TW Business Magazine August 26

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

BUSINESS AUGUST 2026

MAGAZINE

Keeping it local Meet Dan and Carly Werren the TN card’s new custodians and discover why they’re determined to help our independent businesses thrive

HOSPITALITY HELPLINE

LOCAL VS GLOBAL

WHEN MORE MEANS LESS

What the 20% business rates cut means for our pubs

How independent brands can compete with the giants

Why multiple recruiters harm the search for candidates

In this month’s TW Edit...

dining ● property ● interiors ● gardening ● health & wellbeing ● design ● travel ● events ● food & drink

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Welcome TUNBRIDGE WELLS

BUSINESS AUGUST 2026

MAGAZINE

Keeping it local T W E D IT

Meet Dan and Carly Werren the TN card’s new custodians and discover why they’re determined to help our independent businesses thrive

August 2026

the

Hoads es Korker Sausag Kent’s best 1959.

Article by India

kept secret

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Hoad

Korker countryside, the Kent Nestled in awardcrafting have been by Sausages Founded since 1959. uses winning sausages business still the family-run Jim Hoad, recipe seasoning signature the very same ago. six decades created over led Korkers is third generation, India, who and his daughter

by Ed Hoad While the marketing. sales and heads up over 650 to supply has grown its business South East, across the and stockists consistency to quality, commitment remains p craftsmanshi traditional pepper and That distinctive of unchanged. the heart has become a sage seasoning the brand sausage, earning every Korker the title secure and helping loyal following 2025 for its Frozen Sausage of UK's Best & Stilton variety.

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using locally in Rolvenden Produced possible and wherever sourced ingredients , Korkers SALSA accreditation From backed by innovation. heritage with combines options to and Halal-certified gluten-free part by powered in production to sustainable continues the business solar energy, to the family staying true evolve while started it all. recipe that

Taste of

Spain

s 20 years Soprano celebrate

EDIT

WELLNESS to relax, spots The best local revive and recharge

in Tunbridge

Make the summer last days of

LOCAL VS GLOBAL

WHEN MORE MEANS LESS

How independent brands can compete with the giants

Why multiple recruiters harm the search for candidates

In this month’s TW Edit...

Wells

OUTDOORS IT’S GREATmost of the

HOSPITALITY HELPLINE What the 20% business rates cut means for our pubs

THE STYLE

EDIT

must-have This season’s beauty fashion and

dining ● property ● interiors ● gardening ● health & wellbeing ● design ● travel ● events ● food & drink

sages.co.uk

www.korker-sau

EDITOR

Eileen Leahy

DESIGN MANAGER Jason Stubbs

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Robin Singer

PHOTOGRAPHY John Knight

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER George Percy

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Nick Moore

W

ith the summer in full swing, I hope you are reading this month’s edition on a sunsoaked beach, by a pool – or, failing that, from a sunny enclave here in Tunbridge Wells.

This month we are delighted to feature Dan and Carly Werren, who are the new custodians of the TN card. We met the husband-andwife team earlier this month to discover their plans for this loyalty scheme, which rewards members for shopping locally across Tunbridge Wells and other TN postcodes.

The pair, who also run DC Media, are excited to bring their professional photography, videography and social media experience to the scheme and, as I discovered, they certainly have some very innovative plans to expand the TN card to other businesses and welcome more members. Many thanks to the Royal Wells Hotel for letting us shoot in its stunning establishment.

As always, we have a comprehensive round-up of all the latest local social events and key business stories, including news that The Pantiles has been put up for sale for only the second time in 250 years. At the time of going to press, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council had just released an official response to the news.

Cllr Justine Rutland, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “The beautiful and historic Pantiles and Commons are intrinsic parts of what makes Tunbridge Wells such a fantastic

borough in which to live, work and visit.

I know many residents will be following this news closely and I would like to reassure them that there are strong protections in place for both these valued and cherished assets.”

She added: “We continue to support the bid from the Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons to buy the Commons and bring them into community ownership, recognising the significant benefit this could bring future generations. We look forward to working with any future owner or owners, who we trust will care for and protect these special places for many years to come.”

We will endeavour to keep you updated on this developing story. For more on this see page 6.

For now though, enjoy the rest of the issue – and your summer…

Happy reading!

Eileen Leahy Editor, Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine

eileen@twbusinessmagazine.com www.twbusinessmagazine.com @twbusiness_magazine

Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine is published by JJL Media & Marketing Ltd, Head Office, High Street, Cross in Hand, East Sussex, TN21 0SR. Registration no: 15546231 For enquiries please email hello@twbusinessmagazine.com or call 01892 574474 www.twbusinessmagazine.com © Copyright 2024. Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine and JJL Media & Marketing Ltd are fully protected by copyright; no part of this magazine may be reproduced or reprinted without the complete and expressed permission of the publisher. The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy, however there can be no liability accepted by the publisher for errors and omissions. We can under no circumstance be held responsible for any materials, matter or photographical copy submitted for publication or not within the website or magazine. We cannot be held responsible or liable for any breaches of copyright from adverts, materials or photography or any other such material supplied by a third party. The views and opinions expressed within our publications are not necessarily those of the publisher or Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine or any featured parties.

AUG 2026

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Contents Business News: What’s happening in our commercial community

14

Legal Duty: The latest news from our local legal landscape

18

Social Scene: This month’s best networking and social events

26

32 32

David vs Goliath: How local independents are giving online giants a run for their money

36

Green Credentials: TWBC celebrates being awarded two key sustainability awards

34

Cleaning Up Our Act: RTW’s Alex Green on tackling rogue graffiti in town

42

Travel rebranded: Local travel specialist undergoes a name change.

18 26

Business Support: Meet the new owners of the TN card and discover their plans

30

The AI Advantage: Jamie Dixon of VAYRO on how businesses can use AI efficiently

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42

experts

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

across the board...

Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine is proud to have so many of our talented entrepreneurs and inspiring CEOs writing for the title. Whether it’s advice on accounting or property, information on current legal issues or HR legislation you will find all the expert industry guidance you need within these pages.

This month our experts include the following...

Gemma Farina

Managing Director, GFHR Consulting

Andrew Metcalf

Director, Synergee

Mark Barber

Sophie Forrest-Lavery

Christian Mills

Lydia Button

Nick Gabay

Sarah Raine

Jamie Dixon

Alex Green

Neil Simmons

Anna Dunn

Shaun Joubert

Carly Werren

Darren Austin

Chairman Brightstar Law

Solicitor, Thackray Williams

Founder and CEO, Vayro

Partner, CooperBurnett

Founder The Forrest Group

Partner, Thackray Williams

CEO, RTW Together

Senior Partner, NFU Mutual

Clare Meakins Branch Manager, Ashdown Travel

Managing Director, Maxim PR

Founder, DCA International

Director, Colley Raine & Associates

ManagingDirector, TN Recruits

Director, The TN card

NEWS

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

The Pantiles are for sale before going to press, it was Just announced that The Pantiles, Tunbridge

Wells’ historic walkway, had been put up for sale.

This is only the second time in 250 years that the famous local landmark has been on the market. The last time was in 2008, when it was purchased by its current owners, Targetfollow.

“This is one of the rarest offerings to reach the UK property market in a generation.”

A spokesperson for the property company said: “This is one of the rarest offerings to reach the UK property market in a generation.” A price for the sale has not been disclosed.

The Pantiles includes 25 commercial units, along with residential and workspace accommodation. The wider listing also includes Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons, as well as the Lord of the Manor of Rusthall title, which dates back to 1268. The total amount of land currently on the market is around 256 acres.

Since the announcement that the Commons were to be sold, more than 3,000 locals formed Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons, a collective trying to save them from being sold on.

The Friends submitted a community bid and remain ready should circumstances change. Over 3,000 residents have pledged support.

Commenting on the sale of The Pantiles, Hugh White, head of national capital markets at BNP Paribas Real Estate, which is selling the site on behalf of Targetfollow, said that opportunities to buy “assets of this scale, heritage and quality are incredibly scarce.”

For more on TWBC’s official statement see page 3.

TWBC part of government plans for new unitary authorities

Local MP to tackle antisocial behaviour

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overnment ministers have decided Kent and Medway will be served by four new councils from April 2028, in the biggest shake-up of local authority arrangements in 50 years.

Kent will be split into four new unitary authorities once its existing councils are abolished. The Government has chosen an option that creates authorities for north Kent, west Kent, mid Kent and east Kent.

Tunbridge Wells will form part of the new West Kent Council, alongside Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling and Maidstone.

“Kent will be split into four new unitary authorities once its existing councils are abolished.”

The new unitary authorities will take responsibility for services including education, social care, highways, libraries, waste collection, housing and leisure. The transition will take place over the next two years, with the new councils due to assume responsibility on 1 April 2028.

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ike Martin, MP for Tunbridge Wells, has announced that he is liaising with the council and Royal Victoria Place (RVP) following reports of a series of antisocial behaviour incidents.

“I have been coordinating with the council and RVP’s security services to help reduce its incidence. Following our discussions, RVP introduced a more centralised security system and appointed a new Security Manager, strengthening communications and leading to a more proactive, joined-up approach.”

The Liberal Democrat MP added: “This has already led to noticeable improvements, with incidents being managed more effectively and consistently.

“I will continue to work closely with RVP to make sure these improvements are sustained, so that everyone shopping, working or spending time in Royal Victoria Place can feel safe.”

NEWS

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

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Your Trusted Solicitors in Tunbridge Wells

Kate Rayner Head of Family Law

Emma Howlett Head of Wills & Probate

Allex Kiernan Head of Employment Law

Riah Sattar Head of Dispute Resolution

Contact us today for a consultation 01892 337540 info@thomasmansfield.co.uk 65 The High Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1XX thomasmansfield.co.uk Specialist Solicitors - Tailored Services

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NEWS

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Local business awarded key New appointment prestigious sustainability rating announced at CooperBurnett

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ikwax, the Wadhurst-based global leader in PFAS-free waterproofing and aftercare solutions, has achieved the highest possible rating – Level 4 Aspirational – following its latest bluesign® Company Assessment.

The March 2026 independent assessment of Nikwax’s UK production facility recognised outstanding performance across environmental, management and operational criteria, awarding the company an overall score of 90%.

Bluesign evaluates production sites and suppliers against rigorous sustainability standards, assessing areas including environmental performance, occupational health and safety, resource efficiency,

product stewardship and responsible chemical management.

The assessment highlighted Nikwax’s nearly five decades of environmental leadership, with auditors concluding: “The production site in Wadhurst generates almost no environmental impact.”

Founded in 1977, Nikwax pioneered water-based, PFAS-free waterproofing products designed to extend the life of outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment while minimising environmental impact.

Tim Pickering, Director of Product at Nikwax, said: “Achieving the highest bluesign Aspirational rating is a significant milestone and reflects the dedication of our entire team.”

xperienced litigator Stuart Merrison has joined law firm CooperBurnett as a Senior Associate, specialising in Property Litigation and working in the team led by Partner John Spence.

Stuart qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and has since established a litigation practice in the Civil Courts and First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). Before joining CooperBurnett, he worked for various firms in London for more than 20 years.

Stuart brings a wealth of litigation experience to the Property Litigation department at CooperBurnett, enhancing the offering to clients.

From the outset, Stuart was attracted to the friendly and collaborative character of the firm and was struck by how supportive CooperBurnett is of its local community and charities. He said it was great to find a community-minded firm so ready to give back.

FREE SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIT FOR ADVERTISERS It’s concerning to note that while 90% of local businesses depend on social media as part of their marketing success, 43% of small businesses don’t measure their social media ROI*.

At JJL Media & Marketing, we understand that SMEs juggle numerous responsibilities, including managing their social media accounts.

To help your marketing work harder, we're pleased to offer all current advertisers in the Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine a complimentary Social Media Audit. This free service aims to enhance your online presence and ensure that your social media efforts produce effective, relevant and measurable results.

To book your free audit please contact Sophie Blackburn-Waters:

sophie@jjlmedia.co.uk. * 90% of small businesses leverage social media in their marketing strategy – Talkwalker * 43% of small businesses don’t measure their social media ROI – Capsule CRM

NEWS

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Tunbridge Wells to host exciting new business event

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TW Together Business Improvement District, in association with LOCH, will host the first TW.FutureBiz Conference on Thursday 17 September at the Town Hall, Tunbridge Wells.

Building on the success of the AI conference in 2023, TW.FutureBiz will provide businesses with a broad range of talks, with a view to looking ahead to future developments that will affect the business community.

The conference offers businesses across the town the opportunity to attend a high-quality conference on their doorstep, without the need or cost of a typical commute to London. It will also provide opportunities to connect with local businesses that are speaking at or attending the event.

Sign up for Hospice Run’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

The Building Safety Levy: A new cost for residential development

By Anna Dunn, Partner, CooperBurnett LLP From 1 October 2026, the Building Safety Levy (the Levy) is expected to come into force across England, introducing an additional cost for many residential developments.

The Levy has been introduced under the Building Safety Act 2022 and is implemented through the Building Safety Levy (England) Regulations 2025.

Its purpose is to ensure that the residential development sector contributes towards the cost of remediating historical building safety defects following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

For developers, the Levy represents another important factor to consider when assessing the commercial viability and delivery of residential schemes.

Which developments will be affected?

The Levy will apply to most new residential developments in England that require building control approval. It will generally be payable on developments creating new dwellings, although the scope of the legislation should be carefully considered for each project.

How is the Levy calculated?

The Levy is charged on a per square metre basis, with rates varying depending on the location of the development. Local authority areas have been placed into different charging bands to reflect differences in residential land values across England.

Are any developments exempt?

D

ig out your running shoes to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hospice in the Weald’s flagship fundraiser Hospice Run in the heart of Tunbridge Wells.

From 8am on Sunday 20th September at Lower Common Cricket Ground, join hundreds of supporters for fitness, fun and community spirit while raising vital funds for local families facing terminal illness.

Whether you're chasing a personal best, taking on your first running challenge or looking for an active day out, there's something for all ages and abilities at one of the best closed road running routes in the South East.

Choose from four distances, the 5k achievable challenge, 10k for those seeking a bigger goal, the Half Marathon ultimate route or Family Fun Run for little legs.

The event continues to attract support from local businesses. Savills Tunbridge Wells is marking an incredible milestone with 20 consecutive years of sponsorship.

Runners can benefit from incentives, including 20% off a first month at Halo Gym Tunbridge Wells, gait analysis and discounts with The Running Hub, and discounts from Piglet in Bed and Fonthill Brewing Co. Medals are once again sponsored by G. Collins & Sons, while water station sponsors include Specsavers, Thomson Snell & Passmore and Halo Gym. Sign up at hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Yes. The Regulations provide a number of exemptions from the Levy. Most notably, affordable housing meeting the prescribed statutory requirements will be exempt.

Certain developments by registered providers, communityled housing and smaller developments may also benefit from exemptions or reduced liability, depending on the circumstances.

When is the Levy payable?

Unlike many other development costs, the Levy is linked directly to the building control planning process. It must be paid before a completion certificate can be issued by the relevant building control authority.

What should developers do now?

Early legal advice can assist in identifying if the Levy applies, whether any exemptions are available and how the additional cost should be reflected in development appraisals, contracts and transaction documentation.

If you wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact Anna Dunn by email: ald@cooperburnett.com or tel: 01892 515022

www.cooperburnett.com This blog is not intended as legal advice that can be relied upon

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What the Keep Britain Working agenda means for our SMEs Alexandra Mesecke, the Tunbridge Wells-based founder of Return Well, an organisation that supports employers with independent clinical workplace assessments and practical return-towork recommendations, reveals why the Government’s Keep Britain Working agenda could have a significant impact on local SMEs – and why acting early when employees are struggling could be one of the smartest things a business can do...

T

unbridge Wells has long been recognised as one of the South East’s most entrepreneurial towns.

Our local economy is built on ambitious small and medium-sized businesses, from professional services firms and creative agencies to retailers, healthcare providers, hospitality businesses and fast-growing technology companies.

These businesses don’t just employ people; they help shape our local economy and community.

That is exactly why the Government’s Keep Britain Working Review should matter here.

If you employ people, workplace health is no longer just an HR issue - it’s a business issue.

For years, the conversation has focused on helping people back into work after they’ve left because of ill health. The Keep Britain Working Review* challenges us to think differently: how do we stop people falling out of work in the first place?

For large organisations, losing an employee can often be absorbed across departments or specialist teams. For many businesses across Tunbridge Wells and West Kent, it’s a very different story.

When one experienced employee is absent, colleagues take on additional work, projects slow down, client relationships come under pressure and business owners find themselves balancing commercial priorities with supporting their people. In smaller businesses, every individual matters.

At a time when many local employers are still finding it difficult to recruit and retain experienced people, preventing avoidable sickness absence has become just as important as attracting new talent.

One of the things I found most encouraging about the Keep Britain Working Review is that it doesn’t simply tell employers to ‘do better’. It recognises that supporting people to remain in work is a shared responsibility between employers, healthcare, government and specialist support services. Employers have an important role to play, but they shouldn’t be expected to do it alone.

“I believe we need to change the conversation. Too often we ask, ‘How do we manage sickness absence?’ A better question is, "What are we noticing before sickness absence happens?’”

That reflects what I’ve seen throughout my own career.

Before founding Return Well, I spent more than a decade working in HR. Later, I worked as an Independent Mental Health Advocate supporting people in both acute and forensic mental health settings.

Although those environments were very different, one lesson remained constant: work and health are deeply connected.

Good work provides purpose, routine, financial security and social connection.

Equally, when someone is struggling with their health, work is often one of the first places where the impact becomes visible.

The challenge is that it rarely announces itself. Stress may present as someone becoming withdrawn. Persistent pain might appear as declining performance.

Grief can easily be mistaken for

disengagement. Burnout may simply look like someone who has ‘lost motivation’.

By the time an employee is signed off sick, the warning signs have often been there for weeks or even months.

This is where I believe we need to change the conversation. Too often we ask, “How do we manage sickness absence?” A better question is, “What are we noticing before sickness absence happens?”

Across Tunbridge Wells, I meet business owners who genuinely care about their employees. Whether they’re leading a twenty-person consultancy, a family-run business or a growing care provider, I’ve never met one who wanted a member of their team to become unwell or lose their job because of ill health.

What many smaller employers lack isn’t compassion, it’s confidence.

Unlike larger organisations, they rarely have an occupational health department, an in-house psychologist or a dedicated wellbeing team. Instead, managers are expected to navigate sensitive health conversations while also running a business, supporting customers and managing commercial pressures. They often want to do the right thing but aren’t always sure what that looks like.

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

I’ve also experienced the employee’s perspective.

When my brother died unexpectedly, I received the news while sitting at my office desk. After taking some time away from work, I returned without a structured return-to-work plan or any meaningful workplace adjustments.

Looking back, I don’t believe my employer lacked empathy. I think they lacked a framework.

That experience has stayed with me because I know they wanted to support me, they simply didn’t know what good support looked like. I suspect many employers would recognise themselves in that story.

The Keep Britain Working agenda challenges us to move away from reacting to ill health and towards creating workplaces where people can remain in work safely and sustainably. That doesn’t necessarily require expensive wellbeing programmes or lengthy new policies.

Sometimes it starts with an earlier conversation. Sometimes it’s making a temporary adjustment to someone’s role.

Sometimes it’s recognising that a manager needs independent advice before making an important decision.

The review recognises that good intentions alone are not enough.

Managers need practical guidance, timely access to expertise and the confidence to

60% off

have conversations about health before problems escalate. For many SMEs, that support has traditionally been difficult to access.

Most importantly, it’s about creating the confidence to act before a situation reaches crisis point.

As business leaders, perhaps we should ask ourselves a few simple questions: If one of our best employees started struggling tomorrow, would our managers know what to do?

Would they feel confident having a conversation about health?

Would they know where to seek

specialist advice?

Or would we wait until a fit note arrived before deciding what happens next?

The businesses that answer those questions today will be better prepared for tomorrow.

The Keep Britain Working agenda shouldn’t be viewed as another government initiative that briefly captures attention before fading away. It reflects a much broader shift in how we think about work, health and productivity.

For Tunbridge Wells and the wider West Kent business community, this presents a real opportunity.

Our town has always thrived because of its entrepreneurial spirit. Behind every successful business is a team of people whose skills, knowledge and relationships drive growth. Supporting those people to remain healthy and in work isn’t simply an investment in individual wellbeing, it’s an investment in the long-term success of our local economy.

Ultimately, keeping people well enough to remain in work isn’t just good for employees.

