BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Baby swimmers are a booming business
When Paul and Jess Thompson first dreamt up the idea for their swim school for
babies, they thought it would add a nice little extra string to their bow.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
City engineer transforms his prospects
Dean Curran has had the bright idea of using his electrical and electronic
engineering masters degree from Bristol University to help him run an
electrical and electronics engineering business.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Forum of Private Business announces key changes providing tailored support for small firms
The business landscape is changing. With economic conditions still extremely challenging, research from the Forum of Private Business shows that 66% of businesses want external support including someone to talk to for advice and information.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
BUDGET 2010: Government to retain venture capital trusts
The Treasury gives an early Budget signal that venture capital trust tax
breaks for private investors will remain
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Sir James Dyson's hi-tech message for Britain does come out in the wash
Britain can't PR its way out of the financial black hole," says Sir James
Dyson in typically blunt fashion.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Recession-fighting firms focusing on sales and marketing, survey finds
Small businesses are hoping to beat the recession by stepping up their sales and marketing strategies, a new survey has revealed.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
China defends UK company Strix's intellectual property rights
The decision by a Chinese court to uphold a British company's intellectual
property rights has been welcomed as leading international patent experts
gather in London this week to warn that processing backlogs could hinder the
commercial exploitation of new technology.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
BBC has too much 'fluff' for entrepreneurs, says Sanchita Saha
Bringing Vanessa Feltz her lunch every day did not put Sanchita Saha off the
BBC. Rather, it was the feeling her entrepreneurial spirit was draining
away. Having helped to launch BBC Radio 1's black music station 1Xtra, she
decided to get out before it was too late.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Government to speed up reform of overseas tax
Businesses may have to rethink their overseas expansion plans after the
Treasury signalled it would accelerate plans to reform the way that it taxes
the profits earned by companies' foreign branches.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Government-backed KeTech Group parts company with chief executive John Kearney
The owner of the controversial private electronics company backed by one of
Lord Mandelson's key business support initiatives has stepped down from his
role as chief executive.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Lord Mandelson's £75m Capital for Enterprise Fund is on course, say managers
The Government's £75m Capital for Enterprise Fund (CFE) will be fully invested
by the end of March as planned and has proven that demand exists for
longer-term investments, its fund managers say.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Just because you enjoy your job doesn't mean you deserve a lower salary
The management column. Straight-talking, common sense from the front
line with John Timpson
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Tough new bribery rules require planning
Companies of all sizes need to prepare for new legislation that will require directors to show that they have acted within the law
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Children's clothing shops among 57,000 hit by VAT stealth tax
More than 57,000 small businesses have been hit with higher tax bills after
the taxman quietly increased the amount of VAT they have to pay under a flat
rate scheme.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Beware the 'cowboy' rating surveyors, warns business group
Small businesses are being urged to be wary of 'cowboy' rating surveyors attempting to profiteer from the recent rates revaluation.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Time is running out for backdated business rates appeals, warns FPB
Small firms are being warned that they have less than a month left if they want to contest their business rates over the past five years.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Secret millionaire to speak at Forum of Private Business event
Growth through and beyond the recession will be the theme of a free event organised by the Forum of Private Business taking place in Manchester on 17 March 2010.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Taxman forces slimmers to put on weight
Weight Watchers tax case win gives HM Revenue & Customs green light to tackle other claims of self-employment
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
General Election: Tories lack "real authority" to run country
The Conservatives have yet to convince the business community that they have the necessary "authority and conviction" to run the country says Miles Templeman from the Institute of Directors
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news
Bright Ideas: portable crazy golf idea has come a fair way
Iain Fox's bright idea came during a game of crazy golf.
Categories: BusinessZone.co.uk's pick of the news


Battle will commence in the regional heats of our business competition The Pitch 2010 this summer. Do you have a new company good enough to impress the judges? 
We're putting together a list of business owners' must-haves.