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...
Ex- Dragons' Den panellist Doug Richard was on hand to give business advice to entrepreneurial University students on Friday. The event was held at the University’s Great Hall and was facilitated by Unite, their entrepreneur support unit.
During the workshop, which ran all-day from 9.30am until 5.30pm, Doug gave a series of talks which aimed to build up a ten-question-toolkit that students can use to help turn a brilliant idea into a success. To Richard, success is just about doing ‘a series of actions in a certain order’. He believes ‘entrepreneurship is learnable’ and wants to...
It was exciting to hear that the great and the good ventured up to London recently to see the launch of Exeter’s Triple Crown status on Bill Boards and in Underground Stations, maximising Exeter’s profile to London businesses who may be contemplating doing business with the region or relocating to this beautiful area of ours. BUT, what about the businesses based in Exeter that would also like to shout about Exeter’s buoyant, trend bucking successes; something all of us based in Exeter are part of?
A little while back we raised the idea of a Triple Crown logo to be developed for...
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...
Axminster Carpet Ltd, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of Axminster, Wilton and Tufted carpet has today announced that it has been forced to enter Administration as the carpet sector continues to suffer.
The Board of the Company has taken the decision to place the Company into Administration following a sharp increase in raw material prices, the closure of a loss-making subsidiary and a slight downturn in sales as a result of the continuing economic difficulties facing the UK.
Benjamin Wiles, Geoffrey Bouchier and David Whitehouse, all of Duff & Phelps were...
Have you ever contemplated why some businesses do so much better than others in the same industry? And do you find yourself drawn to certain products,remembering certain slogans and tunes with good product recall?
Love it or Hate it, Go Compare, is probably one of the most well known brands in the country and having gauged the depth of feeling with the public about how annoying the Go Compare advertisements have now become, their advertising strategy has now moved to engaging high profile celebrities in trying to kill the Go Compare man off – Clever!
Celebrating 2012’s success, the City of Exeter has joined forces and mounted an inward investment campaign. ‘Expect success: Invest in Exeter’ brings together key business leaders who are passionate about living, working and running a business in Exeter.
2012 has seen the City’s Museum, University and F.E College all win prestigious UK wide awards, citing them as top of the UK’s offerings. This week, a delegation boarded the First Great Western Exeter St Davids to Paddington, train to unveil the campaign at Paddington Station. The campaign will take place across 10 London...
Innovation is the life-blood of all successful business, large or small. The ability to embrace change, to develop new products, to identify new markets is essential – “standing still is not an option“.
Business owners and leaders in Devon are invited to attend one of two high profile “Business Spark” events. The events are aimed at helping organisations find out how to access the benefits of knowledge and innovation – without jargon and without breaking the bank.
The Exeter Business Spark is being hosted by the Met Office on 28 March with the support of Devon County...
Aspect Windows, the leading local manufacturer and supplier of PVCu, aluminium windows, doors, bi-folds and conservatories, has welcomed a new head of Marketing and PR.
Lucie Simic joins the Exeter-based company from the East Devon newspaper title Pulman’s View where she was Associate Editor. After a decade in journalism, starting at the BBC, Lucie will start an exciting adventure working alongside the dedicated Aspect Windows staff, and managing director Steve Cooling.
Lucie said: “2013 is a going to be a big year for Aspect Windows and I’m excited to be joining the team...
