COMMENT: ‘Punch and Judy’ politics does the Isle of Wight no favours
‘Punch and Judy’ politics does the Isle of Wight no favours – we must all work together By Kevin Smith, Chief Executive, Isle of Wight Chamber It's election time - again! The local council elections are looming and we also go to the polls again in June to select an...
START ME UP : How 50 plus Islanders are learning to be their own boss
The Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce is supporting older people on the Island by providing help and advice on starting a business or being self-employed. Since 2015 The Chamber has been hosting monthly workshops and providing ongoing mentoring as part of the Age...
VisitEngland win for Monkey Haven
Monkey Haven has been named Small Visitor Attraction of the Year at VisitEngland’s annual Awards for Excellence. The prestigious awards, now in their 28th year, celebrate those businesses and individuals who continuously raise the bar of England’s tourism offer....
Another Queen’s Award for Spinlock, with growth in exports and employment too
Spinlock is celebrating the announcement of their second Queen's Award for Enterprise, this time for an innovative life jacket. The Cowes business designs and manufactures rope holding equipment and personal safety products for leisure and commercial water users....
LEP Launches Solent Skills and Productivity Investment Fund
The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership has today opened a new £12.5m fund to help create jobs, support businesses and encourage growth in the area. The LEP is seeking employer-led skills capital proposals that address skills issues in the Solent area, which will be...
Ryde Esplanade to be resurfaced next month
Ryde Esplanade is to be upgraded in a resurfacing scheme by Island Roads next month. Residents and businesses affected by the work – which is scheduled to last between May 2 and May 12 and involve some weekend work – have received letters explaining how they will be...
Cowes Cycle Hub opens for business
Island cycle commuters are being given a boost with new cycle hubs in Cowes and Newport. Red Funnel’s new Cowes Cycle Hub was officially opened on Monday 3 April by customer service director, Murray Carter and project manager Keith Wright. The Cowes Cycle Hub is...
West Wight Sports & Community Centre win ITV Meridian People’s Project
West Wight Sports & Community Centre has been named winners in the ITV Meridian People's Project and has been awarded £42,180 for their Creating Opportunities in Our Kitchen project. "The money will enable us to provide training and work experience opportunities...
Brexit and British Business – Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce
'Now that Brexit negotiations are beginning, businesses across the UK and their trading partners in Europe want answers to practical questions, not political posturing. A pragmatic and grown-up dialogue on the real-world issues, rather than verbal volleys between...
Regeneration for the Island’s economy
Together stronger: how the local authority’s new Regeneration programme aims to attract investment and keep as much spend on the Island as possible. By Chris Ashman, the new director of regeneration at County Hall I want to kick start a number of regeneration projects...
Island Business September / October 2025
