Free training for hospitality businesses

Petroc has received funding to support employers and employees in the hospitality sector and is offering fully funded (free) training sessions in March which cover the following; ​Distance Learning Bite size sessions BUSINESS AND FINANCE Leading and Motivating a Team Preparing to deliver excellent customer service • Solving problems and making decisions Understanding Leadership Conflict … Read more

Building supplies firm joins south of England group

RGB Building Supplies has been acquired by Grant & Stone to become part of the largest independent builders merchant group in southern England.  The company will continue trading as RGB Building Supplies across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, and its head office will still be located in Barnstaple. The majority of RGB’s executive board of directors will not change and its current chief executive Kevin Fenlon will remain leading the business.  … Read more

Startup Club to support new businesses in North Devon

A fully-funded, after-hours support programme aimed specifically at helping North Devon residents to start and grow a business is launching at the new Node Enterprise Centre in Barnstaple. Initially held online, Startup Club will give local people thinking of starting their own business or looking to turn their passion into a career, all the resources … Read more

Covid support update

Over the past year, the support that the Government is offering businesses to protect jobs and income has developed as they have learned what’s effective and justifiable. Here Susie Kevern of Pound Lane Financial Management and Charlotte Pengelly of Fitzgerald HR look at what support is currently available to businesses While we can’t look past … Read more

Traders join Torrington Commons support scheme

Businesses in Torrington are supporting the preservation and management of Torrington Commons by joining a scheme offering discounts and benefits to shoppers. 36 businesses have now signed up to the 365 Supporters Group launched by Great Torrington Commons Conservators. Torrington Commons comprise 365 acres of land surrounding Torrington, except on its eastern side. The land … Read more

Shipyard to recruit apprentices in North Devon

Harland & Wolff, which is preparing to resume shipbuilding at its recently acquired Appledore Shipyard, is planning to launch an apprenticeship scheme in 2021 in North Devon and Belfast. It will offer apprenticeships across three distinct functions: trade, (welders, pipefitters, electricians, riggers, fabricators, etc); technical, (engineers, naval architecture); and business support (sales, administration). Highlights of … Read more

8 Jan 2021: #MicroBizMatters Day for UK micro businesses

MicroBizMatters Day the annual Day of Recognition, Action and Learning for UK micro business owners returns on Friday 8 January 2021. 95% of all businesses in the UK are micro businesses (0-9 employees and under £2 million turnover). MicroBizMatters Day is a social media day when more than one million business owners give a little … Read more

Business Action Awards 2021 launched

Business Action, the independent North Devon business magazine, launched its annual business awards on 1 January 2021. Following a successful first year when 100+ entries were received in 2020, the Business Action Awards 2021 return with 12 awards categories, including the new International Trade Award sponsored by International Trade Matters. The awards are open to … Read more

11 Jan 2021: learn > grow > excel business support workshop

Business Action is hosting the first of a series of business support workshops for North Devon businesses on Monday 11 January 2021 in Barnstaple. learn ▶︎ grow ▶︎ excel is a 
programme of workshops designed to provide practical training and advice – Seven Steps to Resilience and Excellence – to help North Devon businesses thrive. … Read more

Manufacturers start slow journey back to growth

Make UK, the Manufacturers’ Association, and business advisory firm BDO have published a survey showing that South West manufacturers are continuing the long road back towards growth from the historic lows experienced earlier in the year. The survey also highlights the brutal impact of the pandemic with the sector forecast to see a 12% drop … Read more

Seeking North Devon businesses’ views on imports / exports

International Trade Matters, a specialist in overseas trade advice and support for businesses, has launched a survey to assess the needs of North Devon businesses concerning importing and exporting. Supporting North Devon+ to understand what support needs to be provided to businesses, International Trade Matters is asking businesses that import or export or who are … Read more

Builders merchant supports local with £6,500 giveaway

RGB Building Supplies is supporting local independent shops and vouchers with its ‘Support Local’ initiative.
 The builders merchant is giving away £500 worth of independent shop and venue vouchers every week until the end of January. Every Monday until 25 January, RGB will launch a giveaway where prizes will include 10 £50 vouchers to spend … Read more

2020-11-25: Grow your business in lockdown

The Be Ready Employer Hub webinar planned for Purple Tuesday has now been rescheduled for 2–3pm on Wednesday 25 November – it’s free to join. As well as looking at how businesses can make themselves more accessible to £274 billion spending by people with disabilities and their families, it will discuss ways in which businesses … Read more

#ndevonXMAS supports North Devon businesses

Use the #ndevonXMAS hashtag to promote your North Devon products and services this Christmas Christmas is when many businesses make most of their sales for the year. Whatever your opinion on this, lots of people buy gifts for family and friends, prepare special food for the holiday and spend time with each other. Christmas 2020 … Read more

Power supply manufacturer announces £11.5 million Ilfracombe investment

TDK Corporation has announced an £11.5m investment package to redevelop its TDK-Lambda manufacturing facility in Ilfracombe, North Devon. The investment will be staged over the next three and a half years to increase production capacity by 50%. The original factory was built more than 50 years ago with further expansion in the mid-1980s. While the … Read more