Vulcan Works Free Hot Desking Day
2025-03-28 08:30 - 17:00, 2025-04-25 08:30 - 17:00 UTC | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
Join Vulcan Works on the last Friday of every month for Free Hot Desking day, experience a productive, flexible work environment! Whether you’re a freelancer, remote worker, or entrepreneur, this is the perfect opportunity to try out our dynamic coworking space without any cost.
Enjoy high-speed internet, comfortable workstations, an access to our communal areas, all while networking with like-minded professionals. Drop in any time between 8:30am and 5pm and see how our space can boost your productivity.
Come for the free desk, stay for the creative energy!

The Vulcan Sessions 9: Google's AI ate my SEO! Now what?
2025-03-28 10:00 - 12:00
with Natalie de Weerd
Remember when SEO was all about ranking #1 on Google? You’d sprinkle in some keywords, get a few backlinks, and boom! Traffic rolled in.
Now, AI is rewriting search results, answering questions before users even click, and making old-school SEO feel like a relic of the past.
In this talk, Natalie will dive into how AI is reshaping SEO. We’ll cover what’s changed, what still works, and what you can do to keep your content visible in an AI-driven search world.
Whether you’re a designer, developer, or a business owner trying to stay ahead, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to keep your website relevant. Plus, Natalie will touch on how AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT are changing how people find information beyond Google.
SEO isn’t dead, but it’s evolving fast. Let’s get into what’s happening, why it matters, and how you can adapt.
About Natalie de Weerd
As the self-proclaimed “Queen Nerd” of Altavia UK, Natalie head’s up a team of talented digital designers and developers, serving a client list which boasts iconic retail brands.
Her role encompasses overseeing a wide spectrum of digital projects that flow through the organisation, from conceptualisation to execution, all while keeping abreast of the latest industry tech and trends.

8 Ways to Strengthen Cashflow in 2025
2025-04-02 10:30 - 11:45
Cashflow issues are one of the biggest challenges business owners face, and they’re often symptoms of deeper financial challenges. This 45-minute session is designed to help business owners identify and address the 8 most common root causes of cashflow struggles we see, equipping them with practical tools and strategies to improve financial health and sustainability.
Agenda:
10:30-11:00 – Get a drink and meet other attendees
11:00-11:45 – Cashflow Workshop from Michael Price Associates (MPA)
What we’ll cover:

Diagnosing cashflow issues: Learn to spot underlying problems, such as inefficient invoicing, overspending, or poorly managed inventory.
Revenue vs. profit confusion: Understand why high sales don’t always translate to healthy cashflow and how to align your financial priorities.
Payment delays: Explore strategies to handle late-paying customers and negotiate better payment terms with suppliers.
Cost control: Discover how unnoticed expenses—like subscriptions, energy costs, or waste—can silently drain your cashflow.
Planning for growth: Avoid the common trap of overextending your finances during periods of expansion or hiring.

Why attend?
Identify hidden financial leaks and learn how to plug them.
Gain practical insights into creating a cashflow forecast that works.
Understand how to make your working capital work harder for your business.
Get tips on building a financial buffer to handle unexpected expenses.

All attendees can also book onto a 30-minute 1-2-1 with our expert, to discuss any financial questions or challenges they’re facing this year.

Vulcan Works Open Day
2025-04-04 08:30 - 17:00
Join us at Vulcan Works – Offices & Coworking Space for a day filled with networking, and discovering new opportunities. Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or just curious about coworking spaces, this event is for you!
Steeped in heritage and filled with inspiration, Vulcan Works offers both private and shared workspace to local companies, as well as unrivalled onsite business support and opportunities.
With collaborative coworking space, workshop facilities, and a bustling business community, the workspace has proven to be a popular choice for creatives that are serious about innovation and growth.
During the open day there will be a chance to meet some of the Vulcan Works tenants in a special customer showcase, as well as free hot desking and networking throughout the day.
Mark your calendar and come along to Vulcan Works Open Day – we can’t wait to show you around!

