Folkestone & Hythe District Council has a few spaces remaining for a workshop focusing on what being sustainable could look like for your business.

This in person session will be held in Folkestone. Attendance is on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to attend, please email:

communications@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk   

Don’t worry if you are unable to attend, the key points discussed will be shared on our Folkestone Works business support website following the session.

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Overview 

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Headlines

• Small Business Protections Bill introduced to Parliament to back small businesses with the toughest late payment regime in the G7
• Stronger new powers for the Small Business Commissioner to investigate, adjudicate disputes and fine persistent late payers with potential penalties worth tens of millions
• New 60-day cap on payment terms for large firms, mandatory interest on late payments, and action to ban the practice of retentions in construction

Click here to read the full news release issued by central government 19th May 2026 

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23 categories. 20 years. One incredible night on the 8^th October at the GlassBox Theatre, Gillingham.

Calling Hospitality and retail businesses across the district – entry is open now and free via a public vote. So, enter your business and spread the word.

Click here for full details and to enter

Overview of the Taste of Kent Awards

The Taste of Kent Awards celebrate the very best of Kent’s food and drink industry. Established in 2006 and organised by Produced in Kent – the county’s leading membership organisation for independent food and drink businesses – 2026 marks a landmark 20th year of recognising excellence across the sector. Open to all food and drink businesses based in Kent, the awards champion quality, innovation, and sustainability across the full spectrum of the industry – from growers, producers and manufacturers to retailers, wholesalers and hospitality venues. The awards now run biennially, making each edition a genuine milestone moment for Kent’s food and drink community.

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Workshop 1 – Financial Planning & Management with Terry Botfield

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your financial toolkit, this free session is packed with real-world advice tailored to the challenges small businesses face every day.

Smart strategies to help your business thrive.

Managing your money to support your business decisions.

Click here to book your place 

Workshop 2 – Essential UK-GDPR for All: What you need to know

What every business person and employee needs to know to keep data safe.

With plenty of real-life scenarios to help identify potential problems and how to keep compliant and avoid being fined.

Ideal as the recommended annual UK-GDPR refresher

Plenty of time for Q & A.

Click here to book your place

Workshops are in person at: Romney Marsh Business Hub, Meeting Room 15, Mountfield Road, New Romney TN28 8LH.

Admission by pre-booked ticket only and limited to 10 attendees to allow plenty of time for Q and A.

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Overview

Organisations are navigating a perfect storm: rising costs, hybrid working, AI disruption, shifting employee expectations, increasing need for neuro-inclusion adaptations and looming legal change with the Employment Rights Act. It’s no wonder many organisations are spending more time and money managing underperformance, absence and grievance activity, and less time building the kind of workplace that high performers want to join and stay in.

This webinar is for organisation leaders and those responsible for HR and people management who want a practical, joined-up approach, where recruitment, culture, wellbeing and benefits work together to reduce risk, improve retention and build a workplace that attracts and keeps the right people.

Click here for further details and to secure your place 

The post Recruit and Retain: Building a workforce and benefits plan that attracts and engages great talent appeared first on Folkestone Works.

Overview

Trying to keep up with social media but not really seeing results from it?

You’re not the only one.

If you’re running a business and feel like you should be posting more… but don’t really know what’s working (or why it’s not), this workshop is for you.

Kent & Medway Growth Hub are hosting a practical session on organic social media marketing, designed for busy SME owners who want to get better results without social media taking over their day.

Led by Thom Cakebread from Cakeshop Media (who works with businesses every day to turn content into real enquiries), you’ll learn:

-How to get your posts seen without paying for ads
-What actually makes people engage with your content
-What works across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & LinkedIn
-How to make social media feel simpler and more manageable
-How to build visibility that genuinely supports your business

No fluff. No theory overload.

Location: St Mary’s Church, Dover and online

Click here to book your place. 

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Overview 

Curious about AI but not sure how it fits in your business?

Join our AI for Business Growth workshop, a practical, straight-talking session for business owners who want to:

Understand where AI can genuinely add value
Explore a few real-world ways to work smarter and save time
Get clear, actionable ideas without the jargon
Gain confidence to make AI work for your business

The guest speaker, John Speed from Heliocentrix Limited, will share practical examples and guidance to help you think differently about how AI could support your day-to-day operations and future growth.

Town Hall, Mount Pleasant Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells
28^th April 10am-12pm

Whether you’re just starting with AI or want a fresh perspective, this session will help you move forward confidently and strategically.

Click here for further information and to book your place.

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Planning for growth: Monday 23rd March 1-2pm 

Learn how to adapt, evolve, and grow sustainably in a fast-changing high street environment, before standing still leads to decline.

Practical. Relevant. Action-focused.
Perfect for high street businesses ready to thrive, not just survive.

Click here for further details and to secure your place

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