authors
list | date_download
timestamp[ms] | date_modify
null | date_publish
timestamp[ms] | description
stringlengths 1
11.5k
⌀ | filename
stringlengths 32
1.51k
| image_url
stringlengths 23
161k
| language
stringlengths 2
2
⌀ | localpath
null | title
stringlengths 1
200
| title_page
null | title_rss
null | source_domain
stringlengths 5
42
| maintext
stringlengths 63
100k
⌀ | url
stringlengths 19
919
| fasttext_language
stringclasses 1
value | date_publish_final
timestamp[ms] | path
stringlengths 75
112
| list_text
list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
[
"Owen Hughes",
"Image",
"Ian Cooper"
] | 2021-01-08T00:50:16 | null | 2021-01-08T00:01:00 |
Year on year Welsh footfall decreased by 52.3% in December compared to 2019
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Fpre-christmas-lockdown-shops-sees-19584212.json
|
en
| null |
Pre-Christmas lockdown for shops sees footfall plummet in Wales
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Wales's pre-Christmas lockdown saw footfall levels plummet in December - down more than 50% on last year.
First Minister Mark Drakeford placed Wales into Alert Level 4 on December 20 as Covid cases spiked.
This saw non-essential retail close in a "disastrous" end of the year.
The average UK drop was 46.1% as large parts of England were also put into lockdown by Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of Christmas.
Headline figures for Wales:
Year on year Welsh footfall decreased by 52.3% in December, a 11.5 percentage point increase from November. This is below the UK average decline of 46.1%.
Year on year footfall in Cardiff decreased by 54% in December, an 11.3 percentage point decline from November.
Wales saw the most pronounced Shopping Centre footfall decline of all regions, at -59.1.
After an encouraging start to the month, weekly footfall fell precipitously in the last two weeks of December due to the pre-Christmas lockdown.
Sara Jones, Head of Policy and External Affairs, Welsh Retail Consortium, said: “It was a disastrous end to the year for Welsh shops, with the nation experiencing the UK’s greatest fall in shopper footfall.
"Despite some cautiously positive signs after the Welsh firebreak any hopes of a golden quarter for Welsh retail were dealt a hammer blow by the early pre-Christmas lockdown, forcing Welsh shops to shut during what should have been their busiest period.
“It is crucial we see a retail recovery plan from the Welsh Government, one which identifies both confidence boosting measures whilst addressing the financial and regulatory burden that retailers face.
"In the short term the priority must now be providing certainty over business rates bills, as it stands from April retailers will be forking out record breaking sums which will question their viability once they are permitted to re-open.
“With the nation now in full lockdown, and so called non-essential shops remaining shuttered, it is time for decision makers to re-group, to re-assess and to identify ways to revitalise the Welsh retail industry given the key role we can play in the economic recovery of the nation.”
Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant – EMEA of ShopperTrak, said: "Not even the advent of festive season could turn around the fortunes of the High Street in December.
"As infection rates soared, fears of a mutated virus spread and Christmas gatherings were called into question or cancelled, it was really was a case of ‘the strain that stole Christmas’ for retailers, as footfall plummeted to nearly -50% year-on-year.
“December had started promisingly, with shopper counts recovering at the start of the month, boosted by shoppers’ get-ahead gift buying.
Sign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.
As well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.
"But footfall soon fell away as UK consumers faced the prospect of tougher restrictions – from tighter tiers, to impending lockdowns and smaller shorted Christmases.
"While this recovery was short-lived, it did at least serve to save some valuable Christmas trade.”
To have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/pre-christmas-lockdown-shops-sees-19584212
|
en
| 2021-01-08T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/80da576cc99479f5deae840733309b08b391d1e90dd69ea2926e173731e1e3ee.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nWales's pre-Christmas lockdown saw footfall levels plummet in December - down more than 50% on last year.\nFirst Minister Mark Drakeford placed Wales into Alert Level 4 on December 20 as Covid cases spiked.\nThis saw non-essential retail close in a \"disastrous\" end of the year.\nThe average UK drop was 46.1% as large parts of England were also put into lockdown by Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of Christmas.\nHeadline figures for Wales:\nYear on year Welsh footfall decreased by 52.3% in December, a 11.5 percentage point increase from November. This is below the UK average decline of 46.1%.\nYear on year footfall in Cardiff decreased by 54% in December, an 11.3 percentage point decline from November.\nWales saw the most pronounced Shopping Centre footfall decline of all regions, at -59.1.\nAfter an encouraging start to the month, weekly footfall fell precipitously in the last two weeks of December due to the pre-Christmas lockdown.\nSara Jones, Head of Policy and External Affairs, Welsh Retail Consortium, said: “It was a disastrous end to the year for Welsh shops, with the nation experiencing the UK’s greatest fall in shopper footfall.\n\"Despite some cautiously positive signs after the Welsh firebreak any hopes of a golden quarter for Welsh retail were dealt a hammer blow by the early pre-Christmas lockdown, forcing Welsh shops to shut during what should have been their busiest period.\n“It is crucial we see a retail recovery plan from the Welsh Government, one which identifies both confidence boosting measures whilst addressing the financial and regulatory burden that retailers face.\n\"In the short term the priority must now be providing certainty over business rates bills, as it stands from April retailers will be forking out record breaking sums which will question their viability once they are permitted to re-open.\n“With the nation now in full lockdown, and so called non-essential shops remaining shuttered, it is time for decision makers to re-group, to re-assess and to identify ways to revitalise the Welsh retail industry given the key role we can play in the economic recovery of the nation.”\nAndy Sumpter, Retail Consultant – EMEA of ShopperTrak, said: \"Not even the advent of festive season could turn around the fortunes of the High Street in December.\n\"As infection rates soared, fears of a mutated virus spread and Christmas gatherings were called into question or cancelled, it was really was a case of ‘the strain that stole Christmas’ for retailers, as footfall plummeted to nearly -50% year-on-year.\n“December had started promisingly, with shopper counts recovering at the start of the month, boosted by shoppers’ get-ahead gift buying.\nSign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.\nAs well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.\n\"But footfall soon fell away as UK consumers faced the prospect of tougher restrictions – from tighter tiers, to impending lockdowns and smaller shorted Christmases.\n\"While this recovery was short-lived, it did at least serve to save some valuable Christmas trade.”\nTo have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article",
"Pre-Christmas lockdown for shops sees footfall plummet in Wales",
"Year on year Welsh footfall decreased by 52.3% in December compared to 2019"
] |
|
[
"Owen Hughes",
"Image",
"Ian Cooper North Wales Live"
] | 2021-01-11T15:28:55 | null | 2021-01-11T15:12:13 |
The government says its current support covers up to February with calls for clarity on ongoing funding
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fwelsh-government-developing-package-business-19602216.json
|
en
| null |
Welsh Government developing package of business support for ongoing lockdown
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Welsh Government is developing a fresh package of business support if lockdown in Wales continues into February and beyond.
On Friday First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed the alert level 4 in Wales would last another three weeks as infection rates remain high and the NHS under pressure.
This will then be reviewed by the Welsh Government cabinet at the end of January - although without a significant fall in cases it is unlikely current rules will be relaxed.
Under alert level 4 non-essential retail, hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses are all closed - with many firms already teetering on the brink after a pandemic hit year.
The Federation of Small Businesses and Welsh Conservatives last week asked for clarity on ongoing business support.
Welsh Government today said that the existing £440m in support announced since November 30 would cover "through to February".
But they added that a further package was now being developed and its exact details would depend on what restrictions remain in place.
There are no current details on when that would be annnounced.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Our £2bn plus package of business support is the most generous in the UK and continues to be crucial in supporting firms across Wales during these very difficult times.
“Following the announcement on 30 November of a £340m package to support hospitality and leisure businesses that would close as well as retailers impacted by restrictions, we provided a further £110m on 18 December to recognise the additional impact on non-essential retail.
