Business Link helped a record 23,000 Kent companies in the last year and assisted a further 2,500 people who were considering starting a business. During the year, which ran from April 2007 to March 2008, Business Link provided business information to 22,000 companies in the county. More than 2,500 businesses were provided with in-depth advice, an increase of 45% on the previous year. These businesses are forecasting a growth of 24% which will add over £130m to the Kent economy.

Robert Clewley, Chairman of Business Link in Kent, said: “I am delighted to say that we have had another excellent year in terms of the support that we are able to provide to the county’s businesses. We continue to strive for even greater efficiency and impact and I am very proud that we have exceeded all of our key measures achieved in the previous year at a lower overall cost.”

As well as providing assistance to established companies, Business Link also helped 1,630 new start-up businesses, an increase of 100 compared to the previous year. The Sustainable Business Support service was developed to enable advisers to work with more than 5,000 businesses across the South East in the last year. Other successes included the organisation of the Kent 2020 Vision exhibition and conference which attracted a record 3,700 visitors in April 2008.

Over the last year, Business Link has also successfully developed a support programme to help small and medium sized companies benefit from the London 2012 Games and access public sector contracts. The programme has been so successful that it is now provided across the South East.

Mr Clewley continued: “The current economic uncertainty means that businesses have to adapt to prosper. We are also changing to ensure that we can offer the necessary help at this time and are providing the best support possible for the county’s business community.”

The recently launched Business Link Advisory Group – a panel of some 20 private sector company leaders – will not only advise on the delivery of business support services in the county but will also contribute to policy and strategy affecting small and medium sized businesses at a local, regional and national level.

For more information and support on how to start, grow and maintain a business call 0845 600 9 006 or visit businesslink.gov.uk/southeast