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October Business Newsletter |
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Here is your monthly business update from the Economic Development Team at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
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In this edition: - West Kent Business Support Programme, Networking, and Expo 2027
- Startup Club and Business Expo offered by Town Hall Tunbridge Wells
- Youth Jobs Grant from the Department for Work and Pensions can Support Employers to Recruit and Train Young People
- Recover, Pivot & Scale - Enhanced Business Support Programme from Kent and Medway Growth Hub
- Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce - Kent Business Awards 2026
- Kent Active Travel Business Grant Financially Supports Infrastructure for Sustainable Commuting
- UK Government Grants Support Workplace EV Charging
- Grants for Boiler Upgrades Available to Businesses
Visit Tunbridge Wells - Visit Kent Launches New Website
- Visit Tunbridge Wells Christmas Campaign
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Invest West Kent offers free Business Support Programme, Networking and 2027 Expo |
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Invest West Kent is a partnership between Tunbrudge Wells Borough Council. Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, and Sevenoaks District Council focussed on enhancing the economic development of the region through localised business support and event coordination.
Working with Greenwich Leisure Limited, Invest West Kent offer the West Kent Business Support Programme. This provides free one-to-one mentoring to eligible small businesses and sole traders across Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells. |
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The West Kent Business Support Programme is excited to announce West Kent Business Connections, a FREE networking event taking place on 10 November from 10am-12pm at the Stag Theatre, London Rd, Sevenoaks TN13 1ZZ. Meet and make connections with organisations including the Kent & Medway Growth Hub, Invest West Kent, Produced in Kent, Social Enterprise Kent and the West Kent Chamber of Commerce. More attending support organisations will be announced soon. |
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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.
Over recent years the West Kent Expo has been well received by returning businesses:
“It’s brilliant to reconnect with people we’ve met in previous years, connect with new people and have some fascinating conversations.”
To find out more about mentoring, exhibiting at the Expo or other programme opportunities, contact westkentbusiness@gll.org. |
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Town Hall Tunbridge Wells - Startup Club and Business Expo |
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Tunbridge Wells Town Hall offers events designed to support both new and established businesses. The venue hosts the Startup Club, a free six-week course providing practical guidance on topics such as marketing, HR, finance, legal requirements and business planning for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses.
Businesses can also benefit from the Tunbridge Wells Business Expo on 8 October from 10am-2pm. This event is set to bring together more than 100 businesses, founders and support organisations from across Kent and Sussex. The event provides opportunities to network, meet potential suppliers and clients, and explore the Town Hall’s coworking, meeting and event facilities. |
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Youth Jobs Grant from the Department for Work and Pensions - Support for employers to recruit and train young people |
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The Youth Jobs Grant, facilitated by the Department for Work and Pensions, offers financial support to employers to encourage the recruitment of young people who may otherwise find it difficult to enter the labour market. It is intended to complement, not replace, existing recruitment activity. Eligible employers may receive up to £3,000 per job outcome.
The Youth Jobs Grant is open to applications until 31 October 2026 11:59pm.
The team at Tonbridge Jobcentre works with employers across the local area to help meet their recruitment and workforce needs. If you are interested in finding out more about the Youth Jobs Grant, the team are available to discuss this as well as other options for support.
All recruitment support services are fully funded and available at no cost to employers.
For more information, get in contact with the Recruitment Consultant Team. |
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Recover, Pivot & Scale - Enhanced Business Support Programme from Kent and Medway Growth Hub |
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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. |
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Kent Business Awards 2026 by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce |
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The Kent Invicta Chamber Business Awards 2026 are an opportunity for Kent businesses to showcase their achievements amongst peers.
The awards attract businesses from various sectors who have entered to celebrate their achievements at the awards.
The awards are taking place from 5pm-11pm on Thursday 19 November at Westenhanger Castle, Stone St, Westenhanger, Hythe CT21 4HX. |
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Kent Active Travel Business Grants financially support infrastructure for sustainable commuting |
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The second round of Kent Active Travel Business Grants are now open to applications. The scheme, facilitated by Kent County Council and funded by the UK Government, intends to support sustainable commuting across the borough. The grant programme supports businesses with up to £5000 towards investments in infrastructure and support measures that encourage walking, wheeling, and cycling for staff, customers, and visitors.
Eligible enterprises include small businesses, not-for-profit organisations, or NHS community facilities at a business site. Applications for the grants close at midnight on 16 October 2026.
Any questions can be directed to activetravel@kent.gov.uk. |
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Workplace EV Charging Grants |
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Businesses can benefit from the Workplace Charging Scheme offered by the UK Government. Grant funding of £500 per chargepoint socket is available to support the installation of EV infrastructure and adoption of electric vehicles. Applications to the scheme close on 31 March 2027.
If your business is considering trialling an EV or transitioning towards an EV Fleet, this is the perfect opportunity to secure grant funding to support your rollout and reduce upfront costs before the scheme closes permanently. |
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Grants For Boiler Upgrades Available to Businesses |
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The UK Government is supporting businesses with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. This scheme enables businesses to apply for a grant of up to £9000 to financially support the upgrade of fossil fuel boilers to Biomass Boilers or Heat Pumps in owned properites.
To access the funding, you need to receive a quote from a Microgeneration Certification Scheme installer. To proceed, inform the installer, and they can apply for the grant which will contribute to the cost of the upgraded system. |
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Visit Kent Launches New Website |
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Visit Kent has launched a brand new website supporting the visitor economy in the county. The website will support their wider marketing and promotional activity and help provide valuable inspiration to local, domestic and international visitors planning trips to the area. See the new website here.
Visit Tunbridge Wells are working closely with them to update the information available about the borough. Visit Kent business partners can also benefit from improved visibility of business listings on the website. |
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Get Involved in our Christmas Campaign |
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Visit Tunbridge Wells, alongside RTW Together BID, will launch a campaign this Christmas to promote all of the activities across the borough. The campaign will focus on Kent residents, as well as neighbouring counties, with the aim to bring as many people into the area as possible. Promotional activity will take place across digital and print advertising as well as PR, social media and web content.
If you are planning Christmas events or activities, email visit@tunbridgewells.gov.uk to find out how you can get involved. |
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Follow us on Social Media! Instagram: visit_tunbridgewells Facebook: Visit Tunbridge Wells |
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RTW Together - BID Brekkie - Breakfast Networking Tuesday 13 October 9am-11am Bill's, Lime Hill Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1LJ Free for BID Members to attend, £15 for non-BID Members. Email projectofficer@rtwtogether.com to book your spot.
Spark Networking - The Old Auction House Tuesday 20 October 6:30pm - 8:30pm Old Auction House, Linden Park Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5QL Join for a networking event in Tunbridge Wells, with guest brochure included. Tickets from £27.80 Find out more and reserve your place.
Tunbridge Wells Business Show - Brilliant Business Thursday 5 November 10am - 3pm Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2LU Network and connect with influencers and industry leaders from across Kent. See the event page for further information. Guests can attend for FREE. All stands are sold out. Find out more and reserve your place. |
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