John and Jane Nagle at Hornsbury Mill, near Chard, were the lucky recipients of the last hamper to be delivered to the winner of our QES prize draw in 2020. Everyone who completed the Q4 Quarterly Economic Survey at the end of last year was automatically entered into a prize draw to win a hamper of Somerset produce. Jane said: “We would like to say a heart-felt thank you for the lovely QES ham...

Somerset is well placed to adapt to a post pandemic business climate once the economy begins to pick-up, two leading business figures – Sir Ian Cheshire, chairman of Barclays UK and Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce – told local firms last week. Speaking at an online ‘Future of Business 2021’ event hosted by Somerset Chamber of Commerce, they said whil...

Results from the British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Recruitment Outlook (QRO), in partnership with Totaljobs, found that while there was a modest improvement in the overall number of businesses attempting to recruit in Q4, sectoral disparities remain.  Fieldwork for the survey was carried out between 2 and 26 November 2020, during the second lockdown. It found that:    41% of firms ...

THE finalists have been announced in this year’s prestigious Somerset Business Awards, with companies, charities and individuals from across the county vying for the honours. Judges faced a tough time whittling down a record-breaking number of entries in this year’s awards, which are run annually by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce. The 2021 finalists come from all corners of the county, inc...

Big businesses have been told they must pay small suppliers within 30, rather than 60 days, under a strengthened Prompt Payment Code. The Department for Business said the code, first introduced in 2008, needed to be bolstered to protect small firms as poor payment practices were "still rife" and threatened the viability of solid businesses as the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic....

Coronavirus continued to impact the economy at the end of last year, with the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures showing the economy shrank by 2.6% in November as fresh lockdown restrictions were introduced in England. The ONS said it meant gross domestic product was 8.5% below its pre-pandemic peak and came after six months of growth. The services sector was hit hardest, althou...

The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) – the UK’s largest independent survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth – found that business conditions remained weak in the fourth quarter as the second lockdown squeezed activity.  The bellwether survey of 6,203 firms, who employ nearly a million people across the UK, revealed tha...

The Chancellor has announced one-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses worth up to £9,000 per property in the wake of the third national lockdown. A £594 million discretionary fund will also made available to support other impacted businesses and comes in addition to £1.1 billion further discretionary grant funding for local authorities, Local Restriction Support Gra...

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s announcement of a new, national lockdown in England, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:   “Businesses will understand why the Prime Minister has felt compelled to act on the spiralling threat to public health, but they will be baffled and disappointed by the fact that he did not announce additional support for affected businesses alon...

Providing an initial response to the announcement that the UK and EU have reached a trade agreement, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Director General Adam Marshall said:  "After four long years of uncertainty and upheaval, and just days before the end of transition, businesses will be able to muster little more than a muted and weary cheer.   “While firms will welcome the agreem...

Commenting on the introduction of ‘Tier 4’ of Coronavirus restrictions in England, with many businesses once again forced to close their doors from December 20, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said: “Christmas was already cancelled for many businesses, but even more will now suffer as a result of this last-minute decision. “While Government must act on public health concerns, it must a...

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the furlough scheme for one month until the end of April next year in a move he said would provide "certainty for millions of jobs and businesses". He also confirmed he would be extending the Government-guaranteed COVID-19 business loan schemes - the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme and Bounc...

The Somerset Chamber team would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year! The team will be here to help members right up until Christmas Eve. The offices will, however, be closed during the festive period, from midday on Christmas Eve, reopening on Monday, January 4. Opening hours: Wednesday, December 23     – 8.30am to 5pm Thursday, December 24         �...

THE shortlist has been announced in this year’s prestigious Somerset Business Awards, with companies, charities and individuals from across the county vying for the honours. Judges faced a tough time whittling down a record-breaking number of entries in this year’s awards, which are run annually by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce. The 2021 shortlisted nominees come from all corners of the c...

Somerset Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Stephen Henagulph, said it was vital politicians reached a deal before the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31. Speaking to Claire Carter on BBC Somerset this morning (Monday, December 14), Mr Henagulph said businesses in the county had a very clear, very simple message: “Get a deal done.” He said: “We have to have something. The...