Business Networking Groups in or near Chester (UK)

Graham McCormack
July 27th, 2025

As a local SEO consultant near Chester, I always remind clients that online visibility is only part of the equation. Building real-world relationships is just as important. Networking gives you the chance to meet potential clients and partners face to face, share your expertise and hear about other people’s experiences.

In Chester we’re lucky to have a thriving business community and a variety of networking groups that cater for different needs and budgets. If you’re serious about growing your business, these sessions will help you make valuable connections, earn referrals and even pick up local backlinks to strengthen your SEO. Think of networking as an extension of your digital marketing strategy – invest your time wisely and the results will follow.

Below is a summary of business networking groups in and around Chester, UK.

Group / network	Meeting schedule & location	Key features	Website
KCC Networking (Keep Calm and Connect)	In‑person networking across Cheshire (Alderley Edge, High Legh Park Golf Club, Macdonald Portal Hotel) typically on the first or second weekday morning each month.	Rapidly‑growing network for business owners and professionals in Cheshire & the North West. Founder Sue Richards invites around 30 new guests monthly, and the structure ensures attendees meet everyone in the room. Membership is low‑cost (£49 per month) and flexible with no strict attendance policy.	KCC Networking
Chester Business Club	Club5to7 meets on the last Thursday of each month and other events include dinners and business briefings. The club’s base is St John’s Chambers, Love Street, Chester.	Long‑standing club created to forge connections and promote Chester. It emphasises a friendly atmosphere where personal connections take precedence over corporate affiliations and runs year‑round meetings.	Chester Business Club
Colony Networking (Chester)	Mixed networking event held on the third Wednesday of each month at the Queen at Chester Hotel. Each event includes open and facilitated networking plus structured content such as talks, workshops or 1‑to‑1 exercises.	Founded in 2010 to support local businesses in Warrington, Chester and south Manchester. Events are run with the support of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and attendee lists and resources are shared after each event.	Colony Networking
Network Chester – FSB & Colony	Monthly early‑evening networking sessions at The Queen at Chester Hotel, City Road, Chester. Sessions include social networking over drinks, introductions, a guest‑speaker presentation, questions and answers, and further networking.	Hosted by the FSB Cheshire Development Manager in partnership with Colony Networking. It’s a low‑cost event with an educational theme; FSB members receive a discount. Meetings are open to all businesses (members and non‑members) and places are limited.	Network Chester (FSB)
Chester BNI	Business referral meetings every Thursday morning, 6:45 am–8:15 am at Rowton Hall Hotel & Spa; meetings are followed by breakfast.	Structured networking group focusing on passing referrals. Members passed £1,431,292 of invoiced business in 2024. Designed for business owners and team members from Chester, Ellesmere Port, Wirral and the North West.	Chester BNI
The Business Network Chester	Early‑evening networking events at The Queen at Chester Hotel. A January session runs from 5 pm to 7 pm and forms part of a series of monthly business meetings.	Designed for professionals visiting Chester and local business owners. Events feature informal conversations over drinks, guest speakers and a summary of FSB activities. Open to all enterprises, including non‑members of FSB.	The Business Network Chester

While it’s impossible to attend every meeting, I’d encourage local business owners to try a few different networking groups and find the one that feels like a good fit. Each of these Chester events has its own energy and attracts a slightly different crowd, so mix and match until you build a network that works for you.

If you’re serious about raising your profile in Chester, combine face‑to‑face networking with a strong digital presence. Publish helpful content, optimise your website and nurture the relationships you create at these events. Over time your network will grow, and the leads and referrals will come naturally.

Also see my post for co-working spaces in Chester.