Kent and Medway businesses receive 300 hours of recovery support From locate in Kent

Launched in July 2020, Locate in Kent’s Future Forward business recovery service was designed to guide businesses in Kent and Medway through the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

Now three months on, the inward investment agency has already helped 30 companies, offering over 300 hours of free consultancy time, with an additional 20 businesses going through the approval process to benefit from the scheme in the future.

Future Forward helps SME businesses across Kent and Medway navigate challenges they may now be facing, helping them build the resilience they need to adjust to the new economic landscape, and carve out opportunities for success.

All qualifying businesses receive 12 hours of free consultancy, delivered by a team of Locate in Kent’s business advisors and industry experts, who work alongside each company to review key aspects of their business operations – from market opportunities, digital transformation, skills and processes to financial planning.

Canterbury Brewers & Distillers, located in the heart of Canterbury city centre, has already seen significant improvements from Future Forward, with Director Jon Mills sharing: “The Future Forward programme has been a real help in developing myself and my business through these challenging times. It has been extremely busy adapting and growing my business amidst a global pandemic, and challenging myself to commit to this programme has been very valuable. It provides you with the opportunity to not only learn new things but also gain confidence in what you are doing, which gives you the motivation to keep improving and growing your business.”

Gavin Clearly, CEO at Locate in Kent, commented: “We launched the Future Forward service at a time when small and medium sized businesses, that form the bedrock of the county’s economy, were finally able to plan ahead following the lift of national lockdown restrictions. We are thrilled with the results and successes that have already come out of the programme, with companies absorbing advice and moving forward strongly.

“Kent is a remarkably resilient county with opportunities available for all sectors and business types, from creative and digital to manufacturing, and start-ups to long-standing businesses. Through working alongside industry experts, including Kreston Reeves and Azets, we are able to give businesses vital support to guide them through recovery to renewal, providing the building blocks for long term success.”

There is still time for businesses to benefit from the six to eight-week Future Forward programme before the end of the year, helping them to start 2021 with a bespoke business plan, clear vision and the tools to succeed.

For more detail on the Future Forward service, including information on signing up, visit www.locateinkent.com/future-forward