Nearly nine out of 10 South West manufacturers expect the coronavirus pandemic to hit their sales over the next six months, with half saying they will need to axe staff to stay in business. And despite action by the government to support businesses during the crisis, three-quarters of manufacturers...
The entrepreneur behind two of Bristol’s most successful invoice finance firms is claiming the government’s newly-amended package of business support will still not be enough to save many small firms. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced changes to the measures yesterday amid widespread criticism that they were not assisting enough businesses...
The people of the UK are making extraordinary efforts to limit the health impact of Covid-19. NHS staff, aided by carers and volunteers, are doing sterling work in the face of unprecedented pressures. Families, friends, and neighbours are rallying round those who are ill or isolating themselves. And thousands...
Bristol firms with staff working from home as a result of the coronavirus outbreak are being urged to help them ‘donate their commute’ to city centre hospitals charity Above & Beyond. They can set up a virtual collection tin via the JustGiving app for their team to give the...
Louise Somerset, partner and head of private client tax services at Smith & Williamson in Bristol, explains the government’s self-employed income support scheme. The Chancellor has announced an income support scheme to help the self-employed through the current financial crisis, designed to be on a par with support for...
Warnings about future profits made by South West companies listed on the London Stock Exchange have soared by 75% compared to this time last year – with most of them blaming the coronavirus pandemic. The latest analysis from international accountancy group EY shows there have been 14 profit warnings...
Six new partners have been appointed by Bristol-headquartered national law firm Burges Salmon across a number of its key teams, including private client, healthcare, real estate, dispute resolution and employment. The firm said the move, which will take its total number of partners to 96 from May 1, reflected...
The latest moves by the government to support businesses, including relaxing the insolvency laws and removing some red tape, have been given the thumbs up by the region’s largest business organisation. Business West described the measures, announced by Business Secretary Alok Sharma on Friday evening, as sensible steps that...
Bristol firms have been coming to terms with a new and unprecedented way of doing business against a backdrop of a complete lockdown of the city and the cancellation of all events. But as a city built on innovation, many are looking at new ways of doing business –...
We are now living in unprecedented times. However, we should not overlook the tried and tested ways of coming through unexpected circumstances, writes Gil Lemon, a partner in restructuring and recovery services with accountancy group Smith & Williamson in Bristol. Operationally, people will be looking to safeguard their people...
In these challenging times, it’s sad to learn that cyber criminals are only increasing their activity as they look to capitalise on the Covid-19 crisis, writes Isabel Thompson, commercial director at Bristol-based cyber security and resilience firm Warner McCall Resilience. With the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) issuing warnings...
Business organisations have backed government help outlined last night to support the self-employed and sole traders affected by coronavirus, describing them as a lifeline for around 5m people. The measures announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, pictured below, provide a grant worth 80% of profits up to a cap of £2,500...
Bristol’s small and medium-sized manufacturers are being urged to take part in a major survey to gauge the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on industry. The resected quarterly Manufacturing Barometer – the largest survey of its type in England – has just gone live and is inviting companies to...
