Year: 2024
Chapel Down releases limited edition English sparkling wine for Royal Ascot 2024
English winemaker Chapel Down has released a limited edition English sparkling wine to mark its inaugural year as the ‘Official English Sparkling Wine’ of Royal Ascot.
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Dragon’s Den star teams up with Natwest for small business roadshow
TV Dragon and Small Business Sunday (SBS) creator Theo Paphitis is teaming up with NatWest to host the Small Business Sunday 2024 Regional Business Bootcamps, an event series offering local entrepreneurs the chance to meet and learn from some of the UK’s greatest business minds.
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MGAC completes Mithras House student redevelopment project in Brighton
Brighton and Hove-based building consultant MGAC has completed a teaching facility project in Brighton on behalf of the University of Brighton.
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Over 10,000 extra construction workers required in South East by 2028 to meet demand
The annual industry forecast from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) highlights the continuing persistent gap between what the South East needs to keep up with demand and the workforce available to meet the challenge.
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South East office market witnesses highest level of average transaction size since Q2 2021
The average transaction size within the South East office market rose to the highest level recorded since Q2 2021 in Q1 of 2024, hitting 17,597 sq ft, demonstrating healthy demand for units in excess of 10,000 sq ft, according to Colliers’ South East Offices snapshot.
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Cantium Business Solutions welcomes new education account director
Cantium Business Solutions, a public sector IT services specialist based in Kent, has appointed William Asare as its new education account director.
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Crimson Tide recognised in The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Work 2024 awards
Tunbridge Wells-based business Crimson Tide is pleased to announce its inclusion in The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Work 2024 awards.
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Business activity rises at sharpest pace in nearly a year
Rising demand in the South East of England has led to an increase in business activity for the fifth month in a row, according to the NatWest South East PMI.
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Sussex mum toasts success as small business grows
In just a year, Sussex-based fruit infusions business Fruitology has seen remarkable growth, with owner Michelle Pratt gearing up to showcase the brand at multiple major food and drink shows in 2024.
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Mid Sussex to promote 70 hectares of employment space at UKREiiF
Opportunity Mid Sussex, the inward investment platform of Mid Sussex District Council, will promote 70 hectares of employment space at real estate, investment and infrastructure show UKREiiF.
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Surrey opticians recognised for sustainability efforts
Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists has achieved a sustainability certification after successfully offsetting carbon emissions and minimising its environmental footprint.
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Panattoni acquires additional development site at Sittingbourne
Confidence in Kent as a location for high-quality warehousing and distribution space has been given a boost after logistics property developer Panattoni acquired a further 10 acres of land in Swale.
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Brachers advises MWA Financial on the acquisition of KFA
Brachers’ corporate team has advised MWA Financial on its acquisition of Kent-based IFA Knighthood Financial Advice (KFA).
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Discovery Park business A4P receives King’s Award for Enterprise
A4P, A LabConnect Company, based at Discovery Park in Sandwich, has been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
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Carpenter Box announces 16 new promotions
Sussex and South East accountancy firm Carpenter Box has announced 16 new promotions to support the firm’s continuing business success and future growth plans.
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Taste of Kent Awards reveals 2024 food and drink product shortlist
Produced in Kent has announced the food and drink product shortlist for the highly anticipated Taste of Kent Awards 2024, which celebrate and showcase the tastiest food and drink that Kent has to offer.
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UK housebuilders back in the market for land as outlook brightens
Britain’s housebuilders are seeing a recovery in buyer interest and land purchasing activity in early 2024, according to the latest Knight Frank Land Index & Housebuilder Survey.
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The Channel Tunnel celebrates its 30th anniversary
It is 30 years this week since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Channel Tunnel, the world’s longest tunnel, connecting Folkestone, Kent to Calais, France.
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Maximising Business Property Relief
At the start of 2022, there were estimated to be 5.5 million private sector businesses in the UK, of which 5.47 million businesses were in the small category (i.e. with 0 to 49 employees) – the very backbone of the British economy. But are these business owners maximising tax allowances available to them to ensure […]
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Paternity Leave and Carer’s Leave
From 6 April 2024, where the expected week of childbirth or expected date of placement for adoption falls on or after this date, paternity leave will be able to be taken in two blocks of one week, rather than having to take two weeks leave consecutively. In addition, the leave can be taken at any […]
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FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards South East winners gear up for UK grand final
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) recognised the brightest and best entrepreneurs from the South East at the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2024. The next stop for this year’s regional winners is the UK grand final at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on 9 May.
