While most of Uckfield were still reaching for the snooze button, 40 bright-eyed local business professionals gathered at the Picture House Restaurant on the high street for a spot of networking and delicious breakfast.
By 7.30am, the room was buzzing with conversation, collaboration and the irresistible smell of fresh coffee.
Attendees, who included chamber members and non-members, were treated to a full English breakfast buffet, before each being given a 60-second spotlight to tell the room about their business and any upcoming offers and events they had.
We heard from a great variety of businesses – from a local hospice and a dentist to an accountant and a decorator.
Guest speaker
Fred Thomas, Senior Business Liaison Officer at East Sussex County Council (ESCC), then gave a 10-minute presentation on the various business support schemes available through the East Sussex Growth Hub. He spoke about the relaunch of the Rother and Wealden Rural Business Grants Programme and explained that they’ve secured just under £500,000 of new government-backed funding, with grants of up to £35,000 available for rural SMEs investing in capital projects.
Fred was keen to emphasise the success and growth that previous grant recipients have seen from the programme, and he shared some fantastic case study examples.
Applications are now open, and funding is awarded on a first come, first served basis. Under the scheme, all projects must be completed by March 2026.
Join us for breakfast
Whether you want to make more local connections or just fancy an excuse to enjoy a nice breakfast you don’t have to make yourself, our chamber networking breakfasts are a great way to spend a Friday morning – and all before the standard working day even starts.
Our breakfast networking events take place every other month at venues in and around Uckfield and are open to both members and non-members.
The next breakfast event will be held at The Highlands Inn on Friday 20 June, from 7.30am to 9.15am.