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February 2026

Welcome to the latest update for Swale businesses.

In this edition:

• Grow your high street business
• Free online mentoring
• Sheerness Revival update
• Local government reorganisation
• Improve your online content
• Manufacturing support

Growing your high street business workshop series

High Street Businesses! Do you want more customers, stronger sales and sustainable growth?

Join the Kent and Medway Growth Hub's practical online workshop series designed specifically for high street businesses. Led by experienced high street experts, each session is packed with real-world actions you can implement straight away.

Workshop 1: Increasing Customer Numbers, 1pm Monday 2 March 2026
Learn how to attract more customers, encourage repeat visits, increase spend, and generate word-of-mouth recommendations.

Workshop 2: Delivering Excellent Customer Service, 1pm Monday 9 March 2026
Discover how the right customer service can drive sales, boost satisfaction, and increase transaction values.

Workshop 3: Successful Promotion Techniques, 1pm Monday 16 March 2026
Explore proven in-store, online, and social media promotion ideas, including low-cost techniques that don’t eat into your margins.

Workshop 4: Planning for Growth, 1pm Monday 23 March 2026
Learn how to adapt, evolve, and grow sustainably in a fast-changing high street environment, before standing still leads to decline.

Free online mentoring for your business

Is your business ready to grow? The Kent and Medway Growth Hub is offering one-to-one support, of up to 6 hours, to help small and medium-sized businesses across Kent and Medway plan for growth and take practical next steps.

Masters House makers studios complete

Swale Borough Council has completed the transformation of garages at Masters House into dedicated business workshops. These spaces will provide a professional base for artists, makers, and craftspeople aged 18 to 30 to launch and grow their business. The project is a part of the council's government-funded Sheerness Revival project.

Local Government Reorganisation Consultation

Your councils are changing!

Government ministers want councils in Kent and Medway to work in a different way.

Swapping smaller councils for fewer bigger unitary ones, to deliver all council services in an area, forms a huge part of their plan.

The government has launched a consultation based on a series of options suggested by Kent's existing councils.

You have until 11:59pm on Thursday 26 March 2026.

Become a content creator at this upcoming hybrid workshop

Ready to grow your personal brand and make a real impact online?

Join the Kent and Medway Growth Hub's Influencer Workshop at 11am on 25 February, available online or in person in Ashford, Kent, and learn what it truly takes to become a successful content creator in today’s digital world.

There will be a chance to hear from Ciara Attwell of My Fussy Eater, who has has built a thriving Instagram and TikTok presence, inspiring parents with practical, delicious mealtime ideas, and she’s sharing exactly how she did it.

You’ll learn:

• How to build and grow your audience
• How to work with (not against) the algorithm
• How to create content with purpose and impact

This hands-on session is perfect for aspiring influencers, business owners, and anyone looking to grow their online presence with confidence.

Made Smarter South East

Made Smarter South East is making it easier for makers, creators and manufacturers in the South East to innovate, upskill and grow their business by adopting industrial digital technologies. Their fully funded package of support for eligible SMEs includes the opportunity to work with a team of experts to unlock the support you need to grow. They will help you create a detailed action plan to digitally transform your business. You could also access training programmes to increase your workforce’s digital skills, match-funded grants to purchase hardware or software, and leadership development support.