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Herne Bay wouldn’t be the place it is without the vast array of independent businesses, which are deeply integrated within the community.

Our aim is to support and encourage these local independent businesses.

How are we supporting Herne Bay businesses?

Business Colleagues Together Teamwork Working Office

Business Support

We are supporting Herne Bay businesses in many different ways. Ranging from the ‘Buy in the Bay’ shop local campaign, ‘Hello Herne Bay’ marketing campaign, street work improvements including work on a new town square, offering grants to local businesses to help them thrive, and of course the brand new produce and craft market.

Read more about everything we do for Herne Bay below, including the Herne Bay ‘Business Support Programme’.

Buy in the Bay

A major new campaign to encourage more residents and visitors to shop in Herne Bay town centre has been launched by the city council.

The ‘Buy in the Bay’ campaign aims to spread the word about the wide range of local retailers and businesses. From quirky boutiques and music and book stores, through to fresh farm produce, vintage finds and a great selection of cafes and restaurants, Herne Bay has got it all covered.

It is supported by the brand new website and an advertising campaign in newspapers, on the radio, on social media and in shops.

Grants

Grants and concessions for independent businesses are often accessible from the council or other local schemes.

We keep up to date with what is available and what could potentially be available to your business based/or to be based in Herne Bay.

Please contact us for further information or visit the finance section in our business directory for more details.

Hello Herne Bay

Award-winning integrated agency Pillory Barn has been appointed to roll out a marketing campaign to promote the charming seaside town Herne Bay, its attractions and annual calendar of events.

Pillory Barn will work closely with retailers, businesses, tourist attractions and community groups to attract visitors to the town. The ‘Hello Herne Bay’ campaign will team up with the town’s popular shop local brand ‘Buy in the Bay’, which has seen success with locals and visitors alike.

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Street Works

Major city council improvements to the centre of Herne Bay are continuing with the start of work on a new town square at Wimereux Gardens. The creation of the new multi-purpose and flexible space will allow for a wide range of events such as themed markets, vintage car rallies and outdoor performances of theatre and music.

It follows the recent resurfacing and relining of William Street car park with new pedestrian paths connecting to the town centre and improved lighting and drainage. The project also includes enhancements to Beach Street and Lower William Street, both of which will be repaired and have new decorative surfacing, and work to improve safety and provide a better pedestrian route to the Memorial Park and railway station.

Produce and Craft Market

Come to Herne Bay and see some of our wonderful locally made and grown goods and support your local producers.

There truly is something for everyone at our produce and craft market, with products ranging from fresh produce, free range meat and eggs, cheeses, breads, chutneys and jams, locally made beers, ciders and apple juices, freshly caught fish, arts and artisan goods and delicious pastries and cakes – you’ll find the prices are great too!

The city council, which runs the market in Wimereux Square, is working with local business woman Nikki Casey to give young makers and performers the chance to showcase their talents and take the next step from turning their passion into a business. The opportunity is open to anyone with a skill or talent, from cake or craft making, painting or drawing, through to singing or dancing, and everything else in between.

Chairman of the council’s Regeneration and Property Committee said: “We would love to welcome the next generation of entrepreneurs along to the market and help them get their business dream off to a great start.”

The Local Business Support Programme

The Business Support Programme was created to give advice to local entrepreneurs about how to differentiate their local business to gain and retain customers. We do this by providing workshops, 1-2-1 advice sessions, marketing expertise, a destination marketing plan and small grants to Herne Bay business owners.

The programme is part of a wider initiative to create an exciting new campaign to capture Herne Bay’s unique commercial, event and tourism offering and ensure it is firmly on the map as a great UK destination for day trips, holidays, home buyers and new businesses.

If you would like to join the Business Support Programme and find out how to attract more customers to your business please contact us: info@growmybiz-canterbury.com or call 01227 862 262.

1-2-1 Support

Business owners within the area shown on the map above will also be eligible for additional 1-2-1 support and potentially for financial support in the form of match funded grants. The Council have appointed business support professionals who will work closely with you to gain an even greater depth and breadth of understanding of the current state of local business and your concerns as local entrepreneurs.

Seminars and Workshops

All businesses in the Herne Bay area are invited to participate in seminars and workshops that will be tailored to address the unique character of the Herne Bay area; the shopping behaviour of your particular customers and prospects; and the concerns that you, as members of the local business community, have specifically asked us to help you overcome.

Join the Business Support programme

The programme is designed to help local business owners and budding entrepreneurs find out how to attract more customers to their businesses. The more involved you are in the creation and execution of our programme, the more successful we will be in putting Herne Bay on the map as a desirable destination whilst ensuring that residents and visitors shop locally.