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Kent small business grants & funding – practical places to check (and what to prep)

M
Hi everyone,
I’ve pulled together a Kent-focused list of places to check for small business grants and funding, because I keep meeting people who don't seem to be aware of what is available.

A few things that can save you time before you apply:
  • Double-check the eligibility first (location, sector, size). It’s easy to lose hours otherwise
  • Be really specific about the outcome (equipment, training, growth, new jobs, productivity, etc.)
  • If it’s a loan scheme, look closely at the repayment terms, not just the headline rate
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like I can post a link here, and so I'll refer you to my website that has the lead UK domain after the words small business marketing consultant and you'll find it under marketing ideas in the footer.

If anyone has had success with a Kent scheme recently (or found one worth avoiding), I’d love to hear about it.
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Do you struggle to get through to the Carriers to chase your deliveries?

M
Sadly I don't think or know of anyway that this is going to end.

If youve ever had an EVRI or My Hermes delivery youll know all too well how bad deliveries can be.

Delivery drivers are human with a stressfull time sensitive job, and companies can be under strain so I understand how things can go wrong but on the flip side I can also see how it can mess up a 'chain' and potentially damaging to a business and customer relationships - Ive had loads of failed collections, which meant the goods never went out therefore never got delivered, Ive had to load up and drop off like yourself, racing to the depot to make up for a failed collection to avoid messing ujp my customer.

Im not sure why DPD allow the false delivery information to be submitted, I've also had this with DHL.

Its worth reading the Saturday premium delivery T&Cs to see if there is anything to go on, sadly I believe that for me with 'next day services' I found the clauses stating that these were estimated and there is no compensation etc.

I feel that delivery companies and their staff know all too well that we need them, and they can do as they please.

For me, I never guarantee any delivery service to a customer - as life is unpredictable. It takes the strain off me and also the delivery company if 'ETAS' are not met. I think recipients should to plan a window for delivery because there is always a chance of a missed, delayed or failed delivery.
We need to adjust our expectations perhaps to avoid disappointment (hard in the times we live and work in where everything is on demand)
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Copyright

B
Marantzdigital said:
Hi

I read about something similar if not the same?, as an i.p case, regarding LONDON ENGLAND hoodies and Posh Fashion? Worth a google.

Are your contact details upto date, eg addresses of principle place of business, registered business address etc?

If you answer some of the questions people have posted I'm sure they could help you, it seems like a very strange and unfortunate situation to be in, 10k is no small figure
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Yea the same guy took my stock
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Copyright infringement notice

B
TCH said:
good point

how do you prove that you are the originator of an image, and not a copycat
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He dosent own anything and even
TCH said:
good point

how do you prove that you are the originator of an image, and not a copycat
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he dosent own or nor he is the original creator. He claims that he regestered it in 2011 but the image is existed since 1999 by another supplier. He tried to file case against another supplier and he already lost the case and now that is why he is targeting small small shop and scum them
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Feedback on our website

fisicx
KatRET said:
Thank you for the clear example. I completely understand your point here. I do feel the homepage has been optimised to try and be more WIIFM and pain point/benefit focused. But there is clearly still work to be done on other pages.
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In an earlier post I asked the question: what is your marketing plan? The marketing plan drives both the content and structure of the site.

"Bespoke software for growing UK businesses"

What does this really mean? Aren't all businesses growing? Why do they need bespoke software? Surely you won't know what they need until you do a business analysis.

"Web apps, integrations and AI solutions that automate your workflows and save your team hours each week."

How do you know they need a web app or anything AI?

Go right back to basics and decide who you are targeting. UK businesses it far to wide a target. It's everything from Dave the Window Cleaner to the biggest multinational. Are you targeting those who have already identified what they need or those who haven't got a clue?

Do some brainstorming on who you want as clients. Then decide how you are going to get your business in front of them. Then you can start building the website.
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Google business profile

W
fisicx said:
Nope, all you get these days is an AI response.

You can try the support forums but you are now stuck in the same position as millions of other small businesses with suspended listings.

Don’t expect much to happen for months (if ever).

You probably need to think about investigating alternate marketing platforms.
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As I always thought Google is an arse! :)
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Looking for a reputable company who can build me a website

Paul Carmen
Frank the Insurance guy said:
Worth having a chat with @Paul Carmen who knows his stuff and can get a site built, including online bookings etc.

For best results, you really need to have a marketing strategy to build the site around.
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Thanks @Frank the Insurance guy

@CassieJ We specialise in web design that generate leads or sales, that means we don't just build websites that look nice, or for the sake of it. A site that can't be found and isn't compelling for customers is a waste of everyone's time.

