South West firms enjoyed another solid month of growth supported by a boost in new orders in May, according to the latest Lloyds Bank UK Regional PMI survey.
The South West PMI fell to 53.8 in May, showing that business activity expanded at a solid pace, albeit more slowly than in April, when the PMI was at 56.7. A reading greater than 50.0 signifies growth in business activity.
Employment also rose during May as jobs were created at the quickest pace this year so far. Businesses linked job creation to an increase in demand and new orders.
Kelly Jones is the lucky winner of this competition which closed on 23 June 2017.
The correct answer to the question: What do the newly refurbished bedrooms at the Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel take inspiration from? was of course, Exeter’s textile industry.
Thank you to everyone who entered.
** THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED **
Enjoy a relaxing escape with Mercure Hotels, who are offering the chance to win an overnight stay for two including dinner and breakfast at the newly refurbished 4-star Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel.
The 2017 prestigious South West Chef of the Year competition is open for applications.
The highly anticipated culinary contest is the only one in the UK with the aim to find the very best regional talent from not one but five categories including professional and young professional chefs, students and apprentices, junior cooks under 16 years and home cooks.
The South West’s culinary reputation has long been lauded, shaped by its bountiful lands and coastline that create outstanding produce and in turn inspire an increasingly long list of home grown Michelin starred chefs...
Five star housebuilder Barratt Developments has appointed experienced property professional Steve Fowler to the post of commercial director for its Exeter-based operations which builds homes under the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes brands.
Steve has worked for a number of housebuilders and moves to the role in the south west from Avant Homes in Scotland.
“I have seen Barratt grow as a business over the years and joint ventures brought me into contact with a number of dynamic and effective people within the business so when I was approached to join the Exeter division...
Devon’s farming leaders are calling on those in the industry to cast their votes carefully in the forthcoming general election and support candidates who pledge to back British farming.
With the crucial vote now just over three weeks away, and with the main parties in the process of publishing their manifestos, now is a good time to assess their commitment to agriculture, the food industry and the wider rural economy.
“Farming in the West Country is at a crossroads. We are facing the sort of decision which only comes once in a generation, so after the election it is vital...
The award-winning Thurlestone Hotel in South Devon has announced the opening of its new restaurant ‘The Trevilder’, following a million pound refurbishment.
The development has seen the existing restaurant undergo a complete transformation with a new identity and new menus ready for the summer season, featuring produce sourced almost exclusively from within the county. Set across two levels and with floor-to-ceiling windows that make the most of the dreamy coastal views, the restaurant has been completely redesigned by London-based Fabled Studio, whose work can be seen in many of...
Momentum is continuing to ebb in the South West housing market as both newly agreed sales and buyer interest remains flat in April. The results of the RICS UK Residential Market Survey, April 2017, general consensus point to new instructions continue to drop in the region. Anecdotal evidence cites a lack of choice; uncertainty due to the calling of an early election; and the ramifications of stamp duty changes as factors hampering activity.
The lack of choice for would-be buyers across the South West is still a key issue and in April new instructions remained negative for a third...
The Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink opened its doors at 10am this morning. With over 100 producers exhibiting over the next three days there is plenty for visitors to sample and enjoy!
The festival is running today, tomorrow and Bank Holiday Monday at Northernhay Gardens and Exeter Castle.
Tonight’s After Dark Music Festival in Exeter Castle’s Courtyard starts at 6pm. Headliners Leigh Coleman Band will be joined by Celine Dos Santos, Yazzy and Joanna Cooke. Tickets are available on the gate.
For full details visit www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk...
Those looking to get onto the property ladder in Exeter and Devon will be happy to hear that it is easier to get a mortgage right now than any time since 2014.
After the housing crisis, mortgage lending standards became unreasonably tight for many years. The inability to source a mortgage has been an issue particularly acute among first-time buyers.
However, the tide appears to be changing as research has shown that nearly a third of mortgage brokers hadn't encountered any problems sourcing mortgage for any type of client in the latter half of last year. This figure was up...
ACCESS to justice for people in the south west was high on the agenda for a group of delegates from the Devon and Somerset Law Society when they visited the House of Commons.
Exeter solicitor Chris Tagg, of Cartridges Law, was among the party who met the Lord Chancellor, the Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss, MP, as well as local MP Kevin Foster, Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, Baron Armstrong, Baron Tyler and Baroness Jolly.
The meeting was held to highlight some of the issues affecting UK citizens seeking access to justice and particularly those facing eviction or homelessness who are...
