Biggleswade Business Forum: Supporting local growth and mental health

On Friday 25th July 2025, business leaders and community members gathered at The Orchard Community Centre for the Biggleswade Business Forum, hosted by Biggleswade Town Council. The event welcomed several important speakers and guests, including Luke Newman, founder of the men’s mental health group ‘For Men To Talk’.

Luke Newman attended the event to listen, learn, and connect with local businesses. His group continues to support men’s mental health through regular talking sessions. He said, “It’s great to see the local business community coming together to look at how Biggleswade can grow. Conversations like these are so important, especially when mental wellbeing is also part of the bigger picture.”

One of the key speakers was Richard Fuller, MP for North Bedfordshire. He talked about several major projects that will affect Biggleswade and the wider area. These include the new high-speed rail project HS2, which will link London and Birmingham, and the A428 expansion between St Neots and Caxton Gibbet, which will improve travel between the M1 and M11. This road work is due to be finished by 2027 and will help connect key towns such as Bedford, St Neots, and Cambridge.

Fuller also spoke about new housing developments in Biggleswade and the surrounding areas. In particular, a large expansion is planned for the nearby town of Tempsford, with the possibility of up to 250,000 homes. He also mentioned the exciting plans for Universal Studios UK, opening in 2031, and the expansion of London Luton Airport, which could see passenger numbers reach 32 million per year by 2043.

Another key presentation was given by Andrew Munro, Managing Director of Biggleswade based Smith Myers Communications Ltd. His company recently won the King’s Award for Enterprise Innovation 2024. He shared how their ARTEMIS technology helps with search and rescue missions around the world, saving lives in difficult conditions.

Jake Howard and Tom Leeming from Tritax Big Box Developments also spoke. They explained how their logistics facilities in Biggleswade have been built to support businesses while keeping sustainability in mind.

The forum ended with group discussions, where attendees talked about

• Ideas to improve the local area. Discussion explored the need for a banking hub in Biggleswade, making finance more accessible to residents and businesses.
• How businesses can grow through better training, career paths, and apprenticeships.
• Looking at ways the town council can support local markets and businesses.
• How is Biggleswade changing and how future developments might affect local services and government boundaries.

Overall, the forum was a chance for people to share ideas, plan for the future, and build stronger connections. With input from local leaders, mental health advocates like Luke Newman, and national experts, the day highlighted just how much is possible when a community works together now and in the future.