News
Crowe bolsters Insolvency and Restructuring practice with latest partner promotion
National audit, tax, advisory and consulting firm Crowe has promoted Mark Holborow as Insolvency and Restructuring partner.
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New grants support young entrepreneurs in Kent and Medway
Leading grant maker Kent Community Foundation has partnered with SWEF to support Kent and Medway’s young business entrepreneurs.
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Kent plays host to landmark hydrogen construction plant trial
Kent-based Gallagher Group recently hosted a landmark hydrogen-powered plant trial at its Hermitage Quarry as part of the company’s journey to net zero by 2050, in collaboration with the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) project, JCB and Ryze Power. The trial represents a major step forward for the Lower Thames Crossing’s ambition to eliminate diesel use […]
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Sussex candle manufacturer fuels expansion
Sussex-based family-owned business Contract Candles & Diffusers, a manufacturer of premium home fragrance products for luxury brands, has secured a multi-million-pound asset-based lending facility from Praetura Commercial Finance to support its next phase of growth.
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£100k funding boost to grow tourism in Newhaven
A new working group has been launched with a £100,000 investment from the Newhaven Enterprise Zone (NEZ) to boost tourism and grow the town’s visitor economy, with £50,000 to be delivered over the first 12 months.
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Half of Kent locals lack confidence using technology, says study
Research conducted by broadband provider Trooli has found that half of Kent locals lack confidence using basic technology, leaving 21% feeling left behind.
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Fixfast expands with £11m HSBC UK support
Backed by an £11 million investment from HSBC UK, Maidstone-based Fixfast has launched what it calls the most advanced fastener manufacturing and R&D centre in the country.
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Age, intent and trust influence online search behaviour, says survey
Online consumer search behaviour is becoming increasingly fragmented as digital integration and increased consumer choice drive Brits to switch between platforms, according to performance marketing agency Reflect Digital.
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South East mid-sized businesses predict growth despite trade bottlenecks
South East mid-sized businesses are optimistic about plans to export overseas in the next year, despite recent turmoil in global trade and tough economic challenges, according to accounting and business advisory firm BDO.
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Praxis seals landmark Kings Hill office deal
Praxis, the London-based real estate and property management company, has acquired a major part of the business park at Kings Hill, near West Malling in Kent.
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Caxtons announces senior promotions in Estate and Block Management
Kent-based firm Caxtons Property Consultants has announced the promotions of two members of its Estate and Block Management team, Tony Martin and Natalie Peck.
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Knights strengthens South East presence with Rix & Kay acquisition
UK regional professional services business Knights has strengthened its presence in the South East with the acquisition of Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP for an undisclosed sum.
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EKC Sheppey College reveals new curriculum amid major extension
A transformative new curriculum tailored to meet local industry needs will soon launch at EKC Sheppey College, enabled by the site’s expansion, which enhances capacity and facilities.
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South East business confidence rises in June
Business confidence in the South East rose one point during June to 37%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.
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HMRC names 518 employers for minimum wage breaches
Thousands of businesses in Kent could potentially face financial penalties for underpaying staff on wages, warns SME business advisor and accountancy firm Azets.
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Ex-military entrepreneurs benefit from Start Up Loans
Ahead of Armed Forces Day on 28 June, Start Up Loans (from British Business Bank) and X-Forces Enterprise have announced that over £4m worth of loans have been delivered to members of the Armed Forces community since July 2024.
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Sussex business DB Domestics expands with second store
Family-run Sussex business DB Domestics, which specialises in kitchens and home appliances, has opened its second store, based at the Bell Walk Shopping Centre in Uckfield.
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AI driving productivity gap in UK small businesses
A new report from global HR, payroll and employment platform Employment Hero reveals that AI implementation is now the top challenge for small business leaders, with four in five putting it ahead of economic pressures and talent shortages.
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UK B Corp awareness reaches record 51%
New data finds that more than half (51%) of the UK public are aware of B Corp Certification (heard of B Corp or seen the B Corp logo), representing the highest recognition of any country surveyed worldwide and marking a dramatic increase from 34% in 2022.
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Surrey dairy farmers launch mobile milk shop
A pioneering dairy farming couple in Surrey have taken a bold step to bring sustainable, nature-friendly dairy directly to their customers via a restored electric milk float named The Nutfield Express.
