Global leader in online vehicle remarketing, Copart UK, have announced major expansion plans for their Bristol Operation Centre as part of their ongoing growth programme that has seen over £30m re-invested in land and transport this year alone. The expansion at Bristol is a clear demonstration of Copart’s multi-faceted re-investment strategy, combining a programme of land acquisition with continuous investment in transport, service, and technology. Originally a 16-acre site, Copart celebrated the addition of a further 24 acres in 2019 and are now accelerating plans to develop a further 23 acres, making this location set to become a 63-acre ‘Super…
Author: sme-admin
Everyone in the UK who trades with Europe or under the Northern Ireland Protocol will be affected by new customs and tax rules from 1 January 2021. With less than a month to go until the Brexit transition period ends, HMRChas sent 250,000 letters and emails to VAT-registered traders, urging them to get ready for new trading rules with Europe. Katherine Green and Sophie Dean, HMRC’s Directors General, Borders and Trade, said: We understand the complex pressures that all businesses are dealing with this winter as a result of COVID-19. But everyone in the UK who trades with Europe or under the…
Kingston GPs and TeamDoctor’s content creators, The Sound Doctor, have won a Highly Commended award from the national Self-Care Forum this week. The Forum told us: “Judges were impressed by Kingston GPs and The Sound Doctor delivering self-care support at scale. This was done through the introduction, across the CCG, of a suite of empowering self -care films for patients during lockdown, and included a comprehensive new Qismet (The Quality Institute for Self-management Education and Training) certified online diabetes course” Phil Moore is Deputy Clinical Chair of Kingston CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) commented “Kingston is delighted to have been given a commendation for the self-care work we have done…
CoVid-19 and Brexit a toxic mix designed to create a poisonous cocktail for UK SME’s called uncertainty on the rocks – here’s some ingredients for an antidote ! I’m writing this article with at least two very old hats on. The first is as an entrepreneur with over 40 years’ experience of creating and running a diverse range of SMEs, and still doing so. I am also Executive Chairman of non-bank lender Just Cash Flow PLC that provides a range of flexible finance facilities for UK SMEs looking to invest and grow. I think one of the most commonly used…
The British Geological Survey and Coal Authority have released maps that for the first time reveal the extent to which heat is stored in Britain’s abandoned coal mines. According to the Coal Authority, one quarter of the UK’s population live above abandoned coal mines. The mines are warmed by natural geothermal processes and where the mines are flooded, these are now being developed as a source of low carbon energy to heat homes and businesses. To understand its potential more effectively, the British Geological Survey (BGS) and the Coal Authority have released an interactive map showing where the mines are…
The emergency funding package, named the Youth Covid-19 Support Fund, was yesterday, November 25, announced by the Government. It will be open to grassroots youth clubs, uniformed youth groups, and national youth and umbrella organisations and will help to mitigate the impact of lost income during the winter period due to the coronavirus pandemic and ensure services providing vital support can remain open. The funding will be allocated from the Government’s unprecedented £750 million package of support which is benefiting tens of thousands of frontline charities, so they can continue their vital work. More than £60 million of this package has already…
COVID is having a dramatic impact on UK businesses but some are showing creativity, adaptability and successfully securing the flexible financial support they need. Fashionizer, is a prime example. Fashionizer designs bespoke hotel and restaurant uniforms for luxury brands, 5-star properties, resorts and spas, retail and corporate service sector providers worldwide. However, as a SME catering to the hospitality and spa industry, they have been severely affected by the consequences of COVID-19 and the resulting worldwide closures of spas and hotels. Not only has the business had to deal with a huge reduction in orders, but they also had to…
The UK Government and the Devolved Administrations have agreed on joint arrangements for an easing of social restrictions that will allow friends and loved ones to reunite over the Christmas period. Three households will be able to form a ‘Christmas bubble’ to mix for five days during the festive period. The relaxation of coronavirus restrictions will come between December 23rd and 27th, allowing relatives to celebrate Christmas together at home. Christmas bubbles will have to be exclusive over the five day period, meaning people cannot move from one three-house group to another. Bubbles will only be able to gather in…
There are some truly seismic changes on the way when it comes to the future of vehicle leasing and ownership. Last week Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that new cars and vans powered wholly by petrol and diesel will not be sold in the UK from 2030. It’s part of a wider ‘10 point plan’ to herald a ‘green industrial revolution’ that includes everything from increasing the number of offshore wind farms, to protecting and restoring the natural environment. But what does it really mean for you, your family, and your business? Here we explain everything you need to know – while…
Entrepreneur Tracy Richards, who has run her dog and horse hygiene products company Aqueos Care Ltd for ten years, has seen her business increase by 100 per cent during lockdown. She puts this down to working closely with fellow business woman Claire Brewerton of Brinkworth, who runs the Virtual Business Centre. Claire’s team of 25 have been working continuously during lockdown which meant they could deal with a dramatic increase in calls and orders for Tracy’s products. “Aqueos is an organically growing business,” Tracy said. “It’s had a steady turnover for several years ago and then lockdown came. As things…