• Swindon & Wiltshire Eco
• Monday December 4 2023

Great West Way launches new green travel campaign

Great West Way – the multi-modal touring route following the A4, railway and Kennet and Avon Canal between London and Bristol, taking in Berkshire, Wiltshire, and Bath – has launched a new green travel guide in collaboration with Great […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Friday December 1 2023

Value of venture capital investment in South West soared in Q3, KPMG study finds

The value of venture capital investment in South West businesses increased almost sixfold in the third quarter of 2023, with Bristol leading in investment activity, according to the latest Venture Pulse report from Big Four accounting firm KPMG. A […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Friday December 1 2023

House prices rise for third month in a row – Nationwide

House prices in the UK crept up by 0.2 per cent in November – the third monthly increase in a row – according to the latest figures from Swindon-headquartered mortgage lender Nationwide. The Nationwide House Price Index says that […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Thursday November 30 2023

South West economic confidence falls in November – Lloyds

Business confidence in the South West fell in November, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. The poll – conducted before the Autumn Statement – found companies in the region reported higher confidence in their […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Wednesday November 22 2023

Autumn Statement – Chancellor announces tax cuts for firms and workers

The chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced tax cuts for firms and workers in his Autumn Statement, delivered to Parliament today (Wednesday). In what could be the last major economic announcement before a general election, the chancellor shaved an estimated […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Wednesday November 22 2023

Swindon Futures Commission launched to develop long-term economic vision for town

A commission that aims to develop a long-term economic vision for Swindon has been launched. The Swindon Futures Commission, which brings together business leaders, wider stakeholders and local representatives, is spearheaded by Business West. It aims to publish its […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Friday November 17 2023

Two-thirds of retailers in the South West say the ‘double whammy’ of spiralling interest rates and inflation will hit peak trading in the run-up to Christmas – survey

Two-thirds of retailers in the South West say the ‘double whammy’ of spiralling interest rates and inflation will hit peak trading in the run-up to Christmas, according to a new survey. More than four out of ten sellers (41 […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Friday November 17 2023

Profits boom at Nationwide could mean more payouts for members

Rising profits at Swindon-headquartered building society Nationwide meant record payouts for its members, the mutual announced this morning (Friday). The group reported an underlying pre-tax profit of £1.3 billion for the six months to September, up from £980 million […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Friday November 17 2023

Insolvencies down slightly in Berkshire and Wiltshire – R3

Insolvency-related activity has reduced marginally in Berkshire and Wiltshire following a big drop in September but remains significantly higher than the same period last year, says R3, the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body. The latest figures showed a […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Monday November 13 2023

Business activity in the South West stabilises in October – Natwest

Business activity in the South West’s manufacturing and service sectors was unchanged in September, with improved business confidence and easing cost pressures, according to the monthly NatWest South West PMI Business Activity Index. The seasonally-adjusted index posted broadly in […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Tuesday November 7 2023

South West plunges to bottom of FSB’s regional league table for SME positivity

Small business confidence in the South West has fallen for a second consecutive quarter bucking a generally more optimistic trend seen elsewhere in the UK, according to research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The FSB’s quarterly confidence […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Monday November 6 2023

Salisbury BID wins a third term to bring improvements to city

Salisbury BID has won a third five-year term to improve the business environment in the city. A ballot on whether to renew the Business Improvement District saw 92 per cent of respondents voting in favour, on a turn-out of […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Thursday November 2 2023

Thames Water confirms 300 job cuts

Utilities giant Thames Water said today (Thursday)  it is cutting 300 jobs in the face of “extremely challenging year for the business.” The Reading-based company said it was proposing a net decrease of 300 roles, of which over half […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Thursday November 2 2023

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey shows businesses feeling more positive

A decrease in the number of Thames Valley firms struggling to find staff is welcome news, according to Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce. The ease in hiring challenges was one of the key findings of the Quarterly Economic Survey, […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Thursday November 2 2023

South West industry leaders meet in Swindon to discuss regional rail improvements

Business leaders and decision makers met in Swindon last week to discuss improvements to rail infrastructure in the South West. The event was organised by Western Gateway – the South West and South Wales powerhouse – with rail management […]