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Warehouse complex proposed for Peterborough
Developers are trying to convince residents in Peterborough that a new warehouse complex would be good for local businesses and employment. more
Local authorities urged to help businesses improve recycling
While small businesses are working hard to reduce the amount of packaging they use, local councils need to better support commercial recycling efforts, a pressure group has said. more
Business leaders lose faith in the Labour government
A new report has suggested that small business owners and entrepreneurs have lost faith in the current government and are placing their hope in the Conservatives. more
Sole traders join forces on the Isle of Wight
A group of sole traders on the Isle of Wight have joined together to form a business group that is designed to promote their interests. more
FPB calls for government to cancel fuel duty increase
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has added its voice to those calling for the government to scrap a planned increase of 2p in fuel duty in October. more
Consumers get better protection from rogue traders
New rules which target rogue traders have come into force in the UK. more
Health and beauty sector will grow despite economic slowdown
A new report has suggested that consumers will continue to spend money on health and beauty products in 2008, despite the slowing of the economy. more
Credit crunch 'has hit wholesale and retail businesses' cash flows'
The current credit crunch is having a serious impact on the cash flows of small retailers and wholesalers, a leading industry body has warned. more
CBI reports manufacturers expect to increase prices
The price of manufactured goods is forecast to rise significantly in the UK, a report has warned. more
Businesses attack new agency worker rules
Business groups have slammed plans unveiled by the government to extend the employment rights of temporary workers. more
Credit crunch 'has not stopped owners selling their businesses'
An article written for the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce has suggested that the credit crunch has not prevented business owners from selling their enterprise if they wish to. more
BRC stresses UK firms do not use exploitative suppliers
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has stressed that most firms in the UK do not use exploitative suppliers from outside of Europe. more
OFT targets retailers who claim to be closing
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has announced that a number of sporting goods companies have agreed to cease advertising promotions which could potentially mislead consumers. more
Carbon Trust urged to support small firms
Small firms in the UK need better support from the Carbon Trust if they are to be encouraged to consider environmental improvements. more
Bank charges 'could harm small businesses'
If banks decide to increase charges for small business, many of these firms will struggle to survive, an industry expert has said. more
Small businesses 'could be hurt by extended flexible working rules'
The government's new plans to extend the right of employees to demand flexible working practices could seriously harm the operations of the UK's small businesses. more
Small businesses hit by staff absences
Absence from work cost the UK economy £13.2 billion last year and the average small business saw each member of staff take 5.8 days off sick, a new report has suggested. more
BRC reports gloomy sales figures
New figures have indicated that UK retail sales fell in April, indicating that the economic situation is starting to hit small businesses. more
Businesses 'still asked for bribes to win new contracts'
New research suggests that small firms in the UK are still being asked for bribes to secure or retain business. more
Businesses urged to embrace rail networks
The UK's freight rail network is vital for small businesses across the country, industry experts have claimed. more
Businesses pessimistic about economic future
New research has suggested that British businesses are not confident about the state of the economy. more
Fuel duty rises 'should be postponed to help businesses and consumers'
The government has been urged to scrap plans to increase the proposed 2p fuel duty rise in October. more
Report calls for better government support of small businesses
Serial entrepreneur Doug Richard has produced a report calling on the government to provide better support for small businesses in the UK. more
Small businesses 'turn to older employees to plug skills gap'
Owners of small businesses in the UK are increasingly opting to hire older workers, a new report has claimed. more
Businesses warned of continuing economic slowdown
A new report has suggested that small businesses in the UK will face difficulties in the coming months, but will not have to endure a fully-fledged recession. more
Tories pledge to support small suppliers and local businesses
Conservative leader David Cameron has pledged that a Tory government would do more to help small businesses and local suppliers. more
Continuity plans 'vital for small firms'
Small firms should always make sure they have a minimum business continuity plan in place, industry experts have said. more
Manufacturers force to pass rising costs on to customers
Smaller manufacturers are increasing the costs of their goods, in the face of the strongest cost pressures in over two decades. more
Oxfordshire Retailers Flex Their Muscles
A group of ten independent retail outlets in the Oxfordshire market town of Witney have grouped together in a bid to fight the growing threat to their livelihoods more
Small firms 'are turning to bridging loans to maintain cash flows'
Tighter lending criteria and the economic downturn are forcing small businesses to consider unusual financial products, an industry expert has said. more
FSB steps up campaign to protect local suppliers
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has stepped up its campaign to encourage consumers and retailers to make use of local suppliers. more
Government looks to help business by streamlining consumer laws
The government is looking to help members of the public and small businesses by simplifying the UK's consumer laws. more
Business disappointed by interest rate hold
The decision by the Bank of England not to cut interest rates has been poorly received by organisations representing the interests of the UK's small businesses. more
Shop prices 'only rising slowly'
A new report has suggested that shop price inflation in the UK rose in-line with recent averages in April. more
Postal competition 'has not helped small wholesalers'
A new report has suggested that increased competition in the postal sector has not helped small wholesalers. more
South-west's roads 'need to be improved to help wholesalers'
A leading pressure group has said that poor infrastructure in the south-west of the UK is harming the operations of wholesalers and small retailers in the region. more
Retailers see April increase in shoppers
The number of consumers visiting retailers increased during April, a new report has shown. more
Government urged to involve small firms in tax forum
The government has been urged to find a role for small businesses in its new 'tax forum'. more
Good online retail practice satisfies customers
Online retailers can attract more consumers to their e-stores by ensuring that they have good security measures in place, it has been claimed. more
Small retailers urged to embrace gift card schemes
Local retailers could increase their future business if they offer gift cards to their consumers, it has been claimed. more
Commission inquiry not doing enough for small retailers
The Competition Commission's inquiry into supermarket supremacy needs to go further to help small retailers, experts have argued. more
Hornby buys die-cast model maker Corgi
UK brand leading model railway maker Hornby continues its' expansion with the purchase of Corgi, the makers of die-cast model vehicles. Corgi is one of the oldest and most renowned brands in the collectibles has been bought for £7.5m. more
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