Bringing Southbury’s Business Community Together!

As part of the Shaping Southbury programme, and delivered in partnership with the Ponders End Community Development Trust, we recently hosted two business-focused events at The Qube on Ponders End High Street. These open events provided a valuable opportunity to bring together businesses from Southbury and the surrounding areas to exchange ideas, build relationships, and celebrate enterprise in the area.

To kick-start the Business Engagement Programme, the first event was a Skills Exchange and Networking session. This was aimed at those interested in starting, growing, or supporting a business. The evening created a relaxed environment where attendees could meet others from the business community, exchange skills and advice, and have meaningful conversations about their businesses and ambitions.

Guest speakers Malcolm Sleath from 12boxes.com and Jo Sealy, Business Advisor from Enterprise Enfield, shared practical insights on starting a business and effective marketing. Their talks sparked new ideas and engaging discussions, with many attendees taking the opportunity to ask questions and reflect on their own business ideas and experiences.

The second event, Celebrating Local Businesses, held on Saturday afternoon, focused on recognising the wide range of businesses operating in Southbury and the surrounding area. The business fair gave participating businesses the opportunity to showcase their products and services, helping raise awareness of what is available within the community.

The event highlighted the variety of enterprises thriving in the area, while also creating a supportive atmosphere for networking and collaboration. It provided an opportunity for businesses to exchange knowledge, build relationships, and strengthen connections across Southbury and neighbouring communities.

Both events created a welcoming and positive environment for the business community to come together. People from a range of sectors were able to engage in conversations, exchange insights, and support one another, helping to strengthen business networks and community spirit.

Following the events, Ponders End Community Development Trust is now working on creating a legacy brochure that will feature many of the thriving businesses in the Southbury area. Alongside this, they are exploring the creation of a communication forum to support ongoing networking and collaboration between businesses.

The brochure will showcase the vibrant mix of enterprises operating in the area, highlighting how they continue to shape Southbury’s growing business community while building on the area’s long history of enterprise and helping place its thriving business quarter firmly on the map!