Areas in the West of England could become investment zones aimed at driving economic growth and unlocking land for housing under a scheme announced today by Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng in his mini-Budget. Businesses in the zones would benefit from lowering taxes and ‘liberalised’ planning frameworks, according to the Treasury. Mr...
Business groups covering Bristol and the West of England this afternoon largely approved of many of the measures in Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-Budget – but the political reaction was less favourable. Business West, the region’s largest business group and the organisation behind Bristol Chamber of Commerce, said the announcements would...
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng presented his mini-Budget in the House of Commons this morning against a backdrop of high inflation, soaring energy bills and an economy which, according to the Bank of England, could already be in recession. Key points announced by Mr Kwarteng, pictured, were: Chancellor says a new approach...
The government’s energy support scheme for firms has been welcomed by business groups in Bristol as giving them vital breathing space in the face of soaring bills. But Business West, the region’s largest business group and the organisation behind Bristol Chamber of Commerce, urged ministers to provide more details...
The government has been urged to give more details about how it intends to help struggling businesses with soaring energy bills a week after assurances its price guarantee plan for consumers would also apply to them. Business West, the region’s largest business group and the organisation behind Bristol Chamber...
Bristol firms are being offer the chance to take part in the city’s next public sculpture trail by sponsoring one of 50 unicorns that will be sited around the city next year. The project, which follows the highly successful Wow! Gorillas of 2011 and the two Gromit Unleashed trails...
Business, civic and academic leaders from Bristol today joined the nation in mourning the death yesterday afternoon of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, paying tribute to her life and selfless service. The Union and St George’s flags outside City Hall and flags at civic buildings across the city are...
National law firm Foot Anstey has worked with Italian aviation group Magnaghi Aeronautica Group on its acquisition of a UK specialist in manufacturing components and supplier of surface treatments for the aerospace industry, including receiving national security clearance. Magnaghi, which is headquartered in Naples, said the takeover of Gloucestershire-based Five...
The search is on again to find the South West’s best and brightest small companies as Britain’s biggest business representation group launches its annual awards. The FSB’s (Federation of Small Businesses) Celebrating Small Business Awards showcase small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across the region and are open to...
The South West’s largest business organisation has ‘warmly welcomed’ the government’s promise to help firms with spiralling energy bills this winter – but called for it to regulate the market to ensure stability in the future. Prime Minister Liz Truss’s energy price freeze announced yesterday means households bills will be capped...
Bristol-based tech firm Anaphite has raised £4.1m to develop the use of graphene in electric vehicles batteries – a move that could halve charging times while also cutting manufacturing costs. The firm, launched four years ago by two university graduates to look into ways of exploiting the potential of...
The Bristol office of mid-market private equity firm LDC has made an £18m minority investment in global pharmaceutical development organisation TMC Pharma Services. Hampshire-based TMC’s products specialise in innovative treatments for rare diseases and oncology. It has successfully supported more than 150 ‘orphan’ drug designations in the past 10 years...
Confidence among South West businesses rose in August despite spiralling costs, according to a new survey – making it one of only three UK regions to record a month-on-month increase in optimism. Firms in the region appear to have shrugged off the impact of soaring utility bills, wage increases and...
