Business Daily

Private sector employment in the South West grew at the fastest pace in over two years in August, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Regional Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI®).

The South West PMI recorded its highest reading in four months after climbing to 54.3 in August, up from 54.0 in July. The rate of expansion was also slightly faster than the UK average (54.0). A PMI reading above 50 signifies growth in business activity.

Data showed that business activity growth in August was underpinned by increased demand for goods and services, resulting in many firms expanding...

Work has been launched to connect the first 21 communities in Devon and Somerset to a new *ultrafast fibre broadband network that will deliver some of the fastest speeds in the UK. It’s a key milestone for the local government-led Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) broadband programme which has already provided the infrastructure to enable 282,000 homes and businesses to access superfast broadband, and overall more than 327,000 can now access improved broadband. New partner, Gigaclear, an award-winning supplier of full fibre broadband to rural locations, has launched pre-construction...

Exeter Chiefs may not have created history last weekend, but Director of Rugby Rob Baxter saw enough from his side in defeat at Gloucester to give him plenty of encouragement for the future. The reigning Aviva Premiership champions were downed right at the death by the Cherry & Whites, losing 28-21 in their seasonal opener at Kingsholm. Jason Woodward’s last-gasp try meant the Chiefs missed not only suffered defeat in Round One, but also missed out on setting a new record of 18 games unbeaten in English rugby’s top division. Although disappointed to come unstuck, Baxter preferred to...

An urgent and confidential report was taken to East Devon District Council’s Cabinet last night about two Exmouth seafront tenancies.

The Fun Park and Harbour View Café sites are due for investment and redevelopment as part of the council’s plans to improve the attractiveness of the seafront to residents and visitors alike.

Earlier this month the council, as landlord, took back the former Fun Park site on Queen’s Drive having given the tenant extensive notice, a year’s extension and with the last 12 months of his tenancy rent free. Last night, Cabinet confirmed it was...