Kent and Medway businesses in the early stages of growth can now apply for an interest-free loan to help achieve their ambitions, create jobs and power the county’s economy. Officially launched today, the Small Business Boost offers financial support of between £26,000 and £99,000 repayable over five years, following an optional six-month re-payment holiday. The scheme is part of…
Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone is now ready and equipped to help businesses with advice and support they need to succeed. Kent Libraries’ Business & IP Centre (BIPC Kent), which is part of the British Library’s national network of similar centres across the country, is now open for start-up businesses, small-to-medium businesses, inventors,…
Businesses across Kent are being invited to apply for interest-free loans of between £100,000 and £500,000 to help realise their ambitions for growth and support Kent’s economic recovery. Kent County Council (KCC) is offering a total of £8 million in Kent and Medway Business Fund (KMBF) loans to help small and medium-sized enterprises in Kent…
More pre-packaged food like takeaway sandwiches and salads will need their full ingredients listed when new allergen labelling rules come into force at the end of this week – and businesses need to be ready, Kent Trading Standards reminded today. From Friday 1st October, Natasha’s Law will also require places that make and sell pre-packed…
In addition to producing top-of-the-range beers, Kent’s Old Dairy Brewery will be busy inspiring other businesses to grow through exporting after being named an Export Champion for the South East for 2021/2022. The accolade, awarded by the Department for International Trade (DiT), means the Tenterden company will share its expertise, and raise awareness of the…
If you’re looking to make a change and set up a new business then signing up to the Rebel Business School could be just the next step you need to take to make it happen. The Queen’s Enterprise Award-winning initiative, which offers pop-up business training across the country, is running a free online programme for…
Kent Trading Standards and international trade experts are coming together to help Kent businesses prepare for importing changes. Now the UK has left the EU, new rules for bringing animal and plant goods made in the European Union into Britain will be introduced on 1st October 2021. The changes, which initially cover products such as…
Kent businesses needing help to navigate new trade rules will be able to put their queries directly to experts – including Kent County Council Trading Standards. Hosted by the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday’s EU Transition: Ask the Experts’ free zoom webinar, 10.30am-12.30pm, is designed to be highly interactive with the content of the…
Roger Gough, the Leader of Kent County Council, has welcomed the Government’s revised timetable for introducing new import rules as ‘good news for Kent’. The move to push the border controls schedule back by six months has been set out by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove in a Written Statement to Parliament. It means…
Kent County Council’s Trading Standards Officers are offering free specialist advice to local firms needing help to do business with the EU. The move to provide no-cost regulatory guidance to businesses via a dedicated advice line on 03333 602300 has been made possible thanks to a Kent and Medway Growth Hub grant. Open Monday-Friday (9am-6pm),…
Kent businesses can now trial an electric van for up to two months to see how the switch to electric could benefit their business and Kent’s environment. The scheme aims to demonstrate that a switch to electric makes good business sense as well as reducing air pollution on Kent’s roads. Cleaner air benefits all Kent’s…
Kent County Council has welcomed news of a £20 million fund to support businesses trading with the EU. Announced today (Thursday) the government said the SME Brexit Support Fund will help small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) adjust to new customs, rules of origin, and VAT rules when trading with the EU. KCC Cabinet Member…