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Top story
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Congested Merseyside harming business
Over 40 per cent of businesses on Merseyside would support the idea of congestion charges if they were introduced following significant investment in public transport, according to the results of a new survey released this morning by the Merseyside Transport Partnership. The survey findings, unveiled at the 2008 Merseyside Transport Conference at Liverpool Town Hall, showed that the day-to-day running of local businesses is hit hard by congestion, which prevents the timely movement of goods, clients and staff, and 60 per cent of companies said they had experienced a negative impact on their business because of delivery delays. While congestion charging does not form part of the Local Transport Plan 2006-2011, the businesses surveyed were interested in the idea of increased flexibility in working hours and in bus priority measures. This morning’s event also featured the Merseyside Transport Awards at which Culture Company deputy chairman Phil Redmond presented awards to organisations including: the University of Liverpool, which has reduced car use by 7 per cent; Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority, with its fuel-efficient driving initiative; and Merseyrail, for outstanding customer service.
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Deals
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Tote sale halted, for now
The government has put plans to sell the Tote on hold in the face of current economic conditions. Minister for sport Gerry Sutcliffe said the state-owned bookmaker would be retained in public ownership for the medium term and brought back to the market when the financial situation improved. Chief executive Trevor Beaumont said: “We are delighted to have reached a position of clarity on the government’s intention over the sale of the Tote. We are now looking to being able to drive the business forward from our headquarters in Wigan.” The government took powers in the Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004 to enable it to sell the Tote as part of its wider policy aim of removing itself from the affairs of the racing industry.
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Business
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Manufacturers talk tough
It’s tough out there, but we’re ready for the slowdown. That was the message this morning at Insider’s manufacturing breakfast held at Stanley House in Lancashire. An audience of manufacturers got up before the lark to hear four sparkling presentations on strategies to cope. Lee Hopley head of economic policy at event sponsor EEF set the scene by saying North West manufacturers had outperformed the national and European averages on profitability and output, but that confidence was ebbing. Presentations on best practice from Andrew Jones of Klarius and Mark Houlton of Optare honed in on how lean techniques and investment in product design boosted their chances. Phil Humphreys from Military Air Solutions at BAE Systems finished with an overview of how the extensive supply chain in the North West works. The question and answer session that followed was dominated by concerns over skills and training issues.
Further funding to cross the Mersey
The government has approved an extra £6m of funding for the Mersey Gateway Project, a £430m plan to build a new bridge across the Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes. Earlier this month the Department of Transport announced that the scheme submitted by Halton Borough Council would be called in for a public inquiry. If all goes smoothly construction would start in 2011, with the bridge opening in 2014.
Energetix turns up the heat
AIM-listed Energetix Group, the developer of alternative energy products based at Capenhurst Technology Park, is joining forces with German firm Stiebel Eltron to take on the European heating market. The collaboration agreement involves the integration of the Genlec micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP) unit into a boiler, development of which is expected to start in early 2009. Adrian Hutchings, chief executive of Energetix Group, said: “The relationship should give us greater access and insight into the European market, and in particular to Germany, an important and advanced market for micro-CHP.”
Top tourism award for Westmorland
Cumbria’s John Dunning of top motorway services and conference centre business Westmorland was last night honoured with the first outstanding contribution to tourism award at the fifth annual England’s Northwest Tourism Awards. At the event, held at Liverpool’s St George’s Hall and hosted by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, 19 awards were handed out. The visitor impact award went to Liverpool 08, while the Marriott Worsley Park Hotel was named large hotel of the year. The excellence in business tourism award went to Westmorland’s Rheged Centre and the Manchester International Festival was named visitor experience of the year.
DTM walks new path
Seven partners have left Cheshire and North Wales-based law firm Walker Smith Way to set up DTM Legal in Chester. The new company, which began trading on 1 October, has 15 solicitors and specialises in sales and acquisitions, corporate work, commercial property, commercial litigation and insolvency. Julie Mogan, partner DTM Legal, said: “All of the partners at Walker Smith Way took a decision that the commercial company and litigation departments would separate. DTM Legal can now focus on continuing the sustained growth and success of this arm of the business.”
Peel on board for Expo
North West property and infrastructure giant Peel has come on board as strategic partner of WaterfrontExpo 2008, the annual forum for professionals involved in waterfront regeneration and development. The 2008 event takes place in Liverpool from 3 to 5 November with the official support of The Mersey Partnership and the Northwest Regional Development Agency. Peel has two proposed waterfront mixed-use development schemes in the pipeline - Wirral Waters and Liverpool Waters – on either side of the Mersey Estuary, which together form the largest regeneration project in the UK.
Steady Eddie
Carlisle-based logistics giant Stobart Group is bullish in the face of a weakening economy after posting interim pre-tax profits of £11m and continuing revenues of £199.2m. The acquisitions of rival James Irlam and WA Developments – now Stobart Rail – during the period have shored up the figures and chairman Rodney Barker-Bates is confident the company will ride out the downturn. “Despite the current economic climate, we are not experiencing any impact on volumes and are protected in our contracts against fuel price increases.” Stobart is still gunning for an expansion of Carlisle airport after the plans were resubmitted following a public inquiry over the development.
Boost for women’s enterprise
The Northwest Women’s Enterprise Forum, in partnership with the Northwest Regional Development Agency, has launched the Northwest Women in Business Awards 2009 to bring together some of region’s most innovative and successful female-led companies and reward their achievements. Building on the success of the inaugural awards ceremony in March 2008, the event aims to inspire and encourage more women to consider enterprise as a career and increase the number of women starting up and growing businesses in the region. A new Women’s Enterprise Action Plan aimed at driving up the number of women-owned enterprises in the region has also been launched this month.
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Property
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Cheshire Oaks building for sale
DTZ has been appointed by Morgan Stanley to dispose of Chester House on Cheshire Oaks Business Park on the M53. Built in 2001, the two-storey building provides 10,969 sq ft of office space and 38 parking spaces. Chris Lloyd, office agency associate director at DTZ, said: “Given the excellent amenities and the lack of any genuine existing grade A office accommodation in Chester city centre and Chester Business Park, it will appeal to occupiers from all sectors.”
Bluemantle Preston scheme gets planning
A joint venture between Alderley developer Bluemantle and Kilmartin has been granted planning permission for a multimillion-pound refurbishment of the Grade II-listed Miller Arcade in Preston. The scheme will bring back into use over 30,000 sq ft of office accommodation and three new leisure units. The historic Miller Arcade sits on the corner of Fishergate and Church Street, facing the Town Hall.
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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
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