Harleston & District Business Forum

03/06/2026

At our June breakfast meeting, Chairman Malcolm North led a discussion on a vision of an improved and engaged HDBF. Members and visitors made suggestions on how the other organisations promoting the town could be helped by HDBF. In addition extra training for businesses in various subjects is being looked at, and ways that the Forum and retailers/industrial estate businesses could be more integrated and engaged.

*NB please hand your completed questions sheet in to the Swan. Thanks.

Our next meeting is July 1st at the Swan Hotel at 7.30am and is our AGM. If you wish to be considered as a member of the Committee please let us know on [email protected]

Feedback from this morning’s meeting (once discussed by the Committee) will be provided after the AGM is completed.

01/06/2026

This may be helpful to local business owners

Find out more about the Business Builder scheme available to businesses based in the South Norfolk Council area.

28/05/2026

HDBF Business Breakfast
7.30am on Wednesday 3rd June
at The Swan Hotel, Harleston
Shaping HDBF: Your Town, Your Business, Our Future

Please join us for our next meeting on Wednesday 3rd June, 7.30am at The Swan Hotel, when our Chairman, Malcolm North, will be leading the discussion on an exciting new vision for the future of the Harleston and District Business Forum: "Your Town, Your Business, Our Future."

This meeting will not be a one-way presentation; instead, it is an open invitation to members and visitors to help shape the direction and strategy of our forum moving forward. Whether you want to see better local advocacy, stronger business collaboration or new growth opportunities in our district, your voice and ideas are vital.

Come along, share your thoughts, and help us build a forum that works directly for your business. There will be the usual period of introductions first, and updates on what is happening in and around Harleston. Please bring business cards and any promotional material that you would like to share.

The cost of the meeting is £12 including a choice of full English, vegan, vegetarian or continental breakfast with unlimited coffee/tea or we offer a 'coffee/tea only' option for £3.50. You may pay by card or cash on the day.

Please book (essential), by lunchtime on Tuesday 2nd June, by emailing [email protected], stating your choice of breakfast or the 'coffee/tea only' option.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 3rd June. Doors open from 7.15am. Please feel free to share this with anyone else you know who may like to attend. All welcome but please book in advance.

22/05/2026

It would be good to see this fabulous building being used again.

We would like to invite community members, organisations and any interested parties to a public meeting on Thursday 11th June, 7pm at The Masonic Rooms, to gauge interest in bringing the Corn Exchange back into community use.

08/05/2026

Some useful things happening....

Sign up to the 2026 programme! In 2025, we had ambition to go further, with a bespoke offer for businesses.The Norfolk High Streets Matter project runs from April 2025 to April 2026, which will include a business development programme, Love Your Market Town conference and funding opportunities.

08/05/2026

We will be exhibiting at the Town Meeting on the 12th. We are very friendly! Do stop for a chat and see how we can help your business!

07/05/2026

Our May Business Breakfast saw us make our annual visit to the Sancroft Academy in Harleston. After a tasty breakfast, our members listened to a presentation by the Headteacher and some of his team, who told us about their Flourishing Futures project. This focuses on the opportunities they want to offer every young person, through initiatives designed to inspire ambition, build confidence, and open doors to new experiences. They are looking for support from the local business community, with the opportunity to sponsor the project via a choice of sponsorship packages.
If you are a business owner reading this and want to sponsor the project please contact [email protected]
Next month, we are back at the Swan in Harleston on 3rd June. Speaker to be announced.

22/04/2026

Our next Business Breakfast, on Wednesday 6th May, 7.30am, will be our very popular annual visit to Harleston Sancroft Academy on Wilderness Lane, with a superb canteen breakfast. We will hear from the school's leaders of their successes and developments over the past year. We will also have a chance to introduce ourselves and our businesses and there will be updates on all that is going on in and around Harleston. Please bring any promotional leaflets to distribute.

The meeting fee is £12 for a full English or continental breakfast or we have the option of 'drinks only' for £3.50. Payment on the day by cash or card. Book your place (essential) by emailing [email protected] by end of play on Monday 4th May. Doors open 7.15am.

For more information about the Harleston & District Business Forum, visit www.hdbf.org.uk
We are an 'open' forum. Anyone who has a business, is an ex-business owner or is a member of any organisation interested in Harleston & District and its development, is welcome to join us. Membership is £25 per year but feel free to visit a couple of times before you commit to join.

04/03/2026

Our March Breakfast this morning welcomed Richard and Jill Bussien from Dogs Harleston & Diss Fundraising Group, with their wonderful Ambassador dog, Vinnie.

LIsa North from Lisa North Photography began by talking about how her business is working with Guide Dogs to produce a Calendar for next year, which, as well as supporting the charity, helps to generate clients for her business.

Richard and Jill then gave us an inspiring and enlightening talk on the kind of things that people and businesses do to fundraise for the charity. We also learnt about what it takes to produce and train a Guide Dog from scratch - from breeding and choosing the pups to what happens when they retire. On average, it costs the charity £108000 over the life of the dog - for breeding, puppy walking, training, matching, veterinary bills and food.

Vinnie was much-patted and stoked by the members and watched very politely, but intently, whilst Richard ate his breakfast.. a true Golden Retriever!

20/02/2026

HDBF Business Breakfast
7.30am on Wednesday 4th March
at The Swan Hotel, Harleston
Speakers: Richard and Jill Bussein
of Guide Dogs Harleston and Diss

Join us at the next Business Forum meeting on Wednesday 4th March 2026, 7.30am at The Swan Hotel when Richard and Jill Bussein, volunteers and campaigners for the Guide Dogs Harleston & Diss Fundraising Group, will be visiting us, maybe with a companion!
Lisa North, photographer, has been working with them recently and we will discover how symbiotic relationships can benefit both small businesses and charities. There will be the usual period of introductions first, and updates on what is happening in and around Harleston. Please bring business cards and any promotional material that you would like to share.

The cost of the meeting is £12 including a choice of full English, vegan, vegetarian or continental breakfast with unlimited coffee/tea or we offer a 'coffee/tea only' option for £3.50. You may pay by card or cash on the day.

Please book (essential), by lunchtime on Tuesday 3rd by emailing [email protected], stating your choice of breakfast or the 'coffee/tea only' option.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 4th March. Doors open from 7.15am. Please feel free anyone else you know who may like to attend. All welcome but please book in advance. www.hdbf.org.uk