THE Marks Tey Hotel has been named number one venue in the east of England.

In a competition run by BDRC (Business Development Research Consultants), and voted on by hotel customers, Marks Tey - which was awarded four stars by the AA last year - came out top.

The competition looked at the hotel's facilities, conference and event facilities and enquiry-handling.

BRITVIC is confident of meeting its profit targets, the company has said.

Despite weaker trading for soft drinks in pubs and bars, the Chelmsford-based company said international revenue rose by 1.1 per cent in the three months to December 23, partly due to the take-home market which has risen by 0.3 per cent.

The company is said to be on course for profits of £69.9 million, £8 million more than the previous year.

BANG and Olufsen revealed increased sales in December.

The home entertainment retailer in High Street, Colchester said the month was one of the best on record.

This is despite fears of a recession and slowdown in consumer spending.

EAST of England businesses are investing more in the arts than ever before, according to a survey.

Arts and Business East found business investment in the arts grew by 12.3 per cent to more than £6 million in 2006/07.

The total investment, including individuals and corporations, is £14.6 million.

Gill Bloomfield, director of Arts and Business East, said: " In an uncertain economic climate, our message to businesses is this - be bold and use the arts world's talent and creativity to grow your brands and your business'."

BUSINESSES in need of an IT health check can get help from Business Link.

A team of five specialist advisers, funded by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), will be holding clinics in Colchester after EEDA found companies in the region were lagging behind in IT.

The events could help with anything from reducing fear of using IT to learning about available funding.

A Driving Business to your Website workshop and a Planning and Developing a Website workshop will be held on February 13.

For more information visit takeiton.org.uk

THE Essex Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is holding an event to help small companies beat recession.

Held in conjunction with Essex University and Business Link, the event, on February 11, will offer tips from business planning experts about cutting costs and general advice.

The event will be held at the university's Southen campus from 6.30pm until 8.30pm.

For more information visit fsb.org.uk/essex

A SEMINAR to help businesses understand how they can fall foul of data theft and misuse laws, will be held in Colchester.

Organised by Evie Consulting IT company, the event will take place at the HSBC business centre in North Station Road at 12.30pm on February 29. For more information visit evieconsulting.co.uk

HALF of small businesses wast more than 24 working days a year on finance, computers and personnel issues, according to a new report.

A study of more than 400 companies by BT found that 10 per cent were only running their businesses for two thirds of the year because they were distracted by admin tasks for a day-and-a-half every week.

Government legislation and regulation were the biggest concern for more than half of those questioned, followed by company finance.

BUSINESS bosses are "burying their heads in the sand" over debt, a think tank said.

Tenon Forum said half of those questioned (more than 500) owned money on a loan or because of poor performance.

It also found more than a quarter of entrepreneurs had moderate to high levels of debt in their personal lives.

CHANGES in the planning system will be discussed at a breakfast briefing for small developers, contractors and builders in Essex.

The event, organised by Iceni Homes, an affordable housing develoment company owned by Colne Housing in Colchester, Suffolk Housing and Cotman Housing in Norfolk, will be held from 8am until 9.30am on April 24 in Ipswich.

For more information call Iceni Homes on 01284 723834 by the end of February.