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...
Plans to build a 240-room hotel at Longleat have been approved by Wiltshire Council, bringing the development and potentially 300 new jobs a step closer. The scheme, which would also include business conference facilities and a water park, must now receive the green light from Highways England. It is still investigating the likely impact...
St James’s Hotel Group has appointed Simon Hall as general manager for its boutique Hotel Indigo Bath, which is due to open next spring. Simon, pictured, has joined the group with more than 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. He will oversee the day-to-day running of the 166-bed hotel, which is being developed...
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...
The West of England could benefit from billions of pounds of work linked to the expansion of Heathrow Airport by becoming one of its four regional logistic hubs. The move was announced today by Metro Mayor Tim Bowles as he launched a new economic blueprint for the area, which includes Bath & North East...
International property consultancy JLL has made eight promotions in its South West office. Residential valuation team director Adam Greenwood has become a national director while Nicola Perry, an associate director in the property and asset management team, is now a local director. Daniel Withecombe and Matthew Armstrong, from the student and healthcare team, Tully...
Bath brand, creative and digital agency Mr B and Friends is to move to Bristol after failing to find a suitable office in its home city to meet its expansion plans. The firm was formed in a bedroom 11 years ago by CEO Simon Barbato, pictured, and moved into Bath city centre around nine...
Serviced office group Clarendon has opened its first centre in the West of England, taking over four floors of a Bath city centre office block and transforming it into modern, high-quality workspace. Clarendon had been seeking a base in Bath for about six years before taking 13,000sq ft in Cambridge House on Henry Street....
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...
Manor house-turned-business centre Hartham Park has been given a new look as it expands its offering to embrace more flexible ways of working. The Georgian building, pictured below, set in 50 acres of parkland near Corsham, called in workplace designers Wylde IA to refurbish its restaurant, formerly called Jack’s, replacing it with a new...
