Somerset Council Withdraws £150m Borrowing Commitment for £4bn Gigafactory Project Monday, February 16, 2026 somerset agratas gigafactory funding infrastructure businessrates enterprisezone construction jobs economicgrowth Somerset Council has announced the withdrawal of a £150 million borrowing commitment previously earmarked to support infrastructure for Somerset’s ambitious £4 billion gigafactory project. Despite this shift in funding, … Read More
Somerset Council Pulls £150m Funding from £4bn Gigafactory Project Monday, February 16, 2026 somerset gigafactory agratas infrastructure funding businessrates economy construction enterprisezone jobs Somerset Council has withdrawn £150 million of previously allocated funds from its capital programme that were intended to support the development of Somerset’s new £4 billion gigafactory. Despite this change, … Read More
MasterChef Star William Sitwell Describes Taking Over Somerset Pub as 'Hell' Saturday, December 13, 2025 williamsitwell masterchef somerset pub businessrates hospitality renovation challenges governmentsupport foodindustry William Sitwell, the MasterChef star and recently appointed owner of The White Hart Hotel in Wiveslicombe, Somerset, has openly described his experience of taking over the pub as “hell.” Despite reopening the … Read More
Bath MP Urges Emergency VAT Cut as Local Businesses Struggle Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis Friday, November 14, 2025 vat bath hospitality costofliving smallbusiness economy liberaldemocrats taxation businessrates energybills Bath’s MP, Wera Hobhouse, has called for an emergency reduction in VAT to support local businesses severely impacted by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The Liberal Democrat representative advocates for an immediate 5% VAT … Read More
Pub Trade Faces Struggle as North Somerset Loses a Pub Every Two Weeks Wednesday, October 22, 2025 pubs hospitality northsomerset licensedpremises community drinkinghabits nightlife businessrates seaside licensing North Somerset is witnessing a sharp decline in its licensed premises, with one closing approximately every fortnight, as pubs grapple with significant challenges to remain open. According to North Somerset Council’s mid-year … Read More
Warning: Hundreds of South West Pubs Face Closure in 2026 Without Government Action Tuesday, September 30, 2025 pubs businessrates closures economy jobs bbpa government southwest taxation hospitality The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has issued a stark warning that approximately 309 pubs in the South West—representing around 1,788 jobs—could shut their doors next year unless urgent government intervention … Read More