1. Willmett Solicitors 'closed without warning'

2. Willmett Solicitors believed to be in administration

Willmett Solicitors based in Reading and Woodley is believed to have gone into administration.

3. ‘Oscar’ vote for funeral director

Family funeral director AB Walker & Son is celebrating after being named the best in the region for the second successive year.

4. Bus and rail operator warns that profits will be hit

Bus and rail giant Stagecoach today reported a 6.7 per cent hike in rail revenues so far this financial year, but confirmed further efforts to combat an expected recession hit.

5. £10,000 saved by finding alternatives to redundancy

Firms could save more than £10,000 per worker if they considered alternatives to making staff redundant, says a study today.

6. Business profile - Brooker Bird Marketing

Henrietta Brooker-Bird uses her marketing and PR skills to give businesses a helping hand.

7. Government loans not taken up

Most firms are not aware that their bank has used a flagship Government lending scheme aimed at helping business cope with the recession, according to a new report today.

8. Wetherspoon complains about industry's tax burden

The head of J D Wetherspoon, with four pubs in Reading, said the tax burden faced by the pubs industry had “gone too far” as the chain posted a two per cent rise in first-half profits.

9. Dragon reviews aid for entrepreneurs

Television Dragon Peter Jones is to spearhead a review into the support available for budding entrepreneurs, Skills Secretary John Denham announced today.

10. Microsoft scoops work placement award

Ambitious youngsters will be making a beeline for Microsoft after the software company was voted best work experience provider in the UK.