Running a bus company is an expensive business, as we were reminded when Yellow Buses collapsed
and when First Bus said it would be axing all its City Red services in Southampton
.
Days after the Confederation of Passenger Transport warned that bus routes could be cut unless the government continued its support for the industry after March, Hampshire-based Xelagroup said it would be axing the services
it took over from Yellow Buses.
There was some brighter news, however, when Go South Coast, operator of Bluestar and Morebus, said passenger numbers had bounced back and it did not expect to cut services in Hampshire
or Dorset
.
- The company behind Kuti's Brasserie - the Southampton restaurant where Rishi Sunak's family have been regular visitors and where the prime minister once waited tables - is in administration
with debts of ￡840,000. The restaurant itself is still trading. (Story by Emily Liddell.)
- Councils have been urged to give financial help to Hythe Ferry
, whose planned closure on New Year's Eve was put on hold after "several" potential operators came forward. (Story by Chris Yandell.)
- Southampton is one of the toughest places to land a job with no experience
, a survey found.
- A report predicts the south coast's major towns will see their economies growing again this year - but that Southampton
will be growing more slowly than Bournemouth
.
- The trust that runs Poole's Lighthouse arts centre has returned to surplus - but its chief executive has warned it could have to close on some dates
in the colder months unless the government provides further help with energy bills.
- Here's an unusual follow-up to our previous coverage of a double glazing company which announced it was appointing liquidators. The review site Trustpilot has issued the business with a formal warning
after its name on the site was changed from Wimborne Windows to Womborne Windews.
- Dorset employers posted nearly 80,000 job vacancies
in the first nine months of last year - and we reported on the employers who advertised the most openings
.
- Discount books and crafts retailer the Works is to open in Ringwood
. (Story by Andrew Goldman.)
- The National Trust expanded on its reasons
for closing a popular cafe which has been at Studland for nearly 70 years. (Story by Matt Simpson.)
- One of the now regular stories about retail closures: Clintons is shutting its branch
in Dorchester. (Story by Oliver McManus.)
- An expanding hospitality business is to open new branches
in Boscombe and Christchurch after buying another company.
- Cineworld has put itself up for sale
in the hope of securing its future, but has denied talking to the owner of rival Odeon.
- Job candidates will continue to be in short supply
this year, but some businesses will continue to find new opportunities, a recruitment industry boss has said.
- The finalists have been announced for the Southampton Region Hoteliers Hospitality Awards
.
- And a racing driver has joined a Southampton business that offers 'climate positive' motorsport
events.
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