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Top story
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WH Smith looks abroad after profits rise
WH Smith has revealed plans this morning to open 21 more stores abroad after posting a 3 per cent rise in pre-tax profit to £64m for the six months to 28 February 2011. It follows 19 other international stores opened by the Swindon-based retailer, which is also taking over 22 shops from British Bookshops and Stationers.
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Deals
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Lovehoney walked away from earlier BeCheeky investment – Longhurst
Bath-based online adult retailer Lovehoney considered buying Bournemouth-based online lingerie retailer BeCheeky when it was still trading. But it did not think the business was sufficiently robust to be worth the investment, its co-founder Richard Longhurst has told Insider.
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Consortium gets €1.8m for asbestos detection
A European consortium, which includes Paignton-based Select Group, has received €1.8m (£1.6m) of funding through Europe’s FP7 funding scheme. The cash will be used to research and develop an asbestos detection tool.
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Access to capital will increase M&As - EY
The number of UK businesses on the acquisition trail is set to increase during the next six months as improving credit conditions make finance easier to access. That's according to Ernst & Young’s 'capital confidence' barometer.
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Property
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£35m Weston Dolphin development gets the go-ahead
McLaren Life’s plan to redevelop Dolphin Square in Weston-super-Mare has been approved by North Somerset Council.
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Mitie opens Northern Ireland hub
Mitie has opened a £2m security hub in Northern Ireland which has created 38 jobs. The MiTec centre, which was built by the Bristol-based business, aims to help companies protect their personnel and premises.
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Savills in Bristol expands planning team
Savills in Bristol is expanding its planning team with the appointment of Alan Williams as a senior planner. Williams joins from town planning consultancy DPP where he largely worked on retail planning applications.
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Business
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Cotton prices could come down - Debenhams
Taunton-based Debenhams has signalled cotton prices could be set to fall, easing the pressure on consumers and the company’s margins.
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Rehab JobFit in £130m government contract
Rehab JobFit, a 50:50 joint venture between Interserve and Rehab Group, will deliver the government’s new work programme in the South West and Wales. The combined contract is worth approximately £130m over five years.
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Insider’s Dealmakers Awards head for Bristol
Insider’s Dealmakers Awards is making a welcome return to Bristol this year. Nominations and table bookings are now being taken for the region's premier networking event for South West professionals on 22 June 2011. Sponsors confirmed so far include Ashfords, Burges Salmon, Centric Commercial Finance and Lloyds Banking Group.
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The Top 500 Companies marketing database
Are you looking to source new clients? Insider’s South West Top 500 Companies 2011 database is our accurate and comprehensive business marketing list, providing you with contacts for the region’s biggest companies. Order this month and receive a 30 per cent discount, or request a free sample now.
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