Western Morning News, The

Constructor Brimming with Confidence

C owlin Construction could be said to have stolen a march on some of its competitors. The company, which traces its roots back to 19th century Bristol but now operates throughout the Westcountry, believes it has insulated itself against the potential effects of recession. Having been heavily involved in residential development in the past it took a conscious decision to move away from that market several years ago.

Hotel Market has Changed but Deals Still Being Done ; Despite the Uncertainty Surrounding the Economy, Christie and Co's Offices in the South West Have Reported a Busy Start to the Year, with Hotel Sales Across Various Price Ranges Indicating Buyers Still Have a Healthy Appetite to Do Business in the Sector.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the economy, Christie and Co's offices in the South West have reported a busy start to the year, with hotel sales across various price ranges indicating buyers still have a healthy appetite to do business in the sector. The continued low level of interest rates and robust hotel business is offering purchasers great opportunities to draw attractive returns by investing in the local market.

Retiring Owner Places Bustling Pub On Market

A bustling pub in a lively Cornish village has become available due to the owner's wish to retire. Offers are invited in the region of pounds600,000 for the freehold Royal Oak in Perranwell Station, just off the main Truro to Falmouth road. The village is one of the most vibrant in Cornwall, with a general store/post office, community primary school, thriving church and pre-school, and even a Morgan car dealership.

Out-of-County Interest Likely ; an Attractive Bed and Breakfast and Self-Catering Business Is for Sale in a Cornish Fishing Village.

An attractive bed and breakfast and self-catering business is for sale in a Cornish fishing village. The Cottles, in Longcoombe Lane, Polperro, is in an elevated position on the upper reaches of the village.

Units Let to Expanding Food Retail Operators

T wo new retailers have set up shop on Lemon Quay in Truro to satisfy growth plans. Baker W C Rowe and national fast food franchise operator Subway have taken two of three retail units created within the former Luke's premises. Both operators have taken these further units within the city as a business expansion exercise.

Online Voting Set to Be a Close Call ; a Company Which has Grown to Become the Largest Online Mail-Order Retailer of Sheepskin Footwear, Outerwear and Home-Wares in the Uk Is in Line for a Top National Accolade in the 2008 On-Line Green Awards.

A company which has grown to become the largest online mail- order retailer of sheepskin footwear, outerwear and home-wares in the UK is in line for a top national accolade in the 2008 On-line Green Awards. The Celtic Sheepskin Company has been nominated for the Green Award for Small Retailers - with the winner being decided by a free- for-all online voting system.

Print Firm Takes Logical 'Next Step' ; a Modern Detached, Open Plan Two-Storey Office Building in Exeter has Been Let by Stratton Creber Commercial.

A modern detached, open plan two-storey office building in Exeter has been let by Stratton Creber Commercial. Constable Court in Fore Street, Heavitree, offers a total of 1,126 sq ft of space, split between an open plan ground floor suite of 537 sq ft and a first floor suite of 589 sq ft.

Levy Harming Fragile Market

T he British Property Federation (BPF) has stepped up its campaign against charging full rates on empty offices, shops and factories. It is calling on businesses to e-mail its new "hotline" at info@emptyrates.com with evidence on the effects of the stealth tax. The BPF says the levy has damaged business, killed off regeneration schemes and further harmed the supply of property by encouraging early demolition of old buildings which might otherwise have been partially let.

Myspace Is Upstaged by Tribewanted Website

A social networking site set up by two friends from the Westcountry has beaten the likes of Myspace to win a top Internet award. Tribewanted, a website for a unique online and offline community project in Fiji, was named Best Social Network at the London Broadcast Digital Media Awards.

Ipod Launch Boosts Firm ; Web Design Company Createnet has Created a New Interactive Site for Users of the New Apple Iphone

Web design company Createnet has created a new interactive site for users of the new Apple iPhone The company has joined the revolution in developing cutting edge technology for use on the smaller screens of iPhones or Blackberrys by developing a scaled down version of a ticket booking system for film company Lionsgate Movies. It created the site for the company's comedy film Meet the Browns.

Soft-Works Now Gold Partner in Accounting ; Software Company Soft-Works (Uk) has Been Awarded Gold Partner Status for the Supply and Support of the Access Accounting Product Range, One of Only 12 Firms in the World to Achieve the Status.

