A growing number of West manufacturers plan to recruit staff and invest in new technology over the next six months, according to the latest barometer survey by the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS). It shows 38% expect to increase employment – up from 30% a year ago – while 35% expect to step up investment...
A flagship redevelopment scheme which would transform the centre of Trowbridge could be approved by councillors tomorrow. The development of the former Tesco site would include a cinema – ending years of pleas by local people – and could also create 200 much-needed jobs following a spate of redundancies at nearby employers including Virgin...
Plant hire company Fork Rent has bought the former Hydrex Building at Hullavington, near Chippenham. The 4,550sq ft building has a workshop and stores with roller shutter doors and modern office accommodation. The 0.9130-acre site, a former railway station yard, has secure perimeter fencing and is less than 5 miles from junction 17 of...
Corporate recovery specialist Huw Jones has been appointed by insolvency practitioners McAlister & Co to head up its expansion across the South West. An associate member of the Association of Business Recovery Professionals, Huw joins the growing firm as it looks to expand from its Welsh base – with work in Bath very much...
Bath marketing and branding experts are among the speaker line-up for the highly anticipated Rabbit 2012 business show, proving the exhibition’s commitment to business growth in the South West. The exhibition, which is free to delegates, has already caught the attention of hundreds of businesses in the region. Rabbit has secured six leading business...
The West's economy will stand on firmer ground from mid-2012, according to a new business confidence survey that adds further weight to today’s predictions from the CBI of modest economic growth this year. Although conditions remain tough – with the UK likely entering a technical recession following contraction in Q4 2011 – any downturn...
The economy will achieve modest growth this year, avoiding a double-dip recession, the latest economic forecast from the CBI suggests. It expects growth this year of 0.9% and 2% in 2013 with manufacturers starting to buy new equipment and entering new export markets. However, unemployment will remain high and living standards will be squeezed....
A unique annual awards scheme which champions the often-overlooked contribution of freelancers in marketing, media and communications has been relaunched. Recruitment specialists Xchangeteam, which covers Bath and the West of England from its office in Portishead, started the annual Freelancer of the Year Awards in 2003 to give freelancers recognition and also enhance their...
The valued of frauds committed in the South West and Wales rose more than seven-fold last year, according to professional services firm KPMG. Having said that, one fraud accounted for 80% of the entire region’s total. Notable offenders included a woman who was ordered by Bristol Crown Court to undertake 150 hours of community service after...
1pm, the independent Bath firm providing asset leasing finance to small firms, has increased its funding lines by £700,000 via two separate loans. The money is exclusively for the purpose of writing new leases. The company says it also continues to generate profits on a monthly basis and to fund part of its growing lease portfolio...
