|
 |
|
Top story
|
South West will not be ignored - Alexander
Danny Alexander, the chief secretary to the Treasury, has dismissed speculation that the £1.4bn Regional Growth Fund will rule out bids from the South West in favour of northern applications. But in an exclusive interview with Insider during a visit to the region, he did admit areas with a heavy public sector presence will be heavily supported. He also cooled talk that more money will be added to the fund and spoke passionately in support of the government's apprenticeship drive.
|
|
Deals
|
GBI scheme will remain open
The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), has announced that it plans to keep the £8m Grant for Business Investment (GBI) scheme that supports Cornwall. The decision ends uncertainty, after the department indicated that it planned to close the GBI scheme to new applications.
|
PKF manages solar energy investment deal
So-Lar Smart Heating Systems, a Cheltenham-based solar energy business, has secured a new investment package. The South West office of PKF has structured the deal, which included investment from green energy entrepreneur Tim Gardner.
|
|
Property
|
The Pithay gets £3m facelift
A £3m refurbishment on The Pithay office building in Bristol has been completed. It follows a year-long programme to refurbish common areas of the eight-storey building.
|
Mortgage numbers fall in December
Mortgage numbers fell for a fifth consecutive month in December, according to figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders. A total of 39,900 loans were advanced for house purchase during the month - 4 per cent down on November and the lowest level since February 2010.
|
|
Business
|
Private sector unprepared for government cuts - BDO
The private sector is "unprepared to fill the hole left by public sector cuts", according to a new report. The BDO Business Trends survey highlights that "negative sentiment in the service sector has prompted a steep drop in business confidence".
|
South West needs to retain engineering skills
The South West needs to focus on retaining its engineering skills base or it will fail to maximise planned marine energy investment.The warning comes from Terry Slater, South West regional director of manufacturing organisation EEF, following a government pledge to support the creation of a marine energy park in the South West.
|
Attendance up at Bath Racecourse
Bath Racecourse has increased attendance by almost 17 per cent this year, according to figures released by the Racecourse Association. Average daily attendance is also up - by 3.4 per cent.
|
Dorset-based businesses achieve 'Beacon status'
Poolebeck and Alfatronix have been awarded 'Beacon status' for growth. Beacon South West, which is supported by the South West RDA, has awarded this status to about 230 companies.
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Community
|
Boost your client base – Request a free Insider Membership Pack
 Our Insider Membership Club offers fantastic benefits for anyone doing business in the UK regions. Valuable sales leads, vital information, networking opportunities, competitor analysis and much, much more. We give you what you cannot afford not to know. Request your free Membership pack now.
|
Tague on Tour: Arrested development?
Right about now, there’s an absolute truckload of research from the major property consultancies, writes Neil Tague. With 2010’s final take-up figures in and the investment sales tallied up, we’re not short of opinion on what the stats mean and what we can expect to see this year.
|
|
Advice
|
|
|
|
