News
Sea Scrub Sauna opens at Folkestone Harbour Arm
Sea Scrub Sauna Folkestone officially opened to the public on Saturday 14 March at Kent’s food, drink and leisure destination Folkestone Harbour Arm.
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Rising costs and funding gaps threaten South East mid‑market growth
Mid-sized businesses in the South East are setting their sights on growth in 2026, but are facing challenges around access to finance as cost pressures loom, according to the latest research from BDO.
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Local businesses attend Kent B Corp Impact Summit
More than 40 purpose-led business leaders gathered in Tunbridge Wells on 9 March for the Kent B Corp Impact Summit, a day focused on shaping a more sustainable, responsible future for our region.
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Vistry gets go-ahead for 87 homes in Pembury
Vistry, a UK provider of mixed-tenure homes, has secured a resolution to grant detailed planning permission from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for the delivery of 87 high-quality mixed-tenure homes in Pembury, on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells in Kent.
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Kent shutter specialist wins national award for training programme
Kent-based shutter specialist ShuttersUp has been awarded the ‘Best Staff Internal Training Programme’ accolade at the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) Awards at a ceremony in Manchester on 7 March.
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Surrey County Council helps Gen Z discover careers and training
Young people seeking jobs and training can find their perfect match online thanks to an partnership between Surrey County Council and the next generation’s job app Urfuture.
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Frankham partners with LDC for next phase of growth
Property and construction consultancy Frankham Group has partnered with LDC, part of Lloyds Banking Group, to support its next phase of growth.
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Thomson Snell & Passmore appoints Richard Ellard as senior partner
Kent law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore has appointed Richard Ellard as its new senior partner, who will take on the role from June 2026 in line with the new financial year.
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Kenward Trust charity ball raises over £23k for youth programmes
A charity ball hosted by alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre Kenward Trust, celebrating 30 years of youth work in Kent, has raised more than £23,000 to support vital youth intervention and prevention services delivered in schools across Kent and Medway.
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DPD opens two new South East distribution centres
UK parcel delivery company DPD has opened two new 60,000 sq ft regional distribution centres in Crawley and Sittingbourne. Part of a multimillion-pound announcement in March last year, the two purpose-built state-of-the-art distribution centres will significantly increase DPD’s capacity in the South East to meet the demand for the firm’s services. DPD’s existing teams locally […]
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Clearbell agrees sale of industrial units at LOC8 Maidstone to Aberdeen
Clearbell Property Partners III LLP, a fund managed by private equity real estate fund management and advisory business Clearbell Capital LLP, has agreed a deal to sell four industrial units at LOC8 in Maidstone to global investment company Aberdeen.
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20 new low‑carbon affordable homes delivered at Mabledon Avenue
Ashford Borough Council is progressing work on a major housing regeneration scheme at Mabledon Avenue, transforming a former industrial site into 20 high‑quality, energy‑efficient affordable homes for local people.
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Newhaven to bid for UK Town of Culture 2028
Newhaven is preparing to submit an expression of interest to become the first UK Town of Culture as part of a new national competition launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
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New Kent enterprise partnership backs food entrepreneurs
A formal collaboration agreement between Produced in Kent and Growing Kent & Medway will provide innovative plant and produce food businesses with extended support to scale their market growth.
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Women in Property appoints new South East branch chair 2026-27
National networking and influencer organisation Women in Property (WiP) has named Mamta Kudhail of Gowling WLG (UK) LLP as its new South East branch chair for 2026-27.
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New homes under development in Storrington, West Sussex
Housebuilder Croudace Homes is bringing 62 new homes, of which 22 will be affordable, to Storrington, West Sussex, with the launch of its new development, White Stork Vale.
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Kent college launches employer advisory boards across key sectors
A college in Kent has received widespread praise after launching a series of highly successful Employer Advisory Boards across key industry sectors.
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Viewings available for commercial units at historic Frensham grain barn
Local artisans and businesses are invited to explore a historic grain barn at Pierrepont Farm Frensham, Surrey, where five commercial units will soon be available for rent as part of a thriving creative community.
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Thomson Snell & Passmore helps local community buy village pub
Kings Head Community Benefit Society is the new owner of The King’s Head pub in East Hoathly, West Sussex after hundreds of locals helped to raise the funds needed to buy it. Law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore advised the society on the purchase.
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Must Have Ideas crowned number one in UK’s top 100 SME list
Kent-based e-commerce business Must Have Ideas is celebrating a landmark achievement after being ranked first overall in the UK in the prestigious Elite Business 100 (EB100).
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128.5 acres of coastal farmland launched to market in East Sussex
A diverse block of coastal farmland has come to market with Savills in Seaford, East Sussex. Classified as Grade 3, the land is a mixture of arable and permanent pasture, in several parcels.
