Kent Business Newsletter - Issue 14

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Hello Kent Business Community

Welcome to this week’s Kent Business Newsletter

This week’s Kent Business Newsletter brings you the latest shifts, investments and insights shaping our county. We start with a new survey from Maidstone’s Reflect Digital revealing how the South East is falling behind London in AI search adoption - a gap that could shape the region’s future competitiveness. In Folkestone, Hovat invests over £100k in cutting-edge pouch making machinery, while Maidstone’s Cleaning With Meaning expands its eco-friendly services to help homes go green. Plus, Atom Juice relaunches Skip Hire Comparison, and our Kent experts share essential WiFi and financial tips.

Got a business launch, win or story to share? Send it to [email protected] and we’ll help spread the word - for free!

If you missed previous editions you can catch-up here.

🌟 This Week’s Kent Business News 🌟

A new survey from Maidstone’s Reflect Digital has revealed a surprising divide in how people across the UK are using AI to search online. While London leads the way with almost three-quarters of residents using AI tools, the South East is lagging far behind. Two-thirds of people there say they rarely or never use AI for search, despite the technology becoming a bigger part of daily life elsewhere.

Nationally, almost half of people now use AI for search at least sometimes, and experts predict this could soon overtake traditional search by 2026. But with younger generations turning to AI for shopping, finance, and even health advice, is the South East risking being left behind in the digital shift? Explore the full story here 

Hovat in Folkestone has invested more than £100,000 in a new stand-up pouch making machine, opening the door to new markets and expanding its sustainable packaging offer. The cutting-edge kit can produce everything from zipper bags to paper pouches, marking a major step forward for the Kent-based printer.

With demand rising and a growing push for Net Zero packaging, the move means Hovat can now manufacture in-house rather than rely on overseas supply. What comes next for this £20m business as it ramps up investment even further?

Click here to read the full story and find out what’s on the horizon. 

An eco-cleaning company in Maidstone is stepping up its mission this autumn. Cleaning With Meaning, led by former carer turned eco-entrepreneur Kelly Moore, is expanding its services across Kent to meet the rising demand for healthier, greener homes. Families and businesses are increasingly looking to cut back on chemical-heavy products, especially as colder months bring people indoors.

The team is not only offering non-toxic cleaning but also pushing for wider sustainable habits, from refillable bottles to supporting UK eco-brands. With interest in green living growing fast, could this expansion signal a bigger shift in how Kent keeps its homes clean?

Discover how this local business is changing the way Kent cleans by reading the full article today. 

Atom Juice has acquired Skip Hire Comparison and relaunched the website with a sharper design, faster booking, and plain-English advice. The new platform promises instant postcode-based prices, clear guidance on skip sizes, and quick mobile checkout for households and trades.

With a focus on simplicity and transparency, the site aims to make hiring a skip as easy as booking a taxi. Customers get fewer surprises, while local suppliers gain fairer access to nationwide demand. The question now is, could this be the shake-up the skip hire market has been waiting for?

Click through to see what’s new on the platform and why it could change how you book a skip. 

🌟 Kent Expert Insights 🌟

Help Your Customers Get Connected with Free WiFi

We’ve all been there; sat in a waiting room or stood in a shop unable to find that all important confirmation email due to a lack of phone signal. Frustrated, you ask if you can use the WiFi.

Of course, it’s right there on the board.

You start tapping away B..T… h..u..b  … QZ1F

Next, password:  qwlbWdnq0o894 … unable to connect!

Try again: qw - “Is that a one or an L?” still no good.

You eventually fold, step outside, get a signal and download the attachment.

While some of us may have the patience to deal with this situation, we certainly shouldn’t be putting our customers or visitors through the same ordeal. On the surface of this problem you may think it only applies to shopfronts, but it happens everywhere and it can easily be avoided.

WiFi connectivity (thus, a connection to the Internet) has become something of a commodity, a necessity, even. Shopping centres, coffee shops and franchise pubs recognise this and provide WiFi for customers. Even if you only get one visitor per week, at least make that part of the business transaction a little easier. Allow everyone to connect easily.

The tech savvy of us will right away be able to modify the settings on an ISP-provided router and get going, the rest will need a little help. Have an IT department? Ask them. Have a Head of Tech guy? Ask him. Or a quick online search for a local network and WiFi expert will also point you in the right direction.

Here are a few tips for helping your customers get connected:

1. WiFi network names (also known as SSIDs) can be almost anything you want it to be - do not stick with the default VM17948712 and impossible to remember password. Use your business name or some quirky reference to it. If your business name is “Bob’s Bagels”, use something like “Bob’s Guests”.

