Shop Direct narrows losses after restructuring

Liverpool-based home shopping giant Shop Direct has narrowed pre-tax losses from £114m to £21m in the 12 months to 30 April after a year of “significant restructuring”.

Hill Dickinson boss: tough lessons for law firms

Peter Jackson, the managing partner of Hill Dickinson, has told Insider the near collapse of Manchester law firm Halliwells “will mean we’re going to suffer as a profession”. His comments come as Hill Dickinson confirmed it will take over Halliwells' offices in Liverpool and Sheffield. HBJ Gateley Wareing has also taken on 200 staff, including 40 partners, from the Manchester office of Halliwells.

Halliwells – the deal breakdown

HBJ Gateley Wareing has taken on a larger chunk of Halliwells, including its premises in Hardman Square in Manchester, while for Hill Dickinson the deal represents a new Yorkshire focus for the firm.

Co-operative Bank refinances Spar retailer

Alfred Jones (Warrington), which is one of the largest independent Spar retailers in the UK, has secured a £10m refinancing package from The Co-operative Bank.

Bridging Finance rebrands as expansion continues

Merseyside’s only private finance house has rebranded to reflect its expansion throughout England and Wales.

Council to find £380,000 for Expo

Liverpool City Council is set to approve £380,000 of funding towards the city’s presence at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

Sales rise at Dairy Crest

Dairy Crest, the Cathedral City cheese and Country Life butter maker, has issued a buoyant management statement. It comes less than three months after warning that rising commodity costs and a poor spring for British milk production would put pressure on prices.

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Rosewood expands its portfolio in Wirral

Warrington care home operator Rosewood Healthcare has acquired its third home in the North West with the purchase of Fairfield Nursing Home in Wirral.

Bruntwood hits a six at Cotton Exchange

Bruntwood has welcomed six new businesses to the Cotton Exchange in Liverpool’s Bixteth Street. The property group has secured 12,760 sq ft of lettings at the Grade II-listed building.

Housing associations launch procurement partnership

Two housing associations in the North West have launched a national procurement partnership to reduce costs and improve services.

Tague On Tour: For the love of Peter

The shortlist of submissions for the re-design of St Peter’s Square has been revealed – Neil Tague takes a look at the proposals in the running.

In Focus: A few nagging doubts about the North West Fund

Insider editor Michael Taylor wonders whether the new North West Fund can succeed and whether it will be subject to government meddling.

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