Business News

General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)

Changes are afoot, avoid the superfines and make sure your business is ready.

We have put together an easy to follow explanation of GDPR and what you need to think about and do to ensure you are compliant by 25 May 2018.

Meeting with the Avenue Verte Organisation  

News from the Tourism Information Centre Supervisor, Stephanie Cavey

On 23rd October Tunbridge Wells Tourist Information Centre hosted a familiarisation trip for the Avenue Verte Association to raise awareness of and promote the long distance cycle route from London to Paris. The 250 mile route takes riders on a challenging journey through towns, villages and beautiful countryside on both sides of the Channel.

Chloe Villain from the Association Avenue Verte contacted me at the Tourist Information Centre to ask about the possibility of us working together to promote the cycle route and Tunbridge Wells, which is just a short distance from the route, as the ideal place to take a break.

The plan was to bring several International Tour Operators who specialise in cycling holidays to town to experience for themselves the many facilities and services that the town has to offer. The Tour Operators included, [read more]

Help with Advertising and Promotion

If you would like to know more about advertising your tourism business on this website we would love to help you.  Please contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01892 515675 or email touristinformationcentre@tunbridgewells.gov.uk  Additionally if you see an error in a listing do let us know in the same way.

Email us for full details or take a look at our ratecard for banner advertising on this website, we have options to suit many budgets. 

To help market the borough in the best way possible, TWBC have a Destination Marketing Plan.  Watch this space for The Shared Story toolkit which will provide further details about promoting our beautiful area.

Advice on gradings

Please call the Tourism Supervisor on 01892 554164 or 515675 for more information on assessments and quality standards.

Business advice

If you are wondering how to start up or expand your tourism business, The National Centre for Micro-Business, approved by the Council and West Kent Partnership, provide a free expert business consulation.  They can meet you, in confidence, and help you put together a targeted plan.  To obtain more details please see their website. Highly recommended by other businesses - see case studies on the Council website.

Cybercrime

Cyberscams, online fraud, digital crime - these are all hot topics in business today.  Central Government has provided funds to help microbusinesses tackle these worrying issues.  Check the Cybercrime tab on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's Business Support and Advice web pages for the details. You will also find advice on what to do if your business is affected.

Grants For Your Business

- West Kent LEADER fund

Grants are available to help rural small businesses with capital projects to create jobs and growth.

The LEADER Fund has supported projects in the past such as a village community shop, irrigation equipment, a gin distillery, a winery, farm diversification projects and a brewery expansion.

Applications are open until 31 March 2019, but you need to apply quickly! For further information call Caroline Lingham on 01732 227282 or email: westkentleader@sevenoaks.gov.uk.

For more information on growing your business, the TWBC website is helpful.

The Kent Guild

Supporting the Tourism and Hospitality sectors, find out what assistance is available to help you recruit the right staff for your business. The Kent Guild is part of Visit Kent Business. You can get help recruiting apprentices, support and advice training young people and useful contacts from them.

Business seminars and workshops

There are free business support and advice workshops on the www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/business/enterprise-and-regeneration web pages including one-to-one advice to help you grow your business as well as advise new start ups.

Food allergen labelling regulations

Any business who sells food must have very specific allergen labels and advice at the ready.  Don't risk fines, get yourselves educated. Details are at the Tourism South East website, and it does include B&Bs. This new regulation came into force on 13 December 2014.