- Home
- Local business support in Canterbury
In addition to the national and regional programmes of funding and business support, many local authorities provide their own services alongside those of the private sector and other organisations. If you know of any business related schemes or funds that are not listed below and that you would like to be considered for inclusion, please email us at partner@kentandmedwaygrowthhub.org.uk
Free 1:1 Business Advice
Free advice and support over the web, phone and face to face for businesses ready to export. The type of support will vary based on your preparedness.
The Innovative Sector Exchange (ISE) Project aims to support businesses with innovation and international trade in order to enable partnerships between Kent SMEs and businesses & experts in Belgium, Netherlands, France and the UK.
Kent International Business (KIB) is a Kent-wide initiative which aims to encourage Kent businesses to export and access overseas markets and to provide information, advice and support to help them do so. KIB is led by Kent County Council in partnership with various business support organisations in the county.
With a focus on helping SMEs expand into new markets, find collaborative partners, and increase their competitiveness, the University of Greenwich delivered service provides expert support across a wide range of fronts. This includes advising on EU legislation, helping to access funding, identifying new market opportunities, and helping companies to develop and take new products and services to market.
Innovate2Succeed is a fully-funded programme designed to support ambitious SMEs that recognise innovation plays an integral role in their growth plans and need assistance taking new products and services to market. It offers tailored support from an Innovation Adviser and can support your senior team to address important areas of innovation management.
Free Local Resources
Find your commercial property to buy or to rent in Canterbury
Our state of the art property search contains the most up to date listings of all the properties within our portfolio and those of other commercial property agents. Use the intuitive search panel to refine your requirements before reviewing your results listing in an instant. Each property in our database has the latest and most comprehensive information which can be downloaded or enquired about at the click of a button.
Canterbury is a beautiful cathedral city in southeast England and a World Heritage Site. Visit Canterbury is a one-stop shop website with the latest events and festivals, accommodation listings, shopping guides, foodie places, nightlife guides and practical information such as getting here and getting around. The site also has lots of suggestions for exploring further afield in the district including seaside jaunts to the trendy hotspots of Whitstable and Herne Bay or exploring the countryside including stunning vineyards, the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Beauty, or the North Downs way.
If you are interested in promoting your business to visitors through Visit Canterbury, please email visitcanterbury@canterbury.gov.uk
Whitstable is a lively coastal town with a working harbour, lots of interesting independent shops and restaurants and a Harbour Village Market all supported by the shop local campaign, Shop by the Sea. For more information email angela.furlong@canterbury.gov.uk or visit the website www.shop-by-the-sea.co.uk
The traditional seaside town of Herne Bay offers an attractive mix of family entertainment, great food and a range of quirky independent shops. Buy in the Bay is the town's shop local campaign which supports local businesses in a variety of ways from business support to events. For more information email angela.furlong@canterbury.gov.uk
Across the UK local small and medium size businesses of all types are rising to the challenge of removing avoidable, single-use plastic. In recognition of the collaborative action of a range of local business owners, Whitstable and Herne Bay have both been awarded plastic free status by Surfers Against Sewage. Herne Bay also organises bi-monthly beach and town litter cleans and both towns are continuing to work to improve the environment through sustainable business practices.
Skills, Training, Research & Recruitment
University of Kent. With over 40 research centres and units, the University of Kent are helping companies of all sizes to keep pace with changing technical and organisational demands, and develop competitive advantages. The Kent Innovation & Enterprise team works with you, and in line with your business needs, to develop innovative research project ideas and engage with University resources.
Christchurch University. As a modern University, Christchurch has a wealth of talented people and specialist facilities available. Their expertise covers a wide range of subject areas and they have a long history of working in partnership with organisations to exchange knowledge. Talk to them about how they can work with your organisation to significantly improve efficiency, effectiveness and profitability.
University of Greenwich. There are a number of ways the University of Greenwich can help your business grow. With access to expertise across a wide range of disciplines, they can work with you on joint research and development or consultancy projects. You can use their testing equipment and facilities, and they also have a wide range of technical & analytical testing facilities, all operated by knowledgeable staff with relevant industry experience.
Local Networks and Business Groups
Canterbury Connected Business Improvement District (BID) is an independent, business-led, not-for-profit initiative voted for by the businesses of Canterbury in July 2019 for another five-year term. Nationally, there are over 300 BIDs in the UK, including three in Kent (Canterbury was the first), investing over £130 million every year, giving business an independent voice and investing in business-led initiatives. to ensure continued investment in Canterbury City Centre. Our mission is to help make Canterbury a vibrant, exciting, well connected and successful business community; an attractive, clean, green, safe and enjoyable destination for customers and clients, shoppers and staff, residents, students and visitors; and a profitable place in which to do business.
For more information please click on the logo.
Got questions? Ask Phil
Upcoming Events
Sign up for Business Support Updates
Sign up to receive email alerts about the latest grants, funding and initiatives available across Kent and Medway
Sign up here