2. Keep your password easy to remember and read. Despite what some might say, a WiFi password does not have to include special characters, numbers, upper case, lower case and whatever else you can throw in there. Above all else, the length of the password is what determines its strength against any would-be hackers. For example, the password “This is a secure password!” (and yes, it can include spaces) is much more secure than “$g`]_3Hh#l=”

3. You don’t always need special equipment. In small shops and offices, relying on just the ISP’s provided WiFi router is perfectly fine - the login details for changing WiFi settings are often printed on the back or the base.

4. Be wary of “Mesh WiFi” systems. These should only be used if cabling for additional network equipment is not possible and you need increased coverage. That said, modern WiFi7 mesh systems from the likes of TP-Link have proven to work very well.

5. When sharing WiFi connectivity with anyone, ensure that they are not able to access any sensitive devices or systems. For example, if you have a local data storage server, a customer should not be able to access it. Or, if you have a music streaming device connected to the network, only you or your staff should be able to control it.

If you’re still questioning whether providing WiFi for customers or visitors is required, strictly speaking, no it’s not. However, we’re living in and evolving through an ever more-connected society where we rely on internet-connected services for shopping, appointments, research, finding local services and even making payments. Plus, why shouldn’t you be allowed to rule the “airspace” around your business with your business name virtually floating around every time someone nearby looks to get connected.

Command AV leverages deep knowledge of diverse products and technologies to create tailored solutions that perfectly match your unique home and needs.

Contact Rudi Niemand
Command AV 
Mobile: 07403 660015

Avoid These 5 Costly Financial Planning Mistakes

Independent wealth expert Louise Fitzgerald warns local families: “A little planning now can save you thousands later.”

Independent financial adviser Louise Fitzgerald is urging individuals, families, and business owners across Kent and Sussex to take a closer look at their long-term financial plans, after identifying five common – and often costly – mistakes. From neglecting pensions to overlooking life insurance, these errors are more widespread than people realise and can significantly impact financial security in later life.

Recent conversations with clients have revealed recurring blind spots in people’s financial strategies – issues that, if left unaddressed, could jeopardise retirement goals, estate planning, or family protection.

One of the most frequent mistakes is relying too heavily on cash savings, especially in a higher-inflation environment. While it’s important to keep an emergency fund, many individuals hold large sums in low-interest accounts, eroding their value over time. Balance is key – consider diversified investments to protect your wealth from inflation.

Another overlooked area is not having a financial plan at all. Without clear goals or timelines, people often find themselves reacting to life events rather than proactively planning for them. A written plan, even a simple one, can provide clarity and confidence.

A third pitfall Louise regularly sees involves neglecting pension contributions or misunderstandings about pension options. Many clients don’t fully understand how much they need to retire or the benefits of consolidating old pension pots. Regular pension reviews are essential, particularly with changing tax rules and investment conditions.

Equally worrying is the tendency to put off life insurance or protection planning. It’s often seen as “something to do later,” but when illness or tragedy strikes, families can be left financially exposed. Louise recommends reviewing protection needs every couple of years, especially after major life events like having children or buying a home.

Finally, many people fail to make use of their full tax allowances – such as ISAs, capital gains allowances, or inheritance tax planning tools. These can add up to significant savings over time when used effectively.

“It’s not about being perfect – it’s about being intentional,” says Louise. “Most people are doing their best, but with a bit of guidance, they can avoid costly missteps and feel more in control. Financial planning isn’t just for the wealthy – it’s about making the most of what you have, at every stage of life.”

Louise is encouraging local residents to book financial reviews before the end of the year. She is currently offering free initial consultations to help identify gaps and opportunities in existing plans.

Louise Fitzgerald is an Independent Financial Adviser with Sterling & Law Tunbridge Wells, supporting individuals, families and business owners across the South East. With a focus on clarity, care, and personalised service, she helps clients make confident financial decisions – from pensions and investments to protection and inheritance planning.

Contact Details
Louise Fitzgerald
Sterling & Law Tunbridge Wells
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07891 039 256
Website: www.sterlingandlaw.com/locations/financial-advice-tunbridge-wells
Instagram: www.instagram.com/louise.fitzgerald_ifa

🌟 Kent Networking Events 🌟

Connecting with fellow entrepreneurs, potential partners, and customers is vital for business growth. Kent offers a variety of networking opportunities (you could literally go to a different one every day if you wanted!) to help you expand your professional circle and enhance your business prospects.

Prepare Questions That Impress
Avoid generic questions like “What’s the company culture like?” Instead, ask: “What’s the biggest challenge your team is trying to solve right now?”

🌟 Business Events & Shows In Kent 🌟

🌟 Kent Business Radio Show 🌟

Great show this week from Paul and Jules - bringing you the perfect mix of banter with the latest business news and events from across Kent!

On the show this week was Kathy Hayman of Better Minds Better Business. She talks about the friendly, stress-free way for small businesses to support workplace wellbeing without losing their minds!

To listen to this week’s show in full visit Kent Business Radio

Kent Business Community, before you go… 
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