South West is reaping the rewards of development activity
Despite the turmoil in the global financial markets, and the much publicised credit crunch, the South West commercial property occupier market continues to remain healthy, with demand generally continuing to outstrip supply, and £1.7bn of investment transactions in the year to August 2007.

First Great Western outlines January 2008 fares changes
Train operator First Great Western has announced details of the fares changes that will come into effect in January 2008.

Leading Swindon manufacturer sold to global group
Swindon Silicon Systems, the UK’s largest independent ASIC design and supply  company has been sold to Tomkins plc, a global engineering and manufacturing  group, for an undisclosed amount.

Four Stars For The Inn at Fossebridge
The Inn at Fossebridge has been awarded a four star rating by both the AA and prestigious tourist organisation, Quality in Tourism, it was announced this month.

South West sees 2,500 new companies formed every month
Nearly 30,000 new businesses were set up in the South West during the past year, at an average of 2,487 per month.

Representatives meet to drive forward South West England’s economy
Representatives from local authorities and private sector companies will be meeting next week to discuss how advanced communications technology can drive forward South West England’s economy.

Nationwide benefits from credit fears
Swindon-based Nationwide, the UK's largest building society, has benefited from being seen as a haven from the credit crunch, according to a BBC report. It said that savings deposits in the six months to the end of September had nearly doubled to £4.1bn. That was partly as a result of the purchase of its smaller rival Portman, which was completed in September, but Nationwide's chief executive Graham Beale said: “There's no doubt we've seen a flight to quality as savers seek a safe haven.”

JDS Group takes space in Swindon
JDS Group, a Faringdon-based company which is one of the UK leaders in shopfitting, has taken 107,000 sq ft of warehouse and manufacturing space at Groundwell, through agents Whitmarsh Lockhart.

Strakers give advice on saving energy
Visitors to the Big Green Home exhibition at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon were treated to helpful advice on making their homes energy efficient, thanks to the experts from Wiltshire’s largest independent estate agent Strakers.

Swin City scoops new business of the year award for 2007
Swin City Comics in Morley Street is celebrating its first year of trading with the knowledge that is has been recognised by local business as the most exciting and innovative new business in the Borough of Swindon for 2007.

New inquest representation service launched
Swindon-based Withy King Solicitors has launched a dedicated inquest representation service following a growing number of requests from bereaved families looking for professional advice and support.

UK hotel bookings remain firm despite credit crunch concerns – as occupancy rates increase in Bristol and Swindon
Bristol’s hotel sector has shown a partial recovery in the last quarter, while Swindon’s continues to prosper, according to a new survey from leading business advisory firm Deloitte.

Highcross lets new Kembrey office unit to Escalator Solutions
Property fund manager, Highcross has let Unit 3 Pine Court at Kembrey Business Village, Swindon, to Escalator Solutions Ltd

Big Green Home Show 2007
Thursday 15 November to Sunday 18 November
The choice to live “green” can take up a lot of energy. Deciding which methods are the “greenest”, researching which products will save energy and calculating carbon can be confusing. However, for anyone committed to a greener way of living, the Big Green Home Show at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre is a great place to learn about green living.

New homes to be built on former chapel site
The former chapel in William Street, Swindon is now for sale as a residential development site, according to property consultants Alder King. The 0.11 acre site is for sale with planning permission to demolish the disused single storey chapel and build six residential apartments in its place. The chapel is located in a residential area close to the bottom of Kingshill, at the junction of William Street and Clarendon Lane in Swindon and has parking close by in Clarendon Lane.