UK recovery still faltering
Tessa Coombes, Policy Director at Business West has commented on recent figures for inflation and production output.
View ArticleSMEs continue to feel the pinch as lending contracts
Commenting on the Trends in Lending report, published today (Monday 21 January 2013) by the Bank of England, Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West said:
View ArticleGDP figures a further blow to business confidence
Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West, comments on the preliminary GDP figures for Q4 2012.
View ArticlePass the skills test
Apprenticeships are something that every business should consider. There is ample help available from our Colleges of Further Education who can identify potential candidates and ease the administrative...
View ArticleExcalibur on board as the Business Show gathers STEAM
Swindon-based IT and communications experts Excalibur are to headline sponsor the Business Show.
View ArticleExporting firms feel confident as orders continue to rise
The latest DHL/BCC Trade Confidence Index report - which measures UK exporting activity (Export Index) and business confidence (Confidence Index) - shows that businesses’ confidence about future...
View ArticleGovernment Priority has to be “Export, Export, Export” says Business West
Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West, comments on trade and manufacturing figures published on Thursday, 7 February,
View ArticleBusiness West selected as a finalist for World Chamber Award
It has been announced that Business West has won its way into the finals of the ICC World Chambers Federation 2013 Competition. The 2013 Competition received entries from 65 Chambers of Commerce and...
View Articlebmi regional launches another 3 new European routes from Bristol Airport
bmi regional, the UK’s most punctual airline, today announced the launch of three new European routes from Bristol Airport. The airline is continuing to expand its European network, with the launch of...
View ArticleBT unveils super-fast broadband plans for thousands more Bristol homes and...
BT has announced a further expansion of high-speed fibre broadband in Bristol, which is expected to help create jobs and boost the local economy.
View ArticleBig expansion of Lansdown Park & Ride complete
An extra 390 spaces are now available at Lansdown Park & Ride as part of Bath & North East Somerset Council's upgrade of the city transportation system – two weeks earlier than planned.
View ArticleBath's Lansdown park-and-ride site expanded by 390 spaces
Work to expand a park-and-ride site in Bath has been completed, offering an extra 390 spaces.
View ArticleVodafone & Blackberry look to the future at The Business Show Swindon
The Business Show Swindon returns on 19 March 2013 at STEAM organised by Business West and sponsored by Excalibur. The show will feature over 80 exhibitors from across the region and is free to attend.
View ArticleThe Seminar Secrets are out!
The South West’s leading business exhibition returns on 19 March hosted by Business West and sponsored by Excalibur.
View ArticleSweet success planned at University of Exeter Business School Jam
On 1 March 2013, the Business School will join people around the world for a remarkable event.
View ArticleBritish Chambers of Commerce voted a Business Superbrand
Influential annual Superbrands® list reveals the strongest business-to-business brands for 2013
View ArticlePrizes reward Bristol firms for work with schools
The new president of Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative will be the keynote speaker at an awards ceremony next month where business volunteers who help schoolchildren raise aspirations,...
View ArticleSuzanne Hall-Gibbins, Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce: Top tips for...
With Gloucestershire Media’s Women in Business Awards pending this month the county’s chamber of commerce chief executive Suzanne Hall-Gibbins lays down some top tips for female entrepreneurs.
View ArticleSeveral major Chinese food and drink distributors to visit Bristol
Several key Chinese distributors will be visiting Bristol for one day only in search of new and innovative food and drink products for the Chinese market. On the day there will be an exhibition space...
View ArticleBusiness says “about time too” – Bristol votes for whole council elections
Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West comments on the decision taken by Bristol City Council to move to whole council elections from 2016.
View Article“Time to Invest in the South West”, says Business West
A recent transport survey by Business West, in partnership with South West Chambers of Commerce (SWCC), shows that recent disruptions to rail and road connections have cost businesses in the South West...
View Article‘Hope’ is not a strategy – business calls for a Budget to deliver action
Phil Smith, MD of Business West calls on the government to stop relying on ’hope’ as a strategy and deliver now on existing promises as well as commit to new growth measures. Many local businesses...
View ArticleSought-after Seminars at The Business Show Swindon 2013
Newly released spaces are now available for the in demand seminars at the Business Show, after the first allocation was a sell-out success!
View ArticleHow to do business in the Emerald Isle
EEN South West's seminar in Bristol will highlight commercial opportunities in Ireland.
View ArticleBristol businesses boost European Green Capital bid
Bristol’s bid for the European Green Capital Award for 2015 was given a boost this week following a presentation to more than 150 businesses at the Business West Initiative evening (Tuesday March 12).
View ArticleBath Chronicle Apprenticeship Awards to put young workers in the spotlight
This summer Bath will be recognising the city's rising stars with the launch of the first Bath Chronicle Apprenticeship Awards.
