Construction & Property 20 August 2026
BTG Eddisons – Close to closing out at Meridian Court in St Ives
BTG Eddisons, as the sole agent, is close to closing out on its latest set of new-build business unit instructions at the Meridian Court scheme on Compass Point in St Ives, Cambridgeshire.
Economic Growth 19 August 2026
Businesses Continue to Feel the Inflationary Heat
“Firms continued to feel the heat from inflation last month, with CPI rising to 2.9%, further fuelling the cost of doing business crisis.
“Higher household energy bills fuelled by the Middle East crisis played a significant part in July’s CPI rise, and as the Bank of England has warned, energy is likely to push up inflation further in the coming months. Energy remains a major issue for businesses, who aren’t subject to a price cap.
Economic Growth, Skills Development 19 August 2026
Costs Crisis Hampering Hiring
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Patrick Milnes, Head of Policy for People and Work at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Although unemployment has held steady at 4.9%, this cannot hide the wider problems bedeviling the UK’s job market.
“Business confidence is at a post-Pandemic low and the squeeze on firms’ finances shows no signs of easing.
Economic Growth, International 19 August 2026
Defence Investment – A Challenge The UK Cannot Get Wrong
The Autumn Budget will contain a political hand grenade for the new Chancellor John Healey to defuse in the shape of the Defence Investment Plan.
The initial announcement on defence spending at the end of June 2026, left several unresolved funding commitments to be decided at the budget.
The Chancellor previously resigned as Defence Secretary over a lack of funding. He will have no illusions about the size of the hole he must now plug nor why it is so important.
International 19 August 2026
Markets absorb inflation pressures as focus shifts to growth risks
Key takeaways
• UK CPI inflation rises in line with expectations as the latest energy price cap increase feeds through to household bills
• Strong US industrial production data offers little support to the dollar ahead of the latest Fed minutes
• Lane describes Euro Area growth as ‘not too bad’, but tighter policy still poses risks to the outlook
• UAE suspends trade and financial links with Iran as regional tensions escalate
Business Growth & Development, HR & Recruitment 18 August 2026
PEM welcomes 20 new trainees to launch their professional careers
PEM is delighted to welcome 20 new trainee professionals who are joining the firm this week to begin their accountancy career journey.
The intake includes both A-level school leavers and graduates, who will work across PEM’s Accounts, Audit, Tax and Virtual Finance Office (VFO) teams. Alongside supporting clients and gaining practical experience, the trainees will undertake professional study programmes over the next three to five years as they work towards achieving their professional qualifications.
Construction & Property 18 August 2026
BTG Eddisons – Automated self-storage firm unlocks first location in Cambridgeshire
St Neots in Cambridgeshire is the seventh location in the expansion of a fully automated self-storage service as part of its planned growth across the East of England and the East Midlands. Smart Box Self Storage has now added St Neots to its roster of locations in Ampthill, Stamford, Oundle, Leicester, Desborough and Corby in leasing 11,625 sq ft of former factory and office premises at 2 Howard Road in the Eaton Socon commercial district of the Cambridgeshire market town through BTG Eddisons.
Fully operational later this month once additional mezzanine floors have been added to the original warehouse and office unit at 2 Howard Road, Smart Box Self Storage offers 24-hour, securely monitored, automated access to its facilities via a dedicated app/QR code entrance, which is backroom-supported for troubleshooting. Smart Box Self Storage was established in 2022 on its original site in Corby by Roger Canham, who remains a Director.
Business Growth & Development 14 August 2026
Harvey Bibby appointed as Vice Chair of Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce
Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce the appointment of Harvey Bibby as its new Vice-Chair, strengthening the organisation’s leadership team as it continues its mission to support businesses, champion economic growth, and create opportunities across the region.
Harvey brings more than 25 years of experience in the development, investment, and management of commercial real estate. As Marketing & Development Director at Grovemere Property Limited, he has built an outstanding reputation for delivering strategic growth, fostering partnerships, and supporting thriving business communities. He is also a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Economic Growth 10 August 2026
Final chance to share views on Greater Cambridge Local Plan
Residents, businesses and organisations are being urged to share their views on the “soundness” of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan – during the final round of consultation which opens today.