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Top story
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Pro Manchester calls for angel research centre
Professional services organisation Pro Manchester this morning outlined a series of proposals to better support entrepreneurs and new businesses in the city and to help establish Manchester as the UK’s leading destination for innovation and enterprise. The plans, conducted on behalf of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities and the Commission for the New Economy, call for the creation of a centre for business angel research and to develop a £1.5m start-up loan scheme modelled on the Rosebud Fund in Lancashire.
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Deals
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Rotala completes Preston Bus deal
The long-running ownership saga at Preston Bus appears to have come to an end today after Midlands bus operator Rotala confirmed it has reached a deal with Stagecoach to buy the company. AIM-listed Rotala will pay £3.2m for the business, which employs about 240 staff in Preston.
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Fresh Group sells rewards division
Cheadle-based communications and events agency The Fresh Group has sold its Freshrewards division, which specialises in sales promotion and loyalty campaigns, to the company’s management team.
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New chapter for bookshop business
A Lancashire bookshop chain has been bought by husband and wife team Nigel and Kath Cope after the duo secured a six-figure loan from NatWest. The couple have purchased Christian Book Centre, which trades from sites in Preston and Lancaster.
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Business
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Nigeria turmoil fails to dent PZ Cussons
Consumer products group PZ Cussons, which owns the Imperial Leather and Original Source brands, has delivered interim profits slightly ahead of forecasts despite the ongoing political turmoil in Nigeria, one of its major markets.
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Transactis jobs at risk in Liverpool
Workers at Liverpool data management company Transactis have been warned there could be “wide scale redundancies” following the agreed sale of its production businesses to US printing giant RR Donnelley. More than 250 jobs could be at risk, according to the union Unite.
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K3 expects improved profitability
Software company K3 Business Technology has told the Stock Exchange it expects its first-half results to demonstrate an improvement in the underlying profitability of the business.
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Brand new North West Top 500 Database 2011
Do you need help sourcing new clients? Insider’s Brand new North West Top 500 Companies 2011 database is our accurate and comprehensive business marketing list. Try our free sample and pre-order to receive a discount offer (expires 31 January 2011).
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Property
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Phoenix plans defeated in Oldham
Plans to build a 90-unit housing scheme on the Phoenix Mills site in Oldham have been turned down by Oldham Council’s planning committee, despite a recommendation for approval from the borough’s planning officers.
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Trafford Park site sold for £4.9m
DTZ Investment Management has bought an industrial scheme on Trafford Park in Manchester for £4.9m. The scheme comprises two self-contained industrial units totalling 64,697 sq ft.
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Argent schemes win environmental recognition
Four Manchester buildings developed by Argent have been awarded a 'Gold Environmental Business Pledge', an initiative developed by Groundwork Trust, the Environment Agency and Manchester City Council.
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Other News
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New northern focus at RSM Tenon
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CBI chief hits out at government's 'vision'
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Law firm launches mediation arm
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Forrest eyes northern expansion
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For this month only Insider Members can benefit from free tickets and a free trial Membership to the Royal Exchange Theatre. Offer expires 31 January 2011
