Thanet by numbers · October 2026

Business AI: Thanet's route to productivity and growth

Nine in ten Thanet firms are small, owner-run and short of time. That makes AI matter more here than almost anywhere in Kent.

registered businesses in Thanet
4,635
have fewer than 10 staff
90%
local business owners I've trained
16

Who we are

A district of small firms, builders and hosts

Almost every firm is smallShare of Thanet businesses by staff

90.4% under 10 · 8.2% 10 to 49 · 1.4% 50+. Only 5 firms employ 250 or more.

Owner-run and short of timeFirms turning over £100k to £199k
Thanet36.6%Kent33.0%Great Britain32.1%

The highest share of any district in Kent.

Builders and hostsShare of all firms, Thanet vs Kent
Construction18.8%Construction, Kent18.4%Hospitality10.8%Hospitality, Kent6.1%Visitor economy27.6%Visitor economy, Kent19.3%

The catch

Our biggest sector is one of the slowest to start

Nationally, construction is one of the sectors slowest to take up AI: 13% of firms, against 58% in information and communication. But small firms that deploy AI are using it more extensively than big ones. In other words, Thanet has a huge amount to gain by encouraging small businesses to use AI.

Of firms already using AI, share who say they use it extensively

What I've seen in Thanet

16 local business owners trained. Here's what changed.

"Pricing up a bespoke new roof can take me over half a day, often a whole day. I'm aiming to reduce this to half an hour."
Gary RowarthGary RowarthManaging Director, Margate Roofing Ltd

On writing terms and conditions for his services: "It's worth the [AI] subscription fee for a year just for that task alone."

5 out of 5

Every one of the 11 people who gave feedback rated the workshop 5 out of 5 for usefulness

8 to 15 hrs

saved per week, according to owners who put a number on it (their own estimates)

"What I've taken away from 2 hours [of training] will save me easily 8+ hours per week... it will prevent me from delaying starting project (admin side of things)."
Construction business, Margate
"[It will save me] maybe 10 to 15 hours a week. Possibly £1,000 a month."
Gavin BoyterGavin Boyter, writer and bookshop owner

Why it matters

Time back for the people who run Thanet's businesses

For Thanet, this isn't about reducing headcount. The time AI saves is mostly for overworked owners: avoiding having to write a quote at 10pm, or wading through paperwork on a Sunday. Owners with time to spare quote more, win more and are in a position to grow.

If 1 in 10 Thanet firms got half a day to a day a week back

85,000 to 170,000

owner hours a year, back into local businesses

If 1 in 4 did

213,000 to 426,000

owner hours a year, back into local businesses

"Time savings could be as much as 50%, which could be used for progressing the business."
Compliance expert, workshop attendee

How we worked it out: owner hours only, 4 to 8 hours a week over 46 working weeks, applied to ONS's 4,635 Thanet firms. That time is worth £1.1m to £12.8m a year at £12.71 to £30 an hour. Time saved only grows the economy when it goes back into the business.

What it takes

About £20 a month for software and half a day of learning

Get AI training for small businesses and entrepreneurs from an expert.

Thanet AI survey: coming soon
"Peter's course was absolutely brilliant. It has transformed the way in which I'll run my business moving forwards."
Mike McDermottMike McDermott, Studio Unit Manager

Sources

  • ONS UK Business Counts, March 2025, presented by Kent Analytics, Kent County Council (business base).
  • ONS,Artificial intelligence in UK businesses: 2023 to 2026, July 2026 (AI use and depth).
  • Margate.AI workshop feedback, July to October 2026, 11 responses. Time savings are attendees' own estimates, not measured.
  • Scenario sums by Margate.AI, method shown above. National Living Wage from April 2026: £12.71 an hour.