Month: February 2026
Kent’s lettings market gains momentum in 2026
A report released by Miles & Barr, one of the region’s leading estate and lettings agencies, shows that 2025 was a strong and steady year for the property market in Kent.
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South East business confidence rises in February
Business confidence in the South East rose 16 points during February to 38%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.
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Square One Padel & Social Club comes to Sittingbourne
Square One Padel and Social Club has announced plans to open a brand-new site in Sittingbourne, Kent this April.
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Chartway strengthens senior leadership team
South East housebuilder Chartway Partnerships Group has announced two senior leadership promotions: David Murphy has been promoted to chief operating officer, while Simon Whelan steps into a new leadership role as chief compliance officer.
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Girlings appoints new managing partners
Kent-based Girlings Solicitors has announced a new leadership structure as the firm responds to a sustained period of growth and prepares for the retirement of its managing partner Lesley Rushton in March 2026.
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South East farmland market continues to perform despite sector constraints
The South East farmland market displayed strong resilience in 2025 despite tighter supply volumes and mixed price movements across Great Britain, according to a new report from Savills, Spotlight: The Farmland Market.
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Akela delivers precast foundations for Kent BESS project
Akela Ground Engineering has completed the design and installation of a full precast foundation system to support eight Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) units and two Power Conversion System (PCS) units for Emtec in Sandwich, Kent.
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Brachers advises shareholders of Avenue Tennis Limited on sale to David Lloyd Leisure
The corporate team at Kent law firm Brachers has successfully advised the shareholders of Avenue Tennis Limited on the sale of the company to David Lloyd Leisure.
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Community invited to learn about Marley Works redevelopment plans
Plans for the redevelopment of the former Marley Works site on the A20 between Lenham and Harrietsham will shortly be the subject of a public exhibition.
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Sussex Community Foundation uncovers county’s severe health challenges
Sussex Community Foundation has revealed stark health and wellbeing inequalities across the county in its latest Improving Health Report, produced in partnership with Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI).
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Kenward Trust partners with Kent Charity Trek
Kenward Trust has announced its continued partnership as a charity beneficiary of the Kent Charity Trek, a flagship annual endurance event held in May that raises vital funds for local charities across the county.
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High Sheriff of Kent hosts employment forum
Moving personal testimony demonstrating how employment can help ex-offenders get their lives back on track after completing their sentences was showcased at the High Sheriff of Kent’s Employment Forum last week.
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Two South East businesses win £150,000 TikTok Shop support package
TikTok Shop has announced the winners of its Shop Local competition, including two small businesses based in the South East: West Sussex-based Edge Tea & Coffee and Kent-based Freddie’s Farm.
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Kent employers get advice on the upcoming changes in employment law
Employment law specialists from Furley Page kept Kent employers informed about imminent employment law changes at a seminar hosted by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. Andrew Masters and Patrick Glencross addressed over 40 Kent employers and Chamber members about the major implications of the Employment Rights Act 2025, with many provisions coming into force from […]
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Study outlines impact of Newhaven-Dieppe ferry
The Newhaven to Dieppe ferry is one of the UK’s most successful international short sea passenger routes after it recorded 47.9% growth since 2013, according to Newhaven Enterprise Zone (NEZ).
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Brighton & Hove tops UK creative city index
Brighton & Hove has ranked first in a new index assessing creative activity across major UK cities, placing ahead of London and Edinburgh.
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Entries open for the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards 2026
Entries have opened for the 2026 Kent Press & Broadcast Awards, which recognise local journalism across the county.
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Kreston Reeves joins AAB in deal to create £200m-revenue group
South East accountancy firm Kreston Reeves and professional services firm AAB have announced plans to combine their businesses in a deal that would take the enlarged group’s annual revenue beyond £200 million.
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Housing development in Battle reaches completion
A new housing development in Battle, East Sussex, has reached completion, with the first homes now ready for occupation.
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New indoor cricket academy opens in Brighton
With the T20 World Cup now well underway in India and Sri Lanka, property consultancy Vail Williams is marking its role in advising the University of Brighton on the opening of the UK’s largest indoor cricket academy.
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Community-led bid launched in Thanet for Isle of Culture 2029
More than 70 community organisations, cultural groups and businesses from across the Isle of Thanet have come together to submit a community-led Expression of Interest to become the UK City of Culture 2029.
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Chartway Group develops construction apprenticeship support programme
A new training programme led by Chartway Group, designed to help line managers support construction apprentices throughout their entire apprenticeship, has secured funding from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
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Event invites leaders to shape Thanet’s creative industries
Leaders in the creative and education sectors can “shape the future of Thanet’s creative economy” at a new event, set to take place at the brand-new EKC Broadstairs College Margate Digital Campus.
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Kent Apprenticeship Awards launched
A new county-wide awards programme celebrating apprenticeship achievement across Kent and Medway has been launched during National Apprenticeship Week.
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Entrepreneurship rises sharply among Gen Z
New data released by Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank, reveals that there has been a surge in entrepreneurship amongst Gen Z in the South East, with the number of loans taken out by young founders increasing by 19% in 2025 as more young people look to start their own businesses.
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Alison Griffiths MP launches Bognor Regis and Littlehampton Business Club
Alison Griffiths MP has launched her Bognor Regis and Littlehampton Business Club, bringing together employers to ensure their experiences, concerns and ideas are heard clearly and directly – locally and in Parliament.
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Raven Housing Trust awards £8,250 to three community projects
Redhill-based housing association Raven Housing Trust has awarded £8,250 to three local community projects through its Brighter Community Fund, which is designed to support initiatives that build resilience, reduce isolation and improve wellbeing across Surrey.
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Bluebay relocates to Milton Keynes
Bluebay Building Products, a UK distributor of specialist civil engineering and construction products, has relocated its Luton operations to a purpose-built, sustainable new depot in Milton Keynes.
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DMH Stallard advises Brighton’s SimplyVAT on acquisition
Hove, Sussex-headquarteredSimplyVAT has been acquired by AVASK Global Compliance in a deal that is said to strengthen their combined position in the worldwide compliance and indirect tax sector.
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Historic country pub in West Sussex sold
Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has announced the sale of The Three Horseshoes in Elsted.
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Furley Page donates £30,000 to Pilgrims Hospices
In January, Kent law firm Furley Page welcomed staff, clients and friends to attend the final event of its 300th anniversary celebrations, a film premiere held at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury.
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Optimism rises in South East industrial and logistics market
Economic uncertainty and rising costs slowed occupier decisions in 2025, but market optimism has improved in the past two months, according to SHW’s Q1 2026 South East Industrial & Logistics Focus.
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Pensions now ‘beat perks’ when workers choose jobs
More than half of UK workers (57%) say a workplace pension is very important when deciding whether to join a new company – ranking it above flexible working, bonus schemes, healthcare plans and lifestyle perks such as gym memberships or work socials.
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ABC Lettings strengthens support for landlords and tenants ahead of major rental reforms
Ashford Borough Council is preparing for significant national changes as the first phase of the Renters Rights Act 2025 comes into force on 1 May 2026.
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History is made as demolition begins at Fort Halstead
Demolition has officially started at the ex-Military of Defence base in Fort Halstead, Kent, after Barratt Redrow formally purchased the site in September 2024.
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