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CHAMBER OPINION


CHAMBER OPINION REPRESENTATION


Ashfords LLP outranks regional competitors in Experian MarketIQ


deals review Outranking all regional competitors, Ashfords LLP once again achieves first position for volume of deals in the South West following the publication of the Experian MarketIQ deals review for the first three quarters of 2016. The independent research has also ranked the firm for deal volume in seventh position in London and in 12th position across the UK, showing the firm’s truly national status.


THE POLITICAL POLICIES THAT AFFECT THE REGION


DEVON CHAMBER QUARTERLY ECONOMIC SURVEY


QES reveals mixed results post-Brexit


Boringdon Hall listed as The Sunday Times


Best British Spa Hotel The Sunday Times has announced its 2016 Best British Hotels Guide and has named Boringdon Hall as the Best British Spa Hotel. The 16th Century Hotel on the edge of Dartmoor has beaten leading spa hotels throughout the country to receive this much coveted accolade. Having been officially open for just over a month, Boringdon Hall’s new Gaia Spa is the largest spa in the South West and the largest new build spa in the UK this year. Measuring over 1,800 square metres Gaia Spa features 12 treatment rooms and a luxury Spatisserie restaurant.


Double celebrations at Sound Financial


Management A leading firm of Plymouth-based financial advisers, Sound Financial Management, has celebrated two of their staff passing their Personal Finance Society examinations. Simon Lake has attained Fellowship Status, two years after achieving Chartered Status. Charlie Hill has also achieved the Personal Finance Society’s Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning after two years of intensive study.


14 Chamber Profile November/December 2016


Devon Chamber of Commerce has commented on the results of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey – Britain’s largest and most authoritative private sector business survey, based on more than 7,000 responses from firms in Q3 2016. The survey results show a mixed picture, with an improved short-term performance in the manufacturing sector set against a further slowdown in growth in the services sector. The survey – the first


‘The Chancellor's


covering the period after the EU referendum – shows that nationally manufacturers enjoyed improved domestic and export sales compared with the previous quarter, with some benefitting from sterling's recent fall. Meanwhile, the balance of service sector firms reporting improved domestic and export sales was at the lowest level seen since 2012. The survey's results suggest that Devon’s


Autumn Statement is a crucial


opportunity to incentivise business


investment’


Commerce is urging the Government to use next month's Autumn Statement to boost business confidence - by giving the green light to key infrastructure projects, and by introducing measures that 'crowd in' business investment and job creation. George Cowcher, Chief Executive of Devon Chamber of Commerce, said: "Although it is important not to take one quarter’s figures in isolation, our survey does show that growth has slowed further in Devon since the EU referendum. Boosting business must be a key task for Government in the months ahead, particularly as forward


confidence on turnover and profitability has flagged for firms across the UK. "The Prime Minister has given businesses


economy is still growing - albeit at a lower level than before the referendum - and supports the BCC's forecast for growth of one per cent in 2017. The survey suggests that near-term


uncertainty following the vote to leave the European Union has led businesses to lower their expectations for hiring, turnover, and investment in plant, machinery, and training. Given this mixed picture, and muted business investment intentions, Devon Chamber of


some clarity on the timetable for Article 50, and on short-term regulatory and legal issues. This is helpful, but needs to be followed up by a firm demonstration that the Government has a clear and coherent strategy to defend the UK’s economic and business interests in the negotiations that lie ahead. “Devon firms are concerned over


investment, hiring, and profitability. The Chancellor's Autumn Statement is a crucial opportunity to incentivise business investment and overseas trade. Devon Chamber of Commerce will continue to gauge views of its members to lobby Government for measures to support business."


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