We use your business and marketing plans to ascertain what your customers need and create websites designed to rank in search engines and convert potential customers. If you don't have a plan, we help you research your customers, plus where they look and what they search for.

We specialise in generating the leads for you, via research, PPC, SEO and digital marketing, combined with an advanced, fast, and secure website to generate lead processes that makes you money.

If that's something that sounds interesting, then please get in touch on here, or via the details below.
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Cash flow tracking and forecasting

S
I think the main question to be asked here is, when you are talking about cash flow are we talking about the accounting system predicting next month's cash flow based on the current data like outstanding sales and and expense invoices or are talking about cash flow forecast over a 12 month horizon or longer based on an annual p&l forecast. I think the only way to really have a short term and longer understanding of cash flow is where you have a rolling forecast and the actuals are updated over the forecast from the system on monthly basis and the forecast recalculates automatically. Anyone who remembers Sage Financial Forecasting and its automatic linking to Sage 50 will know what I am talking about
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Offering client a reduced amount for quick payment

tony84
But in
Michael Loveridge said:
I often advise clients in this sort of situation to make an offer to accept, say, 50% if the debt is paid by a fixed date. You should always use the words `without prejudice', which means that the debtor can't refer to your offer as evidence should the matter end up going to court.

And I'm afraid that I also advise clients that he who shouts loudest gets paid first. In any situation like this there will be numerous creditors, and in my experience those that act most aggressively generally do best, as there will be limited funds, and once the aggressive creditors have been paid there's often nothing left for the more lenient ones. It's not pretty, and one might wish that creditors who were willing to wait for payment were better rewarded, but it's the harsh reality of business.
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I think in his case my debt is owed by Mr and Mrs. Knowing what she does and who she works for, I dont think a CCJ would go down to well so she would presumably want to avoid it.
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How are people here avoiding fake or unverified suppliers lately?

Kelvin.P
One of the biggest issues I keep seeing in the UK overstock and clearance space is the rise of unverified or outright fake suppliers.


I’ve spent years on the buying side in retail, and this problem is actually what pushed me to start building a platform in this space.


A few patterns I’ve noticed that usually signal risk:


1. No verifiable VAT or Companies House presence
If a seller can’t be checked quickly, that’s usually the first warning sign.


2. Multiple middlemen
The more layers between the stock owner and the buyer, the weaker accountability becomes.


3. Poor or vague manifests
Serious sellers tend to provide structured information, even for mixed pallets.


4. Artificial urgency
Clearance moves fast, but pressure before verification is rarely a good sign.


I’m currently building OVSTCK, a UK-focused auction platform that requires VAT and business verification before sellers can list. I’m not posting this to promote it, but because I’m genuinely interested in how others here are dealing with the same issue.


What systems or checks are you using to protect yourselves?
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Social media marketing

fisicx
ZipserSir said:
You've clearly never come across Branding before...
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Yes. But branding works when there are multiple, consistent and visible marketing. One post on Facebook is not branding (which is how I read your post). But if you regularly contributed to the websites and platforms I use, had an adverting campaign and recommendations from authoritative people then I would remember your name.
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Accountant needed to handle Corporation Tax (CT600) starting next year

artifin23
Hi Rob,

Artifin Accountants can help with CT600, annual accounts, and filings with HMRC and Companies House for small limited companies, including straightforward Santander and PayPal setups. The service is full-service, reasonably priced, and easy to work with.

Happy to have a quick chat to see if it’s a good fit.

+44 7350 535411
[email protected]
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What do businesses do with their long term cash reserves and profits?

tony84
potato632 said:
I stick my spare cash in a Wise Business savings account

Currently it's 3.32% return (after fees), calculated & paid daily - they use government-guaranteed assets and mention it 'may be' FSCS protected (lol)

Money for no effort, better than it sat in a 0% regular bank account
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"May" be protected is ok for some easy access money but you can get over 4% tied up for 6-12 months in something that WILL protect your money. I dont actually know how FSCS works and how quickly you get your money. But having it tied up for 6 months with a guarantee seems better?
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Photographs

ethical PR
delane167 said:
Hi, I think this may have been covered previously but I have not been successful in finding it.

A competitor is using our photographs in the sale of the same product.

Do we have any legal recourse or do we just have to take it on the chin?

We have asked them via email to remove them but these requests have been ignored.

Thanks

Dave
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Send a cease and desist letter for them to remove immediately and report them on the website they are being used on.

Send them an invoice for the costs on unapproved use for each photo they are using. Make sure you take dated screen grabs of where and how they are being used ,
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