Fewer than one in six West of England firms believe they will be able to cope if the coronavirus crisis lasts for more than six months, according to the results of the first major survey highlighting the impact of the pandemic on the region’s businesses. More than 70% of...
A taskforce bringing together businesses, universities and the West of England’s local authorities is being set up to ensure the region’s economy recovers as quickly as possible from the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The new group will also represent the region in discussions with central government to make...
The government’s £1.25bn funding package to support innovative start-ups and research-intensive firms impacted by the coronavirus pandemic has been welcomed by business and civic leaders in the West of England. The measures include a Future Fund – a new £500m loan scheme for high-growth firms – and £750m of...
More than 2,900 businesses in Bristol have received urgent support grants from the city council totalling nearly £40m to help them stave off the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The council has received around £88m from central government to pay small business grants. However only 35% of an estimated...
The Bristol studio of international architecture and engineering practice BDP is helping convert a conference centre on the city’s outskirts into an emergency Nightingale hospital as part of the NHS’s effort to tackle the coronavirus emergency. Working with contractor Kier, BDP is providing the design and engineering expertise and...
Bristol-based gift card business Gift Up! is providing a lifeline to thousands of firms that have been forced to stop trading due to coronavirus-linked lockdowns around the world. The online platform is offering its innovative service free of charge to enable companies to continue to bring in revenue amid...
More than 40,000 businesses have sought advice and guidance on how they can survive the coronavirus pandemic from a special service set up by Business West, the organisation behind Bristol Chamber of Commerce. Trading Through Coronavirus, which went live exactly a month ago, provides expert information and guidance to...
Small charities in Bristol have received much-needed finance from an emergency fund set up by region’s community foundation to help them cope with spiralling demand as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Quartet Community Foundation, which covers Bristol, South Gloucestershire and across the West of England, has distributed more...
South West PR agency Wild West Communications, which has an office in Bristol, has made a commitment to people and planet under its new managing director as it aims to become certified as a B Corporation. B Corp businesses must meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental...
Mobius Works, the Bristol-based integrated services contractor, has hired Mark Shortland as its new commercial director as the firm adapts to coronavirus crisis by offering assistance to the NHS. Mark, pictured, is highly experienced in commercial awareness with a career spanning 20 years, having previously worked at Regus and,...
A career and coaching scheme set up to boost the skills of workers in Bristol has been expanded to help people whose jobs and income have been affected by coronavirus. Future Bright was set up two years ago by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to improve the...
Bristol’s long-hoped-for arena development has cleared its last hurdle with the Local Government Secretary deciding not to ‘call-in’ the plan. The move means developer YTL can go ahead with construction of the 17,080-capacity venue in the Brabazon hangars on the former Filton Airfield, with an opening date of 2023. ...
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Bristol’s film, TV and media sector is to be gauged through a new survey of employees and freelancers. Bristol Film Office and the city’s Bottle Yard Studios are staging the survey as many people working in the industry have either lost their...
