Businesses from across Northumberland of all stages are being invited to invest in their future at the return of the Northumberland Small Business Service (NSBS) Enterprise Festival 2026.
Now entering its third year, the Enterprise Festival has become a flagship event in the Northumberland business support calendar, helping hundreds of entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses build their knowledge, confidence and connections. Following the success of the previous two years, the festival will once again bring together expert speakers, practical workshops and valuable networking opportunities for businesses at every stage of their journey.
The Northumberland Small Business Service (NSBS) is funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority through its Rural Growth Programme and Integrated Settlement, with Northumberland County Council acting as the Lead Delivery Partner, supported by Durham County Council, Gateshead Council, Northumberland National Park Authority, Food and Drink North East Limited, and North East Enterprise Agency.
Taking place in Alnwick, Hexham and Morpeth this November, the fully funded event has been designed to provide practical, accessible advice that business owners can put into action straight away. While the festival is ideal for those considering self-employment or launching a new venture, it is equally valuable for established businesses looking to refresh their skills, strengthen their foundations and gain a fresh perspective on their business.
This year’s theme, “Know Your Business”, focuses on the key areas that underpin business success. Throughout the day, attendees will explore how to better understand their customers and market, gain confidence in their finances, develop the mindset needed to overcome challenges and grow, and understand the responsibilities that come with running a successful business.
Expert-led sessions will offer practical guidance on identifying target customers, understanding competitors, costing and pricing products and services, managing cash flow, building confidence and resilience, and staying on top of essential business requirements such as tax, insurance and record keeping.
As well as providing practical learning opportunities, the festival offers attendees the chance to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and business owners from across the county, share experiences and build valuable professional relationships.
Lucy Evermore, Programme Manager for the Northumberland Small Business Service said “We’re incredibly proud to be bringing the Enterprise Festival back for a third year. The response from businesses over the last two years has been fantastic, with attendees telling us how valuable they found the practical advice, expert speakers and networking opportunities.”
“Whether you’re taking the first steps towards starting a business, have recently launched, or have been trading for many years, there’s always value in revisiting the fundamentals. The Enterprise Festival is designed to help business owners work on their business, not just in it, leaving with fresh ideas, increased confidence and actionable steps for future growth.”
The Enterprise Festival will take place in Brocksbushes (Hexham) on 10th November, Rivergreen Centre (Morpeth) on the 11th November and Charlton Hall (Alnwick) on the 12th November. Businesses wishing to attend should be registered with Northumberland Small Business Service and can book their place online.
For more information about the Northumberland Small Business Service, please contact the team at [email protected] or visit www.northumberlandsmallbusiness.co.uk
