MAG still interested in BAA airports

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is still on the hunt to buy either Stansted, Glasgow or Edinburgh airport should BAA be forced to sell, its finance director has told Insider. Ken Duncan said the group would “naturally be interested” in an acquisition but much depends on the outcome of a legal challenge by the Competition Commission (CC) in the Court of Appeal.

Ashok Leyland buys Optare stake

Indian commercial vehicle giant Ashok Leyland has acquired a 26 per cent stake in bus builder Optare for £5.6m. The deal ends months of speculation about a takeover at the company.

Accumuli narrows down targets

AIM-listed Accumuli, the business formed from the sale of Salford Quays-based Netservices, this morning announced that it was reviewing “several acquisition opportunities” as part of a buy-and-build strategy.

Businesses turning to alternative funders, says Absolute

Small businesses in the North West are turning to alternative funders in order to preserve cashflow, according to in-house figures from Absolute Invoice Finance.

Greater Manchester leaders told: your time has come

Greater Manchester is seen by government as a key driver of economic growth and the new combined authority has been given a resounding thumbs-up. That's what senior HM Treasury official Helen Bailey, the director of public services, told the Association of Greater Manchester Authorites (AGMA) summit yesterday. She said AGMA's ability to deliver cost savings as well as localised services and economic growth was seen as model for the rest of the country.

Hasgrove expects sales rise but wary of cuts

Marketing and communications group Hasgrove today revealed it expects to report an increase in sales and profits when it announces its first-half results in September. But it admitted the wide-ranging public spending cuts makes it difficult to forecast accurate short-term financial predictions.

Business Link still open for business, says Watson

Peter Watson, the managing director of Business Link Northwest, has maintained that the organisation is still "open for business" despite the ongoing uncertainty over its future.

Something for the weekend

This week: Salmon heads upstream, Oliver digs deep for Dibnah and canapé won’t pay.

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).

AGMA consortium to lead regeneration fund

A consortium led by Manchester City Council and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) has been confirmed as the preferred bidder to run the North West element of the Northwest Urban Investment Fund, as exclusively revealed by Insider last week.

Morley up and running in Haydock

Work has started at Morley Estates’ Empress Park in Haydock and the accompanying Boston Park industrial zone. The scheme has received £4m from the European Regional Development Fund towards the £30m cost.

Tague on Tour: This cut may sting a bit

Neil Tague looks at the list of schemes affected by the NWDA funding cuts and wonders where the future lies for some of them.

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.

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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