Small businesses are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of online marketing and are now starting to convert their online awareness into real sales.
It has long been established that new business is often best found through existing customers passing the message on. When the internet is included in this equation, the number of people that recommendations can reach is almost limitless.
There are a number of ways ... Continue Reading
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called for an extension of the National Insurance (NI) contributions holiday given to smaller employees.
Under the current scheme, new businesses outside of the South East and East of England and London receive a break in paying NI for up to ten new staff.
A total of £800 million in government funding has already been allocated to the scheme. But the FSB has used the Conserva... Continue Reading
A former pub in Blurton, Staffordshire, has been put up for sale, bringing hope to the local community that the site will be redeveloped.
The Swallows Next in Ufton Close has been boarded up for more than ten years after the pub closed its doors. The property has since been the target of vandals and arsonists and residents have been left feeling uncomfortable about the state of the building.
However, an auction will now ... Continue Reading
A Chorley pub has been put up for sale after undergoing refurbishment, it has been confirmed.
Developer Arley Homes purchased The Dog and Partridge in Charnock Richard last year as part of its Birches development. Concern arose that the pub would be demolished to make way for new houses but it is now clear that the company has given the pub a facelift and put it back on the market.
John Cosgrave, managing director of the... Continue Reading
The Bull pub in Troston, one of the few amenities in the village, has been put up for sale as a pub by its current owner, the Greene King group.
Villagers had become concerned about the future of the property, which has been closed for around ten months. However, the 200-year-old inn now appears to have a future in Troston after all as a spokeswoman for Greene King confirmed that it is to be passed on to new hands.
The r... Continue Reading
Research has revealed that confidence among small businesses in Wales is particularly low at the moment as companies struggle to get going again.
Conducted by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the study cited challenging domestic conditions, access to finance and weak consumer demand as the main causes for the difficulties.
However, Welsh confidence remained lower than any other area in the UK, except Northern I... Continue Reading
Business people considering a lifestyle decision, such as buying up a pub or similar leisure business, can sometimes be daunted by becoming a new presence in a tightly-knit community.
But one recent venture in Boddington has been a success, with the local people welcoming a new landlord.
The House in the Tree pub was closed for three months when its previous landlords moved away without notice. However, a new landlord, ... Continue Reading
The vast majority of small and medium sized-enterprises (SMEs) are keen for the government to make a reduction in red tape its top priority.
Research from global insurer Zurich has shown that 70 per cent of British SME decision makers want to see the government to focus their attentions in this direction. This compares to 54 per cent who want improved access to finance to be the top priority and 36 per cent who are calling for a revi... Continue Reading
A derelict pub is up for sale at auction this week, with a guide price of around £500,000 attached to the property.
The Bell and Castle at Horsley has been at the centre of rows between villagers, planners and its owner for almost four years now so it is hoped that the auction will resolve matters surrounding the pub.
Alex Kerr bought the property in 2008 but he sparked controversy when he took down modern additions to ... Continue Reading
Five two pubs scattered across the north of the country are up for sale after their owners entered administration.
Located in Wellingborough, Rothwell, Thrapston, Raunds and Burton Latimer, the properties are licensed and up for sale on the instruction of Zolfo Cooper.
Paul Newby director of the agency selling the pubs commented: “Collectively the sites are very different, therefore may suit individual purchasers, how... Continue Reading
SMEs are being encouraged to capitalise on the success of the Paralympic Games and include disable people in their target markets.
Minister for disabled people, Maria Miller, referred to the demographic as the 'purple pound', noting that their spending power is in the region of £80 billion a year.
A new guide is now being launched to help businesses to tap into this. Launching the guide at City Hall in London,... Continue Reading
The Bell Inn pub in Banwell, Somerset, is up for sale after closing back in the winter of 2011.
Gary White and Karly Ivison had owned the business since October 2010, but decided to close it shortly after Christmas amid a change in circumstances.
The agents selling the property have suggested that it would suit a local operator who is interested in reopening the business as an inn. However, developing the property into a... Continue Reading
SME investors may be interested to learn that the boutique hotel sector is the fastest-growing hotel segment in London.
In fact, the forecast from HVS suggests that it is set to double in size between 2011 and 2013, largely due to its resilience in the face of the current economic climate.
Rebranding to attract a smaller group of guests with a higher room rate appears to have been a winning formula. Indeed, a recent Hote... Continue Reading
If you're considering buying a small business it might help to look at what's on the market in Scotland rather than just in England.
According to research published in a consultation document from the Scottish government, SMEs win around 78 per cent of public sector contracts in Scotland, compared to just 13.7 per cent from central government and 49 per cent from local government in England.
However, Scotland i... Continue Reading
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector are still reporting levels of growth despite reports of a continued downturn.
The latest Manufacturing Advisory Services (MAS) National Barometer found that 53 per cent of respondents claimed to have seen orders grow in the last six months, while the same number anticipated a further upturn between now and the end of 2012.
The research showed that a th... Continue Reading
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