Bargain Booze toasts higher sales

Crewe-headquartered Bargain Booze, Britain’s biggest off-licence chain, has continued to defy the ongoing gloom surrounding many UK retailers, with sales topping £370m in 2010. Director Keith Webb told Insider that the franchised business plans to increase its portfolio of stores in 2011 as it looks to gain market share in territories outside its North West and Midlands heartland.

Ice Pak acquired by Yearsley Group

Cold storage and distribution company Yearsley Group, headquartered in Heywood, has acquired Leeds-based Ice Pak Seafood Specialists for an undisclosed sum.

NWF fuels up with Evesons acquisition

NWF, the North West food and fuel distributor, has acquired Warwickshire-based Evesons Fuels for a consideration of £3.3m. NWF said that the buyout will increase its fuels division’s volume by more than 20 per cent and will help expand its operations across the UK.

Knutsford golf sale completes

Entrepreneur Andrew Vaughan has stepped in to buy High Legh Park Golf Club in Knutsford which had been in administration.

ePower plugs into £1m funding package

Electric-powered vehicles supplier ePower Trucks, which is based in Oldham, has secured a £1m funding package from Yorkshire Bank.

The Original Factory Shop breaks festive records

Heavy snowfall in the run-up to Christmas has helped Burnley-headquartered value department store chain The Original Factory Shop break its sales records over the festive period.

NWAA deal to boost aerospace collaboration

Aerospace companies in the region will be able to access more help to bid collaboratively for large contracts after the North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) signed a deal worth more than £200,000 with The Advance Consultancy.

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).

Bury warehouse sold for £7m

ISIS Property Trust has agreed a deal to buy a retail warehouse at Hope Mill Retail Park in Bury for £7m. The purchase reflects a net initial yield to the company of 6.95 per cent.

Stockport completes Grand Central deal

Stockport Council has completed the purchase of Grand Central, the mixed-use scheme adjacent to its mainline railway station. Targetfollow, the developer that intended to redevelop the site, went into administration in October.

Stobart submits Carlisle Airport plans

Consultations are underway in Carlisle after Stobart Air submitted further plans for the development of the city’s airport.

In Focus: The age of the angels

Is this going to be a golden age for business angels? Or have the Dragons tainted their image? Michael Taylor reports.

Dealmakers wrap: Happy New Year (and why it actually might be!)

In the latest in our series of blogs written by the winners of our Dealmakers Awards 2010, KPMG’s Jonathan Boyers argues that private equity funds and leading corporates in the North West are well placed to buy again.

Insider: Free tickets and Royal Exchange Theatre membership

For this month only Insider Members can benefit from free tickets and a free trial Membership to the Royal Exchange Theatre. Offer expires 31 January 2011

Debt finance

Steve Cox, corporate manager at Handelsbanken, is the latest expert in our guide to Buying a Business. This advice centres on the pros and cons of debt finance. Ask him a question with the below icon.

Forthcoming Experts

Consolidating employment contracts

Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula Business Sevices, is the latest expert in our guide to Buying a Business. Peter shares his knowledge on the potentially tricky TUPE regulations. Ask him a question with the below icon.

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