LinkedIn Local Barnet on their new group

A woman wearing glasses standing talking at a table while a group of seated men and women look on — Networking at LinkedIn Local Barnet – (Credit – Julian Coleman Photography)

Running a small business in Barnet can feel isolating. Your friends don’t quite get the challenges. Family think you’re slightly mad. And those expensive networking groups with their monthly subscriptions and hard-sell atmospheres? Not for everyone.

That’s exactly why LinkedIn Local Barnet started.

Launched on 6th November 2025 at The Prince of Wales in East Barnet, LinkedIn Local Barnet (or LLB as regulars call it) brings together local business owners, freelancers and entrepreneurs on the first Thursday of every month. The goal is simple: genuine connections without the hefty price tag.

How it began

The group was founded by Nish Thenuwara, a local business owner with over 15 years of networking experience who’d grown tired of paying £40-80 monthly for networking that didn’t deliver. He wanted something different for Barnet. Something affordable. Something authentic.

Co-hosting alongside Nish are Bidemi Alabi from Barnet TV and Julian Coleman from Julian Coleman Photography. Between them, they’ve created a space where local business owners can meet, share ideas and support each other without the pressure of aggressive selling or complicated membership structures.

How to join

There’s no application process or membership committee. Simply visit linkedinlocalbarnet.co.uk and register for the next meeting. It costs £12 per session, which covers venue costs and refreshments. Pay only when you attend.

For those wanting to commit longer term, monthly subscriptions are available at £12 per month, or annual subscriptions at £120 for the year, which works out at just £10 per meeting. Subscribers also get additional benefits including business category exclusivity and a profile page on the LLB website.

Free for charities and non-profits

Registered charities and non-profit organisations are welcome to attend completely free of charge. We know these organisations do vital work in our community, often on tight budgets, and we want them to benefit from the connections and support our network offers without any financial barrier.

Getting there

The Prince of Wales is located at 2 Church Hill Rd, East Barnet EN4 8TB. It’s well served by local bus routes, and on-street parking is available along Church Hill Road and surrounding residential streets. The venue is a short walk from New Barnet station for those coming by train.

More than monthly meetings

Beyond the main events, LLB runs free evening socials, offers 1-2-1 networking lunches at reduced rates, and maintains an active WhatsApp group where members share leads and stay connected between meetings.

The group’s newsletter reaches over 2,500 local businesses, making it a genuine hub for what’s happening in Barnet’s business community.

Find out more

Next meeting details and registration are available at linkedinlocalbarnet.co.uk. You can also follow LLB on LinkedIn and Facebook for updates.

Whether you’re an established business owner looking for fresh connections or just starting out and wanting to build your local network, there’s a seat waiting for you on the first Thursday of next month.

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