Shop owners in Folkestone, Kent, who have at least two staff members can join a free online workshop on 23 March 2026 to help their businesses grow. The session, called Planning for Growth, is designed to give local traders practical tools to handle changing shopping habits and stay successful. It is being hosted by the Kent and Medway Growth Hub to help high street shops thrive instead of facing a decline in sales.
The event runs from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM and focuses on how businesses can update their models to meet modern customer demands. Experts will offer advice on how to evolve a business to ensure long-term success and avoid falling behind in a fast-moving market. This support comes at a time when many local shops are managing rising costs and new tax values for their business premises.
This initiative is promoted through the Folkestone Works website, which is a business support project developed by Folkestone & Hythe District Council. The council-backed platform serves as a central hub for advice to help local companies improve their operations and performance.
Local community groups like the Folkestone Town Team are also working to bring more people back to the town centre to inspire future prosperity. The workshop encourages local employers to consider moving towards more creative or leisure-based services to keep the high street busy. This online session is free to attend for local business owners who manage a team of workers.
