The Business with Impact Dinner continues to grow as a powerful, purpose-led gathering of North East businesses committed to doing good, and doing more good together. Now in its third edition, the March 2026 dinner marked a significant evolution for the community, building on the momentum established since its launch in March 2025.
Originally hosted at Magic Hat Café (Newcastle’s first food-surplus-focused café) the event found a new home following the café’s closure. In true collaborative spirit, Gateshead College stepped forward to host the dinner at Enfield’s Kitchen on its Baltic Campus, creating an opportunity to expand impact rather than simply replace a venue.
This new setting brought an added layer of purpose. The meal was once again designed around surplus ingredients, prepared in collaboration with the team from Project Bind and the former Magic Hat chefs – but this time alongside Gateshead College students, who gained invaluable, hands-on experience delivering a menu from surplus food (donated by FareShare North East).
At its core, the Business with Impact Dinner is about community. It exists to bring together like-minded organisations to share ideas, challenge thinking and accelerate collective impact across the region. That spirit was evident throughout the evening, with guests once again invited to take part in the now-signature five-minute lightning talks – short, powerful contributions exploring themes of community, environment, and health and wellbeing. These moments continue to be a defining feature of the event, creating space for honest insight, fresh perspectives and unexpected collaboration.
Sustainability remains embedded across every element of delivery. From the surplus-led menu to a low-waste approach, the event actively minimises its environmental footprint, with carbon tracking and offsetting in place. Importantly, impact extends beyond the room, with 10% of every ticket donated directly to Project Bind, reinforcing the event’s commitment to tangible, measurable outcomes.
What began as a single dinner has quickly evolved into a growing movement. One that reflects the strength, generosity and ambition of the North East business community. Feedback from attendees continues to reinforce its value, described as “the best networking style event” many have experienced, with a format that blends purposeful conversation, meaningful connections and genuinely enjoyable moments.
With each edition, the Business with Impact Dinner strengthens its role as a catalyst for collaboration; proving that when businesses come together with intent, the potential for impact is not just shared, but multiplied.
“This was my second Business with Impact Dinner and I hope there will be a third. It is a cozy atmosphere to share ideas, pause, reflect and meet connections. I am lucky to be a part of this growing community.”