For a town powered by SMEs, it’s good business.

Website: returnwell.co.uk LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/return-well

COUNTY NEWS

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Why investment in Kent is vital for growth, accessibility and business A wave of major proposals and infrastructure funding shows why Kent remains an important place to invest. Andrew Metcalf, Managing Director of Tunbridge Wells-based PR agency Maxim and Chair of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, looks at the latest announcements

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ent is entering an interesting time for growth. From new retail investment beside the M20 to long-awaited improvements at the Port of Dover, the county is showing how targeted development and better transport management can strengthen the economy, support employers and make life easier for residents.

The proposed arrival of Kent’s first Costco in Aylesford is a clear vote of confidence in the county’s commercial future. Plans for a warehouse, petrol filling station and 755 parking spaces near Junction 5 of the M20 point to the continued strength of Kent’s strategic road corridors. If approved, the development

“

The M20, A20 and Dover routes are not just roads; they are economic arteries is expected to open by 2028 and create around 250 jobs, while also giving small and medium-sized businesses another local option for bulk purchasing, fuel and supplies.

That matters because Kent’s business base is broad, practical and highly mobile.

Retailers, trade businesses, caterers, care providers, community groups and independent firms all depend on reliable access to goods and competitive operating costs.

LETS GET KENT MOVING: Toby Howe, KCC's Highways and Transportation Strategic Resilience Manager, and Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, with Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover.

Investment must, however, be supported by credible traffic management. Concerns raised around congestion in Aylesford show that growth cannot be separated from transport planning. New jobs and customers are welcome, but they must be matched by road improvements.

The same principle underpins the £20 million secured by Kent County Council for Dover access improvements. The Dover Border Access Improvement Project is designed to reconfigure facilities within the Port of Dover’s eastern docks, creating more room for border processing and vehicle queuing. The ambition is significant: to reduce the frequency and duration of Operation Brock and Dover TAP by up to 80% during normal operations.

For businesses, that could be transformative. The M20, A20 and Dover

The proposed Costco Wholesale site near Jn5 M20

routes are not just roads; they are economic arteries. When freight traffic is delayed or emergency traffic controls are deployed, the impact is felt by hauliers, tourism firms, exporters, hospitality venues, town centres and residents trying to get to work. Keeping more traffic within the port would support smoother logistics and reduce the hidden costs of disruption across east Kent and the wider county.

The recent refusal of the Northfleet Harbourside scheme offers an important lesson. Major regeneration promises – including thousands of homes, a stadium, hotels and commercial space – can be exciting, but investment must be deliverable, safe and respectful of existing employers. Concerns about residential homes next to existing industrial operations, the loss of industrial land and the potential displacement of hundreds of jobs show why growth needs strong evidence, environmental safeguards and early engagement with businesses already rooted in the area.

Kent’s opportunity is not simply to attract investment, but to shape it well.

The county can celebrate new privatesector confidence, backed by public infrastructure funding, while insisting that development improves movement, protects employment and strengthens places. With its ports, motorways, skilled workforce and entrepreneurial communities, Kent is well placed to grow.

The task now is to make that growth work for the businesses and residents who keep the county moving.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

NEWS

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LEGAL NEWS

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Why every business needs a DSAR strategy DSARs are on the rise. But is your business ready asks Aimee Mitchell, an Associate in the Commercial and Tech department at Cripps

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ata subject access requests, or DSARs, are becoming increasingly common as people become more aware of their right to understand what personal data organisations hold and how it is used.

A DSAR gives an individual the right to obtain a copy of their personal data and information about how it is processed.

Responding can be complex when data is spread across email accounts, shared drives, messaging platforms and different business teams.

In most cases, organisations must respond without undue delay and within one month. This can be extended by

“A DSAR gives an individual the right to obtain a copy of their personal data and information about how it is processed but poor DSAR management can create practical risk” up to two months where a request is complex or an individual has made several requests. Organisations must carry out a reasonable and proportionate search, recognise requests made verbally, in writing or through social media, and usually cannot charge a fee.

Greater awareness of data rights is one reason for the increase in requests. DSARs also frequently arise during employee disputes, workplace grievances, customer complaints or early information gathering before a potential claim. This means they may be an early sign of a wider legal or reputational issue, rather than a standalone administrative task.

Poor DSAR management creates practical risk. Reviewing large volumes of documents can be costly and time consuming, placing pressure on legal, compliance, IT and HR teams. Missed deadlines, incomplete searches or mistakes in redaction can also lead to

complaints, regulatory scrutiny, legal claims and loss of trust.

Preparation can make the process more manageable. Organisations should establish clear responsibility for DSARs, train employees to recognise requests, maintain a record of decisions and identify where personal data is held. A consistent process for verifying identity, clarifying scope, searching systems, applying exemptions and checking disclosures can reduce delay and error.

Technology can help with the most resource intensive parts of the process.

AI powered tools can remove duplicated documents, identify personal data, support redaction and flag difficult cases for human review. This can reduce the volume of material requiring manual review and provide greater cost certainty, particularly for organisations handling complex requests or high volumes of data.

Technology alone is not enough.

Exemptions, legal privilege, third party information, redactions and sensitive employment issues often require careful judgement. AI supported review therefore works best alongside experienced human oversight and a defensible, documented process.

Cripps advises businesses on DSAR obligations, readiness and response preparation. Its commercial and technology team combines legal expertise with AI powered review tools to help organisations respond efficiently, confidently and in line with the law.

Find out more: DSAR solutions | Cripps Discover more at: www.cripps.co.uk

LEGAL NEWS

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

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LEGAL NEWS

Second MLaw student joins local law firm

nly a few weeks after Joshua Hayes qualified as a Solicitor at CooperBurnett LLP, the firm has welcomed its second student from Kent Law School (University of Kent) under its Masters of Law (M-Law) paralegal scheme.

Alessandro Lagioia – who has spent three years studying law at the University of Kent - is now working full-time at CooperBurnett for the summer, before heading back to university to continue his studies in the new academic year. Then, he will spend two days with TeamCB, two days at university and a day studying independently.

The Kent Law School M-Law paralegal scheme offers a hybrid approach to training, giving students the opportunity to gain practical insight into working in law, while accruing Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) and undertaking the necessary exams to qualify. Joshua is one of the first candidates to have benefited from the initiative and then gone on to qualify.

“MLaw offers a really unique approach,” Alessandro explains. “I’ve had a good experience at Kent so far and got to know the lecturers well, so am pleased to continue those relationships for a little longer.”

Darren Weir, Senior Lecturer at Kent Law School, says: "We are really grateful to CooperBurnett for giving Alessandro this opportunity and actively engaging with our MLaw programme at Kent Law School from the start. We know from previous students that this combination of legal experience, combined with studying, works well. It's been great to see our previous MLaw student, Joshua, qualify with CooperBurnett recently and I'm sure

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

having him in the firm will give Alessandro encouragement through the next year and beyond."

Initially, Alessandro is based in CooperBurnett’s Corporate and Commercial team with Partners Victoria Sampson and Russell Brinkhurst, where he has been allocated Associate Solicitor, Molly Mackay, as his ‘work buddy’.

“She’s been really helpful and it’s great to be able to ask all those silly questions – such as how to format an email,” he explains.

Alessandro says knowing Joshua had already been through the MLaw experience and then qualified at CooperBurnett gave him peace of mind when applying to join us.

“Joshua was in the first cohort of the scheme and it’s good to have his support,” he explains. “I suspect I’ll be asking for tips when I get back to university in a few

months’ time!”

When he’s not studying, Alessandro has got into distance running and took part in the Paddock Wood Half Marathon recently and has already signed up to join TeamCB for the Walk Tonbridge Marathon in September! He also plays the saxophone and is a member of the University of Kent Big Band. Then, when he’s back home in Milton Keynes, Alessandro enjoys walking the family dog.

“We are really pleased to welcome Alessandro to TeamCB,” says Victoria Sampson. “Our experience of the Kent Law School MLaw scheme with Joshua was a positive one, so we are looking forward to supporting another of the University’s students during this coming year. In only a short time, Alessandro has slotted into the Corporate and Commercial team well and feels very much part of TeamCB already.” cooperburnett.com

Cripps recognised in Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2026

aw firm Cripps has once again been recognised in the prestigious Chambers High Net Worth Guide, which ranks the leading advisers to high net worth individuals, families and family businesses across the UK and internationally.

In the 2026 guide, Cripps retained all six of its existing departmental rankings across its private wealth and high value residential real estate teams, while also achieving a new Band 3 ranking for its landed estates practice. The firm is now ranked across seven practice areas.

The guide also recognised the expertise of individual lawyers across the firm, with

“Cripps has retained all six of its existing departmental rankings across its private wealth and high value residential real estate teams”

10 lawyers ranked and four achieving improved positions compared with the previous year.

Chambers rankings are based on extensive independent research, including feedback from clients, professional advisers and peers. Firms are assessed on factors including technical expertise, client service and market reputation.

The results reflect Cripps' strength in advising high net worth individuals, families, trustees and landed estates on matters including private wealth, succession planning, property and dispute resolution. cripps.co.uk

LEGAL NEWS

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Thackray Williams celebrates industry ranking and promotions

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hackray Williams is celebrating enhanced industry rankings for its expertise in legal advice for high-net-worth individuals, while the employment team has been bolstered with the arrival of a dual UK-US qualified attorney and solicitor.

The firm now has two departments and four solicitors listed in the prestigious Chambers HNW Guide 2026, while the addition of Alexandra Hubbard to the employment team enables it to better understand the wider employment considerations faced by international companies.

ALEXANDRA HUBBARD

ANDREW RINGHAM

ANTHONY MACEY

CLAIRE JOSEF

ELLIOT LEWIS

EMMA THOMPSON

NIMA STEPNEY

VIKKI HERBERT

“I’m excited to join Thackray Williams – it’s a great team with a fantastic culture and an interesting mix of clients” – Alexandra Hubbard Chambers HNW Guide highlights the leading private wealth lawyers, law firms and other professional advisers globally.

Thackray Williams has retained its Band 2 departmental rankings for Private Wealth Law (Kent) and Real Estate: High Value Residential (National Leaders outside London), while Partner Elliot Lewis has retained his Band 2 ranking for Private Wealth Law. Partner Claire Josef has been upgraded to Band 2 Real Estate High Value Residential (National Leaders outside London), while Associate Licensed Conveyancer Andrew Ringham is ranked in the same category for the first time (Band 3).

Partner Nima Stepney has also made the guide for the first time, listed as Up and Coming for Private Wealth Law. “Fewer than 6% of lawyers nationally are ranked by Chambers, so to have four colleagues and both the Private Wealth and Real Estate sectors in the High Net Worth Guide is objective testimony of the expertise that Thackray Williams is able to offer to wealthy individuals, couples and families to help them manage complex assets efficiently and effectively, often across multiple jurisdictions,” explains CoManaging Partner and head of the Private Wealth sector, Anthony Macey.

“Elliot Lewis has had long-standing recognition as a leading Private Wealth lawyer. We’re delighted that Nima Stepney now joins him in the Nigh Net Worth guide – a reflection of the complex and valuable

matters on which she advises and the peace of mind and confidence that she delivers for her clients,” he adds.

“Property is the lynchpin of many high-net-worth estates. Having our Real Estate sector and both Claire Josef and Andrew Ringham recognised as national leaders in High Value Residential outside London affirms the knowledge and skill that Thackray Williams provides for those undertaking high-value property transactions and investments,” comments Co-Managing Partner and Head of the Real Estate sector, Vikki Herbert.

Alexandra Hubbard joins the employment team after gaining an LLM with distinction from Durham University following six years practising as a qualified attorney in Nebraska, representing both individuals and businesses throughout a varied practice.

“Many of our corporate clients have offices in the US and therefore have to be compliant with both English and American employment law. Having Alexandra on board means we have a broader perspective on the employment issues that can arise for organisations with an international footprint, helping us ask the right questions, spot potential cross-border considerations

early and work with clients to shape practical, commercially focused solutions,” comments Emma Thompson, Co-Managing Partner and Head of Employment and Education.

“I’m excited to join Thackray Williams – it’s a great team with a fantastic culture and an interesting mix of clients,” says Alexandra. “I’m looking forward to making a positive difference for business owners and managers by helping them create positive, attractive cultures.”

Emma Thompson adds: “Employment law is the fastest growing sector within Thackray Williams so it’s great that Alexandra has chosen to build her career in the UK with us. We have a deserved and growing reputation for legal expertise to rival that of the big City law firms but without the eye-watering fees, combined with robust pragmatism, solution-orientated thinking and exemplary customer service.

“Add into that our areas of niche expertise, such as education and neurodiversity, and we are attracting increasing instructions from both individuals and organisations – from SMEs to schools and large multinationals – meaning both more work and more complex work.” thackraywilliams.com

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Business beyond the boardroom

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unbridge Wells Business Magazine’s quarterly networking events are always a highlight of the local social calendar and this summer’s was no exception. Hosted in the charming alfresco space at Thackeray's it saw a great turnout of our supporters and advertisers who enjoyed some refreshing drinks in the afternoon sunshine and making new connections.

Reflecting on the successful event, Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine’s CEO Nick Moore of JJL Media commented: “Thank you to all our clients, colleagues and friends who joined us for our Business Club Summer Drinks Party. It was fantastic to catch up with so many of you and enjoy a relaxing afternoon together.”

Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine hosts these exclusive events every quarter. If you are interested in becoming a member then find out more by visiting www.twbusinessmagazine.com

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

SOCIAL LEGALSCENE NEWS

Making tax digital for income tax: Progress or overkill ?

by Darren Austin at Synergee The first quarterly return under MTD IT has recently passed. The stated aim is simple: encourage digital record keeping and reduce errors.

In principle, that is difficult to argue with.

For many small businesses, keeping accounting records up to date can provide significant benefits. Reliable financial information helps owners make informed decisions, manage cash flow, identify problems early and plan for growth. Updating records regularly is also far less stressful than trying to reconstruct a year’s worth of transactions shortly before a tax deadline.

These are genuine advantages and reflect good business practice.

However, MTD’s quarterly reporting requirements raise several concerns.

For landlords, particularly those with just one or two rental properties, the regime feels disproportionate. Many are not running businesses in the conventional sense and will gain little benefit from submitting four updates each year.

There are also limitations in the information HMRC receives. Joint property owners

generally only report their share of rental income during the year rather than a full picture of income and expenses. As a result, the quarterly updates cannot provide an accurate estimate of the eventual tax liability.

The position is further complicated by the cash basis, which is now the default accounting method. Under cash accounting, income and expenses are recognised when money changes hands rather than when it is earned or incurred. Whilst simple, it can distort business performance and produce misleading profit figures, particularly where there is stock, deposits, work spanning accounting periods, or significant timing differences.

Many businesses are also seasonal. A strong summer followed by a quiet winter may create quarterly figures that bear little resemblance to the final annual result.

Darren Austin is a director of Synergee Limited, a firm of Chartered Accountants & business advisers based in Tunbridge Wells.

Encouraging better record keeping is undoubtedly a step forward. Forcing quarterly reporting, however, risks creating additional cost and administration without delivering meaningful benefits to either taxpayers or HMRC.

If you have any questions you'd like to ask Darren he can be contacted on

01892 772960 www.synergee.org.uk

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

It’s good to talk

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PARK Business Networking runs events every month at The Old Auction House in Tunbridge Wells. The group’s founder is Jess White and she told Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine what makes them so successful…

“Every guest is made to feel welcome, and each event is a mixture of relaxed networking and then structured to ensure everyone has a chance to speak and be seen and heard.”

She explained that a digital guest brochure is shared amongst all guests which acts like one big business card, and prevents everyone going home with a pile of cards and flyers.

“Doing this ensures that guests can follow up and connect with everyone they

met from one place,” explains Jess.

“Relationships are built in these inperson events with the ‘Know, Like and Trust’ format. Our members become part of a community and refer, collaborate and even build new businesses together.

Each event has new guests along so that attendees can build and grow their network.”

As well as Spark Business Networking’s monthly evening events they also host morning breakfast events from 9.30am which are followed by speed networking to ensure every guest chats to everyone in the room.

“The energy is vibrant,” adds Jess.

For more info visit sparkbusinessnetworking.co.uk/events.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

SOCIAL LEGALSCENE NEWS

Protect your business from Cybercrime In today’s digital world, cybercrime is a growing concern for businesses of all sizes. That’s why Cyber Insurance arranged by NFU Mutual, through expert partners, should be an essential part of your insurance programme. Speak to us today about protecting your business – and its reputation – in the event of a cyber incident.

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

West Kent Chamber marks a new era

he newly re-branded West Kent Chamber of Commerce celebrated in style at Penshurst Place on July 16 with their Summer Soiree.

Chamber members and their guests were welcomed by Lady De L’Isle and Dr the Honourable Philip Sydney for an evening of canapes, music, magical entertainment and some very welcome ice cream given the heat!

Paul Baker – Chamber Chair and Director of Wealden Properties opened the event and Victoria Sampson from CooperBurnett spoke on behalf of the sponsors. Victoria acknowledged the Chamber’s decision taken three years ago to extend its provision in the Sevenoaks District to include Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells and endorsed the rebranding of West Kent Chamber as the obvious way forward to expand

Images by: Mimi Van Praagh

possibility and embrace opportunity for all members to do business together throughout West Kent.

As the pictures show, there were plenty of familiar faces from all three areas who enjoyed the evening – proving that networking can be relaxed, friendly and fun.

West Kent Chamber’s CEO Dawn Blee told Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine that the silent auction and traditional prize draw raised £1200 for local charities.

“Huge thanks to the generously donated prizes and the positive expectation of all participants.”

She added: “Our thanks to Handelsbanken, CooperBurnett, HR Dept West Kent and Active Digital for their sponsorship of the event and endorsement of the Chamber’s latest development in its 115 year history.” westkentchamber.com

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Soroptimists celebrate 80 years of local service As one of the town's longest-established voluntary organisations, Soroptimist International Tunbridge Wells & District recently celebrated its 80th Charter Anniversary. The event marked eight decades of service to women, girls and the local community. Soroptimist Caroline Auckland shares details of this milestone celebration...

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oroptimist International Tunbridge Wells & District marked its 80th Charter Anniversary with a celebratory luncheon at The Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells, on Sunday 5 July 2026.

Around 80 members and guests, including past and present Soroptimists, civic leaders, and National, Regional and Club Presidents, came together to celebrate eight decades of service to women, girls and the local community.

Distinguished guests included Dr Samantha Parrett CBE DL, representing the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, and the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Councillor Bev Palmer.

The anniversary celebrated the club’s long-standing commitment to improving the lives of women and girls

Images by: Sarah Bartholomew through education, empowerment and advocacy, while recognising its significant contribution to community life across Tunbridge Wells and beyond.

In her keynote address, Dr Samantha Parrett highlighted the transformative power of education in creating opportunities for women and girls. Club President Jill Ruddock reflected on the progress made towards gender equality over the past 80 years and the importance of continuing that work for future generations.

A highlight of the event was the premiere of 80 Years of Making a Difference, a documentary produced in collaboration with local filmmaker Jeanne Pope. The film chronicles the club’s history, achievements and enduring impact on the local community and internationally. Long Service Awards were also presented, recognising members whose decades of commitment have helped shape the organisation’s legacy.

Reflecting on the milestone, President Jill Ruddock said: “Our anniversary is not only a celebration of what has been achieved over the past 80 years, but also a reminder that there is still much to do. We remain committed to creating opportunities for women and girls and to working in partnership with our community to build a more equal future.” sigbi.org/tunbridge-wells

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

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INTERVIEW

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

“We’re excited about the TN card’s next chapter” The TN card has new custodians – and with them comes a bold vision to help local businesses thrive, expand membership and put shopping and supporting local at the heart of our community.

Eileen Leahy meets entrepreneurs Dan and Carly Werren…

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he TN card – the loyalty scheme that gives members access to savings at hundreds of businesses across the TN postcodes – has new custodians. And, as I discover when I meet Dan and Carly Werren, they certainly have plenty of clever ideas about how they can make it even more successful under their stewardship.

I arrive for our cover interview at the Royal Wells Hotel and find the husbandand-wife team drinking coffee and swapping stories with our photographer, John Knight. I soon discover the reason they have a lot in common is that they all work in the same industry.

“

Supporting local shops, restaurants and professional services really is a case of: if you don’t use these independent businesses, you’ll lose them Dan is a professional videographer whilst Carly is an accomplished photographer, and together the pair run another business, DC Media, a boutique social media and content creation agency.

