Business

South West businesses plan to increase recruitment in the coming year despite a dip in confidence, according to the latest Business in Britain report from Lloyds Bank. Business confidence in the South West – calculated as an average of respondents’ expected sales, orders and profits over the next six months – fell to 19 per cent compared with 27 per cent in July 2017. However, the net balance of firms looking to hire more staff rose by 21 points to 17 per cent, compared with July 2017, while the net balance of businesses expecting to increase investment held firm at five per cent. And the...

Boutique hotel brand Hotel du Vin has announced the appointment of Fiona Dardé as General Manager of Hotel du Vin Exeter. Fiona will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the hotel, overseeing the development of the team to deliver the great food and wine the hotel is renowned for, as well as driving sales forward within the local market. A former eye infirmary, the iconic Hotel du Vin Exeter is set within a historic walled garden, a relaxing oasis for guests looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Travel expert Alastair Sawday describes the idyllic space as a “...

Stickers may seem an out-of-dated marketing tool that belongs in the past. But nothing is more untrue as this underestimated promotional material is still relevant for companies. There are even new possibilities like domed stickers and window stickers that are perfect to promote a business.

Stickers can be used in different ways to advertise products, services or activities. For local businesses in Exeter they are definitely a means to look at to get a message to stick.

There are different types of stickers a company can use in various cases. A window sticker will be seen...

Specialist property adviser Christie & Co has made two new Business Agent appointments to its Bristol and Exeter offices to strengthen its commitment to its healthcare and licensed business sectors in the South West market.

Oliver McCarthy joins the healthcare business team in the Bristol office with over 20 years experience in the property industry, selling residential property in the UK. Oliver will work alongside Rob Kinsman and Simon Harvey to capitalise on the increasing demand for brokerage services to healthcare owners in the South West.

Julia Pollard BSc (Hons)...

Exeter’s businesses already know they’re onto something here in the heart of the West Country. Now the secret is out, with national reporting of the buzz, diversity and sheer quality of life that Exeter has to offer. With a young, diverse and rapidly expanding student population, rapid growth in high-value knowledge and tech businesses and the simple maths of young families moving from the pricey and crowded South East – over 3,000 in 2016 – there’s definitely something in the air.

Any city needs a cultural scene to thrive. And a feel-good factor is great for business. Since 2016,...

Business activity in the South West lost growth momentum in November, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Regional Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI®).

The South West PMI recorded 52.8 in November, down from 54.0 in October. A reading above 50 signals growth in business activity. The rate of expansion was the second-weakest out of the 12 monitored UK regions, with only Scotland posting a slower rise in private sector output.

Despite client demand also rising at a slower rate, businesses in the region continued to create new jobs.

Cost pressures remained a concern for...

Local charity Hospiscare is delighted to announce that Rob Baxter, Director of Rugby at Exeter Chiefs, will be the guest speaker at their fundraising dinner on 4th April 2018 at the University of Exeter.

This unique evening will feature a talk from Rob on ‘Maximising Potential’, during which he will explain how the principles used to improve results on the rugby pitch can also be used to improve results in the workplace. Regarded as one of rugby’s top coaches following the Chiefs recent LV Cup and Aviva Premiership successes, his thoughts are sure to be of interest to business...

Exeter City Futures are excited to launch Exeter Velocities, a fully-fledged impact accelerator which is the result of a successful year-long pilot.

This new programme is for startups and entrepreneurs wanting to make real impact on Exeter’s challenges around mobility and energy.

Exeter Velocities will support and invest in around 30 businesses each year.

By supporting these businesses with development advice, mentoring and funding, Exeter Velocities aims to generate positive social impact for Exeter, its surrounding areas and the communities that live there....

Regional finance company SWIG Finance has passed the £10 million milestone for loans given to new businesses around the South West under the government’s Start Up Loans scheme.

The organisation has supported 1,245 entrepreneurs throughout the region since the national scheme started in September 2012.

The total includes 149 loans to Devon start-ups, worth £1.12 million.

Among them are business partners Kalkidan Legesse and Vidmantas Markevius, who took a £10,000 loan to help them start up their Scarves For Sustainability business, which has a store in Fore Street in...