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Bath Digital Festival returns with ‘What If?’ theme

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Bath Digital Festival will return to Bath as a three-day event organised by techSPARK, bringing together the South West’s technology, digital and creative communities.

This year’s programme centres on the theme “What If?”, described by organisers as an invitation to challenge assumptions and explore new ideas. The festival will feature workshops, technology showcases, discussions and networking sessions across the city.

It is aimed at a broad cross-section of the regional ecosystem, including innovators, founders, educators, digital creatives and early-career talent. The format is intended to be more interactive than a conventional conference, with an emphasis on hands-on sessions and community-led activity.

Speakers are set to include applied futurist Tom Cheesewright, authors Sam Knowles and Alex Barker, and technology executive Dr Jacky Wright. Contributors from HMRC, OLTA, ART, Binary Syntax, British Esports and Amazon Web Services are also due to take part.

Regional universities will also have a visible presence. Technology showcases are planned from the University of Exeter, Bath Spa University and the University of Bath, which is taking part during its 60th anniversary year.

Regional focus

The festival is positioned as a showcase for the South West’s technology and creative sectors as regional clusters seek to attract investment, skills and collaboration outside London. By bringing together companies, public bodies, universities and individual creators, it aims to highlight the breadth of the area’s digital economy.

That regional focus has been central to techSPARK’s wider work in Bristol and Bath, where the not-for-profit connects founders, employers, investors and educators. The event reflects that mission by creating a space for people in the sector to meet, exchange ideas and form partnerships.

The previous edition drew attendees from technology, education and the creative industries, with participation from senior leaders as well as emerging professionals. The latest festival is set to continue that approach, offering opportunities for networking, skill-sharing and collaboration across the South West.

Second decade

The latest edition marks the festival’s entry into its second decade, a level of continuity that remains unusual for regional technology gatherings. That longevity may help Bath retain its place on the calendar for businesses and institutions seeking local industry links and public visibility.

Alongside the programme announcement, Ben Shorrock outlined techSPARK’s view of the event’s role. “Bath Digital Festival is one of the moments each year where the South West’s creativity, curiosity and ambition really shine. With the festival now in its second decade, that longevity is proof that this is where the region thrives: when people come together to share ideas, challenge assumptions and explore what’s possible. This year’s theme, What If?, captures that spirit perfectly.

“We’re proud to bring organisations, innovators and communities into the same space to imagine the future and start building it. Events like this show why our ecosystem continues to grow in confidence and capability, and why collaboration remains at the heart of everything we do,” said Ben Shorrock, chief executive of techSPARK.

The programme spans subjects from emerging technologies to digital culture and the future of work. It will focus in part on questions around a digital future that is responsible, inclusive and accessible.

That framing reflects broader debates across the UK technology sector, as businesses, public institutions and educators weigh the social effects of new tools alongside the commercial opportunities. In Bath, the festival aims to place those issues in a local setting by connecting national speakers with regional organisations and communities.

For Bath itself, the event adds to the city’s growing profile as a meeting point for technology, education and creative work. The presence of universities, public sector organisations and private companies in one programme underlines how closely linked those strands have become in the South West economy.

The format will include panels, demos, interactive sessions and informal networking, with more events still being added to the programme.



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Rosa’s Thai is giving away 4000 free Pad Thais to students

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Celebrating both GCSE and A-Level Results Days, the chain will offer the popular dish to students who buy one of its bubble teas.

The free offer is available at all 42 Rosa’s Thai restaurants across England and Wales.

To avail of the free noodles, students need to register on Rosa’s Thai website for a unique code, which they should present at the restaurant together with a copy of their results.

Rosa’s Thai has a new range of bubble tea flavours, including Ube-Taro, Matcha-Coconut, Mango Sticky Rice, and Milo Chocolate Milk, as well as favourites like Home-brewed Thai Tea with Tapioca, and Lychee Mango with mango boba.

Students can sign up for their free Pad Thai at rosasthai.com/result-day-free-pad-thai and find their nearest restaurant at rosasthai.com/locations.





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Historic coin company enters administration after 20 years

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The London Mint Office, which distributes commemorative coins and medals, appointed administrators on July 31 after 20 years in business.

The company’s website now displays a message confirming the appointment of Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as joint administrators.

A spokesman for Alvarez and Marsal said: “On July 31 2026, Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of The London Mint Office Limited in administration (the “Company”).

“Regrettably, the Company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.


What Happens When a Company Goes Into Administration?


“The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”

The announcement confirms that it is no longer possible to purchase coins or medals through the company’s website.

The London Mint Office operates a distribution centre in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where it employs a significant number of people.

Administration is a formal insolvency process triggered when a business cannot meet its financial obligations.

An insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs and may attempt to restructure the business or sell off assets to repay creditors.


What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?


Founded in 2006, The London Mint Office describes itself as “one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of historic, commemorative, and collector coins.”

It is part of Samlerhuset AS, a Norwegian company based near Oslo and one of Europe’s largest distributors of commemorative coins and medals.

Samlerhuset’s website states that it offers “provide a wide range of coins from ancient to modern, originating from virtually every country in the world.”

The London Mint Office has advised anyone with an interest in the company’s assets to contact the administrators at INS_THLMOL@alvarezandmarsal.com.





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Warning of new rules for Aldi and Lidl after watchdog review

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The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally decided that both discounters should be added to the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which currently applies to Asda, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.

This order is designed to prevent large grocery retailers from using land agreements to block competitors from opening nearby stores, often through restrictive covenants or exclusivity terms.

Juliette Enser, executive director of competition enforcement and markets at the CMA, said: “We want everyone to have the best choice of supermarket and range of prices when buying their groceries.

“To ensure this happens, we put rules in place to prevent big supermarket chains blocking rival stores from opening nearby – and now we propose applying those rules to Aldi and Lidl too.

“This is about allowing shoppers to choose where they spend their money and levelling the playing field for all major supermarkets.

“Today’s proposals are provisional and we welcome views before deciding the best way forward.”

The CMA’s review found that Aldi, Lidl GB, and Lidl NI now meet the criteria of ‘Large Grocery Retailers’ (LGRs) due to their store footprint, nationwide presence, procurement model, and the breadth of their grocery range.

Aldi and Lidl were originally excluded from the 2010 order as ‘limited assortment discounters’, offering a smaller selection of products compared to traditional supermarkets.

However, the CMA’s provisional findings indicate that this is no longer the case.

All three now operate large grocery stores, each with more than 1,000 square metres of shop floor space, and offer a full range of products, though with less category choice than some competitors.

They also purchase goods directly from suppliers through integrated wholesaling.

With the UK grocery market estimated to be worth £215 billion, Aldi and Lidl are now ranked among the top five retailers by market share.

The CMA is seeking feedback from stakeholders before reaching a final decision.

Aldi and Lidl could join the other supermarket chains later this year.

The CMA is inviting views until 5pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will issue its final decision in the autumn after reviewing responses.

If the discounters are included under the order, they will be prevented from using land agreements to limit competition from other supermarket chains.

The CMA aims to ensure competition across the grocery sector to give shoppers more choice and competitive pricing by removing obstacles to new store openings.





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