So naturally my first question to them is why they decided to buy the TN card.

We were looking to add another business to our portfolio and were initially considering a PR firm,” explains Dan, who grew up in Tonbridge.

He tells me that, for a number of reasons, that didn’t work out – but fate had other ideas.

“We started looking at other local businesses for sale and came across the TN card and my interest was immediately piqued. I’d always thought it was a great scheme, but it took a little while to convince Carly,” he smiles.

The reason for this, she reveals, is that originally the couple had wanted a business that would complement their content creation agency, which is celebrating its fourth anniversary on the day of our meeting.

“Initially I brushed it off,” admits Carly.

“But then when I actually started to think about it seriously I could see Dan’s vision for it. It’s not only a great idea to help local independent businesses, but we could also see how it would benefit DC Media because we are experts in social media content creation. So we organised a meeting with the TN card’s founder, Jess Gibson.”

Jess launched the loyalty scheme in Tunbridge Wells in 2020. Since then it has expanded into Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Tenterden, rewarding members for supporting local businesses and professional services with an array of discounts and exclusive offers.

“We instantly clicked with Jess,” continues Images by johnknightphotography.co.uk

Dan, who tells me that his family can trace their roots back to the local area for seven generations.

“Despite having offers from lots of big companies, Jess told us she really wanted us to buy the business because so many of our ideas about the future of the TN card aligned with hers.”

Carly agrees: “Over the course of our conversations she could see we were passionate about supporting local. We live in Colchester and are surrounded by lots of chains, but we will purposefully drive out of our way to find an independent coffee shop. Why pay your money to a conglomerate when you can support a local enterprise? By doing so you are

LEGAL INTERVIEW NEWS

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

helping sustain a business and investing in the community.”

“Seeing what Jess has built here is very inspiring,” adds Dan. “We feel like we've got a lot to live up to, but we can also see the huge potential in eventually rolling out this model to other towns with thriving independent business communities.”

Given it’s only been a couple of months since Dan and Carly took ownership of the TN card, they are certainly brimming with enthusiasm and ideas about how to expand membership, engage more businesses and improve the way the card – and, in particular, its app – works.

Before we delve into the detail, however, one message from the couple is crystal clear.

“Supporting local shops, restaurants and professional services really is a case of: if you don’t use these independent businesses, you’ll lose them. And the TN card offers some fantastic benefits for both residents and businesses.”

One of the first ways Dan and Carly hope to support the businesses already signed up to the scheme is by offering them access to DC Media’s professional expertise – free of charge.

“From start-ups to established businesses, our clients trust us to deliver measurable results, increase engagement and scale their brands locally and nationally,” explains Dan. “Since taking over the TN card, lots of people have asked if we can help them with their social media. Offering complimentary TN card partner spotlight sessions seemed like a great place to start. The only snag is that not everyone wants to talk on camera,” he laughs.

“We create social media content every

“

We know we’ve got big shoes to fill, but we’re excited about the future.

It’s now time to take the TN card into its next chapter day, so we have all the experience needed to help local businesses raise their profile.

We just need to coax a few more people in front of the camera!”

With more than 1,000 local businesses already signed up to the TN card, Dan and Carly know they will eventually have to charge a modest fee for future social media masterclasses, but they believe the

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workshops will provide real value.

As well as high street shops, cafés and bars, the scheme includes dentists, personal trainers, wellbeing practitioners and counsellors. There are also hundreds of hair salons and beauty businesses, independent makers and producers, trades, garages, leisure partners and theatres.

“Most small businesses cannot afford the regular fees charged for this type of work, so our aim is to host affordable ticketed workshops where we can share our professional knowledge,” says Dan. “With more than 25 years' combined experience in the industry, we think strategically, create content with purpose and make social media work for businesses.

“We know the TN card is all about community, so this feels like another way to support those important relationships.

“Businesses can spend a few hours with our team learning what they should be posting, who they should be targeting, how to schedule content and how to come up with ideas. It’s about giving people the confidence and knowledge to do it themselves. The opportunity is there for everyone.”

The pair would also like to revive regular networking events for TN card businesses.

“Again, we want to add value, so the idea is to have a guest speaker at each event,” reveals Carly. “What makes our local towns so special is our independent businesses, and what makes those businesses special are the people and stories behind them.”

The charity the TN card has supported since its launch is West Kent Mind, and Dan and Carly say they remain committed to helping wherever they can.

“We definitely want to continue supporting West Kent Mind,” says Carly.

“But our immediate priority is investing in the TN card app.”

“It’s built on quite an old system,” explains Dan. “At the moment it takes

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a very long process to make even small changes, so we'll have to invest significantly to get it working the way we want it to.

“We also need better data so we can understand how, where and when people are using the app. That information will be invaluable both for us and for the businesses we support.”

Of course, making more people across Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and the surrounding TN postcode area aware of the TN card is another priority high on Dan and Carly’s to-do list.

“It’s funny,” smiles Dan. “We were out for a coffee the other day and asked a member of staff if they accepted the TN card. They told us they’d stopped since Jess sold it. We then had to explain that we were actually the new owners!”

Raising awareness and making the card more visible in shops, cafés, restaurants and other participating businesses is another key objective.

“Even something as simple as having a branded stand at the till would help remind customers to use their card,” says Carly. “Eventually we’d like people to be able to store the TN card in their phone’s wallet and use it just like a Tesco Clubcard. We want it to become second nature for both customers and businesses to ask for it every time.”

The physical card is certainly not disappearing any time soon, however.

“We’ve actually had lots of requests for physical cards since taking over,” Carly tells me. “My youngest son has a little side job printing them out, which is lovely because Jess told us that’s exactly what one of her sons used to do. It’s nice that tradition has continued.”

Currently, an individual membership

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

costs £24.99 per year, or £2.99 a month if members prefer to spread the cost.

Dan and Carly reveal there are around 2,500 active members on the database, alongside many inactive accounts, so naturally growing membership is another important goal.

Like Jess before them, they are also keen to encourage more corporate organisations to sign up.

“It’s such a great business model and a very small investment for employers,” says Carly. “Offering a TN card as an employee benefit makes complete

“

Given it’s only been a couple of months since Dan and Carly took ownership of the TN card, they are certainly brimming with enthusiasm and ideas sense. Staff can use it for a coffee, lunch, shopping, the gym or professional services. It’s a simple way of supporting staff while supporting the local economy.”

One story, in particular, has stayed with Carly since taking over.

“A lady emailed because she needed to change her bank details, so rather than replying by email I gave her a call. We ended up having the loveliest conversation. She’s 80 years old and told me she saves 10 per cent every time she visits her chiropractor thanks to the TN card. She said it was worth every penny.

Hearing stories like that makes you realise

just how much people value it.”

Another memorable conversation was with a business owner who specialises in supporting people with alopecia.

“She provides consultations and fits wigs for her clients. To think that TN card members can receive a discount for such an important service is amazing.”

Before buying the business, Dan and Carly carried out extensive market research and discovered that although many people had heard of the TN card, they were often unsure where they could use it or exactly what offers were available.

“That’s definitely something we need to improve,” says Carly. “There are so many brilliant offers, from complimentary cocktails and coffees to discounts on meals, shopping and professional services. We just need to keep reminding people how much value there is.”

Both admit they have been amazed by the scale of the operation.

“We honestly can't believe Jess managed it all on her own,” says Dan. “Now we understand just how much work goes into running the TN card.”

Fortunately, they are supported by the wider DC Media team, allowing responsibilities such as social media, marketing and website management to be shared.

The website itself will also continue to evolve.

“We’d like to introduce premium advertising opportunities for businesses that want additional exposure,” explains Dan. “We’ve already had lots of enquiries about that. But one thing we want to reassure people about is that the free business directory isn’t going anywhere.”

That directory remains one of the TN

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

card’s most valuable resources, bringing together everything from accountancy to insurance, photography and IT support.

Better still, every listed business provides an exclusive offer for TN card members, helping them make genuine savings while supporting local independent businesses.

For now, however, Dan and Carly are focused on meeting as many member businesses as possible across Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and the wider TN postcode area.

“

We simply want more businesses to come on board because it really is such a fantastic scheme with benefits for everyone involved “At first we didn't really want to be front and centre of the business,” Carly admits.

“But we've quickly realised people want to know who's behind it, and that's an important part of building relationships.”

I ask if there are any particular businesses they would love to attract.

“We’d love to get more hotels involved,” says Carly. “It would be fantastic for people enjoying a staycation because they could use their TN card throughout their visit.”

Dan adds that members have also suggested seeing businesses such as The Ivy House in Tonbridge, Basil café and Ian Chatfield Butchers join the scheme.

Another idea already being explored is approaching local housebuilders to include a TN card in the welcome packs given to purchasers of new homes.

“We simply want more businesses to come on board because it really is such a fantastic scheme with benefits for everyone involved.”

Looking further ahead, Dan believes the

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TN card model could eventually work in other carefully selected locations.

“I don't think it would suit every town,” he says. “But places near us like Chelmsford, Brentwood and Shenfield, where there's a really strong independent business community, would absolutely embrace something like this. It's such a good concept and we'd love to see it helping more local economies in the future.”

As our conversation draws to a close, one thing becomes clear: Dan and Carly have inherited far more than a successful loyalty scheme. They have become custodians of a thriving community of independent businesses and loyal members who genuinely believe in shopping local.

“We've got so many ideas,” smiles Dan. “The potential is enormous. We know we've got big shoes to fill, but we're excited about the future. It's now time to build on everything Jess created and take the TN card into its next chapter.”

Website: www.thetncard.com Socials: @thetncard LinkedIn: @thetncard Email: info@thetncard.com

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Set your people free VAYROfounder and CEO Jamie Dixon believes the smartest businesses won’t use AI simply to cut costs – they’ll use it to give their people back the time to do what humans do best. Read on to discover more…

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veryone asks me the same question about AI: where on earth do we start?

It’s a fair question – and usually an anxious one. With a new tool seemingly launching every day and another headline promising to transform business overnight, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Most leaders I meet aren’t against AI. They’re simply unsure where to begin.

They know it matters, suspect they’re already behind and have no idea which thread to pull first.

My answer comes down to three key areas. But first, there’s something far more important to understand.

AI isn’t simply about making your business more efficient. It’s about giving your people back their time.

Efficiency is a welcome by-product, but the real opportunity is to free people from the work that quietly consumes their days, allowing them to focus on what machines will never truly replicate: being human with other humans.

It was never just about cost Much of today’s AI conversation is framed around cutting costs – reducing headcount, trimming payroll and doing more with fewer people.

I don’t just think that’s bleak; I think it’s commercially short-sighted.

At VAYRO, we work to what we call the People First Principle. It’s not a slogan; it’s a test we apply to every AI decision.

AI should repurpose people’s time, not simply replace people.

The hours technology saves shouldn’t disappear into a spreadsheet. They should be reinvested in stronger relationships, better service, greater creativity and highervalue work. That’s where the real return lies.

1. ELIMINATE THE WORK THAT DRAINS YOUR TEAM

This is always the best place to start.

Think about the administration, drafting, note-taking, summarising and repetitive data work that fills every organisation.

Valuable people can spend huge amounts of their week on tasks that require very little of their actual talent.

AI is already remarkably good at handling much of this work.

But the biggest benefit isn’t that the task gets done faster. It’s what your people can do with the time they’ve recovered.

Instead of racing through emails, they

can have a proper conversation with a customer. Instead of wrestling with spreadsheets, they can coach a colleague, solve a problem or strengthen a client relationship.

The administration was never where your people created the most value. It was simply getting in the way.

2. UNLOCK THE KNOWLEDGE ALREADY INSIDE YOUR BUSINESS

Every organisation is sitting on an enormous amount of information: years of documents, emails, spreadsheets and reports, alongside invaluable knowledge held by experienced employees.

You’ve already paid for all that knowledge. Until recently, however, connecting it all was incredibly timeconsuming.

AI can analyse huge volumes of information, identify patterns, surface insights and help leaders make faster, better-informed decisions.

Again, the biggest benefit isn’t the technology itself. It’s the time and mental space it gives back.

Leaders spend less time searching for answers – and more time leading people.

3. CREATE VALUE THAT WASN’T POSSIBLE BEFORE

This is where the biggest opportunity lies.

The first two steps improve what you already do. The third allows you to create entirely new value.

Whether it’s personalised customer experiences, faster services or products

that simply weren’t commercially viable before, AI can open doors that didn’t exist even 18 months ago.

Cost savings are finite. Growth isn’t.

But there is one rule I believe every business should follow: point AI at the engine room of your business – never at its soul.

Use technology to automate the repetitive work behind the scenes.

Keep people where trust, empathy and relationships matter most.

Think about an elderly widower who drives past an automated supermarket to shop somewhere with a staffed checkout.

Some days, that brief conversation with the cashier might be the most meaningful human interaction he has.

He’s happy to pay more because someone knows his name.

No algorithm created that loyalty. A person did.

The human advantage We’re entering a world where almost anything can be generated, analysed or automated at the touch of a button.

That doesn’t make human qualities less valuable. It makes them more valuable than ever.

Trust. Judgement. Empathy. Care. The feeling of being genuinely understood.

Used well, AI creates more space for those qualities to flourish.

Every hour technology saves is another hour your people can invest in relationships, creativity and meaningful work.

The biggest mistake businesses can make is using AI to strip the humanity out of their organisations. The greatest opportunity is the opposite: strip out the drudgery – and pour the humanity back in.

That isn’t a sentimental idea. It’s one of the strongest commercial advantages a business can have.

So, where should you start? Start by giving people back their time. Use that time to make better decisions. Then use those better decisions to create growth.

Because AI isn’t here to replace the human parts of your business.

It’s here to give them back to you.

To find out where AI belongs in your business, visit: www.vayro.co.uk

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Checking in on our goals Welcome to Moving Business Forward with DCA, a new monthly column exploring the human side of work, leadership, community and change.

L

ike many of you, I’ve been loving this incredible, if very warm, UK summer. It’s been wonderful spending time with family and friends and exploring the best of Kent and East Sussex. I’ve also been fortunate to connect with inspiring business owners and operators, hearing what they’re passionate about and what drives them to success.

But while we enjoy these final weeks of summer, autumn is rapidly approaching.

With only four months of 2026 remaining, the new year will be here sooner than we think. Before the busy autumn season begins, this is a perfect and valuable moment to reflect on how the year has gone and bring some fresh intention to the months ahead.

However you have framed your ambitions, through resolutions, written goals, a note on your phone or simply an idea you kept in your mind, now is the time to check in. What have you already achieved? What remains outstanding?

What else do you want to do?

way and preventing us from crossing the finish line. As you consider what you still want to achieve in 2026, ask yourself three questions: What do I need to stop doing because it’s holding me back? What should I continue doing because it has driven my success?

And what must I start doing to move forward?

The answers may help you finish the year feeling more focused, fulfilled and successful. Thy will also allow 2027 to begin as one of your best years yet.

I know you can do it, and I believe in your success story. Stay well, and I’ll see you next month as you start to crush these final four months!

- Christian Take a moment to celebrate your progress. Too often, we move straight to the next challenge without recognising how far we’ve come. Toast your successes during these last days of summer, while also deciding how you’ll approach what remains on your list.

Life has a tricky habit of getting in the

Christian Mills is the Founder of DCA International, which brings together consulting, leadership coaching and the DCA Think Tank. If you’re interested in getting in touch, talking about leadership or finding a better way of working, email us at think@dcainternational.co.uk.

Unlocking Human Potential Creating stronger ways of working

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DCA partners with businesses, leaders and teams to unlock potential, strengthen leadership and empower growth.

Scan to learn more info@dcainternational.co.uk | 020 8159 6932

Business Consulting | Leadership Coaching | Think Tank

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

How local brands can outsmart the giants Silvia Vendraminetto, founder of the Ecomm Hero Academy & Agency, explains why local brands are successfully competing with global giants – and how AI is helping them level the playing field…

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ow can a local brand compete with global giants, Amazon's own dominance and the rapid rise of AI-driven shopping, without having a marketing budget to rival theirs?

Until recently, the answer would probably have been: with great difficulty.

Before 2025, it certainly wasn't impossible, but it was much harder, with a few notable exceptions during the pandemic. This year, however, Amazon's AI-powered shopping assistant has fundamentally changed the way sellers can reach, influence and convert their ideal customers – even in highly competitive and saturated markets.

Conversational AI – now known as Alexa for Shopping (formerly Rufus) – is already having a significant impact on consumer behaviour. According to Amazon, customers who use the AI shopping assistant are more than 60 per cent more likely to complete a purchase during that shopping session.* Having spent the past decade building ecommerce businesses, I've seen firsthand how quickly the landscape can change.

In 2018, I generated my first six-figure Amazon FBA sales within six months, running the business from my bedroom while travelling across London with nothing more than a granny trolley full of stock. Since then, I have generated more than £2 million in sales, built a business while caring for my newborn and helped more than 300 brands achieve similar success.

If ten years in ecommerce have taught me one thing, it is this: speed is one of the greatest competitive advantages any founder can have.

And today, speed is exactly where local businesses can outperform the corporate giants – or the Goliaths, as I refer to them – and challenge that domination.

In large organisations, every strategy, every image and every minor change goes through layers of sign-off before going live. A local brand can make a decision on Monday, test the idea on Wednesday and analyse the initial impact before everyone else, Goliath-sized, has even sat down to discuss it in the boardroom. Goliath cannot decide, implement, test, analyse and pivot in a fast loop, no matter its budget.

The brands winning right now share

by real people using the product.

Amazon's AI shopping assistant represents a shift in how products are found and explained. Alexa for Shopping doesn't scroll the way we do. It reads product page copy, understands images and shopper intent, knows each shopper's behaviour and history, compares reviews to answer questions in live chat, then recommends a handful of products that answer them best. A listing designed by someone who truly understands the product has a real chance of being the answer AI recommends, regardless of its ad budget.

Three free and fast moves any brand can make this quarter to increase conversion: SILVIA VENDRAMINETTO

“Speed is one of the greatest competitive advantages any founder can have – and today it's exactly where local businesses can outperform the giants” ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Silvia Vendraminetto is a Tunbridge Wells-based ecommerce founder, speaker and writer specialising in buyer psychology and AI-driven ecommerce.

As the founder of Ecomm Hero Academy & Agency, she has helped more than 300 sellers and brands improve their visibility and conversion on Amazon through customer-focused content and optimisation. some common traits, and none require huge ad budgets or expensive agencies: Speed: Local brands can test in days; Goliath needs quarters. They let customer behaviour and real data – not managerial assumptions – decide what works.

Niche expertise: Founder-led brands know their buyers better than any manager at a Fortune 500 company ever will.

Authentic relationships: Live shopping, micro-influencers and companies' employees becoming 'social media famous' have largely proven that small teams can win big with a close-to-zero marketing budget. Customers and scrollers want to engage with the real people behind the logo and be influenced

1. Audit your product pages using Alexa chat. Ask the frequently asked questions your customers might have and test the clarity of Alexa's answers.

2. Turn real customer questions into listing intelligence. Every question asked and left unanswered is a gap in your listing and potentially a missed sale. Treat your Amazon images as objection killers, not magazine-worthy catalogues. Amazon shoppers decide within the first 60 seconds whether to add your product to their basket or leave the page, wasting your PPC spend.

3. Choose to diversify before you have to. From very expensive personal experience, I know that brands relying primarily on Amazon are exposed to a single algorithm. Building your brand as an omnichannel business is a priority. It means no single platform decision can sink your sales overnight.

Be agile across channels – Amazon, Shopify, live shopping, B2B, influencers, affiliates, social media and more – because they all work together.

The biggest mistake local brands make is believing they're competing with Amazon, Chinese manufacturers or multinational brands. They're not. They're competing to become the product an AI shopping assistant has the confidence to recommend. That's a completely different game.

And it's worth noting that none of this requires a Goliath-sized budget.

For more information visit: www.ecommheroacademy.com

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

YOUR INSTAGRAM SHOULD BE BRINGING YOU CLIENTS VIEWS DON’T BECOME SALES BY ACCIDENT. THE FIRST 3 SECONDS DECIDE WHETHER PEOPLE BUY OR SCROLL. I HELP BUSINESSES TURN BROWSERS INTO BUYERS.

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Rethinking the Performance Review: Is Annual Still Enough?

For decades, the annual performance appraisal has been a cornerstone of HR practice. It provided a structured, once-a-year opportunity to reflect on an employee’s achievements, set future objectives, and discuss long-term career development.