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Employers expect talent retention to be challenging this year, survey shows
Some of the biggest challenges for UK organisations right now include retaining skilled talent, meeting pay expectations, providing a good work-life balance and supporting employees’ wellbeing, according to new research by HR software provider Ciphr.
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Kent law firm Brachers announces nine promotions in 2024
Brachers, a law firm with offices in Maidstone and Canterbury, has shown its commitment to supporting staff to develop in their career by making nine promotions.
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Weybridge charcuterie company Tempus Foods announces merger with Rare & Pasture
Weybridge charcuterie company Tempus Foods, owned by Masterchef finalists Tom Whitaker and Dhruv Baker, is merging its business with South Devon-based charcuterie and smoked meat brand Rare & Pasture to expand production and sales of both award-winning products.
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Accountancy firm Carleys relocates to Medway after 74 years
Carleys, a leading firm of chartered accountants and business advisors first established 1950, is pleased to announce the successful relocation of its primary office to the Historic Dockyard in Medway Maritime, after 74 years of operating in Gravesend.
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Brighton Fringe 2024 launches
Brighton Fringe is back for 2024 from 3 May to 2 June, with a massive 750 events being staged in over 120 venues across Brighton, Hove and beyond.
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Are we really running out of people?
In the last edition’s article, I made the case for how our economy would benefit from having more medium-sized businesses. One such benefit was the opportunity to provide work placements, internships or even higher-level apprenticeships as a means of growing and expanding the workforce. This, in itself, was as good a reason as any to […]
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A spring update
Here at Surrey Chambers, we are delighted to be launching, in partnership with Surrey Heath Borough Council, the Surrey Manufacturing and Engineering Network – a dynamic initiative aimed at fostering collaboration and growth within the manufacturing and engineering sector in Surrey. Our mission is to facilitate shared learning, create supply chain opportunities and offer business […]
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No 9 Restaurant at Chapel House Estate named Made in Kent’s 2024 ‘Best Restaurant’
No 9 Restaurant at Chapel House Estate in Minster has been awarded Gold for ‘Best Restaurant’ in Kent at the prestigious Made in Kent Food and Drink Awards 2024.
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Boosting growth and promoting sustainability
Sussex Chambers has recently partnered with Reveela.com, a cutting-edge digital marketing platform. This strategic collaboration aims to help Chamber members gain a competitive advantage in both local and international markets by leveraging advanced digital marketing capabilities powered by new energy-reducing artificial intelligence, developed by Reveela Technologies and part funded by Innovate UK. Understanding the crucial […]
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Kingsmead Leisure Centre seeks operators to run café, childcare and therapies
Active Life, the charity behind the multi-million-pound transformation of Kingsmead Leisure Centre in Canterbury, Kent, is inviting expressions of interest from providers who would like the opportunity to run the cutting-edge café, childcare provision and therapies ahead of the flagship centre’s grand reopening later in 2024.
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Cantium Business Solutions supports KCC’s large-scale device rollout for hybrid working
Kent County Council (KCC) has partnered with Cantium Business Solutions, a public sector IT services specialist, to deliver 9,000 Microsoft Surface Devices to its hybrid-working workforce.
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Mitchell & Cooper achieves ISO 14001 certification
Uckfield, Sussex-based catering supplier Mitchell & Cooper has announced its recent achievement of ISO 14001 certification, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
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CT Travel Group celebrates 35 years in business
This month marks a milestone for Tunbridge Wells-based CT Travel Group, which is celebrating 35 years in business within the travel industry.
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Surrey producer competes for spot on Adli’s shelves in Channel 4 series
Entrepreneur Roni Bandong-McSorley from Walton-on-Thames, Surrey will appear on Channel 4’s ‘Aldi’s Next Big Thing’ on 30 April alongside husband Steve McSorley.
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What does Labour’s ‘mission-based government’ mean for business?
With a General Election edging ever closer and the polls suggesting a change of government is on the cards, many businesses are starting to think more seriously about what a Labour administration means for them. Central to the Labour Party’s pitch at the election is the idea of its five missions – centred around economic […]
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We need a different conversation about development
Nearly everyone criticises the planning system, but isn’t one of the biggest problems, literally, much closer to home? Are we looking at development, and specifically housebuilding, through the wrong end of the telescope and overlooking the positives? The reality is we all need a place to live, and it changes throughout the stages of our […]
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Half of Brits fear a fall in standard of living
Nearly half (46%) of UK adults are worried that their standard of living will fall over the next 12 months, reveals research conducted on behalf of Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management.
