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Welcome to the Monday edition of the Kent Business Newsletter.

This week’s Kent Business Newsletter celebrates the people, partnerships and practical support helping local organisations grow. We start in South Tonbridge, where artisan microbakery Loaf Story has turned a love of handmade sourdough, focaccia and French pastries into an award-winning local business.

There is also important guidance for charity trustees, a major Canterbury accountancy acquisition, a look inside Furley Page’s latest community celebration in Whitstable, and a brilliant example of how Kent pupils are getting hands-on insight into construction careers at the new Kent Skills Hub.

From microbusiness success to regional growth, charity governance and the next generation of local talent, it is another week full of Kent businesses making things happen.

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

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South Tonbridge artisan microbakery Loaf Story has been named Micro Business of the Year at the Tonbridge Business Awards 2026, recognising the growing local following for founder Hélène Lo’s handmade sourdough, focaccia and French pastries.

Hélène moved from a 16-year corporate career into baking full-time in 2025, turning the tastes and traditions of her French childhood into a business that now serves pop-ups, markets, farm shops and community events around Tonbridge. Her award also shines a light on the role of local networking and mentoring in helping small businesses turn a personal passion into a sustainable venture.

➡️ Read the full story.

Furley Page is highlighting refreshed Charity Commission guidance after a rise in cases involving unmanaged conflicts of interest, an issue with clear relevance for the thousands of charities and trustees across Kent.

The revised guidance asks trustees to identify possible conflicts early, declare them, consider whether they can be removed and record how they are managed, rather than treating the responsibility as belonging solely to a chair or the person concerned. Aaron Spencer, who coordinates Furley Page’s charity law team, says a clear policy and a practical understanding of the rules can help trustees protect both their organisation and their own position.

➡️ Read the full story.

Burgess Hodgson has acquired Spain Brothers, one of the country’s longest-established accountancy firms, in a move that brings together two practices with deep roots in Canterbury and the wider Kent business community. Spain Brothers clients will continue working with the same familiar team while gaining access to Burgess Hodgson’s wider services, from corporate finance and payroll to ESG, R&D tax relief and international advisory support.

The acquisition follows Burgess Hodgson’s partnership with Abry Partners and marks another step in the group’s regional growth strategy, while preserving the long-term personal relationships that both firms say are central to their work.

➡️ Read the full story.

Furley Page welcomed clients, Kent business leaders, community representatives and their families to Whitstable for the second annual Furley Fest, an evening combining music, food, entertainment and a chance to strengthen local connections.

The festival began during the law firm’s 300th-anniversary celebrations and has returned as part of its ongoing commitment to engage colleagues and clients beyond day-to-day work. This year’s gathering also raised funds for the Furley Page Foundation’s chosen charity, bringing a charitable purpose to an event designed to celebrate the people and partnerships that support the county’s business community.

➡️ Read the full story.

Students from The Malling School in East Malling have been among the first local pupils to experience the new Kent Skills Hub at Hermitage Quarry, Maidstone, as part of their work-experience programme.

The facility was created to help attract and train the next generation of construction workers while also giving Kent schools practical opportunities to introduce pupils to the working world. During their visit, 20 Year 12 students tackled a live HGV road-safety challenge, developed campaign ideas in teams and presented them to school and Gallagher Group representatives in a Dragon’s Den-style session.

➡️ Read the full story.

Ashford Borough Council says the former Odeon is moving into its next phase, with strip-out works progressing, updated designs completed and the search for an operator due to begin. Blue Horizon Venture has been appointed to help identify a commercial operator, with early market engagement due in August and formal procurement expected in September. Read more.

Produced in Kent members have secured multiple Great Taste Awards, with recognised products from businesses including Kent Crisps, Kentish Oils & Condiments, Wilson’s Provisions, The Hunton Baker, Karimix and Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium. The results give Kent food and drink producers stronger national credibility and useful marketing proof points at a time when independent producers are competing hard for retail, hospitality and direct-to-consumer sales. Read more.

Kent County Council has secured £20m of government funding for access improvements at the Port of Dover, including extra space for border booths and lorry queuing. The scheme is expected to reduce the need for Operation Brock and Dover TAP by up to 80% in normal operations, improving journey reliability for businesses using one of the UK’s key trade routes to Europe. Read more.

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