The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) says half of independent retailers think their town centre is performing ‘poorly’ and is backing calls for closer ties between small firms and local authorities, to boost spending on the high street.

The FSB is calling for local decision-makers to have closer relationships with small firms, to boost the economy of local high streets. Research by the FSB shows half (53%) of small firms in England think their town centre is currently performing ‘poorly’. Seventy per cent believe better links between themselves and their local authorities would have a positive impact on their high street.

These small firms believe that initiatives including; businesses relocating to town centres (60%), flexible opening hours (38%) and more ‘Pop-up’ stores (37%), should also be part of key plans to revitalise high streets.

It comes as the FSB backs Local Business Week calling on UK shoppers to buy three things from their high street. The FSB has also recently re-launched its Keep Trade Local campaign to highlight the need to save local stores.

Mike Cherry, national policy chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said: ”Reviving town centres from decline is possible with the right measures from councils and local authorities. We want improved dialogue and co-operation between independent retailers and their local decision-makers, so they can work jointly on improving their town centres. Attracting new businesses and shoppers is one way to ensure the survival of small businesses, which is why we are supporting Local Business Week and its pledge for shoppers to buy three things on their local high street.”

Chippenham-based technology firm Scisys has secured a place on the government’s latest G-Cloud framework, G-Cloud III, following the company’s success on both the G-Cloud I and G-Cloud II frameworks.

In being selected as a G-Cloud III supplier, Scisys will provide its expertise as a supplier of IT services which align with the Government Digital Service (GDS) objectives of Agile delivery, the use of Open Source and Cloud technologies.  Scisys services are available within both the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Specialist Cloud Services (SCS) lots.

Commenting on the win, David Jones, Scisys CEO said: “We are very pleased to have cemented our approach to Public Sector procurement, by gaining a place on this strategic framework.   G-Cloud III will enable Public Sector organisations to more easily procure Scisys services at a time when focus is shifting to the Digital by Default agenda and the use of Cloud services to engage with the Public.

“Our position on G-Cloud III linked with our already successful delivery of a GDS exemplar project for The Coal Authority, demonstrates further our capabilities.”

For more information email gcloud@scisys.co.uk

The James Dyson Foundation has donated £4m to the development of a pioneering new Cancer Centre at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. The donation is the largest in the hospital’s history.

James Dyson said: “Bath is our home and the base from which I have grown Dyson.  This new Cancer Centre will use cutting edge technology and well considered design to improve the health of its patients.  We have been hugely impressed by the outcomes of the Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care at the RUH; research has shown the incredible effect that a healing environment can have on recovery.”

The hospital’s charity, Forever Friends Appeal, announced last year that it was starting its largest ever fundraising campaign, aiming to raise a minimum £5.5m towards the £20.5m cancer project over the next three to four years.  Following this donation and fantastic support from the public, they have met that minimum target and are now able to extend their campaign by a further £2-3m.  This will enhance even further the therapeutic environment that RUH doctors are aiming to create, and maximise its impact for patients with additional state-of-the-art medical equipment, dedicated research facilities, as well as art and pastoral gardens.

John Cullum, chairman of the Forever Friends Appeal said: “The James Dyson Foundation’s donation is providing a massive boost in helping us reach the initial target and allowing us, with the public’s support, to expand the ambition of the campaign.  It is important that the public and other donors now continue their fundraising efforts for this amazing new Centre – it will be the public that help make this pioneering building truly exceptional.  The funds raised will enable us to vastly improve cancer care in the region, in the same way that the Dyson Centre for Neonatal care has already done for premature babies.”

James Scott, the hospital’s chief executive said: “I am delighted that the hospital has received this very generous donation towards the building of our state-of-the-art Cancer Centre.  As a Trust we are already providing some of the best cancer care in the South West and the creation of a purpose built centre to bring all our cancer therapies under one roof in a truly therapeutic environment can only improve the patient experience even more”.

This support of the Cancer Care Campaign follows a £600,000 donation from the Dyson family and the James Dyson Foundation, to the hospital’s new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  The award winning Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care is leading to better outcomes for its very young patients, research using a cohort of babies from both the new and old unit showed that: 90% of babies recuperating in this new environment are going home breast feeding, compared to 64% in the old building. And babies are better rested – sleeping on average for 22% longer.