NOVEMBER TRADE NEWS Woolworths confirms administration Textile maker claims innocence in fake goods case VAT cut drives Irish shoppers north of the border Woolworths close to administration Chancellor cuts VAT to 15% Retail sector 'being driven by discounts' Lingerie business to focus on wholesale operations Christmas delivers online shopping BRC warns government of pressure on retailers Wholesaler helps small retailers fight Asda Fraudster made £12,000 from eBay scam Scottish consumers 'tightening their belts' Luxury fashion brand enjoys rise in wholesale activity Weak pound benefits Northern Irish retailers Internet helps small retailers to fight downturn London sales superiority over UK 'dwindling' Cambridge retailers fight proposed Tesco opening Wholesale slump for designer clothing company Small retailers 'under threat Post Office to keep card accounts Wind forces trade fair inland Young consumers 'susceptible' to brands Christmas cheer in store for small retailers Local shops play vital community role Retailers told to expect flat sales this Xmas Keep Trade Local campaign comes to London Park Cameras bags Retailer of the Year award Retail sales plummet to three-year low Christmas 'make or break' for small retailers UK traders invited to enter Retail Week Awards Mary Queen of Shops to help Birmingham retailers Scottish Asda store criticised by local resident Low interest rate good news for small firms Markets must support each other, says CGTA Banks urged to pursue small business funding BRC to launch new online retail sales indicator Small retailers voice optimism in Kendal Portsmouth hosts bash for local newsagents Argos under fire for 222% APR store card Emergency funding for ailing small firms Stolen goods warning for Worcestershire retailers Trade News Archive November 08 October 08 September 08 August 08 July 08 June 08 May 08 April 08 March 08 February 08 January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory  5th November 2008 Banks urged to pursue small business funding British banks are being urged to do their part to ensure a recent funding pledge from the European Investment Bank (EIB) seeps through to small businesses. The geopolitical body announced last week that it will funnel £4 billion into the UK economy in a bid to shore up access to credit for struggling companies. But FSB national chairman John Wright cautioned that steps must be taken to actively ensure the money trickles its way down to small businesses, the majority of whom rely of financial institutions that do not presently facilitate access to EIB funds. "The government must insist more banks apply to the EIB so more small businesses can access the much needed funds," he said in a press release. "Over 80 per cent of small businesses use the four major banks yet only one - Barclays - currently supplies EIB finance. We need to be assured that this money will actually filter down to small businesses." Last week, the FSB called on the government to set up a £1 billion Small Business Survival package for at-risk firms.     (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd. Comment on this news story