Financial support from the UK Space Agency is to be provided for a new space hub led by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to help further its ambitions to harness space-related activities and unlock their economic, social and enironmental benefits, thereby creating significant boost for the local area. The new hub will engage with a wide variety of space related stakeholders across mu…
The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF) has now supported over £10m into SMEs since it was launched by the British Business Bank (with a £40m fund) in 2018. The fund’s aim to provide new and growing small businesses with additional funding opportunities and its success to date is encouraging other private investors to participate. For further details, please read the bulletin be…
A major upgrade of the A361 is set to move forward following a £60m allocated investment. The major project – led by Devon County Council – is designed to boost the local economy by supporting plans for 6,700 new homes, thereby making is easier for people to access job opportunities in the area and for businesses to benefit from quicker journey times. For a fuller perspective on this subject plea…
The latest '1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain' report from the London Stock Exchange Group recorded an overall average revenue growth of 41.2% with engineering and construction, manufacturing and food and beverage among the lead industries represented. It is clear from this report that the role of SMEs is of fundamental importance in driving economic growth as well as leading innovation and prov…
According to the latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer, overall business confidence in the South West increased by 12 points during October, whilst companies in the region reported higher confidence in their own prospects – up by 26% on the previous month. In addition, a net balance of just 8% anticipated having to reduce headcount during 2021 – an improvement from 21% in September!
Although th…
In a speech at the CBI virtual annual conference today the Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, pledged government support to work alongside businesses to unleash the UK’s potential whilst continuing to provide support during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr. Sharma also said that the government has a long-term plan to build a more resilient and high-skilled UK wide economy by the end of the decade. The new…
Graham Jones at Mendip Business Finance says :-
Uncertainty following the Brexit vote has undoubtedly influenced the general commercial market in the UK and in turn the appetite to take on any additional financial commitment has been dampened. That said, interest rates are still exceptionally low and are only predicted to rise by small degrees into the foreseeable future. Our commercial lending …
The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) has secured £35.4m from the Getting Building Fund (GBF) which it has earmarked for 12 ‘shovel-ready’ projects in Devon. These projects – which will support employment, regeneration, skills, innovation and clean energy – will now complete a business case by the end of this month in order to demonstrate job creation and the total …
£14.3m from the government’s Getting Building Fund (GBF), is to be invested by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership into an agreed list of seven ‘shovel-ready’ projects in Cornwall, spanning renewable energy, space, aerospace, creative industries, STEM skills and agri-food. This GBF investment will attract a further £44.6m of public and private sector match funding, there…
£11.8 m has been secured by Dorset LEP for investment in the county and will be targeted to help stimulate local economic recovery and create new jobs. The money, obtained from the Getting Building Fund (GBF) will be aimed at uplifting skills and healthcare provisions as well as enhancing physical and digital infrastructure. This sizeable investment should significantly help Dorset LEP’s plans fo…
The impact of Covid-19 related Government guidelines and restrictions have caused a lot of people to review their working lives. Many employees have been furloughed whilst others have already lost their jobs and, sadly, significantly more will undoubtedly join the latter’s ranks! Even those currently working – either from home or at their employers’ business premises – are feeling somewhat fearfu…
The vast majority of small business owners who have sold their enterprises since April 2008 have benefited from being able to take advantage of Entrepreneurs’ Relief and thereby paid Capital Gains Tax (CGT) based on a rate of just 10% (compared with individual seller’s income tax rates which can be as high as 45% and which would otherwise apply). Consequently, this has been a highly discounted …
Since late 2016 there has been a general reduction in the number of businesses coming onto the market. It is generally understood that business owners, who in principle would like to sell, have been demonstrating a reluctance to commit to taking the necessary decision to do so. They have been citing all sorts of reasons for this, including the current state of the economy (national and global), g…
If I had been answering this question during the early part of 2012 then I would have said “yes, but not that many”. However, since then the situation has changed significantly and during the second half and, in particular, during the final quarter of 2013 the business transfer market picked up markedly. Moreover, between October and December we at Beardsley Theobalds sold more businesses than we…
They say that the business transfer market has fluctuated for some time, but is now undoubtedly much better in certain sectors than in others. Since the financial crisis and ensuing recession took hold in late 2007 this has certainly been the case and there are certain sectors of the market which have definitely suffered more than others. Conversely, we at Beardsley Theobalds appear to have weath…
Beardsley Theobalds, the specialist business transfer agency, has, over the last few months, brokered the sale of four niche market businesses showing that there is demand for businesses that are not ‘run of the mill’.
Some business owners, who are looking towards retirement or who simply fancy a change, think that they have a business that is so specialist or unusual that nobody would want to t…
During the last few years there has been a very noticeable increase in enquiries for businesses being offered for sale in the West Country from prospective buyers living abroad. Moreover, and much more significant, growing numbers of these people are seriously pursuing their interest in acquiring businesses in the South West as is demonstrated by them flying to the U.K. in order to meet business …
This is a question we are constantly being asked, especially by business owners who have been contemplating selling their businesses. The short answer is : It’s a bit like the ‘curate’s egg’ – good in parts. To be more precise, there are more prospective buyers than we have ever known currently looking for quality businesses in the market sectors in which we specialise – industrial, commercial an…
Advice to business owners is always – plan your exit from the business well in advance. Groom the business to maximise its saleability. Choose the timing with care.
Unfortunately, while most people accept the sense of this, in practice it usually doesn’t happen, often because the decision to sell is made quite suddenly and once it is made there is a desire to sell as soon as possible. This m…
Well that’s an easy question to answer I hear you say. It’s obviously the fantastic scenery, wonderful countryside and impressive coastline. It’s the leisure facilities and the more favourable climate. It’s also the slower pace of life and lower crime rate, etc. Oh, and (of course) the benefits and satisfaction of having one’s own business. Yes, with its very attractive environment and the qualit…
If you are thinking of selling your business in the relatively near future – say later this year or within the next year or two – now is a good time to consider your options. You most certainly need to carefully plan your exit from the business and thoroughly prepare it for disposal before offering it for sale. If you should fail to do this it will almost certainly take longer to sell (if indeed …
This government financed cash injection is aimed at harnessing technology and encouraging businesses to take crucial actions to boost their own productivity – a very worthwhile and commendable objective to be sure! For more detailed information on this subject please read the news bulletin below which was issued by Insider Media Ltd today.
Roger Mundy, Managing Director, Beardsley Theobalds, 6th…
Turnover and passenger numbers both increased in the year to 31st March 2019 at Cornwall Airport Newquay and are set to rise even further. This is the fifth year in succession that the airport has achieved growth and its continuing expansion is certainly providing a healthy boost to the county. For more information on this subject please read the bulletin below which was issued by Insider Media t…
The above headline just about says it all, but for more information on this welcome news please read the news bulletin below which was issued by Insider Media today.
Roger Mundy, Managing Director, Beardsley Theobalds, 26th September 2019
Bank sets aside £1bn for South West SMEs
HSBC UK has committed funds of £1bn to lend to SMEs in the South West.
The Wales S…