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Commercial property News

Are you considering new commercial premises?

Unless your business is run entirely from home, you will need commercial premises of some sort – be it an office or co-working space, industrial building or warehouse. Choosing the right commercial property is important to your company’s bottom line and to your staff, both attracting them and keeping them.

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News

Kent Press & Broadcast Awards 2025 now open for entries

The Kent Press & Broadcast Awards (KPBA), organised by Maxim, which celebrate excellence in local journalism, are now open for entries for the 2025 edition.

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Commercial property News

South East office investment sees signs of recovery

The South East office investment market showed clear signs of recovery in 2024, with total transaction volumes for the region reaching £1.51 billion, reflecting a 16% increase from 2023, according to new market analysis by commercial real estate advisor and service provider Newmark Group.

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News

EB100 celebrates UK’s leading SME businesses

Elite Business has announced its annual Elite Business 100 ranking, highlighting the top 100 SMEs across the UK. 

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Construction News

Dandara helps ‘plug the skills gap’ through management training scheme

Coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week (10 – 16 February), independent housebuilder Dandara is highlighting a range of trainee schemes for those interested in a career in the housebuilding industry.

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News

Whitstable-based artisan ice cream maker launches wholesale range

Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium, a family-owned premium artisan ice cream maker based in Whitstable, Kent, is expanding by launching a brand-new wholesale range.

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Construction News

Work starts on EKC Sheppey College extension

Part of the £20 million government-funded Sheerness Revival project, put together by Swale Borough Council, the extension of EKC Sheppey College has taken one step closer to fruition.

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Community News

Newhaven Fort to reopen following £7.5m restoration

Newhaven Fort in East Sussex will reopen its doors to the public on 15 February 2025, following a transformative £7.5m restoration of the historic landmark.

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Construction News

32 new affordable rented homes to go ahead in Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey

Chartway Partnerships Group, in collaboration with housing association Moat, has announced that Swale Borough Council has granted planning permission for the development of 32 much-needed new affordable rented homes in Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey.

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News

Private Business Awards launch for 2025

The Private Business Awards 2025, sponsored by BDO, has officially launched, with nominations now open to private or PE-backed businesses with a turnover of £50m-£300m.

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News

Kent misses out on fast-tracked devolution programme

Today (5 February) the government announced that Kent has not been selected for its Devolution Priority Programme (DPP).

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Community News

FareShare calls for donations to combat seasonal ‘Hunger Gap’

Leading food redistribution charity FareShare Sussex & Surrey is urging food businesses to help tackle the annual ‘Hunger Gap’.

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News

Kent drinks business toasts new partnership with Aldi

Family-owned drinks supplier Storefast Solutions Ltd, based near Gravesend in Kent, has agreed a partnership with Aldi to create an exciting new Spicy Margarita cocktail can, as well as continuing its Espresso Martini flavour.

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Finance News

Majority of businesses struggling to secure additional funding required to support their growth  

New research from business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP finds that, while many businesses expect they will need to secure additional funding to support their growth this year, the majority are currently finding it difficult to access the funding required.  

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Legal News

Brachers joins Lawfront

South East law firm Brachers, based in Maidstone and Canterbury, has joined fast-growing legal services group Lawfront.

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Commercial property News

Versatile East Kent property with vineyard for sale

Land and property company BTF Partnership is offering for sale a private and versatile property in the historic Alkham Valley designated Area of National Beauty, including an established vineyard, holiday cottages, ancient woodland and further potential for business development, with a guide price of £3,300,000.

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Construction News

Cala submits proposals for further new and affordable homes in North Horsham

Cala Homes (South Home Counties) has submitted a Reserved Matters application to Horsham District Council to bring new homes to North Horsham.

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News

Selkent opens million-pound warehouse in Sittingbourne, Kent

With a large million-pound investment, Selkent – a leading UK supplier of construction fixings and tools – is increasing its customer fulfilment capacity by opening a brand-new warehouse in Sittingbourne, UK.

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News

Kent employee-owned veterinary group wins trio of awards

Pennard Vets, a B-Corp certified veterinary group with eight practices in Kent that became the world’s largest employee-owned practice in 2021, has won three awards in quick succession.

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Commercial property

Flude Secures letting of retail unit in Lancing, West Sussex

Flude Property Consultants, an independent firm of chartered surveyors in the South East, has successfully let a prime retail unit at 73-75 North Road, Lancing.

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News

Demand for startup finance suggests a continued entrepreneurial drive in the UK

The British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme saw a 9% rise in loan volumes in 2024 compared to the previous calendar year, suggesting a continued entrepreneurial drive in the UK.