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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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SHW opens new Surrey office to accelerate growth
Independent, full-service real estate advisory firm SHW has opened a new office in Guildford, Surrey, marking a significant step in the firm’s continued expansion across the South East.
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South East business confidence falls in January
Business confidence in the South East fell 12 points during January to 22%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.
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Brachers launches the Brachers Building at Kent County Showground
Kent law firm Brachers has announced the launch of the Brachers Building at the Kent County Showground in Detling, following a new five-year partnership with the Kent County Agricultural Society (KCAS).
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Carpenter Box joins forces with Brighton-based Hartley Fowler
Accountancy firm Carpenter Box, part of Sumer Group, has announced a merger with the Brighton office of Hartley Fowler.
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Emergency pub relief will provide respite but ‘urgency is needed’
Pubs and music venues will receive a 15% business rates discount and a two-year freeze from April, but trade body UKHospitality warns the short-term relief must be followed by urgent action to tackle the sector’s rising costs.
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Surrey’s private sector contributes £13 billion in turnover
A new report from Grant Thornton UK found that Surrey’s top 100 privately-owned businesses collectively generated £13 billion in turnover throughout 2025 – a 5% increase on 2024. Employment also saw a 12% increase, with 55,000 people working for these firms.
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40 acres near Gatwick Airport coming to auction
A block of land close to Gatwick Airport with a guide price of £225,000 is to be auctioned by Savills on 10 February.
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Integrum expands care coverage in Brighton
Care home provider Integrum Care Group has expanded its reach across the South East with the acquisition of an eighth care home – its second in the Brighton area.
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Power crew add bird and bat boxes to Sussex wildlife haven
UK Power Networks’ overhead lines team, including Ritchie Mulhall, engineer Ben Parkes and apprentice Jamie Wakefield, have installed a total of six boxes – two owl, two bat, one kestrel and one swift – at the 90-acre wildlife haven off Chesworth Lane.
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25,000 sq ft office space let in Hove
Flude Property Consultants has announced the recent letting of 25,000 sq ft of new build Grade A office space at Hove Central, marking Brighton and Hove’s largest office letting in recent years.
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Savills appoints new head of South East Development
Development director Sam Kirkaldy has been appointed to head up Savills South East Development team, based across the firm’s Sevenoaks, Guildford and Brighton offices.
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Barratt Redrow reveals £41.7M investment across the South East
Barratt Redrow Southern Counties contributed over £41 million to benefit communities across the South East last year, according to its latest Socio-Economic Footprint report.
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£21m retirement village opens in Kent
The Lord Mayor of Canterbury Councillor Keji Moses and Lady Mayoress Carol Reed have officially opened a new £21m care-focused retirement village in Herne Bay, Kent.
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UK small businesses invest nearly £5bn a year in tax and accounting software
New research from Monzo, the digital bank with over 800,000 business customers, reveals British small businesses invest £4.8bn every year in tax and accounting software.
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South East businesses account for 13% of administrations in 2025
Business failures in the South East reached 13% of all UK administrations in 2025, making it the third-highest region for corporate insolvencies, according to analysis by law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter.
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SHW sells Sutton High Street investment with development potential
Independent property real estate advisory business SHW, acting as sole agent on behalf of a private client, has sold the freehold interest in 51-35 High Street, Sutton, Surrey to a property company for £1.25 million.
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Retailers should ‘reduce not absorb’ new EPR fees, says Priory Direct
As UK retailers adjust to a new packaging levy, Josh Pitman, managing director at Kent-based sustainable packaging firm Priory Direct, is urging businesses not to absorb the additional costs but use this opportunity to adapt and reduce their environmental footprint, which will push down their fees.
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South East sees solid influx of new business in December
Data from the NatWest South East Growth Tracker showed the region ending the year on a stronger footing, having enjoyed greater inflows of new work and accelerated growth in output.
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Pre-pack sale of Boutique Modern secures novation of customer contracts
The assets of Newhaven-based modular homes specialist Boutique Modern have been acquired out of administration in a deal that enables the completion of ongoing development sites.
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Tunbridge Wells charity event supports dogs in need
Dog lovers from across Kent are being invited to a charity event on Friday 23 January with broadcaster Eamonn Holmes, who is bringing his acclaimed live show ‘This Is My Life’ to Royal Tunbridge Wells in support of K-9 Angels.
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Kent PR consultancy expands European reach
As Suzanne Howe Communications (SHC) begins its 30th year in business, the Kent-based PR consultancy is celebrating the expansion of its European PR coverage network.
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Freedom Works Group secures investment to expand
South East flexible office provider Freedom Works Group has secured substantial investment from property firm Sixpenny Group Ltd to fuel an ambitious growth strategy that will increase its operational footprint by approximately 50% over the next 18 months.
