Lloyds Bank’s Bristol-based commercial real estate team has appointed David Willock as relationship director for the South West and Wales. He joins from RBS, where he was a senior director in its Bristol real estate team. During his 10 years with RBS he was responsible for loan origination and...
Before the Budget Business West – the organisation that runs Bristol Chamber of Commerce – called for a focus on infrastructure, exports and the skills gap. Managing director Phil Smith said: “Our nation’s roads and apprentices got a cordial mention , international trade was almost utterly absent....
The CBI described the Budget as double-edged for business and branded the Chancellor’s flagship introduction of a National Living Wage of £7.20 next April as “a big gamble”. It also called the apprentice levy “a blunt tool” to force more businesses to take on trainees. Director-general John Cridland said:...
Many of the measures in Chancellor George Osborne’s Summer Budget got a warm welcome from Bristol business figures – particularly support for small businesses. Jeremy Richards, head of office at property agency JLL’s Bristol office, said: “The Chancellor’s continued focus on investment in improving the M4 and the electrification...
Key points from the Budget: New National Living Wage of £7.20 for all workers aged over 25 to be introduced next April and to reach £9 an hour by 2020 Cuts in National Insurance for small firms to help them pay for living wage More devolution to Northern cities...
Confidence among West of England firms remains fragile despite a period of strong growth, according to the latest survey by Business West. The organisation, which runs Bristol Chamber of Commerce and the Bristol Initiative, said the findings showed the need for the new Government to act to encourage sustainable...
Bristol-based Latin American restaurant chain Las Iguanas has been bought by the owner of Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia for £85m. Casual Dining Group acquired the business from its private equity owners Bowmark Capital. Las Iguanas, which opened its first branch in Bristol’s St Nicholas Street in 1991, now...
The first of Bristol Airport’s two major terminal extensions opened to passengers today following a 12-month build programme and £8.6m investment. The east terminal extension includes a significantly enlarged departure lounge featuring hundreds of additional seats as well several retail and catering brands new to the airport. A stand-out...
Business West, the organisation behind Bristol Chamber of Commerce, has called on the Chancellor to strike a balance between eliminating the deficit and stimulating growth in next week’s Budget. And while George Osborne is likely to focus on the cuts and reform, he must also concentrate on infrastructure, boosting...
Bristol-based legal experts at national law firm Bond Dickinson have helped the business behind a pioneering home ownership plan receive £40m funding from the Greater London Authority to launch in the capital. Gentoo Genie expects to be able to offer 2,000 new homes to buyers who would not ordinarily...
The Land Registry has appointed West of England law firm Ashfords as a provider of legal services to its corporate procurement team following a tender process. The team is responsible for all major spending by the Land Registry, principally on information and communications technology (ICT) and facilities management (FM)...
Three of the Bristol area’s most successful firms will go head to head next week in the South West’s most prestigious business competition. Global financial administration company Computershare Investors Services, Loungers – the business behind the successful café/bar chain – and Chipping Sodbury-based Ian Williams, one of the UK’s...
Showpiece Bristol city centre office scheme 66 Queen Square has been sold for nearly £33m – before building work is even finished. Swedish construction group Skanska exchanged contracts this week to sell the 61,500 sq ft building to Aviva Investors Property Trust. Skanska immediately said it was looking to...
