Directors at Somerset-based fashion brand Mulberry have rejected retail group Frasers’ increased offer to take over the struggling business, calling it “untenable”. Instead, the board at Mulberry – best known for its luxury bags – said the company should focus its attention on “driving the commercial performance of the business”, as it looks to...
Businesses across Bath and North East Somerset are being offered the chance to take part in a group buying scheme to invest in solar panels and battery storage. The scheme, which is also open to residents, offers a way to save money and cut carbon emissions by investing in solar panels, battery storage and...
The tussle for ownership of struggling Somerset-based fashion business Mulberry descended into a war of words this week, with retail group Frasers upping its offer but the brand’s majority owner insisting it had no interest in selling up. Frasers, which is controlled by billionaire Mike Ashley, increased its cash bid for Mulberry from £83m...
Small and medium-sized firms in the innovation hotspot of the West of England can tap into funding worth thousands of pounds to protect their intellectual property (IP), such as trademarks, patents and designs. Under the scheme, launched by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), businesses that meet a number of criteria can access...
A £300m investment vehicle to help create and grow the West of England’s next generation of innovative science and technology spin-out businesses has been launched with the backing of the University of Bath. The fund aims to drive a much-needed step change in the early-stage capital, expertise and support available to university spin-outs and...
Struggling Somerset-based fashion business Mulberry has rejected an £83m takeover bid from Frasers Group, the retail business controlled by billionaire Mike Ashley that already owns 37% of its shares. The offer was made as Mulberry, which has manufacturing sites at Chilcompton, south of Bath, and in Bridgwater, faces some of its tough trading conditions since...
Thousands of commercial vehicles using Bath’s roads could be running on clean hydrogen by 2030 while the city’s gas pipes could be used to distribute what is widely seen as the fuel of the future, according to new studies. Findings of a report produced commissioned by Hydrogen South West – which brings together 10...
An investment fund worth £100m is to be set up to help finance the West of England’s drive towards a green economy, including supplying up to 36,000 homes with renewable energy. The fund was approved by the West of England Combined Authority, which has committed £10m of new investment. According to Metro Mayor Dan...
In today’s business landscape, where diversity and inclusion are essential for success, public events like The Welcome Party offer more than just entertainment – they provide a vital platform for shifting perceptions and building stronger, more inclusive communities. This new event, which takes place in Bristol on 7 November to celebrate the talents and stories of...
Strong trading over the summer and an uptick in new orders means Inspecs, the Bath-headquartered eyewear firm, is focusing on a better second half after seeing a fall in revenue earlier this year. The group, which designs and makes a wide range of spectacles, lenses and frames for worldwide sale, suffered a 7.3% fall...
