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Top story
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The party's not over, says tourism body
As Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture draws to a close, the city’s tourism body The Mersey Partnership (TMP) has reassured businesses that it won’t rest on its laurels once the city’s year in the spotlight is over. In a bid to keep tourists returning, a £750,000 national marketing exercise is planned for spring 2009 to promote Liverpool as a short-break destination, while it is also organising an international media event to tie in with the KLM’s new air link to Schiphol in Holland. “We’re not going to fall off a cliff once this year ends,” said Pam Wilsher, acting director of tourism at TMP. “There is plenty going on in 2009 and we are doing a lot to make sure we maximise this fantastic platform that has been achieved in 2008.” TMP said around 300 events have already been organised for next year, with more still to be announced. Wilsher added that the city was in a better position to weather the economic downturn than most, thanks to the likes of Liverpool One, the ACC Liverpool and improved transport connectivity.
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Deals
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Nichols snaps up Dayla
Nichols, the maker of Vimto based in Newton-le-Willows, has acquired 50 per cent of Dayla Liquid Packing for £2.78m, with a further £1m deferred until December 2009 and the option of buying the remaining 50 per cent in 2011 or 2012. Nichols is the UK’s third-largest supplier to the dispense sector, while Dayla has built a strong position in the European market with new product development and premium juice manufacturing capabilities. This investment will enable Nichols to build on opportunities in the UK and overseas and gives it direct access to the growing premium juice market. 
DIY expansion for Rightway
Wirral-based DIY chain Rightway has completed a major expansion with the acquisition of a rival north Wales business for an undisclosed sum, in a deal funded by NatWest. It has acquired Flint-headquartered W Bevan & Sons, a family-owned business that was established more than 70 years ago and has seven stores across north Wales. The combined businesses will have a turnover of £5m, employ 150 people at 15 stores and stock more than 12,000 different products. The businesses will continue to operate under their own brand identities.
New timber plant creates 20 jobs
Clifford Jones Timber has opened a new 20,000 sq ft facility at its base in Ruthin, North Wales, following a £1m funding package from Yorkshire Bank’s Financial Solutions Centre in Chester and a Welsh Assembly Government Investment Grant. The £4.9m environmentally-friendly plant will produce around 40,000 tonnes of wood pellets each year for use in domestic and commercial heating systems. The company, which supplies products for use in agricultural, construction and landscaping industries, said the expansion has created 20 new jobs.
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Business
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Business growth in Halton
The number of businesses in Widnes and Runcorn has soared by more than 30 per cent in the past decade. The Halton Economic Review 2008 indicates a growing economy reducing its dependence on the chemicals industry and building expertise and capacity in the logistics business. More than 2,400 VAT-registered businesses are now in the borough, which has a rate of growth larger than the average for the North West and the UK as a whole. Growth is forecast to continue with total employment expected to rise by 4,000 to 2020.
Remsdaq plans growth
Deeside-based Remsdaq plans to increase its sales by 10 per cent in the next year, from £14.5m in 2008 to £16m in 2009. The specialist technology company, which employs 120 people, believes that much of the growth will be in its supervisory control and data acquisition technology, which is used by 50 per cent of regional UK electricity companies. Managing director Terry Breen says that the company’s management team is also looking to expand overseas by further developing operations in the Far East, the Middle East and Europe.
Salmon leaps to BBC North helm
Peter Salmon has been appointed as the first director of BBC North, overseeing the corporation’s new base at Salford Quays, which will be home to some 2,500 TV, radio and online staff. Salmon, currently the creative director of the corporation's broadcasting and production division BBC Vision, will take up the new role in mid-2009 and join the BBC’s executive board in 2010 when the centre at MediaCity nears completion. He is the former BBC1 controller and director of BBC Sport and will have responsibility for BBC Sport, BBC Children’s and radio networks BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra when the departments relocate from London to Salford over the next three years.
Pnu Power wins US contract
Capenhurst-based Pnu Power, a subsidiary of the AIM-listed Energetix Group, has won a contract worth around £250,000 to supply its compressed air energy systems to P&E Automation, based in San Diego, California. It’s the first major contract win for the business following a successful trial period. The systems will be installed at a leading aerospace and defence company’s manufacturing facility in Utah, starting in the second quarter of 2009.
Chester event company on the move
Event Marketing Solutions (EMS), based in Chester, is to move to offices on the Lakeside development in Ellesmere Port. The company, which specialises in face-to-face mobile marketing campaigns, has outgrown its premises in Little Stanney, Chester. Keith Austin, managing director, said: “The new offices reflect our status as a fast-growing company and will provide us, for the first time, with a dedicated headquarters to house all aspects of our operation.”
RWE nPower joins Peel carbon team
Energy company RWE nPower has taken a 75 per cent stake in Peel Energy CCS, which was a joint venture by Peel Energy and Danish company Dong Energy. The restructuring of the joint venture means the team has successfully pre-qualified for the government’s carbon capture and storage demonstration competition. If successful in the competition, the project would comprise a capture facility of up to 400 megawatts that would form part of a cleaner coal-fired power station.
Shop for the region, says PSP
Regional business group Private Sector Partners (PSP) says the North West’s high streets and businesses need the support of shoppers and local authorities this Christmas. The group, which represents 100,000 North West companies, has made a plea to shoppers to support their members by buying local and British products during the festive season. PSP leader Len Collinson also urged local councils to do their bit by suspending car parking charges and promoting town centres.
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Property
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Government cash to help deliver new homes
Liverpool and Wirral will receive more than £6.3m to push forward plans to increase housebuilding in the region. The money is being made available through the government’s £605m Growth Fund, managed by the newly-established Homes and Communities Agency. Under the scheme, Halton, St Helens and Warrington will also receive £4m, while west Cheshire will get £3.4m. A total of £31m has been made available for the North West. Housing minister Margaret Beckett said there was a long-term need to build more homes and this shouldn’t be hampered by the economic downturn.
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