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2025 Kent Press & Broadcast Awards winners announced
The winners of the 2025 Kent Press & Broadcast Awards (KPBA), organised by Kent PR and marketing agency Maxim, have been announced.
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Entries open for The Spectator’s Economic Innovator of the Year Awards
Entries are now open for The Spectator’s Economic Innovator of the Year Awards 2025, which recognise and celebrate the achievements of entrepreneurial businesses across the UK.
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Pilbeam begins work on Worthing Theatres and Museum
Buildings at Worthing Theatres and Museum will retain heat better in winter when an £850,000 project by Sussex-based contractor Pilbeam Construction is completed to replace windows and improve energy efficiency.
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Slight fall in South East insolvency-related activity
Insolvency-related activity fell slightly in Surrey and the South East last month, according to R3, the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body.
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200-home development approved in Felbridge
Barratt David Wilson Homes’ new development on Crawley Down Road, Felbridge, has been approved by Mid Sussex District Council. The scheme will provide 200 new homes to the local market, of which 30% will be affordable, with prospective buyers able to view the show homes onsite from April 2026. Construction is expected to begin in […]
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Chapel Down unveils new 119-acre Kent vineyard
English wine maker Chapel Down has announced the launch of a significant new 119-acre vineyard on the Kent Downs, marking a major expansion in its mission to produce world-class sparkling wines.
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Southeastern and Network Rail Kent unite
Southeastern and Network Rail Kent have united to create South Eastern Railway, joining under a single leadership team to increase investment and deliver greater efficiency for passengers, with the goal of reducing operational costs by £50 million each year.
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Kent glass manufacturer invests in high-tech upgrades
Kent-based glass manufacturer Olympic Glass is investing in cutting-edge European machinery to improve production efficiency and sustainability, allowing the company to produce up to three times more glass while reducing water and glass wastage.
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Tech summit EVOLVE [25] to take place in Brighton this July
Community‑led, non‑profit tech support and networking initiative Silicon Brighton presents EVOLVE [25], the largest industry-wide tech summit in the South of England, taking place on 4 July at Brighton Dome.
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One in three UK small businesses stuck in “survival mode”
A new report from global HR, payroll and employment platform Employment Hero is calling for an urgent rethink of how the UK defines and measures productivity as new data reveals a striking disconnect between how productivity is understood by SMEs and their employees. SMEs say they’re more productive, but growth has stalled, according to ONS […]
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Underground devices trialed to monitor UK vineyard biodiversity
A new research project funded by Growing Kent & Medway to reduce carbon and increase biodiversity in UK vineyards will use cutting-edge technology to monitor the impact of its trials.
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South East ranks 11th for UK business growth
As cost pressures limit UK business growth to just 0.23% over the past five years, new research from money.co.uk has revealed that the South East ranks 11th compared to other regions, with a 2.56% decrease in VAT and PAYE-registered businesses.
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Sysco GB announces sponsorship of Ashford Pride
Wholesale restaurant food distributor Sysco GB will be the main sponsor of Ashford Pride this year as part of its Pride Month celebrations.
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Spa Breaks lease 8,000 sq ft of offices at Moore House, Brighton
Flude Property Consultants have let the third-floor offices at Moore House, Black Lion Street, Brighton to Spa Breaks, the UK’s leading spa booking agency.
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Businesses focus on affordable health and wellbeing amid NI rise
Private healthcare provider Benenden Health has found that more than half (58%) of businesses in the UK plan to maintain their existing health and wellbeing investment for employees, mainly due to April’s National Insurance increase.
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Heritage Lab Ramsgate to redevelop East Cliff shelters
Ramsgate not-for-profit Heritage Lab Ramsgate plans to renovate and refurbish the historic East Cliff shelters for a variety of uses, and is asking the public for their views and ideas.
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22.5 million sick days lost in the South East in 2024
New analysis from employment law specialists Clifton Ingram has revealed that the South East lost more working days to sickness than any other UK region in 2024, with a staggering 22.5 million sick days recorded.
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Kent’s property and construction leaders share outlook for the year
Law firm Brachers, accountancy firm Crowe UK and Caxtons Property Consultants hosted the annual Property and Construction Outlook event this week, bringing together professionals from across Kent to discuss the future of the region’s built environment.
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Kreston Reeves advises The Drinks Company on sale to Stock Spirits Group
Accountants, business and wealth advisers firm Kreston Reeves has advised The Drinks Company on its sale to the Stock Spirits Group.
