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Top story
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Former station building attracts government teams
Teams from three government departments and agencies are moving to a new home near Manchester's Piccadilly station, with news that the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) is bringing 300 staff up from London. In total about 800 civil servants from Government Office for the North West (GONW), the Highways Agency and the TDA will be based in Piccadilly Gate, the former rail headquarters, from early 2010. GONW and the Highway Agency's Manchester team are currently based in City Tower in Piccadilly Gardens. City council leader Sir Richard Leese said: "Government agencies have had a strong presence in this part of the city centre since the 1960s so it's great news that not only have they chosen to stay here but are enhancing their presence with the relocation of the TDA from London. This expansion will inevitably bring new employment opportunities for local people and help sustain Manchester's economy."
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Sella takes a seat in the Midlands
Bury-based Sella Office Seating, designer and manufacturer of office seating, has acquired West Midlands rival ACF Office Seating in a deal that includes all chair and seat designs and patterns and all intellectual property relating to the product portfolio and branding. The acquisition allows Sella to extend its product portfolio.
Bury-based Sella Office Seating, designer and manufacturer of office seating, has acquired West Midlands rival ACF Office Seating in a deal that includes all chair and seat designs and patterns and all intellectual property relating to the product portfolio and branding. The acquisition allows Sella to extend its product portfolio.
Co-op funds Playmates
Widnes-based Playmates is preparing to open its third nursery. The company, which was established 13 years ago, will open its new branch in Frodsham, Cheshire, after securing funding from The Co-operative Bank. The bank's Manchester Corporate Banking Centre provided a £1.6m funding package for Chris Devlin and Gill Dillon. Playmates' two current nurseries employ 27 full-time staff members to take care of 90 children. Once the new location has been refurbished, the company plans to double the amount of childcare places it provides.
Widnes-based Playmates is preparing to open its third nursery. The company, which was established 13 years ago, will open its new branch in Frodsham, Cheshire, after securing funding from The Co-operative Bank. The bank's Manchester Corporate Banking Centre provided a £1.6m funding package for Chris Devlin and Gill Dillon. Playmates' two current nurseries employ 27 full-time staff members to take care of 90 children. Once the new location has been refurbished, the company plans to double the amount of childcare places it provides.
Scottish bidder makes move on Cains
Glasgow-based Marketing Management Services International (MMSI), a marketing and business consultancy, is the first named party to have announced a bid for the whole of Cains Beer Company, the Liverpool brewer and pub operator that called in the administrators at the start of August. MMSI, which is working with a group of Scottish investors, bought the award-winning micro-brewery Arran Brewery in June from the same administrators tackling the sale of Cains, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The deadline for bids to PwC ended last week and other interested parties are believed to include brewer Marston's and the former owners of Cains, Ajmail and Sudarghara Dusanj, who still own the brewery freehold and that of nine pubs.
Glasgow-based Marketing Management Services International (MMSI), a marketing and business consultancy, is the first named party to have announced a bid for the whole of Cains Beer Company, the Liverpool brewer and pub operator that called in the administrators at the start of August. MMSI, which is working with a group of Scottish investors, bought the award-winning micro-brewery Arran Brewery in June from the same administrators tackling the sale of Cains, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The deadline for bids to PwC ended last week and other interested parties are believed to include brewer Marston's and the former owners of Cains, Ajmail and Sudarghara Dusanj, who still own the brewery freehold and that of nine pubs.
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Sales drop hits Lookers
Manchester-based car dealership Lookers has reported a 28.2 per cent fall in pre-tax profits to £13m for the six months to 30 June, blaming "challenging trading conditions". The group said like-for-like new and used car sales were down 6.5 per cent and 5 per cent respectively and it expects full-year results to be in line with the lower end of market expectations. Lookers closed four franchise outlets during the period to leave it with 139 sites covering 31 manufacturers. On a more positive note, the company's used car supermarkets traded profitably during the first half of the year, compared to a £4.2m loss in 2007.
Manchester-based car dealership Lookers has reported a 28.2 per cent fall in pre-tax profits to £13m for the six months to 30 June, blaming "challenging trading conditions". The group said like-for-like new and used car sales were down 6.5 per cent and 5 per cent respectively and it expects full-year results to be in line with the lower end of market expectations. Lookers closed four franchise outlets during the period to leave it with 139 sites covering 31 manufacturers. On a more positive note, the company's used car supermarkets traded profitably during the first half of the year, compared to a £4.2m loss in 2007.
