The high street got an unexpected pre-Christmas boost today with new figures showing sales volumes in early December grew for the first time in seven months. However, shop takings were still sales poor for the time of year and the CBI, which conducted the research behind today’s survey, said...
Bristol-based serviced apartment company SACO has opened its 30th location in the UK, tripled its number of sites in London to 13, and appointed its 150th employee. Trinity Tower in Canary Wharf is the company's latest development. It features 50 one, two and three bedroom serviced apartments while also...
The true cost of Christmas parties in the workplace could land employers with a sobering bill from HM Revenue & Customs in the New Year. The warning comes from Caroline Harwood, head of employer solutions at Grant Thornton in Bristol, who points out that for employers who want to reward hard-working...
Nearly half a ton of food is being delivered to Caring at Christmas, the Bristol charity that runs a shelter for the homeless or vulnerably housed over the Christmas period. The collection, donated by staff, clients and business contacts of property adviser GVA, was made in just under week. GVA's...
Major retailers are scouring the region for large storage and distribution warehouses capable of supporting the dramatic rise in online shopping, according to a leading commercial property specialist. It follows stronger-than-expected consumer spending driven by record-breaking online shopping. Tim Davies (pictured), head of Colliers International in Bristol, said: “Dramatically...
The steel structure is in place to create a 50,000 sq ft South West distribution facility for pallet and container pooling company CHEP UK on eight acres at Central Park, Avonmouth. Construction is on a fast track for completion in spring 2012 and will be part of a CHEP UK network that issues,...
Independent professional and financial services group Smith & Williamson has promoted Jerry Barnes to become head of its private client tax services team just a year after he joined the firm Jerry, who previously spent 28 years with rival Saffery Champness, will continue to focus on growing Smith &...
Moves by West councils to ensure redundant buildings, including 5,000 empty homes, are fully utilised before green field sites are swallowed up for development have been welcomed by property specialist Colliers International. The West of England Property Initiative – run jointly by North Somerset, Bristol City, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset councils...
Bristol-based student accommodation specialist Unite has completed a £2.3m refurbishment of Waverley House, its city centre development and home to 217 students from the University of the West of England. The facelift of the waterfront accommodation was carried out with Bristol and West-based suppliers including Britannia Construction with Cablecom,...
A major Europe-wide project which could revolutionise colour printing has named the University of the West of England’s Centre for Fine Print Research (CFPR) as a partner. Potential innovations include exploring the possibilities of using more than the conventional four colours of cyan, magenta, yellow and black to create...
Unemployment across the South West has risen by more than 10% in the past year, according to figures today from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). More than 90,000 people aged over 16 in the region were claiming unemployment benefit in November, the ONS said, up from 81,000 in...
From Bristol 24-7 www.bristol247.com Bristol could have its own local TV station in a little over two years under latest plans announced by the government. Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has named Bristol as one of the 20 towns and cities to be in the vanguard of his Local TV...
Bristol-based factoring group Ultimate Finance announced a further boardroom shake-up today following last month's surprise departure of Richard Pepler, the company's chief executive and co-founder. Mr Pepler's former partner and company co-founder, Jeremy Coombes has been promoted to chief executive officer with immediate effect. Clive Garston is also to...
