August Business Newsletter

Over the past three years, the West Kent Business Support Programme has supported more than 900 businesses. The programme is back for 2026-27.

This year's programme launched on 1 July 2026, and offers free business support to SMEs across Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells through mentoring, workshops, networking and expert advice. For further information, please contact westkentbusiness@gll.org.

The West Kent Expo has also become the programme's flagship event, bringing businesses together from across the region.

SAVE THE DATE: West Kent Expo 2027 will take place on Wednesday 10 March 2027 at the River Centre, Tonbridge. 

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is beginning a review of its Local Plan, which will help shape how the borough grows and develops between 2029 and 2044. This first Scoping Consultation is your opportunity to influence what the new plan should cover and how the Council engages with businesses and residents throughout the process. 

Views can be shared on key priorities for the borough, through the completion of the quick "Your Planning Priorities" survey, and commenting on the accompanying Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report. 

The consultation ends on 11 August 2026. Please take part and help shape the future of Tunbridge Wells.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is consulting on a variation to the Street Trading Policy to allow for a proposed ‘Christmas Kick Off Street Trading’ initiative to be organised by Royal Tunbridge Wells Together BID on Calverley Precinct.

A short questionnaire has been formulated to help you frame your thoughts. Your views are important; and we would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to submit them. 

Available to read alongside the questionnaire, the proposal from Royal Tunbridge Wells Together BID sets out how street trading on Calverley Precinct would operate within the wider Christmas Kick Off event, for one day a year over the next five years. For 2026 the date of the event would be Saturday 14 November. 

Any comments received will be reported back to Licensing Committee on 22 September for consideration. Questions can be sent by email to business@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

All responses must be submitted by 12 noon Thursday 20 August 2026.

Kent and Medway Growth Hub is hosting a free in-person and online workshop to develop business resilience and support sustainable growth without over-reliance on owner decision-making.

The course will cover: 

• Understanding key business numbers  
• Improving business financial viability
• Planning for sustainable growth
• Planning for resilience and preparation for succession or exit
• Creating a business with lasting value 

This workshop includes a speaker, a live Q&A with Kent and Medway Growth Hub and Metro Bank, and networking with fellow business owners. Attendees will leave with the practical tools and guidance to assist their plans to build a more resilient business, grow, or step back in the future.

This event is taking place online and in-person at Fruit Works, 1-2 Jewry Lane, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2NP from 10am-12pm on Thursday 24 September 2026.

The inaugural TW.FutureBiz Conference will be held in Royal Tunbridge Wells, delivered by RTW Together BID. The event is intended to provide businesses with insight into emerging trends and developments expected to affect operations, workforce and growth over the coming years. 

A programme of 14 speaker sessions across two stages has been scheduled, covering a diverse range of topics including retail trends, employment law, artificial intelligence, and much more. 

The event is taking place at Tunbridge Wells Town Hall on Thursday 17 September from 9:00am. 

Tickets are £37.50 (excl. VAT) for non-BID members; £15 (excl. VAT) for BID members.

Further details are available at the link below.

Visit Tunbridge Wells wants to understand how people across the borough discover things to see and do locally. 

We're keen to hear from residents to help us improve the way we promote events and encourage more people to take part in what's happening across the borough. 

By taking part in the survey you can also be in with the chance of winning a £30 high street voucher.

Visit Tunbridge Wells is teaming up with RTW Together BID on the annual Joy to the Wells campaign which promotes all of the Christmas events to residents and visitors alike. 

Whether it’s a Christmas market, Santa’s grotto, Christmas dining events or elf workshops, send your Christmas events and offers to visit@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

Any questions? 

Contact the Economic Development team at TWBC.

Email: business@tunbridgewells.gov.uk