Tax rises in the Budget aimed at companies could slow much-needed economic growth and undermine investment decisions, the region’s largest business organisation fears. Business West, the organisation behind Bath Chamber of Commerce, said it recognised that the Chancellor faced a tight fiscal position and had to make hard decisions. But it added that it was...
Chancellor Rachel Reeves started her Budget speech by saying the country voted for change on 4 July. As a result, the Labour government could now “fix the foundations”. The way to ensure growth was to “invest, invest, invest”, she added. In total, the Budget will raise taxes by £40bn. The key points from the Budget...
People against Poverty (PaP) has just held its 2023-24 AGM and annual celebration for supporters at which it presented a bold strategy for growth for 2025. Despite being small charity, PaP supports 18 projects across six countries – the UK, Haiti, India, Malawi, Romania and Tanzania – and has helped thousands of people on...
Plans to transform a major brownfield site near Bath city centre with a mixed-use development of homes and business space are to be submitted for planning approval. The derelict 4.5-acre former Homebase site on Pines Way was acquired by London-based Developer HUB and Bridges Fund Management, a London-based fund manager specialising in sustainable and...
Business confidence in the South West has improved and remains firmly in positive territory amid strong domestic sales growth, according to new research. Published less than a week before one of the most important Budgets for a generation, the quarterly survey of chartered accountants in the region paints a more upbeat picture than many...
The Bath area’s standing as the UK’s top location for quality breaks outside London has been reinforced with seven of its hotels gaining recognition in a prestigious new Michelin award scheme. Michelin Keys, which were launched earlier this month, showcase the best hotels in the same way that Michelin Stars have championed the most...
Businesses across Bath and North East Somerset are being offered the chance to take part in a group buying scheme to invest in solar panels and battery storage. The scheme, which is also open to residents, offers a way to save money and cut carbon emissions by investing in solar panels, battery storage and...
Bath-headquartered architecture and placemaking consultancy Nash Partnership has secured full planning permission for one of the UK’s largest community-led development projects of its kind. The approved proposals represent the first build phase of the ground-breaking masterplan in the Southmead area of Bristol, with 187 new flats and a mix of non-residential uses. The project...
A Grade I listed Georgian townhouse used as an upmarket venue for weddings and other events has come onto the market with a guide price of £950,000. Parade House, pictured, on Fore Street, Trowbridge, was built in around 1720 for the wealthy cloth merchant Robert Houlton and is one of the town’s finest buildings. It...
Boutique hotel No.15 by Guesthouse Bath has been named as the ‘City Hotel of the Year’ by the readers of a respected travel publication. Food and Travel Magazine’s Reader Awards celebrate “the finest individuals and companies in food, drink and travel”, according to the independent title. No. 15 by Guesthouse Bath on Great Pulteney...
