TWBC has set up a Flood Recovery Scheme for businesses (as well as residences) that have been affected by the recent storms Ciara and Dennis.
The link above will take you to a page where you can fill in a form to receive financial help if you are a small or medium sized business. For any further queries please call the main Council number 01892 526121.
BUSINESS RATE RELIEF 2020
On February 26, 2020 TWBC approved the government's latest Business Rates Retail Relief scheme.
The current retail relief policy that was put in place by TWBC for 2019-20 whereby certain retail businesses receive a one-third reduction on their Business Rates has been amended from 1 April 2020. The reduction will now be 50% of the business rates payable.
As part of the Brexit preparedness measures being undertaken the Kent and Medway Growth Hub will be running a series of 6 business resilience workshops cross Kent that will help businesses deal with a broad range of changes. These began on February 10th and run until 26th March 2020.
There is also a one to one advisory service to help with more specific Brexit issues moving forward. This can be accessed through the usual 1 to 1 advice form on the hub’s website.
OFFICE TRIBE Co-Working
Office Tribe is planning to open a second co-working space in 2020 as 16 Mount Pleasant Road is close to capacity more quickly than anticipated.
"We have not decided where we will open yet but our initial thoughts are to open a second space in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge or Sevenoaks. It will come down to finding the right space. Because of the different membership options available at Office Tribe (hotdesk, dedicated desk, small offices) our space requirements are quite flexible also. Since opening Office Tribe we have seen the benefits co-working provides to a local economy.
Many of our members have either given up a London desk or taken a desk for the first time here over going to London. This means when they buy lunch, shopping during the day or a post work drink, they are spending their money in TW as opposed to London. The same has happened where we have taken homeworkers out of their kitchen or bedroom and into 16 Mount Pleasant Road, they are spending their money in TW as opposed to where they live (members come from outside the borough as well as inside like Wadhurst, Tonbridge, Crowborough to name a few). This will only increase as we develop our partnerships with local shops, restaurants, gym instructors etc. And conversely the partnerships will increase the more members we have. The benefits to the high street wherever we open are obvious.
Our current members love how easy it is to jump on the train for meetings in London and the ability to come back from their meeting and to continue working. We want to replicate that again.
We have a meeting room available and our membership includes regular social events, workshops, networking and business support, thus encouraging business growth and employment in Tunbridge Wells.
We would also love to welcome inspirational speakers to come and chat to the wider community sponsored by Office Tribe.
If any potential members would like a trial day at Office Tribe, please let us know as you can see the varied range of members here (Human Rights lawyers, design company, business to business platform, business coaches, recruiters, creative brand agency, social media company, surveyors, finance professionals etc etc). We look forward to meeting you soon!"
SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT
Having just celebrated Apprenticeship Week last month, we continue the skills theme with news of the British Youth Council helping employers unleash the potential of work experience with the provision of a special toolkit.
The case for a degree apprenticeship hub in West Kent is being explored by the West Kent Partnership together with partners in higher-education, business and local government. The Careers & Entertprise Company invites local businesses to complete this survey in order to help us evaluate the perceived need. Thank you in advance.
Greg Clark also visited a number of local companies which have taken on apprentices recently and you may know the Council has a couple of apprentices in HR and Environmental Health.
The West Kent Jobs & Training Fair took place on 5 March in Sevenoaks. Wilmott Dixon amongst 36 others were there offering apprenticeships and permanent jobs. If you missed this one, get in touch for the next one on 15 September at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Attended by local schools (primary and secondary) and businesses from across West Kent, it encouraged partnership working to prepare local young people with the right skills for future career opportunities.
Following a welcome from Cllr Jane March, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development, a presentation was given by a member of staff from Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, which is our Local Computing Hub and a high performing school in Computer Science. Computing Hub status and funding is given by the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE).
Nationally, less than 50% of computer science teachers have a degree qualification in this subject. The Computer Hub will therefore support Computer Science teachers by providing free training courses and also covering the costs of cover staff to allow teachers to attend the training during the working day.
Student uptake of Computer Science, both for GCSE and A Level qualifications is currently below the national average in Kent and there is a real opportunity to increase this, especially for girls.
