Get Business Support

Support organisations

There are a number of organisations based in the borough of Ashford that can provide support and advice for your business. Please find details for some of these organisations below:

Business support organisations
Organisation and website link	Description
Visit Kent and Medway Growth Hub website	The Kent & Medway Growth Hub can provide your business with advice and support. Give their team a call on 01233 225447 to find out what they can do for you.
Visit Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce website	The Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce is a membership organisation, with over 1,200 members, that offers business support programmes, meetings, networking and events, customs and export services as well as low carbon services. For more information call 01233 503838.
Visit the Federation of Small Businesses website	The FSB offers members a wide range of vital business services. They can offer advice, financial expertise, support and a voice in government. Their mission is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions.
Visit Locate in Kent website	Locate in Kent offer confidential and free business investment and relocation services. They work with international, UK and Kent-based companies that are looking to expand.
Visit the Kent Foundation website	The Kent Foundation aims to ensure all people under the age of 40 in Kent, get the support they need to be successful in starting and growing a business. They provide a mentorship programme, masterclasses, networking and events.
Visit Gov.uk website	The government website provides services, tools and guidance on running a business in the UK.
Visit ScaleUp Ashford website	ScaleUp Ashford is a programme of support for businesses based in Ashford that have ambition and capacity to grow. Ashford Borough Council fund the programme as part of our commitment to developing economic prosperity across the borough. The programme is delivered by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. Some businesses will receive an agreed number of hours of free consultancy which results in increased turnover and access to additional funding. You can register interest for future rounds of the programme on their website.
Visit the Kent International Business website	The Kent International Business website provides support and advice for companies that want to explore the possibility of exporting their business.
Visit the Tenterden & District Chamber of Commerce website	Tenterden businesses can contact the Tenterden District Chamber of Commerce for advice and support.
Visit the Kent Downs National Landscape website	The Kent Downs National Landscape website provides general business advice and support for businesses based within the Downs area.

Ashford Borough Council's Economic Development team

Our Economic Development team work to support existing business in the borough and to help those businesses looking to move to Ashford.

What can the team do for your business?

We facilitate local business expansion and relocation
We signpost Ashford businesses to appropriate business support services
We provide confidential, professional support for companies considering Ashford as a business location
We liaise with colleagues within the council to find planning, licensing and environmental support for your business issues
We invest resources in projects to promote the Ashford urban and rural economy. Our recent projects include bidding to government for funds to support the delivery of Newtown Works and managing the AshfordFOR campaign.

If you think the team can assist you, please complete our enquiry form.

You can also find out more about inward investment at the AshfordFOR website and about Ashford Town Centre at Love Ashford.

You may need a licence to carry out certain activities, which may be issued by Ashford Borough Council, Kent County Council, or other appropriate bodies. Gov.uk has a useful Licence Finder tool. Check this website and the Kent County Council website to find out the licences that they issue.