With the ongoing impact of the pandemic, climate change and Brexit, 2022 will be another tough year for many Swindon businesses. Phil Smith, managing director of Business West – the organisation behind the Swindon & Wiltshire Initiative – looks at the needs and challenges for this year? What do Swindon businesses need from the government as...
Swindon firms thinking of exporting or taking their international expansion to the next level can sign up to a week of special events hosted by experts. The Department for International Trade (DIT) will stage the first International Trade Week next week, with events – most of them virtual – including business and sector-led activities,...
Two-thirds of small firms in the South West have no active plan to reduce their impact on the environment, according to a new survey, with many arguing they should receive tax breaks, grants or low interest loans to help them go green. The report by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) – issued to...
Renewable energy company Good Energy has marked the 30th birthday of the UK’s first wind farm by commissioning international artist Luke Jerram to produce a celebratory artwork. The Bristol-based artist, who has produced numerous major works of art highlighting the impact of climate change, created an experimental light projection, pictured, for Chippenham-headquartered Good Energy. ...
Business West, the region’s largest business group, said many firms would “remain muted in their enthusiasm” for a Budget that failed to address the scale of the post-Covid challenges they face. The organisation, which runs the Swindon & Wiltshire Initiative, also claimed the West of England had again missed out when it came to...
Michael Blaken, head of accounts at Swindon-based Optimum Professional Services, which provides legal and accounting services to businesses, individuals and families, said there seemed very little in the Budget that hadn’t already been announced or that was noteworthy. The measures were generally aimed at helping people on low incomes, or businesses in specific sectors, Michael,...
Business groups have welcomed a number of measures in yesterday’s Budget but said Chancellor Rishi Sunak could have done more to encourage investment. The CBI, which speaks on behalf of 190,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors, described it overall as business friendly, with its director-general Tony Danker saying the Chancellor had shown a...
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has delivered his Autumn Budget and Spending Review. The main points are: Chancellor began speaking at 12:34pm Employment is up and wages are rising, he said. Budget prepares for a new economy post-Covid, he said. “An economy fit for a new age of optimism.” Higher inflation was a global problem, said the...
Independent shops may have a stronger trading outlook than large chains despite the UK’s high streets being under more pressure than ever, according to research carried out by regional law firm Royds Withy King. However, its Retail Reboot report says that commercial landlords, tenants and local government must work together to redefine what the high street...
West of England businesses are warning that the economic recovery from the pandemic is at risk due to growing inflationary pressures and worker shortages. A third of the 250-plus firms taking part in the latest quarterly survey by regional business group Business West said they had to increase their prices due to rising input costs. ...
