Brightside Group, the Bristol-based insurance broker, today forecast record annual results. In a trading update the group reported a solid trading performance at the end of last year and said its annual results will be in line with the expectations set at the time of the E-Systems and eDevelopment...
Retail sales have slumped to their biggest annual fall in nearly three years as shoppers tightened their purse string after Christmas, according to the latest survey by the CBI. Its distributive trades survey for January showed the balance for reported sales volumes plunged to -22 – a sharp turnaround...
The Institute of Directors’ Bristol branch has used the Chinese New Year to promote its trade mission later this year to Bristol’s sister city Guangzhou. The IoD is organising the visit in conjunction with the Government’s export-boosting body UKTI. The two organisations are planning a series of events over...
Peter Main has been nominated as Bristol’s next Lord Mayor. He will succeed councillor Geoff Gollop at the end of his year of office in May. Councillor Main, 61, lives in Brislington and has served Brislington West for 14 years. He works as a senior benefits officer in Bath...
Proposals that could boost investment in the local economy are under review following talks between the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership and bankers from Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Santander UK and HSBC. LEP chair Colin Skellett said: “Small and medium-sized businesses across our region are united in their call for more to be done...
Hairline cracks detected in wing components of the A380 superjumbo, the world’s largest airliner, appear to have been caused during construction at the Airbus’s Broughton factory in North Wales. After carrying out an investigation Airbus, which designs and part builds the wings for all its airliners at Filton, says...
Sentiment in the Bristol office market has declined markedly since the summer according to GVA’s quarterly regional office market review, The Big Nine. But this lack of confidence does not reflect reality, according to Ben O’Connor (pictured), regional head of GVA’s Bristol office. “The final quarter of 2011 was boosted by...
Hi-tech measurement and medical device manufacturer Renishaw boosted revenue by 11% to a half-yearly record of £147.1m in the six months to December 31. However, pre-tax profits fell by the same percentage to £31m following significant investment in staff and infrastructure to support growth, according to its interim results published this...
Industrial landlord SEGRO is investing £300,000 in refurbishing its South Liberty Lane business park to attract new firms and more jobs to South Bristol. The former regional base of Kone, the lifts, doors and escalator specialist, has been completely refurbished along with an overhaul of warehouse units and parking...
The Old Fish Market in Baldwin Street has been awarded Master Cellarman status by London’s traditional family brewer Fuller’s. Head brewer John Keeling said: “To gain Master Cellarman status you need to score highly over four consecutive visits so it’s about maintaining a consistent high standard.” To date, 190 Fuller’s pubs hold the Master...
Challenging economic conditions are prompting commercial property tenants and landlords to think outside of the box when it comes to utilising surplus industrial units. Landlords generally steer clear of changing the use of commercial properties but tough market conditions are forcing many to take a second look at their...
Bristol-based Unite, the UK's leading developer and manager of student accommodation, has completed the acquisition of the remaining 49% interest that it did not already own in the Unite Student Village (USV) joint venture in Sheffield. Its joint venture partner Parkmetro Limited, a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers, will receive...
The European Aviation Safety Agency is expected to issue an air worthiness directive today ordering airlines to inspect Airbus’ A380 superjumbos following the discovery of hairline cracks on the wing components of two super-jumbo A380s. Two different cracks have been identified on the same metal component inside the superjumbo’s...
