Latest news with #localeconomy
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Derelict art deco Swindon building to come back into use
New life could soon be breathed into a derelict town centre art deco building after developers were given permission to redevelop a Burton's menswear store, the Poirot building on the corner of Bridge Street and Fleet Street in Swindon has been sitting empty for it could soon come back into use after developer Innovative Associate were granted permission to use it for shops and its application, Innovative Associate said the project would "revitalize the derelict building and bolster the local economy by providing new housing and retail spaces". "The proposal aims to maximize the potential of the currently vacant property by transforming the property into a mixed-use building that combines commercial and residential areas," it to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the plans include three possible separate commercial units to the ground floor, with four one-bed apartments on both the first and second the proposal for approval, Swindon Borough Council planning officers said "the development would improve the character of the area and would help to further associate the area with rejuvenation and regeneration as opposed to any perception of dereliction and redundancy"."The proposal would positively contribute to town centre regeneration and would return the vacant unit back into active use," it officers raised concerns about a lack of cycle parking but permission was granted with the condition that lockable storage for eight bikes, with another rack for visitors' cycles, should be installed before any of the flats are conversion of the upper storeys of the building into eight flats was previously approved in 2019 but that consent had now expired.
Finextra
3 days ago
- Business
- Finextra
Mastercard launches small business programme
Mastercard today launched Mastercard Small Business Navigator, a program designed to equip U.S. entrepreneurs with the tools, data and education they need to fuel and protect their passion and growth. 0 This content is provided by an external author without editing by Finextra. It expresses the views and opinions of the author. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent more than 99% of U.S. businesses1 and are the beating heart of local economies. For the people behind them, running a small business is more than a job – it's their passion; 50% of small business owners in North America define prosperity as feeling fulfilled in their career and enjoying their work, while 51% say it means doing what they love every day.2 Mastercard tools and resources are built to simplify and fortify daily operations, so small business owners can focus on opening their doors each day to serve their customers and enrich their communities. Mastercard Small Business Navigator is a new curated offering of education, insights, protection, and planning tools to help entrepreneurs grow and thrive with confidence. 'Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and they deserve more than just encouragement — they need real, actionable support,' said Ginger Siegel, head of Small Business in the U.S. at Mastercard. 'With Small Business Navigator, we're delivering a powerful combination of insights, protection and financial tools that help business owners build toward long-term success.' By uniting data, digital tools and offers3 across three core areas, Small Business Navigator is built to help small businesses work smarter, stay safer, and grow stronger. Knowledge and insights: Business owners get information they need to make smarter decisions, including: An AI-powered chatbot that acts as a mentor by answering questions and guiding small businesses through their most pressing business challenges Access to actionable insights and data from The Mastercard Economics Institute and Mastercard SpendingPulse™ reports with state-level consumer spending trends Educational content from Mastercard and partners such as Square, covering cybersecurity, marketing, and digital tools like tap-on-phone payments Security and protection: Small businesses can stay ahead of threats with simple, practical, powerful cybersecurity tools: Access to My Cyber Risk powered by RiskRecon, providing prioritized guidance to help small businesses strengthen their defenses3 A personalized report with recommendations tailored to each business based on their individual Cybersecurity Assessment Quiz results Financial empowerment and rewards: Entrepreneurs receive the tools and exposure to help grow, including: Access to Biz2Credit's Virtual CFO services, filling an often unmet need of financial planning and cost management support The opportunity to be featured on Mastercard's social media channels as part of our ongoing spotlight on small businesses Rohit Arora, CEO and co-founder at Biz2Credit and Biz2X, said: 'We're proud to support Mastercard's Small Business Navigator initiative. According to data from the Federal Reserve, small businesses report falling short of having their full financial needs met due to limited financial resources, impacting everything from cash flow to long-term planning. Our published research with BCG also shows that many entrepreneurs lack formal financial management systems. With the Biz2Credit Virtual CFO platform, we're helping business owners build financial confidence, make smarter decisions, and grow sustainably.' The launch of Mastercard Small Business Navigator reinforces Mastercard's leadership in delivering tangible, trusted solutions that go beyond payments, supporting small businesses at every stage of their journey. It also aligns with Mastercard's broader mission to build a more inclusive digital economy through innovation, trust and partnership. * Products and offers subject to terms and conditions, and subject to change. [1] See the data behind America's small businesses. | U.S. Chamber of Commerce [2] Mastercard Proprietary Powering Prosperity Entrepreneur Research, 2024 [3] All solutions and offers are subject to terms and conditions, and are subject to change
CBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Tulip Festival, Race Weekend and a royal visit brought tourists flocking to Ottawa in May
CBC's Emma Weller spoke with hotels and businesses to find out what the impact has been on the local economy.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
More than 34,000 visit Derby's reopened Market Hall
Council bosses say 34,500 people have visited the Market Hall in the first three days since it reopened following a £35m Grade II listed indoor market was closed for three years while work took place but welcomed back customers on is hoped the revamp will bring an estimated boost of £3.5m to the city economy by attracting more people into City Council leader Nadine Peatfield said the queues on Saturday to get into the Victorian building were "beyond expectations" and added the reopening of the venue was a "catalyst moment in Derby's ongoing regeneration efforts". Located in the heart of the city centre - linking the Derbion shopping centre and St Peter's Quarter with the Cathedral Quarter and Becketwell - the new attraction's transformation started in official opening of the stall took place almost 159 years after its original opening in said: "It was absolutely phenomenal to see that the Market Hall drew in over 34,000 visitors in its first three days."Going forward, the Market Hall will contribute significantly to the local economy, generating over £3.5m for the local economy every year."
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Luxury Wiltshire venue can host weddings after planning row
A luxury venue is allowed to continue hosting weddings following a long-running planning Manor, which hosted the wedding of Poldark star Eleanor Tomlinson, was refused planning permission to hold further events in May to the Cotswolds estate near Chippenham, Wiltshire, complained about traffic and noise levels during the council's Wiltshire Council has now granted planning permission with conditions to control noise and address highway safety concerns. Alice Grochowska, venue manager at Euridge Mana said: "Euridge Manor Weddings (EMW) is delighted at the grant of planning permission following the inquiry into its planning appeal. "EMW had always believed that it would be possible for the events business to operate within reasonable conditions and looks forward to continuing to make a positive contribution to the local economy."Councillor Adrian Foster said: "This is a positive outcome, because it not only ensures that the business can continue to operate, bringing jobs and economic prosperity to the area, but it also ensures that the concerns of local residents – particularly around noise and access to the site – have been addressed."The council will now be able to take enforcement action against the venue if it breaches the planning conditions."We hope that we won't need to do this and that the venue can continue to flourish, while also respecting the needs of local residents," added Mr Foster.