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Boutique Modern celebrates landmark development in Eastbourne
Modular homes company Boutique Modern has signed contracts to deliver its most significant project to date – building 100 affordable homes at the Grade II Listed Victorian Pump House in Eastbourne. The scheme will deliver 100 affordable homes, including 59 houses and 41 apartments. Of these, 20 will be for shared ownership and the remainder […]
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WaterBear expands Brighton Campus
WaterBear – The College of Music has announced an exciting new phase in the evolution of its Brighton campus.
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DHA surpasses 1,000-mile charity fundraising target
A team from Kent-based consultancy firm DHA has smashed its ambitious target of running or cycling 1,000 miles in 24 hours, raising more than £6,000 for three charities.
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Optimism rebounds across South East amid signs of stability return
NatWest’s South East Growth Tracker showed tentative signs of recovery across the South East’s private sector, with declines in output, new orders and employment all losing pace and business sentiment strengthening.
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Burgess Hodgson attracts investment from leading US private equity firm
Established in 1938, Canterbury-based Burgess Hodgson has become the first UK accountancy services platform to complete a primary investment deal with a US private equity firm.
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Select Technology launches new IT service to support businesses
Kent managed service provider Select Technology has launched a brand-new service called WorkReady to support the fastest-growing businesses in the region.
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£20m contract to help unlock housebuilding in large area of Kent
As part of the development of its nutrient mitigation portfolio in Kent, Stour Environmental Credits Ltd (SEC) is seeking to appoint a suitable provider/installer to convert existing septic tanks and private package treatment plants to high-efficacy private package treatment plants (PTPs).
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Brighton MP visits Bird & Blend to support Better Business
Local MP Sian Berry, who represents the Brighton Pavilion constituency, visited independent tea company Bird & Blend, showcasing her support for local, purpose-driven businesses and the Better Business Act campaign.
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British Business Bank delivers £830m in finance to South East small businesses
The British Business Bank has supported 427 smaller businesses across the South East through more than £832m in lending, delivered via its ENABLE Guarantees and ENABLE Build programmes.
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Birketts welcomes two new partners to Sevenoaks office
UK Top 50 law firm Birketts has announced that two new partners will be joining its Sevenoaks office in May 2025.
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Employers asked to share insights on menstrual health and endometriosis in the workplace
HR software provider Ciphr and Endometriosis UK – the country’s largest charity supporting all those impacted by endometriosis – have teamed up to launch a new survey exploring how menstrual health and conditions such as endometriosis are being supported in UK workplaces.
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Shepherd Neame and Kent Crips announce partnership
Faversham-based brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame has teamed up with fellow independent business Kent Crisps.
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Kreston Reeves hosts complimentary finance focus webinars
Kreston Reeves, a firm of accountants, business and wealth advisers, is hosting two complimentary financial webinars this month – one tailored for finance directors and their teams and the other to cover the personal finances and wealth of business owners and shareholders.
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Kent housebuilder backs The Hive Thanet as 2025 charity partner
Barratt David Wilson Homes has announced The Hive Thanet as its charity of the year partner for 2025-2026.
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Christie & Co expands hotel team in the South East
Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has appointed Mike Maher to join its growing hotel team in the South East.
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Vail Williams announces new managing partner
Property consultancy Vail Williams LLP has announced a change in leadership, with managing partner Matthew Samuel-Camps stepping down after a decade at the helm.
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Team building linked to positive long-term benefits among South East businesses
Organisations neglecting team building could be missing out on wide-ranging and long-lasting benefits, new research from Team Tactics suggests.
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South East business confidence holds steady as more firms plan to hire
Business confidence in the South East held steady during May at 36%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.
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Brighton SME named in The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Work 2025
What started as a three-person telecoms startup working out of a makeshift office in Brighton has now earned a place among the UK’s most exceptional employers, as Alnets is officially recognised by The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025.
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Rare opportunity to acquire prominent seafront hotel in Brighton
Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has been jointly instructed alongside Savills to market Queens Hotel, a freehold hotel opportunity on the seafront in Brighton.
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Maidstone business secures sustainable new HQ
Maidstone-based property management business AM Surveying & Block Management will be moving into a sustainable new business premises with the support of a seven-figure loan from Allica Bank.
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Sussex food and wine sector explores digital tools
A bold project in Sussex is using digital innovation to transform food and wine production for the better, with key support from the University of Brighton.
