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Manchester-based IT and telecoms provider ANS Group has sold its 80 per cent interest in RSS Web to Lowry Investment Capital in a deal worth £300,000. The company said the decision to sell RSS was taken because it was "not core to the group's business" despite acquiring it only 12 months ago. It is estimated that ANS will make a profit of around £104,000 from the sale. Finance director Chris Malthouse added: "This disposal allows the group to move forward and focus on the significant acquisition opportunities currently presented to it." In the eight months to 31 March, RSS has a turnover of £257,443 and profit after tax of £50,766. 
Co-op to sell off 107 stores The Co-operative Group is to sell off 107 Somerfield stores, following the acquisition of the Bristol-based grocer for £1.5bn last month. It is reported that Credit Suisse has been appointed to run the sale process and has asked for preliminary proposals from potential bidders to be submitted by 22 August. The deadline for comments to be submitted to the Office of Fair Trading on competition issues arising from the deal passed yesterday. The Somerfield estate comprises 900 outlets, including 140 petrol stations.
Flowcrete, the Sandbach-headquartered flooring specialist, has secured its largest ever deal - an £8m contract at one of the world's most exclusive skyscraper developments, being built in the United Arab Emirates. The company, which is enjoying strong growth in the Middle East, is to install more than 1 million sq m of its Deckshield car park decking system at the Jumeirah Lakes Towers development in Dubai. Flowcrete was sold by founder Dawn Gibbins, who owned a 54 per cent stake, to US-based RPM International in April. Her husband and business partner, Mark Greaves, stayed on at Flowcrete as group managing director and the company now has 30 offices worldwide.
Davenham launches new division Asset-based lender Davenham, which is headquartered in Manchester, has launched an invoice finance unit to cater for the increasing demand from its broker and accountancy network. Andrew Johnson and Christine Greenhalgh will run the new team which will offer a range of factoring and invoice discounting services. Greenhalgh said the move was an "exciting new era" for the company.
Preston Chamber boss quits The joint chief executive of Preston's Chamber of Trade has resigned from the job after more than two years, citing an unwillingness by some of the city's biggest high street names to join the organisation as a reason for his departure. Nicholas Watson, who shares the role with Richard Sullivan and also runs marketing agency Incito, said that many retailers felt they no longer needed local representation. He will remain in the role for the next two months while a replacement is sought.
New head for Promethean Blackburn-based Promethean, the global educational technology specialist, has appointed Ian Curtis as head of UK and Ireland. He will be responsible for managing Promethean's UK operations and driving sales of its Activclassroom solutions throughout the UK and Ireland. Before joining Promethean, Curtis worked in the IT and technology sector for over 24 years, most notably with multinational group Hewlett-Packard
Potts to chair Bridge Insurance Bridge Insurance Brokers has named Roger Potts as its new chairman. Potts joins from Willis where he held a similar position as chairman of the corporate risks business and will take up the position in October. Potts said: "I am excited to be joining the most highly respected independent broking business in Manchester."
Fast Track wound up A company that targeted householders in Rochdale in an attempt to get them to sign up for the right to buy their council houses has been wound up by the Official Receiver after it attempted to buy homes without residents' consent. The business, known as Fast Track, offered tenants free DIY vouchers if they signed up to the Right to Buy scheme. However, tenants reported that the vouchers never arrived and said that they only signed a form agreeing to look into the scheme rather than actually giving approval for the company to buy homes on their behalf. Dublin-based FAI Finance Corporation, the financial loans company behind Fast Track, was wound up in February 2008 with losses of £36m up to December 2007.
Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust has signed up for a 9,954 sq ft unit at Gladman Developments' Beecham Court scheme within Pemberton Business Park, Wigan. The trust has taken a ten-year lease at £13.31 per sq ft and has renamed the building Bevan House. The office unit was developed by Gladman and marketed jointly with Pinder Fry & Benjamin, which advised the GOLD 12 Property Plus investment fund on the acquisition of more than 100 units from Gladman.
Carey Jones to open Manchester studio Carey Jones, the architecture and interior design practice, has unveiled plans to open a new North West studio in Manchester's Northern Quarter. It will add the Manchester office to its existing ones in Leeds, London and New York from 1 September. Director Simon Clarke will move across the Pennines to set up the new studio. He said: "This may seem a bold move in the current economic climate but opening a studio in Manchester is part of a tempered and natural progression for Carey Jones which we have been planning for some time. Based upon our existing client and project base across the North West we already have very solid foundations in place which we can develop much more effectively if we are based in the region."
Knight Frank to instruct on two schemes The Manchester office of property agency Knight Frank has been awarded two new instructions. The company will market the refurbished Trencherfield Mill development in Wigan on behalf of Stewart Milne Developments and also The Picture House in Botchergate, Carlisle. The Grade II-listed Trencherfield Mill forms part of the Wigan Pier Quarter Regeneration scheme that is designed to the town centre, while The Picture House has eight luxury apartments on offer.
In like Flynn at Heatons Law firm Heatons has launched a construction practice as it seeks to grow its real estate division. The practice will be headed by James Flynn, who joins as partner from Addleshaw Goddard, where he spent seven and a half years, latterly as managing associate. Flynn said: "It's a difficult time for the sector and real estate advisory teams will be suffering. But this firm seizes opportunities in challenging times, and our view is there is plenty of scope to grow."
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