"This package has been designed to cover the particular impact of the Christmas period and ensure support through to February.
"We will continue to develop the package of support aligned to any necessary restrictions beyond February.”
Sign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.
As well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.
Ben Francis, FSB Wales Policy Chair, said: “It seems clear that businesses will require funding support for longer than was originally anticipated if they are to survive this troubling period.
"Welsh Government should urgently give clarity on what additional funding will be made available to support businesses beyond this next three week period to allow them to plan."
Russell George MS, the Shadow Minister for Economy, Business, and Infrastructure, has asked Economy Minister Ken Skates for an urgent statement on the subject.
To have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/welsh-government-developing-package-business-19602216
|
en
| 2021-01-11T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/758f49de5b4bb286bd364916428f8e7abbc03f7dc717f32cc62bf65ea2715b4b.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nWelsh Government is developing a fresh package of business support if lockdown in Wales continues into February and beyond.\nOn Friday First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed the alert level 4 in Wales would last another three weeks as infection rates remain high and the NHS under pressure.\nThis will then be reviewed by the Welsh Government cabinet at the end of January - although without a significant fall in cases it is unlikely current rules will be relaxed.\nUnder alert level 4 non-essential retail, hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses are all closed - with many firms already teetering on the brink after a pandemic hit year.\nThe Federation of Small Businesses and Welsh Conservatives last week asked for clarity on ongoing business support.\nWelsh Government today said that the existing £440m in support announced since November 30 would cover \"through to February\".\nBut they added that a further package was now being developed and its exact details would depend on what restrictions remain in place.\nThere are no current details on when that would be annnounced.\nA Welsh Government spokesman said: “Our £2bn plus package of business support is the most generous in the UK and continues to be crucial in supporting firms across Wales during these very difficult times.\n“Following the announcement on 30 November of a £340m package to support hospitality and leisure businesses that would close as well as retailers impacted by restrictions, we provided a further £110m on 18 December to recognise the additional impact on non-essential retail.\n\"This package has been designed to cover the particular impact of the Christmas period and ensure support through to February.\n\"We will continue to develop the package of support aligned to any necessary restrictions beyond February.”\nSign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.\nAs well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.\nBen Francis, FSB Wales Policy Chair, said: “It seems clear that businesses will require funding support for longer than was originally anticipated if they are to survive this troubling period.\n\"Welsh Government should urgently give clarity on what additional funding will be made available to support businesses beyond this next three week period to allow them to plan.\"\nRussell George MS, the Shadow Minister for Economy, Business, and Infrastructure, has asked Economy Minister Ken Skates for an urgent statement on the subject.\nTo have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article",
"Welsh Government developing package of business support for ongoing lockdown",
"The government says its current support covers up to February with calls for clarity on ongoing funding"
] |
|
[
"Graeme Whitfield",
"Image",
"Ugc"
] | 2021-01-26T08:43:27 | null | 2021-01-26T07:57:50 |
Manchester firm sees 10% increase in revenues, with Carex hand sanitiser and hand wash rising by 32.6%
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fhand-sanitiser-sales-boost-revenues-19699893.json
|
en
| null |
Hand sanitiser sales boost revenues at PZ Cussons in pandemic
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Healthcare products group PZ Cussons has seen a major increase in sales, driven by demand for its Carex hand sanitiser during the coronavirus lockdowns.
The Manchester group saw revenues hit £312.9m in the half year to November 30, 2020, a 10.2% increase on the same period last year. Profits rose 13% to £36.4m.
The company said it had seen growth in all global regions, with sales of Carex hand wash and hand sanitiser increasing by 32.6%.
Despite the boost in demand it has received from the pandemic, Cussons warned that it was 'only the start of a multi-year programme to return to sustainable profit growth'.
It added that there was continuing economic uncertainty from the Covid-19 pandemic and it was seeing costs pressures, but expected to perform in line with market expectations.
CEO Jonathan Myers said: “Our focus in the first half of this year has been to deliver a fast start for the business, with emphasis on profitable revenue growth as well as maintaining our strong balance sheet discipline.
“We saw this as essential to reset both in terms of organisational pace and agility to adapt to changing consumer and shopper habits.
“In parallel, we completed our review of the strategy to become a brand-led and consumer-focused organisation, delivering sustainable profitable growth with hygiene, baby and beauty at our core.”
The company has announced an interim dividend of 2.67p per share.
Chair Caroline Silver said: “We are pleased with progress to date and confident in our future plans but remain cautious given the external environment."
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/hand-sanitiser-sales-boost-revenues-19699893
|
en
| 2021-01-26T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/0ab76545afab1bc566037cc703015a9c668453086ab059467ba1acfcdeb30cc8.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nHealthcare products group PZ Cussons has seen a major increase in sales, driven by demand for its Carex hand sanitiser during the coronavirus lockdowns.\nThe Manchester group saw revenues hit £312.9m in the half year to November 30, 2020, a 10.2% increase on the same period last year. Profits rose 13% to £36.4m.\nThe company said it had seen growth in all global regions, with sales of Carex hand wash and hand sanitiser increasing by 32.6%.\nDespite the boost in demand it has received from the pandemic, Cussons warned that it was 'only the start of a multi-year programme to return to sustainable profit growth'.\nIt added that there was continuing economic uncertainty from the Covid-19 pandemic and it was seeing costs pressures, but expected to perform in line with market expectations.\nCEO Jonathan Myers said: “Our focus in the first half of this year has been to deliver a fast start for the business, with emphasis on profitable revenue growth as well as maintaining our strong balance sheet discipline.\n“We saw this as essential to reset both in terms of organisational pace and agility to adapt to changing consumer and shopper habits.\n“In parallel, we completed our review of the strategy to become a brand-led and consumer-focused organisation, delivering sustainable profitable growth with hygiene, baby and beauty at our core.”\nThe company has announced an interim dividend of 2.67p per share.\nChair Caroline Silver said: “We are pleased with progress to date and confident in our future plans but remain cautious given the external environment.\"",
"Hand sanitiser sales boost revenues at PZ Cussons in pandemic",
"Manchester firm sees 10% increase in revenues, with Carex hand sanitiser and hand wash rising by 32.6%"
] |
|
[
"Hannah Baker",
"Image",
"Aew"
] | 2021-01-18T14:11:31 | null | 2021-01-18T13:03:21 |
AEW says the large site offers the potential for "significant redevelopment"
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fcommercial-property%2Fmajor-regeneration-plans-bristol-shopping-19647693.json
|
en
| null |
'Major regeneration' plans for Bristol shopping quarter buildings bought up by UK property fund
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Four buildings in Bristol city centre’s shopping quarter have been bought up by a UK property fund which has “major regeneration” plans for the site.
AEW UK Core Property Fund (AEW Core) has acquired 44-46 The Horsefair in Broadmead - a 6,664 sq ft site in the heart of Bristol’s central shopping area that is fully let out on a weighted average unexpired lease term (Wault) of 2.5 years.
It has also bought 42 The Horsefair, a neighbouring retail space let out to Burger King on a Wault of 7.1 years and 48 The Horsefair, which covers 3,250 sq ft and is currently let to a Starbucks franchisee on a Wault of 4.3 years.
The fourth property, 51-53 Merchant Street, is a 4,225 sq ft retail space that was refurbished in 2018 and is fully let to Danish retail furniture chain BoConcept.
The four properties are next to three others previously acquired by AEW in 2020 - 56-64 Broadmead and 41-45 Merchant Square, which incorporate 22,084 sq ft in the city's central shopping area, and offices Soho Studios on 47- 49 Merchant Street.
Together the properties make up a large site that AEW says offers the potential for "significant redevelopment" opportunities over the long-term. The cost of the deal has not been disclosed.
The news comes days after a Bristol commercial property expert said the transformation of a nearby shopping centre could be one of the “most exciting” development opportunities in Britain in the next decade.
