There's a new business in town.

Part business hub, part internet cafe and part restaurant, The Hive in Stone Street offers a unique service to Cranbrook.

Stuart Smith who runs The Hive with his wife Emma Wood said: "There are three elements to what we offer: business, social and community."

For business, The Hive offers the possibility of hot-desking with high-speed broadband, rooms for business lunches, monthly networking meetings and access for start-ups to mentors and grants. It is the South East office for Enterprise Nation

On the social side, The Hive provides an environment that stimulates enterprise and allows businesspeople to take a break from home-working and interact with like-minded individuals.

The Hive is also open to the public who can drop in for coffee and cake, lunch, or a meal in the evening,

Co-owner Emma Wood spent 10 years running a taverna in Corfu and The Hive offers authentic Greek cuisine.

The Hive was formerly home to the Singing Soul Art Gallery, and the building's new owners have kept that association with art going, hosting a range of artworks from Weald artists supplied through the Grierson Gallery.

Mr Smith said: "Cranbrook has a long association with artists, through the Cranbrook Colony and we wanted to promote that."

His wife, Emma, was brought up in Cranbrook, where the couple now live, and is a former Cranbrook and Sissinghurst parish councillor.

The business opened in July and Mr Smith estimated that around 40% of their custom was from coming from the business sector and 60% from ordinary townsfolk popping in.

For more information about services and opening times, click here.

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