North Craven Networking Group

In October 2011 a small informal and friendly lunchtime business networking group started in Settle, this was originally aimed at home based workers but we now have over 300 businesses, charities, community groups, business training providers and festivals on our list. The group has grown to cover a wider area and we now have members from Malhamdale, Ingleton, Bentham, Grassington, Skipton and Keighley and even Kendal.

The networking group merged with the Settle Community and Business Hub in December 2016 which is based in Commercial Courtyard in the centre of town. The hub is a Community Interest Company (Company Number 10301271) and runs community drop-ins on Tuesdays and Fridays, is also base for Settle Timebank and Dales Radio and is available for hire for workshops and meetings at other times. The hub runs a range of groups and workshops and also has fibre broadband available.

A networking group email newsletter is sent out once or twice a month with meeting dates, local workshops, member offers and business news.

Free monthly lunchtime networking meetings alternate between Wednesdays and Thursdays. These events are very informal and are held in business premises in Settle and the surrounding areas. We also hold monthly paid business breakfasts at The Courtyard on A65 just outside Settle.

All meetings and hub workshops can be found on our networking and hub events page and advance booking is essential, other members events, local business workshops and networking meetings can also be found there.

If you would like to sign up as a ‘proper’ member then you get a spot on our business directory, get discounts on breakfast meetings, hub room hire and business workshops and we also actively promote paid members and their events on social media. Membership is £50 a year or £5 a month for small businesses or £100 a year or £10 a month for larger ones. More info here.

We work closely with the Settle Chamber of Trade, Federation of Small Businesses, Vibrant Settle, Do It In The Dales, Airedale Enterprise Services, the Local Enterprise Partnership and other groups to provide networking opportunities, training and other events for all local businesses.

If you would like to join our mailing list and get news about our meetings, training, funding and other local business events.. please click here.

North Craven Networking

If you would like to find out more about what we do, want to join the mailing list or sign up as a paid member then click the button and send us a message... we don't bite.. honest!

Testimonials

North Craven Networking Group is an invaluable resource for my small business. Being involved has enabled me to make connections I wouldn't otherwise be able to & also to tap into a wealth of helpful resources from Jo & other networkers.
Sarah Wiltshire - Pathways to Change
I commenced trading in April 2011 and joined the Networking Group at its inception. As a sole trader I have found that the Networking Group provides an excellent opportunity for me to promote my business locally. I have gained work directly from contacts I have made and also met local suppliers who I have done business with. There has been a great deal of collaboration and trade generated from the group and many are keen to do business with other local people.
Local trade, Richard Jackson - Altitude 501 Quantity Surveying
This networking group has provided me with the opportunity to introduce my services to numerous people whose existence I was not previously aware of. I feel that the “no pressure” environment is part of the reason that attendance is far above that of any other networking or business group I have ever visited & allows a very diverse group of people to get together on a monthly basis. As a consequence I have made some important new contacts and gathered several new clients.
Thank You, Roger Kuhlmann – Independent Financial Advisor
The Networking Group has been essential to my settling into the area as a (very) small business and as a freelancer working from home. Without it, I am sure it would have been much harder to make local business connections. It also gives me a chance to feel part of a group, and to speak to a wide range of people when I need advice, and it also sparks off many ideas for collaboration and future work.
Essential, Louise Swingler – Writing (R)evolution
We are now working with Steve Finch Photography to create a whole new suite of photographs for our website re-vamp and new marketing literature. He has done a brilliant job in putting together some new images here, and it’s thanks to the Networking Group that I made the contacts.
A big thank you, Rachel Berry - Newton Grange B&B and holiday cottages