The British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) results for Q4 2015, released on Thursday 7 January, indicate slower economic growth in the short term. The QES, Britain’s largest and most authoritative private sector business survey, based on almost 7,500 responses from companies, shows that most key manufacturing and services balances were weaker this quarter, but nationally manufacturing firms faired worse.
In Devon this is not the case, with manufacturers in Devon indicating an increase in UK sales (+17% on Q3), an increase in UK orders (+10% on Q3) and an...
Visit South Devon has announced the appointment of Sarah Stride as acting general manager for the next 12 months. Sarah takes over the post from Stephanie Cherrett, who is taking adoption leave for the coming year.
Stuart Longrigg, Chairman of Visit South Devon, commented: “Stephanie has been a great asset to us over the past four years. She has helped establish the organisation as a successful Community Interest Company, and has spearheaded a number of campaigns that have raised the profile of South Devon regionally, nationally and internationally.”
Lidl UK’s decision to locate a major regional distribution centre at a site near Exeter Airport is a huge vote of confidence in the area and will prompt other national retailers to follow in its footsteps, says property advisors JLL.
JLL has an office in Exeter and advised Lidl UK in their purchase, advising on the site options and handling negotiations with the vendor of the selected site, Sainsbury’s.
Tim Western, director at JLL, said: “There has been clever investment into this part of East Devon by the public sector and other development partners, including...
Companies across Devon are being offered the chance to take part in the county’s first Fast Track to Growth Programme to help them develop and implement plans for growth in 2016 – for free.
They will receive on-going advice from a range of specialists, and take part in workshops to develop their growth plans ready to then implement. All shortlisted applicants will also have the chance to pitch to a panel of judges, with one company securing a year’s worth of free financial strategy, marketing and PR support, worth £15,000.
The South West private sector economy ended 2015 on a positive note, according to December PMI® survey data. Output growth accelerated from November’s subdued pace to the strongest since July, while new business rose at the fastest rate since June.
Moreover, backlogs grew for the first time in seven months, and at the sharpest pace since January 2015. Firms continued to expand their workforces and reported higher input prices for the first time in five months, leading them to raise their own charges.
The seasonally adjusted Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking South West Business...
National charity Samaritan’s Purse has extended its thanks to the local Regus centres at Southernhay Gardens and Exeter Business Park in Exeter, for their efforts towards collecting thousands of gift-filled shoeboxes which have since been distributed to needy and vulnerable children across the world.
The shoeboxes, put together by members of the public, local businesses, schools and churches, contained everything from sweets and toys to toothbrushes, colouring books and stickers. They were distributed in time for Christmas to underprivileged children in orphanages, hospitals and...
Lidl is set to buy Sainsbury's land holding at Clyst Honiton near Exeter with the potential to create hundreds of jobs for local people.
The site, also known as the Exeter Gateway, already has planning permission for a distribution warehouse of 50,000 m². After carrying out extensive site preparation works Sainsbury’s put its plans for a depot on hold in 2013. It has now agreed a deal with Lidl who will acquire the site in East Devon, and bring forward plans for a new distribution centre. Councillor Paul Diviani, Leader of East Devon District Council, welcomed the news: “It is...
Plymouth business Sponge UK has achieved top honours on an acclaimed list which recognises the UK’s best companies to work for.
The business has been awarded , the highest possible accreditation – three stars - in The Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For 2016.
The award is based on staff feedback and follows a rigorous survey where employees answered questions about pay, conditions, teamwork, leadership and wellbeing.
Sponge UK was benchmarked against hundreds of other small companies and only those assessed as ‘extraordinary’ achieved three star status...
GAIN, the South West Growth, Acceleration and Investment Network is looking for all start-ups, innovators, disruptors to invest £30,000 as matchfunding to help business growth.
GAIN has partnered with the UK's #1 rewards crowdfunding platform, Crowdfunder, to find brilliant businesses based in Devon, Cornwall, Isles of Scilly or Somerset who have a product, service or approach that is unique or different in some way.
They will offer 10 businesses that meet their criteria, up to £3,000 of match funding each, if they crowdfund on Crowdfunder, from January 10, 2016. Each...
Professionals can understand trends and issues affecting businesses in the South West and globally through masterclasses run at the University of Exeter.
Those attending the Business Insights 2020 masterclasses can network with industry experts and leading academics. The masterclasses are run by academics from the One Planet MBA at the University of Exeter’s Business School and senior business practitioners with relevant industry experience in partnership with the Devon and Cornwall Business Council (DCBC).
They are designed to help those who attend reconsider their...