Social Media For Business Masterclass
2025-04-17 10:00 - 12:00
Join us at Vulcan Works on the 17th of April from 10:00 until 12:00 where you’ll hear from Ben Littelwood, founder of Hangar.41 on how to improve your marketing strategy.
Why This Masterclass?
Many startups and small businesses struggle to establish a strong social media presence. This masterclass provides practical, step-by-step guidance to help businesses grow online, reach new customers, and maximise their digital marketing efforts.
Key Learning Outcomes
You’ll learn how to:
✔ Choose the right social media platforms for their business
✔ Create engaging content that attracts customers
✔ Use scheduling tools to save time and stay consistent
✔ Increase followers and engagement without paid ads
✔ Leverage paid social media effectively on a budget
✔ Track and analyse performance for ongoing improvement
Masterclass Content
Introduction to Social Media for business, why social media is crucial and how to pick the right platforms.
Building a Social Media strategy setting goals, defining your audience and competitor analysis.
Creating engaging content ,content types, storytelling and understanding the 80/20 rule.
Scheduling & Time Management, best practices for planning and automation.
Growing followers & engagement, organic growth techniques and community building.
Paid social advertising and an intro to ads, budget-friendly strategies, and performance tracking.
Measuring success & analytics, key metrics and how to adjust strategies for better results.
Avoiding common mistakes, pitfalls to avoid and crisis management tips.
The Ultimate Toolbox Marketers best friends. Free tools to help take your marketing to the next level.
Why You Should Attend This Masterclass
Are you struggling to grow your business on social media? Not sure what to post or how to attract the right audience? This masterclass is designed specifically for startups and small businesses that need a clear, practical strategy to succeed online.
Learn how to create engaging content that attracts customers. Discover time-saving tools & scheduling hacks. Get expert tips on growing your audience organically and understand when (and how) to use paid ads effectively. Track your progress with key analytics & make data-driven decisions.
No marketing experience? No problem. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your existing efforts, this masterclass will help you turn social media into a powerful tool for business growth.

Cowork Crew Northampton
2025-04-24 09:00 - 16:30
Cowork Crew takes the best bits of coworking and networking and jumbles it together in a once-a-month 1 day event.
This month Steve Folland will be sharing the most powerful, practical, and inspiring lessons he’s learned from creative freelancers.

TMM IRL: Beyond the Rainbow – building LGBTQIA+ inclusion into your work and workplaces
2025-05-01 18:00 - 20:00
Chris Dunne, CEO at Outvertising

Meet your team!

The Northampton Marketing Meetup is an informal, friendly place for the marketers of Northants to meet, learn, and share knowledge with one another. Come in ‘listen’ not ‘sell’ mode 🙂
We’re heading back to the lovely Vulcan Works for this one, and we just want to get together, say hello, have a chat, and have a nice time.
Think of this as a community event, where the focus is very much on you meeting other people in a chilled out friendly space. We’ll chat over food and drink, listen to an inspirational speaker or two, chat some more, and go home buzzing with new contacts and new ideas.
Let’s have a lovely night in the company of some amazin’ people.
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Speaker: Chris Dunne, CEO at Outvertising
Topic: Beyond the Rainbow: building LGBTQIA+ inclusion into your work and workplaces
Marketing has the power to create positive societal change. At a time when LGBTQIA+ people are coming under increasing attack from politicians and sections of the media, allies and advocates in our industry are looking for meaningful and tangible ways to support the community in their work and how they do business.
This session will:
• Outline some of the challenges LGBTQIA+ people face in 2025
• Explore how LGBTQIA+ inclusion can benefit everyone
• Equip you with a framework to build LGBTQIA+ equity into your marketing communications and organisation
• Share examples of campaigns that are leading the way in positive and authentic LGBTQIA+ representation
• Provide 3 actions everyone can start doing today to drive better workplace inclusion
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The format of the night:
6:00 pm – doors open – drinks, networking, and smiles
6:30 pm – introduction and talks begin
7:00 pm – talks finish, networking, listening, saying hello, and positively lovely people
7:45 pm – end of the night – you leave with new contacts and fresh ideas
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Partnered with Digital Northants, putting local businesses in touch with digital companies who can help solve their problems, to encourage the growth of business in Northamptonshire. Check them out at https://digitalnorthants.com/
Partnered with The ONE Group, whose recruitment team bridges the gap between marketing professionals and a vast network of Northamptonshire businesses, empowering career progression at every stage with unmissable opportunities and job-hunting support. Read more at TheOneGroup.co.uk
Partnered with Vulcan Works, helping entrepreneurs bring world challenging ideas to life. A workspace and community for innovative creatives. Check them out at VulcanWorks.co.uk
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And finally…
This is a donation ticketed event. The ticket price is yours to choose, from £3 to £30 (the average attendees choose to pay £8.79 🙂
We of course understand that these are tough times, so if you are experiencing financial hardship and cannot afford the minimum donation amount, please reach out to el@themarketingmeetup.com and we’ll find a ticket for you (provided capacity hasn’t already been reached!) 🙂
Please let your marketing friends and colleagues know about this group too, we hope to build it into a great resource for the community over the coming months and years. Attendance will be taken at this event. If you sign up but don’t show up, this has a knock on effect on event arrangements. If it happens 3 times, you’re outta here! This is simply a measure to allow appropriate respect to the organisers, speakers, sponsors, and your fellow community members 🙂
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See you there!

