Blog


Small businesses taking interest in online marketing

People looking to buy a small business might want to start to look more closely at the online marketing campaigns they could run for their target business.

According to recent research from website builder BaseKit, around 60 per cent of the UK's small businesses are yet to get their businesses online. Further more, 11 per cent admit that their sites use out of date technology and a further 11 per cent describe their company'... Continue Reading


Pub for sale in Porthleven

The Ship Inn, a traditional Cornish pub in the town of Porthleven, is for sale.

The pub is on the market following the death of one of its landlords, Colin Oakden. He passed away towards the end of last year and, as Mr Oakden was the landlord of the Ship Inn, the freehouse is on the hunt for a new owner.

It has a guide price of £199,950 and will offer the purchaser an unique property built into the rocks at the entrance... Continue Reading


Small business leaders shortlisted in Yorkshire Business Masters Awards

The final decisions are being made regarding the winners of the Yorkshire Business Masters Awards after a panel has cut down applications to a shortlist.

Organised by TheBusinessDesk.com in association with Jaguar, the events aim to identify the top companies working in the region.

More than 75 entries were received but now there are just three contenders listed in each category, ready to be judged by readers of the onli... Continue Reading


Wolverhampton pub on the market

A city centre pub in Wolverhampton is on the market after ongoing problems prompted a sale of the venue.

The Varsity has been a popular live music venue, but its owners have confirmed that the pub is for sale after struggling to entice more customers.

According to reports from the Express and Star, a £150,000 refurbishment had to be postponed last year, despite the fact that The Varsity was successful in its bid to ext... Continue Reading


Designer shoe retailer for sale

Exclusive Footwear, a designer shoe retailer based in York, is to sell its profitable children's shoe department.

Frances Chalmers established the business in the Gillygate area of the city in 2005, selling a number of designer brands from the premises. She has since expanded, adding the children's division in 2009 and opening a store in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2010.

The business also trades online and was rece... Continue Reading


CBI predicts economic growth

It has been a tough few years for small businesses in the UK, but some good news could be just over the horizon.

According to the CBI, the economy will resume growth in the second half of the year, with GDP growth increasing through 2013. This year, growth is predicted to come in at 0.6 per cent, rising to two per cent next year.

Meanwhile, inflation is set to continue on a downward trend and will hopefully reach the Ban... Continue Reading


Pub buyer hopes to transform The Old Bulls Head

The Old Bulls Head, a 17th century pub in Newcastle, has been purchased from Punch Taverns and is due to reopen tonight.

While many pubs in the UK are struggling to keep enough customers at the bar, licensee Martin Scott, who is running the Bulls Head on behalf of Joule's Brewery, believes he can turn around the fortunes of this drinking establishment.

According to This is Staffordshire, the pub will host a re-launc... Continue Reading


Buyer sought for village pub

A local pub, the only one in its village, is in need of a buyer to turn around its fortunes.

The Queen's Head in Hempnall, south of Norwich, has been closed for more than four years and so far its owner, Paul Ellis, has been unable to sell it as a going concern. However, his application for a change of use to allow the property to be used for housing, has been opposed by Hempnall Parish Council.

The council has unde... Continue Reading


Lending issues still haunting small businesses

Small businesses are still be haunted by poor lending rates from banks, recent figures have revealed.

The data, released by the Bank of England, showed that bank lending to British businesses fell at the fastest pace in almost two years in February.

The Trends in Lending report confirmed that lending from building societies and banks fell by £4 billion, which was the biggest drop since March 2010 when lending dropped by... Continue Reading


Bank branches to be sold in Cumbria

Two Santander bank branches are to be closed down and the premises put on the market later this year.

The high street premises in Carlisle are expected to close by the middle of June as part of a company review that will see a total of 56 branches shut down.

Once the locations are out of service, the 1,720 sq ft of basement and ground-floor retail space will be sold for an asking price of £700,000, according to reports ... Continue Reading


'Haunted' pub for sale

Yorkshire's most haunted pub is for sale after its owners decided to put the venue on the market.

The Busby Stoop near Thirsk is being sold by Enterprise Inns for £200,000, according to reports from Thirsk First. The pub is on the market "without any covenants or restrictions in place", meaning that its new owners could enjoy some freedom in deciding what to do with the property.

Karen Rowley, the pub landlady who ... Continue Reading


Importance of networking highlighted

Networking has almost become a cliché in terms of small business advice. But entrepreneurs and business owners still attest to its importance.

Proof of its success can be seen in the data from Business Network International (BNI), which has reported that business secured through peer-to-peer referrals has risen by 45 per cent since before the financial crisis.

Figure from the BNI, reported by the Telegraph, confirmed t... Continue Reading


Small businesses preparing for Olympics

Small businesses are gearing up for a busy summer with preparations for the Olympic Games well underway.

The Games are expected to provide a boost to the British economy but there will also be significant levels of disruption around London in particular, which will be a major risk for small businesses that are caught out.

Fortunately, it looks like companies are taking precautions with many making plans to allow their em... Continue Reading


Mansion House for sale in Penrith

The historic Mansion House in Penrith is up for sale as Eden District Council looks to raise funds for its public service site project.

Dating back to 1750, the property was initially purchased by Penrith Rural District Council in 1919 and later inherited by Eden District Council. However, the sale of the site could see the Georgian property developed into a luxury hotel or a set of apartments.

Walton Goodland, a commerc... Continue Reading


Popular Essex pub finds new owners

A popular Essex pub has found new owners and looks set to once again provide a meeting place for locals.

The Coach and Horses freehouse in Wicken Bonhunt, near Saffron Walden, was sold to Sergio Manini and Ananta Limsuwat through Christie & Co. The quoted guide price was £375,000, according to the Saffron Walden Reporter, but the exact sale price is unknown.

The buyers are experienced pub operators and are expected to m... Continue Reading