Mixed reaction to stock exchange proposals

There has been a mixed reaction to the business secretary’s proposals for a regional stock exchange in the North West. Vince Cable outlined the plan in a new green paper, published on Monday, which is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses attract capital.

Thai Union nets John West in £568m deal

Liverpool-headquartered John West, the UK’s leading supplier of tinned tuna, has been sold as part of a £568m deal. The company’s parent MW Brands has been bought from private equity firm Trilantic Capital Partners by Thai Union Frozen Products (TUF), Thailand's biggest producer and exporter of canned fish.

Housing groups confirm amalgamation

Two North West housing groups are to amalgamate to form one of the largest associations in England, with more than 36,000 homes across 27 local authority areas. Vicinity Housing Group and Contour Housing Group first announced the plans in October last year and have confirmed that a merger will go ahead on 31 March 2011, subject to receiving the required consent.

Fatsoma secures EFG loan

Online ticketing and promotion business Fatsoma, based in Didsbury, has secured an undisclosed five-figure enterprise finance guarantee loan (EFG) from NatWest. It hopes to expand in the UK and internationally.

Renshaws boosts Real Good Food Company

Baking ingredients business Renshaws is continuing to drive sales at Liverpool-headquartered The Real Good Food Company.

James Cropper weathers the storm

Kendal paper and materials manufacturer James Cropper has “weathered the vagaries of the recession well”, according to its departing chairman.

Corridor boss says vision not altered

Jackie Potter, chief executive of Corridor Manchester, has said the project to promote the Oxford Road corridor of the city, where the universities, science park and hospitals are clustered as a homogenous knowledge quarter, will stay on track despite falling victim to the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s (NWDA) spending cuts, announced on Monday.

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).

Lloyd buys Modus site for second bite at cherry

Rob Lloyd, chief executive of Cheshire developer Eatonfield, has exchanged contracts to acquire a 24-acre, Modus-owned development site in Paignton, Devon, from administrator Ernst & Young.

Policy gap is stifling housebuilding, says Morgan

Steve Morgan, the chairman of Flintshire housebuilder Redrow, has criticised the new coalition government for a "policy gap" which made it hard to start new developments in England. In an interview with Insider, he said there was "overwhelming" demand for housing but it was being stifled by deposit problems, confidence and the planning system.

Knight Frank at the double in Rochdale

Knight Frank has secured the sale of two Rochdale warehouses on behalf of Allsopps. The first, on Dodgson Street, is a 32,324 sq ft single storey warehouse with ancillary offices and has been sold to disinfectant manufacturer Quatchem for £550,000.

Talking Point: Look before you LEP

Chris Fletcher, deputy chief executive at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, looks at the next generation of business support following the abolition of regional development agencies.

Tague on Tour: The tri-generation game

New today: Neil Tague revisits the site of MediaCity and talks to Peel Construction director David Glover about how the monumental development will be powered.

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.

Forthcoming Experts

Identifying potential buyers

James Thornton, corporate director at KBS Corporate, explains what a critical role brokers will play in the sale of your business, and exactly how they can help.

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

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