Bath’s historic character could be at risk if changes to the planning system announced in this week’s Queen’s Speech become law, Bath Preservation Trust is warning. It could also lead to poor-quality homes being built around the city without local people having a say, the Trust said. A new Bill reforming current planning rules...
The South West is England’s top region for business innovation, according to a new report by the CBI – but it faces challenges over its low productivity and skills gap. The CBI report also reveals that low levels of unemployment and short commuting times compared to other parts of England gives the South West...
Restoration has started on Bath’s historic Cleveland Pools following a 17-year community campaign to save the Grade II* listed site. The oldest surviving public lido in the UK, the Cleveland Pools, pictured, were built in 1815 and are now regarded as a nationally significant site. The restoration project has the support of hundreds of...
A Bath-based cleantech firm aiming to help small food and drink businesses create sustainable supply chains is poised to launch its platform after raising £142,000. Greener, which was co-founded by a University of Bath doctor of philosophy, has developed a algorithmic matchmaking platform that makes it easier for firms in the food and drink...
A £12.7m battery storage project planned for construction alongside one of the UK’s largest solar parks has new owners. The 50MW Sandridge Battery Storage project between Melksham and Bromham has been bought by JLEN, the listed environmental infrastructure fund, and Foresight Solar Fund, which owns the neighbouring 200-acre Sandridge solar park. The lithium-ion battery...
The Western Gateway, the cross-border economic partnership of eight cities either side of the River Severn including Bath, has appointed three new members to its board. They include former Institute of Directors Bristol chair Lhosa DalyLhosa, pictured, who has also been chair of Bristol art gallery Arnolfini. The partnership was launched in November 2019 as the UK’s...
Shares in Somerset-based upmarket fashion brand Mulberry have risen to their highest level for more than two years after its sales bounced back over recent months. In a trading update, the group, best known for its luxury bags, said there had been strong growth in its important Asian markets while online sales had also...
Small business confidence has staged a dramatic recovery in the South West, according to the results of a new survey, as firms look head to life after lockdown. The latest quarterly survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), conducted among its members last month, reveals levels of optimism not seen for nearly seven...
Somerset-based luxury fashion brand Mulberry – best known for its iconic bags – has vowed to become a net zero business by 2035 with a promise to start by using the world’s lowest carbon leather for its next product launch. Its new sustainability manifesto – which it has called Mulberry Made to Last –...
Martin Knight, an associate at Bath-based landscape architects Grant Associates, has been appointed to the Design Council’s new network of built and natural environment experts. The 400-plus individuals in the network are active leaders and change makers from a number of professions, backgrounds and regions who collectively embody the organisation’s commitment to make life...