Create. Record. Thrive.
2025-05-07 11:00 - 13:00
Curious about podcasting? Already creating and want to level up?
Come along to our exclusive Meet & Greet event and find out how The Pod Collective can support your journey — from idea to broadcast.
Whether you’re a content creator, business owner, or influencer, The Pod Collective are your one-stop solution for professional podcasting.
Who Are The Pod Collective?
The Pod Collective is your one-stop shop for all things podcasting. Whether you’re a creator, influencer, or business, they offer the tools, expertise, and professional spaces to help your ideas thrive. From state-of-the-art studios to full-service production and promotion, they’re here to amplify your voice.
What to Expect at the Meet & Greet
✅ Learn how they manage podcasts from concept to distribution
✅ Chat with Hugo & Jack about how they can support your podcast journey
✅ Connect with other creators, businesses, and content pros
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your content, come say hello and see how The Pod Collective can support your story.
🎧 Ready to turn your ideas into a podcast?
Register now and join us at Vulcan Works.

Cowork Crew Northampton
2025-05-15 09:00 - 16:30
Cowork Crew takes the best bits of coworking and networking and jumbles it together in a once-a-month 1 day event.
This month Glen Stout will be sharing how to get leads and sales from your website with conversion strategies that actually work.
Tickets are limited by desk space, so sign up now to grab your spot:

The Vulcan Sessions 10: AI and Brand Marketing
2025-05-30 10:00 - 12:00
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The Vulcan Sessions 10: AI, Brand Marketing and Business Success

Friday, May 30, 2025
10:00 AM 12:00 PM

vulcan works36 Guildhall RdEngland, NN1 1EWUnited Kingdom (map)

How to stay true to your brand in an AI-driven, digital-first world
Frances Gordon
As AI-generated content becomes mainstream, being true to a distinctive brand voice is more critical than ever. In this session, you’ll discover how to define clear guidelines that can be translated into effective AI prompts. So you can communicate your unique brand personality in a consistent way, across all your content.
Delegates will walk away with these take-aways:

Strategies to define and refine your brand voice as you integrate AI
We’ll look at practical exercises to identify brand voice traits clearly enough to communicate to AI. I’ll show a simple template to document brand voice principles effectively.

Techniques for turning brand voice guidelines into effective AI prompts
We’ll have some fun translating abstract voice attributes (e.g., “confident” or “friendly”) into prompt language.

How to keep consistency in voice and tone across human and AI-generated content
We’ll go through a checklist for editing and reviewing AI-generated content to make it consistent with human-generated materials.

About Frances Gordon
Frances Gordon is Director of Narratology, a boutique content agency based in Northampton. She helps banks, fintechs and tech companies create and manage content that stays true to their voice in an AI-driven world. Her training courses focus on using AI responsibly to maintain quality, clarity and connection.
Frances has led content teams at fintechs Oradian and Backbase, and was VP Content Strategist at Barclaycard UK. She lectures on the localisation Master’s at the University of Strasbourg. Frances is a sought-after speaker on content ethics, plain language, AI, and UX writing and has presented at TechCommUK, PLAIN, Content Strategy Applied, World IA Day and ConfabEU, andy many others.
From prompts to profits: AI for business success
Damian Mark Smyth
In this fast-paced and highly practical session, Business Ignite founder Damian Mark Smyth, a multiple TEDx speaker and best-selling author on entrepreneurship, will show you how AI works in the wild – no slides, no theory, just live results.
Using his AI tool AdvantageAI on a real URL, he’ll build a high-converting funnel in minutes and unpack the prompt techniques that make the difference between bland output and brand-building brilliance.
He’ll then zoom out to explore the wider AI landscape and what it means for businesses over the next five years.
Delegates will walk away with these take-aways:

Prompt frameworks that drive revenue, not just words
Watch step-by-step how a structured prompt turns raw data into persuasive copy for landing pages, ads and emails—then grab the template for your own campaigns.

A repeatable live-testing workflow
See how to iterate, A/B test and optimise content on the spot, using free or low-cost AI tools to cut production time by up to 80 % and 5 x your results.

Five seismic shifts AI will trigger for every business model by 2030
From hyper-personalised marketing to autonomous decision-making, we’ll map the threats—and the game-changing opportunities—you need on your radar now.

