no pitch’ speakers, themed sessions, celebration gatherings)
• Looking at programming the dates across the year
• Introducing an honesty box to cover refreshments, and offer up sponsorship opportunities
• Programming future sessions in response to real business needs, not assumptions

Our aim is to create a flexible programme for 2026 that reflects what works best for our local business community, while still allowing people to plan ahead.

Thank you to everyone who came along in January and contributed so openly. Your input is directly shaping what comes next, and we’re excited to continue this next chapter together as The Business Hub Club.

More details on February’s session – and the wider programme – coming soon.

Contact Us

If you’d like to talk to us about this news piece, or you’d like help with digital marketing strategy, content marketing, SEO or anything else digital, please email us on info@destination-digital.co.uk or give us a call on 01629 810199.