Micap suspends shares
Micap, the Wigan-based supplier of natural food ingredients, has requested a temporary suspension of trading in its shares "pending clarification of its current financial position". The AIM-quoted company said it has been left with funds sufficient "for only the next one to three months" as a result of much higher than expected professional advisory fees in relation to an aborted acquisition. In a statement to the Stock Exchange, the company said its working capital position will depend on how negotiations proceed with professional advisers over the next three weeks and further announcements will be made in due course. Micap announced that it had decided not to pursue an acquisition in late July after conducting due diligence.
Micap, the Wigan-based supplier of natural food ingredients, has requested a temporary suspension of trading in its shares "pending clarification of its current financial position". The AIM-quoted company said it has been left with funds sufficient "for only the next one to three months" as a result of much higher than expected professional advisory fees in relation to an aborted acquisition. In a statement to the Stock Exchange, the company said its working capital position will depend on how negotiations proceed with professional advisers over the next three weeks and further announcements will be made in due course. Micap announced that it had decided not to pursue an acquisition in late July after conducting due diligence.
James Fisher sees 16 per cent profit rise
James Fisher and Sons, the Barrow-based provider of marine services, has said it is well placed to deliver further growth and value to its shareholders after the company reported a 16 per cent increase in pre-tax profit to £11m for the six months to 30 June. Submarine rescue contracts from Singapore and Korea boosted profits of its defence division by 72 per cent to £2.9m, although a disappointing performance from its marine oil division saw its profits tumble 34 per cent to £2.7m. But chairman Tim Harris said problems in marine oil in the first half were operational and not commercial and are not expected to have a lasting effect.
James Fisher and Sons, the Barrow-based provider of marine services, has said it is well placed to deliver further growth and value to its shareholders after the company reported a 16 per cent increase in pre-tax profit to £11m for the six months to 30 June. Submarine rescue contracts from Singapore and Korea boosted profits of its defence division by 72 per cent to £2.9m, although a disappointing performance from its marine oil division saw its profits tumble 34 per cent to £2.7m. But chairman Tim Harris said problems in marine oil in the first half were operational and not commercial and are not expected to have a lasting effect.
Top honours for BAE engineer
Simon Howison, engineering director at BAE Systems Military Air Solutions in the North West, is one of a select group of engineers to have been elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering for 2008. He joins some of the UK's most eminent engineers working to provide independent and impartial advice to government, secure the next generation of engineers and provide a voice for Britain's engineering community. Other BAE directors in the academy include John Hudson, engineering director for the Astute nucleur-powered submarine programme.
Simon Howison, engineering director at BAE Systems Military Air Solutions in the North West, is one of a select group of engineers to have been elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering for 2008. He joins some of the UK's most eminent engineers working to provide independent and impartial advice to government, secure the next generation of engineers and provide a voice for Britain's engineering community. Other BAE directors in the academy include John Hudson, engineering director for the Astute nucleur-powered submarine programme.
Lawyers on the ball
The Football Association has appointed North West law firm Mace & Jones to act as its external adviser on employment law until 31 May 2010. It will also advise on employment matters relating to Wembley Stadium, the National Football Centre, and the World Cup 2018 bid. Martin Edwards, head of employment law and human resources at Mace & Jones, said: "We are excited by the prospect of acting for one of the most high-profile and significant employers in the country."
The Football Association has appointed North West law firm Mace & Jones to act as its external adviser on employment law until 31 May 2010. It will also advise on employment matters relating to Wembley Stadium, the National Football Centre, and the World Cup 2018 bid. Martin Edwards, head of employment law and human resources at Mace & Jones, said: "We are excited by the prospect of acting for one of the most high-profile and significant employers in the country."
If at first you don't succeed
The North West's small business owners wait an average of four months after a business fails before they get started with their next venture. In a survey by Barclays Local Business, 90 per cent of bosses said they would be keen to start another company if their current enterprise went under. Paul Titterton, regional director for Barclays Local Business, said: "As the credit crunch begins to bite, there's a risk that some entrepreneurs will find their livelihood under threat. However, it's heartening to know that their desire to bounce back from failure is so strong." The survey also found that 83 per cent felt business failure was a positive experience, leaving you better equipped for running your next venture.
