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Welcome to the Thursday edition of the Kent Business Newsletter…

This week we have a proper mix of growth, pressure and local ambition. Gravesend-based Metcor Group is moving fast, completing its fifth acquisition in a year as it builds a bigger national industrial services group from its Kent base. In Medway, Allego has expanded its busy Chatham Dockside EV charging hub after 18,000 charging sessions in a year. Kent foodservice wholesaler kff is giving chefs more choice with 12 new meat products, while Azets warns that rising insolvencies show how tough trading conditions remain for many businesses.

In this weeks Kent Business Spotlight, We also meet Clotilde Chohan, the founder behind Discover Whitstable, a new platform built to help visitors uncover more of the town and give independent businesses better visibility.

➡️ 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.

Gravesend based Metcor Group has kept up its rapid buying streak with the acquisition of Direct Pump Services, marking its fifth deal in a year and another bold step for the industrial services group. Backed by Macquarie Capital since April 2025, Metcor has been moving quickly to build scale across the UK, and this latest purchase adds a specialist name in clean water and wastewater pumping. High Wycombe-based Direct Pump Services, founded in 2009, provides installation, maintenance, repairs and emergency support, giving Metcor extra strength in a field where failure is costly and response times matter. The deal price was not disclosed.

This is the latest sign that Metcor is turning itself into a bigger national player from its Kent base. Its businesses already work across offices, warehouses, fulfilment centres, factories, energy plants, shopping centres, retail parks and government sites, and DPS broadens that offer with specialist pump expertise. Direct Pump Services co-founder Mike Shaw said the move would strengthen the company’s service offering and create new opportunities for customers and their clients. Advisers on the deal included The Camlee Group, Bermans, Gosschalks and RSM UK, with the transaction giving Metcor even more momentum as it pushes through a busy phase of expansion.

➡️ See why Metcor’s buying streak could reshape this market.

The investment means it is now one of the largest ultra-fast charging locations in Medway.

Allego UK, a leading en-route and destination charge point operator, has expanded its site at Chatham Dockside to meet growing demand from local electric vehicle (EV) drivers.

Since opening in 2024, the site has become one of Allego’s busiest in the UK, recording around 18,000 charging sessions last year alone.

The expansion adds two new ultra-fast chargers, creating a fully-fledged hub capable of topping up as many as 12 vehicles simultaneously - making it one of the largest ultra-fast EV charging locations in Medway.

A key factor behind the site’s success is its prime retail setting, allowing drivers visiting Chatham Dockside to plug in while shopping, dining or running errands rather than having to make a separate pit stop.

Paz Sharma, Managing Director of Allego UK, said: “Chatham Dockside has met and exceeded our expectations and become our most popular site in the UK in just over a year. That level of demand highlights how crucial well-placed, ultra-fast charging is for drivers.

“People want charging that fits seamlessly into their day. Being able to top up while shopping or spending time with family makes the experience simple and convenient. Expanding this hub ensures we can continue to support both new and existing EV drivers across Medway and the wider county.”

The hub is located at 13 Maritime Way, Gillingham, St Mary’s Island, Chatham, ME4 3ED, and is part of Allego UK’s growing nationwide charging network.

Kent foodservice wholesaler kff has expanded its meat range with 12 new lines aimed at giving chefs more choice, dependable quality and greater flexibility across their menus. The launch adds a broader mix of fresh, frozen and prepared products, strengthening the company’s offer to operators who need reliable protein options day in, day out. New products include premium lamb cuts such as boneless lamb leg, plus minced and diced lamb, while the beef and pork range now features a beef topside joint, an Aberdeen Angus beef burger and two new sausage options.

The move underlines kff’s focus on consistency, choice and next-day delivery at a time when many operators need suppliers that can help them manage menu planning without compromising on standards. Managing Director Neil Williams said the new products are designed to give customers quality, consistency and flexibility, while supporting value as well as performance in busy kitchens. For Kent’s hospitality sector, that matters because strong supplier ranges can shape what businesses are able to serve, how quickly they can respond to demand and how confidently they can maintain standards across changing trading conditions.

➡️ See what kff’s wider range means for local operators.

Corporate insolvencies rose again in April 2026, with 2,085 cases recorded across the UK, up 2.4% on March and 2.8% on the same month last year. Azets, which has offices in Maidstone, Ashford, Canterbury, Sandwich and Sidcup, said the increase reflects a difficult mix of geopolitical strain, legislative change, rising costs and weak customer confidence. Chris Tate, restructuring and insolvency partner at Azets, said creditors are also taking a harder line as they chase debts more aggressively to protect their own finances. He pointed to a rise in compulsory liquidations since January 2025, with HMRC leading the push through the courts and private creditors following suit.

Tate said many directors are now closing businesses through Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations after years of tough trading and little room to negotiate unpaid bills. Although administrations fell month on month, they remain high, suggesting some firms still have a chance of rescue if they act early. He also warned that the economic effects of the Iran war, higher business rates, minimum wage changes, frozen interest rates and political instability are adding to the pressure. Construction, retail and hospitality were singled out as sectors under particular strain. Azets’ message was clear: directors who are worried should seek advice early, while more options remain open.

➡️ Read what is pushing insolvency pressure higher this spring.

Kent Business School students are working on live industry projects with partner organisations including Barrett’s Kent, Enterprise Mobility, Macknade and Port of Dover. The projects cover areas such as marketing strategy, data frameworks, digital transformation and AI-enabled solutions, giving local employers access to fresh thinking and emerging talent. Read more.

Staplehurst-based Kin Coffee has expanded its in-house roasting schedule, giving customers more chances to see its Bellwether coffee roaster in action from Monday to Wednesday. The business says the move supports its focus on freshly roasted coffee, sustainable operations and a broader customer experience at its Kent site. Read more.

Kent County Council has called for urgent government action after uncertainty around Project Gigabit and a £112m CityFibre contract intended to connect more than 50,000 rural homes and businesses. The council says only 53% of Kent business premises currently have future-proofed gigabit-capable connections, leaving many firms at risk of being held back by poor digital infrastructure. Read more.

On the show this week Paul and Jules was John Nurden of the Sheppey Scene.

For many years John was a journalist and editor on local newspapers in Kent. Now in semi retirement he is editor of Sheppey Scene, a local online magazine.

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

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