As a small business owner, soletrader or company-of-one entrepreneur, there are so many small business events in the Bristol and Bath areas to benefit from – skill-building workshops, networking and co-working events to name a few! I've hand-picked these to highlight their potential for you.
Plus with more events online, too, it's worth looking into what is available for YOU to develop your experience, practical skills and a support network of partners and referrers.
Many of these are free to attend.
I myself have found – and still find! – huge opportunities through business events on different scales… I'll be attending several of these, in fact, so why not let me know if you plan on being there? Maybe we'll get chance to meet.
The following information is correct at time of posting, however it is recommended that you visit the website in each case to check the details before making plans, particularly as many events (including free-to-attend ones) may have requirements for attendance or require advance booking.
Bristol Creative Industries - networking meeting
When is it? 3 February 2026, 5.30 - 8pm
Organiser: Bristol Creative Industries
Location: The Square Club, 15 Berkley Square, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1HB
Price: £7.13 for non-members/ FREE for members
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/bristol-creative-industries-11348031029
This popular networking event is held monthly, and is ideal for freelancers in the creative industries (or anyone who works with them). It’s a relaxed chance to meet new people, catch up with familiar faces, explore potential collaborations and share experiences. Food and drinks are available.
Email Marketing: 7 Secrets for Success - skills webinar
When is it? 3 February 2026, 1 - 3pm
Organiser: Bristol Business & IP Centre
Location: Central Library, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TL
Price: FREE for qualifying businesses/ start-ups/ organisations
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/business-ip-centre-bristol-36461696673
This interactive two-hour email marketing workshop from the Business & IP Centre is led by Jo Hodge, Founder of The Digital Marketing Fairy, and is ideal for any small business owners feeling unsure about where to start – or how to improve what they’re already doing. The session covers why email marketing still works, how to grow and nurture your subscriber list, improve deliverability, and build an effective strategy you can actually measure. With plenty of practical guidance and a Q&A at the end, you’ll leave feeling confident and ready to get more from your small business' email marketing efforts. I'll see you there, if you're going; I'll be at this event too 😉
The Coaches Network - networking meeting
When is it? 3 February 2026, 2 - 3pm
Organiser: Serena Dodd Coaching
Location: Online meeting
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-coaches-network-a-space-for-coaches-only-tickets-1979623820136
The Coaches Network is a free, weekly online networking hour for coaches who are actively growing and scaling their business. It’s badged as a focused, supportive space for meaningful conversation around growth, visibility, collaboration, and momentum – without pressure or noise. Designed to help you stay visible, build trusted relationships, and open the door to referrals and opportunities, it’s ideal for coaches, therapists, and facilitators who want to keep moving forward alongside the right people.
Interactive Business Club - Bristol networking meeting
When is it? 5 February 2026, 12 - 2pm
Organiser: IBC Network
Location: Future Inn Bristol, Bond Street, Bristol BS1 3EN
Price: FREE guest ticket + £20 to cover the meal (annual membership £60)
More info: https://www.ibc-bristol.co.uk/
I genuinely love being part of this group. The Interactive Business Club (IBC) is a welcoming, relationship-led network for people who want something more relaxed and genuinely valuable than traditional, formal networking. Meeting fortnightly at a central Bristol location, it creates space for members to really talk about what they do, build strong connections, and support one another in ways that naturally lead to business—without weekly pressure or rigid structures. It’s a great fit for anyone who’s never quite clicked with conventional networking but still wants the support and connection of a thriving business community. If you’d like to come along as a guest and see whether it’s right for you, just email me and I’ll share the visitor details.
Design with Canva for Beginners – workshop
When is it? 10 February 2026, 10am - 1pm
Organiser: Cool Ventures
Location: Online webinar
Price: FREE for qualifying businesses/ start-ups/ organisations
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/cool-ventures-limited-2352051914
Design With Canva is a practical, beginner-friendly online workshop from the Cool Ventures team, created for anyone who wants to feel more confident designing their own business graphics. Hosted by me, Ruth Southorn of Swallowtail Social, this session covers Canva’s core features, how to adapt templates to suit your brand, and the common mistakes to avoid – so you can create polished social media visuals, marketing materials, and professional stationery without the stress. It’s free and fully funded for eligible businesses in the B&NES and South Gloucestershire council areas (just check your eligibility when booking).
