South West workloads have slowed across all sectors of the construction industry as Brexit delays investment, according to the Q2 2017 UK RICS Construction and Infrastructure Market Survey. Anecdotal evidence from respondents suggests that uncertainty regarding Brexit is weighing on investment decisions, alongside the political turmoil generated from last month’s general election.
After a positive picture in the Q1 survey with the growth in workloads accelerating at its strongest pace since the referendum, there has been a modest slowing in Q2 2017 with private commercial and...
Rob Baxter insists there is a “burning desire” amongst the Exeter Chiefs coaching staff to take the Devon club onto even greater things in the future, after he and his three trusty lieutenants - Ali Hepher, Rob Hunter and Ricky Pellow - today all agreed new three-year deals with the Aviva Premiership champions.
Baxter will take on the new title of Director of Rugby for the 2017/18 season, while Hepher has been named the club’s new Head Coach. Both Hunter (Forwards Coach) and Pellow (Skills Coach) will continue in their current roles, both of which have seen them help take the...
The South West economy lost momentum in June as business activity growth slowed, according to the latest Lloyds Bank UK Regional PMI® survey.
The South West PMI fell to 52.6 in June, from 53.8 in May. A reading greater than 50.0 signifies growth in business activity.
The latest reading signalled the slowest rise in activity since the month after the EU referendum. The PMI reading was also below the UK average (53.8).
Despite this, firms continued to create jobs, marking 12 months of continuous employment growth in the region.
To celebrate Greener Journeys fifth annual ‘Catch the Bus Week’, Stagecoach South West promoted taking the bus to a hundred Year 6 Torbay primary school children.
The bus company took Gary Rabbit, one of six ‘Golden Hop’ open top buses, to Eden Park Primary School in Brixham. Here, they delivered interactive sessions to groups of children on topics including how to buy a ticket, safe travel and using the Stagecoach smartphone app for journey planning, next-stop information and live bus tracking.
The sessions from Stagecoach formed part of the Junior Life Skills Event, open...
Business confidence in the South West rose to an 18-month high in the last six months, according to the latest Business in Britain report from Lloyds Bank, based on data gathered after the snap election had been called. The confidence index – an average of respondents’ expected sales, orders and profits over the next six months – increased to 27 per cent, up from January’s score of 17 per cent and from 10 per cent immediately following the EU referendum vote. The Business in Britain report, now in its 25th year, gathers the views of more than 1,500 UK companies, predominantly small to...
The most inspiring young surveyors – who make the South West a better place to live, work and visit – are currently being given the opportunity to have their talent recognised nationally and be rewarded with a car to help them in their career.
Surveyors are essential in key areas such as housing, commercial property and our road and rail systems. The national Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Awards launched three years ago, to raise awareness of the diverse range of young talented surveyors, trainees and apprentices working in such...
The Freemasons are holding an unprecedented public vote to decide how to spend a special three million pounds of charity funding as part of their 300th anniversary celebrations this year. Freemasons throughout the country have selected 300 local charities to receive a special Community Award, but the decision on the size of grant – ranging from £4,000 to £25,000 – is being decided by an online public vote. Anyone who wishes to vote should visit the Masonic Charitable Foundation website at mcf.org.uk/vote go to the page for their region and vote from the list of local charities which have...
In the first employment survey to be published since the General Election, employers in the South West are becoming more cautious about hiring, according to ManpowerGroup, the world’s workforce experts. With an Outlook of +1%, confidence has taken a dip since last quarter’s +4% figure. The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey is based on responses from 2,109 UK employers. It asks whether employers intend to hire additional workers or reduce the size of their workforce in the coming quarter. It is the most comprehensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind and is used as a key...
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.