Michael Shears, AEW UK Core Property Fund, said: “We are delighted to announce four additional investments in Bristol city centre to build on AEW Core’s previous deals announced in March.
"Over the course of the past twelve months, we have acquired the six properties as part of a site assembly strategy to secure a large site in a prime high street location.
"This offers the opportunity to benefit from the major regeneration currently underway within Bristol’s city centre and to maximise returns to investors through diligent asset management and development.”
Richard Bashford, Fawcett Mead, the agent acting for AEW, added: “We think the Broadmead shopping area is going to see significant changes in the next decade, with a high proportion of the existing retail buildings redeveloped into offices, residential or other alternative uses.
"This will create a mixed-use environment that is so importantly needed to help make this part of Bristol City Centre more sustainable and thrive as a place to shop, visit, live, work or study.
"The properties recently acquired by AEW are ideally suited for redevelopment and offer exciting opportunities to be part of this transformation.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/major-regeneration-plans-bristol-shopping-19647693
|
en
| 2021-01-18T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/41694e1481bd6bdbc57b06e28e4b40a2e43d7dc093376bbba68382fbe0e47cf3.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nFour buildings in Bristol city centre’s shopping quarter have been bought up by a UK property fund which has “major regeneration” plans for the site.\nAEW UK Core Property Fund (AEW Core) has acquired 44-46 The Horsefair in Broadmead - a 6,664 sq ft site in the heart of Bristol’s central shopping area that is fully let out on a weighted average unexpired lease term (Wault) of 2.5 years.\nIt has also bought 42 The Horsefair, a neighbouring retail space let out to Burger King on a Wault of 7.1 years and 48 The Horsefair, which covers 3,250 sq ft and is currently let to a Starbucks franchisee on a Wault of 4.3 years.\nThe fourth property, 51-53 Merchant Street, is a 4,225 sq ft retail space that was refurbished in 2018 and is fully let to Danish retail furniture chain BoConcept.\nThe four properties are next to three others previously acquired by AEW in 2020 - 56-64 Broadmead and 41-45 Merchant Square, which incorporate 22,084 sq ft in the city's central shopping area, and offices Soho Studios on 47- 49 Merchant Street.\nTogether the properties make up a large site that AEW says offers the potential for \"significant redevelopment\" opportunities over the long-term. The cost of the deal has not been disclosed.\nThe news comes days after a Bristol commercial property expert said the transformation of a nearby shopping centre could be one of the “most exciting” development opportunities in Britain in the next decade.\nMichael Shears, AEW UK Core Property Fund, said: “We are delighted to announce four additional investments in Bristol city centre to build on AEW Core’s previous deals announced in March.\n\"Over the course of the past twelve months, we have acquired the six properties as part of a site assembly strategy to secure a large site in a prime high street location.\n\"This offers the opportunity to benefit from the major regeneration currently underway within Bristol’s city centre and to maximise returns to investors through diligent asset management and development.”\nRichard Bashford, Fawcett Mead, the agent acting for AEW, added: “We think the Broadmead shopping area is going to see significant changes in the next decade, with a high proportion of the existing retail buildings redeveloped into offices, residential or other alternative uses.\n\"This will create a mixed-use environment that is so importantly needed to help make this part of Bristol City Centre more sustainable and thrive as a place to shop, visit, live, work or study.\n\"The properties recently acquired by AEW are ideally suited for redevelopment and offer exciting opportunities to be part of this transformation.”",
"'Major regeneration' plans for Bristol shopping quarter buildings bought up by UK property fund",
"AEW says the large site offers the potential for \"significant redevelopment\""
] |
|
[
"Sion Barry"
] | 2021-01-06T15:01:44 | null | 2021-01-06T14:02:43 |
Envolve Tech has launched an office in New York
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Ftechnology%2Fwelsh-retail-tech-venture-looking-19572989.json
|
en
| null |
The Welsh retail tech venture looking to conquer the US
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Newport-based Envolve Tech, whose pioneering AI platform allows retailers to make informed product recommendations to customers from an analysis of online chat function conversations, has embarked on major expansion into the lucrative US market.
The start-up, which last year raised £720,000 to support its growth plans, has appointed Marc Blumberg to head up its New Year office as part of expansion strategy into the American online retail sector. Future international offices are also planned.
The move comes less than eighteen months after the launch of Envolve Tech’s virtual shopping assistant, which uses artificial intelligence-powered technology to analyse customer chat questions, recommend relevant product selections, and close sales.
The virtual shopping assistant quickly gained significant attention in the US market after its debut at Affiliate Summit West conference in Las Vegas in January last year and began partnering with US retailer websites within a few months.
Major brand partners in the UK and the USA including Haynes Manuals, Beko appliances and Stila Cosmetics.
The decision to expand with a US office was taken following Envolve Tech’s strong Black Friday results, when revenues from US retailers exceeded UK revenues for the first time.
Its chief executive Emma Smith said: “In the past year we have become a much more established player in the market, and this year we will be focusing on growth. The US is a key market for us to expand into because of its size, and also because American online retailers have shown such strong interest in our product from the start.
"The decision to hire Marc was easy and is a perfect fit for us. He has experience working with UK and German tech firms who have successfully expanded into the US, and he also has a lot of experience in the online retail industry.”
Mr Blumberg said: “Online retail reached an estimated $708bn in 2020 - a record level. Shoppers who have moved online in the last year still have the same questions they used to ask in person, but no easy way to ask them in an online environment.
"The virtual shopping assistant brings the in-store shopping experience to a website, and that’s something every retailer, big or small, desperately needs to do at the moment.”
On future expansion plans Ms Smith said, “The US is our main focus for now, but we are certainly looking at other countries and other languages to work in."
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/welsh-retail-tech-venture-looking-19572989
|
en
| 2021-01-06T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/9fce1f945aebd5e026d54dc10af1cd6afdcc8e38446e74137274dce005acbb7a.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nNewport-based Envolve Tech, whose pioneering AI platform allows retailers to make informed product recommendations to customers from an analysis of online chat function conversations, has embarked on major expansion into the lucrative US market.\nThe start-up, which last year raised £720,000 to support its growth plans, has appointed Marc Blumberg to head up its New Year office as part of expansion strategy into the American online retail sector. Future international offices are also planned.\nThe move comes less than eighteen months after the launch of Envolve Tech’s virtual shopping assistant, which uses artificial intelligence-powered technology to analyse customer chat questions, recommend relevant product selections, and close sales.\nThe virtual shopping assistant quickly gained significant attention in the US market after its debut at Affiliate Summit West conference in Las Vegas in January last year and began partnering with US retailer websites within a few months.\nMajor brand partners in the UK and the USA including Haynes Manuals, Beko appliances and Stila Cosmetics.\nThe decision to expand with a US office was taken following Envolve Tech’s strong Black Friday results, when revenues from US retailers exceeded UK revenues for the first time.\nIts chief executive Emma Smith said: “In the past year we have become a much more established player in the market, and this year we will be focusing on growth. The US is a key market for us to expand into because of its size, and also because American online retailers have shown such strong interest in our product from the start.\n\"The decision to hire Marc was easy and is a perfect fit for us. He has experience working with UK and German tech firms who have successfully expanded into the US, and he also has a lot of experience in the online retail industry.”\nMr Blumberg said: “Online retail reached an estimated $708bn in 2020 - a record level. Shoppers who have moved online in the last year still have the same questions they used to ask in person, but no easy way to ask them in an online environment.\n\"The virtual shopping assistant brings the in-store shopping experience to a website, and that’s something every retailer, big or small, desperately needs to do at the moment.”\nOn future expansion plans Ms Smith said, “The US is our main focus for now, but we are certainly looking at other countries and other languages to work in.\"",
"The Welsh retail tech venture looking to conquer the US",
"Envolve Tech has launched an office in New York"
] |
|
[
"Hannah Finch"
] | 2021-01-12T16:53:18 | null | 2021-01-12T15:56:22 |
Philip Day is a self-made billionaire who chose industry instead of the mines and the army after leaving school
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Fwho-retail-tycoon-philip-day-19611329.json
|
en
| null |
Who is retail tycoon Philip Day?
