95%
Satisfaction rating within business growth
300+
Individual businesses engaged and supported
80%
Of businesses receiving specialised support to help overcome one or more growth barrier
The Challenge
Healthy high streets are a key challenge for Kent County Council and the Kent & Medway Growth Hub. Across the region, many high street businesses are under pressure from reduced footfall, rising costs, changing customer expectations, and the need to become increasingly confident with digital marketing and social media.
Many business owners are focused on keeping their doors open, which means they often do not engage with standard business support channels. The challenge was to deliver practical, relevant support that met businesses where they were and helped them respond to the realities of modern high street trading.
“This year has been the worst yet. I am reliant on the flower-buying marketplaces, which are much less profitable than direct sales. Footfall is a problem, and I am having to do more hours in the shop just to survive.”
Florist, Ramsgate
Our Support
The programme delivered face-to-face engagement with more than 300 businesses across Kent and Medway high streets, raising awareness of the practical support available through the Growth Hub and opening conversations with businesses that are often difficult to reach through standard channels.
This was followed by 40 in-store mentoring assignments for businesses seeking more tailored support. Mentors worked directly with owners in their own trading environments, focusing on practical improvements such as visual merchandising, upselling techniques, customer loyalty, and ways to increase sales from existing footfall.