More than two-thirds of high-growth firms in the South West plan to continue to expand next year after adapting for a post-Covid world, new research shows. According to the first survey to chart these businesses during the coronavirus pandemic it has created significant barriers to growth for 58% of South West firms, with operational...
The chairman of Somerset-based luxury fashion brand Mulberry today insisted it had a bright future as a standalone business after Mike Ashley’s Fraser Group pulled out of talks to take it over. Frasers, formerly known as Sports Direct, said last month it was considering a bid for Mulberry – best known for its much-sought-after...
Homewood, the hotel owned by Bath-based Kaleidoscope Collection, has been accepted into the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection for 2021. Set in 20 acres in Freshford, Homewood has 21 bedrooms along with a 10-bedroom lodge which opened this year. It also boasts an intimate garden spa with outdoor pool while its Olio...
Bath’s beleaguered hospitality industry is hoping for a boost in visitor numbers next year after a major TV period drama series filmed in the city premieres on Christmas Day. Bridgerton, described as a witty, romantic, emotional and thoroughly modern take on the Regency era, will be screened on Netflix over eight episodes. Although set...
This article may sound like humbug, but not all Christmas presents should be treated equally! The Bribery Act 2010 introduced a new regime by which all corporate hospitality or gifts had to be reasonable and proportionate. Given the current pandemic, not much hospitality is probably going on, but that does stop the giving of...
Bath firms have slammed government financial support for businesses forced to close during the most recent lockdown as grossly inadequate. Some 54% of West of England businesses that were shuttered during November – including restaurants, cafes and non-essential retailers – said the financial assistance covered less than a quarter of their overheads, a new...
Historic buildings at the centre of a major town centre regeneration scheme will be opened to the public for the first time in more than a decade when the site stages a Christmas market. The owners of Innox Mills, a 10-acre brownfield site in Trowbridge, have teamed up with The Anonymous Travelling Market, the...
A third of South West firms still do not know if they will be impacted by Brexit with less than four weeks to go to the end of the UK-EU transition period, according to a new survey. At the same time 46% are worried that Brexit could have a bigger impact on them than...
Businesses in and around Bath have less than two weeks to give their views on the type of employment spaces, vital transport links and homes the region needs over the next 20 years. The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has already received almost 1,000 responses to the survey it is running on its...
Visit Bath, the city’s cash-strapped direct marketing organisation, is set to be axed and replaced by a region-wide body in a move that could save the city £2m over the next 10 years. According to a report to Bath & North East Somerset Council’s (B&NES) cabinet, setting up a new organisation with other West of...