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News

Brighton’s sustainable restaurant initiative expands with new workshop

The University of Brighton and Restaurants Brighton have teamed up for a sustainability workshop to help local restaurants reduce their environmental impact and share sustainability success. 

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Construction News

Development of new homes upgraded to net-zero carbon

Over 50 new houses, currently under construction in East Sussex, will now be fully net-zero carbon thanks to an increased sustainability specification.

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News

Furley Page celebrates 300 years in Kent 

 South East law firm Furley Page is planning a year of celebratory and charitable events to commemorate its 300-year anniversary.  

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News

Kent businesses to boost sustainability with grants and expert training 

Businesses in Kent and Medway can now apply for expert guidance and up to £7,000 in funding to reduce their carbon footprint with a new sustainability training programme called Growing Green.

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News

New licensees sought for community pub in Wilmington

Shepherd Neame’s Orange Tree pub in Wilmington, a village on the outskirts of Dartford, Kent, is set to undergo a major refurbishment, and a unique opportunity is on offer to run it.

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Community News

Folkestone’s Leas Lift appoints community engagement manager

As restoration work at Folkestone’s Leas Lift is set to begin, the charity has appointed a community engagement manager to ensure local people are kept informed and feel part of the efforts to reopen the iconic lift.

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Legal News

Thomson Snell & Passmore advises JR Pet Products on its sale to AlphaPet Ventures

AlphaPet Ventures, a European digital brand platform for premium pet food, has acquired UK-based JR Pet Products, a leading premium dog treat brand, with the shareholders of JR advised by Kent law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore on the transaction.

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News

Employers in the South East ‘unprepared’ as real-time benefits-in-kind reporting looms

South East employers have less than 15 months to prepare for compulsory HMRC reporting on payroll expenses and benefits-in-kind. Joanna Gander, associate director at accountancy and advisory firm Azets, warns that it is going to cause a serious administrative headache as many are “unprepared”.

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News

Assetz Capital expands London and South East focus

Scott Pamflett, relationship director at SME property finance lender Assetz Capital for London & South East, is extending his focus to development finance and residential refurbishment markets.

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Construction News

Wates Developments submits proposals for new homes in Ashtead, Surrey

Wates Developments and its Vistry Group partners have submitted outline plans to Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) for up to 270 new homes in Ashtead, Surrey.

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News

ViFi Roadshow arrives in Brighton

The ViFi Business Finance Roadshow is set to begin in Brighton, offering an insightful workshop designed to help local business owners better understand their financials and improve profitability.

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Legal News

Seminar to offer Kent employers insights on important new rights for workers  

In February, Kent employers will be offered valuable insights and practical guidance on navigating significant changes to employment law.

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News

Trainees rise to partner status at Carpenter Box

Two accountants who began their careers as trainees at Carpenter Box will join as new partners in 2025 at the rapidly expanding South East and Sussex-based firm.

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Community News

Haven Young Creatives receives £5k funding from Newhaven Enterprise Zone  

An arts charity in Newhaven which provides free drama workshops for children and young people has received nearly £5,000 from Newhaven Enterprise Zone’s Community Fund to employ an early years artist.

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Construction News

Barratt David Wilson Kent reveals over £24m contribution to Kent

Barratt David Wilson Kent has published its 2024 Socio-Economic report, revealing that, in 2024, the housebuilder contributed a total of £24.4 million to benefit local communities across Kent.

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News

Mayo Wynne Baxter sees significant growth

Sussex-based law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter (MWB) has announced a 7% increase in revenue for the past financial year, taking the firm’s turnover to more than £13.5 million for the first time, thanks to organic growth and team expansion.

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News

Businesses’ profit growth to stall following rising employment costs

New research from business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP finds that following the increases announced in the Autumn Budget to employer NI Contributions and National Minimum Wage, UK businesses’ profit growth expectations remain low. Many are looking to review employee costs across the board, including implementing hiring freezes.

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Community News

Sussex Emmaus calls for new trustees to help tackle homelessness

Homelessness charity Sussex Emmaus is seeking individuals to join its board of trustees and help play a pivotal role in transforming the lives of people who have experienced homelessness.

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News

Ashford leaders demand Eurostar services return on 29th anniversary of their arrival

Campaigners are pushing to revive Eurostar services at Ashford International Station ahead of its 30th anniversary next year.

