insideKENT Magazine Issue 83 - February 2019 | Page 142

BUSINESS
INITIATIVE PROVIDING
FREE TRADE SPACE TO
NEW KENT BUSINESSES
RETURNS TO 2019 KENT
COUNTY SHOW
The Enterprise Zone, which offered ten Kent-
based startups free space at this year’s Kent
County Show, returns for the 2019 Show on 5th,
6th, and 7th July.
Organisers, the Kent County Agricultural Society,
introduced the initiative as part of their commitment to
providing local businesses with a platform at their annual
Show in July. This opportunity will provide some of
Kent’s newest businesses with the chance to showcase
their products and services to an average of 78,000 visitors.
Sarah Evans, owner of Simply the Bees Knees and one
of last year’s Enterprise Zone businesses, said: “Taking
part in the Enterprise Zone was an unmatchable
opportunity to showcase our business and share our vision
and values. We were so encouraged by the positive
reaction to our idea and our product, proven by the
fact we sold out of all our stock. We came away
totally staggered at the opportunity we were given and
the success we had.”
142
‘NO DEAL’ BREXIT TO COST
SOUTH EAST ECONOMY £28BN A YEAR BY
2034 SAYS THE CBI
The devastating long-term economic
impact of a ‘no deal’ Brexit on the South
East has been laid bare in fresh analysis
of government figures by the CBI.
The study reveals how the South East could
be significantly exposed to the economic fallout
from leaving the EU without a deal with an
estimated annual loss of output worth £28
billion1 by 2034.
Such a significant shortfall would hit people’s
jobs, livelihoods and living standards. This
figure is one-and-a-half times the annual public
spending on doctors, hospitals and other health
services, in the South East.
At a national level, the business services sector
is likely to see a negative impact in a ‘no deal’
scenario, meaning that unless a deal is struck,
growth will be hampered, innovation stifled
and jobs put at risk.
Successful applications will receive a free 3m x 3m tented
stand at the Show to showcase their products and services,
tickets for staff, and support in promoting their attendance
at the Show. Additionally, the region has many businesses
likely to be affected by ‘non-tariff barrier’ costs
in the event of ‘no deal’, stemming from
increased restrictions on the ability for people
to move around Europe on business.
The Kent County Agricultural Society is currently
accepting applications for the 2019 Enterprise Zone and
encourages any businesses who have been trading for less
than a year and who are based in Kent to apply.
Applications will be open until Monday 8th April and
shortlisted candidates will be invited to meet with Rosie
Gouldsworthy and Lucy Hegarty, Show Manager. Phil Cousins, Director of South East employer
Cousins Executive Coaching Ltd, said: “As an
SME in the services sector, my business depends
almost entirely on a certain economic
environment and confidence in the market. If
the UK were to crash out of the EU with 'no
deal', the uncertainty that this would bring,
with businesses holding back on investment
decisions, could severely hamper our revenue
and growth for the foreseeable future.”
Malcolm Hyde, Regional Director for CBI
South East, said: “CBI members across the
region are clear: if the new approach to finding
a Brexit deal continues to be a game of who
blinks first, the South East economies will pay
the price. The projected impact on our region’s
economy would be devastating and while
business will do all it can to reduce some of the
worst aspects, a no deal scenario is
unmanageable...It’s time to put our region’s
prosperity before party politics and dogma.”
1If the UK fails to secure a deal with the EU,
by 2034 real GVA – the measure of value of
goods and services produced in the region -
could be 7.8 % lower than under the UK’s
current arrangements with the EU according
to government analysis. The CBI calculates
this could amount to an annual loss of output
worth £28bn by 2034 (in today’s prices).