|
|
Welcome to the second edition of Dartford Borough Council's Local Business Briefing.
Dartford’s local economy is booming and that’s all down to our amazing businesses, large and small, right across the borough.
We thought it was time to bring you all together with this business briefing. We hope you find it useful.
If there’s anything you’d like to see in future editions, or you’d like to promote your business to others, please do let us know.
Jeremy Kite MBE
Dartford Borough Council Leader
Avtar Sandhu MBE
Dartford Borough Council Lead Member for Business and Enterprise
|
|
 Dartford Borough Council are supporting Rebel Business School via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to encourage local budding entrepreneurs to get their business idea up and running. Rebel are changing the way entrepreneurship is taught so that ANYONE can get their businesses off the ground debt-free, or grow an existing business even further.
The FREE online course runs from Monday 12th – Friday 23rd February, sign up via the button below...
|
|
 The next Dartford Living Live networking event for local businesses and charities will be held at Orchard West on Tuesday 20th February from 7-9pm. Tickets are available now.
|
|
|
We recently received the below letter from Fox Estate Agents, one of Dartford's brightest businesses and a winner of our 'Shop of the Year' award at the 2023 Dartford Business Awards. Read on to find out more, and let us know if you'd like your business featured in our next briefing...
'Chris Fox NAEA opened the office in Brent Lane approximately 10 years ago and we were welcomed with open arms. We wanted to give back to the community by being involved in raising money for as many local charities as we could. We began by sponsoring We Are Beams and gradually expanded to supporting the Mayor’s charities, Arrow Riding Centre, Deeds Not Words, as many local schools as we can and Dartford Football Club. You can see Chris there every week, loudly cheering on the team.
The Fox Estates team have always been known for their integrity, professionalism, knowledge and multi award-winning customer service and have a combined property sales experience of over 70 years. We were all thrilled to win the Shop of the Year award at this years Dartford Business Awards. We are also Gold winners of The British Property Awards 2023.
Fox Estates are proud to be part of the outstanding, inclusive Dartford community and will carry on supporting the town for as long as we can.'
|
|
|
The Kent and Medway Business Fund provides 0% interest loans, to qualifying
companies with ambitions to grow.
If you’re a start-up, a high growth or fast-growing business, there may be financial support and advice available to help achieve your business goals.
|
|
 Following on from a series of workshops and ongoing business support, Thursday 18 January saw seven lucky local business owners take part in a Dartford Borough Council funded ‘Dragons’ Den’ style event to raise some seed funding to progress their business.
The applicants each pitched for a share of the £3500 award fund to a judging panel made up of representatives from both the Council and The Kent Foundation mentor network. Stay tuned for the results very soon!
If you’re interested in the support that The Kent Foundation can offer local business owners, visit their website via the button below…
|
|
 On Thursday 12 October 2023 more than 300 guests attended the Grand Marquee at Bluewater to celebrate some fantastic businesses from all across Dartford, as both great and small firms were rewarded for their continued support of the community.
A record number of awards gave the chance for even more local businesses to be honoured, while guests enjoyed themselves with a variety of ‘The Greatest Showman’ themed performances.
With a diverse range of both nominees and winners, it was clear the variety of businesses and experience that Dartford has to offer.
View the full list of winners
Dartford Borough Council would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2023 Dartford Business Awards:
ARC UK - Bluewater Shopping Centre - Dartford Borough Council - Dartford Living - Downton & Ali Associates - Fairfield Leisure - LAT Apprenticeships - Leigh Academies Trust - Made in Kent Radio - North Kent College - Oxford Innovation Space - The Learning Shop - The Nucleus Business & Innovation Centre - Urbaser
To keep updated on the Business Awards, you can 'like' us on Facebook or 'follow' us on Twitter/X.
Additionally, if you're interested in becoming a sponsor of the Awards please contact us via the button below...
|
|
 We’re currently at the early stages of preparing a new Economic Development Strategy for Dartford. Looking ahead to the next five years, this will set out how we can help to grow the local economy, working together with business and with other parts of government.
We’d like to know your thoughts on what makes Dartford a great place to do business, what holds our economy back, and what needs to be done differently.
In the paper linked to via the button below, we’ve set out our initial ideas and included a short survey. We would be grateful if you could complete and return it to us at businesssupport@dartford.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can post it back to us at: Business Support, Dartford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Home Gardens, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1DR.
We'll then be developing the detail of our draft Economic Development Strategy, which we plan to publish early this year.
|
|
|
We would like to hear your views on our DBC budget proposal, to find out more and provide us with your comments by 14 February please click below...
|
|
|
We're currently preparing both our Climate Change and Corporate Plan consultations. Keep an eye on our website for further details very soon.
|
|
|
Breastfeeding, antenatal contact and perinatal support grants are all currently available to businesses and organisations. Full details on each of them are available via the button below...
|
|
 After a Herculean effort, Dartford’s temporary theatre Orchard West opened its doors for the first public performances of the Christmas pantomime Beauty and the Beast on Saturday, December 9th 2023.
In the space of just five weeks, the former Co-Op site on Hythe Street has been transformed to host a 1000-seat venue, meaning the town centre won’t miss out on theatrical performances.
Crowds filled the temporary theatre for the opening night of panto, which carried out its usual run over the festive season. This year will see the venue take on many of the performances that were scheduled for The Orchard, before its temporary closure began in September.