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Businesses need to ‘boost bottom line with price increases or slide into red’
According to accountancy and advisory firm Azets, too many businesses in Kent run the risk of financial ruin because they are not improving efficiency and removing process waste from their business to counteract increasing input and wages costs.
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Vail Williams celebrates 30 years in Crawley
Property consultancy Vail Williams is celebrating 30 years as a property adviser in Crawley.
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UK businesses optimistic about international trade growth
Nine in 10 UK companies are confident they will be able to boost international trade over the next two years (92%), despite increased costs, according to the findings of HSBC’s Trade Pulse survey.
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Managing director takes the helm at Stour Environmental Credits Ltd
Stour Environmental Credits Ltd (SEC) has appointed Mariam Bajulaiye as its first managing director as the Joint Venture company created by Ashford Borough Council and Canterbury City Council prepares to start trading in nutrient mitigation credits.
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Surrey-based children’s farm expands with second site
Chobham Adventure Farm, a children’s farm in Surrey, is expanding across the South East, following the acquisition of a neighbouring farm in the area, marking its second location in the region.
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DMH Stallard advises Temple Group Management on sale
Leading South East law firm DMH Stallard has advised Temple Group Management, with offices in Sussex and London, on its strategic acquisition by Ramboll, a global leader in environmental and sustainability consultancy.
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Bestselling author helps Brighton students prepare for careers in the creative industries
Brighton-based author Dorothy Koomson helped inspire the next generation of writers as University of Brighton Creative Writing students marked the end of their degrees with a final-year showcase designed to kickstart their creative careers.
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Crowe’s Kent office advises on three cross-border transactions
National audit, tax, advisory and consulting firm Crowe has advised on three significant, cross-border deals as momentum continues for the firm’s corporate finance team in Kent.
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Graham Chivers appointed Chartway CEO
Chartway Partnerships Group, a land-led housebuilder operating across the South East, has announced the appointment of Graham Chivers as its new chief executive officer.
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Newhaven Enterprise Zone supports groups with £7k funding boost
A much-loved community centre in need of refurbishment and the organisers of an affordable family fête have received funding from Newhaven Enterprise Zone’s Community Fund.
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2025 SME National Business Awards open for entries
Entries are now open for the SME National Business Awards, which are back for 2025, shining a spotlight on the achievements of Britain’s most dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises.
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Barratt Homes backs green initiatives with donation to Kent community
Kent Community Foundation has received a £1,500 donation from Barratt Homes to support one of the grant-maker’s priority areas of funding: the environment – helping to fund projects that enrich nature, connect communities with green spaces and promote sustainability.
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GC Business Finance powers UK startups with over £24m in loan funding
GC Business Finance (GCBF), a Business Support Partner for the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans (SUL) programme, has injected over £24m in SUL funding into smaller businesses across the UK during the 2024/25 financial year.
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Newly refurbished units in Shoreham-by-Sea host open day for local businesses
Sussex-based commercial property landlord Hargreaves is inviting businesses to the Dolphin Road Industrial Estate Open Day in Shoreham-by-Sea on 22 May 2025 to view a selection of refurbished units that are available to let.
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South East output falls slightly amid subdued demand conditions
The April NatWest South East Growth Tracker saw business activity slip back from March’s recent improvement.
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Gender gap widens in South East as women in STEM roles drop
An analysis of the Annual Population Survey, which is produced by the Office for National Statistics, reveals the gender split in STEM roles within the South East of England.
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Applications open for NHBC 2025 business graduate programme
NHBC, the UK’s largest provider of new home warranty and insurance, will be opening applications for its 2025 business graduate programme for three weeks from 15 May 2025.
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Made Smarter South East off to a strong start as expert team assembled
A specialist delivery team and regional steering group have been appointed to lead Made Smarter South East and support manufacturing and engineering SMEs to adopt cutting-edge manufacturing technologies.
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Listed companies in the South East issued 16 profit warnings in Q1
Listed companies in the South East of England issued 16 profit warnings in Q1 2025 – the same number as the previous quarter, according to the latest EY-Parthenon Profit Warnings report.
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Viewing days announced for commercial units at historic Surrey grain barn
Local artisans and businesses are invited to explore a historic grain barn at Pierrepont Farm, Surrey, where five commercial units will soon be available for rent as part of a thriving creative community.
