Three-quarters of South West firms were hit by the coronavirus pandemic in the first two weeks of March, according to a new survey which also shows the outbreak has triggered a marked fall in businesses confidence in the region. Lloyds Bank’s Business Barometer – a monthly survey of more than 1,000 companies carried out...
Warnings about future profits made by South West companies listed on the London Stock Exchange have soared by 75% compared to this time last year – with most of them blaming the coronavirus pandemic. The latest analysis from international accountancy group EY shows there have been 14 profit warnings issued in the region so...
The UK government’s reaction to the coronavirus pandemic and its financial support for businesses has been ramping up daily. But Jon Miles, tax director of Bath-based chartered accountancy firm Richardson Swift, says that while the headlines may seem clear cut, the detail of how to claim any assistance is still to be released in...
Future, the acquisitive Bath media group, is to offload three titles to clear a competition hurdle that was blocking its £140m takeover of Country Life and Chat publisher TI Media. Last week the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ruled that it would clear the takeover on competition grounds subject to Future selling some closely-competing...
In these challenging times, it’s sad to learn that cyber criminals are only increasing their activity as they look to capitalise on the Covid-19 crisis, writes Isabel Thompson, commercial director at cyber security and resilience firm Warner McCall Resilience. With the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) issuing warnings of such activity on a daily...
Business organisations have backed government help outlined last night to support the self-employed and sole traders affected by coronavirus, describing them as a lifeline for around 5m people. The measures announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, pictured below, provide a grant worth 80% of profits up to a cap of £2,500 a month and are targeted...
Bath businesses needing up-to-date information, advice and guidance to help them trade in the current unprecedented market conditions are being encouraged to turn to a new web portal launched by Business West, the region’s largest business organisation. Called Trading Through Coronavirus, it aims to help businesses navigate their way through the crisis by enabling...
Bath-based fitness subscription firm MoveGB has launched a platform with free live-streamed classes for members to keep fit at home during the coronavirus crisis. At the same time, to help its thousands of self-employed fitness providers and independent venues, it has also set up a fund enabling members to continue to pay them –...
National business organisations have welcomed the government’s drastic measures putting the country into virtual lockdown in a bid to combat the rapid spread of coronavirus. The CBI said the action presented “great challenges” while the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said it made it even more vital that support for businesses was delivered quickly. ...
Pubs, cafes and restaurants must close down this evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced, as Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a massive package of measures to support businesses and their workers. The government is to pay 80% of wages for employees not working, up to £2,500 a month, Mr Sunak said. Companies and organisations...
