Oak Barn in Benenden and Romney Marsh Wools in Aldington win at Rural Business Awards
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Updated: 10:17, 01 March 2021
Two Kent companies have scooped top national awards in a competition designed to celebrate businesses in rural areas.
The Rural Business Awards highlights entrepreneurial spirit in the countryside, with this year s event being held in partnership with online giant Amazon.
Events venue The Oak Barn, Frame Farm, in Benenden
Among the winners were the Oak Barn, Frame Farm in Benenden which was named Best Sustainability and Environmental Impact Business.
It provides a setting for weddings, parties and events and transformed redundant Grade II-listed farm buildings into an energy efficient destination.
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Updated: 09:15, 01 March 2021
The Federation of Small Businesses has welcomed news the Chancellor is to issue £5billion of new grants to firms across England in a bid to help them survive - but warned more help is needed.
Rishi Sunak is set to officially unveil the new package of support for those hit hardest by the lockdowns when he delivers his Budget on Wednesday.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will deliver his Budget in the Commons on Wednesday
She explained: It is an extremely challenging time for small businesses who have fought tooth and nail to stay afloat in the last year, so we are pleased that our calls for further cash grant support will be heeded.
Cruise ships considered to house London Resort theme park workforce at Tilbury in Essex
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Updated: 19:07, 01 March 2021
Cruise ships could be used to house thousands of construction workers needed to build the UK s largest theme park in Kent.
London Resort bosses are considering plans to hire two vessels, which would be docked in the River Thames at Tilbury in Essex, to accommodate workers during the six-year build of the £2.5bn park on the Swanscombe Peninsula.
The latest detailed artist impression of what the London Resort theme park will look like
The mammoth workforce is expected to create excessive pressure on temporary accommodation and increase housing demand in Gravesham, Dartford and Thurrock with up to 50% of workers expected to come from out of the areas.
Kent branch of the IoD appoints 4 new ambassadors
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Updated: 09:45, 26 February 2021
The Kent team of the Institute of Directors has boosted its team further with four more ambassadors.
Norman Blissett has been appointed chartered director ambassador for the Kent branch of the IoD
Each of the ambassadors will head up a specific sector within the business organisation, helping ensure the views of members are heard.
Norman Blissett has been appointed chartered director ambassador. He is managing director of Gallanach, a consultancy firm specialising in leadership development and people management as well as the chair of the board of Gravesend s Cyclopark.
Martin Prentice has been appointed an ambassador and IoD Kent branch secretary. He has over 40 yearsâ experience with Lloyds Banking Group and is a business advisory board member of the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership.
Work starts on new Lidl in Ditton
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Work has started to build a new Lidl store.
Planning permission was granted for the supermarket in London Road, Ditton, last August.
A CGI showing what the completed store will look like. Picture:One Design Architectural Services Ltd
The build is expected to take 10 months, with a view to opening the store in autumn 2021.
It will create around 40 new jobs and will have 1,068sqm of sales area.
The new branch will include a bakery, toilets and two electric vehicle charging spaces, as well as solar panels.
Lidl s regional head of property, Adam Forsdick, said: âThereâs been much anticipation for this new Lidl store and itâs great that we are now in a position to start construction.