Chippenham’s Grade II-listed Neeld Hall is being transformed into a modern community and arts centre in a refurbishment project led by Swindon construction firm Beard. The firm is working with Chippenham Town Council and Bristol-based Quattro Design Architects on the design-and-build scheme on the hall, which was built in 1850 as an extension to...
Chippenham residents and visitors to the town are being urged to support its privately owned shops as part of national Independent Retailer Month. Nearly half the retail units in the town are independently owned – reflecting a growing trend across the South West in particular for smaller, locally owned stores to set up and...
Business West, the organisation that runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, has welcomed moves by the West of England’s four councils to work together to gain more powers from the Government under its devolution agenda. The leaders of Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES), North Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils and Bristol’s elected mayor have...
A 140-mile walk from Bath to London has raised more than £15,000 to help preserve and reinvigorate Bath’s historic Abbey for future generations. The seven-day trek was organised in aid of Footprint, the £19.3m development scheme to repair the Abbey’s collapsing floor, install an eco-friendly heating system using Bath’s hot springs and create additional...
Bath Business Improvement District (BID) chief executive Andrew Cooper – who has been at its helm since its launch in 2011 – is to leave to take up a similar role in Leeds, it was announced today. Mr Cooper, pictured, will be joining the newly launched Leeds Business Improvement District – the UK’s third...
Ambitious plans for a new international automotive research centre led by the University of Bath have been revealed. The facility at the Bristol & Bath Science Park, along with more space for growing businesses and improved training provision for the UK composites sector, have been announced by a newly created steering committee set up to...
Property agents DTZ has recruited Chris Hays to head a new town planning team that will provide consultancy services across the South West. His role will involve developing DTZ’s town planning profile and portfolio in the region and nationally. A chartered town planner with 16 years’ experience, Chris, pictured, is also a member of...
Bott, the workplace storage equipment firm, and Devon Air Ambulance Trust have won the PWC Business of the Year Awards – the South West’s most coveted business accolades. Bude-based Bott’s CEO Clive Woodward received his trophy for the £30m-plus turnover category from Mark Beard, chief executive of last year's winner, Swindon construction firm Beard....
Lloyds Bank’s 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 client management for real estate clients...
Before the Budget Business West – the organisation that runs Bath Chamber of Commerce – called for a focus on infrastructure, exports and the skills gap. Managing director Phil Smith said today: “Our nation’s roads and apprentices got a cordial mention , international trade was almost utterly absent. “Also missing was a...
