Second time success hoped for LEP plan

The Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole LEP proposal will be resubmitted to the government inside the next two weeks after last year's proposal failed, Insider can reveal. Peter Scott, chief executive of the Dorset Chamber of Commerce, told Insider: "We've really taken the time to look at what the area needs and we feel our chances of getting approved for a LEP are significantly better than they were during the first round."

Bluebird Energy set for June flotation

Bristol-based oil and gas exploration company Bluebird Energy, which is headed up by serial entrepreneur David Bramhill, is set to float by the end of June, Insider has learnt.

Broadband investment brings Somerset up to speed

A £30m government investment in Somerset and Devon will help 85 per cent of premises in the region access superfast broadband.

Private equity-backed businesses 'not expecting' sale

More than half of chief financial officers (CFOs) of private equity-backed businesses don't expect their private equity investor to exit before 2013, according to a survey by Deloitte.

McCarthy & Stone snaps up £1.8m property

Bournemouth-based retirement home builder McCarthy & Stone has bought a £1.8m property from car dealership Caffyns. The deal is conditional upon McCarthy & Stone obtaining planning permission for a change of use of the site.

New Concorde museum plans discussed

Save Concorde Group (SCG) has met with British Airways to present them with an alternative proposal for a Concorde museum.

Edge Church gets set for Aztec West move

Religious organisation Edge Church has taken space at Aztec West business park in Bristol. The finishing touches are being made to the space which has been converted into a church and children's nursery.

Mortgage market has bad April

Mortgage market activity slumped to its lowest level for four months in April, according to the Bank of England.

Bristol to become business 'super city' - HSBC

Bristol will become a future 'super city' for business and drive growth within the region. That's according to 'The Future of Business 2011' survey by HSBC Commercial Banking.

Manufacturing grinds to 20-month low

Manufacturing output fell to its lowest level since September 2009, according to the latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), as additional bank holidays and weak domestic conditions took their toll.

Talking Point: Opening doors

Businesses looking to export can find it difficult to know where to start. James Jordan, HSBC regional international commercial manager, South West, shares his thoughts in this week's Talking Point.

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Ask the Expert: Publicising a business

Our Ask the Expert is Martin Powell, managing director of Bristol-based public relations agency Empica. Powell is discussing how businesses can make the most of publicity opportunities in the media.

Forthcoming Experts

Ask the Expert: Cash and debt risk management

In uncertain economic times, a solid debt risk management system can be vital for the health of your business. Marc Jones, head of UK sales at Atradius, is on hand to answer your queries on the subject.

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