The ‘Let’s Talk Business’ event, organised and funded by Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District (BID), was a resounding success last week, drawing over 100 local businesses to Sutton Coldfield College on Thursday 20th February. This year’s highly anticipated event featured Deborah Meaden, the renowned entrepreneur and investor from Dragon’s Den, who captivated the audience with her wealth of experience from over 20 years on the show.
Michelle Baker, Sutton Coldfield BID Manager, was thrilled with the turnout and feedback from attendees, who found the event both insightful and inspirational. Deborah Meaden’s talk offered valuable business insights and practical advice on navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship in today’s ever-evolving market.
“This year’s ‘Let’s Talk Business’ event with Deborah Meaden has set the bar incredibly high,” said Michelle Baker. “The feedback we’ve received from local businesses has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s clear that events like these are not only informative but also provide a platform for local businesses to network and learn from some of the best in the industry, right here in their local town centre.”
This marks the third high-profile guest speaker that Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID has successfully brought to the town, following talks from retail expert Mary Portas in 2023 and Dragon’s Den star Sara Davies in 2024. Previous speakers have left a lasting impact on the local business community, and now, with 2026 on the horizon, the BID is already considering the next notable business figure to bring to Sutton Coldfield.
“We are always looking to offer something special to the local business community here in Sutton Coldfield. We know that our year round events have proven to boost footfall for local retailers and hospitality, but it’s crucial that we continue to offer value to all sectors—particularly professional services, who truly appreciate these annual events with high profile guest speakers.”
In addition to the success of ‘Let’s Talk Business,’ Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID is already planning for future events in 2025. Two Food Festivals and two Young Trader Markets are set to take place this year, complementing the monthly Farmers and Craft Markets that the BID runs entirely in-house. In addition there will be networking events for businesses and regular events for younger visitors starting with a meet and greet with Peter Rabbit at Easter. These initiatives aim to further support local businesses, create vibrant community events, and attract even more visitors to Sutton Coldfield town centre.