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Welcome to the Thursday edition of the Kent Business Newsletter…

This week - Storage On Site has opened a new Aylesford depot to strengthen its South East operation, while a major planning application near Maidstone could bring new industrial and employment space to the area. We also meet Europa’s Stefania Everett, whose remarkable 30-year career has taken her from data input clerk to a newly created senior leadership role.

And for businesses working with contractors and consultants, there is an important employment status update following the conclusion of a long-running HMRC case involving professional football referees.

➡️ 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.

Storage On Site has expanded its South East operation with a new depot in Aylesford, strengthening its presence in Kent. The site, close to the M20 and key motorway links, will support faster deliveries, better availability and more competitive pricing across Kent, London and surrounding counties. It joins the company’s Southampton depot, creating a two-site network that reduces transport distances and helps limit rising fuel and logistics costs.

The Aylesford site will stock storage containers, site accommodation and welfare units, with a repair and maintenance facility allowing equipment to be prepared locally before delivery. Storage On Site serves construction firms, schools, local authorities, businesses, homeowners and self-storage operators. Managing Director Neil Vickery said growing demand across Kent and the South East had driven the investment, which is expected to support further regional growth and stronger relationships with local customers.

➡️ Read why rising transport costs helped drive the Kent expansion.

Panattoni has submitted a planning application to redevelop the former Marley Works near Maidstone, putting a major brownfield employment site back in the spotlight. The company says the former Aliaxis factory site on the A20 near Lenham is earmarked for a comprehensive redevelopment rather than housing. Its plans span demolition and remediation alongside flexible industrial space for manufacturing, distribution and warehousing.

For local firms, the significance lies in both the scale of the site and its proposed employment focus. The project could bring new capacity for occupiers needing industrial or logistics space while retaining a long-established business location. With the application now submitted, attention will turn to Maidstone Borough Council and the detail of the proposals.

➡ Panattoni Submits Plans For Redevelopment of Former Marley Works near Maidstone

Europa Worldwide Group has promoted Stefania Everett to a newly created Head of Customer Service role for Europa Warehouse. Based at the company’s Dartford site, she will lead divisional customer service as the 3PL business supports a growing customer base. The appointment comes as Everett marks 30 years with Europa and Gold Legend status, after beginning as a data input clerk at the group’s then Erith site.

Her route through road imports, UK Transport and the warehouse division is a strong local career story. Everett helped transform the Dartford logistics site and has since expanded responsibilities across Dartford and Birmingham. She says customer service means understanding each client’s business and anticipating their needs, while Europa’s leaders point to her operational knowledge, energy and record of building capable teams.

➡ Stefania Everett’s 30-Year Journey and Promotion to New Key Division-Wide Role

Businesses should take care not to treat isolated indicators such as control or formal processes as proof that someone is an employee, according to Azets’ employment tax specialist Jez Howson. The warning follows the conclusion of the long-running Professional Game Match Officials Limited case, in which football referees were found not to be employees for tax purposes.

HMRC decided not to appeal the First-tier Tribunal’s May 2026 ruling, bringing more than a decade of litigation to an end. Howson says the case reinforces the need for a balanced, whole-relationship assessment — relevant to organisations using consultants, contractors and other independent professionals. For Kent businesses navigating IR35, onboarding, compliance or performance arrangements, it is a useful prompt to document the commercial reality rather than rely on a checklist.

➡ Businessess Must Be Wary Over Employment Status

Kent County Council Trading Standards has launched Acid Aware training for retailers selling or handling corrosive substances, including DIY stores, builders’ merchants and garden centres. The campaign is designed to help businesses meet their legal duties on safe sales, age checks and refusal procedures under corrosive substance rules. Read more.

JETMS Completions Ltd, an aircraft maintenance business based at London Biggin Hill Airport with a Westerham postal address, has entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation proceedings. The report says the company employed an average of 49 people and had £2.4m of net liabilities, with a second aviation company at the same address also calling a creditors’ meeting. Read more.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council is taking forward plans for a new Bouverie Square play zone as part of the wider £22m Folkestone: A Brighter Future regeneration project. While the individual proposal is a public realm scheme, the wider project is relevant to town centre footfall, visitor economy activity and nearby businesses. Read more.

On the show this week Paul attends the Women in Business Big Show and recaps some of the interviews with local business owners.

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

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