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Top story
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Culture boosts economy by £33m
Cultural events staged in Liverpool during past year have boosted the city’s economy by £33m at a cost of £2.5m, a new report has found. The report, conducted by Vector Research, found that visitor spend was only £7m less than during the city's year as European Capital of Culture in 2008.
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Deals
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Liverpool won’t be rushed into quick sale
Liverpool FC's managing director Christian Purslow has confirmed the club has received a number of takeover offers but it will not rushed into a quick sale. Syrian Yahya Kirdi's consortium and Chinese businessman Kenny Huang have both been strongly linked with deals but Purslow said the club must sort out the “wheat from the chaff”.
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Bradshaw acquires Oakbase stake
Former Amaze managing partner Nick Bradshaw has become chief executive of Chester PR agency Oakbase after acquiring a controlling stake in the business. Bradshaw left Manchester-based online marketing agency Amaze in February.
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Business
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Surface Transforms cuts losses as revenues grow
Surface Transforms, the Ellesmere Port manufacturer of ceramic brake discs for the aircraft and automotive industries, has grown revenues by 18.5 per cent during the year to 31 May despite the “considerable reduction” in automotive activity during the period. The business reported a turnover of £804,800 for the period, up from £679,284 a year earlier. Losses for the year before tax reduced from £991,585 to £747,090.
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Chamber calls for trade priority
The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce has called on the coalition government to prioritise the appointment of a trade minister to help drive an export-led recovery. Prime Minister David Cameron has so far been thwarted in his attempts to fill the vacancy after a succession of business leaders turned down the job.
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Park nets £1.9m in VAT claim
Park Group, the gift voucher company based in Birkenhead, has received £1.9m from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) after filing a Fleming claim. The claim was for an over-declaration of output tax from the VAT paid in commission to agents.
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MBNA to make 80 cuts in Chester
Credit card giant MBNA has reaffirmed its commitment to the North West despite announcing up to 80 jobs are to go at its Chester base. The US-owned group said the redundancies would be made in its credit and customer assistance divisions.
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Lack of finance still a problem, says FSB
More than 25 per cent of small businesses in the region have little or no confidence in securing funding for growth, according to a survey published today by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). That compares with just 3 per cent of larger firms.
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Brand new North West Top 500 Database 2011
Do you need help sourcing new clients? Insider’s Brand new North West Top 500 Companies 2011 database is our accurate and comprehensive business marketing list. Try our free sample and pre-order to receive a discount offer (expires 31 January 2011).
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Property
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Integra People expands in Warrington
Warrington recruitment company Integra People has moved into a new purpose-built office in Birchwood Boulevard after a steady period of growth. The company, which was founded less than two years ago, has invested £90,000 in the premises and said it is on course for a turnover of £4.8m in the current financial year.
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£25m Knowsley scheme gets go-ahead
Knowsley Council’s planning committee has given the go-ahead to build the £25m Stockbridge Village centre. The complex will include a primary school, 20m swimming pool, gym and police access point.
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