Business group Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce has been awarded a two-year deal to run a one-stop-shop advisory service for companies in the county.

The body will run Kent and Medway Growth Hub after being given the contract by Kent County Council as part of a Government initiative to make it easier for firms to find information, products and services aimed to help them grow.

The chamber launched the service last year as a pilot scheme from its headquarters at Ashford Business Point, making it one of 30 hubs across the UK.

It aims for the hub to engage with 4,000 businesses a year.

The announcement was made at the chamber’s AGM on Friday at Ashford Business Point.

Chief executive Jo James said: “This is an exceptionally important contract.

“Firms want a single point of contact for business support, where they can find all the information they need. We are going to build on the pilot we ran last year and make it easier to access.”

The AGM also saw MJ Allen boss Tim Allen hand over the chairmanship of the group to longtime chamber director Richard Lavender. Mr Allen will continue as vice-chairman.

The chamber also hinted it may reduce its number of business to business exhibitions next year.

“We want to make sure what we do is valued,” said Mrs James, who has grown the chamber from covering Ashford, Maidstone and Canterbury to a countywide body since taking charge in 2008.

“There has been feedback that the B2Bs were great but four was too many.

“We are looking at cutting back our business exhibitions and instead looking at what big events we can provide to still give members that opportunity.”