Business

Small firms' confidence has increased, but their investment intentions have fallen as the domestic economy and access to finance act as a barrier to growth, show the results from the quarter one 2013 ‘Voice of Small Business' Index from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The report, which surveyed 2,686 people in the first quarter of 2013 showed a welcome increase in confidence, moving from a negative reading of -5.6 in Q4 2012 to +6.3 in the first quarter of 2013. However, this optimism was tempered with caution as fewer businesses expect to grow this year – down from 56 per cent...

As part of its ongoing Business Transformation, Thomas Cook Group plc has announced that it has began a consultation process to restructure its UK business, which would see the Group's UK workforce reduced by 2,500 full-time roles. Job losses would mostly be from back-office functions and its retail network, including some store closures. However it has not yet been revealed which stores are to close.

The Group currently employs 15,500 across the UK & Ireland. The cost benefit of these changes, and the costs of achieving them, have already been included in the cost-out numbers...

‘Business Biscotti’, an informal gathering with no restrictions, is free to join online and free to attend the meetings.

Jacqui Shaw, owner of Coralline Health and Steve Bulman of WBW Solicitors, are launching the new group to bring professionals from Newton About and the surrounding areas together to meet, to talk and network to build business relationships.

The philosophy of Business Biscotti is to network within neighbourhood communities, and to make a commitment to help other members, by offering advice, sharing tips and building strong meaningful business relationships...

Exeter law firm Crosse + Crosse Solicitors is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Katherine Wright to their Family team.

Katherine joins Crosse + Crosse following three years working with a firm in East Devon, having qualified as a solicitor in August 2009. She completed her legal studies at Cardiff University with a distinction in her post-graduate legal practice course after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Law and French.

Katherine practises in all areas of Family Law and specialises in divorce, relationship breakdown and the resolution of the related...