Business

Exeter-based Blue Chip Holidays, the South West’s largest four and five star self catering holiday specialist, has announced the launch of its new lodge holiday concept with the appointment of Sam Wrigglesworth who joins the business as Head of Lodges. Sam joins from Hoseasons Holidays where he was Business Development Manager with responsibility for the growth of its Lodges and Parks division nationally.

Sam’s appointment is part of Blue Chip Holidays’ ambitious plans to increase its property portfolio from 890 properties to in excess of 1,200. The launch of the new lodge division...

490 businesses in the South West could receive free tailor-made advice to how to export their business overseas.

The new advice is open to all 8,900 UK businesses with a turnover of between £25 million and £250 million which the Government consider to be to be medium sized.

A pilot scheme had been launched in Yorkshire and the South East but is expected to see a full national roll-out afterwards.

The advice will be given by the UK Trade and Investment a government department that works with UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international markets. John...

Everys Solicitors in Exeter has welcomed insolvency expert Emma Davy to its team in Devon.

Formerly, head of insolvency at Kitsons in the city, Ms Davy has more than 15 years experience as a specialist insolvency solicitor dealing with all types of corporate and personal insolvency issues.

Everys’ newest associate acts for insolvency practitioners in contentious and non contentious matters, with particular expertise in business and asset sales, antecedent transaction litigation and the realisation of bankruptcy assets.

Ms Davy said: “I advise businesses in financial...

Christmas retail sales have seen the highest rise in nine years according to a new report by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

The report showed that retail sales for December were up by 5.3% on the same period in 2012, a significantly higher rise than in previous years.

The report has surprised many financial forecasters as several big name brands revealing that they had performed under expectations in the Christmas period.

Supermarkets Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s and department stores Debenhams and Marks and Spencer all performed under expectations...