A Cheshire developer of lightweight and low-emission carbon composite materials has secured a research and development grant from the Northwest Regional Development Agency. Carbon Ceramics, based in Frodsham, has been awarded £80,000 through the Grant for Research and Development scheme to help it progress its materials technology. The company was established last year by Julio Faria, one of the co-founders of Ellesmere Port-based Surface Tranforms.

Eatonfield has drawn down more cash from a facility provided by joint venture partner Jenard Properties. The Cheshire developer has taken £77,650 to satisfy working capital needs. The company needs to get shareholder approval tomorrow to draw down the remaining £572,350 made available by Wirral-based Jenard. Eatonfield said the facility, if drawn down in full, would provide it with enough working capital to last until mid-July.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is to cut its services from Liverpool from next year. The company has confirmed that there will be no more cruises from the city from mid-2011 and none in 2012. Liverpool is the company’s third busiest departure port after Southampton and Dover. However, it has cited problems with the port’s current docking facility.

Merseyside gastro entrepreneurs the Parry brothers have opened the first Red Perilla steakhouse on Smithdown Road, Liverpool. The brothers, who own La Paz in West Kirby, plan to open five Red Perilla restaurants across the North West over the next eight years. The brothers have invested £100,000 into Red Perilla so far. Director Phil Parry said the plan is for each restaurant to offer 140 covers and that he wants the brand to become synonymous with high-quality contemporary dining.

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is looking for the first intake of professionals for its new Sustainable Built Environment modular MSc, designed to fit in and around people’s workload. The MSc, which begins in September, will be delivered by senior lecturer Larry Wilkinson, former managing director at Kier Northwest, and Dr Andy Ross, head of post graduate and collaborative programmes at the school of the built environment at LJMU.

Wigan retailer JJB Sports reported a pre-tax loss of £68.6m for the 12 months to 31 January, down from a loss of £170.2m a year earlier. New chairman John Clare admitted that the business “suffered considerably” during the period and said it will take time to encourage customers back into its stores and rebuild its credibility. Annual revenues fell 22.6 per cent to £361.1m, but trading has improved in 16 weeks to 23 May, up 7.5 per cent year-on-year.

Individual Restaurant Company (IRC), which owns the Piccolino and Bar & Grill brands, has issued a cautious trading statement for the year to date. The business announced that trading patterns have shown some “encouraging signs” and that earnings to the end of April should be in line with last year. It added that the increased trading had occurred across all 33 of its outlets, not just in the South East where growth had been a constant since the turn of the year. However, the business warned that the World Cup could have an adverse effect on trading.

Insider Membership gives you essential sales leads, competitor intelligence, business analysis and comment from your region. Give yourself that competitive edge by becoming an Insider Member today and get indispensable information and inspiration throughout 2010. Click here for the Membership package and order online today to stay ahead of the game. Alternatively, contact Michelle Ferster or call 0161 907 9701 for further information.

Architects’ firm Austin Smith Lord has been named Practice of the Year at The Architect’s Journal’s AJ100 awards. The company, which has five studios including Liverpool and Manchester, was described as having a “storming year”, despite turbulent conditions for much of the industry. The firm is currently working on projects including the £50m redevelopment of Liverpool Central Library and the £150m Metrolink expansion in Manchester.

Contractor Allenbuild, which has its regional base in Wigan, has secured more than £75m of orders since April. The projects include the £7m Etrop Court office and retail scheme in the St Modwen-led regeneration of Wythenshawe, the extension of Lancashire Constabulary’s headquarters at Hutton and a primary school contract for Wigan Council. Nationally, Allenbuild is also working on the £44m campus redevelopment for Kirklees College in Huddersfield and a £21m housing development in Notting Hill.