Business Support

Ashford is has lower costs, with business rates 42% less than London, and the business support available in town and in the surrounding areas only adds to the many advantages of relocating here.

Whether you need advice to set up a company, find the perfect office space or enrol your business in an innovative business programme, discover the business support available in the Ashford borough.

ScaleUp Ashford

The ScaleUp Ashford is a business programme that started in 2017. It is led by Ashford Borough Council and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. It encourages the development of economic prosperity across the borough by helping local businesses scale up substantially and sustainably.

The 2023/2024 cohort of 12 businesses saw the creation of 47 new jobs, a £4,236,000 increase in turnover and £1,020,00 worth of capital investment.

For more information on the ScaleUp Ashford programme and to apply, visit their website.

Screen Ashford

Screen South, in partnership with Ashford Borough Council and Ashford-based film company Borderpoint Films, has launched Screen Ashford. Screen Ashford is an innovative initiative designed to nurture and develop the next generation of industry professionals and provide a network for the region’s industry professionals.

The programme offers a range of exciting events and labs for all ages over the next year along with training activities specifically for residents, workers, and students in the Ashford borough.

Find out how Screen Ashford can help your business.

Low Carbon Kent

Low Carbon Kent offer IEMA Environmental Sustainability Skills courses for the workforce. The training is an introductory one-day course that provides learners with a practical introduction to environmental sustainability.

Learners are equipped with the knowledge, understanding and motivation to create measurable sustainability impact within their organisation.

For more information about Environmental Sustainability Skills training visit the Low Carbon Kent website.

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce offers business support to Ashford businesses.

The Ashford branch of the Chamber offers local companies free 1:1 business session to help you with specific issues, as well as more specific business services, such as international trade advice or project services.

The Chamber also organises key networking events across the borough. A dedicated website answers the most frequent queries entrepreneurs can have.

For more information about the different services they offer, visit the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce website.

Locate in Kent

Locate in Kent provides Kent businesses with free, confidential and impartial business advice on a variety of subjects, including funding, property, skills and manufacturing advice.

The team helps new and established businesses grow in Kent thanks to their unrivalled expertise in the local area and a network of high-profile partners. They will work with you to build a bespoke strategy to help your business thrive and expand in Kent.

For more information about their services, visit the Locate in Kent website.

Kent and Medway Growth Hub

The Kent and Medway Growth Hub is also located in Ashford. This branch of the South East Business Hub is an essential part of the business support available to
new and existing businesses in and around Ashford, as well as Kent.

The hub connects businesses to grants and financial support, and signpost them to expert advice on issues such as import/export, legal advice and apprenticeship schemes.

For more information about the support offered to Ashford-based businesses, visit the Kent and Medway Growth Hub page.

Tenterden District Chamber of Commerce

Companies outside of Ashford can still apply from our ScaleUp Ashford Programme, as well as benefit from the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and Kent and Medway Growth Hub services.

Tenterden District Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to raising the profiles of local businesses and services across Tenterden and its surroundings villages. The chamber has a proactive approach to business, leading the way to create an innovative business community in Tenterden.

Find out how the Chamber can help your business.

Love Ashford

An essential part of promoting businesses to Ashford and Kent residents is the Love Ashford website.

This scheme developed by Ashford Borough Council promotes shops, businesses, services and events relevant to residents and tourists, who can register their business, services and offers on their website and social media platforms.

More information on Love Ashford.

Kent International Business

The Kent International Business (KIB) website provides support and advice for companies that want to explore the possibility of exporting their business.

KIB is led by Kent County Council in partnership with the key export support organisations in the county.

Find out how Kent International Business can help your business.

Kent Downs National Landscape

The Kent Downs National Landscape Farmers Scheme website provides general business advice and support for Ashford businesses. It also tells you what to do if you are thinking of starting a business.

Discover how Kent Downs National Landscape resources can help your business.

Kent Fire & Rescue Service partnerships

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) partnerships provides assured advice, tailored to your business and is respected by other enforcing authorities.

Your business can meet its regulated fire safety activities and requirements, confident that you are complying with the law.

Find out more about Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) partnerships.

Export support for UK businesses

The Government provides free support to help you start exporting and grow your business.

Compare international markets, create your export action plan and join the UK Export Academy for free training.

Find out more about exporting here.