Introducing the
Kent Business Community
Pre-launch ‘Founding Member’ Offer…
A quick update on the Kent Business Community
Last week we introduced the Kent Business Community, a new platform designed to help people across Kent discover great local businesses.
The public launch is planned for April.
Before then, we’ve opened up 25 Founding Memberships to local businesses that join before 31st March. Over half of those have now been snapped up, but there’s still time to get your business included!
Once the site launches, membership will be £50 per year.
Businesses that join during the pre-launch period lock in the Founding Member rate of £25 per year, saving 50%.
If you run a business in Kent and want to increase your local visibility, this is your chance to get in early.
➡️ See how it works and become a Founding Member:
www.KentBusinessCommunity.co.uk
The offer is available until 31 March or until the 25 places are filled.
Hi {{first_name | Kent Business Community}}
Welcome to Thursday’s edition of the Kent Business Newsletter.
This week we hear that a Medway illustrator lands another major milestone after winning a top creative award, with her work already appearing in the Natural History Museum, the House of Commons and heritage sites across the UK.
We also explore how Mother’s Day dining is changing fast, with brunch, sharing boards and global flavours replacing the traditional Sunday roast for many families.
Elsewhere, a new partnership aims to help Kent’s food start ups grow faster with training, marketing support and access to retailers. A specialist ADHD nutrition clinic expands its team as demand surges nationwide. And accountants are warning thousands of Kent’s self employed workers to prepare now for Making Tax Digital, a major HMRC change that could transform how taxes are reported.
➡️ 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.
In this issue: Kent Business News | Cyber Advice | Kent Business Events | Kent Business Radio
This Week’s Kent Business News
➡️ Medway Designer Wins Kent Creative Award
Rainham illustrator Esther Johnson has won the Creative Award at the Kent Women in Business Awards, marking another milestone in a fast growing career. The 29 year old founded Designed by Esther in 2017 with support from The King’s Trust. Since then, her bespoke illustrations have appeared in museum and heritage gift shops across the UK. She has secured commissions from the Natural History Museum, the House of Commons, Canterbury Cathedral, Bath Abbey and Historic Environment Scotland, working with more than 60 organisations in total.
Judges praised her work as bold and commercially sharp, noting her ability to turn ideas into brands that connect. The award builds on earlier success, including Young Businesswoman of the Year in 2024 and a national design win with Nescafé Azera in 2023. She is now preparing a new Charles Dickens inspired range set to launch this summer.
➡️ Brunch Boards And Global Flavours Redefine Mother’s Day Dining
Mother’s Day remains one of the busiest days of the year for UK restaurants, but the way families celebrate is changing. Searches for “good restaurants for Mother’s Day” have doubled year on year, while menu searches are up 160%. OpenTable data shows 78% of Brits rank it as the top special day to dine out, ahead of Valentine’s Day. Although the traditional roast still draws crowds, brunch has overtaken it in search interest. Queries for “Mother’s Day brunch” have jumped 23% year on year and surged sharply in recent months, as families look for earlier, more relaxed bookings.
High tea is also gaining pace, with searches up 75%, outstripping afternoon tea. Diners are choosing heartier savoury options alongside sweet treats. Sharing platters are rising too, with searches up 200%, as families favour sociable, centrepiece meals. At the same time, Italian, Thai and Mediterranean dishes are seeing strong demand, driven by travel and social media influence. Restaurants are adjusting menus to match changing tastes and booking patterns.
➡️ New Partnership Backs Kent Food Start Ups
Food and plant based start ups in Kent and Medway are set to receive stronger support after a formal agreement between Produced in Kent and Growing Kent and Medway. The deal will give selected high growth businesses subsidised training and marketing help from Produced in Kent, following a competitive selection process led by Growing Kent and Medway. The aim is to help young firms move beyond early development and win more sales in the market.
Growing Kent and Medway, launched in 2021, provides technical research and innovation support to horticultural and plant based food businesses. Produced in Kent, established in 2005, promotes local and seasonal produce through its membership network. Together they will offer training, networking, retailer access and promotional opportunities, building on the Food Accelerator programme that has already supported more than 160 businesses from idea to launch.
