India is just the tonic for G&J Greenall

Historic gin and vodka distiller G&J Greenall is in talks to set up a joint venture in India as it looks to boost its presence in South Asia, its chief executive Christian Rose has told Insider. The move follows a £250,000 investment into a third production line at its Warrington headquarters, enabling the company to take all operations back in house for the first time since a fire five years ago.

Co-op funds college development

The Co-operative Bank has provided a £33m loan to fund the expansion and upgrading of a college in Merseyside. Rainford High Technology College will boast 14,000 sq m of new and refurbished buildings thanks to the 27-year lending facility by the bank.

Bright M&A outlook for technology - Deloitte

Technology business leaders are more optimistic about the outlook for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the next 12 months, with an increase in optimism from 53 per cent to 60 per cent compared with six months ago. That's according to Deloitte’s biannual survey of UK technology companies.

Liverpool Vision to be taken under council control

Liverpool Vision, the city’s economic development company, is to be taken under the control of the city council. The decision follows reductions in funding from the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Homes and Communities Agency and the city council. Joe Anderson, leader of Liverpool City Council, said the move would “ensure maximum efficiency”.

MBL hit by lower sales

MBL Group, the Leyland-based distributor of home entertainment products, has reported falling sales and profits for the first half of the year, following a “difficult trading period”. Chairman Peter Cowgill said the results were “disappointing”.

OFT warns Manchester businesses

Three associated companies in Manchester have been ordered to improve their business practices by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) following an investigation. The investigation found that the three companies – The Bankruptcy Protection Fund, Consolidated Finance and Alpha Mortgages Manchester – had “not been transparent” in their dealings with customers when bankruptcy annulment services.

Universities at ‘high risk’ when funding cuts bite

Three universities in the North West are at “high risk” of merger or closure because of government funding reductions, according to a report published by the University and College Union (UCU). Edge Hill University, Liverpool Hope University and the University of Chester are among 27 higher education institutions at high risk of closure because of cuts to their teaching budgets. However, all three have dismissed the claims.

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Council searches for London Road partner

Manchester City Council has revealed it is looking for a development partner to help transform the former London Road Fire Station into a new four-star hotel. The building is owned by Britannia Hotels although the council has issued a compulsory purchase order (CPO) against the company, with a decision expected in spring next year.

Dobbies gets green light in Speke

Dobbies Garden Centres has secured planning approval for a new £8m eco-friendly garden centre in Speke. Liverpool City Council’s planning committee gave the green light to the scheme, which is set to create 120 new jobs.

Signs of improvement in Manchester, says LSH

The Greater Manchester office market showed strong signs of improvement during 2010 in spite of the effects of recession, according to commercial property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH). However, David Thwaites, head of office agency at LSH in Manchester, has raised concerns about a lack of new development in the city.

Tague on Tour: Why does nobody love The Pinnacle?

The Pinnacle once commanded the record rent in the city’s office market, but has it fallen from grace? Neil Tague investigates.

In Focus: How do entrepreneurs access private equity?

How do entrepreneurs access private equity, as investors? Michael Taylor looks at new funding models.

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