Plants, gardenalia and a refurbished café at the Stanway site opened in 1986, now run by Richard and Rachel Doubleday under THE BARN PLANT & GARDEN CENTRE LIMITED. The Barn…
Colchester Business Awards voting closes Thursday 17 September
Eight days left to cast a public vote before the cut-off, with the Town Hall ceremony still ahead Public voting for the Colchester Business Awards 2026 closes on Thursday 17…
Essex SMEs face a cooler vacancies market, with verified hiring support still open
UK vacancies edged lower again in the May to July period, while the East of England still posts the highest regional employment rate. ONS does not publish regional vacancy counts.…
High-street footfall still soft as Colchester rateable values reset
National BRC-Sensormatic data show August footfall down on a year ago, with England weaker than the UK average. Valuation Office figures for the 2026 revaluation give a verified Colchester rateable-value…
Sterling steadier in July, but import prices still elevated for Colchester stockists
The Bank of England’s sterling effective exchange rate strengthened on the month in July, and ONS import-price inflation cooled from June’s peak. Local retailers and manufacturers should still plan on…
How to use Colchester’s awards and networking season without wasting hours
A practical guide for Essex firms on when local awards are worth entering, how to spend networking time, and when to decline the invite. Autumn in Colchester and across Essex…
Premises insurance basics for Colchester shops and workshops
What local traders should review with a broker before the next renewal For independent shops and workshops in Colchester, premises insurance is less about chasing the cheapest quote and more…
North Essex Business Expo: last-look checklist for Colchester SMEs
What to confirm tonight and tomorrow morning before Charter Hall (Thu 10 Sep 2026, 10am-3pm) The North Essex Business Expo takes place tomorrow, Thursday 10 September 2026, at Charter Hall,…
Record-keeping for Colchester small firms: VAT, invoices and digital basics
A practical guide to everyday compliance, from taxable turnover checks to Making Tax Digital Small businesses in Colchester face the same tax rules as firms anywhere else in the UK.…
July CPI at 2.9% and a further Ofgem cap rise: cost-base pressure for Colchester hospitality, retail and light industry
Official inflation edged higher in the year to July as housing and household services led the rise. Ofgem has confirmed a further domestic price-cap increase from 1 October. Local firms…