➡️ Kent Nutritionist Joins Rapidly Expanding ADHD Clinic
A specialist nutrition clinic supporting people with ADHD and autism has expanded its team fivefold as demand continues to rise. So Nutrition, founded in 2022 by registered nutritionist and ADHD coach Sarah Osborne, has seen an eighteenfold increase in interest over the past year. Services range from emotional eating coaching to food sensitivity testing and gut health support. Kent-based nutritionist Becca Tym has now joined the growing team, bringing expertise in emotional eating, ADHD coaching and psychotherapy-informed practice.
The clinic’s growth comes as NHS waiting lists for ADHD and autism assessments hit record levels, with more than 700,000 people across the UK awaiting referral as of December 2025. Osborne says awareness of how neurodivergent traits affect eating habits is improving, but support remains limited. In 2026, So Nutrition will host free webinars with ADHD360 to offer practical guidance and challenge common myths.
➡️ Making Tax Digital Deadline Looms For Kent’s Self-Employed
Landlords, sole traders and the self-employed in Kent are being urged to prepare for what accountants call the end of the traditional tax return. From 6 April, those with gross income above £50,000 must follow HMRC’s new Making Tax Digital regime. They will need to keep digital records, use approved software and submit quarterly updates alongside a final declaration. The overhaul is the biggest shift since self-assessment began in 1997 and will affect 864,000 people nationwide this year, rising to 2.9 million within three years as thresholds fall.
Azets, which has offices across Kent, says early preparation is vital as the threshold drops to £30,000 in 2027 and £20,000 in 2028. The firm was the first in the UK to submit an MTD quarterly update during testing with HMRC and Xero. It advises checking income levels now, ensuring software is approved and exploring any exemptions. HMRC already requires nearly two million VAT-registered businesses to use MTD software.
Cyber Safety For Kent Businesses
Jason On Cyber
Iphone vs Android: More Secure?
A clear comparison of iPhone and Android security - without myths or jargon.
This edition of Jason on Cyber explains the real differences and what users actually need to do to stay safe.
Find out more: @jasononcyber is currently on: Youtube, linkedin, Facebook, X, instagram
Below are several business events coming up this week in Kent.
You’ll find the full list at
www.KentBusinessEvents.co.uk
Simply Business Club
Various Locations Across Kent
Details:
Stepping Out and FSB have come together to create a relaxed, welcoming space for local businesses to connect.
This is your opportunity to make new connections, discover potential collaborators, and access support from the local business community.
Whether you’re looking to expand your network, gain fresh perspectives, or simply meet like-minded professionals, this event gives you the chance to step out, get involved, and enjoy real conversations.
The event is free to attend and open to all businesses.
Website: Click here
Synergy Networking Events
Various Locations Across Kent
Various locations across Kent
Details:
Synergy Networking Events: Building Meaningful Business Connections Across Kent
Synergy helps businesses across Kent grow through structured, friendly, and effective networking events in Kent. Whether you’re new to networking or an experienced business owner looking for genuine connections, Synergy provides a relaxed environment that delivers real results. You can attend an event with no long-term commitment and experience it for yourself.
Networking Made Simple!
Synergy runs professional networking events across Kent, with every session carefully planned to ensure every attendee gets value. Seating is pre-arranged to help members connect with new people, exchange ideas, and build long-term relationships.
Website: Click here
BoB Connections Business Networking
Various Locations Across Kent
Various Locations
Details:
BoB Connections networking meetings span across Kent, providing an invaluable platform for local businesses to forge connections that are otherwise hard to achieve. Book your spot at a bi-weekly meeting in your town.
Joining BoB Connections opens the door to unparalleled opportunities for your business growth. As a member, you'll gain access to a powerful network of like-minded professionals who are committed to helping each other succeed. Through structured and supportive networking, you'll receive high-quality referrals, expert insights, and practical advice to enhance your business strategies. Our collaborative approach empowers you to elevate your business, making it more profitable, efficient, and successful than ever before.
