Home entertainment distributor MBL Group, based in Leyland, has bought a 15 per cent stake in careers information and advice provider U-Xplore, trading as U-Explore. The AIM-listed company has paid £2m for the share and its chief executive Trevor Allan will now join U-Explore’s board. MBL will also receive fees for management services worth £100,000 in the first year. According to MBL, the partnership provides “considerable opportunities for cross-fertilisation of clients” as U-Explore looks to take its content further than its website. Click here for Insider comment.

Hamilton Brady, a Wilmslow-based financial claims business, has attracted an equity investment from mid-market London investment vehicle Consilium Ventures. The business plans to use the investment for “rapid expansion” plan. Quy Tien, co-founder and managing director of Hamilton Brady, said: “Securing the investment from Consilium Ventures is a major coup for the business and gives us a distinct competitive advantage in a sector notorious for less organised and often severely under-capitalised entrants.”

Simbal, a supplier of electrical equipment to the crane and materials lifting industry, has undergone and management buyout backed by The Royal Bank of Scotland. The deal sees managing director Steve Woolley replace Brian Ball as the company’s majority shareholder. Woolley said: “Our main goal is to build long-term relationships that meet the needs of our customer and suppliers. This transaction gives us a sound platform to continue with this approach.” The £1.5m-turnover business, based in Chapel-en-le-Frith, employs seven staff.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency and European Regional Development Fund have approved £8.1m of funding to support businesses working in the region’s food and drink industry. The funding will be managed by Food Northwest, the region’s food and drink cluster organisation, which will deliver a support programme focusing on four key themes. The programme will seek to provide specialist technical support, increase market intelligence, offer business continuity planning, and enable companies to take advantage of the organic and ethnic high-growth sectors.

Personal care products group McBride, which has a strong presence in the North West with sites in Middleton, St Helens, Barrow and Burnley, expects its full-year revenue to be flat, the company announced today. Fourth quarter sales are 3 per cent lower than anticipated following weak retail sales across Europe and promotional activity in the UK. The group also announced that it has started a further restructuring project in the UK, which is expected to deliver annualised cost savings of £4m with cash expenditure of £4m.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is to cut 60 jobs at its headquarters in Whitehaven, Cumbria following an operational review. The company, which also has offices in Warrington, Harwell and Dounreay, will make 90 staff redundant across the four sites. The move represents a 30 per cent reduction in its workforce. Chief executive Tony Fountain said its current organisational structure was designed for its start-up phase and “considerable progress” has since been made. A month-long consultation period with staff is now underway.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has confirmed it has dismissed the winding up order against Preston North End FC. However, HMRC also announced that it will be continuing action against the club in respect of a PAYE liability of about £435,000 for May 2010, which was due on 19 June 2010. Earlier this week Trevor Hemmings’ Deepdale PNE Holdings upped its stake in the club to more than 75 per cent. The club said the winding up petition has had a "significant impact" on recent season ticket sales.

Neil Price has been appointed as head of the North West team at Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets acquisition finance, which provides leveraged finance to support private equity-backed transactions. He moves from the acquisition finance team in London to take the role. Price has a decade of experience at Lloyds Banking Group and will focus on working with private equity houses and intermediaries across the region.

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The Government Office for the North West has confirmed that it will not call in the plans for the redevelopment of the Old Trafford cricket ground area for an inquiry. The Old Trafford Partnership is made up of Lancashire County Cricket Club, Trafford Council, Ask Developments and Tesco. Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes said: “This is a historic decision for the future of international cricket in the North West.” For Insider’s Neil Tague’s view on phase one of the scheme, click here.

Calderstones Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has taken the 8,627 sq ft second floor at Viscount House in Arkwright Court at Blackburn Interchange. The new tenant has agreed a five-year lease with landlord North West Industrial Estates. The accommodation will be occupied by East Lancashire Financial Services, which provides financial service functions for the Trust and other Trusts. Mason & Partners, Robert Pinkus & Co and Trevor Dawson acted for the landlord and Edwards & Co for the tenant.

Cheshire-based investor and developer Bluemantle has signed Marks & Spencer for a 15,000 sq ft unit at Congleton Retail Park. M&S Simply Food has agreed a 20-year lease. Bluemantle has also regeared the lease of Focus DIY on a 15,000 sq ft unit within the park at a headline rental level of £18 per sq ft. Bluemantle said with strong interest in the last unit, it is considering developing a further 5,000 sq ft. Cushman & Wakefield and Cheetham & Mortimer are retained agents.

Consultants advising Cheshire East Council have outlined a strategy to make Crewe an “economic powerhouse”. The five-point plan, which has been developed in coordination with the Northwest Regional Development Agency, is a road map for a 20 year redevelopment of the town. Major goals include: improving transport links and broadband infrastructure, attracting more hi-tech industries, improving schools and quality of life, redeveloping underused sites, and improving leadership and public image.

Property Alliance Group has secured two lease renewals and gained a new tenant at its office building Camellia House in Wilmslow. Insurance broker ISIS has agreed a new six-year lease at £16.50 per sq ft, while development consultancy AXIS has agreed a five-year deal at the same rental. New tenant Advanced Rejuvenation Clinic has taken 1,200 sq ft over a ten-year lease, again at £16.50 sq ft.