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Landlords and sole traders urged to prepare for MTD
It may be almost a year away, but landlords and the self-employed are being urged by South East accountants Carpenter Box to prepare for April 2026 when the new Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax era kicks in.
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Maison Dieu (Dover Town Hall) opens following major restoration
Following a multimillion-pound investment and two and a half years of upgrades and conservation work, Maison Dieu – Dover Town Hall – has officially reopened to the public.
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Recruitment activity falls at a sharper rate
Hiring conditions across the South of England continued to weaken at the start of the second quarter, according to the latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: South of England survey, compiled by S&P Global.
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Parker & Son named one of the best building companies in the region
Battle-based Parker & Son Construction is celebrating winning the ‘Best Contractor’ category in the South East Construction Awards 2025, which were presented during a gala dinner held at the Amex Stadium in Brighton and Hove.
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Royal British Legion Industries marks VE Day 80th anniversary
Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) has partnered with Transport for London (TfL) to pay tribute to servicemen and women on the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE Day) on Thursday 8 May.
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Hospitality training programme for jobseekers to launch in Worthing
UKHospitality, in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), will be running the new hospitality Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) in Worthing to help people into jobs in the sector.
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Panattoni Park Aylesford welcomes HGV EV-charging station
Panattoni Park Aylesford in Kent is now fully let after planning permission was granted for the final plot to become an electric Heavy Goods Vehicles (eHGV) EV-charging station, making it the UK’s first logistics park to offer such a facility.
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Businesses in the South East celebrated in The King’s Awards for Enterprise
The recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise have been announced today (6 May), celebrating the achievements of leading businesses from across the UK and Channel Islands and recognising their vital role in growing our economy to improve lives.
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73% of hiring managers claim they can spot AI-enhanced CVs
73% of hiring managers claim they can spot when a candidate has used AI to create their CV or cover letter, mainly due to the impersonal language and perfect formatting, with 35% stating that the use of AI would negatively impact their opinion of the candidate, according to a survey from global talent solutions business Robert Walters.
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New venue for female entrepreneurs’ event
Make It Your Business Tunbridge Wells is moving to a bigger venue to accommodate a larger audience, with past events having a waiting list of women from across the South East eager to attend.
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UCA launches the Creative and Cultural Industries Leaders Network
The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) in Canterbury, Kent has launched the Creative & Cultural Industries Leaders Network to unite industry leaders in shaping the future of the rapidly evolving creative sector.
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South East business confidence falls in April
Business confidence in the South East fell 14 points during April to 36%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.
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Ashford Town Centre business grants scheme launched
Ashford Borough Council is relaunching its business grants scheme for Ashford Town Centre, an initiative that provides businesses with the opportunity to bring vacant commercial properties back into active use. Following the recent approval of the new Empty Property Grants Scheme by Cabinet in March 2025, a budget of up to £90,000 has been allocated […]
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Vail Williams drives patient transport group to four new premises
Property consultancy Vail Williams has secured four major properties in Sussex, totalling 68,000 sq ft, for an expanding patient transport specialist.
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Brighton set for new heritage student accommodation scheme
Creative architecture practice Able Partners has been appointed by refurbishment and retrofit experts Bloom Construction to transform disused heritage office space into premium student accommodation on Brighton’s seafront.
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New STEM guide launches to support careers leaders
Careers leaders across the UK can now benefit from a new STEM careers guide to help drive passion and interest amongst young people for a future in engineering and technology – predicted to grow faster than any other sector between now and 2030.
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Kent schools and community groups benefit from South East Water’s Community Chest Fund
A diverse range of charitable good causes across Kent are sharing a £20,000 bounty thanks to South East Water’s Community Chest Fund. The projects chosen include two schools in Maidstone, a community centre based in Ashford and Tenterden, and a Maidstone-based charity. A grant of £2,000 each has been awarded to each of the four […]
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Bakkavor creates 60 local jobs at its Tilmanstone Salads business
Kent-based food manufacturing company Bakkavor is recruiting for 60 new jobs between now and the end of June to support a period of growth for the business, which is already one of the largest employers in the region with a 900-strong workforce.
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National roadshow kicks off to get businesses exporting and grow the economy
SMEs from across the UK will benefit from new government support to match them up with international buyers and markets to turbocharge UK exports and grow the economy as part of the government’s ‘Plan for Change’.
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