Business News Round Up (04/10/19)
Scottish small business confidence ‘evaporates’
Small business confidence in Scotland has ‘evaporated’ as a result of ongoing Brexit uncertainty, a survey for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed. Small business confidence dropped from 3.3 points to -13.5 points in the third quarter of 2019, reversing the resurgence seen earlier in the year.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-49919984
UK hotel sector set for weaker growth – PwC
The UK Hotels Forecast 2019-2020 report from PwC has found that the UK hotel sector is to experience weaker growth in the next 12 months, reflecting political and economic uncertainty, weaker business and leisure confidence, and a high number of new hotels in some regions of the UK.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/uk-hotel-sector-set-for-weaker-growth-pwc
Sixteen Scottish companies feature in private mid-market growth companies league table
The 15th Annual Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table has placed sixteen Scottish companies in the ranking of Britain’s private mid-market growth companies with the biggest sales. The companies increased combined sales 13% to £3.5 billion and operating profits 27% to £302 million and they employ more than 25,000 people.
Investment in the north: property developers seeks the best opportunities
Northern England is the most popular area for property developers to increase investment over the next two years, according to a national study of developers. 65% intend to substantially increase investment in the north, lead by investment in the North East, cited by 57% of respondents, followed by the North West for 42%.