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Top story
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Wrong to single out Exeter – Cox
Exeter cannot be included in the Heart of the South West LEP because it would open the floodgates to other secondary authorities, according to Rupert Cox, chief executive of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce. Cox is a member of the steering group that pushed through the LEP proposal, and he told Insider: “It’s wrong to single out Exeter (because) they are a second-tier authority and if you bring one city in then you’ve got to bring in all the other (secondary) districts.”
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Deals
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Wessex Exploration on acquisition trail
Bristol-based Wessex Exploration, which recently floated on AIM, is on the acquisition trail, Insider can reveal. David Bramhill, non-executive director at Wessex Exploration, told Insider: “We will be making acquisitions, there’s no doubt about it.”
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Beale in £7.5m stores deal
Bournemouth-based Beale is to acquire 19 department stores from Anglia Regional Co-operative Society (ARCS). The deal is for £7.5m, payable on completion of the acquisition agreement.
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Banks to introduce lending appeals process
A new system will give small businesses the chance to appeal when they are refused finance, it has been announced. Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays, HSBC and Santander are behind the scheme.
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Property
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Wind Prospect to appeal Stoneyard Lane decision
Wind Prospect, the company proposing the four-turbine Stoneyard Lane wind farm near Oldbury-on-Severn, is appealing South Gloucestershire Council’s decision to refuse planning application.
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Solar Communications expands into London
Chippenham-based Solar Communications has opened a new office on London’s Fleet Street. The company said the move follows a period of rapid growth over the last four years, which has involved the company tripling its turnover and almost doubling its number of employees.
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Business
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Gloucestershire wants to LEP ahead
Business leaders in Gloucestershire are putting their case forward to create a local enterprise partnership (LEP) for the county.
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ASA tells Flybe to drop advert
Exeter-based Flybe has been told to drop an advert by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) because it was “misleading”.
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HES Tractec expands into skip market
Gloucestershire-based HES Tractec, an agricultural and construction spare part supplier, has expanded into the skip market. The company will now supply spare parts and technical support to skip and hook loaders.
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Lighthouse Advisory Services appoints managing director
Financial advisory business the Lighthouse Group has appointed Stephen Gazard to the post of managing director of Lighthouse Advisory Services (LASER). Gazard will be based at the company’s Bristol office.
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South West Top 500 Companies: Free Report and Data
The past year has been a rollercoaster of a ride for UK businesses, and the South West has been no exception. Request your free South West Top 500 report and sample data now and order the brand new full business marketing list before 2nd February to receive a 15% discount.
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