South East Business

The March/April edition is out now in print and digital formats 🔗👇 Spring brings change, and for businesses, that means adapting to new legislation. With updates to the Employment Rights Bill taking effect this April, our latest issue offers essential legal insights and expert advice to help employers stay compliant. Our cover story features an exclusive interview with Steven Cresswell, group CEO of Chartway Partnerships Group, who shares his expert perspective on the future of housebuilding in the South East – a particularly hot topic given the government’s ambitious development targets. Elsewhere, Functional Business explores commercial premises opportunities across the region; View from the Top spotlights Furley Page Solicitors as it marks an incredible 300 years; and for our Project Showcase, we delve into Brachers LLP’s new partnership with Lawfront. Read the e-edition here: https://lnkd.in/euiJRvY4 #business #SouthEastBusiness #entrepreneurship #SMEs #spring

RBLI (Royal British Legion Industries), the national charity supporting Armed Forces veterans and people with disabilities, has submitted a planning application for a new factory at Aylesford in Kent. The charity is looking to replace its current outdated factory, home to Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC) – one of its social enterprises – which employs veterans overcoming life-changing injuries. Read more 🔗: https://lnkd.in/ee97WB4t #business #SouthEastBusiness #entrepreneurship #SMEs #Kent #charity

Kent Community Training (KCT), co-founded by Lee Webster and Emma Doyle, is a new social enterprise dedicated to helping people from all walks of life — including those facing mental health challenges, unemployment, rehabilitation and other life transitions — to gain practical skills, rebuild confidence and reintegrate into the community and workforce. Built on a shared vision of inclusivity, empowerment and opportunity for all, KCT will provide accessible, hands-on training to support men and women, young people, older individuals and those with additional needs across Kent. Read more 🔗: https://lnkd.in/e36eUi2P #business #SouthEastBusiness #entrepreneurship #SMEs #training #community #Kent #socialenterprises

Five years since the first Covid-19 lockdown, data from Start Up Loans Company shows there has been a surge in aspiring South East-based entrepreneurs taking out finance to bring their business plans to life. In that time, there has been a 72% increase in the number of first loans in the South East delivered by the Start Up Loans programme, which is part of the British Business Bank, in comparison to the five-year period prior. Read more 🔗: https://lnkd.in/ejybN4KH #business #SouthEastBusiness #entrepreneurship #SMEs #finance #loans #startups

Graduates interested in a career in the law are encouraged to apply for Furley Page Solicitors‘ new Trainee Solicitor Programme, and the application deadline of Friday 27 June 2025 is fast approaching. Partner and head of family law Rayma Collins, who oversees the training programme at Furley Page, said: “Training the next generation of solicitors is crucial to the success of any law firm, which is why we have invested the time to develop a training programme that is so highly regarded by our trainees. “The firm always gives its trainee solicitors real responsibility by allowing them direct contact with our clients and a varied programme that takes in many different areas of the law. “This year, we are offering an apprenticeship pathway as it offers varied and alternative routes to becoming a solicitor, which is particularly appealing to those who prefer hands-on learning and earning a salary while studying.” Read more 🔗: https://lnkd.in/eC7TiGWA #business #SouthEastBusiness #SMEs #training #legal #solicitors

Penfold Hall in Steyning, West Sussex, owned by St Andrew & St Cuthman’s Church, is undergoing structural repairs and renovation by local contractors Pilbeam Construction. The Grade II Listed building in Church Street, built in 1840, used to be the National School but is now used as a community space for local residents. Horsham District Council approved a scheme for repairs, designed by structural engineers Hockley & Dawson Consulting Engineers Ltd and managed by Simon Dyson of Hanslip Architects. Read more 🔗: https://lnkd.in/e3dVHt5P #business #SouthEastBusiness #entrepreneurship #SMEs #construction #WestSussex

Insolvency-related activity increased by more than 23% in Surrey and the South East region last month, says R3 Association of Business Recovery Professionals. R3’s analysis of data provided by Creditsafe showed a rise in insolvency-related activities from 172 in January to 212 in February. The figures include administrator and liquidator appointments together with creditors’ meetings.   Read more 🔗: https://lnkd.in/e5Z2e6Ea #business #SouthEastBusiness #entrepreneurship #SMEs #insolvency

Top 10 accountancy and advisory firm Azets is warning Kent businesses that many companies do not fully understand the extent and complexity of international VAT and Customs Duty rules. It has been over four years since Brexit but still many UK businesses are struggling with their indirect tax obligations. They are being urged to familiarise themselves with the complex VAT and Customs Duty rules involved in importing and exporting goods across international borders. Read more 🔗: https://lnkd.in/efAG7mNY #business #SouthEastBusiness #entrepreneurship #SMEs #VAT #CustomsDuty #Kent

Newhaven Fort is set to unveil a new experience – and a first for the town – with the launch of a brand-new escape room on 5 April. The escape room, designed by the award-winning Brighton escape room specialists Pier Pressure Ltd, follows a range of upgrades as part of the fort’s £7.5 million restoration, including a new adventure playground and updated interactive exhibitions. Read more 🔗: https://lnkd.in/erPtn33Z #business #SouthEastBusiness #entrepreneurship #SMEs #Newhaven

10 budding young artists have won the chance to see their artwork promoting the importance of recycling out on the roads of Kent and Medway thanks to a drawing competition organised by local business Countrystyle Recycling. The competition aims to inspire young children across Kent, highlighting the need to recycle more. The winning pieces of artwork were enlarged, printed and fixed to one of the company’s lorries that will be in use for the next 12 months. Read more 🔗: https://lnkd.in/e8f4fMbK #business #SouthEastBusiness #entrepreneurship #SMEs #recycling #community