But in today’s fast-paced, dynamic work environment, many businesses are discovering that the traditional yearly review is simply no longer enough.

While annual reviews remain a valuable tool for bigpicture planning, relying on them exclusively can leave employees feeling disconnected and managers struggling to course-correct in real-time. By the time an annual appraisal rolls around, challenges that could have been addressed months ago may have escalated, and key successes might be forgotten.

Transitioning to a model of more regular conversations allows managers to address obstacles early, celebrate progress as it happens, and keep employees motivated and focused on their goals.

So, what does a modern, practical approach look like?

Consider implementing a blended strategy: •

An annual formal review to discuss overarching career trajectories and long-term development.

•

A six-month progress review to evaluate mid-year performance against set objectives and pivot if necessary.

•

Shorter quarterly or monthly check-ins to provide continuous feedback, tackle immediate hurdles, and maintain open lines of communication.

Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The right structure will depend entirely on the unique dynamics of your business, the capabilities of your managers, and the specific needs of your employees. What truly matters is that these conversations are consistent, constructive, and followed by clear, actionable steps.

When did you last review your performance management process? At Forrest HR, we provide bespoke, awardwinning support to help you build a strategy that brings out the best in your people. Reach out to us to find the perfect fit for your business.

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FEATURE

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Taking pride in Tunbridge Wells In his regular column for Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine, Alex Green, CEO of RTW Together BID, discusses the work they do to combat graffiti and keep the town a cleaner place for all to enjoy…

M

indless graffiti is a scourge on any town’s streetscape and, as part of RTW Together’s commitment to ‘Enhancing the Town’, we have invested more than £6,000 in cleaning and repainting areas across the town centre, addressing more than 36 graffiti offences.

One of the other ways we have tackled graffiti is that, rather than simply removing a tag and hoping it doesn’t come back, we have replaced it with new street art. This has been done in partnership with others, including the TWBC Parks Department for the Calverley Grounds toilets, the Commons Officers for the Commons toilets, and local charity Refresh Tunbridge Wells.

“

Image: Humor Street Art each March in both 2025 and 2026.

This year, as part of the initiative, 190 volunteers collected just under 200 bags of litter, as well as removing large quantities of fly-tipped waste, tyres, gas canisters and more. We strongly encourage businesses and members of the public to sign up for the Town Spring Clean Initiative 2027 and help us build on the success of previous years by joining the hundreds of volunteers who have already come together to show pride in their community.

We have also worked with Tunbridge Wells Railway Station to support its efforts to beautify the station by providing manpower and tools for several small gardening projects. If there are other areas of the town where you think we could help, we’d love to hear from you.

To further our commitment to improving the town landscape, we have recruited a dedicated Maintenance Officer whose role includes helping to keep Tunbridge Wells free from graffiti

Since these works of art were created, they have not only provided attractive pieces of original artwork but, remarkably, none of these locations has since attracted new graffiti. Please let us know if you have suggestions for other locations where street art could work well in the town.

To further our commitment to improving the town landscape, and where this work was previously carried out by a temporary freelance contractor, we are pleased to say that July saw us recruit a dedicated Maintenance Officer for the BID. Graffiti removal forms a key part of this new role.

With this additional capacity, we ask all businesses to help by reporting any graffiti across the town centre. We will remove it free of charge as quickly as

possible, helping to ensure the area where your business is based remains as attractive as possible.

We also welcome reports of any other issues around the town, whether that is tired-looking or damaged street furniture, fly-tipping or anything else that detracts from the area. By letting us know, we will either address the issue directly or ensure the relevant authority is made aware so it can take the appropriate action.

You may be aware of our Town Spring Clean Initiative, which has taken place

To let us know about any town centre maintenance issues, please email maintenance@rtwtogether.com or, to join our Spring Clean Initiative, please email projectmanager@rtwtogether.com.

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Setting the standard for sustainability

In their column this month, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council celebrates a UK first for climate action, as well as another prestigious award recognising the borough’s parks and green spaces.

A MAJOR MILESTONE MOMENT FOR LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION

Strategy. Importantly, the BSI Net Zero Pathway prioritises genuine emissions reductions, ensuring organisations focus on measurable action rather than relying on carbon offsetting alone.

The Council has already reduced its direct emissions by more than 50% since 2018 and has developed a clear and deliverable roadmap towards reaching net zero.

Councillor Rob Wormington, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability, said: “We are proud to be the first local authority in the country to achieve verification against the BSI Net Zero Pathway. This accreditation recognises both the progress we have made and the strength of our plans for the future.”

The achievement reinforces the Council’s commitment to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement, while giving residents

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has become the first local authority in the UK to achieve independent verification against the British Standards Institution (BSI) Net Zero Pathway, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards becoming a net zero organisation.

The achievement provides independent assurance that the Council’s greenhouse gas emissions reporting, emissions reduction plans and net zero targets meet recognised national and international standards. It confirms that the Council’s approach is robust, evidence-based and aligned with best practice for achieving net zero by 2050 or sooner.

The verification follows a detailed assessment process and recognises both the Council’s verified emissions reporting and its Corporate Net Zero

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

confidence that its climate ambitions are supported by independently verified action.

It also positions Tunbridge Wells as a national leader in local government sustainability and climate governance.

The Green Flag Award scheme celebrates well-managed parks and green spaces across the UK and around the world.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS’ GREEN SPACES FLY THE FLAG

Want to stay up to date with the latest news, events and opportunities across the borough?

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s free email newsletters make it easy to keep informed. Regular resident updates feature local news, community events, council services, consultations, planning information, council meetings, job vacancies and much more – all delivered straight to your inbox.

Whether you’re interested in what’s happening in your neighbourhood, upcoming events at The Amelia Scott, waste and recycling updates, roadworks, local consultations or community initiatives, the newsletters help you stay connected with the issues that matter to you.

You can also sign up for specialist updates, including business and tourism newsletters, ensuring you receive information tailored to your interests.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is celebrating after six of its parks and open spaces once again achieved the prestigious Green Flag Award – the international benchmark for quality parks and green spaces.

Dunorlan Park, Grosvenor & Hilbert Park, Calverley Grounds, Woodbury Park Cemetery, The Grove and St John’s Recreation Ground have all retained the coveted status, recognising them among the very best managed green spaces in the country.

In addition, Dunorlan Park and Grosvenor & Hilbert Park have also retained Green Heritage Site Accreditation, recognising the excellent management and promotion of their historic features.

Tunbridge Wells’ parks and green spaces play an important role in supporting health and wellbeing, encouraging recreation, enhancing biodiversity and contributing to the borough’s reputation as an attractive

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Time for a health check on your employee benefits

A

This month, Caroline Weiss-Jones, Director at Berwick Devoil Healthcare Limited, explains why autumn is the ideal time to review your employee health cover and ensure it’s still delivering value for your business and your people…

utumn marks the renewal season for many group health, risk and wellbeing insurance policies, making it the ideal time for SME owners to step back and ask an important question: Does our current cover still meet the needs of our business and our people?

An annual review should be about far more than simply accepting a renewal premium. It’s an opportunity to assess whether your workforce has changed, whether employees are making the most of the wellbeing services available to them, and whether your benefits package remains competitive enough to attract and retain talented people.

Key questions to ask include: • Has our business grown or changed over the last 12 months?

• Are we paying for benefits our employees no longer need?

• Could we improve our cover while keeping costs under control?

“Unlike tied advisers, BDHL searches the wider market to compare providers, negotiate competitive terms and identify solutions tailored to your business objectives. “ • Have new insurers or products entered the market that are better suited to our business?

This is where an independent broker can make all the difference.

Unlike tied advisers, who are limited to recommending products from a single insurer or panel, Berwick Devoil Healthcare Limited (BDHL) searches the wider market to compare providers,

The AI-native advantage The AI market is quickly separating into three types of business.

AI-first businesses are built around a single AI capability. They move fast but many will struggle as foundational models absorb their functionality.

AI-reactive businesses delay adoption and respond late. They bolt AI onto broken processes, creating drag rather than advantage.

AI-native businesses sit between these extremes. They redesign their commercial engine, leadership habits, and decision frameworks so AI becomes infrastructure rather than disruption.

The winners will not be those with the most tools, but those with the strongest operating capability. To discover how VAYRO can help your business become AI native please visit www.vayro.co.uk.

negotiate competitive terms and identify solutions tailored to your business objectives. The result is impartial advice based on value, service and suitability — not sales targets.

Even if your premium appears competitive, a market review could uncover enhanced benefits, improved wellbeing support or more flexible policy options at little or no additional cost.

At BDHL, our annual review service ensures your employee health and wellbeing strategy evolves alongside your business. With the market constantly changing, taking the time to reflect and review isn’t just good practice — it’s one of the smartest investments you can make in both your people and your bottom line..

For more information, visit www.bdhl.co.uk, call 01892 891900 or email enquiries@bdhl.co.uk.

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

AI Shake-Up in Company Finance Departments is Leaving Regional Boards Exposed

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usinesses across the region are quietly bringing their accountancy work back in-house and our chairman is warning that many boards may be walking into a governance trap.

Mark Barber, Chairman of Brightstar Law, says a wave of frustration with the large “Big Six” accountancy networks is driving companies to rebuild their own internal finance teams, increasingly powered by artificial intelligence.

“There’s a real sense of fatigue with the traditional model,” Mr Barber said.

“Between record regulatory fines over audit-quality failures and rising frustration at advisory fees, boards no longer want to write open-ended cheques for financial reports that don’t protect them when something goes wrong.”

The result, he says, is what he calls “The Great In-Sourcing” — finance directors pulling accounting and reporting functions back inside their own organisations and using generative AI to produce, in minutes, the kind of monthly board reports that once took weeks of external consultancy.

But Mr Barber cautions that the speed

MARK BARBER

errors feeding into bank covenants, statutory filings or investor documents could expose directors directly.

Mr Barber argues this is where smaller, specialist legal firms have an advantage over large conglomerates, offering faster, more flexible support suited to AI-driven finance teams. Brightstar Law, he says, helps companies build verification checks on AI-generated reports, protect directors from liability, and ensure new systems comply with regulatory and dataprotection rules.

“Corporate finance is moving in-house, and that’s not a bad thing,” he said. “But leadership needs the right legal guardrails in place. Get that right, and businesses can take full control of their finances while keeping the board protected.”

comes with hidden risk. Because AI systems can “hallucinate” — inventing plausible but false explanations such as non-existent supply-chain problems to explain away figures — company directors could find themselves personally accountable for inaccurate financial statements.

“When an outside firm makes a mistake, a board can point outward,” he explained.

Brightstar Law core brand: For more information, visit “When your own AI tools produce the brightstar.law, call 0345 004 3200 or numbers, the liability sits squarely with email Enquiries@brightstar.law the directors. Regulators simply don’t accept ‘the algorithm got it wrong’ as a defence.”

He warns that automated processes often lack a proper audit trail, and that

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

How to build a winning team Gemma Farina, Managing Director of GFHR Consulting, explains how small businesses can learn valuable lessons from the world of sport to build stronger, more successful teams

W

ith the recent FIFA World Cup reminding us how much teamwork, preparation and trust lie behind every great performance, summer has brought plenty of sporting inspiration. While the players may be in the spotlight, success is rarely down to individual talent alone.

The same applies in business. Winning teams are built intentionally, with clear roles, good communication and an understanding of each person’s strengths. Some people are natural organisers, while others are problemsolvers, relationship-builders or detailfocused specialists. The best results come when those skills are recognised, valued and brought together with purpose.

For small businesses, this doesn’t need to involve complicated assessments or expensive programmes. Start with regular conversations, meaningful oneto-ones and honest feedback. Ask what

“Winning teams are built intentionally, with clear roles, good communication and an understanding of each person's strengths” helps people do their best work, where they feel most confident and what gets in the way.

Recognition matters too. In the workplace, good performance can easily become invisible when everyone is busy.

A timely thank you, a personal email or

Your lawyers for business and life.

Guided by a common purpose.

At Cripps, being a B Corp business means measuring all that matters to our clients, people and communities.

Our 2025 Impact Report describes our social and environmental performance, and the ambitions we’ve set to grow as a responsible and resilient business. Guided by our purpose to be the difference, we are committed to navigating challenging times together to create lasting, positive change in people’s lives and businesses.

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acknowledging someone’s contribution during a team meeting can reinforce the behaviours you want to see and remind people that their work is valued.

The businesses that retain great people are not always the ones with the biggest budgets. More often, they are the ones where employees know what is expected of them, feel supported and understand how their contribution fits into the bigger picture.

If you want to strengthen your team, ask yourself: Do we understand each person’s strengths? Are we giving useful feedback? Are we recognising the contributions that help our business succeed?

At GFHR Consulting, we help small businesses build confident, capable teams through practical, people-focused HR support. If you would like to review how well your team is working together, we’d be delighted to help.

Tel 01892 300360 | Email info@gfhr.co.uk

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Breaking the money barrier A

sk a room full of business owners what holds them back, and most will point to marketing, or finding new clients, or managing their time. Few will admit the real issue sitting beneath all of that: money is difficult to talk about, and shame sits underneath what they charge.

That shame shows up in small, costly ways. A quote goes out, the client hesitates, and the price drops by 20% before the conversation has properly started. A new service launches at half its worth because the owner can't quite believe anyone would pay full price for it. An invoice is outstanding for weeks because asking to be paid feels uncomfortable.

The root of this rarely has anything to do with the number itself. It comes from years of messages picked up from family, from culture, from every comment about money not growing on trees heard growing up. Those messages settle into a belief system that operates under the surface, shaping decisions long after the original conversation has been forgotten. Because business owners rarely discuss money openly with each other, everyone assumes

they're the only one carrying this weight.

This same fear leaks into meetings and sales calls too. A business owner who feels shame about their pricing tends to talk faster, over-explain, or apologise before a client has even asked a question.

Confidence drains out of the room, and the client feels it, even if they can't name what's changed. Price and presence are far more connected than most people realise.

“Pricing too low creates a heavy ceiling that no amount of extra hours or hustle can lift. It attracts clients who negotiate rather than value the work” The impact on the business is real.

Pricing too low creates a heavy ceiling that no amount of extra hours or hustle can lift. It attracts clients who negotiate rather than value the work, and it leaves owners exhausted, wondering why growth feels so hard when they're working harder than ever.

Honesty fixes this, and it starts with separating price from worth. The number

on an invoice reflects the market, the expertise, and the outcome delivered, nothing more.

Talking about money openly, with a mentor, an accountant, or another business owner, is one of the fastest ways to loosen the grip that discomfort holds, because it tends to lose its power the moment it's spoken out loud.

TH

TO THINK ABOUT

irey

A Dee

Pick one price in the business this month, a product, a service, an hourly rate, and write down the number that feels slightly too high to say out loud.

Write it somewhere visible, not tucked in a notebook that gets closed and forgotten.

Sit with that number for a week and notice every thought that comes up when imagining charging it, most of which will say more about old beliefs than about the market. Then ask honestly: is the higher number actually closer to the truth?

www.deeairey.com

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42

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Travel specialist embarks on a new adventure

A

Tunbridge Wells company undergoes major rebrand and change of name

leading travel specialist for 18 to 30-year-olds based in Tunbridge Wells has undergone a name change and major rebrand, reflecting changing youth travel trends.

Founded in 2011 and based on Mount Pleasant Road, Gap 360 is now Adventure360. The new brand reflects the company's evolution beyond the traditional gap year market, positioning it to inspire and support a wider audience of young people looking to travel, work and volunteer abroad.

Jane McLellan-Green, Co-Founder and Operations & Sales Director, says: "We are well established as experts in youth travel, with more than 15 years' experience helping travellers aged 18 to 30 explore

JANE MCLELLAN-GREEN

JAMES JEREMY

“

Rebranding to Adventure360 reflects the breadth of experiences we offer today and enables the company to build on its heritage in gap years and working holidays while appealing to a new generation of young travellers

the world. But travel trends have evolved.

Financial pressures, fewer people taking the traditional university route into employment, and an appetite for more adventurous life experiences well into their 20s and 30s mean the traditional 'gap year' has become less common.

"In 2011, bookings for trips lasting a year or more were very common, whereas today, 'going travelling' is just as likely to mean taking a longer, more adventurous holiday from work or study. Shorter trips, interspersed with periods of work to replenish funds, are now a much more popular way for young adults to travel, and the most common tour length is around three weeks. Trips are more frequent, with many repeat bookings, and these combined changes led us to the decision to rebrand as Adventure360."

The transformation includes a new logo, website domain, colour palette, tone of voice and social media handles. The new identity and website were developed in partnership with YoYo Design and Adido

Digital, with the complete rebranding journey taking around a year.

James Jeremy, Co-Founder and Technical Director, continues: "Adventure360.com is a new and improved version of the site, retaining the core infrastructure while refreshing every section to enhance the overall user experience. Alongside the redesign, we've optimised our content and expanded our expert-led advice to improve discoverability across both traditional search and emerging AIpowered platforms, ensuring our content is well positioned for LLMs (large language

models). The new design and colour palette are intended to appeal to our core audience, while modernised iconography aligned with our social channels creates a more consistent brand experience."

McLellan-Green adds: "The move to Adventure360 reflects the breadth of experiences we offer today. Rebranding enables the company to build on its heritage in gap years and working holidays while broadening its appeal to a new generation of young travellers seeking adventurous holidays and experiences beyond the traditional 'gap year' label."

Adventure360 offers more than 200 trips in over 50 destinations worldwide, including Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, Central and South America, the Middle East, Antarctica and North America.

Trips range from one week to more than two years, with travel styles including adventure tours, gap years, volunteering and conservation projects, working holidays, and educational and vocational experiences.

Recent booking trends reveal growing demand for accessible short-haul adventures, with Croatia, Morocco and Italy among the fastest-growing destinations. China is also proving increasingly popular, with tour bookings showing strong year-on-year growth over the past six months.

WIN FIVE YEARS OF TRAVEL WITH ADVENTURE360 To celebrate the rebrand, Adventure360 is launching a competition offering one lucky person the chance to win their next five years of travel.

The Five Years of Travel giveaway is open to travellers aged 18 to 35 (at the time of travel) and is worth more than £11,000. The prize can be taken as five individual trips or one incredible roundthe-world adventure.

The prize includes trips to Morocco, Thailand, Bali, Australia and Brazil.

Travel dates can be arranged to suit the winner's availability, and the prize also includes £2,500 towards flights.

The competition closes on 31 December 2026. No purchase is necessary, and entries can be made via the website or social media channels. Full details and terms and conditions are available at adventure360.com/competitions/win.

For more information, visit Adventure360.com

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Calling time on zero hours uncertainty The government is consulting on new protections for zero and low-hour workers. Employment law solicitor Lydia Button outlines what it means for the hospitality sector and how to prepare for the likely reforms.

T

he consultation follows the government’s commitment to strengthen workers’ rights and address insecurity in variable-hours work.

Zero and low-hour arrangements give employers flexibility and suit workers who want irregular hours, but can create uncertainty over income, shift patterns and notice of work.

The proposals centre on three areas. First, workers may gain a right to guaranteed hours reflecting the work they regularly perform. Secondly, employers may need to give reasonable notice of shifts and changes. Thirdly, workers may be entitled to payment where shifts are cancelled, moved or curtailed at short notice. Final details will depend on the consultation and later legislation, but the direction of travel is towards greater predictability and clearer employer obligations.

The hospitality sector relies heavily on flexible staffing to respond to changing

LYDIA BUTTON

demand, seasonal peaks, bookings, events and cancellations, so reforms could have a practical impact on rota planning, payroll, contract terms and day-to-day management. Requirements around notice, guaranteed hours and cancellation payments may reduce the ability to make last-minute staffing changes without cost or administrative consequences.

Ahead of likely changes, hospitality employers should audit their current staffing arrangements, including how

rotas are planned, communicated and changed. They should review zero and low-hour contracts, assess how often workers are offered regular patterns, and check whether records of shift offers, acceptances, cancellations and notice periods are robust.

The consultation provides an important opportunity to explain how hospitality staffing works in practice and help shape reforms before the final rules are confirmed, so I’d also urge you to let the government know your thoughts – you have until 25 August.

If you would like support reviewing your zero and lowhours contracts, please get in touch. www.thackraywilliams.com

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44

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Making sense of your website analytics This month’s Royal Tunbridge Wells Media Group member Emily Barrington, who is founder of Barrington SEO, discusses the importance of understanding website analytics – and reveals what to track and why…

A

sk most small business owners whether they have Google Analytics installed and the answer is usually ‘yes.’ Ask when they last logged in, and the answer is usually a pause followed by ‘it’s been a while.’

