September Business Newsletter

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.

The West Kent Business Support Programme offers free one-to-one mentoring to eligible small businesses and sole traders across Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells. 

The mentoring provides an opportunity to talk through your business with an experienced mentor. This is ideal for businesses starting out, looking to grow, or in need of some fresh thinking. 

Over recent years the West Kent Business Programme has been well received:

“The mentoring session was truly valuable, especially as support like this isn’t always accessible when you’re starting out as a sole trader.” 

The flagship West Kent Expo returns on Wednesday 10 March 2027 at The River Centre, Tonbridge, bringing together businesses, support organisations and the wider West Kent business community. 

To find out more about mentoring, exhibiting at the Expo or other programme opportunities, contact westkentbusiness@gll.org.

The Recruitment Consultant Team at Tonbridge Jobcentre works with employers across the local area to help meet their recruitment and workforce needs. If you are interested in hiring or finding out more, the team are available to discuss how they can support you. All recruitment support services are fully funded and available at no cost to employers.

The team can offer support and assist with:

• Candidate shortlisting and pre-screening
• Interview coordination and hosting 
• Work Experience placements and Work Trials 
• Apprenticeship signposting and support 
• Youth Grant and Guarantee opportunities

For more information, get in contact with the Recruitment Consultant Team

The Recover, Pivot & Scale Programme offers free expert support to established Kent businesses ready to grow, improve productivity, increase sales or explore new opportunities. 

The programme provides access to experienced advisers who will help you identify priorities, overcome challenges and develop a clear, practical road-map for sustainable growth. The support offers guidance and external perspectives, and is catered to businesses planning their next phase of expansion or looking to strengthen their resilience. 

Eligible businesses must: 

• Be based in Kent 
• Have been trading for at least 3 years 
• Employ a minimum of 7 staff 
• Have an annual turnover of at least £250,000 

Interested businesses can find out more and apply at the link below. Be sure to review the full eligibility criteria before submitting your application.

Earlier this year, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council successfully coordinated a scheme of grants for business climate action. The funding supported a range of decarbonisation projects by local businesses.

Trinity Theatre secured a 2025/26 business grant to upgrade its stage lighting, replacing six outdated units with energy-efficient LED technology. The new lighting is 87% more efficient, cutting electricity consumption and carbon emissions while reducing maintenance costs and waste through a longer lifespan. The investment supports the theatre’s long-term sustainability and helps it continue delivering performances in a more environmentally responsible and cost-effective way.

Markerstudy Insurance received a 2025/26 business grant to install an electric vehicle (EV) charging point at its main office, following a staff commuting survey that identified demand for EV infrastructure. The new facility supports employees to use electric and hybrid vehicles, helping to lower the company’s carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. Increased EV uptake among staff will also contribute to improved local air quality through reduced vehicle emissions.

Using the link below, businesses can look out for further climate action grant opportunities from TWBC as they become available.

On 11 August Visit Kent launched a wine tourism campaign, The Kent Wine Way, aimed at increasing awareness of the fantastic viticulture offering in the county, and in turn increase visitors. 

Tunbridge Wells is surrounded by beautiful vineyards including many in West Kent. Visit Tunbridge Wells will support the increased awareness of the counties viticulture offering by positioning the towns of the borough, including Royal Tunbridge Wells, as the perfect base for a wine stay in the area.

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