Business confidence has bounced back stronger in the South West than any other part of the UK, according to a new survey – but many firms remain gloomy and one in 10 expects to stay closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The monthly Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking had shown a huge...
A coronavirus business bounce-back campaign to encourage UK food and drink producers to break into overseas markets is being spearheaded by the South West’s largest business organisation. Hampers full of British artisan food and drink are being sent all over the world as part of the Business West-led campaign, which was chosen by government...
Bath’s small businesses are being offered the chance to get free help to manage their finances in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic thanks to a new programme launched by West of England Mayor Tim Bowles. The accountancy support programme is being delivered in partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and...
Students at Bath Spa University studying for an MA in Children’s Publishing have teamed up with inclusive children’s publisher Knights Of to create an e-book edition of a debut novel. A Kind of Spark by neurodivergent Scottish author Elle McNicoll tells the story of 11-year-old Addie’s campaign for a memorial of the witch trials...
Both of Bath’s universities are to play key roles in a major new project aimed at making the South West an international trailblazer in screen-based media. The MyWorld initiative could generate more than 700 jobs across the region through new digital formats and technologies, creating innovative experiences across fiction, documentary, games, and live performance. ...
An online service promising impartial financial advice for Bath firms on funding options has been launched by Business West, the region’s largest business organisation. According to Business West, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, its Finance Hub will be free from confusing jargon or any hard sell, enabling businesses to decide what sort of...
The Apex City of Bath Hotel has installed virtual conferencing technology as it prepares to reopen following the easing of the coronavirus lockdown. The hotel, which houses the city’s largest purpose-built conference and events facilities, believes the future of the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industry is based on increased use of technology...
Business groups have cautiously backed the reduction of many coronavirus lockdown restrictions announced earlier this week by the Prime Minister. But they also warned that other measures to boost the economy were still needed to avoid widespread business failures and job losses. In a major boost to the West of England’s vital tourism and...
A surprise fall in the number of corporate insolvencies could herald the ‘calm before the storm’, the South West branch of insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 has warned. Figures published by the Insolvency Service show a 30% drop in companies going bust at the height of the coronavirus crisis in May compared to...
Unemployment has soared by 145% in the West of England since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to figures published today, with just nearly 40,000 people claiming jobless benefits. At the same time, around 22% of the region’s workforce – 132,600 people – have been furloughed while job vacancies have fallen sharply, down...
