Homeform set for administration as pre-pack looms

A question mark hangs over the future of the Manchester-based Homeform this morning after the company revealed it was set to go into administration. The business, which owns Kitchens Direct, Dolphin Bathrooms and Moben Kitchens, employs 1,300 people across its 160 showrooms and uses the services of 1,500 self-employed fitters and designers.   READ MORE...

Warren James increases Pinewood stake

Stockport-based jewellery chain Warren James has increased its stake in Pinewood Shepperton to more than 25 per cent. The move could block Peel Group's hopes of delisting the film studios.   Read More...

Hemmings holds key to Arena Leisure deal

Bidders for racecourse operator Arena Leisure – thought to be property barons David and Simon Reuben – will have to win round Lancashire multimillionaire leisure tycoon Trevor Hemmings if they are to buy the business.   Read More...

ScraperWiki wins data journalism grant

Liverpool software development company ScraperWiki has won a £175,000 ($280,000) grant from the Knight Foundation to help expand its offering to journalists and other users around the world.   Read More...

RedX plans £39m drug development centre

Liverpool is at the centre of a bid to establish a £39m centre of excellence that will conduct early stage research into new drugs to treat cancer and other illnesses. Drug development business RedX Pharma has applied for a £5.9m grant from the government’s Regional Growth Fund for an initial two-year research phase.   Read More...

Heysham and Sellafield on nuclear list

Heysham in Lancashire and Sellafield in Cumbria are two of eight UK sites which could host one of the government's new nuclear reactors, it has been confirmed.   Read More...

Lupton positive for self-funded Pro Manchester era

Paul Lupton, the incoming chairman of business group Pro Manchester, has pledged to continue the work started under his predecessor Chris Baguley as the body starts life as an entirely self-funded organisation.   Read More...

Something for the weekend

This week: Boxing clever; this is jam hot; is there a Doctor in the house?; two at a time; and canapé won't pay.   Read More...

Gain new business contacts…

Insider’s North West Top 500 2011 database is our accurate and comprehensive business marketing list, providing you with the strongest contacts for the region’s biggest companies. Order now and receive a 30 per cent discount or request a free sample now (offer expires 30 June).   Read More...

Half of North West high streets are failing – Colliers

Half of retail centres in the North West are deemed to be "failing" and are likely to struggle to find any public or private investment to stimulate growth, according to the annual retail report by Colliers International.   Read More...

Partridge back in spotlight as Argent changes tack

Argent joint chief executive David Partridge is set to return to a more prominent role in the developer's Manchester operations following a management reorganisation.   Read More...

Bloor and Linden put forward Crewe scheme

HOW Planning has submitted a hybrid planning application for a 400-home residential development in Crewe on behalf of joint developers Bloor Homes and Linden Homes.   Read More...

Jack Wills adds to King Street presence

Speed to accelerate growth

Plans scrapped for £18m Tesco in Workington

Businesses honoured for energy innovation

Atkinson & Kirby in rescue deal

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