|
 |
| Home | Products & Services | Shop | Subscriptions |
Liverpool-based investor and developer Property First Asset Management has completed the purchase of a 3.9-acre site opposite the Speke Marriott hotel on Liverpool International Business Park. The company intends to build Spirit Business Village, a £30m scheme with 200,000 sq ft of high-specification office suites that will be available to owner occupiers. There will be a serviced office element, conferencing facilities and a gymnasium at the scheme. 
City Lofts feels the pressure City Lofts has become the first residential casualty of the credit crunch. Bank of Scotland Corporate, which is the developer's biggest lenders, has appointed John Gershinson of Allsop as receiver on the unsold units and a development site in six regional cities. Properties in the North West now in Gershinson's care include apartments at Princes Dock in Liverpool and in Salford Quays. Gershinson told Insider that he is confident of finding buyers after receiving strong interest this morning.
Nobles sets the standards Liverpool-based Nobles Construction has beaten 26 contractors in a Europe-wide tendering battle to build the new All Saints Catholic Primary School in Bootle. The £4.7m project, which forms part of the government's Schools for the Future programme, is set to be completed in spring 2009. Dave Shaw, managing director at Nobles Construction, said: "All Saints will rank as one of the few schools on Merseyside to be assessed by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, which sets standards for sustainable development."
Promoting greener construction Warrington-based entrepreneur Des Kelly is set to ramp up the construction industry's green credentials with the launch his Earth Exchange website - www.earthexchange.com - on 14 July. The project has been designed to help contractors, housebuilders and developers find local sites with material surpluses and deficits to save money and time and reduce the high level of waste in the construction sector. The launch coincides with the implementation of the Site Waste Management Plans Regulations, which require construction companies to design out and reduce waste as well as find ways of reusing excess materials.
Asset-based lending (ABL) has surged in popularity over the last 12 months, according to research by commercial lender Venture Finance North West. The study asked accountants to rate the attractiveness of various business finance options among their clients, comparing this year to 2007. The findings revealed that ABL is now attractive to 52 per cent of their business clients compared to only 2 per cent in 2007. Interest in invoice finance has also grown over the same period from 3 per cent to 29 per cent. Debbie Bell, regional director for Venture Finance, said: "Our research supports the notion that the tightening of business credit is forcing businesses to look around for other ways of raising funds."
Where red roses grow Lancashire County Council's funding spin-off, Rosebud Finance, has defied the equity gap and splashed its cash on three North West businesses to boost their growth propositions. Preston-based fashion start-up Dil Pasand, Nelson-based Michael Duane Reproductions, which supplies promotional clothing, and support services firm APS Countryside Contracts, which is based in Chorley, have all received financing packages. Rosebud Finance was established in 1986 and provides loans and equity funding from £5,000 to £750,000.
Discount retailer Matalan has confirmed that it is to invest £19m in its property despite the tough retail climate. The Skelmersdale-based business recorded annual profits up 89.3 per cent to £53.2m for the year to March 2008. Despite a 1.4 per cent drop in sales, the group said improvements in stock control and better sourcing had made the business more efficient. Around £318m has already been spent on store improvements and each of the company's 202 stores will have received some investment by the end of the year.
Roberson goes it alone Carolyn Roberson, former director of client services, business development and marketing at law firm Hill Dickinson, has launched her own business - Carolyn Roberson Consulting - to contribute to the success of ambitious businesses and their people. Services include client relationship management and feedback programmes, tendering and business development, strategic consulting and special projects, boasting previous work on the Manchester Commonwealth Games and Liverpool 08 among her accomplishments. The business is based in Prescot.
Start enterprise culture in schools, says Riley Matt Riley, founder of Lancashire-based Daisy Communications, says that entrepreneurialism needs to be encouraged in schools if UK business is to flourish. Speaking at advertising agency TBWA's An Evening with Unconventional Thinkers event on Monday, Riley said: "The education system doesn't' encourage entrepreneurship - you're seen as a dummy if you don't follow the A-levels and university route. It's something the government should look at."
Sale Sharks and Insider have launched a club for corporate supporters of the region's premiership rugby club. As well as preferential tickets to matches, the new club will offer exclusive networking events. James Jennings, Sale Sharks chief executive, said: "These events will give you the chance to drive your business forward with 499 like-minded organisations in an atmosphere of premiership level success. It should appeal to any size of business, giving members the chance to come down and enjoy a game with clients, colleagues, friends or family."
|
Subscribe or Unsubscribe To subscribe or unsubscribe to the eBulletin, click here.
|
| © Copyright 2008 Newsco Insider Limited | Privacy Policy |
|
Newsco Insider Limited - Registered in England and Wales with Number 02709518. Registered Office: Boulton House, 17-21 Chorlton Street, Manchester. M1 3HY |