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Friends who turned £5k into £4m expand loft boarding business to Kent
Three friends who started a loft boarding and insulation business with a rented van, storage unit and £5,000 of their own money have expanded their operation, Amazing Lofts, into Kent.
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More than 41,900 new homes needed in Brighton and Hove by 2040
Brighton and Hove needs to build more than 41,900 new homes in less than two decades to meet the needs of the city’s 2040 population, research by socio-economic experts at Marrons has revealed.
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Capital Compactors and Balers bolsters field service network
Bognor Regis-based Capital Compactors and Balers (CCL), part of the Impact Environmental Group (IEG), has considerably expanded its field service engineer network with the addition of two new mobile service vehicles in the South East.
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Folkestone Harbour opens first-ever standalone retail outlet
Folkestone Harbour, a popular seaside destination and hub for independent food and drink brands in Kent, has entered the world of retail with its first-ever, permanent, standalone retail space.
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Kings Hill welcomes public art project celebrating Kent’s agricultural heritage
A five-metre high, multi-coloured artwork celebrating Kent’s agricultural heritage has been unveiled in Kings Hill, near West Malling.
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Business activity growth sustained across the South East, but at softer pace
There was a further improvement in the business environment across the South East region in March, with the latest NatWest South East PMI® data continuing to signal demand and activity growth.
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Elham’s The King’s Arms crowned best pub in Kent
For the third year in a row, Contemporary Pubs has seen one of its gastropubs and freehouses crowned the ‘Kent pub of the year’ in a major national awards scheme.
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Produced in Kent’s Future Food Forum is back for 2024
Following a hugely successful event last year, Produced in Kent will once again be hosting its Future Food Forum at the University of Kent in Canterbury on 3 May 2024.
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Family team launches SureCare home care service in Sittingbourne
Husband and wife team Lisa and Rejue Khalique, as well as Lisa’s cousin Stephanie Kew, who will be the registered manager, have launched their SureCare franchise in Sittingbourne to provide a broad range of regulated and non-regulated care services.
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Martin Tolhurst Solicitors partners with Kent Wildlife Trust
Kent law firm Martin Tolhurst Solicitors has announced a new partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust, a respected wildlife charity dedicated to preserving the county’s natural heritage.
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‘Music-driven’ restaurant launches in Brighton
This April, Rob Shenton and Charlie Bunn – the respective owners of Riddle and Finn’s and Hickstead Estate – are launching Drifter, a new music-driven restaurant concept for Brighton.
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Moore Barlow advises New Path Fire and Security on latest acquisition
Moore Barlow has advised regional fire safety and security firm New Path Fire and Security on the acquisition of Kent-based Electrifire Limited for an undisclosed sum.
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Smaller payroll firms risk being left behind by automation
New research from people management and payroll platform Employment Hero suggests that smaller payroll providers in the UK risk being left behind thanks to a distrust of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation.
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IoD Surrey welcomes new student and future director ambassadors
The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed two new ambassadors to its Surrey branch committee to represent the student community and future directors.
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Moat secures £100m funding to accelerate sustainability ambitions
Moat, one of the South East’s largest housing associations, has secured a £100 million sustainability-linked loan facility from Lloyds Bank to retrofit its existing stock and boost housebuilding across the region.
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What is the new Flexible Working Bill?
New flexible working regulations will come into effect on 6 April 2024. Antonio Fletcher, head of employment at Canterbury-based law firm Whitehead Monckton, outlines what the new bill is and what it will mean for businesses and employees.
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Azets acquires RSM UK’s specialist medical accounting team
Azets, the international advisory, outsourcing and compliance group with 21 regional offices across the South East of England, has announced the acquisition of RSM UK’s specialist medical accounting team.
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Shifting gears
From innovative concepts to strategic pivots, Crowd Connected, situated at Surrey Research Park, boasts an incredible success story
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UK Growth Coach wins FSB ‘Micro Business of the Year’ award
Sussex-based specialist business coaching firm UK Growth Coach has recently been honoured with the title of ‘Micro Business of the Year’ for the South East by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
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National living wage expansion among ‘significant’ new employment laws coming into force this spring
A host of new employment legislation comes into force this spring, with changes to the National Living Wage, flexible working and holiday pay all contributing to the most significant changes for years, according to employment law specialist Furley Page.