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News

Surrey’s ELM Group celebrates winning five key industry awards

Surrey-based property management company ELM Group is celebrating a strong start to 2025 after collecting five key industry awards in November, recognising its significant contribution to the retirement property market as an ethical provider with transparent operations.

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News

RBLI chief executive honoured by King Charles

The chief executive of Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI), the national charity supporting Armed Forces veterans and people with disabilities, has been awarded the title Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in King Charles’ New Year’s Honours List.

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Community News

Apogee Corporation raises £4,300 for Dementia UK

Kent-based managed workplace services provider Apogee Corporation has raised £4,300 for specialist dementia nursing charity Dementia UK through its 2024 Christmas Advent Calendar.

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Community Construction News

Local housebuilder invests over £800,000 in Deal community

Local housebuilder David Wilson Homes has recently confirmed its Section 106 agreement with Dover District Council (DDC), confirming that a total of £805,084 will be directly invested into the Sholden area.

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News

Tassells Solicitors relocates from Faversham town centre

After 232 years at its historic premises on West Street, Faversham, Tassells LLP has moved to modern offices at Jubilee Way, a business park on the town’s outskirts.

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News

South East businesses reveal 2025 ambitions

South East businesses will be targeting increased productivity and upskilling their staff in 2025, according to new research from Lloyds’ Business Barometer.

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News

Thackray Williams expands commercial team

London and Kent law firm Thackray Williams is looking to expand its commercial team further after four new hires across its commercial practices and unprecedented growth.

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Community News

Supporting charities ‘boosts customer loyalty by 250%’

Customers that engage with charity partnerships are more than three times as likely (250%) to stay loyal to the brand, the MD of sustainable packaging supplier Priory Direct told representatives from more than 40 businesses and charities at a Kent CSR event in November.

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News

Brighton hospitality scene ranks top for startup potential

As the hospitality industry braces for post-budget challenges in the new year, new research has revealed that Brighton-based businesses may have the best chance of weathering the storm. 

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News

Eco-friendly restoration underway on historic grain barn at Surrey farm

Work is well underway to restore a historic grain barn at the Countryside Regeneration Trust’s (CTR) Pierrepont Farm in Surrey, thanks to a legacy donation to the charity.

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News

South East bucks national trend with rise in business confidence

Business confidence in the South East rose seven points during December to 34%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. 

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Legal News

Moore Barlow corporate team celebrates successful 2024

After rounding up the final deals of 2024, regional top-100 law firm Moore Barlow has announced its supported deals with a total value of £350m.

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Community News

Kent community centres awarded share of £30,000 from Southern Water

Christmas has come early for 10 Kent community centres after they received a share of Southern Water’s £30,000 regional Community Fund.

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Community News

Shepherd Neame sponsors Rochester’s new Christmas lights

Kent independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame is among the sponsors of the new Christmas Lights in Rochester.

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News

One third of South East businesses have experienced fraud in the last five years

Almost one third (31%) of South East businesses have experienced fraud in the last five years, a new survey from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has found.

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News

‘Help to Grow’ hits 10,000 milestone with support from the South East

 More than 10,000 business leaders across the UK, including over 1,500 in the South East, have enrolled on the Help to Grow: Management Course to provide them with the knowledge and confidence to boost their business performance.

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Community News

Ashford Borough Council steps up support for rough sleepers

Ashford Borough Council is opening an Outreach Centre in January as part of renewed steps to support rough sleepers this winter.

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News

EDP begins construction of stand-alone storage project in Sandwich, Kent

EDP, through EDP Renewables, has started the construction of its first stand-alone battery energy storage (BESS) project in Europe, located within Richborough Energy Park near Sandwich, Kent.

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News

Privately held London and South East firms optimistic about 2025 despite challenges

Almost nine in every 10 (88%) private business owners in London and the South East are confident of delivering growth in 2025, according to KPMG UK’s first-ever Private Enterprise Barometer. 

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Community

Eastbourne welcomes Lightning Fibre’s fully accessible ice rink

British Olympic figure-skating champion Robin Cousins MBE, along with special guests from Forward Facing, a charity supporting Sussex families whose children have long-term or life-limiting conditions, took to the ice at internet service provider Lightning Fibre’s accessible Ice Rink in Eastbourne to celebrate its accessibility for all.

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News

Milence to develop its second ever UK eHGV charging hub in Kent

Plans to build a charging hub designed for electric Heavy Goods Vehicles (eHGV) at Panattoni Park Aylesford in Kent have been announced by Milence, the joint venture between Daimler Truck, the TRATON GROUP and Volvo Group.

