Support to help your business thrive

Business resources and facilities at The Hive

Plug in and go…

Designed to cater for a growing coworking community, The Hive is the first hot desking and hospitality hub of its kind across The Weald. With no contract or monthly fees, we offer a completely flexible working environment to suit any and all business needs, while proactively helping local enterprise to thrive. Hot desking in our Biz Studio couldn’t be easier. Each Buzz Packer – benefiting from their own profile page on the Hive website, as well as being actively promoted on social media – has access to the following: a secure hyper-speed internet account, full-colour printing and copying facilities, plenty of power points, and our brand-new multi-function charging and sterilising stations, which can be used not only to charge mobile phones, but also to disinfect any accessories such as earphones, watches, glasses, face masks, or even cash. Simply plug in your devices, grab a tea or coffee, and begin your day.

Hosting and hospitality

If the nature of your business means you meet clients on an ad hoc basis, but perhaps not frequently enough to justify renting your own office space, then look no further. For casual one-to-ones, you can meet up in the Buzz Lounge, or for more privacy, simply hire the sound-proof Buzz Booth for as long as required. For larger meetings, workshops and presentations, you can pre-book our Meeting Zone, complete with digital screen and Fire Stick for mobile-to-screen live-streaming, an eight-seater conference table, and a private sideboard for serving food and refreshments.

Registered office and postal service

This service is designed for those who may not feel comfortable having their home address published on their website, marketing materials or other documentation. Simply book for all your business mail to come to The Hive and we will place it in a zip bag in a secure locker until you’re ready to collect.

Access to business events and support

If you’re already a Buzz Packer benefiting from our coworking facilities; working from home but seeking to meet like-minded individuals or new clients; or office-based and simply looking to expand your circle of contacts – then we have a range of business events to help you!

Networking

Building new relationships and word-of-mouth recommendations is vital in today’s competitive marketplace, with networking sessions providing the perfect opportunity to exchange information and ideas with others. However, we appreciate that formal, structured networking groups can be stuffy and off-putting. That’s why at The Hive, our monthly Big Buzz networking evenings create the perfect vibe to meet fellow businesspeople over a casual drink and some nibbles. Held on the third Thursday of each month, entry is free; we only ask for a donation to be made to The Hive’s chosen charity, West Kent Mind.

We also host a number of other networking events throughout the year, such as Mums in Business meetups, as well as an informal business insights forum providing an opportunity for local businesspeople to discuss current economic issues, voice their opinions and offer mutual support to fellow workers.

Workshops

Our popular business workshops are aimed at helping freelancers, start-ups and SMEs across a range of topic areas including podcasts, blogging, coaching, financing, and social/online media (e.g. how to leverage platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Google). Check out The Hive website for regular updates.

Access to advice and funding

Setting up a business on your own can be daunting without access to the right support. At The Hive, we work with independent partners, such as Let’s Do Business Group, to provide on-site training, business advice and even financial assistance in the form of a grant or a loan, all of which could be beneficial if you are a start-up or freelancer. What’s more, the Hive is able to secure membership discounts with many of the partners we work with – including Enterprise Nation and the Federation of Small Businesses – depending on the current stage of your business and which resources might best meet your requirements. To find out more, simply request a free one-to-one consultation with Emma by emailing connect@hivehubs.buzz. Together with Emma, you can explore the types of business advice and training available, as well as a range of financial assistance for which you may be eligible.