Gas fire manufacturer goes up in smoke

Robinson Willey, one of the UK's best-known names in gas fires and wall heaters, has gone into administration with the loss of around 60 jobs. The Liverpool manufacturer, which moved to to a new £3.5m facility at Trinity Park in Bootle little over three years ago, collapsed last week following a diminishing order book and cash constraints.

Broughton hopes for quick sale

Liverpool FC chairman Martin Broughton has confirmed that the board is looking to sell the club before the end of the month. It was yesterday revealed that Chinese businessman Kenny Huang, the head of Hong Kong-based investment company QSL Sports, has made an offer for the club although he is believed to be one of “several” parties hoping to take over from Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

TJ Morris on course for £1bn turnover

Discount retailer TJ Morris, based in Liverpool, is forging ahead with its bid to become a £1bn-turnover company by 2013 after reporting growth of 22 per cent this year. Operations director Joe Morris told Insider that turnover for the year to 30 June 2010 had reached £590m - up from £482m a year earlier. Profits are expected to be more than £50m.

Contracts flow for Suttons

Widnes logistics company Suttons Group has secured a three-year contract with Grosvenor Chemicals. It comes following a £7.2m investment to expand its bulk tanker fleet. The business, which specialises in moving bulk liquids and chemicals, will distribute polyvinyl acetate around the UK from Grosvenor’s manufacturing site in Huddersfield.

Medicash signs up DWF

Liverpool healthcare cash plan provider Medicash has won a contract with national law firm DWF. The company has signed an agreement to provide its 500 staff with a corporate health plan, including health screening and its "Best Doctors" service.

MSoft wins healthcare deals

Healthcare technology specialist MSoft, which is based at Ellesmere Port, has won a series of contracts to provide blood tracking security systems to hospitals.

Planning committee set to decide on Wirral Waters

Wirral Council’s planning committee will today decide whether to give the go-ahead for the largest planning application in the UK – Peel Holdings’ £4.5bn Wirral Waters project.

Pochin completes Widnes job for Tesco

Pochin Construction has completed the fit-out of Tesco’s new chilled distribution and recycling centre in Widnes. The company was appointed last year to build the 350,000 sq ft chilled distribution store and a 134,000 sq ft recycling services centre for Stobart in a £22m contract.

St Modwen launches Persimmon joint venture

Regeneration specialist St Modwen has joined forces with housebuilder Persimmon to develop 2,000 homes on seven different sites across England and Wales. The businesses say further schemes will be added to the “groundbreaking” joint venture as planning permission is granted.

Overwater opens up

Overwater Marina, a new marina with moorings for 200 boats, has opened near Audlem, Cheshire, on the Shropshire Union Canal. The £2.7m scheme received £400,000 grant funding from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) backed by Defra and the EU.

In Focus: Half-term deals review

Summer is a good time to evaluate how the year has shaped up for our dealmakers and what’s in the pipeline, says Insider's Rupert Cornford.

Talking Point: Small businesses hold key

John Leach, founder of Winning Pitch, believes that it is the country's entrepreneurial spirit that will reinvigorate growth.

Telephone:
+44 (0)161 907 9711

Email:
info@newsco.com

Website:
www.insidermedia.com/northwest/