Fewer than one in six West of England firms believe they will be able to cope if the coronavirus crisis lasts for more than six months, according to the results of the first major survey highlighting the impact of the pandemic on the region’s businesses. More than 70% of firms have already suffered a...
A taskforce bringing together businesses, universities and the West of England’s local authorities is being set up to ensure the region’s economy recovers as quickly as possible from the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The new group will also represent the region in discussions with central government to make sure its needs are heard...
The government’s £1.25bn funding package to support innovative start-ups and research-intensive firms impacted by the coronavirus pandemic has been welcomed by business and civic leaders in the West of England. The measures include a Future Fund – a new £500m loan scheme for high-growth firms – and £750m of targeted support for small and...
More than 740 businesses in the Bath area have received urgent support grants from Bath & North East Somerset Council totalling £11m to help them stave off the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The council’s Invest in Bath business support team worked throughout the Easter weekend to continue processing applications for the central government-funded...
More than 40,000 businesses have sought advice and guidance on how they can survive the coronavirus pandemic from a special service set up by Business West, the organisation behind Bath Chamber of Commerce. Trading Through Coronavirus, which went live exactly a month ago, provides expert information and guidance to businesses as well as capturing...
A Bath boutique hotel and its restaurant have become the first business in the city to get a loan from Barclays under the government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan (CBIL) scheme. The Queensberry Hotel and Olive Tree Restaurant on Russel Street has received the £450,000 loan to support its cashflow, allowing it to pay is...
As the UK deals with the coronavirus outbreak, considerable strain is being put on commercial property landlords and tenants. Mogers Drewett’s dispute resolution partner Maeve England and commercial property partner Justin Hopkins answer the most frequently asked questions. What help is there for businesses unable to pay rent? The government has introduced measures to...
Small charities in Bath have received much-needed finance from an emergency fund set up by region’s community foundation to help them cope with spiralling demand as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Quartet Community Foundation, which covers Bath and across the West of England, has distributed more than £250,000 to local charitable organisations since...
As the city’s leading independent online business news provider, Bath Business News is stepping up during these challenging times to ensure that Bath remains a successful, innovative and forward-looking business hub. Next week we will launch the Bath Business News Coronavirus Knowledge Hub, a unique source of essential news, information and advice as the...
A top accountant is warning Bath firms hit by the coronavirus crisis not to rush into seeking financial help through the government’s newly-amended package of business support. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced changes to the measures yesterday amid widespread criticism that they were not assisting enough businesses and that some banks were putting too many...
