News in Brief: Banks still not lending to businesses, says Met Club survey; CreativeSheffield on the move and more
BUSINESS leaders across Yorkshire say they have seen an increase in annual turnover over the past 12 months but that banks are still cautious about lending, according to the Met Club.
The networking organisation surveyed 100 decision-makers from SMEs across the region, with 61% of respondents reporting an increase in turnover over the past year.
Looking forward, 78% of companies said they were expecting an increase in turnover for the coming year, with 43% looking to increase staffing levels.
Christine Armstrong, managing director of the Met Club, said: “Banks are not only being accused of not lending money, but of not working with companies in the current economic climate.
“Seventy-one per cent of our members said that banks were not lending money and, as expected, the Government did not fare well either with 75% of respondents saying that they were not doing enough to support business. Our members clearly want proactive support and clear direction from the government to get the UK manufacturing again.
She added: “Funding was an ever-present issue, with less red tape and paperwork being singled out as major barriers in gaining money.”
::::
SHEFFIELD’S development agency Creativesheffield has moved offices to the first floor of the Fountain Precinct on Leopold Street from its former base on St James Row near the Cathedral.
Paul Firth, chief executive of Creativesheffield, said: “One of our key roles is to support investment from both inward investors and indigenous businesses.
He added: “We have a renewed focus and determination to take Sheffield to the next level. The new offices will be a boost on a practical level with an improved space and layout and will certainly help us to work more efficiently.”
::::
INDEPENDENT commercial vehicle group Sherwood Truck and Van has boosted its order book with a major contract from a fleet transport company.
Sherwood, based in Orgreave, has been asked to supply 22 Iveco Stralis units to Melton Mowbray-based Ritchie Transport.
Ritchie Transport, part of the United Pallet Network and with clients from the construction industry across to food and retail logistics, placed the order after being impressed by Sherwood’s ongoing business support.
Phil Salmon, group used sales manager, said: “We are delighted to receive the order from Ritchie Transport – a well established and well-known transport company.”
:::
THE Investment Readiness Workshops organised by Connect Yorkshire start this month.
The first event ‘Practical Business Plans & Going Global’ is on April 13 at Baker Tilly’s offices on Whitehall Quay in Leeds between 5.30pm and 8.30pm.
Connect Yorkshire’s free workshops are aimed at innovators and early-stage or established businesses with growth ambitions, who want to learn about the investment process or who are keen to understand the financial options available to their business.
Speakers on the evening will include Hamish Morrison of Baker Tilly and Simon Bedford of UK Trade & Investment.
They will be discussing how to perfect your business plan and executive summary and find out where to go from there onto the international stage.
This will be the first in a series of six free workshops.
Register online at http://businessplansandgoingglobalworkshop.eventbrite.com
or contact Amanda on 0113 384 5640 or email info@connectyorkshire.org
