Pendle Connects provides a platform for networking, sharing of information and business generation. Events are free to attend and open to all Pendle based businesses as well as those doing business in Pendle. All sectors, private, public and voluntary are welcomed.

Next event: Weds 3 June 2026, 8am-10am

Our next Pendle Connects event will take place on Weds 3 June 2026. We are kindly being hosted by the Gawthorpe Textiles Team at the Northlight estate in Brierfield. Speakers will include Dave Marshall of the YES Hub, Gulshan Rehman of Harringtons Learning Centre, a member of the Gawthorpe Textiles Team, Ian Fraser of Graham Engineering Ltd, John Hooper from Inspira and Aneesa McGladdery of Pendle Council.

Our 2026 Finalists for Pendle Business Awards will be announced live on the morning just before the event ends. Entry for PBA26 is open until 11am on 21 April at this link.

Following a networking session with complementary refreshments, we will have a borough update from Pendle Borough Council. Our speakers will then share their recent business journeys and challenges with the audience and take questions as a panel at the end.

Tickets are FREE for Pendle Connects events, booking is via the Eventbrite button below.

NB! Limited places are available, please only book if you know you will be able to attend.

Employers, Support the Lancashire Skills Pledge

Joining the Lancashire Skills Pledge allows any business to pledge their time to support a local school, commitment starts at just one hour. If you’d like to take on the role of Enterprise Advisor and support local schools on an ongoing basis please do click the link below to find out more about this crucial role, and how you can make a real difference. Start Lancashire is a great place for employers to advertise opportunities, apprenticeships and for students to find them.

Pendle Connects Supporters

We would like to thank the following organisations for their support of Pendle Connects. Lifetime Supporter packages cost just £95 and help to support our monthly newsletters. For more details or to sign up your business please contact us via the form below.

Pendle, a hotspot for UK manufacturing

With a population of just 90,000 Pendle boasts the highest concentration of manufacturing companies per square mile in the UK, a thriving tourism market and a wealth of businesses of all shapes and sizes.

The expansion of the Lomeshaye Industrial estate and regeneration of the old Smith & Nephew Mill is allowing local businesses to grow and others from further afield to lay down new roots in Pendle

Event Hosts

Quarterly breakfast events combine business networking with business speakers, who will share their business journeys and challenges with the room, then take questions as a panel. As well as the chance to learn from and network with these speakers and other local businesses, a business update for the borough will be given by Pendle Borough Council.

We will also have updates from Boost Lancashire on the support available and from Inspira regarding supporting local schools.

Events are hosted by Rachel Kay, Pendle Connects organiser and Director of lovelocalnetworking. Please contact Rachel via the Contact Form below with any queries.

Pendle Connects Partners

Pendle Borough Council identified a desire in 2016 for educational, professional networking within Pendle. lovelocalnetworking had run events in Pendle for three years and were / are committed to supporting local businesses. With input and support from Pendle Council and Business in the Community, lovelocal set-up and now run Pendle Connects on a quarterly basis. Please click below to find out more about any of Pendle Connects founder organisations.