West of England business and local authority leaders have been urged to “stop dithering” and help develop a stronger regional economy that builds on its position as one of the UK’s leading centres for innovation and creativity. The recently formed West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is drawing up a new economic blueprint for...
Guests at Bath Racecourse’s Ladies Day fixture next month will be able to tuck into an exclusive fine-dining experience, courtesy of Michelin-starred chef Josh Eggleton. The chef-patron of the multi-award-winning Pony & Trap in Chew Magna – and numerous other establishments across the South West – has teamed up with racecourse head chef Jonathan...
Confidence among West of England firms has plummeted to its lowest level since the depths of the recession in 2009, according to the latest survey of its members by Business West, the region’s largest business organisation. The number of businesses describing themselves as confident about their future slumped by 22% compared to the same...
Bath’s forward-looking employers now have more time to enter a top awards scheme that champions the happiest workplaces in the West following a decision by organisers to extend the deadline for entries. Staged by Bristol-based and interior design consultancy Wylde IA, the Happiest Workplace competition recognises firms that go the extra mile to ensure...
Friska, the ‘feel-good food’ café group started by two University of Bath graduates, is aiming to double its number of outlets and expand in cities across the UK after receiving a £3m investment. The Bristol-based firm, founded Griff Holland and Ed Brown, pictured, who met while studying economics at the University of Bath, now operates...
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox will today tell West of England businesses that there has never been a better time to start exporting, with the help of his department. Latest government figures show an 11% surge in the value of overseas sales made by businesses from the region, with more than 8,600 firms now...
The £60m University of Bath-led world-beating automotive research centre, which will help develop the next generation of ultra-low emission vehicles, is to go ahead after receiving nearly two-thirds of its funding. The IAAPS – Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems – pictured, will also create an innovative automotive industry cluster in the South West...
Good Energy, the Chippenham-based renewable energy firm, has become embroiled in a power struggle with arch-rival Ecotricity that has sparked a surge of interest in the green sector. Ecotricity, 100% owned by hippie-turned-entrepreneur Dale Vince, pictured below, has amassed a 25.3% stake in Good Energy over the past year – and now wants Mr...
Government plans to encourage more drivers to buy electric vehicles have been welcomed by automotive learning and development company RTS Group. Last month’s Queen’s Speech included details of a Bill that would pave the way for mandatory charging points at service stations. According to RTS, which works with automotive manufacturers, including those making electric...
Bath-based commercial property developer HPH has invested more than £20,000 installing extra electric vehicle charging points across its estate to meet accelerating demand from tenants. The firm, which owns and manages an extensive property portfolio across Bath, Wiltshire and Somerset, has also joined the electric car revolution by buying its own Renault Zoe from Platinum...
