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The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has announced that 1,000 businesses in the region have registered to be suppliers for the London 2012 Games through the CompeteFor agency launched in January by NWDA chief executive Steve Broomhead. The thousandth company to register, Jennings Design Associates of Denton, will today meet Pat McFadden MP, visiting Manchester. McFadden, minister of state for employment relations, said: "The Games present significant business opportunities for local companies - there will be £6bn in contract opportunities. As more contracts come online later this year, there will be more opportunities for North West firms to win business." Twenty North West companies and organisations have already won work supplying the Olympic Delivery Authority and many more have been supplying the ODA's contractors. 
Contract win for Intrinsic Haydock-based Intrinsic Technology has won a competitive tender to design, install and support a new converged communications infrastructure for Conwy County Borough Council. The system will allow the council's 2,000 staff members to hot-desk and the converged IP network will enable them to have a single contact number whether in or out of the office. The deal is expected to save the council £1m over the next ten years.
Ollie & Nic sets sights on Liverpool Bags and accessories retailer Ollie & Nic has said it plans to open stores in Liverpool and Manchester as part of a nationwide expansion plan. The company, which already has branches in London and Brighton, is also looking to open outlets in cities such as Birmingham, Leeds and Cardiff as it gears up to open 30 stores over the next five years. Property agency CWM has been enlisted to find premises of around 650 sq ft.
Recruitment roll-out The Business Connection (TBC), a Chester-based recruitment agency, is to roll out a network across the North West. Founder Kirsty Craig said: "Narrowing profit margins have driven down the quality of service offered by many agencies. Our business model is based on delighting clients and customers with an unmatched service. Even in these highly competitive times we have found that people trust us to perform for them and would rather invest in that service than make short-term savings." TBC specialises in filling office staffing, contact centre and management level positions.
Small businesses wait on investment decisions More than 80 per cent of small business owners in the North West are delaying decisions about investment in the business until the full effects of the credit crunch are known, according to new research from Bank of Scotland Business Banking. And, while a third plan to put aside money for future investment over the next 12 months, only 23 per cent plan to put aside money for insurance against hard times and a further worsening in economic conditions.
Revamped Sandhills reopens Sandhills Station on Merseyrail's Northern Line, one of Liverpool's busiest stations, has reopened today after a four-month delay. The station was closed last November as part of a £6m redevelopment that has seen the construction of a new ticket office and booking hall, a unisex disabled toilet at platform level, a resurfaced platform and two new fully enclosed waiting rooms. Work is still underway, however, but should be completed by November.
Indmar Sheet Metal has been bought out of administration for £250,000 by two turnaround entrepreneurs. The company, which supplies lawnmower manufacturer Hayter and coated steel shelving for Tesco supermarkets, has been acquired by Kanban Group, formed by business turnaround experts Paul Bell and Mark Blayney. The Kanban group also owns Kanban Supplies, a £3m-turnover pressings and fabrication business in Lancaster.
Banks swap debt for equity in phone refinancing Phone distributor 20:20 Mobile has completed a financial restructuring with £15m of new equity investment from backer Doughty Hanson and a write down of debt to £92m at the Crewe-based company, which now sees The Royal Bank of Scotland take a 45 per cent stake. Management has retained a 10 per cent stake.
Administrators appointed to property developer City Lofts have said that the group's Liverpool subsidiary, responsible for the nine-storey building of 121 apartments at Half Tide Dock, has not been put into administration and will continue to trade as normal. In a statement, administrator Ernst and Young said: "The individual operating companies that are carrying out the group's current developments have not been placed into administration. In particular, City Lofts (Half Tide Dock) Limited (Liverpool) and City Lofts (Sheffield) Limited (Sheffield) are continuing to trade with the intention that their respective developments should continue." Last week City Lofts put around 250 of its unsold properties into receivership, including its 162-apartment development at Liverpool's Princes Dock.
Built for Liverpool A new property consultancy has been launched in Liverpool, set up to help contractors win more business and to help maximise the social and economic impact of regeneration schemes. CfM Partnerships has been founded by Andrew Brackley, Guy Lawson and Paul Mawdsley, all former employees of the Construction for Merseyside initiative, which increased employment and training opportunities for local people as a result of Merseyside's construction boom. Lawson said: "By offering business-focused solutions that meet the needs of the public and private sectors alike, CfM Partnerships' approach will create sustainable benefits that last far beyond the completion of a particular project."
Eatonfield sells sites Mold-based Eatonfield Group, the commercial property developer and house builder, has sold off two residential sites in deals worth £4.4m. The contracts are for a 4.75-acre site in North Wales and 5.05 acres in South Wales and will generate cash of £1.5m after paying off debt. Chief executive Rob Lloyd said current market conditions are providing the company with numerous opportunities, in both the commercial and residential sectors, which has allowed it to negotiate "increasingly advantageous terms". In late June the developer announced £100m plans to transform the former Corus site in Workington as it continues to buck the housing slump.
On Thursday night this week two popular annual events go head to head. The CBI Dinner Merseyside Dinner is being held this year in the sumptuous St George’s Hall, with keynote speaker Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover. Or, if you fancy braving the weather, hop on board The Royal Daffodil at the Pier Head for the Rensburg River Cruise, for some serious networking. The party continues after disembarkation at Newz Bar.
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