Coffee + Connect is returning in Shrewsbury with a new name, a larger venue and a monthly format aimed at helping Shropshire businesses meet contacts beyond their usual circles.
The relaunched networking club is free to attend, open to businesses of all sizes and sectors, and will be held at Shropshire Wildlife Trust in Shrewsbury. Dates are listed as multiple sessions via Eventbrite, but the source notice does not state a specific start time or venue address.
For owners, founders, freelancers and established firms, the pitch is practical: step away from the day-to-day, introduce the business, hear from others and leave with local connections that may not happen through email or social media alone.
Free monthly networking at Shropshire Wildlife Trust
Coffee + Connect is being delivered by Shropshire Growth Hub in partnership with InSynch and Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The new-look format replaces the previous identity of the Growth Hub networking club and moves the sessions to Shropshire Wildlife Trust in Shrewsbury.
The change is not only cosmetic. According to the Shropshire Council Newsroom notice, the new venue gives the event more space for attendees and supports an enhanced programme built around business conversations rather than formal presentation alone.
The key practical details are clear for anyone deciding whether to look further:
- Event: Coffee + Connect
- Location: Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Shrewsbury
- Date: multiple monthly dates listed through Eventbrite
- Time: not stated in the source notice
- Cost: free
- Booking: tickets available via Eventbrite
- Audience: businesses of all sizes and sectors
- Refreshments: provided during the sessions
Ruth Westwood, Manager of the Shropshire Growth Hub, said the larger venue would allow more businesses from across the county to attend, while the refreshed format would create more opportunities to share experiences and begin useful conversations.
Guided conversations, informal introductions and guest speakers
Each monthly session is designed to combine guided and informal networking. That means attendees can introduce themselves and their business, then move into more relaxed conversations over refreshments.
The format is aimed at keeping the room accessible for different types of businesses. A start-up can use the session to explain what it does and meet local contacts, while a more established company can use the same setting to stay visible and hear what other firms are experiencing across Shropshire.
There will also be opportunities for businesses to act as guest speakers. The source notice says that gives attendees a platform to share expertise, prompt discussion and raise their profile within the local business community.
Kim Parkin from Last Drop Coffee, who has attended the networking club several times, said the sessions had created a relaxed environment for meeting people, exchanging ideas and gaining practical insights. She said the events had introduced her to people she would not otherwise have met and had helped her business.
Why the relaunch matters for local firms
For Shropshire Growth Hub, the relaunch sits within its wider role supporting businesses in the Shropshire Local Authority area. The Growth Hub is part of Invest in Shropshire at Shropshire Council and provides information and support for companies at different stages, from start-ups to established enterprises.
The source notice says the hub runs a yearly calendar of free events and webinars, alongside advice on grants, loans and business assistance. Coffee + Connect adds a face-to-face route into that support network, with the emphasis on local relationships rather than one-off information sharing.
Mel Edwards from InSynch, who helps organise and run the event, described it as a way to bring the business community together, open doors and encourage collaboration within the local network.
Councillor Alex Wagner, Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council and Cabinet member for transformation and economic growth, said Coffee + Connect gives businesses a chance to step away from daily pressures, stay informed about what is happening locally and feel part of a wider support network.
Booking details and what remains to check
The event is listed as free, with tickets and multiple dates available through Eventbrite under Shropshire Business Coffee + Connect at the Shropshire Wildlife Trust.
The source confirms the venue as Shropshire Wildlife Trust in Shrewsbury, but does not provide a full venue address in the article text. It also does not state session start times, so attendees should check the specific Eventbrite listing for the date they plan to attend before travelling.
Source: Shropshire Council Newsroom
Source check Source trail
This event preview is based on the Shropshire Council Newsroom notice and the event details visible in the supplied brief.
- Confirmed the event name as Coffee + Connect.
- Confirmed the venue as Shropshire Wildlife Trust in Shrewsbury.
- Confirmed the event is free and tickets are listed via Eventbrite.
- Flagged that the source text does not state a specific session time or full venue address.
- Source
- Shropshire Council Newsroom
- Scope
- Shrewsbury
- Updated
- 2026-07-01 18:19
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