| - |
|
Top story
|
Theres money on the floor
In a sign that there is still funding out there for the right business even in the most troubled of climates, Merseyside-based Flasma, which manufactures floor-based advertising screens, has scored a £350,000 investment from Alliance Fund Managers Liverpool Seed Fund. The company, which has recently secured European patents for its products as well as the ones it holds in the US, will use the money to support commercialisation of the product and pursue foreign opportunities. Managing director Richard Lee said: The Flasma system has several advantages over conventional posters. Because the system is floor-based it capitalises on the natural instinct to look at the floor when walking. Flasma has recently relocated from London to Southport and has installed a number of screens in pavements and shopping mall floors in London, Sheffield and Italy. Turnover is predicted to reach in excess of £1m in 2009.
|
|
|
Deals
|
Directors buy back technology company
A group of directors at Taecanet, a teaching software company based at Liverpool Digital, has bought the companys assets back from administrators after it failed to secure a further round of investment for expansion of its online educational facilities. Taecanet had previously received funding from Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF) via the Venture Fund and Liverpool Seed Fund, but in the current economic climate was unable to secure further investment and administrators from Parkin S Booth were called in. Taecanet was set up by technology experts Ian Nairn and John Davison and relocated from Wiltshire to Merseyside in 2005. Mark Fuller, managing director of Alliance Fund Managers, which manages MSIF, said: It is regrettable that, despite every effort to support the business during the time of our investment, it was unable to continue trading. Taecanet is an early-stage technology company and there is always an element of risk associated with investments in these types of businesses. 
Co-op deal with Somerfield approved
The Office of Fair Trading has given the go-ahead to The Co-operative Groups £1.565bn acquisition of Bristol-headquartered retailer Somerfield. The group secured the deal in July, having driven the price down from the £1.9bn that Somerfields major shareholders, Apax Partners, Barclays Capital and Robert Tchenguiz, wanted earlier this year. The news clears the way for the creation of a stronger fifth player in the grocery market.
|
|
Business
|
Collinson returns to the chair
Well-known regional businessman Len Collinson, who lives in Formby, has returned to an organisation he founded by taking the position of chairman at business lobby group Private Sector Partners (PSP). He founded PSP following a walk out of business groups from the North West Assembly in 2002. Today it represents more than 20 professional bodies and trade associations and speaks for more than 100,000 private firms in the North West. It is vital the cause of business, particularly smaller businesses, is championed and listened to at this time of economic turbulence, said Collinson. The government may be taking the plaudits for bailing out the banking system, but it is smaller businesses that will pick up much of the bill.
Cumbria Vision report backs on Stobart
The plans by Stobart Air to develop Carlisle Airport have received a boost with the publication of a report commissioned by economic development body Cumbria Vision. The report by consultancy Ekos, entitled The Economic Impact Appraisal for Carlisle Airport, will be used by Stobart Air in support of its new planning application. It estimates that 1,255 full-time jobs and £36.25m would be safeguarded for the local economy, 157 new jobs created and £2.12m added to Cumbria’s economic value.
Legal chambers launch new department
Liverpool Civil Law has launched a dedicated costs department, a move aimed at serving demand from new and existing clients. Specialist barristers Chris Jackson and David Pilling have joined the chambers and will provide services to solicitors acting both for claimant and defendant insurers. Jackson said: Our costs department provides a service that has not previously been available from a dedicated team in Liverpool. There are perhaps only six chambers in the whole country that offer a comparable service.
Parkinson to unveil key findings at Insider forum
After the huge success of last year’s inaugural event, Insider is heading to London again next month for the Insider UK Investment Forum 2008. This year’s event is entitled How UK Cities Can Create Competitive Advantage and will feature an exclusive presentation by Professor Michael Parkinson on the impact of the credit crunch on UK regeneration projects. To be held over lunch at the Hotel Andaz in London on 7 November, the forum marks the launch of the flagship UK Business Insider 2009 title, our guide to the UK regions, and will feature a panel including Chris Brown, chief executive of Igloo Regeneration and Ken Shuttleworth, director of Make architects. If you are interested in attending this event or would like further details please email helen.power@newsco.com.
Design agency clinches national award
NMC Design+Print, a design and print agency run by and employing designers with muscular dystrophy was awarded a £5,000 cash prize at the Enterprising Solutions Awards at a ceremony in London last night. The awards reward the UKs most successful and innovative social enterprises. Based in Winsford, NMC was established 17 years ago by the Neuromuscular Centre.
|
|
Property
|
Masters of all they survey
Property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has been instructed to value and survey 15 lighthouses along the English coastline on behalf of lighthouse authority Trinity House, including a location in Cumbria. LSH will also assess the condition of all facilities, including site cottages and outbuildings, and prepare reports outlining maintenance plans. Chris Perry, surveyor in the building consultancy team at LSHs Manchester office, will deliver the services on the St Bees lighthouse in Cumbria, which was built in 1718 south of the harbours of Maryport, Workington and Whitehaven.
|
|
|
Contact Us
Insider
8th Floor, Boulton House
17-21 Chorlton Street
Manchester
M1 3HY
Telephone: +44 (0)161 907 9711
Email:
nw@insiderdaily.co.uk
|
|
Subscribe
To subscribe to the eBulletin,
click here.
|
|
- |
