‘Death of the High Street’ Looms as Somerset Estate Agents Face Soaring Costs Saturday, April 25, 2026 somerset businessrates highstreet rentersrights estateagents rentalmarket localeconomy businessrelief landlords legislation A Somerset-based estate agency, Tor Estates, is sounding the alarm as escalating business rates and new legislation force tough decisions, including potential job cuts. Operating from two offices in Street and Glastonbury, … Read More
'Death of the High Street' - Rising Costs Threaten Somerset Estate Agents and Renters Saturday, April 25, 2026 somerset businessrates highstreet rentersrights estateagents renters landlords smallbusiness shopclosures legislation A significant increase in business rates and upcoming changes to tenants' rights are casting a shadow over Somerset’s local estate agency sector. Tor Estates, with offices in Street and Glastonbury, report a staggering 50% … Read More
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gigafactory agratas infrastructure funding businessrates economy construction enterprisezone jobs Somerset Council has withdrawn £150 million of previously allocated funds from its capital programme that were intended to support the development of Somerset’s new £4 billion gigafactory.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