The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a severe blow to confidence levels among South West firms – with the region now the UK’s least optimistic, according to the gloomy results of another survey. Overall confidence slumped by 16 points during the past month to minus 51% – an unenviable record for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking’s...
Staff at Bath-based financial services firm Ascentric have been told it is entering a new expansion phase after its sale to insurance giant M&G. The firm, a wholly owned subsidiary of pension and insurance mutual Royal London since 2014, is a leading developer of digital wraps and wealth management platforms – online services that...
Each week Bath accountancy firm Pearson May and Bath Business News team up to bring you the top national finance stories. This week we look at more issues linked to the coronavirus pandemic. HMRC relaxes stance on home office equipment Coronavirus-driven tax exemption in place until April 5, 2021. Find out here if this...
Bath hotel the Lansdown Grove is to remain closed after lockdown following its parent group entering administration. The four-star, 55-room venue, pictured, on Lansdown Road was part of the Country Living Hotel group, whose overall owner the Specialist Leisure Group has ceased trading due to the impact of Covid-19. It could now be sold...
A firm that restores, repairs and customises Land Rover Defenders – exporting many of them to the US – has secured a seven-figure finance facility from HSBC to safeguard its future. The funding is enabling Arkonik to continue to take orders despite the coronavirus pandemic. It also means founder and CEO Andy Hayes has...
A medical products manufacturer behind a world-beating specialist swab has secured a £1.45m finance package from Barclays to help the NHS’s Covid-19 testing. Medical Wire & Equipment (MWE), based in Corsham, is expecting to recruit 30 more staff – taking its total workforce to 120 – as it increases production of its virus transport...
Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, is launching a series of expert webinars and virtual networking events to help small firms bounce back from the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The webinars will address key practical issues and challenges facing firms as lockdown measures are eased while the online networking sessions will enable...
The Bank of England’s role is to maintain UK monetary and financial stability by keeping inflation sustainably low and ensuring that the financial system can serve the people of the UK in bad times as well as good. To achieve these aims through the Covid-19 crisis we have put in place a package of...
Each week Bath accountancy firm Pearson May and Bath Business News team up to bring you the top national finance stories. This week we look at more issues linked to the coronavirus pandemic. Employers’ guidance on reopening workplaces Government states “workplaces must be safe and Covid-secure”. Find out here if this applies to your...
One of the government’s boldest and most effective interventions during the coronavirus has been the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (or furlough scheme). It is also, undoubtedly, one of the most important for businesses. Many businesses have suffered a massive shock to income, and furloughing has offered an ability to keep outgoings to a minimum,...
