Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, is launching a series of expert webinars and virtual networking events to help small firms bounce back from the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The webinars will address key practical issues and challenges facing firms as lockdown measures are eased while the online networking sessions will enable...
One of the government’s boldest and most effective interventions during the coronavirus has been the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (or furlough scheme). It is also, undoubtedly, one of the most important for businesses. Many businesses have suffered a massive shock to income, and furloughing has offered an ability to keep outgoings to a minimum,...
Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s decision to extend the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to October will be a “huge relief” to firms in the West of England, according to the region’s largest business group. Business West, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, said its research showed the scheme, launched by Mr Sunak, pictured, in March,...
A Bath architectural firm responsible for working on some of the UK’s most historic houses and hotels has been bought by its employees. Simon Morray-Jones Architects was established more than 30 years ago by Simon Morray-Jones. Over that time, it has renovated and remodelled many listed and historic UK buildings as well as projects...
Bath luxury hotel Homewood is going ahead with its plans to open a new 10-bedroom lodge, outdoor kitchen and al fresco terrace this summer, despite the coronavirus pandemic. Owners Ian and Christa Taylor revealed the expansion to the 21-room hotel, pictured, in Freshford in January when they recruited a number of new staff, including...
Strong trade links with the US could help the West of England’s small firms recover from the impact of coronavirus, the region’s leading business group has suggested. Business West, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the start of formal post-Brexit talks between the UK and US on a future free trade agreement and...
The devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on businesses in the West of England has been highlighted again in the results of two more surveys – with one showing two-thirds of firms suffered a fall in orders while the second reveals productivity is down at 80% of the region’s small manufacturers. Unsurprisingly, confidence levels...
Debbie Boulton, a director at Bath accountancy firm Richardson Swift, looks at the need to start planning for the post-lockdown period as many decisions will need to be made before it ends. It would appear from the government’s daily briefing that we are slowly beginning the descent from the peak. However, it appears that some...
Business organisations have welcomed new measures by the government to help small firms survive the coronavirus pandemic, reflecting the fact that around half are being rejected for loans under the existing scheme. Business West, the organisation that runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, said Chancellor Rishi Sunak, pictured, had listened to complaints from struggling small...
Bath-based fitness subscription firm MoveGB has generated more £1m for the fitness, yoga and dance instructors across the country since launching its lockdown-inspired Move At Home service. In less than a month more than 40,000 classes have been streamed through the service and the number of classes and providers continues to grow by the...