A second presentation was made by local software business RDT, based in Kings Hill. They have found recruitment challenging and so offer a range of work experience, internship and apprenticeship opportunities to engage local young people in a variety of different roles. RDT are also piloting a scheme working with local schools, to get technical professionals into classrooms to explain their daily roles to students and teachers, to best prepare them for the workplace.
a. We’ve met with Locate In Kent (LiK) this morning, 6 March. This was the latest LiK Corporate Partner Briefing at Hotel du Vin in Royal Tunbridge Wells and welcomed businesses from across Kent. Presentations were given by William Benson, TWBC Chief Executive, on developments in Tunbridge Wells, by HSBC on the latest economic forecast and Locate in Kent on their work to date encouraging sustainable investment in the County.
b. We are pleased to announce that we have been successful in bidding for £785,000 towards a scheme to improve access to the southbound platform at High Brooms Station. The application for funds was made jointly by TWBC and Network Rail, with support from Tunbridge Wells and District Rail Travellers Association, Southborough Town Council, Kent County Council, Tunbridge Wells Access Group, Southeastern and local MP Greg Clark. Confirmation of funding means that a project plan and timescales can now be developed. The scheme will be taken forward by Network Rail.
c. We welcomed Ross Feeney to the RTWT BID last month. Ross replaces Karen as the new BID Chief Executive. Ross has previously worked for other BIDs such as Sutton and High Wycombe. Zoe Green has also joined the BID team as a new marketing and communications executive. If you would like to get in touch, please email ross@tunbridgewellstogether.co.uk or zoe@tunbridgewellstogether.co.uk or reach them by telephone on 01892 531985.
As the BID comes to the end of it's first year they are looking to hear back from the levy payers. The feedback will help them to collate a plan for Year 2 that meets levy payers' needs.
TOURISM UPDATE
Interreg Experience is an exciting project with potential for funding to bring a new tourism product to the market in the rural parts of the borough – contact us with your ideas for off season experiences now!
If you’d like a profile on thetourism website, please contact us. The more we know, the more we can promote you. We have had a few media calls recently for half term activities, Easter holidays and new launches for nationals such as the Guardian, Daily Mail and Times Travel newspapers.
The Amelia website has now been launched. Whilst the building works take place you can find all the latest info on services from the Museum and Library which are physically relocated to Royal Victoria Place.
And the biggest news of all, the new Tales of Tunbridge Wells audio walking app is to be launched by Easter! Soon to be available from all good app stores.
Nell Sanders, Sleeping Giant Media: A best practise example of growing new talent and retaining staff
Leonardo Gagliano, Hilton Hotel: The tourism and hospitality guild and how to get involved
Louisa Mungall, Visit Kent: The higher apprenticeship and how to get involved.
13 May: Business Vision Live with the man from BBC Breakfast. Ben Thompson. And Yes, it's still free - loads of relevant detail on Brexit, making your businesses a continuing success, grants, cybercrime and soooo much more!
29 May: #SheMeansBusiness from Lucy Hall and the FSB - a Facebook training workshop for businesses at The Camden Centre in Royal Tunbridge Wells for free at 2pm.
10 June: 2020 Business Expo - a free unique and major gathering of businesses attracting key decision makers. Keynote Speakers will be inspirational - some you may know but others are amongst the best and most successful business experts in the UK. Don’t miss informative and inspiring workshops, networking opportunities and over 80 businesses showcasing their projects and services.
Free 1:1 support for entrepreneurs continues in 2020
The National Centre for Microbusiness support work continues in 2020. Home-workers, small businesses and pre-startups in West Kent can arrange confidential 1:1 meetings with business experts for free. A private room is booked in the Camden Centre each month in Royal Tunbridge Wells but you must pre-book.
These are extremely popular and highly recommended to ensure your business goals are met (as well as make a profit) sobook onlinestraightaway.
• LOCASE – The Low Carbon Across the South East grant has reopened with a limited amount of funds as a stop gap before LOCASE 2 commences later in the year. As this is an extension of the first programme this means that anyone who has already received a grant cannot receive one in this round of funding, they would need to wait until the second LOCASE programme kicks off. The application process remains the same. Deadline is end March 2020.
Since October 1st, for a 3 month trial period, Sunday parking in Royal Tunbridge Wells cost a flat rate of £2 for visitors to 6 town centre car parks. This initiative will be extended thanks to the work of Royal Tunbridge Wells Together, the Business Improvement District.
Tell all your customers......It's STILL £2 to park all day Sunday in 5 of the largest car parks in Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre