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Retail & Consumer Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
One of Britain's wealthiest high street fashion moguls, alongside names like Philip Green and Mike Ashley - Philip Day has had his name to some of the High Street's best known retail brands.
The Dubai-based owner of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group which operates names including Bonmarché, Ponden Home, Peacocks and Jaeger hit a rough year with Covid-19 restrictions alongside the slow decline of the High Street taking its toll.
In November, the brands went into administration amid a downturn in trading conditions.
Jeager has since been bought by Marks and Spencer, though its stores will not re-open.
Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Pondens and Bonmarché are the subject of a rescue deal. in which 246 stores will be saved by a number of investors Purepay Retail, which is controlled by Mr Day.
The businessman who famously skipped college joined Edinburgh Woolen Mill in 2001. A year later he bought the company outright when it was barely turning a profit.
Day turned it around, acquired other struggling retailers including Austin Reed and Jane Norman to expand his portfolio.
In 2012 he bought Peacocks, one of the UK's largest fashion retailers, which is still trading in administration.
According to MoneyWeek, Day officially lives in Switzerland and reportedly bought his first helicopter from Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley.
Brought up on a council estate in Lancashire, Day once observed that on leaving school (having reportedly turned down a place at university) he saw three career options, says The Sunday Times: “the mines, the army, or industry”. He chose the latter and is was reportedly worth $1.2billion according to Forbes.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/who-retail-tycoon-philip-day-19611329
|
en
| 2021-01-12T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/9df83fd9be98b6dc493ecf7606e7cf5f8b4789b622adac03d5b3006c62418185.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Retail & Consumer Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nOne of Britain's wealthiest high street fashion moguls, alongside names like Philip Green and Mike Ashley - Philip Day has had his name to some of the High Street's best known retail brands.\nThe Dubai-based owner of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group which operates names including Bonmarché, Ponden Home, Peacocks and Jaeger hit a rough year with Covid-19 restrictions alongside the slow decline of the High Street taking its toll.\nIn November, the brands went into administration amid a downturn in trading conditions.\nJeager has since been bought by Marks and Spencer, though its stores will not re-open.\nEdinburgh Woollen Mill, Pondens and Bonmarché are the subject of a rescue deal. in which 246 stores will be saved by a number of investors Purepay Retail, which is controlled by Mr Day.\nThe businessman who famously skipped college joined Edinburgh Woolen Mill in 2001. A year later he bought the company outright when it was barely turning a profit.\nDay turned it around, acquired other struggling retailers including Austin Reed and Jane Norman to expand his portfolio.\nIn 2012 he bought Peacocks, one of the UK's largest fashion retailers, which is still trading in administration.\nAccording to MoneyWeek, Day officially lives in Switzerland and reportedly bought his first helicopter from Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley.\nBrought up on a council estate in Lancashire, Day once observed that on leaving school (having reportedly turned down a place at university) he saw three career options, says The Sunday Times: “the mines, the army, or industry”. He chose the latter and is was reportedly worth $1.2billion according to Forbes.",
"Who is retail tycoon Philip Day?",
"Philip Day is a self-made billionaire who chose industry instead of the mines and the army after leaving school"
] |
|
[
"Owen Hughes",
"Image",
"M-Sparc",
"Radar Pr"
] | 2021-01-12T13:48:15 | null | 2021-01-12T12:43:12 |
M-SParc is working with the North Wales Ambition Board, Menter Môn and Bangor University on the project
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fcampaign-target-north-wales-expats-19609347.json
|
en
| null |
Campaign to target North Wales 'expats' and encourage them to return home
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A campaign has launched this week to target 'expats' orginally from North Wales and encourage them to “Come Back and Give back”.
The M-SParc (Menai Science Park) campaign in partnership with the North Wales Ambition Board, Menter Môn and Bangor University will promote employment and business opportunities in North Wales.
It will target people who have left to further their education or careers but may now be feeling a longing (Hiraeth) for home.
The aim is to showcase the area as an ideal location to live and work – and in the long run, to encourage people to return and to contribute to the region’s economy.
Part of the initial focus will be on the North West of England - targeting cities like Liverpool and Manchester where many young people from North Wales migrate to.
Pryderi ap Rhisiart, managing director of M-SParc, said: “It’s an age-old story for rural areas like Anglesey, Gwynedd and Conwy – as young people leave to go to University or to find work, and the significant effect this has on communities both socially and in terms of the Welsh language.
(Image: m-sparc)
"So, we want to kick start a conversation locally and with those who have left, but long to come back home.”
The key is convincing people there are good opportunities in the area.
He added: “It’s a general belief that there are no high-quality jobs here or that we haven’t got the resources or facilities for business. As a result, young people stay away which also means that the area is deprived of crucial skills and talent.
"At a time when we need to be looking at rebuilding the economy, our aim with this campaign is to try and change these perceptions – showing that there are opportunities here and that we want to help people return.”
The second aspect of the campaign is to reach out to those who have been successful in business or in their careers beyond the borders of North Wales and encourage them to give back in order to support new businesses in the area.
Having developed contacts with Welsh people around the globe, campaign partners are appealing to people to register an interest to contribute, either of their time as mentors, or to invest financially to support new ventures in the area.
Someone who has already made the move back is Billy Williams – founder of Cufflink, a technology company at M-SParc which helps people manage their personal information safely online.
Originally from Amlwch, Billy attended Ysgol Sir Thomas Jones in the town, before leaving to go to Huddersfield University.
He has worked all over the world – from London to Switzerland, Dubai and Australia, but, like many, he wanted to move back home to raise a family.
He said: “Having travelled extensively for several years, when we had children I wanted to bring them up close to family and in a safe and bilingual environment. It no longer matters where you live when it comes to where you work.
(Image: m-sparc)
"Remote working has always been part of our company ethos and given recent events there’s never been a better opportunity to relocate back to such a beautiful, safe and vibrant part of the world.”
Over the coming months the team at M-Sparc hope the campaign will gain momentum and highlight what the area has to offer by developing contacts through traditional and social media.
The aim is also to reach out to universities and to Welsh societies and networks across the UK and beyond to create a buzz amongst those who want to return to their roots.
Sign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.
As well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.
M-SParc commissioned artist, Mark Richardson, of Ffwligans in Gyffin, to design a poster to support the campaign with the words ‘Dewch yn ôl’ on it – which is Welsh for ‘Come back’.
It’s hoped that the unique image will draw attention to campaign messages and encourage people to think differently about the area in the context of work and business.
All the information about “Come Back // Give Back” and the related opportunities are available on the M-SParc website. To get involved contact [email protected] or register at www.m-sparc.com/dewch-yn-ol (m-sparc.com).
Alwen Williams, portfolio director of the North Wales Ambition Board, a partner in the campaign, said: “Returning to work in North Wales has significantly improved my life, professionally and personally on many levels.
(Image: Radar PR)
"Being able to call the area home gives me a huge sense of pride, accomplishment and belonging, a feeling which I consider specific to our area.
"If you have a sense of 'hiraeth', know that North Wales will always welcome you back home."
Bangor University Vice-Chancellor Iwan Davies said: “We are proud of the University’s strong network of alumni.
"Our graduates go out into the world to apply the skills they have learnt here at Bangor, and we want to ensure that they can come back to the area to be part of the region's future.
"Through M-SParc as well as through other exciting schemes, there are great careers and opportunities to be had here as well as the necessary skills to achieve success.”
