Business

Scottish businesses are showing tentative signs of recovery, despite tremendous uncertainty in business confidence and economic outlook for the remainder of 2025, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde. The latest edition of its quarterly Scottish Business Mon

Business confidence in Scotland rose by nine points during July to 56%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland. While Scottish firms’ optimism in the economy fell five points to 43%, their confidence in their own business prospects rose 23 points month-on-month to 70%

An expanding Scottish hospitality tech firm has opened a Cape Town office and made two senior appointments as it seeks to become a leading player in South African tourism.  Hop Software, co-founded by Highland hoteliers Richard Drummond and Jon Erasmus, has seen its all-in-one hotel Property Ma

Funding to inspire young people to set up their own business has been increased by more than a third. The Entrepreneurial Education Fund 2025-26 will make up to £1.2 million available for courses and projects that will encourage more young people, from a wide range of backgrounds, to choose bu

Scottish councils must be more transparent about how much they spend with small businesses, if Scotland is to deliver on its ambitions to increase spending with local firms, new research has revealed. Gaps and inconsistencies in the way local authorities record their spending with small and local co

Scottish businesses see little opportunity to increase turnover and profitability over the next 12 months and fear the economic outlook is worsening, according to a new survey of over 500 firms. Nearly six in ten reported being more concerned with inflation (59%) than they were three months ago

One in four North-east companies are planning to cut their workforce over the next three months, a new report has warned.

Edinburgh-based startup SWURF has landed a six-figure investment and appointed three heavyweight industry leaders to its board, signalling a bold new phase of growth across the UK and Europe. This latest investment round includes follow-on funding from existing backer Gareth Williams, co-founder of

The number of small businesses expecting to shrink, close or sell up outstrips the number expecting to grow in Scotland for the first time since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, new figures from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) have revealed. More than a quarter of small businesses (28.7%

A former textiles teacher has launched a new sewing initiative in Shetland after trading the bustle of London for a slower pace on the isles. Helen Barwick, founder of Shetland Stitch Club, moved to the North Mainland with her husband and rescue dog in November 2024. After years as head of textiles

The outlook for the Scottish and UK economies has weakened, with growth now expected to remain sluggish through the rest of 2025, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde. In its latest quarterly Economic Commentary, the Institute has downgraded its forecasts fo

Scotland’s business leaders are channelling their inner Doc Brown – and they’ve got a message for their past selves: "Great Scott! Train your team!" In a nod to Back to the Future’s 40th birthday, Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer shows 60% of Scotland’s bosse

Scottish mid-sized businesses are optimistic about plans to export overseas in the next year, despite recent turmoil in global trade and tough economic challenges, according to BDO. The firm's survey of over 500 mid-sized businesses reveals that more than half (54%) of companies are confident about

Business confidence in Scotland saw a five-point decline in June, settling at 47%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland.

Businesses from across the Forth Valley are being invited to come together this autumn for a week of inspiration, connection, and opportunity as Forth Valley Business Week 2025 launches with the theme 'Stronger Together: Collaboration and Community for Business Resilience'. Taking place from Monday