Bath firms remain optimistic about their prospects despite official figures showing the economy slowing, according to the area’s largest business organisation. UK gross domestic product (GDP) increased by a lower than expected 0.5% between July and September compared to growth of 0.7% in the previous three months, this week’s figures from the Office for...
Vastern Timber, which operates a sawmill at Studley, near Chippenham, has won a major national award for one of its key products. The firm’s jointed British sweet chestnut cladding came top in the Best Cladding System category at the Build It Awards held recently in London. Family-owned Vastern Timber, which is based in Royal...
The Festival of Female Entrepreneurs attracted hundreds of start-ups, established firms and potential small business owners to the Colston Hall in Bristol for a packed programme of expert speakers and advice as well as a great opportunity for networking. All photos by Jon Craig JonCraig.co.uk
Now is the best time for three decades to launch a business, former City ‘superwoman’ Nicola Horlick told the Festival of Female Entrepreneurs (FFE) yesterday. Ms Horlick, pictured – given her title by the media for juggling a high-powered career in finance with bringing up six children – was among the panel of speakers...
Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, has backed the findings of a highly critical report into apprenticeships by education watchdog Ofsted. The report accused the Government of devaluing the “apprenticeship brand” by creating them in ever greater numbers, while the chief inspector of schools Sir Michael Wilshaw said there were too many poor...
The West of England is on the brink of its biggest single biggest development project in a generation after the long-expected Chinese investment in the development of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station was confirmed this week. The final go-ahead for the £18bn project is now expected within two weeks. With that decision now...
With just two days to go, the Festival of Female Entrepreneurs is shaping up to be one of the biggest business events in the West this year. Hundreds of business owners – men and women – will descend on the Colston Hall in Bristol this Thursday for the one-day entrepreneurial extravaganza. Tickets to the keynote...
The need for Bath’s Business Improvement District (BID) to continue for another five years and for more powers to be devolved from London to the region were among the calls to action at an economic seminar and panel debate staged by Barclays. BID chief executive Andrew Cooper spoke at the event on the benefits...
A unique business knowledge hub to help Bath and the West of England’s small and medium-sized enterprises grow is to be launched next month. The West of England Growth Hub will offer users access to an extensive, connected network of business knowledge and skills partners. The platform, which is still in its final stages...
The West of England’s small and medium-sized firms are leading the UK for job creation with more than two thirds planning to recruit more staff and SME manufacturers are committed to investing in their workforce over the next 12 months, according to two new surveys. The upbeat findings, from the latest HSBC Commercial Banking...