To have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/campaign-target-north-wales-expats-19609347
|
en
| 2021-01-12T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/c8e055a82e142556b4e0412a7300e9ba58985eee5187c77c067f469f0e387009.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA campaign has launched this week to target 'expats' orginally from North Wales and encourage them to “Come Back and Give back”.\nThe M-SParc (Menai Science Park) campaign in partnership with the North Wales Ambition Board, Menter Môn and Bangor University will promote employment and business opportunities in North Wales.\nIt will target people who have left to further their education or careers but may now be feeling a longing (Hiraeth) for home.\nThe aim is to showcase the area as an ideal location to live and work – and in the long run, to encourage people to return and to contribute to the region’s economy.\nPart of the initial focus will be on the North West of England - targeting cities like Liverpool and Manchester where many young people from North Wales migrate to.\nPryderi ap Rhisiart, managing director of M-SParc, said: “It’s an age-old story for rural areas like Anglesey, Gwynedd and Conwy – as young people leave to go to University or to find work, and the significant effect this has on communities both socially and in terms of the Welsh language.\n(Image: m-sparc)\n\"So, we want to kick start a conversation locally and with those who have left, but long to come back home.”\nThe key is convincing people there are good opportunities in the area.\nHe added: “It’s a general belief that there are no high-quality jobs here or that we haven’t got the resources or facilities for business. As a result, young people stay away which also means that the area is deprived of crucial skills and talent.\n\"At a time when we need to be looking at rebuilding the economy, our aim with this campaign is to try and change these perceptions – showing that there are opportunities here and that we want to help people return.”\nThe second aspect of the campaign is to reach out to those who have been successful in business or in their careers beyond the borders of North Wales and encourage them to give back in order to support new businesses in the area.\nHaving developed contacts with Welsh people around the globe, campaign partners are appealing to people to register an interest to contribute, either of their time as mentors, or to invest financially to support new ventures in the area.\nSomeone who has already made the move back is Billy Williams – founder of Cufflink, a technology company at M-SParc which helps people manage their personal information safely online.\nOriginally from Amlwch, Billy attended Ysgol Sir Thomas Jones in the town, before leaving to go to Huddersfield University.\nHe has worked all over the world – from London to Switzerland, Dubai and Australia, but, like many, he wanted to move back home to raise a family.\nHe said: “Having travelled extensively for several years, when we had children I wanted to bring them up close to family and in a safe and bilingual environment. It no longer matters where you live when it comes to where you work.\n(Image: m-sparc)\n\"Remote working has always been part of our company ethos and given recent events there’s never been a better opportunity to relocate back to such a beautiful, safe and vibrant part of the world.”\nOver the coming months the team at M-Sparc hope the campaign will gain momentum and highlight what the area has to offer by developing contacts through traditional and social media.\nThe aim is also to reach out to universities and to Welsh societies and networks across the UK and beyond to create a buzz amongst those who want to return to their roots.\nSign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.\nAs well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.\nM-SParc commissioned artist, Mark Richardson, of Ffwligans in Gyffin, to design a poster to support the campaign with the words ‘Dewch yn ôl’ on it – which is Welsh for ‘Come back’.\nIt’s hoped that the unique image will draw attention to campaign messages and encourage people to think differently about the area in the context of work and business.\nAll the information about “Come Back // Give Back” and the related opportunities are available on the M-SParc website. To get involved contact [email protected] or register at www.m-sparc.com/dewch-yn-ol (m-sparc.com).\nAlwen Williams, portfolio director of the North Wales Ambition Board, a partner in the campaign, said: “Returning to work in North Wales has significantly improved my life, professionally and personally on many levels.\n(Image: Radar PR)\n\"Being able to call the area home gives me a huge sense of pride, accomplishment and belonging, a feeling which I consider specific to our area.\n\"If you have a sense of 'hiraeth', know that North Wales will always welcome you back home.\"\nBangor University Vice-Chancellor Iwan Davies said: “We are proud of the University’s strong network of alumni.\n\"Our graduates go out into the world to apply the skills they have learnt here at Bangor, and we want to ensure that they can come back to the area to be part of the region's future.\n\"Through M-SParc as well as through other exciting schemes, there are great careers and opportunities to be had here as well as the necessary skills to achieve success.”\nTo have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article",
"Campaign to target North Wales 'expats' and encourage them to return home",
"M-SParc is working with the North Wales Ambition Board, Menter Môn and Bangor University on the project"
] |
|
[
"Coreena Ford",
"Image",
"Kevin Gibson Photography Ltd"
] | 2021-01-22T15:44:15 | null | 2021-01-22T15:05:12 |
The immersive tech firm is seeking investment for its disruptive platform n-gage.io
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Ftechnology%2Ffame-media-tech-launches-mission-19680763.json
|
en
| null |
Fame Media Tech launches mission to revolutionise customer experiences
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A County Durham immersive technology company has been launched with a mission to transform how customers experience entertainment, sport, visitor attractions, hospitality and retail.
Fame Media Tech, led by Bryan Hoare, is in talks with a raft of sport, hospitality and visitor attraction operators in moves to change people’s experiences through technology, to help firms create more engaged and loyal customers, fans and visitors.
Based at the Aycliffe Business Park in Newton Aycliffe, Fame Tech Media has already started to create innovative content experiences for millions of mobile users around the world and is now about to embark on the next stage of development.
The Newton Aycliffe firm is now working closely with North East fintech firm Growth Capital Ventures (GCV) to secure investment to develop its technology platform, a mobile technology platform called n-gage.io.
GCV aims to raise seed funding via its GrowthFunders.com co-investment platform.
Mr Hoare, the firm’s founder and CEO, said Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of technology more than ever, showing how important it is to maintain links with customers when a global crisis disrupts normal business.
Mr Hoare said: “We’re part of the ‘Audience of the Future’ revolution, where storytelling and innovation in digital media and mobile technology come together to captivate and engage audiences.
“Customers, visitors, fans and guests’ expectations are changing; we expect more standout moments where immersive technology and content combine to enhance our experiences. “We’re developing the technology to transform the visitor, fan and customer experience leading to more loyal and engaged customers for our clients.
“Through our technology we’ll be improving the experience, deepening engagement and building customer loyalty and ultimately revenues for the operator.
“We have proved the concept and have had constructive discussions with operators across sport, hospitality and visitor attractions. We’re already providing content to global businesses such as Vodacom, Uber and MTN, to create more engaging experiences. We now need to secure investor funding to scale up to the next level.”
Mr Hoare, who has more than 20 years’ marketing, media, and technology experience, is involved in several visitor attraction projects in the UK including the Football Walk of Fame in Manchester, which is acting as a pilot experience in sport.
Growth Funders has already successfully raised investment from institutional and individual investors for a portfolio of companies that includes B-North, Hive.HR, Intelligence Fusion, QikServe and Homes by Carlton.
Craig Peterson, director at GCV and interim chairman of Fame Media Tech, said: “Fame Media Tech is a highly entrepreneurial technology business with a clear focus on development and growth.
