Annual profits have risen by 4.5% at WH Smith as the Swindon-based retailer continues to implement cost cutting and margin improvement rather than achieve sales growth. Pre-tax profits were £93m in the year to August 31 despite sales falling 3% to £1.27bn. The group has more than 580 high street stores and 530-plus outlets...
The Government was today urged to reinvigorate the UK economy by introducing supply side reforms, particularly changes to the tax system, to head off a full-scale collapse in business confidence. The plea, which come from accountants and business advisors BDO, coincided with this morning’s dire unemployment figures. BDO said they also want to see...
Unemployment has shot up to a 17-year high of 2.57m across the UK, worse-than-expected official figures showed today. The 114,000 increase between June and August took the official jobless rate to 8.1% – and immediately triggered calls for the Government to take firm action to avoid further increases. In the South West the number...
Distribution group Wincanton has welcomed Government plans to allow a trial of longer trucks onto UK roads. The Chippenham-based distribution group Wincanton has welcomed Government plans to allow a trial of longer trucks onto UK roads. The group, the largest UK-owned logistics company with around 8,000 vehicles and employing around 30,000 people, says a...
Innovative satellite control software developed by Chippenham-based specialist IT firm SciSys is to be used in a trial to automate oil and gas pipeline drilling processes. SciSys’ APEX software has been chosen by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the project. Originally designed to control in-flight satellite telemetry, it has now been adapted to...
Small businesses in Swindon are being offered free expert advice from chartered accountants as part of a recently-launched initiative. The Business Advice Service (BAS) aims to help small companies and start-ups with business and financial advice to spur economic growth. Small and medium business (SMEs) owners can contact accountants in their area on a...
Green businesses in the South West looking to trade overseas will be able to receive export advice at the Environmental Trade Show UK (ETS UK) later this month. Expert advisors from UK Trade and Investment South West (UKTI), Business West and Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) will be on hand in the International Trade Lounge...
Developer Gazeley’s massive B&Q warehouse scheme at South Marston has won Deal of the Year (over 50,000 sq ft) at the Industrial Agents Society (IAS) annual awards. The 800,000 sq ft distribution centre is the largest of three units on Gazeley’s 98-acre G. Park Swindon site and was handed over to B&Q six weeks...
Technology, media and telecoms, manufacturing and tourism have been highlighted as the sectors business leaders believe will lead the South West’s recovery and help to head-off the threat of a double-dip recession. More than 100 directors contributed to South West Outlook – Recession to Progression – an authoritative report on the economy commissioned by...
Wiltshire-based furniture group Airsprung has received an unexpected £6.5m takeover bid from a property investment company. The offer emerged earlier today after Airsprung was noticed that Portnard Ltd, a Jersey registered investment vehicle, had acquired shares giving it a 29.95% stake in the historic business. Portnard’s principal shareholder Andrew Perloff, a well-known figure in...
