One of the government’s boldest and most effective interventions during the coronavirus has been the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (or furlough scheme). It is also, undoubtedly, one of the most important for businesses. Many businesses have suffered a massive shock to income, and furloughing has offered an ability to keep outgoings to a minimum,...
Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s decision to extend the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to October will be a “huge relief” to firms in the West of England, according to the region’s largest business group. Business West, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, said its research showed the scheme, launched by Mr Sunak, pictured, in March,...
University of Bath academics have designed a 3D-printed precision microscope that will enable laboratories across the world to analyse samples and detect diseases for a fraction of the cost of traditional commercial versions. The OpenFlexure Microscope, pictured, is a fully automated, laboratory-grade instrument with motorised sample positioning and focus control – and can...
TrueSpeed, the rural broadband provider, is heading for a new growth phase by targeting businesses after recruiting Henry West to its executive team as commercial director. Henry, pictured, is tasked with evolving the Keynsham-based firm’s direct business sales strategy and developing plans for a wholesale offering, including appointing IT resellers and other service providers. ...
Strong trade links with the US could help the West of England’s small firms recover from the impact of coronavirus, the region’s leading business group has suggested. Business West, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the start of formal post-Brexit talks between the UK and US on a future free trade agreement and...
The devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on businesses in the West of England has been highlighted again in the results of two more surveys – with one showing two-thirds of firms suffered a fall in orders while the second reveals productivity is down at 80% of the region’s small manufacturers. Unsurprisingly, confidence levels...
Debbie Boulton, a director at Bath accountancy firm Richardson Swift, looks at the need to start planning for the post-lockdown period as many decisions will need to be made before it ends. It would appear from the government’s daily briefing that we are slowly beginning the descent from the peak. However, it appears that some...
Business organisations have welcomed new measures by the government to help small firms survive the coronavirus pandemic, reflecting the fact that around half are being rejected for loans under the existing scheme. Business West, the organisation that runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, said Chancellor Rishi Sunak, pictured, had listened to complaints from struggling small...
Specialist technology firm SRT Marine Systems has raised a total of £5.3m of cash in a combination of loans and equity to help it overcome the impact of Covid-19. The Midsomer Norton-based firm, which makes world-leading maritime surveillance, vessel tracking, monitoring equipment, raised an aggregate of £2.8m from investors earlier this month. Now it...
An online public consultation is underway on the mixed-use redevelopment of a car showroom site on Bath’s Lower Bristol Road to overcome the ban on public gatherings during the coronavirus lockdown. Regional car dealership group Dick Lovett has teamed up with national developer Watkin Jones Group to draw up plans for its BMW and...