“This is a great opportunity to invest at an early stage in a highly scalable business focussed on innovation in digital media and mobile technology. The investment will accelerate the development of the technology and allow the company to scale up the team to drive the business forwards.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/fame-media-tech-launches-mission-19680763
|
en
| 2021-01-22T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/59ac031acb1f4b0ef846b5c1c8fe2e6fc9159d94950fbd48f6b0b4d07e9ea1bd.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA County Durham immersive technology company has been launched with a mission to transform how customers experience entertainment, sport, visitor attractions, hospitality and retail.\nFame Media Tech, led by Bryan Hoare, is in talks with a raft of sport, hospitality and visitor attraction operators in moves to change people’s experiences through technology, to help firms create more engaged and loyal customers, fans and visitors.\nBased at the Aycliffe Business Park in Newton Aycliffe, Fame Tech Media has already started to create innovative content experiences for millions of mobile users around the world and is now about to embark on the next stage of development.\nThe Newton Aycliffe firm is now working closely with North East fintech firm Growth Capital Ventures (GCV) to secure investment to develop its technology platform, a mobile technology platform called n-gage.io.\nGCV aims to raise seed funding via its GrowthFunders.com co-investment platform.\nMr Hoare, the firm’s founder and CEO, said Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of technology more than ever, showing how important it is to maintain links with customers when a global crisis disrupts normal business.\nMr Hoare said: “We’re part of the ‘Audience of the Future’ revolution, where storytelling and innovation in digital media and mobile technology come together to captivate and engage audiences.\n“Customers, visitors, fans and guests’ expectations are changing; we expect more standout moments where immersive technology and content combine to enhance our experiences. “We’re developing the technology to transform the visitor, fan and customer experience leading to more loyal and engaged customers for our clients.\n“Through our technology we’ll be improving the experience, deepening engagement and building customer loyalty and ultimately revenues for the operator.\n“We have proved the concept and have had constructive discussions with operators across sport, hospitality and visitor attractions. We’re already providing content to global businesses such as Vodacom, Uber and MTN, to create more engaging experiences. We now need to secure investor funding to scale up to the next level.”\nMr Hoare, who has more than 20 years’ marketing, media, and technology experience, is involved in several visitor attraction projects in the UK including the Football Walk of Fame in Manchester, which is acting as a pilot experience in sport.\nGrowth Funders has already successfully raised investment from institutional and individual investors for a portfolio of companies that includes B-North, Hive.HR, Intelligence Fusion, QikServe and Homes by Carlton.\nCraig Peterson, director at GCV and interim chairman of Fame Media Tech, said: “Fame Media Tech is a highly entrepreneurial technology business with a clear focus on development and growth.\n“This is a great opportunity to invest at an early stage in a highly scalable business focussed on innovation in digital media and mobile technology. The investment will accelerate the development of the technology and allow the company to scale up the team to drive the business forwards.”",
"Fame Media Tech launches mission to revolutionise customer experiences",
"The immersive tech firm is seeking investment for its disruptive platform n-gage.io"
] |
|
[
"Graeme Whitfield",
"Image",
"Pa"
] | 2021-01-06T13:57:46 | null | 2021-01-06T13:31:53 |
Big rise in sales of electric cars was one bright spot for car manufacturers amid major fall in sales
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fmanufacturing%2Fcar-sales-slump-pandemic-brexit-19572919.json
|
en
| null |
Car sales slump as pandemic and Brexit batter automotive sector
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Manufacturing Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The number of new cars sold in the UK last year fell by almost a third amid the coronavirus crisis and uncertainty over Brexit, figures show.
New car registrations dropped to just over 1.6m, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which warned of a “rocky” few months ahead.
The trade organisation welcomed the Christmas Eve post-Brexit deal, but said a 10.9% decline in December wrapped up a “turbulent” 12 months, which saw demand fall by 680,076 units to the lowest level of registrations since 1992.
New car sales fell by around 29% on 2019, the biggest year-on-year decline since 1943.
The SMMT said that against a backdrop of Covid restrictions, an acceleration of the end of sale date for petrol and diesel cars to 2030, and Brexit uncertainty, the industry suffered a total turnover loss of more than £20bn.
But the organisation reported a “bumper” year for battery and plug-in hybrid electric cars, which accounted for more than one in 10 registrations, up from around one in 30 in 2019. Demand for battery electric vehicles grew by 185.9% to 108,205 units, while registrations of plug-in hybrids rose 91.2% to 66,877.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “2020 will be seen as a ‘lost year’ for automotive, with the sector under pandemic-enforced shutdown for much of the year and uncertainty over future trading conditions taking their toll.
“However, with the rollout of vaccines and clarity over our new relationship with the EU, we must make 2021 a year of recovery. With manufacturers bringing record numbers of electrified vehicles to market over the coming months, we will work with Government to encourage drivers to make the switch, while promoting investment in our globally-renowned manufacturing base – recharging the market, industry and economy.”
Mr Hawes said the last-minute Brexit trade deal was a “massive relief” to the automotive industry, avoiding a no-deal “disaster”, but he added that companies will still face more administration and red tape.
He added that the fresh lockdown across England and ongoing tough restrictions across the rest of the UK will further impact the automotive industry, warning that the coming months will be “rocky”.
The SMMT’s figures show huge drops in sales for major automotive companies, with Citroen, Hyundai, Mazda and Suzuki all seeing reductions in sales of more than 40% on 2019. Ford remained the country’s leading automotive brand, though it lost more than 80,000 sales on last year.
Unite national officer for the automotive industries Des Quinn said: “Last year was one where the UK automotive sector went into deep freeze because of Covid-19.
“However, as we enter 2021, there are strong signs of hope for the sector, the jewel in the crown of UK manufacturing, with the free trade deal with the EU now agreed and the vaccine programme coming on stream which will, eventually, restore consumer confidence.
“But this ‘thaw’ for the sector desperately needs a joined-up and coherent industrial strategy to ensure that a ‘green industrial revolution’ is in place for the next decade and beyond.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/car-sales-slump-pandemic-brexit-19572919
|
en
| 2021-01-06T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/427c343c885ac35d5aac0518557491e93601af6cf885b4c985e75d691a9e5a60.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Manufacturing Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe number of new cars sold in the UK last year fell by almost a third amid the coronavirus crisis and uncertainty over Brexit, figures show.\nNew car registrations dropped to just over 1.6m, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which warned of a “rocky” few months ahead.\nThe trade organisation welcomed the Christmas Eve post-Brexit deal, but said a 10.9% decline in December wrapped up a “turbulent” 12 months, which saw demand fall by 680,076 units to the lowest level of registrations since 1992.\nNew car sales fell by around 29% on 2019, the biggest year-on-year decline since 1943.\nThe SMMT said that against a backdrop of Covid restrictions, an acceleration of the end of sale date for petrol and diesel cars to 2030, and Brexit uncertainty, the industry suffered a total turnover loss of more than £20bn.\nBut the organisation reported a “bumper” year for battery and plug-in hybrid electric cars, which accounted for more than one in 10 registrations, up from around one in 30 in 2019. Demand for battery electric vehicles grew by 185.9% to 108,205 units, while registrations of plug-in hybrids rose 91.2% to 66,877.\nSMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “2020 will be seen as a ‘lost year’ for automotive, with the sector under pandemic-enforced shutdown for much of the year and uncertainty over future trading conditions taking their toll.\n“However, with the rollout of vaccines and clarity over our new relationship with the EU, we must make 2021 a year of recovery. With manufacturers bringing record numbers of electrified vehicles to market over the coming months, we will work with Government to encourage drivers to make the switch, while promoting investment in our globally-renowned manufacturing base – recharging the market, industry and economy.”\nMr Hawes said the last-minute Brexit trade deal was a “massive relief” to the automotive industry, avoiding a no-deal “disaster”, but he added that companies will still face more administration and red tape.\nHe added that the fresh lockdown across England and ongoing tough restrictions across the rest of the UK will further impact the automotive industry, warning that the coming months will be “rocky”.\nThe SMMT’s figures show huge drops in sales for major automotive companies, with Citroen, Hyundai, Mazda and Suzuki all seeing reductions in sales of more than 40% on 2019. Ford remained the country’s leading automotive brand, though it lost more than 80,000 sales on last year.\nUnite national officer for the automotive industries Des Quinn said: “Last year was one where the UK automotive sector went into deep freeze because of Covid-19.\n“However, as we enter 2021, there are strong signs of hope for the sector, the jewel in the crown of UK manufacturing, with the free trade deal with the EU now agreed and the vaccine programme coming on stream which will, eventually, restore consumer confidence.\n“But this ‘thaw’ for the sector desperately needs a joined-up and coherent industrial strategy to ensure that a ‘green industrial revolution’ is in place for the next decade and beyond.”",
"Car sales slump as pandemic and Brexit batter automotive sector",
"Big rise in sales of electric cars was one bright spot for car manufacturers amid major fall in sales"
] |
|
[
"Tamlyn Jones",
"Image",
"Pa"
] | 2021-01-20T14:52:06 | null | 2021-01-20T13:14:24 |
Row over pay and conditions reaches head but utility firm says it needs to change after losing 'too many customers over recent years'
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fover-1000-british-gas-workers-19663556.json
|
en
| null |
Over 1,000 British Gas workers strike in the West Midlands
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
More than 1,000 British Gas workers across the West Midlands have launched strike action today over a change in their pay and conditions.
