Business

Industry research has revealed that UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are repaying debt at a rate 20 times higher than pre-pandemic levels, prompting a government review. Despite increased financial providers since 2008, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is concerned about

Loose Ends, a Lerwick-based knitting, yarn, and haberdashery shop, has more than doubled its turnover after receiving support from Business Gateway. The Commercial Street retailer, a vital resource for Shetland's textile makers and crafters, offers a wide range of products, including fabrics, knitti

Kirkintilloch-based Mobility Scotland, a provider of mobility equipment, has announced expansion plans following a record annual revenue of over £1.5 million. Founder Billy Finnie intends to establish a presence in Edinburgh within five years to meet growing demand in the East, with longer-ter

Scotland's private sector output experienced a third consecutive monthly decline in February, according to the Royal Bank of Scotland's Scotland Growth Tracker. The seasonally adjusted index, measuring combined manufacturing and service sector output, fell to 49.0, indicating a marginal contraction

A Greenock business that has seen significant growth is now set to target the European market. LilyBee Ltd was set up in June 2021 by Katy Kennedy, who started to feel the onset of the menopause which affected her badly, meaning she had to take early retirement from her position as an ICU neonatal n

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has launched the public beta of its Digital Reporting Viewer, a new tool designed to improve free access to structured company reporting data. The Viewer enables users to easily view and analyse Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) files, displa

New car registrations in the UK fell by 1% year-on-year in February, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), with 84,054 vehicles registered. Year-to-date figures also show a 1.9% decrease compared to the same period in 2024, with 227,762 registrations.

Edinburgh-based Wearable tech startup UNA Watch has secured over £300,000 from SFC Capital. This investment will fuel the development of UNA Watch's innovative, repairable modular GPS sports watch, designed to challenge industry giants like Apple and Garmin.

A Lanarkshire quality compliance expert has started her own quality assurance business after she received specialist start-up support from Business Gateway. After being made redundant from her role as a director of Quality Compliance at Phillips, Alexis Williams decided to use her 30 years of experi

A husband-and-wife whose furniture company went into liquidation owing customers almost £100,000 have both been banned as company directors. George and Williamina Hay were directors of DWH Trading Ltd, which sold adjustable beds and chairs, mostly to elderly and vulnerable customers, from thei

Scotland’s development agency for the Highlands and Islands has published a report on its latest survey of more than a thousand businesses across the region. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) commissioned the survey in partnership with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).

Equity investment levels in Scotland’s smaller businesses grew in 2024, bouncing back from a challenging 2023, according to new research from the British Business Bank. The Bank’s Small Business Finance Markets 2024/25 report found that during the first three quarters of 2024 the investm

Scottish business confidence has experienced a significant uplift, rising 11 points to 53% in February, according to the Bank of Scotland's latest Business Barometer. While companies in Scotland reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down three points at 50%, their

Scotland has secured over £850 million in investment over the past four months, driven by strong interest in its burgeoning energy transition sector. The total is boosted today by the Scottish National Investment Bank’s (SNIB) announcement of £6.7m for Subsea Micropiles, which is d

Businesses behind Scotland’s most emblematic exports have secured £42 million in UK Export Finance (UKEF) deals since the summer, facilitating international expansion. Enabling companies such as Ferguson Whisky and manufacturer of fire and rescue vehicles Emergency One, which the governm