small business

24 October 2026, Saturday

09:32 Business Pop-up shops push Wrenhaven high-street vacancy rate to a six-year low A scheme offering empty units to start-up traders on short, cheap leases has filled 37 shopfronts, and a third of the tenants have now signed longer contracts. Callum Reid

22 October 2026, Thursday

08:21 Business Old Quay market traders adopt card payments as cash use falls Almost every stall at the weekend market now takes cards after a group deal cut fees, though traders say they will keep accepting coins for regulars who prefer them. Leo Novak

21 October 2026, Wednesday

02:22 Business Coastal guesthouses fill quiet months by bundling walks and food breaks Small hotels and guesthouses around Greyling Bay report a rise in out-of-season bookings after joining forces to sell guided walks, cookery sessions and harbour suppers as short-break packages. Marcus Feld

20 October 2026, Tuesday

11:43 Technology Robots for rent: small bakeries and food makers lease automation by the month A Wrenhaven firm is renting out robot arms to small food producers on monthly contracts, letting bakeries and kitchens automate heavy, repetitive jobs without paying tens of thousands of euros upfront. Aisha Rahman

11:10 Business Old Quay coffee roaster triples output and starts exporting Tidewheel Coffee, which began roasting in a converted net loft eight years ago, has moved into a former chandlery and is now sending beans to cafés in three countries. Mei Lin Tan