The action by members of the GMB union is set to take place on seven separate days between now and February 1.
The trade union claimed the company had fired staff and then rehired them on worse terms and conditions but British Gas' parent company Centrica hit back, saying it needed to change after losing "too many jobs and too many customers over recent years".
It added that GMB, along with other trade unions representatives, had actually helped to shape these new T&Cs for staff and other unions had reached a deal with the company after 300 hours of negotiations.
During the strike action, GMB members have opted to help local charities and good causes and will also clear waste land and pick litter up across the West Midlands.
Want more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
Those on strike include British Gas engineers, with GMB saying the industrial action had already caused problems for customers with an estimated 100,000 homes waiting for service across the country.
Paul Vowles, one of the striking engineers, said: "British Gas is trying to grind us down but if we can't support our customers then we'll support their communities while we're on strike.
"We care about the people we serve and are honoured to be able to help deliver food parcels, clear waste land and help struggling new mothers.
"Our loyal engineers are showing their best side this week, standing together against fire-and-rehire bullying and continuing to help the people who need us most, just like we do every day."
In its 2019 accounts, Centrica posted a pre-tax loss of £849 million following a series of adjustments and one-off payments.
It warned that it had lost two million energy customers, one million services customers and more than half of its earnings over the past decade.
In a statement, Centrica said: "We have strong contingency plans in place to ensure we will still be there for customers who really need us and we'll prioritise vulnerable households and emergencies.
"We're operating in an incredibly competitive market and British Gas has lost too many jobs and too many customers over recent years. We can't continue like this.
"We need to take action to modernise and refocus the company in line with what our customers need now, not what they needed 20 years ago.
"Our pay for engineers will remain the highest in the sector but we need to get productivity back to where it used to be and, for some, we need to increase the working week from 37 to 40 hours."
The statement added that Centrica was not changing base pay or pensions and would reward increased productivity through additional bonuses.
The company said 83 per cent of its employees, including the majority of its engineers, had already accepted the new terms.
The strike action is set to take place on January 20, 22, 25, 29, 30, 31 and February 1.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/over-1000-british-gas-workers-19663556
|
en
| 2021-01-20T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/7d88bbdac00ac325a07c8702518de6ca9a595afac641aa32c11f54e389155fb7.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nMore than 1,000 British Gas workers across the West Midlands have launched strike action today over a change in their pay and conditions.\nThe action by members of the GMB union is set to take place on seven separate days between now and February 1.\nThe trade union claimed the company had fired staff and then rehired them on worse terms and conditions but British Gas' parent company Centrica hit back, saying it needed to change after losing \"too many jobs and too many customers over recent years\".\nIt added that GMB, along with other trade unions representatives, had actually helped to shape these new T&Cs for staff and other unions had reached a deal with the company after 300 hours of negotiations.\nDuring the strike action, GMB members have opted to help local charities and good causes and will also clear waste land and pick litter up across the West Midlands.\nWant more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\nThose on strike include British Gas engineers, with GMB saying the industrial action had already caused problems for customers with an estimated 100,000 homes waiting for service across the country.\nPaul Vowles, one of the striking engineers, said: \"British Gas is trying to grind us down but if we can't support our customers then we'll support their communities while we're on strike.\n\"We care about the people we serve and are honoured to be able to help deliver food parcels, clear waste land and help struggling new mothers.\n\"Our loyal engineers are showing their best side this week, standing together against fire-and-rehire bullying and continuing to help the people who need us most, just like we do every day.\"\nIn its 2019 accounts, Centrica posted a pre-tax loss of £849 million following a series of adjustments and one-off payments.\nIt warned that it had lost two million energy customers, one million services customers and more than half of its earnings over the past decade.\nIn a statement, Centrica said: \"We have strong contingency plans in place to ensure we will still be there for customers who really need us and we'll prioritise vulnerable households and emergencies.\n\"We're operating in an incredibly competitive market and British Gas has lost too many jobs and too many customers over recent years. We can't continue like this.\n\"We need to take action to modernise and refocus the company in line with what our customers need now, not what they needed 20 years ago.\n\"Our pay for engineers will remain the highest in the sector but we need to get productivity back to where it used to be and, for some, we need to increase the working week from 37 to 40 hours.\"\nThe statement added that Centrica was not changing base pay or pensions and would reward increased productivity through additional bonuses.\nThe company said 83 per cent of its employees, including the majority of its engineers, had already accepted the new terms.\nThe strike action is set to take place on January 20, 22, 25, 29, 30, 31 and February 1.",
"Over 1,000 British Gas workers strike in the West Midlands",
"Row over pay and conditions reaches head but utility firm says it needs to change after losing 'too many customers over recent years'"
] |
|
[
"David Laister"
] | 2021-01-08T14:07:28 | null | 2021-01-08T13:37:20 |
Owner DP World keen to 'play its part' in huge coronavirus effort
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fports-logistics%2Fpo-offers-free-shipment-uks-19587867.json
|
en
| null |
P&O offers free shipment for UK's 40 million Pfizer vaccination doses
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Yorkshire & Humber Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Ferry operator P&O has offered to import coronavirus vaccines into the UK free of charge.
The company serves the route between Belgium and Britain, via Hull and Zeebrugge.
The Humber region is also home to a huge concentration of vital cold storage and port-side temperature-controlled facilities, with the Pfizer jab needing to be stored at minus 70C.
Owner DP World said it would transport the vaccines even if it was not being paid, in order to “play our part”.
The UK has ordered 40 million doses of a jab made by Pfizer, but importing them is a complex operation as they need to be stored in temperatures of minus 70C to minus 80C.
DP World said in a statement: “We stand ready to support the Government in getting all the necessary vaccines into the UK.
“What’s more, we are willing to do this work for free should we be asked to do so, to help play our part in getting the UK through the pandemic as fast as possible.”
Croda, producer of the element that carries the active ingredient into the body, is also based in East Yorkshire, though it has not revealed which of its UK sites is responsible for it. It is understood the FTSE-listed company supplies it into Belgium from Britain, with US facilities manufacturing for Pfizer in the US also.
P&O Ferries announced in May that around 1,100 workers could lose their jobs as part of a plan to make the business “viable and sustainable”.
It has recently stopped a passenger service between Hull and Zeebrugge, but chief executive David Stretch pledged freight services would not be affected - highlighting medical supplies then.