It’s an easy thing to deprioritise. Analytics dashboards can feel overwhelming, and without a clear starting point, many business owners simply never develop the habit of checking them.

But knowing how your website is performing is one of the most valuable things you can do for your business, as it tells you where your customers are coming from, which channels are working, and where you may be losing people unnecessarily. Here I’m going to cover the fundamentals: what to set up, what to look at, and why it matters.

“

Knowing how your website is performing is one of the most valuable things you can do for your business START WITH CONVERSION TRACKING

If you are using GA4 (Google Analytics 4), you will already have access to useful data straight out of the box; things like how many people visited your site, where they came from, and how long they spent there. But the single most important thing that does not come pre-configured is conversion tracking, and this is where most businesses fall short.

A conversion is any meaningful action a visitor takes on your website. For a service-based business, that typically means contact form submissions, phone number clicks, and email link clicks. For an e-commerce business, it means purchase completions, including revenue and product data.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Without conversion tracking in place, you are essentially flying blind. You can see that people are visiting your website, but you have no way of knowing which of them became customers, or how they found you in the first place.

Setting this up does require some technical work, usually through Google Tag Manager. If you are not sure where to begin, AI tools such as ChatGPT can walk you through the process step by step and help you test that everything is tracking correctly.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR TRAFFIC SOURCES

Once conversion tracking is live, the picture starts to become genuinely useful. The Traffic Source report in GA4 shows you exactly which channels are bringing visitors to your site and, crucially, how many of those visitors are converting.

This is where you start to make informed decisions. If organic search is driving a high volume of traffic but very few conversions, that is worth investigating. If your email campaigns are sending relatively few visitors but

Emily Barrington is the founder of Barrington SEO. She and her team help ambitious brands compete more effectively in search results, even when facing competitors with bigger budgets. If you'd like to discuss what's possible for your business, drop her a line at emily@barringtonseo.co.uk or catch her at the next RTW Media Group meet-up. converting at a strong rate, that tells you something important about where to focus your energy.

MATCH YOUR TRACKING TO YOUR ACTIVITY

The most useful analytics data is the data that is relevant to what your business is actually doing. A few practical examples include: • Running paid advertising? Review your campaign performance within your ad platforms (Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager), then cross-reference with GA4 to see how well that traffic is converting into enquiries or sales.

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

The recommended approach is to run it for a defined period to collect the data you need, then remove it until you are ready to do another round of analysis.

• Making changes to your website?

Pay close attention to average engagement time and bounce rate before and after the changes go live. These metrics will tell you whether the new experience is an improvement.

ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO KEEP IT AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE

• Launching a new product or service?

Monitor which channels are driving traffic to those pages and whether visitors are taking the next step.

GOING DEEPER WITH USER BEHAVIOUR TOOLS

If you want to understand how people are interacting with your site, behaviour

ABOUT ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS MEDIA GROUP Royal Tunbridge Wells Media Group (RTWMG) connects trusted local media, marketing and creative professionals around Tunbridge Wells and the South East. It is a free, friendly group of agency owners, freelancers, in-house teams and content creators — sharing work, advice and useful introductions.

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tracking tools such as Hotjar can provide a deeper level of insight.. They record user sessions and create heatmaps showing where people click, how far they scroll, and where they drop off.

One practical note: the tracking script these tools add to your website will marginally slow your page load speed.

One of the most common mistakes businesses make with analytics is trying to track everything at once. The sheer volume of data available in GA4 can quickly become overwhelming, and it is easy to fall into the trap of collecting metrics without ever acting on them.

The most effective approach is to start with your goals. What are you actually trying to achieve with your digital marketing? More enquiries, more sales, better quality traffic? Once you are clear on that, you can identify a small number of metrics that tell you whether you are moving in the right direction, and ignore the rest.

A simple monthly check-in on a handful of meaningful numbers will serve you far better than a sprawling dashboard nobody looks at.

Brought to you by the RTW Media Group. rtwmg.com barringtonseo.com

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46

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Care beyond the call of duty Katy Salliss, Registered Care Manager at Braeburn Care, tells Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine how a personalised approach, a compassionate team and a commitment to independence are helping people live fulfilling lives in the comfort of their own homes…

BRAEBURN CARE HAS BUILT A STRONG REPUTATION FOR HIGHQUALITY CARE. HOW HAVE YOU ACHIEVED THIS?

Reputation isn’t something you can advertise; it’s something you earn, one visit at a time. Every day, families place enormous trust in us by inviting our Care Professionals into their homes and lives, and we never lose sight of what a privilege that is.

Our reputation has been built by consistently doing the things that matter most. We take time to understand every customer as an individual - not only the support they need, but the life they want to continue living. We then tailor our care around them rather than expecting them to fit around a standard package.

“

Great home care is not simply helping people live safely at home - it is helping them continue living a meaningful life As a family-run business, relationships are incredibly important to us. Our management team remains closely involved with every customer’s journey, allowing us to respond quickly, communicate openly and adapt as needs change.

Ultimately, families recommend Braeburn Care because they trust us, and that is the greatest measure of success.

WHAT MAKES YOUR APPROACH DIFFERENT FROM OTHER CARE PROVIDERS?

One of the biggest misconceptions about home care is that it is simply about helping with practical tasks. In reality, it is about helping people continue living the life they want in the place they know and love most.

Our approach focuses on promoting independence. Wherever it is safe to do so, we encourage customers to continue doing as much as they can for themselves

KATY SALLISS - whether that is making a cup of tea, tending the garden or planning their week. Those everyday moments help maintain confidence and dignity.

Continuity is also key. Trust takes time to build, so we work hard to ensure customers see familiar Care Professionals who understand their routines, preferences and personalities.

Communication is equally important.

Families want reassurance and transparency, so we pride ourselves on being open, honest and proactive.

HOW DO YOU ENSURE EVERY CUSTOMER RECEIVES A BESPOKE SERVICE?

For us, personalised care begins with listening.

Every person has their own routines, interests, preferences and goals, so no two care plans should ever be the same.

We spend time getting to know each customer because understanding what matters to someone is just as important as understanding the support they need.

Our care plans are regularly reviewed and adapted as circumstances change because people’s lives do not stand still.

Often, it is the smallest details that make the biggest difference - remembering how someone likes their tea, encouraging a favourite hobby or supporting them to

attend an important family event. That is what truly personalised care looks like.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM AND HOW THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Our team is the heart of Braeburn Care.

We recruit people with compassion, kindness and integrity because technical skills can be taught, but genuine empathy comes from within. Our Care Professionals understand they are not simply delivering care - they are building relationships and becoming an important part of someone’s daily life.

It is often the little things that have the greatest impact: sharing a conversation over a cup of tea, accompanying someone to an appointment or simply taking time to listen.

Behind every Care Professional is a supportive management team that genuinely cares about their wellbeing too. When our team feels valued and supported, our customers receive the very best care.

CAN YOU SHARE A MOMENT WHEN YOUR TEAM MADE A REAL DIFFERENCE?

One moment that has stayed with me involved a customer whose family lived some distance away. They wanted their loved one to continue enjoying life, but

47

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

they could not always be there to create those special moments. That is where we became an extension of their family.

During conversations, the customer spoke about how much she missed visiting the seaside. So we decided to take her. We carefully planned every detail, considering accessibility, parking, quieter routes and places to rest so she could feel safe and comfortable throughout the day.

There was no rushing. We walked at her pace, enjoyed the sea views, shared fish and chips and an ice cream, and allowed her to enjoy being out again.

The smile on her face said everything.

Her family told us how much it meant knowing that, even though they could not be there themselves, someone they trusted had helped create such a special memory.

That is what great home care is all about.

It is not simply helping people live safely at home - it is helping them continue living a meaningful life.

HOW IS BRAEBURN CARE INNOVATING FOR THE FUTURE?

Innovation is not always about technology. Sometimes it is about identifying a gap and creating a service that genuinely improves people’s lives.

Our recently launched Home from Hospital Support service is a great example. We recognised that many people

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE PEOPLE CONSIDERING CARE TO KNOW ABOUT BRAEBURN CARE?

leave hospital medically fit but lacking the confidence or practical support they need during those first important days at home.

By bridging that gap, we help people settle back into familiar surroundings, support their recovery and provide reassurance to families.

Technology also plays an important role behind the scenes, helping us communicate effectively and ensure our Care Professionals have the information they need. However, innovation will always be about improving the experience for the people we support, not replacing the human connection at the heart of great care.

I would like people to know that asking about care does not commit them to anything.

Many families leave the conversation later than they should because they worry it means giving up independence.

In reality, the right care at the right time can help someone remain independent, confident and living in their own home for much longer.

When someone contacts Braeburn Care, they receive honest advice from people who genuinely want to understand their situation and help them make the right decision.

We do not simply provide care - we become trusted partners during what can often be an emotional time.

That is the Braeburn Care difference.

We care about the person first and the care second, because when you truly understand the person, everything else follows naturally.

GET IN TOUCH:

Tel: 01892 577 680 Email: enquiries@braeburncare.co.uk Website: www.braeburncare.co.uk

Do you need flexible pragmatic HR support?

Frustrated that HR issues prevent you from focusing on your business?

“HR is all about people, so our approach is always personal.”

If so, then get in touch.

T: 01892 300360 info@gfhr.co.uk gfhr.co.uk

48

COMMUNITY HERO

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

Help Tree of Hope to branch out further For this month’s Community Hero Sarah Raine meets Gareth Munn, volunteer for Tree of Hope Charity to discover more about this charity and how you can help it…

G

areth lives in Tunbridge Wells, and has two children. He worked in the city in Wealth Management and Banking for over 20 years, and set up his own financial advice firm, Control Point Wealth, over three years ago.

GARETH, PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT TREE OF HOPE…

Tree of Hope was set up in Bexhill in 1992, and is now based out of Tunbridge Wells. It has grown into an incredible and unique charity, that today supports over 400 families across the UK each year.

Unlike other charities where funding and grants are used for delivering specific services or conducting research, this charity operates to help families with children with complex healthcare needs to fundraise for themselves.

WHAT ARE THE KEY SERVICES YOU OFFER?

We provide our families with the support and structure to raise money for medical appointments, equipment and activities to support their children to fulfil their potential. Effectively, we set up charity pages in the name of the child, so the family can benefit from a professional, trusted payment platform on which they can also receive gift aid. At the same time this provides donors with reassurance of the provenance and legitimacy of being part of an established charity.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY SUPPORT TEAM?

They are incredible and thanks to them we can also provide fundraising ideas for families as well as advise on media support and enable them to maximise the amount they can raise. Families can fundraise until their child turns 18 and use any remaining funds until they turn 25.

When they need to use the money raised, Tree of Hope carries out the appropriate checks and pays eligible healthcare providers or suppliers directly.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FACING THE CHARITY?

There are multiple issues facing the charity, not least that the £2.1bn NHS

“

came across Tree of Hope. I don’t think many families realise the costs involved in dealing with complex healthcare needs.

For us it was her shoes, she would burn through shoes in days, the travel costs to get to specialist appointments, the cost of taking unpaid time off work when holiday ran out. The orthotics the NHS provided was another issue, they weren’t helping her develop, so we have to find £3k per year for private orthotics, which were literally life-changing for her.

Partners in Hope is a new service we have introduced to get more corporate institutions involved with our fundraising and overall support shortfall in funding for disabled children means more families need us than ever before. This, against a backdrop of charity ask fatigue and a cost-of-living crisis makes things difficult.

As a charity we operate leanly, taking just 7.5% as a service charge, (a lot less than many national charities take), which doesn’t even cover the costs of our team.

Across the UK, there is a huge unmet need, and we need support and funding to help us grow. ‘Partners in Hope’ is a new service we have introduced to get more corporates involved, we wanted something tangible to fit their ESG goals, for some it could mean helping us to grow the charity’s reach in a specific geographic or demographic area of the UK.

HOW IS VOLUNTEERING FOR TREE OF HOPE REWARDING?

I have been volunteering as a Trustee for over two years, giving something back was important to me and I feel I can add value, being a parent with lived experience on the trustee board, as well as my financial background.

My daughter was diagnosed with a lower-limb movement disorder when she was 18 months old, and this is when I first

DO YOU NEED MORE TRUSTEES?

Yes - ideally with a medical or media background to complement our existing skill set. If you are thinking about giving something back, and running a marathon or sitting on the PTA isn’t your thing, this is genuinely a really enjoyable way to use your professional and life experience to make a difference. Being a trustee isn’t as big a commitment as you might think, it could be as little as 35 hours a year, although I often give extra hours at fundraising events.

HOW CAN PEOPLE SUPPORT TREE OF HOPE?

If you want to support one of our children, visit www.treeofhope.org.uk/ get-involved/childrens-campaigns/ . If you want to help the charity to grow or become a trustee, then visit www.treeofhope.org.uk or contact Becky Andrew, CEO to have a conversation becky.andrew@treeofhope.org.uk

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

RECRUITMENT LEGAL NEWS

49

When more recruiters mean fewer results This month the team at TN Recruits look at the reasons why a crowded agency brief can weaken employer reputation – and how one accountable recruitment partner often delivers far more…

A

s businesses prepare for autumn hiring, imagine receiving several calls in one day from different recruiters, all promoting the same vacancy. For a sought-after candidate, the message is immediate: Why is this role everywhere?

The assumption may be that the employer is struggling to recruit, the position has been open for too long, or there are issues within the business.

None of those assumptions may be true.

Yet reputation is shaped as much by perception as reality.

Across Kent, Sussex and Surrey, professional networks are closely connected. Candidates compare

EMMA MOSS

“

Your recruitment process says something about your business long before a candidate walks through the door approaches, notice inconsistencies and remember when the same role appears through multiple recruiters with different messages or conflicting information. A vacancy released to numerous agencies can quickly feel less like an opportunity and more like a commodity.

Recently, while conducting an exclusive search for a Legal Cashier on behalf of a client, our Director of Legal Recruitment, Emma Moss, spoke to an experienced legal professional who had already been contacted several times by different recruiters about a similar Legal Cashier vacancy at another firm.

Instead of asking about the opportunity, the candidate questioned why so many

agencies appeared to be recruiting for the same position. They wondered whether the firm was struggling to hire or whether there were wider issues behind the vacancy.

It is a situation Emma has encountered twice in recent weeks.

Those conversations are a reminder that recruitment activity becomes part of an employer’s brand. Within sectors such as law, other firms notice too. Repeated approaches from multiple recruiters can unintentionally create speculation about retention, culture or business stability before an interview has even been arranged.

While using several agencies can appear to widen the search, it often creates a race to submit candidates first rather than represent the opportunity well. Candidates may be approached repeatedly, receive inconsistent information or lose confidence in the process altogether. Employers can then find themselves dealing with duplicated CVs, ownership disputes and a fragmented candidate experience.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s Code of Professional Practice places clear communication, confidentiality and respect for candidates

at the heart of responsible recruitment.

Those standards matter, but so does the structure of the brief.

An exclusive recruitment partnership creates a very different dynamic. One consultant has the time to understand the business, represent it consistently, approach carefully selected professionals with credibility and provide honest market feedback throughout the search. The employer gains one accountable partner, while candidates receive a considered, professional experience that reflects positively on the organisation.

At TN Recruits, we believe every vacancy should enter the market with purpose. By taking time to understand the business, its culture and what success genuinely looks like, we help clients protect their reputation while reaching the people most likely to make a lasting impact.

Your recruitment process says something about your business long before a candidate walks through the door. Choosing one accountable recruitment partner helps ensure it says the right thing.

GET IN TOUCH: www.tnrecruits.com 01892 571105

Hoads Korker Sausages Kent’s best kept secret since 1959.

Article by India Hoad Nestled in the Kent countryside, Korker Sausages

have

been

crafting

award-

winning sausages since 1959. Founded by Jim Hoad, the family-run business still uses the very same signature seasoning recipe created over six decades ago.

Now in its third generation, Korkers is led

by Ed Hoad and his daughter India, who heads up sales and marketing. While the business has grown to supply over 650 stockists

across

the

South

East,

its

commitment to quality, consistency and traditional

craftsmanship

remains

unchanged. That distinctive pepper and sage seasoning has become the heart of every Korker sausage, earning the brand a loyal following and helping secure the title of UK's Best Frozen Sausage 2025 for its Cranberry & Stilton variety.

Produced

in

Rolvenden

using

locally

sourced ingredients wherever possible and backed by SALSA accreditation, Korkers combines heritage with innovation. From gluten-free and Halal-certified options to sustainable production powered in part by solar energy, the business continues to evolve while staying true to the family recipe that started it all.

www.korker-sausages.co.uk

T W EDIT the

August 2026

dining ● travel ● lifestyle ● property

Taste of

Spain

Soprano celebrates 20 years in Tunbridge Wells

WELLNESS EDIT

The best local spots to relax, revive and recharge

IT’S GREAT OUTDOORS Make the most of the last days of summer

THE STYLE EDIT This season’s must-have fashion and beauty

2

Cocktails, Mocktails and Bar Snacks For Two Essence at The Pantiles Explore our signature, seasonal and favourite classics drinks menu with this special offer. What's included? Two of our incredible cocktails or mocktails each and house bar snacks. Price £48 For Two. Enjoy this offer with ZERO additional charges.

Where : On the terrace and in our bar.

When : Monday to Friday (excluding Live at The Pantiles season on Thursday evenings, May to September).

Lunch 12.30 - 3.30pm | Dinner 5.30 - 7pm And if you would like to join us for dinner afterwards, just ask our team who will be delighted to host you!

Essence at the Pantiles

by Atul Kochhar,

62-64 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TN

www.essencerestaurants.co.uk

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

Contents 04

VIVA SOPRANO! We dine at the popular Spanish tapas restaurant Soprano

06

HOSPITALITY HELP? Local publicans discuss the impact of the Government’s latest tax cut

08

RAISE A GLASS: Wine expert James Viner picks his top tipples for the end of summer

10

PROPERTY MATTERS: Becky Moran of TN Lettings and Deborah Richards of Maddisons Residential offer their insight into the local property market

16

LET’S GO OUTSIDE: How to create a chic alfresco area to enjoy the rest of summer

18

GARDENING GLORY: Tim Sykes of Gardenproud on creating the perfect outdoor space

20

GOLDEN TICKET: Go on a global adventure this summer with Ashdown Travel

22

STYLE EDIT: Victoria Genevieve reveals the hottest trends for a stylish summer

26

SO SPA, SO GOOD: Don’t miss our wellness special featuring Knowle Grange and Natural Fit

K

icking off our TW Edit this month, we take a trip to Soprano to dine and discover the secret that’s kept them in business for the past 20 years.

When I went along with my daughter Isabelle, we had the pleasure of sampling some of its signature Spanish tapas, and it was wonderful to see the restaurant, run by Ivan Di Santo, as busy and vibrant as ever. From the jamón and pan con tomate to its famously popular albondigas, every bite of the delicious tapas dishes we were served was a reminder of why this much-loved independent has become such an integral part of our town. Here’s to the next 20 years, Team Soprano!

Staying on the subject of hospitality, we chat to Brian Whiting of WH Pubs and Robert Hogben, one of the directors at The Mount Edgcumbe on Mount Ephraim, to discover what the Government’s

announcement of a cut in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues could mean for them. Their answers are extremely interesting…

As well as all our brilliant fashion, beauty, property and gardening content, we also have a special guide to wellness this month.

We showcase two of our favourite local spots, Knowle Grange Spa and Natural Fit gym, but also include a round-up of some other establishments worth checking out that will help you relax, recharge and look after yourself, both locally and further afield.

And finally, we explore the enduring appeal of outdoor living, with inspiration for making the most of your garden or alfresco space as summer gently moves towards autumn.

Enjoy, Eileen

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FOOD & DRINK INTERVIEW

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

Viva Soprano!

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Celebrating 20 years on Tunbridge Wells High Street, Soprano has firmly established itself as one of the town’s most popular and much-loved independent restaurants. We return to this Spanish tapas favourite to discover its enduring epicurean appeal…

hen it comes to delivering that holy hospitality trinity of deliciously authentic food, eclectic ambience and friendly service, Soprano does so every time I, along with family or friends, have had the pleasure of dining there.

So it’s no wonder to discover that in September it will mark 20 years on Tunbridge Wells High Street. No mean feat given that, during the past two decades, other independent establishments have opened and closed, while well-known national restaurant chains have roared into town to great fanfare, only to humbly retreat a few years later.

