Growth in the manufacturing sector across the South East could be held back by skills shortages, data published in the BDO’s latest “Employment Index” has suggested.
Plans for a new defence training college for the armed forces have been approved by defence minister Dr Andrew Murrison, with construction set to begin in late 2014, a recent news report in the local business media could reveal. The £250m college of logistics, policing and administration will provide world-class facilities for the armed forces and will bring together the training for key support roles from each of the services onto one site for the first time.
A Maidstone-based childcare management services provider has managed to secure a six-figure loan under the government-backed Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme (EFG) with the aim of further developing its business and creating more jobs in the process, a news report in the local media could reveal.
An independent hospital in Canbrook, Kent, is set to undergo a £45m redevelopment, with Hertfordshire-headquartered Willmott Dixon managing to win the bid for becoming the project’s main contractor, a news report in the local media could reveal.
Public services provider Amey has managed to win two contracts potentially worth up to £1.7bn from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as part of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) ‘Next Generation Estate Contracts’ programme to maintain and upgrade defence infrastructure.
Seven Sussex-based companies have revealed plans to create 48 new jobs in the area after being awarded £224,000 in the first round of grants from the new Coast to Capital Business Growth Grant scheme.
Work has started on a major development in Medway that, when completed, will see 1,500 new homes being built in the area, accompanied by a new primary school, leisure facilities, office space, shops and restaurants. The Rochester Riverside redevelopment is led by the Medway Council in partnership with the Homes and Communities Agency.
Construction work is set to start on a new neighbourhood (the 14’th) in Crawley, following the signing of all legal agreements between the partners involved in this extensive housing scheme. A consortium of Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon Homes, Crawley Borough Council and the HCA are the driving force behind the town’s new neighbourhood, which already has outline planning permission for 1,900 new homes, a news report in the local business media can reveal.
Work on a new £650m development scheme in Kent is now ready to start following the provision of forward funding for a 73,300 sq ft Asda superstore at Chatham Docks, a news report in the local business media can reveal. The new scheme in Kent is expected to create 3,500 jobs and boost the regional economy and will receive £39.6m from Legal & General to fund the development over the construction period.
Cherwell District Council has approved plans for a new 45 house development in Ambrosden following a very serious review, a news report in the local media can reveal.
A Portsmouth entrepreneur will create 12 new jobs in the town after securing the required funds for setting up a waffle and ice cream shop in a busy commercial area. The new shop, called Wicked Waffle and located in Portsmouth’s London Road, is Mr. Wayne Harrison’s second foray into the world of catering, as he previously owned a burger van.
Lebanese restaurant group Levant Restaurants has managed to access a £1.6m loan in order to open three new outlets and expand into Kent and Surrey for the first time, a news report in the local business media has recently revealed. The company has managed to expand its Comptoir Libanais brand in Bluewater, Kent and Kingston, Surrey, and also opened a new branch in London.
