A proposal to charge traders a levy to pay for city centre improvements is going ahead after more than 50% of businesses voted in favour of it.

Rumours are circulating that clothes retailer Next could be the next chain to sign up to a town centre development.

A mother is waging an internet battle to close a bookmaker's in a picturesque village, but has now been told she needs over 500 more signatures.

A firm which only began exporting a year ago has completed an order with a US retailer to sell single malt whiskeys.

A petition signed by thousands has failed to halt the closure of a town centre M&S store... after a century of trading.

The Messenger team has handed over a petition of more than 2,000 names calling for Gravesend's Marks and Spencer to be saved.

A packaging manufacturer has high hopes for its future after receiving a £5m investment aimed at helping the company grow.

A war is breaking out between councils, developers and retailers in a fight to keep big names on the high street.

A winery which has grown production by 700% in four years says confidence is growing among manufacturers which invested in tougher times.

A micro brewery plans to expand six fold after unveiling larger premises.

With a name like Blue Rocket Accounting, the trading label for Purple Patch UK Ltd, you would expect to find a firm with a difference.

A medical manufacturer is looking to take on 40 skilled workers as it aims to take advantage of its newly expanded facilities.

A Kent vineyard has signed a deal to distribute its wines and ciders to 47 states in the US.

The troubled lingerie retailer has put 60 Kent jobs at risk after calling in administrators for the second time in two years.

A new facility has opened for households to put away their unweildy clutter, creating two jobs.

Model manufacturer Hornby is set to move from its historic headquarters after continuous problems leaving it with £4.5m losses.

Dartford town centre may be down but it is not out – as a raft of new plans aim to reinvigorate shopping.

A large motor manufacturer is set to go it alone and set up its own apprenticeship scheme after complaining the current system is too complex.

Harvey's are set to move into Ashford's former Paul Simon outlet.

Discussions are taking place which could lead to the rolling mill side of the steelworks reopening.