This week British Land have announced an £11mn renovation programme for Royal Victoria Place
Welcome to Councillor Jane March, our new Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development
"I am delighted to be taking on responsibility for Economic Development again. I am looking forward to getting out and about to meet many of you over the next few months. Please let me know if there are any business events that you are planning, that you would like the Economic Development team to attend. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the Economic Development service, please contact the Team on business@tunbridgewells.gov.uk. I hope you enjoy reading our newsletter."
WEST KENT ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP PRIORITIES PUBLISHED
The West Kent Partnership (WKP) is the strategic economic partnership between Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & Malling and Sevenoaks Councils.
Nicolas Heslop, Chairman of the West Kent Partnership, says:
“Our new 3-year strategy builds upon some of the excellent work the partnership has done to support local residents and businesses, such as the fantastic high quality careers advice now being delivered through the West Kent Enterprise Adviser Network. When I see young people meeting with employers, there is a real buzz and excitement about the variety of career opportunities available. It is important that we support local businesses in being able to recruit and helping in matching them with the young talent seeking employment after school, college or university. I would encourage employers in West Kent to engage with the partnership and find out about all the great things that are planned to support the local economy” Read the 2019 - 2022 priorities and actions.
The WKP asks businesses to give an hour and make a difference to the future career choices that a young person makes.
The Partnership is reaching out to businesses to give an hour of their time to introduce young people to the world of work. This initiative is delivered as part of the Enterprise Adviser Network which is funded in West Kent through the WKP and the Careers & Enterprise Company. The Network helps young people realise their career potential through promoting career paths and employability activities and helps schools engage with businesses in their local community. The Network helps to address the skills needs of our local economy but equally important is the potential to improve outcomes and provide greater opportunities for our young people – the workforce of the future.
Just an hour of business time can make a real difference to a group of young people. www.giveanhour.co.uk
Free BUSINESS ADVICE sessions
"Business Survival rates are higher in Tunbridge Wells than anywhere in Britain" (ONS)
Free 1:1 support for entrepreneurs working from home, small businesses and pre-startups in West Kent.
Meetings are held in central Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Covering cash-flow, business planning, customer targeting, pitching and marketing. These are extremely popular and highly recommended to ensure your business goals are met (as well as make a profit) sobook online with the Centre for Microbusiness straightaway.
Ask Phil is our online chat tool where you can ask any business questions you might have. You can see him pop up in the pink bordered window on our Business Advice page.
Phil is available from 9am - 7pm on all working days.
PUBLIC REALM WORKS IN ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS - UPDATE
Work on Civic Way (outside the Town Hall) has gone as far as it can until the project to create the new cultural centre in the library and adult education buildings begins (later in the year).
The centre island has been removed from the junction of Monson Road and Mount Pleasant Road and the raised granite “table” has gone in, providing a level crossing place for pedestrians. The bus stops are back in use on Monson Road.
The contractors are now working on widening the pavement on the war memorial side of Mount Pleasant Road between Monson Road and Church Road. This work is expected to be completed by 23 June.
On 24 June work will start on the NatWest side of Mount Pleasant Road to widen the pavement. Widening the pavements on both sides of the road will improve the pedestrian experience in this area and narrow the carriageway.
New work will start on 7 July running until mid September to lay raised granite tables on Mount Pleasant Road at the junction with Church Road and Crescent Road (by the traffic lights), and at the junction with York Road. This means that Mount Pleasant Road and York Road will be closed at different times.
Mount Pleasant Road will be closed from 7 July until 2 September: when Mount Pleasant Road is closed any vehicles coming from Fiveways, York Road, Dudley Road or Newton Road wanting to travel south (towards the train station) will need to turn by Prezzo into Monson Road, along to the roundabout at Carr’s Corner and then follow Crescent Road to the traffic lights.
There will be a weight restriction in place on York Road and Dudley Road to restrict access by heavy vehicles. There will be access to Mount Pleasant Road available for business deliveries.
