Brexit is causing the South West’s small and medium-sized manufacturers ‘significant disruption’ as they try to recover from the economic effects of Covid-19, according to the results of a new survey. The latest South West Manufacturing Barometer shows firms are being hit by more red tape, higher input prices and shortages of raw materials...
The next West of England mayor must show vision and ambition to spearhead the region’s Covid recovery and build a sustainable, long-term prosperity capable of matching London’s economic strength, according to the CBI. The business group this week launched its blueprint for the West of England’s future, which urges the winner of May 6’s...
Bath businesses will be able to learn how to boost their online overseas sales from successful women in eCommerce at a virtual conference next week. The free ‘Women in Global eCommerce’ event on Tuesday is being hosted by the Department for International Trade (DIT) in collaboration with Business West, the organisation behind Bath Chamber...
The South West’s largest business organisation has said many of its members will be “disappointed” with the government’s roadmap for taking England out of national lockdown. Business West, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, said following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement in the House of Commons on Monday the onus was now on ministers...
A surge in sales of sex toys during the pandemic has resulted in retailer Lovehoney taking on an additional 70 staff at its Bath headquarters. The firm – which was launched, appropriately, from a bedroom in the city in 2002 – has enjoyed a whopping 200% sales boost in many of its overseas markets...
The vice-chancellors of both of Bath’s universities and the principal of its main college have joined business leaders from across the West of England in backing the creation of a ‘free port’ in the region. Prof Ian White and Prof Sue Rigby of the University of Bath and Bath Spa University respectively and Laurel...
Bath-based spectacles designer and manufacturer Inspecs has launched its own sustainable range in what it has described as a massive step forward for its industry. The collection, called Botaniq, has been designed by the firm’s in-house technical experts using biodegradable natural, recycled and recyclable material in direct response to consumer demand for sustainable products....
Nearly 2,000 businesses across Bath and North East Somerset forced to close as a result of the third national lockdown have received more than £12m in support grants. Bath & North East Somerset Council had processed 1,825 applications by Wednesday of last week, paying out a total of £11m in support grants and £1.4m...
The Institute of Directors in the South West has appointed experienced tech sector independent director James Savage and Steve Hill, the former managing director of defence contractor SEA, as ambassadors. James, pictured, who has spent 30-plus years in the sector, will be the IoD’s regional ambassador for high-tech industry and tech ventures, having been an independent director on the boards...
Bath-based law firm Mogers Drewett has launched a campaign to collect and donate 50 laptops this month to help bridge the digital divide made worse by the coronavirus pandemic. ‘Fifty in February’ will support the work of Wiltshire Digital Drive (WDD), which was set up last year by a group of businesses in Bath and...
