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Top Story
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Bob Hough to join NWDA board
Robert Hough, the right-hand man to Peel Holdings' John Whittaker, the region's most powerful man, is to join the board of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). As well as playing a key role as deputy chairman of Peel, Hough is a regional grandee of some standing. He also sits on the board of the Cheshire Building Society, Provident Financial, Styles & Wood, Alfred McAlpine and New East Manchester. Other new members of the agency board will be: Susan Williams, the leader of Trafford Council; Tony McDermott, the leader of Halton Borough Council; John Brooks, the vice-chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University and Peter Allen from Rural Connections. The hunt will also be on in January for a successor to NWDA chairman Bryan Gray who is stepping down next year. Hough could be a good bet to take over, now he's on the board.
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Wirral's ship comes in
Birkenhead-based Northwestern Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders - soon to be renamed Cammell Laird - has won "exclusive preferred contractor status" for ship maintenance with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, a 17-strong fleet that supplies the Royal Navy at sea with food, fuel, ammunition and spares. The deal could be worth more than £160m. Steve Foulkes, leader of Wirral Council, said: "This is fantastic news. It is further indication of the continued renaissance of ship repair in Wirral." 
Vindon heads for Kingsway
Vindon Healthcare, the AIM-listed medical storage business, has completed its long negotiations with Wilson Bowden for the construction of a new manufacturing and storage facility at the new Kingsway business park near Rochdale. The 29,480 sq ft building, which will be ready in autumn 2008, will cost Vindon £3.3m, funded by a new debt facility of £1.4m and the May 2007 fundraising, specific to this project, of £1.9m. It will allow Vindon to double its manufacturing capacity and give almost five times as much storage space as the company's current premises in Diggle.
Daresbury gets the nod
The Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus has been confirmed by the Science and Technology Facilities Council as a centre of excellence in the government's review of the UK's science budget. Along with Harwell in Oxfordshire, Daresbury will have access to £1.9bn of funding over the next three years. Daresbury will also be included in the government review of how Greater Manchester can contribute to the UK's science-based economy, a project that is being led by ex-AstraZeneca boss Sir Tom McKillop.
Action stations for rural development
The rural economy in the North West is set for a boost thanks to an initiative from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). The agency this week called for local groups to design and implement action plans to grow the rural economy. Groups will be invited to submit expressions of interest in creating packages to support businesses and maximise training and skills development. A range of activities will be eligible for funding through the Rural Development Programme for England, which is being delivered here by the NWDA between 2007 and 2013.
Victrex on the up
Lancashire-based chemicals and electronics business Victrex has released its results for the financial year to 30 September 2007. Revenue for the year was £131m, up from £122.5m in 2006, with gross profit increasing by 11 per cent from £75.8m to £84.5m, following a year in which the company's low-margin fluoride business was closed down.
Cathay come home
Merseyside cushion company Caldeira has won The Rising Star award at the Cathay Pacific Business Awards Ceremony 2007. The awards are the leading UK-China business awards and this category recognises dynamic and successful smaller UK businesses operating in China.
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Oldham gets the go-ahead
Oldham Athletic's £80m plans to redevelop its Boundary Park site last night received planning permission at the second attempt. The residential buildings closest to the adjacent housing area have been scaled down in height, although the scheme will retain all 693 apartments - buildings closer to the stadium itself will now be taller. The project also includes the redevelopment of three stands, office space, a hotel with conferencing and banqueting facilities and a leisure centre.
Shed specialists come good for CBRE
CB Richard Ellis' acquisition of niche industrial agency DGI Davis George in April has reaped dividends. The firm has now disposed of over one million sq ft of industrial space since the deal, including the letting of 311,000 sq ft in Trafford Park to TDG, the sale of 171,000 sq ft at Greengate Point, Chadderton, to Tetrosyl and the letting of 262,000 sq ft in St Helens to Pilkington Glass.
St Modwen book Rogers
Dawn Rogers, a former area sales manager for serviced office provider Regus, has been appointed manager of the Innovation Centre at Evolution Park, Blackburn, one of two buildings being developed by developer St Modwen and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. The 30,000 sq ft Innovation Centre is part of the first phase of the 223,000 sq ft business park to serve medical, science and knowledge-based businesses.
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JD raids the Bank
Bury retailer John David Group (JD) has paid Phoenix Equity Partners £18.5m for Bank Stores Holdings, which sells branded fashionwear from 49 high street stores across the UK. Manchester law firm Halliwells advised JD, which last week attributed an increase in like-for-like sales of 11.8 per cent to its move into more upmarket labels. Bank was founded in 1994 by Andy Scott and sells brands including Gio Goi, Firetrap, Superdry and Henleys.
DWF on the scene at Rushe's rescue
Law firm DWF has advised on the takeover of Northwich Victoria FC, a deal that has secured the future of the Blue Square Premier club. The acquiring consortium is led by businessman Jim Rushe and supported by regeneration group Encia Group, the club's new sponsor and an existing DWF client. The new owners have signed a 25-year lease with Mike Connett, the club's previous owner, who retains control of the club's stadium. They have also reached an agreement with HM Revenue & Customs, which recently sought a winding up order against the club.
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