Business

SW private sector output continues to rise

PMI® survey data signalled a strengthening upturn in the South West private sector economy in January, following a weaker phase of expansion during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Output, new business, backlogs and employment all rose at faster rates than seen in December. Meanwhile, inflationary pressures eased sharply, with both input and output prices rising only marginally.

The...

ES Group appointed to market historic golf course

A GOLF club near Plymouth with more than 100 years of history has been put up for sale after going into liquidation. Agents at property and asset consultancy, ES Group, are offering Wrangaton Golf Club (‘Wrangaton’), on Dartmoor, for around £500,000, after liquidator Ian Walker, Partner at Begbies Traynor, was called in in late January.

Wrangaton, founded in 1895, is expected to remain...

SWH reinforces commitment to Plymouth

Authored by SWH

SWH, the construction and highways maintenance contractor, opened a new office in Plymouth on 2 February.

The company claims to have both the largest and most highly skilled workforce of its type in the region with an emphasis on employing local people working out of local offices. It also has nearby offices in Ivybridge and Tavistock.

MD Ben Pyle says, “We plan to repeat the...

Devon & Somerset ‘Better Business for All’ Survey

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) are working with other local regulators across Devon and Somerset to develop a co-ordinated and consistent approach to assisting businesses in meeting their regulatory requirements.

For DSFRS this means helping businesses by giving advice and support in managing fire safety within their premises and ensuring that they are complying...

Businesses urged to sign up to help crime victims

Business owners across Devon and Cornwall are being asked to sign up to a new scheme which helps crime victims.

Businesses that are already members of the Trading Standards’ Buy With Confidence scheme have been invited to become a ‘trusted provider’ of services to victims of crime.

In April 2015 Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg will take over responsibility for...

Purplebricks launches in the South West

Purplebricks.com, the modern model of estate agency, has launched in South West England following successful roll outs across the Meridian and Central regions of the UK.

The transparent estate agent combines the expertise of a Local Property Expert with a unique, 24/7, online platform at a fraction of the cost charged by high street estate agents.

Since its initial launch in...

Upskill struggle could be eased by online education

Employers could face an upskill struggle when recruiting for the roles available in a changing job market, set to grow by around 37% in the South West, according to CBI predictions.

The National Careers Council says over half of employers are not confident they will find sufficient recruits for jobs on offer. Growth is expected in sectors such as computer technology, tourism and...

Deadline looms for business rates appeals

Occupiers of commercial premises have until 31 March 2015 to submit an appeal against their business rates or potentially risk losing out on five years’ worth of savings, Plymouth business rates specialists Bruton Knowles have warned.

In the 2014 Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced changes to the rules governing alterations to business rates, in which any appeal submitted after...

Ashfords raise £62,000 for CHSW

Leading UK law firm Ashfords LLP, has raised a life-changing sum of over £62,000 for Children's Hospice South West (CHSW) as its Charity of the Year 2014.

CHSW provides children's hospice care across the South West and supports more than 400 life-limited children and their families promising to make the most of short and precious lives.

Ashfords started with an...

New appointment will boost Plymouth’s charity and voluntary sector

Voluntary sector organisations and charities in Plymouth will receive a boost next year, following the announcement that Lloyds Banking Group will be seconding a full time Business Connector into the area.

Joanna Bunker has left her role as Senior Manager at Lloyds Banking Group in London for a year, to return to her home town of Plymouth to work as a Business Connector. She will be...

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