Charity Tuesdays - Baby Basics
2025-06-03, 2025-06-10, 2025-06-17, 2025-06-24
Charity Tuesdays are BACK at Vulcan Works!
Every Tuesday in June, enjoy FREE hot desking—all we ask is a donation to our Charity of the Month
This June, we’re supporting @babybasicsnorthampton —an amazing charity providing essential starter packs to parents and newborns in vulnerable situations. From financial hardship to housing issues, refugee support & more, they’re making a real difference
✨ Come work, connect, and give back—all in one inspiring space!
Baby Basics Northampton is a volunteer-led charity dedicated to supporting new parents and newborns in vulnerable situations.
The charity provides Moses baskets filled with essential items to mothers and families who are struggling to cope with the financial and practical challenges of caring for a new baby. By offering much-needed essentials and equipment, Baby Basics helps those who are unable to afford these crucial items on their own.
New/Preloved Items (in good condition):

Moses baskets and sheets
Blankets and towels
Baby clothing (newborn to 3 months)
Coats, snowsuits, and jumpers (up to 6 months)
Soft toys suitable from birth (no batteries)
Microwave or cold-water sterilisers (non-electrical) Brand New Items (unopened and in date):

For Baby:

Nappies (sizes 0, 1, 2)
Baby wipes
Baby shampoo, lotion, wash, and bubble bath
Baby toothbrush and toothpaste
Cotton wool balls
Baby bottles, bottle brushes, and sterilising tablets

For Mum:

Shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Breast pads
Maternity and sanitary towels
Hand wash and soap
Toiletry gift sets
Boxes of chocolates (unopened and in date)

Please Note: Baby Basics Northampton cannot accept large items such as cots, prams, or car seats, as well as used or out-of-date items. For a full list of accepted and unaccepted items, please refer to their guidelines.

Vulcan Makers Market
2025-06-27 11:00 - 15:00
Find a variety of exclusive products from local brands, from fashion to handmade goods.

If you are interested in being a part of Vulcan Works Makers Market please fill out our jotform link here

Charity Tuesdays - Breast Friends Northampton
2025-07-01, 2025-07-08, 2025-07-15, 2025-07-22, 2025-07-29
Charity Tuesdays are BACK at Vulcan Works!
Every Tuesday in July, enjoy FREE hot desking—all we ask is a donation to our Charity of the Month
This July, we’re supporting Breast Friends Northampton — they are aligned to both Northants Hospitals and we work closely with consultants and staff in both hospitals. They offer support in the form of gift bags, monthly and fortnightly coffee mornings and evenings, a choir, sewing group, gardening group, weekly Pilates and exercise classes, swimming trips, canal trips, book club etc. BFN have a secondary group for ladies who are being treated for secondary cancer.
✨ Come work, connect, and give back—all in one inspiring space!
You can donate physical items (must be these specific brands)

Dr Organic Aloe Vera Gel with Tea Tree
Set of 12 x Lip Balms Aloe Vera Long Lasting Moisturizing Lip Care
Cello Ballpoint Black Pens, Pack of 24
NIVEA Soft Moisturising Cream (75ml)
Bio-Oil Body Skincare Oil (60ml)
Beaupretty Travel Spray Bottle 10pcs 100ML
Technic Ultimate Brow Kit
Tetley Fresh Mint Tea, Box of 20 Teabags
WF Graham Set of 4 A5 Brain Games Word Search Books
Safety First Aid Group HypaClean Moist Wound Cleansing Wipes, Pack of 100
3pcs Travel Spray Bottle Fine Mist Refillable Travel Containers 30mlJA Striped Luxury Feather Touch Socks Hot Pink UK 4-8
Gejoy Birsppy 24 Pieces Foldable Flying Disc Fans Set

Or you can donate to their Amazon Wish List and Just Giving Page

Gather & Create @ Vulcan Works
2025-07-01 18:00 - 20:30
Being Creative When You Don’t Feel Like It: An Exploration of Mental Health and the Creative Process
Join us for an engaging and compassionate event that explores the complex connection between mental health and creativity. When inspiration feels distant or motivation runs low, how can we continue to create meaningfully—and without self-judgment?
This session will take a thoughtful look at the emotional and psychological challenges that often accompany creative work. Through a blend of open discussion and practical tools, we’ll talk about the nature of creativity, understand how this relates to mental well-being, and learn how to use this understanding to find renewed energy for your craft, even on the tough days.
As part of this experience, attendees will also participate in guided creative exercises designed to gently spark inspiration and reconnect you with your imagination. These low-pressure, supportive activities are accessible to all—whether you’re a seasoned artist or simply looking for a new way to express yourself.
This event is ideal for creatives of all backgrounds—writers, visual artists, performers, and makers—who are looking for ways to stay connected to their practice while honouring their mental health.

