Local firms, entrepreneurs and community organisations are being invited to help shape a town’s next business festival, which is set to take place next spring.
The second Shaping the Future Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Festival will be held in March 2026, with events taking place across the town at venues including Keele University, St Giles Church, King Street Studios and Keele in Town.
Over five days, the festival will bring together entrepreneurs, businesses, educators and creative leaders for a programme of workshops, talks and networking sessions.
The first festival, held earlier this year, attracted around 300 delegates. Twenty speakers shared their insights – including keynote speeches from Manchester Unspun author Andy Spinoza and Great Pottery Throw Down judge Keith Brymer Jones – while 25 interactive and educational sessions were delivered across venues in the borough.
And now organisers Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and PH Production Services – supported by funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) – are calling for suggestions for next year’s event.
Peter Herbert, of PH Productions, said: “There was a lot to take away from the first festival, and plenty to learn from. While the festival is about bringing organisations together to connect, it’s about learning and how to grow together to support Newcastle-under-Lyme.
“This is why we are now inviting local organisations to come forward and let us know their thoughts on what they would like to see – or do – for the return of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Festival.”
Highlights of the 2025 programme included an industry talk from Hannah Ault, CEO of Valentine Clays, and sessions led by Rob Fisher of Strategi Solutions and Chris Daniels of Cyberkiln, while a Women in Business event at King Street Studios, hosted by Sonya Farrall of BabaBaboon PR, featured speakers Wendy Dean of Strategi Solutions, Allison Walters of AwScape and Emma Bonfiglio of Keele University.
Anyone wishing to share ideas or suggestions for the 2026 festival should contact Gary@phproductionservices.co.uk by Thursday 6 November.