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Soprano’s menu is packed full of Spanish tapas classics, including tortilla, gambas pil pil and boquerones but there are little adventurous hints of other Mediterranean-inspired cuisine here too Then, of course, there was the Covid curveball, which certainly gave every business owner plenty of sleepless nights – especially those in the hospitality sector. But thankfully, brothers Ivan and Maurizio Di Santo, who own Soprano, not only expertly steered this popular authentic Spanish tapas bar to safety, they have positively made it one of Tunbridge Wells’ most successful restaurants. And, as it turns 20, it can now boast that it’s the town’s longest-running independent establishment too.

The brothers, who hail from Calabria in Italy and also run a hugely successful dessert company specialising in traditional desserts from their region, have invited me and my daughter to dine at Soprano as part of a series of special celebrations for their 20th anniversary.

We arrive one warm Friday evening in early August and the place is buzzing, with tables full both inside and in the inviting alfresco area.

Groups range from couples out on a date to friends kicking back and

MAURIZIO (L) AND IVAN DI SANTO relaxing after a busy working week. The atmosphere is fun and friendly, and we’re quickly shown to our table right in the heart of the restaurant.

The décor is iconic, with ambient lighting, black-and-white framed photos of famous film stars and a mix of vermilionred painted walls and exposed brick.

There are wall-to-wall smooth leather banquettes and a cocktail counter that positively shimmers with all the colourful bottles and sculptural glassware displayed on it.

As our menus are brought to us, we are also served a little shot of Baby Guinness to get the evening off to a fine start…

Once finished, we’re soon perusing the menu which, as you’d expect, is packed full of Spanish tapas classics, including tortilla, patatas bravas, gambas pil pil,

boquerones and traditional paella.

There are also little adventurous hints of other Mediterranean-inspired cuisine here too – think grilled halloumi with a heritage carrot purée, pink peppercorns and mojo verde, and a variety of flavoured homemade hummus dips with fresh pitta.

My daughter Isabelle and I decide upon a trio of appetisers to accompany the cocktails we choose: a classic margarita for me and a Blush for her. Both are beautifully presented and almost – almost – look too good to drink.

Isabelle’s Blush arrives at the table literally bubbling away, thanks to the talented mixologist who performs all kinds of magic when creating Soprano’s legendary cocktails. The Blush is a mix of Prosecco, pink gin, raspberry and fresh grapefruit, and is clean and refreshing.

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

FOOD & DRINK LEGAL INTERVIEW NEWS

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Other show-stopping cocktails on offer include the very Instagram-friendly Glitter Mojito and Anna Banana.

But back to the main event – the food.

The dates we ordered to start were wrapped in slivers of thinly sliced Serrano ham and roasted. This pairing gave a nod to Spain’s Moorish heritage and was, in actual fact, incredibly moreish. Jammy to taste and cleverly fusing hits of respective sweetness and saltiness, we agreed this was a great opening choice.

Our pan con tomate was another epicurean delight: crisp toasted sourdough topped with juicy, ripe grated tomatoes and finished off with a sprinkling of sliced fresh chilli and spring onion, with a generous drizzle of olive oil.

Literally, heaven on a plate!

The Padrón peppers were our final appetiser of choice and came beautifully blistered and lightly salted – and were devoured within minutes.

Next up was one of the most in-demand house dishes on the Soprano menu: its albondigas meatballs - the recipe for which is a closely guarded secret. Ivan told me that although they like to update and tweak the menu fairly regularly, this is one of the dishes that is non-negotiable due to its enormous popularity.

When they arrive, we can see why: they are melt-in-the-mouth delicious and come anointed in a rich and smoky tomato sauce spiked with seasoning and a little chilli – we think!

The patatas bravas we also order are everything you want from this Spanish classic: golden and crisp on the outside, fluffy within and generously coated in punchy brava sauce. Isabelle and I find ourselves duelling forks for the last bite (and of course I let her win!)

Yet again we have dined so well at Soprano and, as we say goodbye to the friendly staff at Soprano, Isabelle and I both agree that we, along with every other discerning diner here in Tunbridge Wells, are incredibly lucky to have this gastronomic gem on our doorstep.

Here’s to the next 20 years, Team Soprano – ¡Viva España! www.sopranotunbridgewells.co.uk

COMMENT INTERVIEW

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The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

Is this the first step towards saving our local pubs?

The Government’s new 20% business rates cut for pubs, clubs and live music venues has been welcomed by some in the hospitality sector – but local operators say more needs to be done to secure the future of our muchloved pubs and venues writes Abi Chantler…

O

n Thursday 23 July 2026, the UK Government announced a series of economic measures aimed at supporting businesses and easing financial pressures for households.

Among them was a 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues in England.

The measure will come into effect in April 2027 and is expected to save the typical pub around £1,100 a year. The Government says the package will benefit nearly 32,000 businesses and will be

“

“Pubs need continued investment, sensible taxation and policies that encourage people to visit, socialise and spend time in their local”– Brian Whiting, WH Pubs fully funded, including through a review of business rates reliefs for businesses such as vape shops that it says do not make a positive contribution to local communities.

While Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his Government have argued that the measure will provide much-needed support for these establishments, the announcement has attracted criticism from opposition parties, industry figures and consumer groups, who have questioned whether the reduction will be enough to make a meaningful difference.

And while cafes and restaurants won’t benefit from this particular measure, thousands of pubs, social clubs and live music venues will.

Responding to the announcement, Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed the policy by asking, “Is that it?”

She also warned that the Government’s spending plans could ultimately lead to increased taxes.

The hospitality sector has also made its views known, warning that many businesses continue to face rising operating costs and that business rates

BRIAN WHITING reductions alone may not be enough to prevent closures.

Chef Tom Kerridge has been particularly vocal about the need for wider support.

He is spearheading the VAT’s the Problem campaign, which calls for hospitality VAT to be reduced from 20% to 10%.

Kerridge has argued that a business rates reduction is welcome, but that cutting VAT would make a more fundamental difference to the sector.

Another supporter of VAT’s the Problem is Brian Whiting of WH Pubs. The group has a number of local establishments in its portfolio, including The Little Brown Jug in Chiddingstone Causeway.

Brian told us about the measures he believes could not only help rescue struggling pubs but also bolster them: “My hope is that this is genuinely the first step towards wider support for the hospitality sector. Reducing costs helps, but pubs also need continued investment, sensible taxation and policies that encourage people to visit, socialise and spend time in their local.”

He added: “As an industry, we will always back measures that help protect pubs and ensure they continue to thrive for future generations. The big thing we desperately need is a reduction in VAT, no different to the rest of Europe. If this doesn’t happen,

sadly your local will disappear, along with all the other shops we once had in the villages.”

Robert Hogben, one of the directors at the Mount Edgcumbe on Mount Ephraim told us: “I’d like to know if this announcement is on top of the existing 15% discount? I would prefer a reduction to 10% on VAT but at the end of the day any discount is better than none. But it is certainly not enough – and we have heard all this before!”

Hospitality is one of the country’s biggest employers and contributes billions each year to the Treasury. Industry body UKHospitality says the sector employs around 3.6 million people and contributes £96 billion to the UK economy annually.

The Government insists the business rates reduction is intended to help protect jobs, support investment and keep muchloved community venues open. Industry representatives, however, argue that wider changes are needed if hospitality businesses are to have a sustainable future.

For local pubs, clubs and venues, the question is whether this latest measure will provide enough breathing space – or whether it is simply the beginning of a much bigger conversation about the future of hospitality.

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026 36 CHARITY INTERVIEW

7 FOOD & DRINK The TW Edit JULY 2026 LEGAL INTERVIEW NEWS

FOOD & DRINK INTERVIEW

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The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

Last of the summer wine Our Drinks Editor James Viner selects seven sensational bottles for the August Bank Holiday – and beyond…

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he August Bank Holiday has its own rhythm: friends drift in, the barbecue fires up and thoughts turn to what’s chilling in the fridge and waiting in the wine rack. The best choice is rarely the famous label or the biggest name, but a bottle with character – something that fits the food, weather and mood.

I’ve picked seven wines, all under £15, that punch above their price tag: a crisp Puglian vermentino, juicy French reds made for chilling, an elegant Loire chenin blanc and a Sicilian skin-contact wine guaranteed to spark conversation.

These wines all have stories to tell – and may inspire stories of their own. Here are seven cracking bottles to open…

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Fleurie is one of the most effortlessly drinkable summer reds: fragrant, silky and refreshing when lightly chilled 1. NV COTES DES VOILES ROSÉ, VIN DE FRANCE (£6.50, Tesco, 11%)

This southern French rosé punches well above its price. Pale, juicy and fragrant, with peach, wild berries and orange blossom, it’s the sort of pink that disappears faster than intended. A dependable fridge-door favourite at a keen price. Look out for Tesco Clubcard offers, which can bring it down further.

2. 2025 MILUNA VERMENTINO, PUGLIA, ITALY (£10, Co-Op, 12.5%)

Puglia rarely gets the attention it deserves, and this Co-op exclusive makes that point well. Early-picked vermentino brings citrus, leafy herbs, white flowers and spice, with freshness and definition that make lunches linger longer. Pour with grilled sea bass, spaghetti alle vongole or pesto pasta.

3. 2024 DOMAINE DU CROS MARCILLAC ‘LO SANG DEL PAÏS’, FRANCE (£11.50, The Wine Society, 12%)

Marcillac remains one of southwest France’s best-kept secrets. From the dramatic hills of wild Aveyron, this stellar light-bodied red is made from fer servadou

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (aka mansois). Think raspberries, plums, violets, pepper and a smoky edge shaped by iron-rich soils. Give it 20 minutes in the fridge and it comes alive, revealing freshness and charm. Serve alongside steak-frites, cassoulet, charcuterie or Laguiole cheese.

4. 2023 LAURENT DELAUNAY ‘LES GRAPPILLAGES’ FLEURIE, BEAUJOLAIS, FRANCE (£12, Morrisons, 13%)

Fleurie is one of the most effortlessly drinkable summer reds: fragrant, silky and refreshing when lightly chilled.

This polished Beaujolais cru combines strawberries, black cherries, bright acidity and a delicate mineral edge. Elegant enough for the table, yet with the charm of a barbecue favourite. Equally at home with duck and tuna steaks, pork pies or Ottolenghi-inspired salads.

5. 2024 DOMAINE DES AUBUISIÈRES ‘CUVÉE DE PERRUCHES’ VOUVRAY, LOIRE, FRANCE (£12.50, Majestic, Mix 6 price, 12.5%)

Chenin blanc, grown on the soft, low tuffeau hills flanking the Loire, produces satisfying sweet and dry wines. This dry, mouth-watering Vouvray has the grape’s trademark freshness and tangy acidity, with the balance that makes a second glass inevitable. Hello shellfish, gravadlax, Brie, goat’s cheese and charcuterie.

Follow James on Instagram @QuixoticWines

6. 2023 M. CHAPOUTIER DOMAINE DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON BLANC, FRANCE (£13.20–£15.75, Noble Grape, Taurus Wines, Urban Cellar & selected independent merchants, 13.5% ABV)

Here’s an impeccably balanced southern French white delivering complexity without the price tag. Blended from grenache blanc, grenache gris and macabeu in the eastern Pyrenees, it layers lemon, grapefruit, white flowers and struck flint with refreshing acidity and suave texture. Tailor-made for seafood – especially grilled sardines.

7. 2024 CORTESE NOSTRU ORGANIC ORANGE-UTAN, VITTORIA, SICILY, ITALY (£14.49–£15.50, Organica, House of Townend & selected independent merchants, 12.5%)

Orange, or amber, wine – white wine made with contact with grape skins – is no passing curiosity. The finest examples come into their own at the table, and this skilful Sicilian release is among the most convincing. Made from 80% inzolia and 20% zibibbo, both fermented on their skins, it melds apricot, quince, Seville orange and tea leaf with gentle spice, savoury grip and a twist of quinine.

Even an Italian wine colleague who once dismissed orange wines called it “super sapid!” Serve cool, not cold. A distinctive bottle to share.

FOOD & DRINK LEGAL INTERVIEW NEWS

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

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YEARS OF SOPRANO

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PROPERTY INTERVIEW

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

The rental reset The Renters Reform legislation has now been in force for four months. Becky Moran of TN Lettings looks at how the changes are affecting landlords – and why staying informed has never been more important

I

t has now been four months since the Renters Reform legislation came into force and, understandably, many landlords were concerned about what these changes would mean for their investment. There was plenty of speculation before the legislation was introduced, with many predicting significant disruption to the private rental sector. However, from what we have experienced so far, the reality has been far less dramatic.

At TN Lettings, the day-to-day management of rental properties has remained largely unchanged. Much of the new legislation reinforces what good landlords and professional letting agents should already be doing – ensuring properties are compliant, well maintained, correctly documented and managed proactively. For landlords who

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Our message to landlords remains reassuring: there is no need to be alarmed by the reforms, but there is every reason to stay informed

have always taken their responsibilities seriously, there has been very little impact on how they let and manage their properties.

In many ways, the reforms are simply raising standards across the industry and ensuring everyone is working to the same expectations. As legislation continues to evolve, it is becoming even more important for landlords to stay informed and ensure everything is in place to protect both themselves and their investment.

There is, however, one trend that we have started to notice.

Since the introduction of the new legislation, tenants appear to be making

decisions to move much more quickly than they have in the past. We have recently dealt with several tenancies where notice has been served after only a short period of occupation, including a couple where tenants chose to leave after just one month in the property.

While every tenancy is different and genuine changes in personal circumstances do happen, this can become both costly and inconvenient for landlords. A property has to be remarketed, viewings arranged, references completed and a new tenancy put in place, often only weeks after the previous one began. Although demand for quality rental properties remains strong in our area, this additional turnover inevitably creates more work and can increase the costs associated with letting a property.

This is where professional management becomes increasingly valuable. Having an experienced agent in place means the

process can be managed efficiently, void periods kept to a minimum and landlords supported throughout what can otherwise become a frustrating situation.

The Renters Reform legislation is by no means complete, and further changes are expected over the coming months.

As a business, we are already preparing for the next phase by reviewing our procedures, updating our documentation and ensuring our landlords remain fully compliant as new requirements are introduced.

Our message to landlords remains reassuring. There is no need to be alarmed by the reforms, but there is every reason to stay informed. The legislation continues to evolve, and keeping ahead of those changes is the best way to protect your property, your investment and your future as a landlord.

At TN Lettings, we’re committed to making that process as straightforward as possible. We’ll continue to monitor every legislative update, adapt our management processes where needed and ensure our landlords receive clear, practical advice every step of the way.

For more information about our property management services, call 01892 249070 or email info@tnlettings.co.uk.

PROPERTY LEGAL INTERVIEW NEWS

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

Cubit Consulting are a wellestablished firm of Chartered Building Surveyors located in the heart of Shoreditch, London EC2A. Cubit Consulting provides professional services and expert advice to commercial and domestic clients across the UK. Known for its strong market presence, the firm of Chartered Surveyors specialises in Building Surveying (MRICS) and offers a comprehensive range of services. Cubit Consulting prides itself on understanding client requirements and delivering a high quality service, supported by ongoing training and professional development to enhance the quality of its personnel.

SERVICES INCLUDE:

· Building Surveying · Architectural Services and Design

Get in touch with our team of professional experts to discuss your next project.

· Project Management · Party Wall Matters

Cubit Consulting 13-21 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3LT

· Principal Designer Services · Cost Consultancy and Dispute Resolution

Tel: +44 (0) 207 253 5050 Email: mail@cubitconsulting.co.uk www.cubitconsulting.co.uk

Your local, Your local, independent sales agent

independent sales agent Always here to help

Always here to help Tel: 01892 249080 Email: info@tnsales.co.uk www.tnsales.co.uk 01892 249080 Your Trusted, Local, IndependentTel: Letting Agents Email: info@tnsales.co.uk www.tnsales.co.uk

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PROPERTY INTERVIEW

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

Time to make your move ?

In her column for this month Deborah Richards, founder of Maddisons Residential, explains why this time of year is perfect if you are serious about moving home and being in this autumn…

A

s we move through August, many homeowners instinctively put their moving plans on hold until September. The school holidays are in full swing, routines are disrupted and thoughts often turn to vacations rather than house sales. Yet, from an estate agent’s perspective, August is actually one of the most valuable months of the year for anyone considering an autumn move.

The autumn market has traditionally been one of the busiest periods for property transactions. Buyers return from their summer breaks refreshed and motivated, children are settled back into school, and many households begin planning their next move before Christmas. The sellers who achieve the best results are often not those who wait until autumn arrives, but those who use August wisely to prepare. Strong presentation and careful planning can make all the difference when your property first reaches the market. As we often say at Maddisons, presentation is not a cosmetic afterthought, it is a commercial strategy. Properties that are well presented consistently attract more interest and create stronger buyer engagement.

One of the most effective starting points is decluttering. Over time, every home accumulates possessions that can make rooms feel smaller or distract from their best features. Indeed it is often said that you should move every 10 years just to keep on top of your stuff! Buyers want to imagine themselves living in a property, and that is easier when spaces feel open and organised. August provides the perfect opportunity to sort cupboards, clear surfaces and reduce excess furniture before photography and viewings begin.

Decoration is another area worth considering. This does not mean undertaking expensive renovations, but rather addressing small issues that can affect first impressions. Scuffed paintwork, tired décor, peeling sealant and minor maintenance jobs can all influence a buyer’s perception. The aim is not to create a show home, but to present a home that feels well cared for and easy for a buyer to move into.

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The autumn market has traditionally been one of the busiest periods for property transactions Outside space deserves equal attention.

Tidy borders, cut back overgrown planting, pressure wash patios and try to keep you lawns presentable (although challenging with a hosepipe ban!). First impressions are formed long before a buyer reaches the front door, and kerb appeal remains one of the most influential factors in generating a positive viewing experience.

Preparation should not stop with presentation. Sellers who get their paperwork organised early can often enjoy a smoother sales process later.

Locating planning permissions, building

regulation certificates, guarantees, warranties and other important documents before launching to market can prevent delays once a sale is agreed.

It is also worth discussing your plans with a solicitor at an early stage so that the legal process can begin as efficiently as possible.

The reality is that buyers in today’s market have plenty of choice, making strong presentation more important than ever. Well-presented, well-prepared homes consistently perform better and stand out from the competition.

So, while August may feel like a quiet month, it can be an incredibly productive one. By focusing on presentation, decluttering, decorating, gardening and paperwork now, you can ensure that when the autumn market gathers momentum, your property is ready to make the strongest possible first impression from day one. maddisonsresidential.co.uk

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

PROPERTY LEGAL INTERVIEW NEWS

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PROPERTY INTERVIEW

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

Hot property Every month in the TW Edit supplement we showcase one of the area’s most desirable homes. This month, Maddisons Residential presents an exceptional five-bedroom family house set within the beautiful Eridge Estate…

S

et in one of the most sought-after locations on the rural edge of Tunbridge Wells, this beautifully extended and renovated fivebedroom detached home offers the perfect balance of countryside tranquillity and modern family living.

Surrounded by woodland and parkland within the prestigious Eridge Estate, the property enjoys spectacular farreaching views across its own 2.5 acres of predominantly south-facing gardens, while remaining just minutes from The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells station and excellent grammar schools.

The spacious entrance hall, complete with attractive tiled flooring and underfloor heating, sets the tone for the stylish interiors beyond. A generous dual-aspect sitting room, centred around a woodburning stove, provides an inviting space for relaxing or entertaining.

The real heart of the home, however, is the stunning open-plan kitchen and dining room. Beautifully fitted with bespoke shaker-style cabinetry by Handmade Kitchens of Christchurch, quartz worktops and high-quality integrated appliances, it flows effortlessly into a light-filled garden room at one end and a cosy snug at the other. Patio and bi-fold doors create a seamless connection to the wraparound terraces, making the most of the spectacular setting throughout the seasons.

Practicality hasn't been overlooked either. A separate study provides an ideal home office, while a utility and boot room offers the perfect place for muddy boots after exploring the surrounding countryside.

Upstairs are five generous double bedrooms, four of which are dual aspect, ensuring every room enjoys wonderful natural light and views across the gardens.

The principal bedroom features extensive fitted wardrobes and a luxurious en-suite with twin basins and a walk-in shower, while the guest bedroom also benefits from its own en-suite. Throughout the property, quality finishes include Farrow & Ball paint colours, Mandarin Stone tiling and premium Hansgrohe and Burlington bathroom fittings.

