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April 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 Expo 2026
- Creative Tunbridge Wells Sector Survey
- Workplace Vehicle Charging Grant Scheme
- Kent and Medway Growth Hub AI Workshop
- Kent Adult Education Skills Bootcamps
- Kent and Medway Business Fund Loans
- Apply to be Visit Kent’s Non-Executive Chair
- Right to Work Checks
Visit Tunbridge Wells - Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival
- Visit Kent Business Partnerships
- Visit Tunbridge Wells Joins Expedia Campaign
- Call for Content
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Successful West Kent Expo |
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The West Kent Expo 2026, held on 11 March at the River Centre in Tonbridge to support business growth across the area, was a highly successful event. With over 500 attendees and 63 exhibitors from a wide range of sectors showcasing their businesses, the event provided an environment for networking and collaboration. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Invest West Kent (a partnership of Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells councils) is now planning for West Kent Expo 2027.
Please let us know if you are interested in attending or sponsoring the event: enquiries@investwestkent.com |
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This scheme is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. |
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Creative Tunbridge Wells Sector Survey |
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Creative Tunbridge Wells is seeking to gather information about skills and training needs for the sector. If you are a Tunbridge Wells-based creative business or freelancer, please take a few minutes to complete the short survey here. |
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Workplace Vehicle Charging Grant Scheme |
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The UK Government has extended the Workplace Charging Scheme for one final year, now closing on 31 March 2027.
Businesses now have a limited window to benefit from increased funding, with the maximum grant rising from £350 to £500 per chargepoint socket for installations completed from 1 April 2026.
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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Kent and Medway Growth Hub is hosting a free workshop on AI for Business Growth. The session with guest speaker John Speed from Heliocentrix Limited will show where AI can add value, as well as outlining some actionable ideas for businesses. The session will provide business owners with the confidence to make AI work for business, and some real-world ways to work smarter and save time.
This workshop is taking place from 10am-12pm on Tuesday 28 April in the Bramley Meeting Room, Town Hall, Mount Pleasant Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1AL. This session will also be available to view live online. |
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Receive up to 90% Funding Towards Skills Bootcamps to Upskill Your Employees |
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Are you a local employer looking to upskill your team? Then look no further than the Kent Adult Education Skills Bootcamps.
These Skills Bootcamps are 90% funded by the Department for Education if you are a small or medium-sized employer (fewer than 250 employees), and 70% for larger employers.
There are upcoming courses in a range of sectors including: - Creative
- Construction
- Retail
- Health and Social Care
- Early Years/School
The new wave (Wave 7) opens on 1 April 2026. |
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Looking to expand your business? Kent County Council is providing loans to both new and established businesses to support growth initiatives through the Kent and Medway Business Fund.
The funding is available through two streams for small and larger businesses:
Small Business Boost - Loans from £26,000 - £99,000
- 20 - 30% match funding requirement
- 0% Interest
Kent and Medway Business Fund - Loans from £100,000 - £600,000
- 50% match funding requirement
- 0% Interest
There are a variety of requirements that applicants have to meet to receive this funding, which are set out on the KMBF website. Both loans come with a 6 month repayment holiday, then they can be repaid over 5 years, allowing for financial flexibility. An administrative fee is charged by the Business Fund Team. |
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Visit Kent is looking for a Non-Executive Chair to lead the newly integrated Visit Kent and Invest Kent function at Kent County Council, bringing together tourism and inward investment under the new title ‘Grow in Kent.’
This is a high-profile appointment for someone with senior-level experience in tourism, economic development, or investment promotion. The successful candidate will act as an ambassador for the Kent and Medway region at home and abroad, building partnerships, and helping shape a new chapter for our visitor economy and inward investment offer.
The role is a 2 year contract, at 4 days a month, with a £20k annual allowance. To apply, send a CV and a short Expression of Interest (max 2 pages) to alex.riley@kent.gov.uk. Closing date - 10 April 2026. |
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The Government has provided guidance on carrying out right to work checks before taking on new staff. Employers must do this to prevent illegal working in the UK. You can use the guidance to find out: - What a right to work check is
- Why you need to do right to work checks
- How to carry out checks
- When to carry out initial checks, follow-up checks, and what happens under TUPE
- What documents are acceptable for a manual right to work check
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Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival. With 10 days of world-class speakers, there is something for everyone.
Expect an increase of visitors to the borough as big name stars are on the programme including: Rory Bremner, Davina McCall and Donna Ashworth, Gyles Brandreth. From 1 to 10 May with events in Calverley Grounds, The Amelia Scott, The Forum, Assembly Hall Theatre and more! |
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Visit Kent Offering Business Partnerships from £480 |
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As part of its new offering, Visit Kent has launched a range of partnerships aimed at tourism-related businesses across Kent, such as tourist attractions, hotels, hospitality and leisure venues. The packages start at £480 which includes a business listing on the Visit Kent website and promotion across its social media channels. Enhanced partnership opportunities are also available. |
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Visit Tunbridge Wells Joins Expedia Campaign to Attract Norwegian Visitors to Tunbridge Wells |
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In late 2025, Visit Tunbridge Wells partnered with Gatwick Airport, and a number of other destination management organisations in the area, on a campaign to attract Norwegian visitors. The campaign was hosted on Expedia’s website and encouraged Norwegians looking at holidays in the UK to visit the local area. Royal Tunbridge Wells was the fourth most-booked destination, with over 24 hotel nights booked. Research shows that Norwegian visitors are looking for food and drink experiences, particularly viticulture. |
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Visit Tunbridge Wells will be working on a number of campaigns throughout spring and summer to promote the region to local and national tourists. If you are hosting an event or have an interesting tourist offering, let us know at visit@tunbridgewells.gov.uk to be included in the campaigns. |
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Follow us on Social Media! Instagram: visit_tunbridgewells Facebook: Visit Tunbridge Wells |
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Powered Up Business Networking Tour Event - Tunbridge Wells
Tuesday 14 April 7:30pm-9:30pm The Claremont Pub and Garden, 18 Grove Hill Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1RZ Join for an informal out of hours networking event. This event includes a session with guest speaker Hugo Langton of Langton Football Services. Tickets £14.77. Find out more and reserve your place. |
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Sevenoaks District Chamber of Commerce – Third Thursday Networking
Thursday 16 April 10:30am-12pm The Spa Hotel, Mount Ephraim, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8XJ Join for a networking session at the Spa Hotel. Active Digital will provide insights about AI fractional support and training for businesses. Guest tickets £15. Reserve your place.
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Spark Business Networking – Tunbridge Wells
Thursday 16 April 7:30pm-9:30pm The Old Auction House, Linden Park Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5QL Join for a networking event in Tunbridge Wells. Guest brochure and welcome drink included. £27.80 Early Bird Ticket Price - Offer expires on 9 April. Find out more and reserve your place. |
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