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News

Clarkson Wright & Jakes announces two new hires

Kent law firm Clarkson Wright & Jakes (CWJ) is delighted to welcome back Carly Johnson (nee Sargeant) as partner and head of its Residential Property team. Carly started her conveyancing career at Clarkson Wright & Jakes in 2002 and worked for the firm until 2014. She continued to gain further valuable experience at another Kent […]

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News

South East remains UK’s “most distressed region”, says The IFT

The Institute for Turnaround (The IFT) has released its fifth Societal Impact report, surveying its members and highlighting that UK corporate distress shows no signs of easing, despite some increased economic stability.

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News

Amino Plus awarded ‘Discovery Spark’ prize package worth over £50,000 

Following the immersive Discovery Spark (from Kent science park Discovery Park) programme and a competitive pitch process with nine fellow entrepreneurial life science and technology businesses, Amino Plus has secured the coveted first-place prize.

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News

Triodos Bank announces first BNG private sector loan to Nature Impact

Triodos Bank UK has announced its first private sector loan based on a biodiversity net gain (BNG) unit model, a landmark deal that could create a blueprint for financing nature-based solutions at scale.

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News

Kent foundry shares ‘Component of the Year’ at Best of British Casting awards

Maybrey Precision Casting, a Kent foundry that specialises in aluminium gravity die castings has jointly won the ‘Component of the Year’ prize at the recent UK Cast Metals Industry Awards.

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Community News

WIBN Kent raises over £2,000 for charity at 2024 Christmas event

On Thursday 5 December, the Women in Business Network (WIBN) Kent held its much-anticipated annual Christmas Lunch at the picturesque Chilston Park Hotel, raising an impressive £2,040, which will be equally distributed among six exceptional charities.

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News

FRP strengthens Brighton team with new restructuring partner

Specialist business advisory firm FRP has appointed Neville Side as a partner in its Brighton-based restructuring advisory team, strengthening its presence in the South East. With more than 20 years’ experience in business restructuring and formal insolvency, Neville joins from BDO, where he spent over two decades working across high-profile cases, including the administrations of […]

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News

Rising costs impacting the South East food and drink sector, survey finds

Businesses in the South East food and drink sector see rising costs and changing consumer spending patterns as the two biggest areas impacting them, according to the results of new research carried out by law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore.

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News

The Thompson family breathe new life into The White Horse in Boughton-under-Blean

Shepherd Neame’s 600-year-old country inn The White Horse, located in the village of Boughton-under-Blean, Kent, has officially reopened its doors under the new management of experienced licensees the Thompson family.

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Finance News

Start Up Loans celebrates £50 million of loans to female entrepreneurs in the South East

Start Up Loans has provided female founders in the South East with £50 million in loans since the programme’s inception in 2012.

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Construction News

Restoration begins at Victorian wine warehouse in Ramsgate

The Old Wine Warehouse in Charlotte Court, Ramsgate is being revitalised by not-for-profit Heritage Lab to create a landmark of enterprise, arts and entertainment in East Kent supporting local talent.

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News

South East second only to London on number of green jobs adverts in 2024

The South East continues to lead the way in terms of the number of green jobs advertised among the UK’s nations and regions outside of London, ranking fifth in the latest iteration of PwC’s Green Jobs Barometer.

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Construction News

Pilbeam Construction completes essential upgrades at Rottingdean school

Youngsters at St Margaret’s CE Primary School in Rottingdean are enjoying two refurbished classrooms after South East building contractors Pilbeam Construction completed the essential project.

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News

South East employees are ditching the office Christmas party

New research from team building and corporate events company Team Tactics reveals that over a quarter (27%) of office workers in the South East are planning on ditching the office Christmas party this year.

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News

Lloyds Business Barometer: South East business confidence falls in November

Business confidence in the South East fell seven points during November to 27%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. 

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Commercial property News

Phase two of LOC8 in Maidstone completed

Clearbell Property Partners III LP, a fund managed by Clearbell Capital, has announced the practical completion of phase two at LOC8, a multi-let industrial estate situated at Junction 8 of the M20 in Maidstone, Kent.

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Finance News

British Business Bank to increase availability of funding to social impact sector lenders

The British Business Bank has launched its Community ENABLE Funding (CEF) programme, designed to increase the availability of funding to social impact sector lenders and the smaller businesses they serve in local communities across the UK.

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News Skills

University of Brighton receives top award for excellence in supporting small businesses

The University of Brighton’s School of Business and Law has been awarded the Small Business Charter in recognition of its exceptional work supporting local business growth and student enterprise.

