Help for local businesses to grow

Helen visiting a local foundry

Almost everywhere you look, Faversham and Mid Kent is teeming with brilliant businesses who we could be doing more to help grow. 

In never ceases to amaze me how many diverse businesses we have locally. From farms to foundries, health tech to rocket manufacturers. Possibly the only thing they have in common is how tough they've found the last few years. Brexit uncertainty, covid, and inflation have given businesses lots to think about besides expanding.

But now we're heading out the other side, we've got to start to get businesses thinking about growing again. 

Taking that next step can often be a challenge - whether it’s barriers to trade, changes to local and national policy, or finding the right skills. I want to work to help bridge these gaps, with support from our local councils and government ministers. When I was a minister in the Treasury I spent a huge amount of time looking at this, and how getting it right leads to more jobs and a stronger local economy.

With that in mind please find below my 2024 survey for local business - I'd love to hear from you if you've got something specific I could be doing to help.

Helen's 2024 business survey

What sector is your business in?
How long have you been trading?
Do you feel that your business is fully consulted on local matters?
Would you be interested in joining a forum for local businesses to create a unified voice?
If possible, would you like to grow your business?
If yes, which of the following do you feel are barriers to that? (You can select more than 1)
Since the coronavirus pandemic, do you feel that footfall in your local area has:
The information you provide is used in accordance with our Data Protection and Privacy Policy. By clicking this button you agree to your information being used in accordance with that policy.

News

More money for safer streets in Kent

I’m pleased that Kent will be benefiting from a new £25 million scheme to keep our streets safe. The Safer Streets Fund is part of the Government’s work to tackle crime, and aims to stop offences that blight communities and cause misery to victims. Kent Police are due to receive £111,000 from

Hundreds of businesses set to reopen in Faversham and Mid Kent

Many of our hospitality and entertainment businesses will soon reopen as we continue to make progress in tackling coronavirus. As part of the careful easing of lockdown, from Saturday 4 July, pubs and restaurants will be able to reopen, providing they adhere to Covid Secure guidelines, and some lei

11,000 jobs protected in Faversham and Mid Kent

Latest stats from HMRC show 11,000 people in Faversham and Mid Kent have benefited from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. The Government scheme provides employers with 80 per cent of people’s wages, up to £2,500 per month.

£50 million to get our high streets open again

Coronavirus has emptied our high streets and forced many businesses to close temporarily or move online. Getting people back into shops is crucial for many traders, but we need to do this safely when the time is right. That’s why the Government has announced a new £50 million fund for council

Supporting local businesses during coronavirus

The Government has provided more than £12 billion to local authorities in England to support businesses through the coronavirus outbreak. Maidstone and Swale Borough Councils have been allocated over £60 million to support up to 4,813 businesses identified as being in need at this time. I'm p

Decent broadband for everyone

Every home and business in the UK now has the legal right to request a decent, affordable broadband connection. Whilst progress has been made in rolling out broadband, there are still too many people left behind so this is welcome news. Broadband is now classed as an essential service along with w

Budget 2020

This Budget delivers on people’s priorities. Right now, one of those priorities is responding to Covid-19. Along with the £5 billion response fund for the NHS and public services, we’re also improving access to statutory sick pay and introducing a hardship fund to support local authorities. We’re

Securing the future of Faversham’s Magna Carta

Faversham’s Magna Carta dates from 1300 and is one of the town’s most important treasures. I’m delighted to be supporting plans for this ancient document to be put on permanent display in Faversham so it can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. After all these years, it’s time to give our c

Record numbers at Apprenticeship Fair

A record number of students and employers took part in the 2020 Maidstone Apprenticeship Fair on Friday 7 February. It’s fantastic to see more and more young people considering an apprenticeship as a way of getting on in life. Close to a thousand school students from across Kent and nearly 60 appr

Full fibre broadband coming to Faversham

Faversham, Sheldwich, Painters Forstal and Davington will be some of the first places in the country to benefit from a full fibre broadband network. This is part of Openreach’s work to connect market towns, villages, and rural areas to ultra-fast broadband.