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Top story
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Betfred’s sales hit £3.5bn
Revenues topped £3.5bn at Warrington betting giant Betfred in 2010, a 26 per cent increase on the previous year. The company, which last month submitted a bid to buy state-owned bookmaker the Tote, said the growth was a result of its bullish expansion programme.
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Deals
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CSC revises Trafford Centre deal
Capital Shopping Centres (CSC), a bid target for US real estate investor Simon Property Group, this morning announced revised terms for the deal to buy the £1.6bn Trafford Centre in Manchester from North West property giant Peel Group. It also explained to shareholders why it thinks Simon Property’s £2.9bn takeover offer is insufficient.
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OFT granted Thomas Cook review
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is to investigate the retail merger of Thomas Cook and the travel business of Manchester-headquartered the Co-operative Group. The deal, announced in October, would create the largest travel store network in the UK.
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Energize in Name Your Number deal
Private equity firm Energize Capital has led a £1.35m equity fundraising syndicate to invest in Manchester-based telecoms software company Name Your Number. Energize led the syndicate alongside the North West Business Investment Scheme (NWBIS) and other private investors.
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Business
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Small business will not be neglected by RGF - Cameron
Prime Minister David Cameron has emphasised that the Regional Growth Fund is designed to ensure the UK's economic growth is balanced and "spread more fairly across the country".
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Tesco chief to help drive Liverpool growth
Sir Terry Leahy, the outgoing chief executive of supermarket giant Tesco, has been commissioned by the government to draw up a regional economic plan designed to stimulate growth in Liverpool. Prime Minister David Cameron made the announcement during a visit to the city yesterday, where he also confirmed the government would look to set up a ‘capacity fund’ for local enterprise partnerships.
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Festive sales up as JD shrugs off wintry weather
Bury-headquartered JD Sports Fashion has posted increased sales for the Christmas period, despite the difficult weather conditions experienced in the UK. The retailer and distributor of sports clothing, which expects to exceed market expectations for the year, said like for like sales for the five-week Christmas trading period ended 1 January 2011 were up by 2.5 per pent.
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Something for the weekend
This week: Flights of fancy; think not what your economy can do for you…; Eddie saves Christmas; and love will tear us apart.
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Brand new North West Top 500 Database 2011
Do you need help sourcing new clients? Insider’s Brand new North West Top 500 Companies 2011 database is our accurate and comprehensive business marketing list. Try our free sample and pre-order to receive a discount offer (expires 31 January 2011).
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Property
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Pochin sells in Crewe
Pochin Developments, part of Cheshire-based Pochin’s, has sold 0.6-acres of land at its West Street development in Crewe to Thomas Jones Homes. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
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Island Express relocates at Heywood
Shipping and haulage company Island Express has relocated to a 5,379 sq ft unit on the Heywood Distribution Park in Rochdale. It has taken the space on a five-year lease.
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Other News
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Intellident sold to private equity firm
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Cheshire authorities to appeal £100m PFI decision
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Government must deliver on promises, says FPB
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For this month only Insider Members can benefit from free tickets and a free trial Membership to the Royal Exchange Theatre. Offer expires 31 January 2011
