After launching breadmaking classes from her home in 2012, Gwen Nathan is set for a year of expansion.

The mother of two, who runs Eastcourt Manor Bread and Baking Courses with husband Steve, aims to open a community bakery near her Gillingham home by the end of the summer and to hire apprentices to help her run it.

As a parent and a part-time music teacher that will be no small feat but Mrs Nathan thinks her goals are reachable thanks to the newly launched Kent and Medway Growth Hub.

She said: “I’ve been wrestling with so many things trying to work out my business plan for next year.

“Moving out of our home into business premises and setting up a community enterprise is a huge project for a small business like mine.

“Knowing there’s a single place to turn to with a myriad of different issues we’ll be facing in 2016 – be it funding, building regulations, apprenticeships – makes it all feel like my wild and crazy dream might actually be possible.”

The hub is a new service launched last month which brings together a range of free information, products and services aimed to help firms grow.

“It’s a simplified access point to local and national support programmes for the businesses of Kent and Medway,” said Tudor Price, head of business development at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, which is running the scheme.

“It will improve co-ordination, offer better value for money and offer locally developed solutions which are more flexible and adaptable.”

It is one of 30 hubs across the UK designed to offer a central point for all information on business support, funding and legislation.

Staff at its base in Ashford Business Point will be able to provide information and act as a first port of call for any business getting off the ground or looking to expand.

“Knowing there’s a single place to turn to with a myriad of different issues we’ll be facing in 2016 – be it funding, building regulations, apprenticeships – makes it all feel like my wild and crazy dream might actually be possible...” - Gwen Nathan, Eastcourt Manor

“All the noises are coming together under one roof,” said Colin Davies, business relationship manager at Enterprise Foundation, a charity which provides businesses with affordable office space, with a base in Maidstone.

“It has been so fragmented for so many years. Before this, people never knew where to send someone for advice.

“Now we have a one-stop shop in Kent and businesses can get the help they need without having to go up to London.”

Mr Price added: “Bosses get lost on a website and just want to talk to someone.

“Small businesses are time poor. They need someone to tell them whether they can get help.

“We will offer local knowledge. We know what areas different grants cover. Having our expertise and understanding makes a big difference.”

For Mrs Nathan, it has come at just the right time.

“Our farmhouse kitchen has been brilliant for getting our business started but we’re starting to get a little bit overcrowded.

“I can’t tell you what a brilliant Christmas present the Growth Hub launch was.”

Details at www.kentandmedwaygrowthhub.org.uk.