Outside, the grounds are every bit as impressive as the house itself. Mature lawns, woodland and a natural pond create a peaceful haven for wildlife and family life alike. At the top of the garden sits a summer house with power and

Wi-Fi already connected, offering exciting potential as a home office or creative studio. A former garage also provides scope for conversion into additional accommodation, subject to the necessary permissions.

The current owners have invested extensively in both the house and grounds, including comprehensive drainage works, landscaped terraces and level lawned areas ideal for outdoor entertaining and family games.

Approached via a private shared drive with gated access and generous parking, this outstanding home combines elegant interiors, practical family living and an exceptional rural setting with remarkable convenience.

Offered with no onward chain, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a truly special family home in one of the area's most desirable locations.

GUIDE HIGHLIGHTS: • Five-bedroom detached family home • Beautifully extended and modernised • Approx. 2.5 acres of gardens and woodland • Stunning Eridge Estate location • Spectacular countryside views • Bespoke kitchen with garden room and snug • Two en-suite bedrooms • Underfloor heating and double glazing • Gated driveway with ample parking • No onward chain

GET IN TOUCH: Call us: 01892 514100 Email us: info@maddisonsresidential.co.uk Visit: www.maddisonsresidential.co.uk

PROPERTY LEGAL INTERVIEW NEWS

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

Looking for a new garage? How about an old one…

Mereworth Motors has been servicing Tunbridge Wells since 1976, proving that good service never goes out of fashion.

We’re a genuine alternative to the main dealer, and offer expert Servicing, Repairs, MOTs and Diagnostic Work – all with the personal touch you’d expect from a small, local, independent business.

And, because life is busy, we even provide a FREE collection and delivery service

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The autumn market has traditionally been one of the busiest periods for property transactions

01892 532276 Unit 2B North Farm Road Tunbridge Wells TN2 3DR www.mereworthmotors.co.uk info@mereworthmotors.co.uk

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HOMES & INTERIORS INTERVIEW

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The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

See out summer in style

TALENTI OUTDOOR LIVING - Itaca Set Living, en.talentispa.com

Given the incredible summer we’ve had we’re not in any rush to retire our outdoor spaces just yet. Here’s some inspiration if you’re looking to up the ante on your alfresco area says Eileen Leahy…

S

ummer may be gently winding down, but the days are still warm and inviting. Whether you’re sitting outside with friends for lunch or spending a late summer’s evening relaxing in your garden you want it to look and feel welcoming.

We’ve fallen in love with this cool and contemporary style that will suit so many spaces. All you need is to keep to a streamlined colour scheme, go easy on the accessories and let the statement pieces do all the talking…

Whether you have a large sprawling space or a bijou balcony you can recreate elements of this stunning space – and a glorious late summer is the ideal time to do so.

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE: Alda Sola Wooden Outdoor Wall Lantern, £89, Dowsing and Reynolds, dowsingandreynolds.com

SITTING PRETTY: Ligne Roset Outdoor Living Armchairs And Sofas Murtoli Indoor Outdoor Sofa Chaise, Basil Dark Green Portrait, price on application, www.ligne-roset.com

LOOK OF LUXE: Model 10 Ottoman, in Vine, £359, Swyft, www.swyfthome.com

HOMESLEGAL &INTERVIEW INTERIORS NEWS

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

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A NEW LEAF: 100cm Green Mini Palm Tree Artificial Plant in Pot (right) , £26.99, Homescapes, www.homescapesonline.com

CURVE APPEAL: Marin Curved Coffee Table in Mottled White Concrete, price on application, Cult Furniture, www.cultfurniture.com

Whatever our outdoor space might look like, for the style-savvy, they are most definitely an extension of our living spaces, designed for relaxing, entertaining, dining and enjoying precious time with family and friends.

Comfort is key so think deep, weatherresistant seating layered with cushions and throws, outdoor rugs, ambient lighting and plenty of greenery.

But perhaps the real appeal of outdoor living is that it encourages us to slow down and enjoy the simple luxury of living beautifully in the open air…

SOFT TOUCH: Areca Cushion Cover in Putting Green, £65, OKA, www.oka.co

PRINTS CHARMING: Fern Wool Cushion, £46, JJ Textile, www.jjtextile.co.uk

Complete the look with Bespoke Millinery From fabric dyeing to the final trim, every detail is thoughtfully crafted to coordinate beautifully.

Visit us or book your consultation today.

e | hello@millefleurs.uk w | millefleur s.uk | @millefleur suk | @millefleur suk

12 High Street, Otford, Kent TN14 5PQ

01959 525501

43 Mount Ephraim Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 8AA

01892 329045

Expertise, Passion & Perfection

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GARDENING INTERVIEW

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

Future-proof your garden Tim Sykes of Gardenproud explains why now is the perfect time to create a climate-ready garden…

W

e need to change the way we think about our gardens.

The climatic changes we are witnessing are not going away. Increasingly unpredictable winters, followed by hotter, drier summers and more frequent periods of extreme heat, demand a fundamental rethink of how we design, build and care for our gardens.

We may not yet be experiencing the sustained temperatures seen in Greece or southern Spain, but the UK is undoubtedly getting hotter. The question is no longer whether our gardens need to adapt, but how quickly we are prepared to change.

For many of us, the garden has become an important extension of the home: somewhere to entertain, relax and escape. Protecting that investment – and the plants and landscapes that make it special – means designing gardens that are more resilient from the outset.

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The UK is undoubtedly getting hotter. The question is no longer whether our gardens need to adapt, but how quickly we are prepared to change

This begins with planting. We need to select trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses that are suited not only to the garden’s soil and aspect, but also to longer periods of heat and reduced rainfall. We must also use plants intelligently to create shade, shelter the ground and establish cooler microclimates within the garden.

The principle is not new. Beth Chatto famously demonstrated the importance of putting the right plant in the right place.

Her Gravel Garden in Essex was created on dry, free-draining ground and planted with species naturally adapted to those conditions.

The gravel was not simply decorative.

Used as a mulch, it helped suppress weeds, reduce evaporation and retain

precious moisture in the soil. Lightcoloured gravel can also reflect sunlight and help keep the roots beneath it cooler.

The resulting garden proved that droughttolerant planting can be both practical and exceptionally beautiful.

Soil preparation is equally important.

Organic matter can help lighter soils retain moisture, while improving the structure of heavier ground. Applying an appropriate mulch – whether composted material, bark or gravel – protects bare soil from direct sun and reduces moisture loss. The objective is to capture winter rainfall, hold it within the soil and make it available to plants when they need it.

Water will nevertheless remain an important part of maintaining a healthy garden, particularly while new planting becomes established. The answer is not indiscriminate watering, but more accurate and efficient irrigation.

Traditional sprinklers and open-ended hoses can lose a considerable proportion of their water through evaporation, spray drift and surface run-off. A properly designed drip or leaky-pipe system places water slowly and directly into the root zone. Depending on what it replaces and how it is managed, this can use approximately 30–50 per cent less water than conventional hose watering.

Zoning is particularly important. Trees, hedges, borders, lawns and containers all have different requirements and should not necessarily be watered together.

A modern control system can divide the garden into separate areas, adjust watering periods and respond to changes in the weather. Rain and soil-moisture sensors can make the system more intelligent still.

Rainwater harvesting should also form part of the discussion. Water butts are useful for smaller gardens, while larger underground storage tanks can collect substantial quantities from house, garage and outbuilding roofs.

Depending on the garden and storage capacity, harvested rainwater can either supply the irrigation system or reduce its reliance on mains water.

This thinking is not new to the Gardenproud team. Our experience in Australia has shown us a gardening culture in which water conservation, soil protection and climate-conscious planting have influenced landscape design for decades.

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

19

This summer has brought a pressure-reducing valve and the vulnerability of our timer and deliver water directly gardens – and the cost onto or beneath the soil without of getting things wrong spray, mist or surface run-off.

– vividly into our clients’ The precise conditions should minds. We now discuss always be checked with the climate resilience on almost relevant water supplier. every new project, and the South East Water introduced majority of the gardens we restrictions in Kent and Sussex are currently constructing on 18 July 2025. These were include irrigation from the not lifted until 5 February outset.

2026. New restrictions What does it cost? came into force in Kent Probably less than many on 3 July 2026, illustrating people imagine. how quickly exceptional A zoned, app-controlled system summer weather is for a relatively small garden becoming a recurring might cost approximately £4,500. challenge rather than an A much larger or more complex occasional event. garden could require an investment of Irrigation, however, is only one part £10,000–£15,000. of the answer. The truly climate-ready That should be considered in relation garden combines appropriate planting, to the overall investment in plants, soil healthy soil, effective mulching, shade, improvement, planting and labour. An rainwater collection and carefully irrigation system cannot guarantee controlled watering. that no plant will ever fail, but it can This is not about turning the traditional substantially reduce establishment losses, English garden into a desert landscape. It When it comes to irrigation, George is protect plant health and remove much of is about designing intelligently so that our a mine of information. He can create a the uncertainty associated with prolonged gardens remain beautiful, sustainable and tailored solution for virtually every garden hot weather. enjoyable in the climate we now have – and budget, from a straightforward Efficient irrigation may also remain and the one that lies ahead. zoned installation to a more sophisticated usable during certain hosepipe For gardening help and inspiration, system incorporating rainwater restrictions. Under South East Water’s contact Tim Sykes at Gardenproud on harvesting, sensors and app-based rules, fixed dripTUNBRIDGE or trickle systems SJD 130x90WELLS advert BUSINESS 09.25.qxp_SJD 130x90FEBRUARY advertpresent 09.25.qxp 59 WELLS BUSINESS FEBRUARY 2026 TUNBRIDGE MAGAZINE 2026 22/09/2025 16:29 07725MAGAZINE 173820PROPERTY or visit gardenproud.co.uk.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BUSINESS MAGAZINE MARCH 2026 control. are permitted where they incorporate ambient lighting to turn your house into SAVE THE DATE a home, you will find all of this and more thanks to those brilliant businesses Whether you’re mid-ren taking part. design, the Royal Tunbr LAND AND DEVELOPMENT Another huge bonus of the Royal of inspiration, creativity Tunbridge Wells Interior Design Festival WHEN: Thursday 12–14 is that there will be many exclusive WHERE: Tunbridge Wel CREATING BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES perks for visitors to enjoy including goody bags, special offers and delicious refreshments.

Also on offer will be plenty of interiors advice from a slew of experts who will be on hand to provide you with ideas on everything from how to create beautifully styled spaces to using colour with restraint but confidence, and tips UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF YOUR LAND OR PROPERTY T on how thoughtful lighting, texture and layout can transform everyday living. m One of the festival’s most exciting p elements will be its cohesive styling. b Streets and shopfronts will be dressed p to create a unified visual experience, m making the journey between venues p just as inspiring as the destinations A themselves. a At the heart of the festival is its focus e on local brands and expertise. Visitors will have the chance to meet interior e designers, stylists and home specialists fr We’re actively seeking sites for development on behalf of clients. who understand how people really live la For more information, contact Stephen Donnelly: today. From bespoke furniture and th 07739 514 350 I 01892 579 937 I steve@sjd-projects.com artisan finishes to curated accessories p sjd-projects.com and practical design advice, this is an DESIGN | CONSTRUCT | MAINTAIN tr opportunity to engage directly with w those shaping the town’s design scene.

Our Construction Director, George, spent three years working in Sydney, including time with Wyer & Co, one of the city’s leading landscape design practices.

He returned with a deep understanding of irrigation design and the importance of creating a system around the particular conditions and requirements of each garden.

PLOT OR NOT?

gardenproud.co.uk

c To

20

TRAVEL INTERVIEW

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

Discovering the world with Azamara Cruises® Boutique cruising at its finest

A

s travellers increasingly seek more meaningful and immersive holiday experiences, Azamara Cruises® has established itself as a leader in destination-focused cruising.

Known for its fleet of four boutique ships, Azamara offers guests the opportunity to explore the world in a more intimate and authentic way.

Unlike larger cruise vessels, Azamara’s smaller ships can access ports and destinations that are often beyond the reach of mainstream cruise lines.

The cruise line is also renowned for offering more late-night departures and overnight stays, giving guests extra time to experience the culture, history and atmosphere of each destination.

To experience the Azamara difference firsthand, I was fortunate to be invited aboard Azamara Journey for the cruise line’s inaugural Travel Agents’ Seminar at Sea. Over three memorable nights, I discovered why Azamara has earned such a loyal following among discerning travellers.

impeccable service combined to create a truly memorable evening.

WHITE NIGHT: AN UNMISSABLE EXPERIENCE

Report by Clare Meakins, Branch Manager, Ashdown Travel, Tunbridge Wells.

was relaxed, elegant and welcoming. With fewer passengers than many larger cruise ships, Azamara delivers a personalised onboard experience where attentive service and attention to detail are evident throughout every voyage.

EXCEPTIONAL VALUE AND INCLUSIVE CRUISING

A UNIQUE ARRIVAL IN SEVILLE

My journey began with a flight to Seville, followed by a short transfer to the port. One of the greatest advantages of Azamara’s smaller ships quickly became evident. Azamara Journey was able to sail approximately 70 kilometres along the Guadalquivir River and dock in the heart of Seville itself.

This unique access allowed guests to step ashore and begin exploring one of Spain’s most captivating cities immediately, perfectly demonstrating Azamara’s commitment to bringing travellers closer to the destinations they visit.

COMFORTABLE ACCOMMODATION AND PERSONAL SERVICE

My outside stateroom on Deck 4 was conveniently located near Guest Relations and the gangway, making embarkation and disembarkation particularly easy.

Lower deck cabins can also provide a more comfortable experience when seas are less settled, as they tend to experience less movement.

Throughout the ship, the atmosphere

One of Azamara’s most appealing features is its range of inclusions. Guests enjoy a variety of dining venues, selected beer, wine and spirits, onboard gratuities, unlimited self-service laundry facilities and the cruise line’s signature AzAmazing Evenings, which offer unique cultural experiences in destinations around the world.

These inclusions help create a seamless holiday experience, allowing guests to relax and enjoy their time onboard without the constant need for additional spending.

OUTSTANDING DINING AT SEA

The dining experience aboard Azamara Quest was one of the highlights of the voyage. The quality of both the cuisine and service reflected the cruise line’s commitment to delivering a premium guest experience.

Guests with dietary requirements are well catered for, with restaurant staff happy to discuss individual needs upon embarkation.

Alongside the main dining room, the ship offers two speciality restaurants on Deck 10: Prime C, Azamara’s popular steakhouse, and Aqualina, its elegant Italian restaurant. During our sailing, we enjoyed dinner at Aqualina, where beautifully presented dishes and

During the day, the pool deck provided a peaceful retreat with plenty of comfortable sun loungers. By night, it became the setting for one of Azamara’s most iconic events: the White Night Party.

Guests are invited to dress in white and enjoy an evening under the stars, complete with an impressive outdoor buffet featuring fresh seafood, sushi, salads and an array of desserts. Live music adds to the atmosphere before the evening culminates in dancing on deck.

It is a fantastic example of the social and memorable experiences that help make an Azamara cruise so distinctive.

MORE TIME TO EXPLORE

Perhaps the greatest advantage of sailing with Azamara is the focus on destination immersion. With more overnight stays and late departures than many cruise lines, guests can experience destinations beyond typical tourist hours.

Whether enjoying dinner in a historic city centre, attending a local cultural event or simply exploring after sunset, these extended stays provide a deeper connection with each destination.

Combined with access to smaller ports and less-visited locations, Azamara offers a style of travel that feels enriching, relaxed and unhurried.

WHY CHOOSE AZAMARA?

For travellers seeking a sophisticated boutique cruise experience, Azamara delivers a compelling combination of comfort, service and destination-focused travel. Smaller ships, inclusive amenities, exceptional cuisine and immersive itineraries all combine to create a rewarding holiday experience.

My time aboard Azamara Journey highlighted everything that makes the brand special: personalised service, excellent dining, unique destinations and memorable onboard experiences. From sailing directly into the heart of Seville to celebrating beneath the stars at White Night, every moment reflected Azamara’s philosophy of helping guests see more, do more and experience more.

For anyone considering their next cruise adventure, Azamara offers an inspiring way to discover the world in a more intimate and rewarding manner. www.ashdowntravel.co.uk

Join Us for an Inspiring Day of Travel

Sunday 27th September 2026 10am – 3pm The Spa Hotel, Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8XJ

YOU’RE INVITED TO

THE CRUISE & TOUR SHOW

We will be hosting Expert presentations throughout the day Refreshments available

WHAT TO EXPECT Expert presentations Personal consultations | Exclusive offers | Destination inspiration

FREE ENTRY

FREE PARKING TO BOOK YOUR PLACE:

OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL ASHDOWN TRAVEL BRANCH

www.ashdowntravel.co.uk

Oxted: 01883 714312 Sevenoaks: 01732 914900 Tunbridge Wells: 01892 357500 Chorleywood: 01923 284148 Knutsford: 01565 396 700

22

FASHION & BEAUTY INTERVIEW

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

Make the most of the last days of summer

I

TW Edit’s new Style Director, Victoria Genevieve, shares her style secrets for the month ahead as well as her top tips on the latest must-haves…

hope you’re enjoying the summer! It’s certainly been a scorcher so far, but before we know it we’ll be wrapped up in knits, shivering and dreaming of these sun-soaked days…

However, before we start casting our thoughts to A/W 26, let’s embrace the moment we are actually in, shall we?

The mornings are still light, the birds are singing and the evenings are still perfectly pleasant for alfresco sundowners.

Beach days and park picnics have been top of my family’s list this summer. We’ve spent time at Camber Sands, enjoyed a little staycation in Brighton and recently had a fabulous picnic in the park in London courtesy of The Uncommon Wine, paired with a delicious grazing platter

“

Before we start casting our thoughts to A/W 26, let’s embrace the moment we’re actually in: the mornings are light and the evenings are still perfectly pleasant for alfresco sundowners from Grape & Fig. You’ll find the latter at BRITYARD off Regent Street in London.

And take it from me, this emporium is most definitely worth a visit next time you find yourself in the capital.

If you haven’t discovered The Uncommon Wine yet, you’ll find their tipples at all the best places including Waitrose, Whole Foods, Grape & Fig, Fortnum & Mason and Ocado. They also always have a fantastic offering of wines and lighter spritzers on their website too.

What I love most about the brand is not just the fantastic wine, but also the people behind it and the beautiful artwork on every box and can. Best of all, it’s made right here in Kent. The brand has recently teamed up with FIELDBAR to create a limited-edition box for all your picnic, beach, festival and BBQ needs. You can fit eight Uncommon Wine cans in there too.

What’s not to love?

The Little Lawn Box is available

exclusively at wearetheuncommon.uk, priced at £169, and includes 10 x 187ml cans of The Uncommon’s English wines.

(Limited stocks available.)

NEW SEASON, NEW YOU

It is so easy to jump into buying autumn pieces right now, but hold off going in too hard too soon and invest in some staples that work all year round.

The late summer, early autumn light brings a bright, glowing haze – especially when you’re driving first thing or in the afternoon – so this calls for new sunglasses!

I love the selection at PINK MARY, and the Hoff trainers too! Fresh kicks and fresh sunnies are fantastic pieces to invest in and wear right now – and as we segue into a new season.

Jeans are always a good idea and, while the current choice can seem really overwhelming, why not pop into a local boutique or department store in Tunbridge Wells and get some helpful expert advice on sizing and cuts?

Kitch on Tunbridge Wells High Street has the most gorgeous barrel and straight-leg options at the moment, including the Callie Straight Leg (£209) and Bonnie Curvilinear Jeans (£239). www.kitchclothing.co.uk

A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS - Victoria's top picks for this month

FASHION & BEAUTY LEGAL INTERVIEW NEWS

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

SEE OUT THE SUMMER IN STYLE

Since the Matches Fashion Townhouse at Carlos Place W1 closed its doors, there has been a huge gap in the market for a personal shopping destination that is cool, relaxed but, most of all, a little secret for those who know about it.

When you are travelling into London for a personal shopping appointment, the key to a successful trip is using your time efficiently. But for me and my clients, time is of course important, but it’s also about having a relaxed environment where every detail is taken care of with ease.

40 Duke Street at Selfridges blends a fantastic retail experience with 24

THE LAST WORD…

23

If you are still yet to get away on your summer holiday, don’t forget to pack the best suncare as it is an investment in you!

The one I recommend to all my clients is the French brand Institut Esthederm. You can buy it locally in Space NK or Fenwick.