York Road will be closed between 13 August and 21 September: during this road closure there will be no vehicle access from York Road to Mount Pleasant Road. There will be access for residents to York Road from London Road (A26) and the one-way restriction will be temporarily lifted to allow two-way traffic flow.
When Mount Pleasant Road is closed the bus stops will be relocated southwards to the other side of the traffic lights at the top of the hill.
Representatives from the Council have visited the businesses along the western side of Mount Pleasant Road that have outside seating to discuss these next phases of work and consider ways to reduce any adverse impact. One of the options being considered is screening for the seating areas.
There will be signs on the fencing letting people know businesses are open as usual and we will use social media to communicate the same message.
Kent County Council is project managing the work on behalf of TWBC. For further information or to find out more about what they do please visit www.kent.gov.uk/highways where you can also report a fault on roads across Kent. They are on Twitter, @KentHighways. If you have a problem during the works or need to contact them in an emergency please call 03000 41 81 81.
HAVE YOUR SAY on the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan
What is the Local Plan?
This is the plan that the Council makes to guide building and development in the borough taking in to consideration the various constraints.
The plan is prepared in consultation with the local community. The Tunbridge Wells Draft Local Plan will be published from September to October 2019 so you can have your say.
Digital must-dos to beat the competition :-)
Get your blue tick on Facebook - your business verified in other words. Visit Kent partner Sleeping Giant has provided a crib sheet on how to do this. It's easy!
DId you also know that your own website should be number 1 for your company name plus your location in Google search results? Check you have Google My Business set up correctly to achieve this. Also ensure that your company name in Google My Business is the same as the one on your Facebook profile as well as having matching contact details.
Get more to your door
Now in its 10th year, the #Kent2FOR1 campaign is underway and will run until the end of March 2020. If you are interested in reaching audiences from within a two-hour drive of Kent, from both the UK or the continent for no extra financial contribution, then hurry and submit your details easily via our online form here.
EU EXIT
As we're sure you're aware.........
The page of official information for Kent business preparation from the County Council is here >> brexit-and-your-business
The RTWTogether BID has commissioned local marketing agency Calvermont to research and action the branding of Royal Tunbridge Wells so all businesses can tap into a town wide campaign to attract more visitors, investors and foster pride in our Royal Town.
The Economic Development team along with other key stakeholders have been involved in discussions with the agency including taking part in a branding workshop and feeding into the input required to make this happen.
Events
The West Kent Partnership & Jobcentre Plus are holding the Autumn West Kent Jobs & Training Fair at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Royal Tunbridge Wells, from 10am-2pm on 5th September. If you’re looking to recruit to at least 5 vacancies and are located in the West Kent area, please register with Karen Fretwell from JobCentrePlus.
EIRA Funding
Would your business benefit from access to academic expertise, for R+D from the University of Kent and partners in the areas of: Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology and Digital Creative? If so more details can be found at Enabling Innovation: Research to Application (EIRA). Can help towards feasibility testing, development of a product or service, de-risking a complex innovation, diversifying product range, enhancing products from prototypes and more.
Located at 29-31 Monson Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1LS, The HouseTW holds free business support workshops about WordPress website building, Front End Kent and 30-40 minute lightning talks. If you'd like to share your enthusiasm for something to help small businesses succeed then do contact the team at The House.
Don't forget there are Meeting Rooms and Event Spaces for members and non-members to rent out.
Find out more on their website or tel.01892 322 711.
The Ethical Business Award
Children's Salon, Trinity Theatre, Heath Stores, and Bidborough Stores have all been winners of this accolade. Now in 2019 could it be YOU?
This award recognises a local company that can demonstrate its commitment to having a positive impact on the community and/or the environment. This could include taking steps to reduce carbon emissions, such as a recycling or energy saving programme, supporting a local charity, providing employment opportunities for young people or buying from local companies.
Do you know or work for an organisation that is putting something back into the community?
