More than 370,000 small businesses in England and Wales could be eligible to claim via their business interruption insurance policies for disruption during the first Covid-19 national lockdown, following the Supreme Court’s important ruling. This ruling substantially allowed the appeal brought by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and campaign groups Hiscox Action Group and...
Business confidence among South West firms has slumped to the lowest in England as the latest lockdown pushes sales down further and puts more pressure on staffing levels. Just 11% for businesses in the region expect trading levels to have returned to pre-pandemic levels by this time next year while one-in-five expect to have...
A campaign to help Bath area businesses recover from the impact coronavirus by connecting them with essential support and guidance has been launched by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA). Called Together West of England, the campaign is part of a plan for a long-term, post-Covid recovery drawn up in partnership with the...
Scientists at the University of Bath are seeking volunteers to take part in a study to determine how wearable technology can help measure the energy people use from day to day. The research team from the university’s Department for Health are staging the six-week study to determine the energy used by men and women...
It has been great to see many businesses adapt and thrive throughout the pandemic, while for those facing ongoing uncertainty and challenges, the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccines now provides some welcome light at the end of the tunnel. However, the future still remains uncertain for many. These businesses still have time to take...
Actual Experience, the world-leading Bath advanced analytics firm, is looking to bring in £10m through a share issue to capitalise on new market opportunities created, in part, by the coronavirus pandemic. Actual Experience said its change last year from offering managed services to professional services coincided with many businesses adapting new ways, including remote...
More than 1,600 businesses across Bath and North East Somerset forced to close because of the current national Covid-19 restrictions are in line for thousands of pounds in government grants. Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) has emailed all businesses that previously received discretionary grants during November’s national lockdown to let them know...
Bath Spa University is calling on businesspeople based in the city to become mentors to its graduates as they begin to find it harder than ever to join the workforce. The university has launched its scheme MentorMe following an 11% increase in the take up of mentoring since last year. It is now recruiting...
Investment group BGF’s South West team overcame challenges sparked by the coronavirus pandemic to invest a record amount last year. Some £67m was injected into businesses in 2020 – up on the £37m achieved in 2019 and overtaking the previous record of £50m in 2018. The new investments take BGF’s total funding in the...
Recently released research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has indicated that as many as 250,000 small businesses could collapse in the next 12 months. Whilst many businesses affected by the latest national lockdown are receiving assistance via the various government financial support measures, such as the furlough scheme, grants and loans, Milsted...