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Hospitality set for 2,076 closures without sector-wide business rates solution
New modelling from UKHospitality, the trade body for hospitality in the UK, reveals that six hospitality venues could close every day in 2026.
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Tiger launches new Sussex garden building show site in Littlehampton
Woodlands Home & Garden Group has launched a franchise partner show site in Littlehampton, West Sussex for its specialist garden building retailer Tiger.
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Kent contractor Trail Group strengthens leadership team
Swanley-based fire safety, construction and maintenance specialist Trail Group has appointed David Humphrey as operations director – a senior position that carries operational responsibility for the group’s Construction and Passive Fire Safety divisions.
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New era begins for Brighton Hotel
Brighton hotel The Oriental Hotel, which closed during the Covid pandemic, is set to reopen under new ownership following its successful marketing by Flude Property Consultants.
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Plans submitted to ‘shape Headcorn’s future’
Plans to create a bold new vision for Headcorn have been submitted to Maidstone Borough Council, which will see the delivery of new sports and community facilities alongside much needed, high quality new homes.
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Bar Vita opens at Deal hotel Updown
Set within the grounds of Updown, Ruth Leigh and Oli Brown’s award-winning hotel and restaurant in Betteshanger, Deal, Kent, a new cocktail bar, Bar Vita, has officially opened.
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Brighton business leader named one of the UK’s top 100 female entrepreneurs for 2026
Brighton-based business leader and inclusion specialist Mo Kanjilal Williams has been recognised as one of the f:Entrepreneur #ialso100 Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs for 2026, a national campaign celebrating inspirational women who are making a powerful impact across the UK economy.
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Azets appoints new Ashford office managing partner
Katie Hodson has been named the new Ashford office managing partner for accountancy and business advisory firm Azets 20 years after starting her career there. Katie began her working life at Azets in Ashford as an audit and accounts trainee in 2005 and completed her ACCA qualification in 2009, before becoming director of client services […]
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Crawley Innovation Centre opens to support entrepreneurs
A new innovation centre that helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses has opened in Manor Royal Business District in Crawley, West Sussex.
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Brachers acquires Gill Turner Tucker
Brachers has announced its acquisition of Gill Turner Tucker, a respected Kent law firm with offices in Maidstone and Dover.
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South East firms to invest in staff training in 2026
South East businesses will be focusing on investments in staff training in 2026 (36%), according to new research from Lloyds’ Business Barometer.
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27-Year-old tech entrepreneur named on the King’s New Year Honours list
27-year-old Ben Towers from Gillingham, Kent has been awarded an MBE for services to the startup business community, excellence in innovation and enterprise. Ben, who has always been motivated by creating things that help people, started his first business at the age of 11. By 17, he was named by The Times as one of […]
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Proposed housing transfer set to strengthen services for residents in Brighton & Hove
Plans that would see two long-established local housing providers in Brighton & Hove join Stonewater are moving forward.
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South East business confidence rises in December
Business confidence in the South East rose three points during December to 34%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.
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Bellway Thames Gateway staff raise and donate more than £60k for charities
Staff at Dartford-based housebuilder Bellway Thames Gateway have supported local and national charities with donations totalling more than £60,000 this year.
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Ground broken at Herstmonceux under new partnership
Work is underway at Herstmonceux in East Sussex as part of a new partnership between housebuilder Persimmon Homes and Clarion Housing Group, the largest provider of affordable housing in the UK.
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Knights advises on Agon Systems’ transition to Employee Ownership Trust
Retail loss prevention specialist Agon Systems has completed its transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), allowing the business to enter a new stage of growth.
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ELM Group ends the year on a high with awards success
Surrey-based property management company ELM Group has announced its success at The Negotiator Awards, the UK’s leading peer-judged awards programme for the residential property industry.
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Rarely available Brighton/Hove industrial space brought to the market
Independent property real estate advisory business SHW has been appointed by Hargreaves to market 55,000 sq ft of rarely available, high-quality industrial/warehouse accommodation in the sought-after Brighton & Hove area.
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Charanga relocates to International House on Queens Road
Flude Property Consultants has confirmed the letting of the 5th Floor at International House, 78 – 81 Queens Road, Brighton to Charanga, an established provider of music education technology.
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Dandara provides £12.1M ‘boost’ for local communities
Housebuilder and property developer Dandara South East has reported £12.1 million in financial contributions to local authorities between January 2021 and June 2025, representing a major investment in education, healthcare, community facilities and local infrastructure across the region.
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Changes at the top at Kent Housing Group
In a change at the top of the Kent Housing Group, the collective voice of the housing sector in Kent and Medway, Brian Horton and Rebecca Wilcox have taken up the roles of co-chairs.
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