Outline planning permission has been granted for a major redevelopment scheme that could transform a large part of Chippenham. Central Chippenham Partnership (CCP) wants to redevelop much of Langley Park – the town’s original industrial centre – and refurbish Hathaway Retail Park. Its plans will regenerate the 54-acre site of existing retail and dilapidated...
Chancellor George Osborne heeded business’s call for a ‘steady-as-she-goes’ Autumn Statement last week rather than a grab bag of electoral giveaways, according to Business West, the organisation that runs Bath Chamber of Commerce. But managing director Phil Smith said he should have been bolder over business rate reform and added: “While Britain’s economy is...
The CBI welcomed much of today's Autumn Statement but said Chancellor George Osborne had missed the opportunity to tackle the impact of soaring energy prices on business. It also said the Mr Osborne could have done more to encourage housebuildng. CBI director-general John Cridland said: “We have always advocated the dual approach of tackling...
The property industry expressed concern over plans to charge capital gains tax on foreign residential investors from April 2015, but has welcomed the Chancellor’s decision to at least consult on the proposals before their introduction. The British Property Federation (BPF) had warned the Treasury that the tax hike would raise little money and risked...
The Chancellor confirmed in his Autumn Statement that the State pension age will rise to 68 in the mid-2030s and 69 in the late 2040s. Mark Packham, head of pensions for accountants PwC in the West of England, said: “Linking the State pension age to life expectancy means we could easily see people having...
Chancellor George Osborne extended small business rate relief in his Autumn Statement today and capped next April's rate rise at 2%. He also introduced a re-occupation relief for vacant town centre shops and a £1,000 rates discount for small shops, pubs and restaurants. “We are backing British businesses all the way,” he said. The...
Key points in Chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Statement: Next year's fuel duty rise will be cancelled Big expansion of start-up loans which will help create 50,000 new businesses Film tax relief will be extended Investment in social enterprises will be encouraged Office of Budget Responsibility says 3.1m more jobs will be created by business...
Bath Business News will provide up-to-the-minute coverage of Chancellor George Osborne’s crucial Autumn Statement later today, including instant reaction from regional business figures.
The Chancellor needs to do more to support commercial property developers as demand for business space increases in Bath, according to a market expert. John Mulholland, director at international consultants Jones Lang LaSalle, who has spent many years covering the city’s property scene, said: “The Government also needs to help support the flow of...
Business West, the organisation behind Bath Chamber of Commerce, is urging Chancellor George Osborne to reform business rates in his Autumn Statement tomorrow. Business rates have emerged as the key issue identified by business groups for reform, which they argue would deliver a much-needed boost to firms as the economy starts to recover. The...
