Borough Council expands Shaping the Future into year-round initiative
September 29, 2026
After delivering two successful Business Festivals in 2025 and 2026, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has extended the Shaping the Future brand into a wider, year-round initiative that will support local businesses and communities.
With skills development opportunities and news on regeneration projects, the new website, nulshapingthefuture.co.uk, launched today, will be a one stop shop to find out about the Council’s latest development opportunities, development programmes, business and community news, plus events suitable for those interested in making the borough a better place to live, work and relax.
This flagship economic regeneration initiative, spearheaded by the Economic Regeneration team of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, will highlight events such as the Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Festival, which is set to return in 2027. The website, social media platforms and newsletters will offer news on community activity, business support, events and local stories from across the borough.
Shaping the Future has grown beyond the Business Festival or just events into something more suitable for the people living and working in the borough, providing businesses and residents access information, support, growth and stability. We’ve got some great events and initiatives, occurring over the next few months that will support and celebrate this initiative and the new website nulshapingthefuture.co.uk is the first place to go to find out what’s happening.”
With four core areas covering Community, Business, People and Regeneration, the initiative and new website make it easier for local people to find the support they need, learn about opportunities and discover what is happening across the borough.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is continuing its partnership with PH Production Services, which delivered the Business Festival in 2025 and 2026, to support the ongoing development and delivery of Shaping the Future. This includes the development of the new website and support for a programme of events taking place across the borough.
The partnership will continue with the delivery of the upcoming Jobs Fair, being delivered in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, as well as the return of the Business Festival in 2027. PH Production Services will also support a programme of business events, including networking days and events at Keele University and other locations across the borough through it’s Connects Network.
Alongside the website, Shaping the Future is also introducing the Built in the Borough podcast, produced in partnership between Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Hixon Group. This new
series features candid conversations with local business owners, exploring the challenges they face and the realities of running a business in the borough.
The Shaping the Future website will be regularly updated with new stories, opportunities, support and events, providing a central place for people living and working in Newcastle-under-Lyme to find out what is happening and get involved.
Shaping the Future will continue to develop throughout the year, bringing together opportunities, events, support and stories from across the borough. Visit nulshapingthefuture.co.uk to find out what’s happening in Newcastle-under-Lyme and how you can get involved.
