Beware the 'feeding frenzy' - Home Bargains boss

Home Bargains is looking to double its number of stores and employees in the next three years as its results today show turnover grew by 23 per cent to £590m in the last year. Joe Morris, operations director of Liverpool-based TJ Morris, told Insider that discount retailers such as its Home Bargains brand have been faring well during the downturn but warns only the strongest will survive a "feeding frenzy" of competitors flooding the marketplace.

Green light for $83m Sportech deal

Liverpool-based gaming company Sportech haas been given the final regulatory green light to take over US racing and venue management company SGR from the Scientific Games Corporation. The New Jersey Racing Commission allowed the go-ahead yesterday meaning all regulatory authorities in the US have now given approval to the takeover.

Mears snaps up Jackson Lloyd

Jackson Lloyd (JL), which provides maintenance and repairs for social housing sites, has been bought for £2.7m in cash and £2.1m in net debt repayments by the Gloucester-based Mears Group. Mears will integrate the Skelmersdale-based business immediately and is "expected to generate significant cost and efficiency savings".

Langtree lets 7,000 sq ft in Stockport

Newton-le-Willows developer Langtree has announced a new occupier for its Kingsgate office building in Stockport.

New planning consultancy launched

A new planning consultancy covering Merseyside and West Lancashire is to be launched. It will be named Consilium Planning Consultants and led by Phil Hardwicke, formerly the principal planning officer at Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.

Suttons hires new road tanker MD

St Helens and Widnes-based logistics business Suttons has appointed a new managing director for its UK road tanker division. Tony Leighton joins the company from Hoyer UK, where he spent 15 years leading their food and petroleum sector operations.

Deloitte graduates get started in the North West

A total of 47 Deloitte graduates in the North West started their training contracts with the business consultancy last week, as part of the firm's recruitment programme. Deloitte, which has offices in Liverpool and Manchester, hailed the intake of graduates as an investment in the future.

Matalan tight-lipped on McGeorge

Matalan is refusing to confirm reports that chief executive Alastair McGeorge is to step down after four years in charge of the Skelmersdale-based fashion and homeware retailer.

Something for the weekend

This week: We've had our Phil, Football shares the wealth and I’m gonna be the next Apprentice…

Bribery Act – your chance to shape the legislation

Insider is holding an event focusing on the new Bribery Act, due to come into force in 2011.The information gathered through the discussion at this event will be submitted to the government’s consultation on the Act. This is your chance to shape the legislation.

In focus: Banking's phoney war

Businesses rarely change their bank, but many have now been told they have to. Michael Taylor looks at the coming battle for your bank account.

Tague on Tour: Food for thought

The proposed Flavours Gourmet Village in Salford sounds fantastic, but is it really likely to happen? Neil Tague wonders if the scheme can expect the sweet taste of success.

Alternative options to selling the business

Do you really want to sell your business? Perhaps there is an alternative that might be better suited to your needs? Denise Walker, partner and head of corporate (Liverpool) at Brabners Chaffe Street, is our latest Selling Your Business expert.

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