Software company Soft-Works (UK) has been awarded Gold Partner status for the supply and support of the Access Accounting product range, one of only 12 firms in the world to achieve the status. Each Specialist Centre undergoes rigorous training programmes, examinations and client assessments; all necessary requirements to ensure the best possible standards are reached and sustained.

Battle of Dolls Could See Blood Spilt Over Rights

T he moral is clear in Barbie doll's billion dollar spat with Bratz- a girl's best friend is her lawyer. Judgment is expected soon from the US federal judge hearing a bitter copyright infringement case brought by Mattel, makers of cute-but-ageing Barbie, against Bratz, the flirty younger woman marketed since 2001 by MGA Entertainment. Mattel claims the dolls are in some way related. And the DNA they share is Carter Bryant's imagination. He was hired by Mattel in 1995 to design fashions, hairs...

Static Burst Saviour in Pledge to Former Clients

T he company which has taken over the contracts of fallen IT firm Static Burst has said the "unexpected" acquisition will help it succeed and grow as a company. NCI Technologies has completed a deal with sees it take the contracts from the Plymouth-based firm that went into liquidation at the end of June.

Firms Still in the Dark On Waste Treatment ; Many Firms Are Still in the Ark About New Pre-Treatment of Waste Regulations Some Three Months After the Government Said It Would Start to Clamp Down On Law-Breakers.

Many firms are still in the ark about new pre-treatment of waste regulations some three months after the Government said it would start to clamp down on law-breakers. Financial and business adviser Grant Thornton is calling on the Environment Agency to act quickly and proactively inform small and medium-sized firms about the Treatment of Non Hazardous Waste for Landfill regulations.

English Lessons for Migrants

A new programme to improve the language skills of migrant workers is now being offered free to employers in Devon, thanks to pounds12,000 funding from Devon County Council. The English@work in Devon project aims to ensure that migrant workers work safely and are able to communicate in basic English, boosting the impact migrant workers can have on the economy. The project is funded by Devon Renaissance, the Learning and Skills Council and the European Social Fund, and is provided by Productiv...

Minister Remains Silent Over Future of Lynx Deal

A government defence minister has cast fresh doubt on the future of a multi-million-pound deal for helicopters vital for the future of AgustaWestland in the Westcountry. Baroness Taylor of Bolton, speaking at the Farnborough Air Show, refused to confirm or deny reports that the Future Lynx order agreed by the Government in 2005 would be axed as part of a spending review in the armed forces.

New Studio's Publicity Given Boost by Hollywood Actor ; Hollywood Actor Joey Ansah Helped Launch the Publicity for a Multi- Purpose Centre at Plymouth Business Moofu.

Hollywood actor Joey Ansah helped launch the publicity for a multi-purpose centre at Plymouth business MooFu. Mr Ansah, who played an assassin in Hollywood blockbuster The Bourne Ultimatum, wanted to put his face to the new facility, based at Plymouth's Airport Business Centre.

Profits Double at Leading Architects ; Architect Stride Treglown has Seen Its Profits for the Past Financial Year More Than Double On the Back of a Large Increase in Work.

Architect Stride Treglown has seen its profits for the past financial year more than double on the back of a large increase in work. Profits for the year rose from pounds573,000 to pounds1.265 million on the back of soaring turnover, which has gone from pounds11.1 million in 2006 to pounds16.5 million for 2007.

Firms Go Out On Limb to Raise Pounds1m ; Plymouth's Business Brains Are Competing in a Nationwide Fundraising Challenge to Raise Pounds1 Million to Change Young Lives with Youth Charity the Prince's Trust.

Plymouth's business brains are competing in a nationwide fundraising challenge to raise pounds1 million to change young lives with youth charity The Prince's Trust. The Million Makers challenge will see Plymouth's Land Registry and Britannia Royal Naval College battling it out with nearly 50 companies nationwide to raise the most money to go towards supporting young entrepreneurs on The Prince's Trust Business Programme.

Celebrity List Glory for Numo

Digital marketing agency the Numo Group has been celebrating its client Gordon Ramsay's entry into the Forbes list of the top 100 most powerful celebrities in the world. The Plymouth-based outfit is employed to increase the online presence of the culinary enterprises that make up Ramsay's global empire which is a key part of the judging criteria. Numo Group director Steve Tomkinson said: "Our aim is to develop the flow of traffic to Gordon Ramsay's micro-sites that appear on his main website,...