Subhead: A practical Regulation 19 checklist: portal steps, which employment policies to skim, and what “duly made” means before the consultation closes. Colchester City Council’s Submission Draft Local Plan is in…
Category: Business News
What’s in the box: Bill and Bert’s wins national gift retail award
Colchester’s Sir Isaac’s Walk independent gift shop turns social media unboxing into a national prize, after years of drawing shoppers from across the country. On Sir Isaac’s Walk, Bill and…
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…
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,…
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…
BCC Q3 forecast: 1% GDP growth and falling business investment, and what that means for Colchester capital plans
The British Chambers of Commerce’s September 2026 forecast keeps UK growth near 1% and expects business investment to contract this year. For Colchester and Essex firms, the national message is…