Charities suffer a from economic downturn and the London Olympics
Charities in the South West face a “double-whammy” impact to their sources of income from the combined effect of economic downturn and the diversion of Lottery money from “good causes” to funding for the 2012 London Olympics.
London 2012 olympic and paralympic games a golden opportunity for local firms
With the Beijing Olympics having just finished, Business Link has launched an information campaign urging Wiltshire-based firms to look at opportunities presented by the 2012 London Games.
Swindon's hoteliers continue to hold their own
Swindon hoteliers had another steady month in June reporting increases in average room rate and rooms yield according to the latest set of figures from PKF Hotel Consultancy Services.
IT recruitment specialist expands financial services contractor base
Swindon-based IT recruitment firm Outsource UK has announced that it has acquired sixty new contractors in the financial services sector with a turnover worth £5.5m. The assigned contracts supply a major financial services provider in Milton Keynes.
Prime time for SMEs to be money savvy, urges HSBC
The UK’s SMEs are being hit by a pincer movement of suppliers billing quicker and fewer companies paying within agreed payment terms, according to new research out today from HSBC Commercial Banking. It is urging businesses to review their finances to ensure they have the best tools in place to manage their money, whether they trade solely in the UK or do business across the globe.
Local printer puts green policies first
More than ever, environmental issues are taking centre stage. Swindon printer MPD is no exception. Thanks to a series of new green accreditations, MPD is leading the way to be one of the South West’s foremost environmentally-friendly printers.
Innovative risk assessment courses
Swindon-based Sam Alexander, director of AM Health and Safety Ltd has teamed up with former London recruitment sales executive Nick Cranston, founder of The Great Big Tree-Climbing Company in Wiltshire, for this exciting new approach to teaching practical risk assessment skills.
Fifteen rural areas share £33m funding
Fifteen rural partnerships across South West England are celebrating this week following the news that they have been awarded significant funding from the Local Action fund for rural communities.
Landmark point reached for West Swindon’s only new office buildings this year
Swindon’s commercial office market reached a historic milestone today with the “topping out” of HBG Properties Lydiard Fields business park development. The two brand new buildings will be the only new buildings developed in West Swindon this year after a record year in the uptake of office space in 2007.
Swindon awarded major planning grant
The government has awarded a planning grant of £1.46m, the third largest in the country, to Swindon Borough Council.The Housing Delivery and Planning Grant has been given for the delivery of new homes in Swindon, the quality and programming of the council’s planning policies for new housing, and for showing a high degree of joint working with neighbouring local authorities to assess future housing needs.
Shaw Trust continues expansion in Chippenham
Acting on behalf of Alcatel Lucent Technologies Limited Whitmarsh Lockhart has concluded negotiations for a new sublease agreement for Shaw Trust to occupy part of the remaining vacant space within Greenways 4, Malmesbury Road, Chippenham, extending to approximately 2,618 sq ft.
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Withy King merges with Oxford law firm
One of Swindon’s leading firms of solicitors has merged with one of Oxford’s most established legal practices. The merger sees Withy King, which has offices in Swindon, Bath, London, Marlborough and Trowbridge, come together with Marshall & Galpin, which has offices in Oxford, Abingdon and Thame
Semaphore puts on a show for Swindon College student
One lucky arts student from Swindon College School of Art has opened his first professional exhibition of his career at the Marlborough offices of Semaphore, the region’s leading advertising, branding and design agency.
Government stealth tax costs council thousands
A government stealth tax on empty shops, offices and warehouses has been a major factor in causing Swindon Council to demolish buildings. The tax is seeing hundreds of thousands of pounds charged to the council in “empty rates”, while local businesses with empty property are also being hit hard.
Work starts to transform historic locomotive works
Work to transform the former locomotive works of The Great Western Railway in Swindon has now started.Called Smith’s Quarter, work on the exciting mixed-use development follows a multi-million pound deal to regenerate eight acres of land into a thriving, vibrant community.
Mindvision Ensures its Presence in Malmesbury
Wiltshire corporate gift distributor Mindvision Media has seen strength building in the industry as businesses strive for pole position. Ruth Jeffrey, director of Mindvision in Malmesbury says that the current uncertain economic climate has brought forward new clients, keen to promote their brand as we enter an environment that is more competitive than many can remember.
South West hotels hit by credit crunch and currency rates
More than a third of South West hotels (40%) have seen a reduction in forward bookings, including a 32% reduction in overseas bookings. The “credit crunch” and fears about employment are seen as the biggest reason for decline in overseas booking by almost half (42%) of South West hotels.
Elvetham Hotel purchases The Liddington
The Elvetham Hotel in Hartley Wintney has purchased King Edward’s Place at Wanborough four miles from Swindon. King Edward’s Place – now renamed The Liddington, was built in 1991 as the national training centre for Zurich / Allied Dunbar financial services at a cost of £21m.
Lemon&Co continues to grow
Swindon-based solicitors Lemon&Co continues to grow with the promotion of Jayne McPherson from associate to partner. Jayne has been with Lemon&Co for over five years and her promotion will further enhance the skills and expertise of the five person strong Family and Collaborative Law team.
South West one of only three regions to grow in second quarter
The latest PMI South West report has signalled a decline in business activity in the region’s private sector economy as operating conditions in the UK continued to worsen. Firms in the South West revealed a fall in new orders and a continued contraction of backlogs of work.
Swindon Marketing Group looking for local web designers
The Swindon Marketing Group (SMG) are on the look out for a local web design agency to produce an online hub for driving Swindon forward.
How to avoid the crunch
With the press, radio and TV full of reports of the credit crunch, business support organisation Business Link is advising firms across Wiltshire on how they can stay competitive in tougher trading conditions.
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