Work to replace the auditorium roof at The Orchard is underway, with the theatre expected to reopen in late 2024.
|
|
 On Friday 17 November The Dartford Festival of Light, created in partnership and supported by Arts Council England, returned for it’s 14th year in the town centre.
More brilliant and beautiful than ever, a big thanks goes to all the schools, children and parents that took part and supported another wonderful event!
 Dartford’s festive calendar then got underway on Saturday 18 November with the Big Christmas Switch On. The day began with Cohesion Plus’s roaming entertainment in the town centre, followed by performances at Brewery Square from compere and Channel 5’s Milkshake! presenter David Ribi, Ochard West’s Ukulele group and signing choir, George Ezra and Freddie Mercury tributes, as well as an appearance from Not the Rolling Stones.
Our colouring competition winner Oliver Carty, 8, was then joined on stage by The Worshipful the Mayor of Dartford Rosanna Currans, Father Christmas, and stars of Orchard West’s pantomime ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in Brewery Square.
We would like to thank the following organisations who generously supported the 2023 Big Christmas Switch On:
Dartford Borough Council - Orchards Shopping Centre - The Priory Shopping Centre - Orchard West - Sainsbury's - Aldi - Fairfield - Dartford Markets - Dartford Messenger - Cohesion Plus
|
|
|
Councillor Avtar Sandhu MBE was reappointed as Dartford Borough Council's Lead Member for Business and Enterprise in 2023, and with a wealth of business experience is always happy to support local businesses in any way he can.
|
|
 Watch how artist Amy Goodman brought her exceptional vision to life through the short film, 'The Glimmer Twins', created by Sam Dunstall. The statues, commissioned by Dartford Borough Council and funded by Bellway London's Copperhouse Green development, are a testament to the dynamic journey of two Dartford Legends - Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. From their infamous reunion at Dartford Railway Station in 1961 to capturing the hearts of millions worldwide as The Rolling Stones, their story is truly inspiring.
|
|
 Dartford has a fantastic tradition of hosting markets, and our weekly Thursday and Saturday High Street markets remain as popular as ever.
If you’re interested in renting a pitch on either of Dartford's Markets, please contact our Market Manager on 07876 441460 or visit the link below.
|
|
 Family entertainment is returning to Dartford town centre, delivered by Cohesion Plus in partnership with Dartford Borough Council. Expect quality acts for a great community feel around the High Street almost every Saturday.
|
|
|
The DTAC Business Crime Reduction Partnership was developed as the result of a partnership between local businesses, police, local authority, town centre management and other agencies. It is committed to reducing crime, violence and anti-social behaviour through pro-active partnership working, improving public safety and promoting a safe environment.
The benefits of joining DTAC are listed below;
- Access to an intelligence database containing updates on offenders.
- Regular DTAC meetings, providing intelligence updates, news, training for staff and your questions answered where possible.
- The benefits that come from offender managing those causing crime in retail and night time economy premises.
- In many areas, active CCTV support from Dartford Borough Council CCTV hub.
- The use of the radio network to provide support to staff. The Town beat officers and CCTV have access to this network.
Interested? Contact the DTAC Intelligence Manager Karen Radford via the button below for further information.
|
|
|
Dartford Borough Council wants to remind you of the many green initiatives that are available to local businesses. These schemes can save you money and help to save the environment. It's a win win for everyone.
 Solar Together Kent is a solar panel and battery storage group purchase scheme. It enables householders and small businesses to install high quality solar panels on their homes and businesses at a competitive price.
Solar panels can help you save money on energy bills, as well as reduce your carbon footprint. You can also choose to install battery storage to help you use more of your generated electricity and an electric vehicle charging point.
Kent County Council’s ‘Green Business’ page has lots of useful information and links for businesses from low carbon growth, energy and resource efficiency grants to case studies highlighting how local businesses have reduced their carbon footprint.
Low Carbon Kent is a network of businesses tackling and adapting to climate change. They aim to reduce costs by cutting emissions and promoting the opportunities of the low carbon market.
UK Business Climate Hub provides useful information, tools and resources for businesses, including steps businesses can take to cut their emissions.
The EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleets provides small and medium sized businesses funding to install electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints and relating supporting infrastructure for their staff and fleet vehicles.
|
|
|
LEP Growth Hubs are supporting local businesses facing the current cost-of-living challenges - with two million businesses helped in the past year alone.
The network of 38 Growth Hubs are local public/private sector partnerships led by the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). They join up national and local business support so it is easy for businesses to find the help they need.
Your business can get advice and financial help from government-backed schemes including support with tax, exporting, or even advice on writing a business plan.
Our website has lots of useful information on advice and support for new businesses, from funding and setting up a business to finding a premises and training.
The Kent and Medway Growth Hub forms part of the South East Business Hub, the South East Local Enterprise Partnership’s overarching business support programme. They help new and existing businesses find the most suitable type of business support available in their area.
The Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce provides membership benefits, business advice (including international advice), chamber customs, representation and much more.
The Federation of Small Businesses' mission is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions by offering members a wide range of vital services including advice, financial expertise and support.
|
|
|
Keep up to date with the latest news and conversations across Dartford through our 'Dartford Together' Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram social media accounts.
Or feel free to get in touch with us directly...
|
|
|
|
|
