What to Consider for a Business in Kent

By: John Mullt


When you are looking to start a business in Kent, there are certain things you need to do, and in a certain order. To make your business move to Kent, England, as smooth as possible, you should be careful to get organized and do everything in the right way, when you need to do it. Failing to plan is after all, planning to fail.

First of all, you should check out the area as to the best location for your firm, if location is a factor. After all, if your field of endeavor is going to be Internet-based, location is not important. Yet, it does not matter; Kent has many fine locations throughout the county. In the event your business relies on its location to help you generate business, you have a fine place to help you. Kent is conveniently located between London and the Channel Tunnel, and both Gatwick and Heathrow international airports are an easy commute.

Next, consider carefully just what sort of business you are considering opening. Are you expanding into a new field: environmental consulting, "Green" technologies etc.? Or are you trying to break into an old and established industry: construction, engineering, landscaping etc. Look at just what sort of potential that field holds. After all, getting into the vehicle industry and building SUVs is probably not good; making hybrids is! Yet, no matter what area you want to get into, Kent has a high-skilled workforce to help you.

After that, look at your capital. Do you have enough to invest in your company and get it set up? If not, there are numerous grant programs and loans available to help you. Some will give you money outright without any repayment plan. Other only require you to pay the money back if you company is a success, and still other will take stock in your firm as a means of payment. Then you need to look at creating a business plan. How will your firm be managed, how big will it be initially, and what do you see as its potential for growth? Once you have a physical location, staff and resources, you need to look at marketing and promotions. After all, the best idea in the world will not make you any money if people do not know about it. That is why various government groups and websites have the resources to help you learn about getting your name out there. By making use of the Internet, you can create a website and thus your business in Kent can expand nationally and eventually worldwide.

When you have a business in Kent, you have access to a huge range of educational institutions. Now, that may not seem important initially, but down the road it has the potential for great growth. If you should invent something new: a new product or process, you may need research and development assistance to turn it into something marketable. Here again, money and capital is often needed, and there are grants designed to help you with that. Also, there are technology-sharing grants that can help you as well. Many times, large corporations and / or government labs will find a new technology and then make it available for small businesses to use. This is yet another area you can explore to help grow your business in Kent.

So, it is easy to see, no matter what sort of business in Kent you want to get into, there are many options available to you to set it up, staff it, market and promote it, and look to the future for growth. Check out the Kent area; you will be glad you did, as it is a growing and vibrant community.


John McLean is a Business Development Executive with Locate in Kent. Locate in Kent has helped more than 440 companies relocate to or expand in Kent. The company's free, confidential corporate relocation service includes information about business kent, sites and commercial property in Kent and Medway.