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News

Survey reveals one in four workers take time off due to stress

One in four (24%) UK employees have taken time off work in the past 12 months due to stress, new research from Avilio has found. 

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News

2024 Medway Business Awards announces winners

Businesses from across Medway, Kent gathered on Friday 22 November at the prestigious Corn Exchange in Rochester to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Medway Business Awards.

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News

Brighton-based agency Whitespace joins The Creative Group

The Creative Group has announced its latest collaboration with Whitespace, a Brighton-based agency renowned for its expertise in brand, digital, design and strategy.

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News

Campaign calls on investors to ‘Choose Canterbury’

Canterbury is an amazing place to do business. That’s the message behind the Choose Canterbury campaign and website, which is being launched today (26 November), designed to bring businesses to the district and boost jobs.

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Construction News

Ironmonger Yard given go-ahead following major design revision

A prominent derelict site at the end of Rochester High Street is to be given a new life after revised designs for a major residential scheme were approved by Medway Council’s Planning Committee.

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News

Peel Ports to invest £30m in new RoRo berth at Port of Sheerness

Peel Ports Group is investing £30 million into the development of a new RoRo (Roll-on, Roll-off) berth at the Port of Sheerness to meet growing demand from new and existing customers.

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Community News

Girlings Solicitors supports Holding On Letting Go

Kent law firm Girlings Solicitors has chosen child bereavement charity Holding On Letting Go (HOLG) as its ‘Charity of the Year’.

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News

Kent Invicta Chamber Business Awards celebrate the best of the county’s business community

2024’s Kent Invicta Chamber Business Awards winners were announced at a gala dinner on Thursday 21 November attended by more than 250of the county’s business leaders.

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Community News

FareShare appeals for support to fight hunger this Christmas

Food waste charity FareShare Sussex & Surrey has launched two ambitious campaigns to help feed those in need this winter.

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News

FCC Environment seeks new talent in Kent schools

Staff members from FCC Environment, which owns and operates the Allington Energy from Waste plant, took time out from their day jobs to attend an inspirational event at St Simon Stock Catholic School designed to promote careers education in Kent.

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News

Kent’s Must Have Ideas crowned winner at 2024 Great British Entrepreneur Awards

Kent-based e-commerce business Must Have Ideas has clinched a prestigious win at the 2024 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

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News

Most people underestimate the scale of the UK’s gender pay gap

Research by HR and payroll software provider Ciphr shows that most people significantly underestimate how pervasive the gender pay gap is in most occupations and industries in the UK.

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News

Local businesses given ‘help to grow’ by Christ Church Business School

Canterbury Christ Church University is offering its Help to Grow: Management Course in January 2025, and applications are now open to local business owners.

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News

Pureprint Group acquires Ashford Colour Press from administration

Pureprint Group has acquired Ashford Colour Press from administration, strengthening the company’s position in the print and publishing sector by extending its capabilities into inkjet printing and enhancing its digital and on-demand print solutions.

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News

Lewes brewery to move into revamped Newhaven pub

Funding from Newhaven Enterprise Zone (NEZ) will enable the former Jolly Boatman pub building in Newhaven to reopen next year, with a Lewes brewery set to move in. 

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News

Less than half of UK workers take regular breaks from their desk, survey finds

A survey by Surrey-based workplace product supplier AJ Products has revealed that only 41.5% of UK workers in desk-based roles take hourly breaks.

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News

Will the Budget stifle future innovation or boost growth in Sussex?

Changes to employer national insurance (NI) announced in the Budget will add over £900 in business costs annually to the average £33,000 wage in the Brighton and Hove area, according to South East accountancy firm Carpenter Box.

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News

International trade key to unlocking growth in the UK

Over half (52%) of UK businesses are prioritising international trade as a key growth driver, according to the Santander Trade Barometer.

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News

Work to begin on Folkestone’s Leas Lift restoration

The restoration of Folkestone Leas Lift has taken a major step forward with the appointment of a principal contractor for the construction work.

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Community News

Ashford charitable sector benefits from £500,000

The Frank Brake Community Fund, which was established through Kent Community Foundation in 2019, has awarded more than half a million pounds in funding to small charitable organisations across the district of Ashford.

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News

Brachers named ‘Top 10 Best Law Firm to Work For’ in UK

Brachers, a law firm based in Maidstone and Canterbury, Kent, has been ranked by Best Companies in its ‘Top 10 Best Law Firms to Work For’ in the UK. 

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