The South West’s small and medium-sized businesses are among the UK’s most confident when it comes to their prospects and the wider economy, according to two new surveys. The latest regional survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) reveals that small business owners in the region are the...
Nearly 70% of South West firms see climate change as a core business factor for them, according to a landmark survey of companies’ attitudes to the key issue – but, alarmingly, 21% have so far taken no action despite mounting concern over its impact. Just under half (46%) of...
Professional criminals took advantage of the unprecedented conditions caused by the pandemic to con businesses and individuals across the South West out of millions of pounds, new figures show. According to accountancy group KPMG latest Fraud Barometer, cases reaching the region’s courts in the first half of this year...
The government’s new Innovation Strategy, which aims to turbo charge the UK’s most pioneering businesses, will fall flat unless its key decisions are devolved to the regions, according to West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris. In his latest broadside against what he sees as over control by Westminster,...
To date, the government has spent more than £372bn on the nation’s response to Covid-19 and while much of the financial support on offer is due to end in a few months’ time, the spiralling costs have had a heavy hit on the public finances. That is why we...
The South West team of LDC, the leading mid-market private equity firm, is predicting significant growth and investment opportunities for small and mid-sized businesses over the coming year as the regional economy recovers from the pandemic. The Bristol-based team completed three deals in the first half of this year...
A Bristol start-up that recycles CDs and DVDs into products such as bar stools, earrings and soap dishes is expanding after recruiting three young people under the Kickstart employment scheme. Revive Innovations is among 140 businesses in the region working with business group Business West on the government. Some...
Bristol’s food businesses are being urged not to bin their surplus produce but to redirect it to FareShare Southwest, the region’s largest food redistribution charity, as it gears up to prevent children going hungry during the school holidays. The food will help the charity, whose mission is to fight...
A series of virtual and community fundraising events is being organised by Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) to bring in much-needed cash after it suffered a major falloff in income over the past year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The charity, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, needs around...
Bristol firms are being urged to remain cautious about easing Covid-related measures too quickly as the country prepares for most legal restrictions to be lifted on Monday. With infection rates rising again across the area, the city council is encouraging residents to avoid crowded areas, if possible, and to...
The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has appointed civil engineer Richard Bonner as its new chair, replacing Prof Steve West, who has been in the role since 2017. Richard, pictured, joined the LEP board two years ago and also served on the West of England Economic Recovery...
Bristol research and development tax relief consultancy ForrestBrown has shuffled its senior management team – with founder Simon Brown becoming chairman – as it prepares for extensive changes in the sector. The firm has grown rapidly since Simon, pictured, launched it as a disruptor in 2013 after identifying an...
Bristol firms will be guided through the latest changes to the UK’s innovation incentive landscape in an online event staged by accountancy firm Smith & Williamson next week. The Zoom webinar will highlight new rules around the Patent Box regime, which came into force on June30, as well as the recent government consultation on Research And Development (R&D) Tax relief. ...