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Setfords named top hirer of all UK law firms
Platform law firm Setfords, headquartered in London, Guildford and Horsham, has emerged as the foremost hirer among all law firms in the UK, according to research conducted by Codex Edge.
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Print with purpose
Dartford-based ARC-UK Technologies invests over £1 million in eco-friendly printing technology. We delve into the details of this ambitious project…
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South East business confidence climbs in February
Companies in the South East reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month – up two points to 49% – according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
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Work begins on £7.5m restoration of Newhaven Fort
Construction workers have arrived on site to begin a milestone restoration project to transform Newhaven Fort, including opening hidden areas never seen by the public before.
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Newly-approved homes in Sholden will contribute over £700,000 to local economy
Dover District Council has approved the delivery of much-needed new homes in Sholden, near Deal, which will be built by Barratt David Wilson Homes in conjunction with Richborough.
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Kent speculative development to be net zero carbon
Sittingbourne, Kent is going to be home to a net zero carbon logistics park after work began on what will be the county’s largest speculative property development in more than a decade, thanks to a £150m vote of confidence by the site’s owners, Panattoni.
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X-Press celebrates 25 years in business
Sussex-based property search company X-Press Legal Services is celebrating 25 years in business.
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Breaking barriers
Inhalytic Ltd, based at Discovery Park in Sandwich, Kent, is reshaping the landscape of analytical chemistry testing for inhaled pharmaceuticals. Director Frank Chambers shares insights into the company’s journey…
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East Sussex camping site now hosting weddings after HSBC UK backing
Bluebell Coppice, a family-owned campsite near the historic site of the Battle of Hastings, has expanded into the wedding industry following a £1.6 million commercial mortgage refinance from HSBC UK.
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New research asks: What if there were no freelancers?
What if there were no freelancers? That’s the question posed by a new research whitepaper launched in Tunbridge Wells exploring the impact freelancers have on our economy.
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Kent Community Foundation analyses Kent and Medway’s voluntary sector
A survey commissioned by Kent Community Foundation in December 2023 has revealed the challenges and opportunities facing Kent and Medway’s voluntary sector in 2024.
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Clean sweep
The English Soap Company, now led by managing director Oliver Butts, is a family-run business that has not only stood the test of time but flourished
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Kent employees saddle up for a share in equine vets
Equine veterinary business Lingfield Equine Vets has become employee-owned after transferring into an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).
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Kent’s fastest-growing businesses revealed at MegaGrowth 50
Kent’s 50 fastest-growing businesses were unveiled at the 2024 MegaGrowth 50 awards, which took place in Maidstone on 20 March.
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More firms are choosing accountancy outsourcing
Figures from AdvanceTrack show an “enormous” rise in firms choosing to outsource their accounting services, with a near 40% increase in global spend and a 20% surge in interest over the last five years.
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South East is among top regions for women-led companies
Almost half of all companies in the South East have a female director on the board, according to new research from Creditsafe.
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Functional business: Commercial premises
The experts provide insights on the current trends shaping the commercial premises landscape and their forecasts for the year ahead
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Double gold medal success for Surrey’s Hogs Back Brewery
Surrey-based Hogs Back Brewery is raising a celebratory glass following gold medal wins in two prestigious beer competitions for its Little Swine 0.5% ABV pale ale this month.
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Rolling out regeneration
Editor Zoë Fryday catches up with Kresse Wesling, co-founder of Elvis & Kresse, a luxury fashion brand with an unwavering commitment to the circular economy
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Kent & Medway Women’s Health Innovation Summit unites NHS and industry to close gender health gap
Kent & Medway’s first-ever Women’s Health Innovation Summit took place on 6 March, bringing together local leaders to revolutionise women’s health and close the gender health gap.
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Boost for drivers as millions delivered for EV chargepoints across the South East
Charging electric vehicles is set to get even easier thanks to hundreds of millions of funding made available for South East local authorities, homeowners and renters, it has been announced today (18 March).
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Thackray Williams bolsters Board to support rapid expansion
London and Kent law firm Thackray Williams has expanded its management and commercial teams with several new hires after witnessing a combined 82% increase in revenue for its employment and commercial departments in just three years.
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Folkestone named the best place to live in the South East
Folkestone, Kent has been named the best place to live in the South East of England in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
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SETsquared ranked in the top three startup hubs in Europe
The SETsquared Partnership has been ranked as the third leading startup hub in Europe and the top entry from the UK and Ireland by the Financial Times and Statista’s special report on Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs.
