Hire a Meeting Room in Barry
Our meeting rooms in Barry are currently home to something special – a thriving, supportive community of women in business brought together by Starla Business Network. At the heart of it all is Rachael Barnes, the inspiring founder behind Starla Business Network. Launched four years ago in Newport, Starla was created with a clear purpose: to offer a welcoming, relaxed space where women at any stage of their business journey can connect, collaborate, and grow, without pressure or barriers. If you’re looking to hire a meeting room, hosting women networking events is one of the many ways The Business Centre can help you.
Built for Real Life: Networking Events That Work Around You
As a busy SEN (Special Educational Needs) mum, Rachael understands how important flexibility is. After struggling to find networking groups that worked around real life, where you could book last minute, weren’t tied to memberships, and still make the school run, she decided to create something better. It is this ethos that defines Starla Business Network.
“Our focus in our business networking group is on connection and collaboration, not just handing out business cards,” explains Rachael.
Running the network single-handedly, Rachael has cultivated a genuine space that feels supportive and fun.
“We attract lots of regulars, who make it the supportive and fun space that it has become, with lots of laughter along the way.”
Looking to hire a meeting room at The Business Centre? Here’s how Rachael structures her networking events to give you an idea of how you can personalise your own meeting with us.
A Women in Business Networking Group Designed with Purpose and Ease
Starla meetings are structured, but never rigid, striking a balance between purpose and ease. With sessions starting from 10:30am onwards and finishing by 2pm, they conveniently fit around school drop-offs and pick-ups.
“Our meetings last two hours and we love to have an excuse to stay on for food when the meeting has ended. We are looking forward to sampling the food at the Business Centre after our April 22nd meeting.
“During each meeting, the ladies have the opportunity to introduce themselves and update us on new developments in their business, then we have a guest speaker spot, followed by relaxed networking.”
Each session is built around themes that matter to the members, ensuring every meeting feels relevant, useful, and engaging.
“I regularly ask the members in my Facebook group which themes they would like covered in upcoming meetings. Our April theme is all about finding the confidence to be more visible online. Social media and accountancy tips are also very popular.”
Starla Business Network Leads to Award-Winning Opportunities
What makes Starla Business Network so powerful is the tangible impact on the local businesseswoman who attend. From growing confidence and friendships to expanding businesses, the ripple effect is clear.
“The best thing about Starla’s women in business networking events is seeing the ladies expanding their businesses and taking on new team members. We’ve recently seen this from one of our accountants, a solicitor and a lady who makes all her skincare products.”
And sometimes, those connections lead to life-changing opportunities.
“I was recently awarded the Neurodiversity Award at the Women’s Academy Wales ceremony at the Senedd for my work with autism families. I met the organisers of the awards ceremony through my networking events.
They’ve been guest speakers at our event and the ladies who nominated me for the award were all from our Starla meetings. These opportunities wouldn’t have existed without the network.”
If you want to build a networking group and make valuable connections, hire a meeting room at our flexible workspace in Barry. You’ll find the perfect environment to make it happen.
Networking that Gives Back
At its core, Starla Business Network is about people. When asked why women should join, Rachael sums it up perfectly:
“Support. Well-being. Friendship. Contacts. Networking. Expansion. Fun.”
There’s also a strong commitment to giving back, with charity work woven into the fabric of the network.
“Supporting charities is very important to us. I’m a trustee of Nai, a local charity that supports autism families in South Wales. We recently held a charity fashion show to raise funds and are always looking to arrange fun, fundraising events that benefit our Starla attendees in some way, from networking to social events etc.”
The Perfect Place to Hire a Meeting Room in Barry: “Free Parking Is a Plus”
As Starla expanded into Barry, finding the right meeting room hire services was key, somewhere accessible, flexible, and welcoming.
That’s where our meeting and conference room hire became the ideal option.
“I was looking for a venue in Barry because I had a number of local ladies travelling to Newport. It just made sense to come to their home town. My good friend, Louise Adams from Petal’s Training, rents an office from The Business Centre and suggested I come and look around. I loved the welcome, the private room and the opportunity to stay for lunch. Free parking is a plus point too.”
Designed to support businesses of all sizes, our meeting rooms offer the flexibility and comfort that modern professionals need, whether it’s for networking, training, or collaboration.
Women in Business Networking Events: Join the Movement
With events across Newport, Cardiff, and Barry, and more locations always on the horizon, Starla Business Network continues to grow its networking events for women in business, building a community of ambition and support.
All Starla’s meetings are bookable on Eventbrite and pay as you go.
These are some of the upcoming Starla networking events to looking forward to:
- April 22nd and June 17th at The Business Centre Barry. From 10.30am – 12.30pm.
- May 8th and June 5th at the Mercure Hotel, Newport. From 11am – 1pm.
If you’re looking for a network that genuinely uplifts, inspires, and creates opportunities, Starla Business Network is definitely one to join.
Follow Starla on social media to stay up to date with their latest events and keep an eye out for the next networking opportunity:
Hire a Meeting Room in Barry with Full Support & Facilities
At The Business Centre, our spacious and modern meeting and conference rooms are designed to make hosting effortless, whether you’re planning a workshop, event, or important business meeting.
With space for up to 16 people, each room is fully equipped with high-speed WiFi, presentation facilities, and access to breakout and reception areas. You’ll also benefit from on-site support, free parking, and everything set up and ready before you arrive.
From the moment you walk in, you’re supported by a dedicated conference coordinator, ensuring everything runs seamlessly behind the scenes.
Meeting Room Hire: How to Book with The Business Centre Barry
To hire a meeting room with us, you can get in touch in the following ways:
Call us: 0800 634 9920 / 01446 739911
Email us: [email protected]
Send an enquiry via our website: https://www.thebusinesscentreonline.co.uk/get-a-quote
We look forward to welcoming you and helping you bring your next meeting, event, or idea to life.
Starla Business Network: Where Women in Business Thrive
As Starla Business Network continues to grow, it’s cultivating a powerful community of women. From confidence-building conversations to real business opportunities, the impact of these events goes far beyond the room itself.
We’re proud to provide the space where Starla’s women in business networking events can flourish. If you’re looking to experience it for yourself, or even start something similar, you can hire a meeting room at The Business Centre that’s designed to bring people together. Because when networks like Starla thrive, so do the women within them.