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Manchester-based insurance group Manson is set to roll out its North West growth strategy with a string of potential acquisitions in the regional market. Mike Latham, managing director of Manson Insurance Brokers, told Insider the company is planning to adopt a friendly approach to consolidation with its client and employee-focused approach. He said: "We are speculatively looking at the market to see who we would like to work with. We're in talks with a number of companies, and in advance talks with one insurance broker." Manson was acquired for £16.2m in January by Bristol-based Jelf Group to become a growth hub for the North West. 
Three years of pain before 2011 gain, says Atisreal Property consultancy Atisreal said yesterday that it does not expect to see rental growth in commercial property for three years. Speaking at the company's economic review in Manchester, Andrew Marston, associate director of research, said: "This year will be worse than last year, and 2009 worse still. We should enter a recovery phase in 2010 and see positive growth in 2011. The misery will be shared by most sectors, although regional offices will not suffer as badly as central London or the retail warehouse sector."
Never mind the Bullocks Public transport giant Stagecoach has issed a statement regarding a potential deal with Cheadle bus and coach company R Bullock. Stagecoach said: "We can confirm we are in negotiations with R Bullock and Sons regarding the potential purchase of its commercial bus operations. Discussions may or may not lead to an agreement, and we will make any further announcement as appropriate."
Orbit potters around Orbit Developments has let the third floor of Parkway 5, the newest building at its 114,880 sq ft Parkway Business Centre in Manchester. Potters, part of the Vifor Pharma herbal medicine group owned by Swiss corporation Galenica, has signed a ten-year lease for the 4,171 sq ft suite.
The Work Foundation's How Can Cities Thrive in the Changing Economy report, released this week, contained some positives for the region but some parts that appeared alarming at first glance. Wigan was ranked 55 out of the 56 places studied, being named as a "stuck city" rather than a "resurgent" one. Leaving aside the fact that Wigan is not a city, the research covers the period 1995 to 2005 and quite a lot has changed since then. Stuck cities are lambasted for not working with their larger neighbours, which is exactly what Wigan and the other Greater Manchester boroughs have focused on over the past couple of years. Still, at least there wasn't anything about pies.
Development the Turkish way Great news from Istanbul: "Europe's biggest outlet center VIA/PORT will be inaugurated in Istanbul's Kurtkoy district on 29 July. In addition to a shopping mall, the centre will include a big amusement park for children, a farm with ponies, an ATV racecourse and a Go Kart field." Now doesn't that sound much more fun than the sort of dross our developers come up with? "The project will feature the same mediocre coffee chain as every other scheme and a hugely overpriced sandwich shop."
Deal of the week It could only be the worst-kept secret in business. Yes, news finally broke from New Century House that The Co-operative Group had agreed to acquire Bristol-headquartered retailer Somerfield for £1.57bn, having driven the price down from the £1.9bn Somerfield's major shareholders wanted earlier this year. Somerfield operates 880 stores across the UK and generated net sales of £4.2bn and earnings of £233m last year. At the year-end its assets totalled £1.3bn.
Ethical quote of the week "By backing social entrepreneurs we can have the same sort of impact on social issues that private equity has had on the mainstream economy. Social investment is going to be a new asset class. Politicians and major financial institutions have a responsibility to support and foster enterprise, not just for the sake of entrepreneurs but for the sake of society as a whole." Sir Ronald Cohen, the godfather of UK venture capital, goes all luvvy. Shame on those of you who thought venture capitalists believed ethics to be a county to the east of London.
"Do as I say, not as I did" quote of the week "What you want to build is a financial vehicle to be able to continue to fund racing. What are the two incomes to that sport? One is the levy and the other is the profits from the Tote. So why not put the Levy Board into the new Tote Trust, so the new Tote Trust actually becomes the financial body for the sport?" Richard Caborn has a bright idea about how to sell off state bookmaker the Tote, having failed to complete the job in six years as sports minister.
Canapé won't pay The verdict on Saffery Champness' offering at its office opening this week was "must try harder". Manchester's Bridgewater Hall put on its usual high-class display for Atisreal's economic review to take this week's title ahead of SKV PR's tenth birthday bash at Manchester's legendary Press Club last night. An easily pleased bunch, journalists - "have you seen the toilets in here now they've done them up?" squealed several guests.
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