Communities Secretary Eric Pickles this morning called on banks to play a greater role in spurring economic recovery by helping small firms and entrepreneurs. Give the keynote speech at the West leg of a national roadshow explaining how the UK’s major banks can provide finance for small and medium-sized businesses, he said: "I don't...
West-based motor dealer HSH is set to unveil its new Bath Honda showroom. The dealership in Prior Park changed hands recently as part of a flurry of deals involving major motor manufacturers jostling for the best roadside positions as the industry attemps to recover from the downturn. William Jolly, director of Colliers International’s Bristol-based...
The Bristol & Bath Science Park was officially opened this morning, realising a long-held ambition to place the West of England at the forefront of innovation and technology. Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts, launched what its backers believe will become a new powerhouse for research and development, The 59-acre (24 hectare) site...
Barclays has announced the appointment of Leanne Iles as manager at Milsom Street, Bath, branch. Leanne joined Barclays in 2001 in the Cambridgeshire area and most recently worked as a branch manager for Barclays at Ringwood in Dorset. She will be responsible for a team of 38 people across four branches including the University of...
Response One, the fast-growing Bath-based data marketing group, has been acquired by marketing and printing firm St Ives in a deal reported to be worth up to £19m. Response One, established in 1998 and now employing around 70 staff, produces specialist media buying and sales services, as well as data insight, print management and...
Government spending cuts and the tough economic climate may have impacted on the legal market but a number of Bath firms have performed well despite these conditions. In the education sector, the Legal 500 ranks Stone King in the second tier of this category. The firm has acted on many academy conversions and defended...
A high-flyer from the aerospace sector has been appointed by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, to head up the support it provides to industry across the South West. As the organisation’s new region director, Paul Knight will be responsible for the services delivered to member companies but he will also represent the needs of manufacturing...
EasyJet is to introduce flights from Bristol to Naples, bringing to 43 its number of destinations from the airport. The budget airline, which today raised its full-year profit guidance, said fares on the route would start at £31.99 (one-way, including taxes). The three-times-weekly service will operate from May 12 to September 1 next year....
Bath law firm Thrings is today ranked among the regional heavyweights of the legal sector with rivals Withy King and Stone King named as major players in the market. The latest Legal 500, the legal market’s annual ‘bible’ which is published today, places Thrings, which also has offices in Bristol and Swindon, as one...
Consumer confidence fell to a four-month low in August as the economy continued to struggle, a Nationwide survey has shown. The building society said it was a relief the drop was not bigger during a month when many UK major cities hit by the worst rioting in decades and global economic uncertainty hit share...