Let's create connections that matter.
Website: Click here
Landlords: The Renters Reform Readiness Event
Chatham
Edenwood Place, Chatham
When: 6pm - 9pm on 31st March
Location: Edenwood Place, Chatham
Details:
If you’re a landlord, 2026 is already asking some uncomfortable questions. The Renters Reform act, post-Budget changes and growing pressure on personal-name ownership are forcing many landlords to stop and think about what comes next.
This event is for landlords who want straight answers. No scare stories. Just clear guidance on what is changing, what it actually means for you, and what sensible options are available.
If you own one or a handful of rental properties in your personal name, this evening is designed with you in mind.
Website: Click here
Wealden Business Group Networking
Tenterden
Brunch & Brew Tenterden
When: 7am - 8.30am Every Wednesday Morning
Location: Brunch & Brew Tenterden
Details:
Come join the Wealden Business Group every Wednesday morning in Tenterden for a hearty breakfast, an interesting presentation and the opportunity to meet local business owners across a range of professions who recognise the importance of making genuine connections.
Wealden Business Group (WBG) is built on trust, integrity, support and friendship, and is different to many other business networking groups in several respects
Website: Click here
IoD Collaborate for International Womens Day
Ashford
Ashford International Hotel
When: 12th March 2026 - 8.30am - 4pm
Location: Ashford International Hotel
Details:
Join IoD Kent’s International Women’s Day to connect, learn, and lead with purpose in a truly inclusive space.
The countdown is on! Get ready to attend an unforgettable event for Women’s International Day hosted by the Kent IoD Branch – where innovation, networking and action collide.
This is your chance to connect with industry leaders, gain game-changing insights and be part of the conversation.
WID hosted by the Kent IoD branch will be an event that will bring together Women across all sectors.
It will be a day where there will opportunities to learn from peers and learn from other professionals.
We will also be asking for fellow Male colleagues to attend.
Website: Click here
Stepping Out With FSB Connects
Gravesend
Whitehall Place, Gravesend
When: 12th March 2026 - 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Location: Whitehall Place, Gravesend
Details:
Stepping Out and FSB have come together to create a relaxed, welcoming space for local businesses to connect.
This is your opportunity to make new connections, discover potential collaborators, and access support from the local business community.
Whether you’re looking to expand your network, gain fresh perspectives, or simply meet like-minded professionals, this event gives you the chance to step out, get involved, and enjoy real conversations.
The event is free to attend and open to all businesses.
Website: Click here
FORE Business Golf Networking
Maidstone
Tudor Park Golf Club, Maidstone
When: 19th March 2026 - 7.20am - 9am
Location: Tudor Park Golf Club, Maidstone
Details:
“FORE” Business are delighted to welcome you to our Maidstone Group which is hosted at the Tudor Park Golf Club, Kent.
The business networking event in Maidstone has been established since Sept 2014 and business and friendship within the group is flourishing.
If you would like to attend a “FORE” Business golf event at our Maidstone group, please click on the below link. We have members eagerly waiting to pass referrals and at the same time enjoy an amazing round of golf at Tudor Park Golf Club.
Website: Click here
Kent Business Radio Show
This week Paul Andrew’s guest was Jack Neale of MyMny Mortgage Advice.
MyMny are a family run business based in Canterbury, Kent and offer expert advice on a wide range of Mortgage, Protection and Equity Release services. Their service is available to all, including first time buyers, home movers, experienced and first time landlords and over 55s looking to borrow money in later life. If you have an existing mortgage that you would like to review, we can offer re-mortgage advice on switching lenders for the most competitive interest rate.
To listen to this week’s show in full visit Kent Business Radio
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{{first_name | Kent Business Community}}, before you go…
➡️ Don’t miss the latest networking events near you - https://www.kentbusinessevents.co.uk
➡️ Do you have news or announcements you’d like to share about your business?
Contact us today - [email protected]
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