Local Business Blog

First Time Buyers Guide To Mortgages

01/06/2016

So, you’re finally doing it. You’ve made the big decision to buy your own house. It’s an exciting prospect but it can be a long road to collecting your keys and there’s much to think about before you hire your removal company. Here’s our quick guide on how to get moving. HOW MUCH MONEY CAN YOU BORROW? Getting a mortgage is not as simple as it used to be. The . . .

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Online or offline: where to advertise?

27/05/2016

Like many other industries in the 21st century, advertising is spread across a vast spectrum of platforms covering both the physical and digital realms. In the former, there are more traditional methods of communicating with potential customers, such as billboards, newspaper adverts and leaflets. Essentially, if anything can be produced as a physical object - or if the message is produced on on . . .

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A guide to self-assessment

19/05/2016

If you need to fill out a self-assessment tax return, it can seem like a daunting task, and you might be tempted to put it off. But filling out your tax return doesn't need to be something to fear, and this simple guide will show you how straightforward it is to get on top of your taxes and stop worrying. Who needs to submit a self-assessment tax return? While most UK taxpayers do not ne . . .

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The importance of business referrals and how to get them

04/05/2016

A business referral relates to the process of your satisfied customers recommending you to people they know. In a competitive market, having a business referral system in place is incredibly beneficial, yet firms often don't know how to go about this successfully. Obtaining business referrals There are lots of ways that you can get your customers to refer you to people they know, who cou . . .

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Ashley Thouless Vehicle Repairs

23/04/2016

Currently living in the local area I was originally born in Cheltenham, although raised and educated since primary school age in Thornbury, where I call home and my parents still live. My career as a vehicle mechanic started off in 1998 with an apprenticeship with a local garage. Following successful completion of my apprenticeship I worked for another local garage and then in 2003 took the plu . . .

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Telephone scam reported

10/04/2016

South Gloucestershire Trading Standards would like to remind residents to be wary of unexpected telephone calls. Officers are aware of calls being received by residents in South Gloucestershire where the caller implies they are from the Telephone Preference Service and go on to ask for debit or credit card details. There have been many scams over the years using the organisation’s name . . .

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Rogue Traders in South Glos – Let Trading Standards Know

05/04/2016

South Gloucestershire Trading Standards would like to reiterate the warning given recently to residents to be extra vigilant when dealing with unexpected callers at the front door. Officers are aware that rogue traders are currently operating in the area and are offering to carry out, amongst other things, paving, fencing and other gardening work. Reports suggest they are currently operating in . . .

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Is networking still key for small business owners?

04/04/2016

Whilst we know that advertising in our printed and local business directory is a great way to win new work for your business, we also advise getting out and meeting fellow business people face to face. Otherwise known and the dreaded "networking"! Business networking is a valuable way to make new connections and grow your business, no matter what your size. For small businesses, who m . . .

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Benefits of Getting Professional Financial Advice for your Retirement

15/03/2016

Being able to sit back and enjoy your retirement without worrying about money is something that all of us would like to be able to do. Organising your finances in such a way to enable this is entirely possible, but knowing where to start and how to go about making it happen can be tricky. This is why getting professional financial advice for your retirement is so valuable, and there are many benef . . .

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Interesting facts about the NHS

19/02/2016

July 5th, 1948 - The NHS was born, providing a safety net for all with free-at-the-point-delivery medical care. 1952 - A charge of 1 shilling (5p) introduced for prescriptions and £1 for dental (an indication that the budgets were being stretched) 1953 - DNA structure revealed 1954 - Smoking and cancer link established 1954 - Daily hospital visits for children introduced, previously . . .

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