My top picks are the Adaptasun Protective Body Lotion 200ml (priced from £57) and Photo Regul Facecare 50ml (£66).

individually curated personal shopping suites, which have reached new levels of luxury. There’s also exceptional hospitality courtesy of its stunning members’ restaurant, rooftop terrace and private dining room.

One of the additional highlights of the space is the beauty suite. You can book appointments with incredible skincare brands like Skin Design London, who take care of your every skincare need. The most sought-after treatment is the SDL FACELIFT with Fatma Saheen. It’s worth noting these appointments are open to everyone – not just 40 Duke Street VSP members.

Currently, Skin Design London is in residence until September 6th at 40 Duke Street Selfridges. To find out more or to book, contact the Selfridges Concierge on 0800 123 400.

Ideal for corporate dinners, client entertaining and private celebrations

Request the Private Dining Guide Oppostite Tunbridge Wells Station 01892 522773 www.hachikouk.com enquiries@hachicouk.com

24

CULTURE INTERVIEW

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

Two local coaches, two award-nominated books, one shared message Lizzie Bentley Bowers and Ingrid Pope are executive coaches from Tunbridge Wells whose books have both been shortlisted for the prestigious 2026 Business Book Awards. Here, they discuss their work, the inspiration behind their respective books and why creating space – whether physically, mentally or emotionally – can help us embrace new opportunities…

LIZZIE: We meet at last!

INGRID: You’ve been on my radar for years since we connected on LinkedIn. Both our books were displayed at Station Books when they came out, so it feels as though they met before we actually did!

LIZZIE: It’s so exciting that being shortlisted for a Business Book Award gave us another reason to connect. What is your book about and what led you to writing it?

INGRID: My book is about decluttering

and creating space. It starts with the physical, tangible things, which are the easiest things to see. It then explores the mental clutter we carry and the emotional clutter that can hold us back.

“When you change your relationship with an ending, you free up energy, time, confidence and curiosity for what comes next” I have been observing how carrying too much of everything is affecting so many people, both at work and at home, so I wanted to create a practical guide to help people let go of some of that weight. And Lizzie, what is your book about?

Lizzie Bentley Bowers

Ingrid Pope

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Lizzie Bentley Bowers and Ingrid Pope are executive coaches based in Tunbridge Wells. Their books have both been shortlisted for the 2026 Business Book Awards. and leadership in mind. We wanted to do more than simply describe the need we had identified; we wanted to give leaders a practical way to address that need, both for themselves and for others. That is why we were particularly delighted to be shortlisted in the leadership category.

How about you?

for?

INGRID: I also initially wrote with the workplace in mind, but of course the need to create space does not only exist in an office.

I have worked with many people outside traditional business settings whose lives have been transformed by becoming more grounded and intentional in how they use their time, energy and headspace. I would love the result to be a more intentional use of resources – not just physical resources, but the valuable and finite power of our brains.

To me, the words ‘choiceful’ and ‘intentional’ are key. We are all at capacity, so we need to stop consuming mindlessly, whether that is endless Instagram scrolling, fast fashion purchases or unnecessary AI searches. These choices impact us, our communities and the wider world.

LIZZIE: We keep hearing about all sorts of applications within and beyond the workplace, so we would love everyone to read it! However, we wrote it with work

LIZZIE: They absolutely do. And being more intentional, and making more conscious choices, is where there is real synergy between our books. What we have

LIZZIE: Mine is co-authored with Alison Lucas and came from us witnessing, time and time again, how poorly handled endings at work can have a lasting impact on individuals, teams and organisations.

There is plenty of acknowledgement that change can be challenging, but we felt there was less focus on helping people understand what is ending and how to navigate that properly in order to create a better beginning. We wanted to help people do that better.

INGRID: So who is your book intended

You can find Lizzie at Lizziebentleybowers.com or at goodbyecoach.co.uk and Ingrid at creating-space.co or on LinkedIn. seen is that, even years later, when you change your relationship with an ending, you free up energy, time, confidence and curiosity for what comes next.

INGRID: One other area I want to cover is how we are both using the resources and energy we have freed up for activities in the community beyond our work.

For me, that has included running the Tunbridge Wells Yard Sale for a number of years and, more recently, organising regular meet-ups for local fellows of the Royal Society for Arts to host positive conversations about social change.

LIZZIE: Yes, like you I made some decisions about what I needed to stop doing in order to ensure I had the time and energy for things that are important to me. For me, that has included being a governor at the brilliant Oakley School and being a director of TEDx Royal Tunbridge Wells.

INGRID: What great examples of how to utilise our resources with intention and choice.

LIZZIE: Let’s end with some excitement: see you at the awards ceremony in London on 16 September!

INGRID: Let it be the beginning of our next chapter…

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26

HEALTH & WELLBEING INTERVIEW

Wellness, your way…

I

This month we bring you the TW Edit Guide to the best places to seek out stunning spas and improve your overall wellness – both locally and further afield…

n today’s fast-paced corporate world, finding time to disconnect and recharge is no longer a luxury – it is an absolute necessity. For affluent business leaders and entrepreneurs, the pursuit of wellness is increasingly viewed as a vital component of both personal health and professional performance.

Fortunately, our local area – and the South East as a whole – is home to some of the most exceptional spa and wellness providers in the UK, offering everything from cutting-edge fitness technology to serene, traditional countryside retreats.

Here, we shine a spotlight on two of our favourite local establishments that tick the wellness box – and also suggest a few more worth visiting elsewhere in Kent and East Sussex…

KNOWLE GRANGE

KNOWLE GRANGE: A BOUTIQUE SANCTUARY OF ELEGANCE

When it comes to escaping the stresses of everyday life, few places rival the tranquil beauty of Knowle Grange Health Spa. Set within breathtaking Victorian gardens on the Kent/Sussex border, just minutes from Tunbridge Wells, this privately owned boutique retreat offers a highly personal and exclusive experience that larger chains simply cannot replicate.

Recently crowned Hospitality & Leisure Business of the Year at the 2025 Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine Awards, Knowle Grange seamlessly blends traditional elegance with contemporary comfort. The spa is renowned for its heated spring water pool, which forms

the centrepiece of its extensive facilities.

Guests can drift between the steam room, sauna, outdoor hot tub and candlelit jacuzzi before unwinding with a drink at the Beech Bar or the delightful licensed café, which serves fresh, locally sourced seasonal produce.

Knowle Grange caters to every schedule and preference, offering a range of meticulously curated spa days. Whether you opt for a Half Day Spa Break, a relaxing Sunset Spa evening or the indulgent Pamper and Picnic experience – which includes a deli-style hamper and fizz – every detail is designed to soothe Images by johnknightphotography.co.uk

the mind and body.

Beyond relaxation, the retreat is deeply committed to holistic wellbeing. The purpose-built studio hosts a variety of innovative classes, from Sound Therapy to Tai Chi, while the well-equipped gym offers bespoke personal training overlooking the stunning grounds.

For those seeking the ultimate form of self-care, Knowle Grange offers a highly sought-after, restricted-number membership, ensuring that the space remains an uncrowded haven of peace for its discerning clientele. www.knowlegrange.co.uk

28

HEALTH & WELLBEING INTERVIEW

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

NATURAL FIT: ELEVATING EVERYDAY FITNESS AND WELLBEING

For those who view wellness as an active, daily pursuit, Natural Fit offers an unparalleled members’ club experience right in the heart of Tunbridge Wells.

Located in the elegant Bank House on Calverley Road, Natural Fit redefines the traditional gym concept by combining state-of-the-art fitness facilities with a luxurious spa and a vibrant café lounge.

Natural Fit is built on the philosophy of restoring natural potential and moving the way the body was born to. The club features unique, game-changing Video Personal Training studios, where members can work out in their own space with on-screen coaching, providing targeted 30-minute sessions that perfectly accommodate a busy executive lifestyle. Its comprehensive movement and performance screenings ensure that every member receives a highly tailored programme, focusing on mobility, stability, strength and rehabilitation.

The class offerings are as diverse as they are effective, ranging from various styles of yoga and Pilates to high-energy Boxing Circuits, TRX and Animal Flow.

However, Natural Fit is as much about recovery as it is about exertion. After a rigorous workout, members can retreat

NATURAL FIT

to the tranquil spa, which boasts an expansive heated indoor swimming pool, a restorative hydropool, a traditional Finnish timber sauna and a cleansing steam hammam.

The club’s holistic approach extends to its social spaces. The café serves a nutritious menu of fresh, artisanal salads and wholesome snacks, providing the

perfect environment to catch up with friends, network with fellow professionals or simply plug in and work from the comfortable lounges. With its limited membership model, Natural Fit ensures a premium, uncrowded environment where fitness and relaxation truly become one of life’s greatest pleasures. www.naturalfit.co.uk

OUR PICK OF REGIONAL RETREATS IN KENT & EAST SUSSEX

W

hile Knowle Grange and Natural Fit lead the way in bespoke local luxury, the wider region of Kent and East Sussex boasts several elite, award-winning destinations for those seeking a grand weekend escape or a monumental country house experience.

Eastwell Manor, a Champneys Spa Hotel (Kent) Set within 3,000 acres of verdant parkland near Ashford, Eastwell Manor is a magnificent 450-yearold neo-Elizabethan pile. Operating as a flagship Champneys Spa Hotel, it offers an incredibly extensive wellness pavilion. Guests can enjoy a 20-metre indoor pool, hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room. With 20 treatment rooms offering world-class Champneys and ELEMIS therapies, and relaxation lounges overlooking the North Downs, it is the quintessential historic English spa break.

Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa (West/East Sussex Borders) For a luxurious coastal retreat, Bailiffscourt in Climping is an

Eastwell Manor

architectural marvel. The spa itself is brilliantly designed to echo the style of a traditional Sussex barn, featuring exposed timber frames and expansive glass windows. Set within 30 acres of private parkland leading directly to the beach, the spa offers both indoor and outdoor heated pools, a sauna, a steam room and an outdoor Jacuzzi. It is the ultimate destination for laid-back, rustic luxury by the sea.

Utopia Spa at Rowhill Grange (Kent) Located near Dartford, Rowhill Grange is home to the highly acclaimed Utopia Spa. Designed with a striking Romanesque theme, the spa features spectacular split-level pools, temple-like pillars and Italian frescoes. The facility

boasts 19 treatment rooms, including exclusive couples’ suites, and partners with premium brands such as OSKIA of London and Temple Spa to deliver bio-nutritional therapies and deeply aromatic treatments.

Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa (Kent) Located within 12 acres of parkland, this elegant Georgian mansion provides a sophisticated escape. The spa features a 13-metre indoor swimming pool, a warm spa pool and extensive heat therapy rooms. With seven dedicated treatment rooms offering therapies from ELEMIS and Jessica Nails, Brandshatch Place excels in delivering high-standard customer service and profound relaxation in a classic country house setting.

Brandshatch Place

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

HEALTH & WELLBEING LEGAL INTERVIEW NEWS

29

30

EVENTS INTERVIEW

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

My Tunbridge Wells, Your Tunbridge Wells Clare Lush-Mansell from My Tunbridge Wells is your expert guide to all the fantastic events happening from now until mid-September in and around Tunbridge Wells...

BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT

The internationally acclaimed smash-hit musical SIX returns to the Assembly Hall Theatre from 18 to 22 August following its previous sold-out run. Watch the six wives of Henry VIII transform into pop princesses in this award-winning, highenergy show packed with unforgettable songs, incredible performances and plenty of sass. If you missed it last time, now’s your chance to see what all the fuss is about – though you’ll need to be quick! www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

HARRIET MACKENZIE

HISTORY LESSONS

Travel through time at The Amelia Scott’s free Discovery Days, running until 22 August. Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, children can join Moley, the adventurous mole, to explore everything from the Smelly Stone Age and Rude Romans to the Messy Middle Ages and Vast Victorians, with hands-on crafts and activities along the way. Drop in

and cinema treats to enjoy before the film begins. A brilliant excuse for a summer night out with friends in the beautiful castle grounds. www.tonbridgecastle.org

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

One of Tunbridge Wells’ best-loved events, Local & Live, returns to Calverley Grounds from 29 to 31 August. Taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend, the free festival celebrates the very best local music, alongside fantastic food and drink from local businesses. With a brilliant atmosphere for all ages, it’s always a highlight of the local summer calendar and a great way to round off August. www.localandlive.org

ALL ABOARD FOR ALICE

THE AMELIA

between 10am and 3pm for a fun (and free!) summer holiday activity. Plus, if you haven’t visited the museum, do save some time to have a look around too! A welcome escape from the heat… www.theamelia.co.uk

WEDDING FEVER

Grab your friends and head to Tonbridge Castle on 22 August for an open-air screening of the hilarious Bridesmaids.

Bring a blanket or camping chair and settle down for a summer movie under the stars, with live music, food, cocktails

Step through the looking glass aboard Spa Valley Railway’s brand-new Alice’s Wonderland Express, running from 29 to 31 August and again on 5 and 6 September. Meet Alice, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter, solve puzzles and enjoy Wonderland-themed activities as you travel behind a heritage steam locomotive. From the team behind THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, tickets also include cake and a drink, plus unlimited travel on the railway’s other services that day. www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk

BEST IN SHOW

Round off the summer with a family day out at The Kent Country Show at Quex Park on 30 and 31 August. Expect equestrian displays, dog shows and

agility demonstrations, live music, vintage farming displays, artisan shopping and a food and drink festival showcasing the best of Kent. There’s plenty of entertainment for all ages – and you can even bring the dog! www.thekentcountryshow.co.uk

CELESTIAL CLASSICAL

Enjoy an atmospheric evening of live classical music by candlelight at St James Church in Tunbridge Wells on 5 September. Internationally acclaimed violinist Harriet Mackenzie and the Celoniatus Ensemble will perform two intimate one-hour concerts, featuring Vivaldi’s Winter at 6pm and Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending at 8pm. Proceeds support Music in Action’s developing schools’ outreach programme in the Tunbridge Wells area. www.stjamestw.co.uk

CHILD’S PLAY

Calling all parents of little ones… In the Night Garden Live comes to the Assembly Hall Theatre on 9 September, bringing Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends to the stage in Igglepiggle’s Busy Day. Perfect for younger children, the magical live show features full-size costumes, puppets, music and even a special visit from the flying Pinky Ponk. There are three performances at 10am, 12pm and 3pm, with tickets from £19. www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

JUMP TO IT

If you haven’t visited the brand-new AirHop Tunbridge Wells yet, now is a great time to give it a go. The huge new activity park is packed with wall-to-wall trampolines, obstacle courses, interactive challenges, laser tag and plenty more to keep children (and grown-ups!) moving. We recently visited and had such a brilliant time – it’s a fantastic new addition to Tunbridge Wells and a great option for an energetic family day out, whatever the weather. www.airhop.co.uk

EVENTS LEGAL INTERVIEW NEWS

It’s time to start talking Panto….

“oh no it isn’t – oh yes it is!!”

I would certainly argue that it’s never too early to start talking about Christmas or Pantomimes.

The planning, casting, building, rehearsing and performing of a Panto takes nearly a whole year, which explains why this uniquely British entertainment format is so important to so many people. Even though we sit here in the hottest month of the year, it’s the perfect time to appreciate what goes into making a Panto production.

JANUARY - The year starts off with the set being taken down and put back into storage. An incredibly busy time at the theatre.

FEBRUARY - A rest. Time to re-stock the dame’s wardrobe, put the Dragon back to sleep (we had Sleeping Beauty last year) and clean up the gunge spillage that you didn’t find in January.

TUDOR TIMES

Step back in time at Penshurst Place & Gardens for its brandnew Tudor Re-enactment Weekend on 12 and 13 September.

The year is 1528, and the Companye of Merrie Folke will be preparing for King Henry VIII’s return from hunting on the Penshurst Place Estate. Families can meet colourful Tudor characters and enjoy demonstrations and talks bringing this fascinating period of history to life. Best of all, the event is included with standard admission. www.penshurstplace.com

MARCH TO MAY - Get a script together, start working on your cast and put tickets on sale!

June and July - Kids’ auditions – one of the best days of the year as we welcome in some incredibly talented young performers to make-up the youngest members of our cast.

AUGUST – Now things are starting to get interesting. The cast will meet, and for the first time, put on their costumes for the big show.

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER – Planning, planning, planning. How much popcorn will we need, which are the best pictures of the cast, do we really need quite that much gunge!!

NOVEMBER – Rehearsal time. It’s starting to get real.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY IN SEPTEMBER Just Women Live is hosting another very special event at The White Bear on Tunbridge Wells High Street on September 24 from 6-9pm. Guests will step onto the red carpet and receive a cocktail or soft drink and a swag bag on arrival, before taking a seat and hearing four fantastic live speakers.

Each speaker has 15 minutes to share their fascinating story before an A-list singer (currently touring with Massive Attack) performs for all the guests.

Organiser Lyn Parent says: “The Just Women evenings always have such a great vibe to them and are full of connection and information. We are growing a lovely community and each person’s donation of £35 will go to women who are suffering abuse or living with HIV. As well as the goody bags on offer there’s also a chance to enter our excellent raffle which includes paintings, jewellery, facials, hotel breaks and designer goods.”

Tickets are available from justwomenlive.co.uk

DECEMBER – It’s Panto time! Loads of performances, even more songs and we find out we really did need that much gunge.

JANUARY – and repeat…

This year the multi award-winning Little Wolf Entertainment are back once again and are inviting you all to take your seat for Cinderella, this year’s lavish and larger than life Pantomime!

With award winning dame, James Peake, and CBBC favourite Stewart McCheyne returning for a fifth year, Christmas fun is guaranteed, whatever time of year you’re in!

Matthew Robson – Director of Sales & Marketing, Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells.

www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

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CHARITY INTERVIEW

32

The TW Edit AUGUST 2026

Freddie’s recipe for success?

Meeting his culinary hero…

E

nabling dreams for children with life-limiting illnesses is at the core of our 10 services at Taylor-Made Dreams. The idea of creating a wish list began when our CEO Suzi Mitchell supported her own son Taylor to complete his very own wish list. The wish list enabled many happy memories, even when things were at their lowest, thanks to the incredible moments they were able to spend together.

Now, 15 years on, the Taylor-Made Dreams team work hard every day to create those same magical memories for the families supported by our services.

Dreams come in many forms; whether it’s family holidays or shopping trips, driving diggers or meeting their favourite

“

Days like this truly make a difference for our families, and we are so grateful to Gordon and his team for making such a memorable day for Freddie. celebrity, we aim to do our best and achieve as many as we possibly can for our TMD Warriors.

This year, we were introduced to the incredible Freddie, who had some very big dreams. The first one we discussed in the May edition, meeting his footballing heroes at West Ham FC, where Freddie was able to fulfil a dream day exploring the stadium in full VIP treatment. The second was even more of a challenge, to

Meeting footballing heroes was just the beginning for TMD Warrior Freddie but recently the budding chef got to spend an unforgettable day with Gordon Ramsay

meet his cooking hero Gordon Ramsay!

No matter the challenge, we were going to pull out all the stops to try and make Freddie’s dreams a reality.

Gordon and his team did not disappoint, and went above and beyond to create a magical food day for Freddie. Freddie and his family began their dream day at Gordon’s famous Hell’s Kitchen, where Freddie met Gordon, his family and the chefs. It was non-stop laughter, with Gordon telling funny stories from his shows, Freddie had the biggest smile.

After chatting for a while, Gordon was so inspired by Freddie and his love of cooking, he offered to teach him how to cook his signature beef wellington at his cooking school, and gifted him a signed cap, apron, and book.

The day wasn’t quite over, as Gordon and his team had arranged for a chauffeur to take Freddie and his family over to Gordon’s next restaurant, Heddon Street Kitchen, for even more incredible food, and a meeting the head chef and his team.

Freddie’s sister told us: “Freddie really enjoyed his experience meeting Gordon Ramsay, he was a really funny guy. Gordon spent time to sit down and talk with Freddie and told him some very funny stories. Freddie wished to meet Gordon as one of his wishes, as he used to watch him as a child and he inspires him, as Freddie wishes to be a chef one day.”

Days like this truly make a difference for our families, and we are so grateful to Gordon and his team for making such a memorable day for Freddie. A dream come true, from a culinary hero.

Get involved with our 30 Days for Tay campaign this September, in memory of Taylor’s 30 year, and help to continue enabling our services for even more familes in to 2027 in his memory. Find out more about the campaign at: www.taylormadedreams.org.uk/news/30days-for-tay

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