Julys host is Andrew Bond – Andrew has been a multi-disciplinary digital creative for over 10 years and now works as a voice actor and creative producer of The Kingdom Sleeps podcast

TMM IRL: Decoding the Human Touch – Practical Tips for Engaging User Experiences
2025-07-03 18:00 - 20:00
The Northampton Marketing Meetup is an informal, friendly place for the marketers of Northants to meet, learn, and share knowledge with one another. Come in ‘listen’ not ‘sell’ mode 🙂
We’re heading back to the lovely Vulcan Works for this one, and we just want to get together, say hello, have a chat, and have a nice time.
Think of this as a community event, where the focus is very much on you meeting other people in a chilled out friendly space. We’ll chat over food and drink, listen to an inspirational speaker or two, chat some more, and go home buzzing with new contacts and new ideas.
Let’s have a lovely night in the company of some amazin’ people.
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Speaker: Thomas Reeve, Head of Design at Zyte
Topic: Decoding the Human Touch – Practical Tips for Engaging User Experiences
Ever wondered what really makes people tick? Join design expert Tom (packing a mighty 15+ years!) as he dives deep into the fascinating world of human behaviour. Forget the jargon, this is about real, actionable tips you can use tomorrow to craft truly engaging experiences that actually connect with your users.
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The format of the night:
6:00 pm – doors open – drinks, networking, and smiles
6:30 pm – introduction and talks begin
7:00 pm – talks finish, networking, listening, saying hello, and positively lovely people
7:45 pm – end of the night – you leave with new contacts and fresh ideas

Cowork Crew Northampton
2025-07-17 09:00 - 16:30
Cowork Crew takes the best bits of coworking and networking and jumbles it together in a once-a-month 1 day event.
This month Charlotte Sargeant will be sharing how to use audience insights to make buying a no-brainer.

Charity Tuesdays - The Lowdown Northampton
2025-08-05, 2025-08-12, 2025-08-19, 2025-08-26
Charity Tuesdays are BACK at Vulcan Works!
Every Tuesday in August, enjoy FREE hot desking—all we ask is a donation to our Charity of the Month
This August, we’re supporting The Lowdown – They offers a caring environment where young people are always supported on their journey towards positive emotional health and wellbeing.
They will be proving both a money charity box and QR code for their online giving page Donate | The Lowdown | Supporting Young People

World Photography Day
2025-08-19 09:00 - 16:30
Ready to step into the spotlight for your business?
Join us for a day of Headshot Mini Sessions designed specifically for entrepreneurs and small business owners who are ready to show up confidently for their business.
If you’ve been putting off getting professional photos because you’re camera-shy, short on time, or working with a tight budget, this is for you!

The Experience
Perfect for you if:

You’re a new business owner and need your first set of professional images.
You’re a busy entrepreneur who can’t commit to a full brand shoot right now.
You feel nervous in front of the camera and need a gentle, confidence-building approach.
You want stunning professional headshots but are on a budget.

What you’ll get:

A relaxed 30-minute session in the gorgeous setting of the Vulcan Works Co-Working Space in Northampton.
Expert guidance to help you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
Beautiful, professional headshots that authentical showcases you and your business.
A warm, supportive experience that celebrates your entrepreneurial journey.

These sessions have been designed by brand photographer Emma Annie Colton (who is a specialist in using photography to build-confidence) to be relaxed, encouraging, and focused on bringing out your authentic self.
The Vulcan Works have provided the perfect backdrop for stylish, professional, and warm imagery that reflects you and your business.
You’ll leave not just with gorgeous photos, but with a renewed sense of confidence in showing up for your business.

Event details
Date: 19th August 2025, World Photography Day
Location: Vulcan Works, Northampton
Session length: 30 minutes
Investment: £95 per session

Book your confidence-boosting session
Whether you’re launching a new venture, refreshing your brand, or simply ready to step out from behind the scenes, these mini sessions are designed with busy entrepreneurs like you in mind.
Limited spaces available so secure your spot and take that important step towards being more visible in your business.

Cowork Crew Northampton
2025-08-21 09:00 - 16:30
Cowork Crew takes the best bits of coworking and networking and jumbles it together in a once-a-month 1 day event.
This month Tazmin Suleman will be sharing how to be successful without burning out.
Tickets are limited by desk space, so sign up now to grab your spot:
