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Top story
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Media City now has to deliver, says Greenaway
Sinead Greenaway, the new chief executive of Media City, this morning described the Peel Media development as the "most exciting project in media this century". Speaking at Insider's Business of Media Summit at The Lowry, Salford Quays, Greenaway said the challenge now is to deliver and ensure the project realises its ambitions. "We all know the facts - it's the biggest media community in Europe - and we've spent more than £500m getting it to this stage," she said. "But we now have to put some meat on the bones. We aim to attract and support a rich media economy, but it has to have creativity flowing through its veins. We have to foster that creativity in the region." Greenaway, the former operations director at Virgin Media Television, was making her first public appearance as the new chief executive of Media City. Other speakers set to address the conference include Alex Connock, chief executive of Ten Alps, and Michael Nutley, editor-in-chief of New Media Age. Twitter users can follow the event under the hashtag #insidermedia . 
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Business
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Study launched into Mersey tidal power
Peel Energy and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) have launched a feasibility study into harnessing the tidal power of the Mersey. The estuary has the potential to make a significant contribution to the government's target to secure 15 per cent of UK energy from renewable sources by 2020. A team led by Scott Wilson, EDF and Drivers Jonas, and supported by RSK, APEM, HR Wallingford, Regeneris, Turner & Townsend, the University of Liverpool and a number of other advisers, has been appointed to undertake the study. The study will identify a single preferred tidal power scheme that stands the greatest chance of delivering the maximum affordable energy from the tidal resources, while taking into consideration its impact on the environment, shipping, business and the community, as well as options for mitigation or compensation.
Tourism shortlist unveiled
Next Monday the region's top tourism businesses will be vying to be named the best in the North West at the sixth annual England's Northwest Tourism Awards. Finalists include: Liverpool's Malmaison, the Carden Park Hotel, the Imperial War Museum North, Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral, Ullswater Steamers in Glenridding, Kendal's Castle Green Hotel and the BT Convention Centre in Liverpool. This year's event will be held at Blackpool's Tower Ballroom and will be hosted by BBC North West Tonight presenter Ranvir Singh.
Rippleffect goes punk
Digital marketing agency Rippleffect, based in Liverpool, has been appointed to overhaul the online presence of two magazines published by JF Media. The agency will design websites for Golf Punk and the newly launched Football Punk with a style "in keeping with the titles' irreverent look at the worlds of football and golf". Andrew Binns, senior business development manager at Rippleffect, said: "The sites will fall more in line with magazine content, while taking advantage of online tools to encourage user interaction and allow for faster search and improved navigation." The sites are expected to go live later this year.
Cool move for Gates
Wirral-based social marketing company ICE has appointed Michael Gates as an executive consultant. He is the former executive director of Mouchel Management Consultancy and has more than 20 years' experience of senior level public sector working. "This appointment comes during an important year of consolidation and growth for ICE, where the marketplace is continuing to come towards us," said Stuart Jackson, chief executive of ICE.
Aerelink appoints new sales director
Wireless communications provider Aerelink, based in Knowsley, has recruited Craig Barrass as sales director. He moves from Alvarion UK and Ireland where he worked as country manager. Barrass has also held senior managerial roles at Azzurri Communications and Avaya Communications.
Merseyrail gets on its bike
Merseyrail has secured £1m to develop new cycling facilities at stations in the region as part of its bid to become a national Cycling Demonstration Train Operator. The cash will be used to provide secure cycle storage facilities at 18 stations between Southport and Blundellsands and Crosby stations on the northern line, and for all but one station from Birkenhead Central to Hooton on the Wirral line. All the facilities are expected to be in place by late 2010. Merseytravel and Sefton and Wirral borough councils supported Merseyrail with the bid.
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Property
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Wirral reveals £10m coastal plans
Wirral Council has unveiled a £10m scheme that it hopes will transform the coastline between Rock Ferry and Eastham. The Mersey Coast project will incorporate existing plans drawn up by the Royal Mersey Yacht Club to redevelop its site. This includes building improved facilities and a new clubhouse that is capable of hosting national and international sailing events. There are also plans to refurbish the pier and make improvements to the esplanade, as well as reclaiming a Bromborough landfill site as a green space. Jean Stapleton, the council's cabinet member for regeneration and planning strategy, said: "Such proposals bring significant economic and social benefits not only to Wirral but also to the Liverpool city region."
OFT probe finds 103 firms colluding on price
Four North West construction firms have been fined as part of a UK-wide crackdown on contract pricing in the industry. The Office of Fair Trading has imposed fines totalling £129.5m on 103 construction firms in England which it found had colluded with competitors on building contracts. Wigan-based Allenbuild, Bramall Construction, which has regional offices in Salford and Liverpool, Cheshire-based Seddon Group and Rochdale's Richardson Projects are among the list of companies. Adam Alfred, partner at Addleshaw Goddard, said companies fined more than 0.5 per cent of their turnover should consider an appeal.
Pochin's posts £9.4m loss
Property group Pochin's this morning reported losses reflecting "the most dramatic and sustained collapse in property values in living memory". In the year to 31 May 2009, the company clocked a pre-tax loss of £9.4m against a turnover of £102m; a year earlier a £1.8m profit was achieved against revenues of £115m. Pochin's rebranded construction division was the strongest perfomer of the period, while its development and investment division, residential operation and concrete pumping arm were hit by lack of demand and falling asset values.
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