Daily Focus

Stoke-on-Trent’s economy is set to be the second fastest growing in terms of job creation when the UK emerges from recession, a new study has found. The report by law firm Irwin Mitchell, which estimates that the UK entered into a recession in the second half of 2022, expects economic

Staffordshire County Council’s Chief Executive is to step down after almost eight years in the role.  John Henderson joined the council in May 2015 and led the organisation through the Covid-19 pandemic. And as head of the authority’s paid service, he has overseen considerable changes in local government funding and

The hospitality sector is bracing itself for a challenging first few months of the year as people rein in their spending, a lobby group has warned.  Many venues are deciding to cut capacity by 20 per cent as the cost of living crisis continues to bite, according to Kate Nicholls,

A sizeable proportion of British firms are having problems dealing with the European market post-Brexit, a business survey reveals.  More than three-quarters of firms for whom new rules are applicable say the revised arrangements are not helping to increase sales.  More than half of companies face difficulties adapting to the

A double-award winning electric mini excavator manufactured by JCB has notched up a significant milestone – the production of the 1,000th machine.  JCB went into full production with the world’s first volume-produced all-electric mini excavator in 2019 at its Compact Products factory in Cheadle, Staffs. Now the latest 19C-E model has rolled

Students and staff from two South Staffordshire College sites took part in a walking challenge to raise money for vulnerable veterans and their families.  The fundraisers based at Tamworth College and Cannock College covered 24 kilometres to support the military charity Walking With The Wounded in its annual Walking Home

Manufacturing output in the UK has fallen at its fastest rate in two years, a new survey has revealed.  Figures released by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) show that output volumes in the three months to December had dropped at the fastest rate since the three months to September

A marketing firm is looking to double its workforce as demand for post-Covid support grows for struggling businesses. Touchpoints Marketing, which has opened a new office at Heath House, in Uttoxeter has already expanded with two new appointments to support demand. Now it is looking to double its six-strong marketing

A Staffordshire managing director is calling on the Government to take “urgent action” to avert business closures due to spiralling energy costs. Clive Durose, head of a specialist timber component manufacturers based in Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, says costs are so overwhelming many woodworking firms will be trading at an irrecoverable loss.

A Government-funded £2 bus fare capping initiative has been welcomed in Staffordshire. The short-term initiative will run from 1 January to 31 March, with several local companies taking part. Operators that have chosen to participate in the scheme include Arriva Midlands, First Potteries, D&G, Chaserider, Select, National Express, Taxico and Trent Barton.