Media

Business West managing director Phil Smith: 2022 will be a year of challenges but also opportunities

January 4, 2022
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Business West managing director Phil Smith: 2022 will be a year of challenges but also opportunities

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...

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International Trade Week to show Swindon firms how exporting can boost their business

November 11, 2021
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International Trade Week to show Swindon firms how exporting can boost their business

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,...

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FSB calls on government to help small firms go green after survey shows most have no plan to act

November 7, 2021
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FSB calls on government to help small firms go green after survey shows most have no plan to act

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...

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Powerful artwork celebrates 30 years since UK’s first wind turbine came on stream

October 31, 2021
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Powerful artwork celebrates 30 years since UK’s first wind turbine came on stream

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. ...

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AUTUMN BUDGET 2021: Business West says region losing out again despite Sunak’s ‘levelling up’ claim

October 27, 2021
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AUTUMN BUDGET 2021: Business West says region losing out again despite Sunak’s ‘levelling up’ claim

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...

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AUTUMN BUDGET 2021: Swindon business reaction

October 27, 2021
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AUTUMN BUDGET 2021: Swindon business reaction

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,...

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AUTUMN BUDGET 2021: National business reaction

October 27, 2021
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AUTUMN BUDGET 2021: National business reaction

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...

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AUTUMN BUDGET 2021: Key points . . .

October 27, 2021
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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...

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Brighter future could be in store for indie shops, Royds Withy King’s retail report shows

October 22, 2021
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Brighter future could be in store for indie shops, Royds Withy King’s retail report shows

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...

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Rising costs and labour shortages combine to end post-pandemic rise in business confidence

October 14, 2021
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Rising costs and labour shortages combine to end post-pandemic rise in business confidence

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. ...

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