View ArticleHeseltine Review - a missed opportunity for Chambers?
Commenting on the Government response to Lord Heseltine's Review, No Stone Unturned, Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West said: We welcome the general thrust of the Government's response to...
View ArticleHinkley C approval - good news for local business and UK’s energy security
Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West, provides comment on the planning approval of EDF's nuclear power plant in Hinkley Point.
View ArticleWinners of the Gloucestershire Media Women in Business Awards 2013
A woman who has risen from trainee chef to managing director of a foodservice manufacturer last night won the Woman of the Year Award at The Citizen and Gloucestershire Echo’s Women in Business Awards.
View ArticlePanel aiming to design out the mundane
Architects and design professionals have joined forces to launch the Gloucestershire Design Panel. The independent group will provide design guidance to all planning authorities in the county.
View Article£30m SME cash pot to boost access to finance
Details of a £30m funding scheme have been announced by business secretary Vince Cable. The cash pot, designed as an alternative to traditional bank lending, is targeted at small and medium-sized...
View ArticleBusiness West welcomes launch of the Business Bank but says this is just the...
Commenting on the government's announcement of £300m to boost SME lending, Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business west, said:
View ArticleBusinesses confident but slow recovery hinders growth
The Business West Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) released today (Thursday) shows that businesses are still relatively confident about their prospects but there are still some mountains to climb before...
View ArticleLocal businesses favour change in Britain’s relationship with European Union
Findings from Business West’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) have mirrored the results of the first major survey of British business following the Prime Minister’s policy speech on Europe in...
View ArticleExtending Funding for Lending - a positive step forward to aid business growth
Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West, provides comment on the emerging proposals for the widening of the Funding for Lending Scheme.
View ArticleBusiness West welcomes ‘go ahead’ for extension to Funding for Lending
The government and the Bank of England have confirmed the extension of the Funding for Lending scheme and its widening to include more types of business finance. Commenting, Phil Smith, Managing...
View ArticleBusiness West Gloucestershire holds roundtable discussion with HM Treasury...
Officials from HM Treasury are visiting Business West Gloucestershire tomorrow (Friday 26 April) as part of a regional programme of engagement with businesses. The roundtable discussion run by Business...
View ArticleBusiness West conquers the world
Today it has been announced that Business West has won the final of the ICC World Chambers Federation 2013 Competition for Best International Project.
View ArticleBusiness West member visits Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street
Today (Thursday 2 May), a member of Business West, John Little, Managing Director of Fluid Transfer, accompanied 13 other British Chamber members to Downing Street, to engage in an honest and open...
View ArticleElections: will results impact on business?
Commenting on the local election, Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West said: “Local election day is always quite interesting, but this time there was a real opportunity to see what people's...
View ArticleQueen’s Speech: business will welcome ‘less is more’ approach, says Business...
Commenting on the Queen’s Speech Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West, said: “On balance, businesses will welcome the limited package of legislation announced in the Queen’s Speech. Ministers...
View ArticleTime to unleash the potential of British Exporters, says Business West
Commenting on the UK trade figures for March 2013, published today (Friday) by the ONS, Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West said: “While it is pleasing to see an upturn in exports in March,...
View ArticleLord Young report: Supporting smaller firms is crucial to driving economic...
Commenting on the report by Lord Young – ‘Growing Your Business’ – published today (Monday), Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West said: “Lord Young is right to place such great emphasis on...
View ArticleUK exporters focus on EU
A new international trade survey published by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) shows the EU is still very much the focus for British exporters, with 87% trading with EU countries.
View ArticleBusinesses demand solutions not promises
Over 250 businesses came to a meeting yesterday to discuss the impact of Residents’ Parking Schemes on them and to let the Mayor know just what they think of the proposals. Mayor George Ferguson made...
View ArticleSouth West Firms Pull Together for Export Push
A group of South West companies are pooling their knowledge and resources in a successful drive for new export orders. Babycluster brings together 10 companies from across the region, producing goods...
View ArticleBristol Mayor to extend consideration of residents' parking scheme
Commenting on the Mayor's decision to extend consideration of residents' parking scheme proposals. Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West said: We are pleased to see the Mayor has listened to...
View ArticleCheers! UKTI helps Westcountry brewers' North American export drive
Three craft breweries from the South West are giving thirsty Americans and Canadians their first taste of Westcountry beer.
View ArticleFirms need ‘common-sense approach’ to regulation, says Business West
Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West comments on the new Small and Micro Business Assessment. Smaller companies often find it difficult to comply with regulations, compared with their larger...
View ArticleBusiness West’s Gromit to strike a pose in Thunderbolt Square!
With less than a month to go before Gromit Unleashed, a ground-breaking public arts trail hitting the streets of Bristol on 1st July, Business West is delighted to announce it is sponsoring this...
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