International real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) has confirmed it will merge with UK property agents King Sturge in a move that will enable JLL to establish a foothold in the South West. All 43 King Sturge offices and businesses across Europe, including 24 in the UK, will become part of JLL...
Two businesses specialising in environmental planning and advice have moved into Little London Court in Old Town. Impact Planning Services and Environment Bank have taken the ground floor of Mayfair House, which was let to them by Alder King Property Consultants. Impact Planning Services are specialist town planning consultants and development consultants. The...
Bosses at software firm SciSys believe the business is strong enough to ride out the public spending cuts which will hit some of its major customers in defence and other parts of the public sector. In a statement issued ahead of its AGM today, the Chippenham-based firm said it recognised "the continuing impact of the UK government's 2010...
Nearly 60% of private equity executives are planning significant portolio sales in the next 12 months, according to a survey carried out by chartered accountants Grant Thornton for their Private Equity Barometer. Of 100 questioned, only 10 per cent do not plan to sell any portfolio companies against 57% planning an exit. It demonstrates the...
Channel Islands based airline, Blue Islands, launched a new service between Bristol and Jersey yesterday. The twice-daily flight is operated by a 19-seat Jetstream aircraft, and departs from Bristol Airport at 9.40am from Monday to Friday, returning from Jersey at 4.20pm. A further flight is scheduled for Sunday afternoons at the same time...
A major focus on cost cutting, including moving work to its Chippenham headquarters, helped drug firm Vectura reduce its operating loss and increase revenues. Financial results for the year to March 31 show the firm, which specialises in inhaled pharmaceuticals, grew sales by 7% to £42.9m and reduced its operating loss by £2m to £13.3m. It...
The long awaited Business Growth Fund (BGF) a £2.5 billion investment fund for business, has now been launched by Business Secretary Vince Cable. The scheme which is funded by a number of leading British banks aims to help those small and medium sized businesses which have previously struggled to secure financing to support...
Occupancy in the Swindon hotel sector improved in March according to new figures from PKF. The new data shows that room occupancy was up 2.6 per cent from 64.2 per cent in 2010 to 65.9 per cent in 2011. Average room rates were up 2.3 per cent to £57.90 with the overall impact...
A new venue for corporate events will be officially opened in Swindon town centre next week – and it’s already had bookings as it starts to compete with the town's hotels. The Venue Swindon is in the former Apartments nightclub off the Brunel Plaza. Owner, Wroughton-based the Quality Dining Group, says it has...
Production at car giant Honda's Swindon plant is to stay at half its usual level for a further two months as it continues to struggle against a shortage of parts from Japan. The plant's 3,000 production staff will carry on working a two-day week during June and July, Honda said. They will stay on...
