Our Digital Series launched this week, and the response from East Sussex businesses said it all.

A full room, practical conversations and no buzzwords. This is what digital support should look like.

There is something powerful about a full room on a weekday morning.It tells you that something matters.

That was exactly the feeling at Workshop 1 of our Digital Series, where local businesses from across East Sussex came together for the first of six fully funded sessions focused on AI and automation.

For many attendees, this was not about trends or buzzwords. It was about finding realistic ways to save time, work smarter and feel more confident using digital tools in day-to-day business.

A strong start for East Sussex businesses

This session marked the official launch of the Digital Series, delivered by Portobello Business Centre in collaboration with Artemis Marketing and in partnership with East Sussex Growth Hub.

Hosted at The Welcome Building, the turnout reflected a clear appetite for practical, accessible digital support across the county. The workshop was led by Charlotte Webb of Artemis Marketing, who guided businesses through how AI and automation can be used in realistic, manageable ways, not as abstract concepts but as tools that can be implemented immediately.

As one attendee put it:

“What made it so valuable was how practical and realistic it was.”

Keeping it practical, not overwhelming

The session covered a range of topics that many small businesses are curious about but unsure how to approach. From AI tools and automation basics to online safety and prompt libraries, the focus remained firmly on relevance and application.

Rather than trying to do everything at once, businesses were encouraged to think about:

• Where time is currently being lost

• Which tasks could be simplified or automated

• How digital tools can support, not replace, human decision-making

This approach helped demystify AI and made the session feel supportive rather than intimidating.

Learning together, not being talked at

One of the most valuable aspects of the workshop was the shared learning in the room. Business owners from different sectors were able to ask questions, compare challenges and learn from one another’s experiences. That sense of community is intentional. These workshops are designed not just to deliver information, but to create space for conversation, confidence-building and peer support.

What comes next

This was the first of six fully funded digital workshops aimed at equipping East Sussex businesses with practical tools they can actually use. Each session in the series focuses on a different area of digital growth, building skills gradually and sustainably.

If you run a business in East Sussex and are interested in joining one of the upcoming workshops, places are still available.

Whether you are just starting to explore digital tools or looking to refine how you already use them, the series is designed to meet you where you are and help you move forward with confidence.