Friska, the healthy fast food group started by two University of Bath graduates, has secured an investment of £1.25m towards its long-term goal of becoming a national chain. The money, raised through two angel investors and Santander, will allow Bristol-based Friska to open 10 new sites in Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester. It forms the...
Two of Bath’s most famous landmarks, The Weir and Pulteney Bridge, have been bathed in light to celebrate the renew of the city’s accreditation under the Purple Flag scheme for a fourth year. Bath was one of the first UK cities to receive the standard, which indicates excellence in the management and safety of...
Estate agency Andrews has appointed Will Newell as its new head of IT as a demonstration of its commitment to leading the field in its use of technology. Will, pictured, takes up the role having previously led all IT services at Gloucester City Council. He is based at Andrews’ group headquarters in Keynsham. Will’s...
The University of Bath’s pioneering research centre to test the energy efficiency of new building materials has been officially opened by Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex. Acting in his role as chancellor of the university, Prince Edward toured the ground-breaking research facility at the Building Research Park at Wroughton Airfield, near Swindon, and...
Chippenham has emerged as one of the UK’s most successful retail centres, with its number of vacant shop units less than half the national average. The town, which in recent years has attracted flagship stores such as Waitrose and Argos, appears as the best performer outside London in a table of 15 UK retail...
The South West office of national property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has appointed Marcus Plaw as director of planning as it continues to build its portfolio in the region. Marcus, pictured, joins from Colliers International where he was associate director. At LSH’s Bristol office he will provide a planning consultancy service across the...
Property consultancy DTZ has appointed four surveyors to its South West office. James Banks, Andrew Flower and Ben Johnson join Bristol-based team as senior surveyors to the professional advisory services, rating and project & building consultancy teams respectively, while Sarah James-Nock joins as surveyor to the retail management team. James Banks is appointed to...
Bath Business News has teamed up with the region’s biggest business exhibition, Business Showcase South West, as it prepares to return for a second year. Business Showcase South West 2015 (BSSW 2015) will build on the success of the inaugural event earlier this year which attracted nearly 2,000 attendees, exhibitors and big-name speakers including...
Bath businesses are being asked to back an ambitious £45m refurbishment appeal for Bristol’s iconic Colston Hall music venue to meet its aspirations to create an international centre of excellence for the region. Called Thank You for the Music, the appeal aims to end decades of under-investment in the venue, which celebrates its 150th...
Bristol Airport has a new owner following a deal announced this week in which a Canadian pension fund bought out the airport’s Australian co-shareholder. Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, which already held a 50% stake in the airport, acquired the remaining 50% from Australian asset manager Macquarie Group. The airport, the UK’s ninth busiest, is...