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Southeastern unveils updated timetable for customers
Southeastern, one of the country’s biggest and busiest rail operators, has published the details of its June timetable change for customers across South East London, Kent and East Sussex.
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Carter Jonas enhances UK presence with new Kent office
National property consultancy Carter Jonas has launched a new office in Churchill Square Business Centre, Kings Hill, Kent, marking its first presence in the county.
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South East firms record faster output growth in February
The headline NatWest South East PMI® Business Activity Index picked up from 50.9 in January to 53.0 in February to signal a solid increase in activity at firms across the South East.
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Locate in Kent: Spring Budget brings investment promise but the needs of the South East to drive the UK’s future growth can’t be ignored
The Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered his final spring Budget ahead of a general election this autumn – but what did it mean for businesses located across the South East? Charles Hutchings-Lawrence, business development manager at Locate in Kent, gives his assessment of what was said at the despatch box…
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New report from Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management reveals gender wealth gap
Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management’s report, Gender and generation: unravelling the wealth gap highlights how the gender divide in financial literacy and confidence in investment markets and products is impairing women’s ability to build wealth.
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Newhaven Enterprise Zone boosts art scene with £160,000
A programme of grassroots arts events will continue in Newhaven thanks to £160,000 of funding from Newhaven Enterprise Zone (NEZ).
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Spring Budget 2023: Reactions from the business community
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt presented his Spring Budget to Parliament today (6 March 2023). South East Business has curated a collection of responses from leaders within the business community…
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What is the Whole Life Cost (WLC) of a vehicle and what should you consider?
In the ever-evolving landscape of business operations, the decision to change vehicles is a significant one that requires careful consideration. As businesses weigh the options, one crucial factor that often takes centre stage is the total cost of ownership or Whole Life Cost (WLC). This encompasses not just the upfront costs but also the operational […]
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Businesses call for international rail services to get back on track
Hundreds of business leaders, representing thousands of employees, have responded to Kent County Council’s (KCC) call for views on the lack of international rail services stopping in Kent.
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Offering flexible work can help you tap a latent talent pool
The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics tell us that 8.68 million people aged 16-64 are economically inactive in the UK, while at the same time, there are more than 900,000 vacancies across the country. Just 1.57 million of those economically inactive people are classified as unemployed, with the rest made up of […]
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Trust will be the watchword for ’24
This year, securing trust and retaining their own reputation will be more important than ever for business and dare I say it, politicians. According to the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer, half the UK population trusts business, up 1% on the previous year, while only 37% trust the government, a fall of 5%. Worryingly, it also […]
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Entering the Sussex Chamber Business Awards
The Sussex Chamber Business Awards are returning for 2024 to highlight and celebrate the expertise, achievements and outstanding contributions that businesses and individuals continually make to the growth of the county. Here are some hints and tips on how you can make the most of your entry… The judges Your entry will be assessed by […]
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2024 Support
What could possibly challenge us in 2024? Facing a general election is likely to distract from the work needed to improve the economy and deliver support for businesses, who generate jobs, taxes and contribute so much to their local communities. There is a lot of support available for businesses, but it does not always reach […]
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Business needs to be more than just a livelihood
With political and regulatory uncertainty in abundance, it’s understandable that most businesses will have little appetite for investment or expansion. However, this uncertainty will eventually pass, and the UK government, of whatever persuasion, will need to make its intentions around economic growth clear and unambiguous to unlock the UK’s trade potential. But the focus needs […]
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Employee Complaints
In a recent case we dealt with, our client had received a bullying complaint from an employee who didn’t want any formal investigation or action to be taken. What are the risks here, and what should employers do in this situation? Much will depend on the seriousness of the allegation/misconduct in question and the type […]
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SME Cash Reserves
Research from Allica Bank suggests that small and medium-sized businesses are holding an astonishing £273 billion in cash in low or no interest bank accounts. But just what should businesses do with cash reserves to make them work harder, asks funding experts, Abbey Watkins and John Walsham of Kreston Reeves. Research from Allica Bank suggests […]
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BeBa Energy completes major solar array for Thanet Earth
BeBa Energy has recently completed one of Kent’s largest rooftop solar arrays for Britain’s leading glasshouse grower Thanet Earth on its packhouse and office buildings at Birchington, Kent.
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Reform of Holiday Pay
The basic right to annual leave is that a worker is entitled to 5.6 weeks’ leave each year. This is the equivalent to 28 days for those working five days a week. Subsequently, a part time worker is entitled to a pro rata amount of 28 days, according to the number of days they work. […]
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