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Welcome to the Thursday edition of the Kent Business Newsletter…
This week we look at the local firms, founders and projects shaping the county.
In Maidstone, Aridom Sanex is gaining national attention for safer healthcare cleaning and lower-chemical infection control. In Lenham, the former Marley Works site has moved a step closer to redevelopment, with strong local backing for new employment space on brownfield land.
We also look at Kent’s new Hospital@Home service, designed to ease NHS pressure by helping suitable patients receive hospital-level care safely at home.
And in this week’s Kent Business Spotlight, we meet Alexandra Mesecke, the Tunbridge Wells founder behind Return Well, who is helping employers handle sickness absence, burnout and return-to-work support with more clarity and care.
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If you missed previous editions you can catch-up here.
In this issue: Kent Business News | Kent Business Spotlight | In Brief | Kent Business Events | Kent Business Radio
This Week’s Kent Business News
➡️ Maidstone Firm Wins National Award For Safer Healthcare Cleaning
A Maidstone business is gaining national attention for cutting harmful chemicals from healthcare and other indoor environments. Aridom Sanex, based at the Maidstone Innovation Centre, won the Sustainability Award at the SEHTA Healthcare Business Awards in London and was later named runner-up in the same category at the 2026 Medilink UK National Awards. Founded in 2021 by Anca and Paul Haralambie, the company is challenging the long-held use of harsh cleaning products in infection control. Its work aims to maintain strong hygiene standards while lowering risks linked to chemical exposure, air quality and mould in places where health, safety and clean indoor spaces matter most.
The award gives fresh weight to a debate that is becoming harder for healthcare, care providers and employers to ignore. As concern grows over environmental impact and indoor air quality, Aridom Sanex is pushing a case that effective decontamination does not need to come with the same chemical burden. Anca Haralambie said the recognition helps open doors to those conversations, while also underlining the support the firm has received from the Innovation Centre.
➡️ Marley Works Plan Wins Strong Backing In Lenham
Panattoni says local support is building behind plans to redevelop the former Marley Works site after a public consultation drew more than 150 visitors and a wide range of feedback from residents in Lenham and Harrietsham. The developer, which owns the 70-acre brownfield site, said 98.5% of respondents backed the principle of redeveloping previously used land rather than greenfield, while 81.2% said the site should not be turned into housing. Nearly 85% were definitely or mostly supportive of bringing the site forward for employment use, with local jobs and retaining the area’s commercial role among the strongest themes. Panattoni said the site remains closely tied to the local community, with former employees among those attending the exhibition in February.
The emerging plans would see the existing buildings demolished, the land cleaned up, waste and contaminants removed, and as much material recycled as possible before new commercial space is built for industrial, storage, distribution and light industrial use, with ancillary offices, landscaping and drainage. The current public right of way would be diverted west within a landscaped setting. Traffic on the A20 remains a live concern, with more than 86% saying highway improvements would help the area, and Panattoni says it is already discussing possible mitigation with the highways authority. Feedback will now shape the planning application before it goes to Maidstone Borough Council.
➡️ Kent’s New Hospital@Home Service Aims To Free Up NHS Capacity
A new Hospital@Home service has launched across Kent with a clear goal: ease pressure on the NHS by moving suitable patients out of hospital sooner and into safe, complex care at home. Delivered with operational partner Healix Health, the service provides hospital-level support in a home setting, giving patients another option while helping hospitals manage rising demand. The model is designed to cut costs for the NHS by up to 55%, while also improving recovery, with the team saying patients can see health outcomes improve by as much as 23% when treated in their own homes rather than staying on a ward.
Working with NHS partners, the Hospital@Home team will identify patients ready for early discharge and support them through a multidisciplinary service that includes nurses, carers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and healthcare support workers. Care packages are backed by a 24/7 nurse-led urgent support line, remote monitoring technology and GP oversight in the community. Led by chief commercial officer Steve Carter and clinical lead Rebecca Williams, the service has already drawn strong interest and is said to be improving discharge rates, cutting lost bed days and creating the equivalent of an extra hospital ward each week. As demand grows, the business plans to expand and recruit 30 more employees in each new area.
Kent Business Spotlight
Meet Alexandra Mesecke: The Tunbridge Wells Founder Bringing Clarity To Return-To-Work Support
Alexandra Mesecke has seen return-to-work challenges from several sides: through more than 10 years in HR, frontline mental health advocacy work, and her own experience of coming back to work after absence.
Those experiences shaped Return Well, the Tunbridge Wells business she has launched to help employers handle sickness absence, stress, burnout and complex workplace wellbeing situations with more clarity and confidence.
Through independent clinical workplace assessments, Return Well gives employers practical guidance on phased returns, adjustments, workload, communication and early support for employees who may be struggling.
In the full interview, Alexandra talks about the personal story behind the business, the challenge of building trust as a new founder, balancing business with family life, and why she believes every absence or return-to-work plan should start by remembering there is a person behind it.
Other Kent Business News In Brief
➡️ Kent law firm reports 13th consecutive year of growth
Tunbridge Wells-based Thomson Snell & Passmore reported a 5.2% rise in fees billed for the year to 5 June 2026, marking its 13th consecutive year of growth. The firm said fees have risen 53% over six years to £35.6m, with Richard Ellard taking over as senior partner as the business prepares for further growth. Read more.
➡️ Praxis proposes major Kings Hill office redevelopment
Praxis has unveiled plans to redevelop five older Kings Hill office buildings into up to 260 homes while investing in more suitable office space elsewhere on the estate. The owner says 54% of its 491,860 sq ft Kings Hill office portfolio is vacant, pointing to weaker demand for large open-plan offices and stronger demand for flexible, energy-efficient workspace. Read more.
➡️ Maidstone Chosen for First Standalone George Store in Southern England
Asda has confirmed that Maidstone will host the first standalone George store in the South of England. The new outlet will replace an existing Asda Living store and forms part of the retailer's wider expansion strategy. Read more.
Kent Business Radio Show
On the show this week Paul and Jules were the husband and wife duo Ben & Rachael Bryant from Your Video Team.
These guys have made it easy to turn your message into powerful video content - even if you hate being on camera.
To listen to this week’s show in full visit Kent Business Radio
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