NWDA is closed for business

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has admitted that it is “closed for any new business” after revealing the full list of projects that will suffer as a result of its enforced budget reduction. More than 100 organisations and programmes – including economic development companies, regeneration schemes, sporting and cultural events – have been affected by the £52m cut to the agency's annual spend.

ATG Access completes Canadian deal

Haydock engineering company ATG Access, a manufacturer of traffic bollards, has expanded its presence in North America with the acquisition of a Canadian company.

Forum welcomes carrot and stick approach to lending

Access to finance is worsening, according to new research from the Cheshire-based Forum of Private Business. The research comes amid the news that the government plans to get tough with banks for failure to provide affordable lending to small businesses.

Profits up at PZ Cussons

Soap and shampoo maker PZ Cussons has reported a 14.6 per cent rise in pre-tax profit and said it looked ahead with cautious optimism despite rising commodity prices and tough trading conditions in some of its main markets.

Solid first-half for Promethean

Less than a week after buying US software company SynapticMash, Blackburn technology company Promethean World has announced a first-half revenue rise of 35 per cent.

Enterprise secures £33m-worth of deals

Support services giant Enterprise, headquartered in Leyland, has secured four new contracts worth £33m.

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).

Ener-g set for 12,500 sq ft expansion

Sustainable power business Ener-g, based in Salford, is to double the size of its office accommodation with a new 12,500 sq ft building. The £2m building, scheduled to open in December 2010, is adjacent to its existing site on Daniel Adamson Road.

Grimleys instructed on Tower Ballroom project

GVA Grimley’s building consultancy team has been appointed by Blackpool Council to provide design and contract administration services for the re-roofing of the Grade I-listed Tower Ballroom.

Halliday Meecham delivers for Spire

Manchester architecture firm Halliday Meecham says the Princess Royal is to open its Spire hospital, a new £25.5m private facility designed as an expansion of the existing Murrayfield Hospital. The ceremony will take place in October, by which time the facility will have been operational for several months.

In Focus: Dealmaking community has the Y Factor

One of the strong bonds of the corporate finance community is the ability to have fun and raise money for charity.

Talking Point: Is the economy back to normal?

With the British economy growing at 1.1 per cent over the second quarter of 2010, John Whittaker, an economist at Lancaster University, asks: Is the economy back to normal?

Selling to management

In the first of our new Selling Your Business Ask the Experts, Brian Higgins, partner at Rickitt Mitchell & Partners, explains why an MBO could be the right solution if you wish to sell your business and how funding can be found. Click the below icon if you have a question for Brian.

For Insider's step-by-step guide to selling your business click here.

Forthcoming Experts

Trade sales

Our next expert is John Boydell, partner and head of corporate (Preston) at Brabners Chaffe Street LLP, who will delve into the pitfalls and finer points of a trade sale. To ask John an anonymous question, hit the below button.

For Insider's step-by-step guide to selling your business click here.

Telephone:
+44 (0)161 907 9711

Email:
info@newsco.com

Website:
www.insidermedia.com/northwest/