Ladies Who Latte networking – Clifton, Bristol
When is it? 11 February 2026, 11.30am - 1pm
Organiser: Cherry Scott
Location: AQUA Grand Cafe, 153 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2RF
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/918304881595913
Ladies Who Latte is a long-running, women-only networking group with the Clifton branch being led by Cherry Scott. It offers a supportive, friendly alternative to traditional networking. With no paid membership and a relaxed format that includes shared advice and chatty 60-second introductions, it’s all about genuine connection and collaboration without pressure. It’s a group I attend myself and happily recommend – find them on Facebook using the link above, and message Cherry to give it a try. I'd be happy to introduce you 🙂
Engage, Educate, Empower 2026 conference
When is it? 12 February 2026, 9am - 5pm
Organiser: Data Privacy Advisory Service
Location: we the curious, One Anchor Road, Bristol BS1 5DB
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/engage-educate-empower-2026-data-protection-conference-registration-1738412070299
Engage, Educate, Empower 2026 is a free, day-long conference in Bristol for anyone working in data protection, information security, or AI. Hosted by the Data Privacy Advisory Service at We The Curious, the event brings together professionals from across public, private, and third sectors for practical sessions, inspiring talks, and networking opportunities. Whether you’re an experienced Data Protection Officer (DPO) or just starting out, it’s a chance to gain fresh insights, explore real-world strategies, and connect with peers and industry experts in a dynamic, interactive environment. Learn how to protect yourself and your customers!
Third Thursday Co-working – Bath
When is it? 19 February 2026, 2pm
Organiser: SETsquared Bath
Location: University of Bath Innovation Centre, Carpenter House, Broad Quay, Bath BA1 1UD
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/engage-educate-empower-2026-data-protection-conference-registration-1738412070299
This relaxed co-working afternoon from SETsquared Bath is designed for people in tech who want a change of scenery without the pressure of formal networking. Held at the University of Bath Innovation Centre, it offers a calm, focused space with wifi, coffee, and good company – plus optional, light-touch introductions if you feel like connecting. Just bring your laptop and get on with your work alongside others who understand how you work. I think co-working can be very powerful, so why not try it?
NEXTGEN Business Expo
When is it? 24 February 2026, 10am - 4pm
Organiser: Praxis
Location: TE Hub, Bristol Business School, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY
Price: FREE
More info: https://fixr.co/event/nextgen-business-expo-tickets-845069450
The NEXTGEN Business Expo is a free-to-attend event at UWE Business School, organised by Praxis as part of the UWE Bristol Business Team Entrepreneurship programme. Designed for students and aspiring entrepreneurs, it brings together 20 businesses, guest speakers, and plenty of opportunities to connect, share ideas, and get inspired in a lively, supportive setting. Let me know if you're attending – I'll be there, so would you like to grab a coffee?
Instagram Reels for Small Business – workshop
When is it? 25 February 2026, 6 - 9pm
Organiser: Cool Ventures
Location: Online webinar
Price: FREE for qualifying businesses/ start-ups/ organisations
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/cool-ventures-limited-2352051914
Instagram Reels for Small Business is a practical, beginner-friendly online workshop from the Cool Ventures team, designed for small business owners who want to feel more confident using video in their marketing. Led by me, Ruth Southorn of Swallowtail Social, the session covers how to film, edit, and publish simple Reels; we'll be cutting through all the jargon! Alongside this will be guidance on the types of content that work best for reach, engagement, and visibility. You’ll come away with clear, doable steps to start creating Reels without the overwhelm. The session is free and fully funded for eligible businesses in the B&NES and South Gloucestershire council areas (please check eligibility when booking).
Bath Co-working Club
When is it? 26 February 2026, 10am - 12pm
Organiser: Cool Ventures
Location: Share & Repair, Lower Bristol Road, #Second Floor, Bath BA2 3EW
Price: FREE for qualifying businesses/ start-ups/ organisations
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/cool-ventures-limited-2352051914
This free drop-in co-working session in Bath offers sole traders and microbusinesses a supportive space to focus, connect, and work on their business alongside others who 'get it'. Hosted at Share & Repair’s Hub, the event combines relaxed co-working with peer-to-peer conversation and access to fully funded business support, including on-the-day mentoring from Cool Ventures Business Mentor Kat Dawe Schmeisser. It’s ideal for small businesses, freelancers, charities, and social enterprises in Bath and North East Somerset looking for a productive, encouraging environment to get things done.
Don't forget… if you're running a session for fellow small business owners, perhaps online or in the Bristol, South Glos, Keynsham, Bath, Portishead and N.Somerset areas… do let me know; I hope to be able to feature as many as I can, if they fit the criteria before blog publication!
Ruth 🙂
For transparency… this post was created by my human hands with quite a lot of help from my brain. Not a LLM.
The image used to accompany this listings post was created by AI, still with plenty of help from my brain.
The full AI policy for Swallowtail Social can be found here.
