Nearly 70 per cent of suppliers to the Games are small and medium-sized businesses, with more than 250 such firms having been awarded contracts.

Ellie and Alex Chapman, who own White’s Seafood & Steak Bar, received a letter from British Gas, telling them that their energy contract was soon due for renewal and that their business rate of 8.8p per kWh would become of 13p per kWh.

Experts are warning husband-and-wife-owned businesses to ensure they put contingency plans in place in case their relationship ends.

The new service, ProFlowers International, will see Arena Flowers take care of non-US orders for Provide Commerce, which sells under its ProFlowers brand.

As start-up costs plunge, maybe 2012 should be the year when you decide to go it alone and be your own boss. In our third part in the series, we explain how to establish a business on a budget.

Uncertainty over the costs incurred when firms go into administration is forcing more businesses into closure rather than rescue, experts warn.

Uncertainty over the costs incurred when firms go into administration is forcing more businesses into closure rather than rescue, experts warn.

As start-up costs plunge, maybe 2012 should be the year when you decide to go it alone and be your own boss. In our second part in the series, we explain the basics for getting started – on the cheap.

As start-up costs plunge, maybe 2012 should be the year when you decide to go it alone and be your own boss. In our second part in the series, we explain the basics for getting started – on the cheap.

The instability of the eurozone is high on the news agenda, with experts warning that the situation could deteriorate further and threaten the survival of thousands of British businesses.