Category: Money
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The 76 Plate: Bag Yourself a Bargain, or an Expensive Mistake?
The new “76” plate lands on 1 September, and the run-up always brings the same pitch from dealers: discounted stock on the outgoing plate, room to negotiate, a chance to grab a bargain before the changeover. It’s real money off. But a discount is only a bargain if you were going to buy anyway —…
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Why banks are turning into cafes — and why the coffee isn’t the lesson
Banks are swapping teller counters for sofas and coffee machines, and it’s tempting to read this as proof that “experience” beats “efficiency” for any business. It doesn’t — and the difference matters if you’re running a shop, salon or office and wondering whether a cosier space is the answer to falling footfall. A cafe bolted…
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Xero vs Sage vs Zoho Books (and the rest): which accounting software should your SME use?
Every UK small business ends up asking the same question sooner or later: which accounting package do I actually need? The market’s crowded, the pricing pages are confusing, and half the “best of” lists online are written by the software companies themselves. Here’s a straight breakdown of the big three, plus the alternatives worth knowing…
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Grants for Cutting Emissions — and Simple Ways to Get Started
Cutting emissions used to sound like something only big corporates worried about. Not anymore. More clients are asking suppliers about their carbon footprint, energy bills keep climbing, and there’s real money on the table to help smaller businesses make the switch. Here’s what’s available and where to start. National grants worth checking Boiler Upgrade Scheme…
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What the 2026 Business Rates Changes Mean for Pubs and Restaurants
Hospitality businesses have had a bumpy ride with business rates this year. A major revaluation landed in April 2026, reliefs shifted, and the government has already had to step in twice with extra support after an outcry from the trade. Here’s where things actually stand. The revaluation shock Every few years, the Valuation Office Agency…