A helpline for businesses set up at the start of the pandemic to help firms find a route through the chaos is to continue to help the recovery process - and adapt to life after Brexit.

The Covid Business Helpline was set up in March 2020 by the Kent and Medway Growth Hub and has helped thousands of firms with advice on everything from grant applications, furlough arrangements and home working.

It has already received more than 18,000 calls, with more than 5,300 businesses - primarily in the hospitality and services sectors - being helped through webchats and a further 8,785 getting one-to-one advice sessions.

Funding by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), and backed by Kent County Council, it will continue as a support mechanism for firms in the county.

KCC cabinet member for economic development, Derek Murphy, said: “There is so much support available for businesses that going through a one-stop shop such as the Growth Hub can make the experience of seeking advice less time consuming and daunting.

“It is also clear from the sheer number of calls received by the hub’s helpline during the pandemic how much people wanted guidance as trading rules and regulations continually changed.

“I know that behind all the phone conversations, webinars and mentoring sessions are a team of dedicated business advisors and a lot of small and medium-size companies looking to invest in training and development to improve their overall performance.

“I would like to say thank you to each and every one of them as they are all playing their part in advancing Kent’s economic recovery.”

The on-going support can include 36 hours of one-to-one free mentoring through the hub's KCC-funded business support programme.

To contact it call 03333 602 300.

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