The North West's small business owners wait an average of four months after a business fails before they get started with their next venture. In a survey by Barclays Local Business, 90 per cent of bosses said they would be keen to start another company if their current enterprise went under. Paul Titterton, regional director for Barclays Local Business, said: "As the credit crunch begins to bite, there's a risk that some entrepreneurs will find their livelihood under threat. However, it's heartening to know that their desire to bounce back from failure is so strong." The survey also found that 83 per cent felt business failure was a positive experience, leaving you better equipped for running your next venture.
A tale of a mountain goat and a Japanese tourist
Windermere’s Mountain Goat Tours has hired the Lake District’s first touring guide for Japanese visitors. Junko Ishiwata from Sendai City, Japan will help introduce Japanese Beatrix Potter fans to the region on board Mountain Goat’s coach trips. The biopic Miss Potter film, launched in 2006 and recently released in Japan, sparked new interest in the Lake District. The company, which hosts ‘Beatrix Potter’s Lakeland Tour’ has seen visitor numbers rise by 40 per cent since 2007 and will continue to develop its services for Japanese visitors.
North tops energy efficiency research
Northern businesses have the most responsible and realistic attitude to energy efficiency in the UK, according to research by energy consultancy EnergyTEAM. In a study of businesses across the country, it was revealed that 72 per cent of businesses in the north have an energy management policy in place. They are also more likely to be realistic about making a profit from investment in energy-saving measures. Only a third would expect a return in one year, compared with almost half of businesses in the Midlands and the south. The study also found that 97 per cent of northern businesses had heard of the Government's Carbon Reduction Commitment.
Northern businesses have the most responsible and realistic attitude to energy efficiency in the UK, according to research by energy consultancy EnergyTEAM. In a study of businesses across the country, it was revealed that 72 per cent of businesses in the north have an energy management policy in place. They are also more likely to be realistic about making a profit from investment in energy-saving measures. Only a third would expect a return in one year, compared with almost half of businesses in the Midlands and the south. The study also found that 97 per cent of northern businesses had heard of the Government's Carbon Reduction Commitment.
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A-Plant invests in new sites
The Manchester office of Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has undertaken a number of transactions on behalf of Warrington-based A-Plant as part of the company's strategy for expansion of its operations to meet customer demand. A flurry of deals includes leasing 6,000 sq ft at Egremont in Cumbria, a pre-let of 10,000 sq ft in Leyland, Preston and the acquisition of 30,000 sq ft at Sharston, Manchester. Elsewhere in the country LSH has acquired further premises for A-Plant in Hull, Coventry, Southampton and Oxford.
The Manchester office of Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has undertaken a number of transactions on behalf of Warrington-based A-Plant as part of the company's strategy for expansion of its operations to meet customer demand. A flurry of deals includes leasing 6,000 sq ft at Egremont in Cumbria, a pre-let of 10,000 sq ft in Leyland, Preston and the acquisition of 30,000 sq ft at Sharston, Manchester. Elsewhere in the country LSH has acquired further premises for A-Plant in Hull, Coventry, Southampton and Oxford.
Crofton Hall Estate up for sale
Cumbria County Council is selling off its 140 acre Crofton Hall Estate, near Thursby, at a public auction in October. The 13th-century estate will be divided into six lots, including the three-bedroomed Crofton Hall Farmhouse, the 14-acre Crofton Lake and a 23-acre plot of agricultural land. Gary Strong, the council's cabinet member responsible for property, said the council is "keen to see the site suitably developed to realise its full potential" and added that it is looking to achieve "the best possible return on the sale to invest directly into frontline services that matter to the people of Cumbria".
Cumbria County Council is selling off its 140 acre Crofton Hall Estate, near Thursby, at a public auction in October. The 13th-century estate will be divided into six lots, including the three-bedroomed Crofton Hall Farmhouse, the 14-acre Crofton Lake and a 23-acre plot of agricultural land. Gary Strong, the council's cabinet member responsible for property, said the council is "keen to see the site suitably developed to realise its full potential" and added that it is looking to achieve "the best possible return on the sale to invest directly into frontline services that matter to the people of Cumbria".
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