P&O was included in the latest post-transition period Brexit contract to ensure capacity import and export capacity.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/ports-logistics/po-offers-free-shipment-uks-19587867
|
en
| 2021-01-08T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/0ec0597040bbea2d881292c750f0a1aee4a318f6f702840e71e4a0b2870a988f.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Yorkshire & Humber Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nFerry operator P&O has offered to import coronavirus vaccines into the UK free of charge.\nThe company serves the route between Belgium and Britain, via Hull and Zeebrugge.\nThe Humber region is also home to a huge concentration of vital cold storage and port-side temperature-controlled facilities, with the Pfizer jab needing to be stored at minus 70C.\nOwner DP World said it would transport the vaccines even if it was not being paid, in order to “play our part”.\nThe UK has ordered 40 million doses of a jab made by Pfizer, but importing them is a complex operation as they need to be stored in temperatures of minus 70C to minus 80C.\nDP World said in a statement: “We stand ready to support the Government in getting all the necessary vaccines into the UK.\n“What’s more, we are willing to do this work for free should we be asked to do so, to help play our part in getting the UK through the pandemic as fast as possible.”\nCroda, producer of the element that carries the active ingredient into the body, is also based in East Yorkshire, though it has not revealed which of its UK sites is responsible for it. It is understood the FTSE-listed company supplies it into Belgium from Britain, with US facilities manufacturing for Pfizer in the US also.\nP&O Ferries announced in May that around 1,100 workers could lose their jobs as part of a plan to make the business “viable and sustainable”.\nIt has recently stopped a passenger service between Hull and Zeebrugge, but chief executive David Stretch pledged freight services would not be affected - highlighting medical supplies then.\nP&O was included in the latest post-transition period Brexit contract to ensure capacity import and export capacity.",
"P&O offers free shipment for UK's 40 million Pfizer vaccination doses",
"Owner DP World keen to 'play its part' in huge coronavirus effort"
] |
|
[
"Tamlyn Jones",
"Mark Cardwell"
] | 2021-01-11T03:19:52 | null | 2021-01-11T03:00:00 |
Developer making its debut in the city plans to renovate office block to create 61 new apartments despite local noise concerns
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fcommercial-property%2Fgreen-light-birmingham-office-conversion-19588662.json
|
en
| null |
Green light for Birmingham office conversion
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Plans to develop 61 new apartments at a canalside site in Birmingham have been given the green light.
London-based Consortia Developments is making its debut in Birmingham with the canalside scheme to renovate Lockside House in Scotland Street.
The firm already had an existing consent to convert the 14,000 sq ft office building Lockside House into 16 apartments but has now won additional permission to add a roof extension to the building and redevelop the adjacent car park.
This will create a total of 17 one-bedroom and 44 two-bedroom units at the site which will be available for open market sale, with three reserved for affordable housing.
Originally built as a workshop, and part of a series of buildings known as Scotland Works, Lockside House was home to a number of manufacturing businesses in the late 1800s.
Want more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
In the early 20th century, a plate and sheet glass merchant occupied the premises which are sandwiched between Scotland Street and the towpath of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal near Utilita Arena Birmingham.
It was bombed during the Second World War and subsequently underwent alterations as a result before being converted to offices in the 1980s.
Birmingham-based practice Associated Architects has designed the new £16 million scheme which will vary between five and six storeys.
Archie Ward is managing partner at Consortia Developments which acquired Lockside House from federation of charities Groundwork last year.
He said: "Once a workshop, then an office, Lockside House is set to enjoy a third act as new homes.
"Although it is not listed, the building contributes to the character of the area and we fully intend to preserve its best features.
"We are very much looking forward to restoring this characterful building and improving the wider brownfield site."
The development site is directly opposite The Flapper, a renowned music pub which itself is poised for redevelopment but has been closed since January last year.
The approval, granted at the latest meeting of Birmingham City Council's planning committee, came despite an objection from regulatory services about potential noise impact if the Flapper re-opened.
This would mean some of the residents would need to keep their windows closed, a report to councillors stated.
Cllr Gareth Moore told the meeting: "I am slightly concerned about the representations made by regulatory services in the report.
"Clearly, from what I understand from the application, is that there is an extension to the building which brings it closer to what was the Flapper or maybe another licensed premises. Therefore, there is a potential noise nuisance particularly with the balconies.
"I can understand the appeal of having balconies looking onto the canal but if that is going to exacerbate the noise issues in this location then perhaps we should look at putting something in place which offers greater protection for future occupiers and existing businesses in the area from potential noise issues.
"I am wondering whether this has not been considered fully in the report and whether there are further design changes which could be made to the building to better soundproof it and so avoid complaints in the future."
Work is due to start on site in May when the existing tenants vacate the building with completion anticipated in summer 2023.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/green-light-birmingham-office-conversion-19588662
|
en
| 2021-01-11T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/43937dd8d66bc2200d0c742de1ed645e5d505a13f48ac973546bd582bc5da1ef.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nPlans to develop 61 new apartments at a canalside site in Birmingham have been given the green light.\nLondon-based Consortia Developments is making its debut in Birmingham with the canalside scheme to renovate Lockside House in Scotland Street.\nThe firm already had an existing consent to convert the 14,000 sq ft office building Lockside House into 16 apartments but has now won additional permission to add a roof extension to the building and redevelop the adjacent car park.\nThis will create a total of 17 one-bedroom and 44 two-bedroom units at the site which will be available for open market sale, with three reserved for affordable housing.\nOriginally built as a workshop, and part of a series of buildings known as Scotland Works, Lockside House was home to a number of manufacturing businesses in the late 1800s.\nWant more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\nIn the early 20th century, a plate and sheet glass merchant occupied the premises which are sandwiched between Scotland Street and the towpath of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal near Utilita Arena Birmingham.\nIt was bombed during the Second World War and subsequently underwent alterations as a result before being converted to offices in the 1980s.\nBirmingham-based practice Associated Architects has designed the new £16 million scheme which will vary between five and six storeys.\nArchie Ward is managing partner at Consortia Developments which acquired Lockside House from federation of charities Groundwork last year.\nHe said: \"Once a workshop, then an office, Lockside House is set to enjoy a third act as new homes.\n\"Although it is not listed, the building contributes to the character of the area and we fully intend to preserve its best features.\n\"We are very much looking forward to restoring this characterful building and improving the wider brownfield site.\"\nThe development site is directly opposite The Flapper, a renowned music pub which itself is poised for redevelopment but has been closed since January last year.\nThe approval, granted at the latest meeting of Birmingham City Council's planning committee, came despite an objection from regulatory services about potential noise impact if the Flapper re-opened.\nThis would mean some of the residents would need to keep their windows closed, a report to councillors stated.\nCllr Gareth Moore told the meeting: \"I am slightly concerned about the representations made by regulatory services in the report.\n\"Clearly, from what I understand from the application, is that there is an extension to the building which brings it closer to what was the Flapper or maybe another licensed premises. Therefore, there is a potential noise nuisance particularly with the balconies.\n\"I can understand the appeal of having balconies looking onto the canal but if that is going to exacerbate the noise issues in this location then perhaps we should look at putting something in place which offers greater protection for future occupiers and existing businesses in the area from potential noise issues.\n\"I am wondering whether this has not been considered fully in the report and whether there are further design changes which could be made to the building to better soundproof it and so avoid complaints in the future.\"\nWork is due to start on site in May when the existing tenants vacate the building with completion anticipated in summer 2023.",
"Green light for Birmingham office conversion",
"Developer making its debut in the city plans to renovate office block to create 61 new apartments despite local noise concerns"
] |
|
[
"Olivia Rose Fox"
] | 2021-01-18T14:13:01 | null | 2021-01-18T06:30:00 |
It comes after almost 50 per cent of businesses have had security breaches in the last 12 months
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fspecial-features%2Fcyber-resilience-centre-offers-free-19604366.json
|
en
| null |
Cyber Resilience Centre offers free membership to South West businesses
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
The South West Cyber Resilience Centre (SWCRC) is an innovative partnership between police, the private sector and academia to help regional businesses and charities protect themselves against cybercrime.
Businesses in the South West can now sign up with the initiative for a free Core Membership online to receive a welcome pack full of practical resources and tools to help them identify their risks and vulnerabilities as well as outlining the steps that they can take to increase their levels of protection.
They’ll also get regular updates on new threats so that they can stay safer. If desired, they can also access inexpensive and bespoke advice, via the links which the centre is forging with top academic talent and nationally-recognised cyber companies that are located in the region.
Businesses of all sizes across the region are facing an increase in cyber-attacks. In this climate, it’s essential that micro businesses, SMEs and larger organisations take practical, proactive steps to better protect their businesses from what could be a costly attack.
The SWCRC is part of a network of centres across the country, designed to provide businesses with free guidance and affordable cyber services.
Mark Moore, Director of the SWCRC and Superintendent with the Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We know that any system is only as strong as its weakest link, and that is why we want to help improve protection for networks and supply chains across the region.
“Being a not-for-profit organisation with clear policing links, you ought to be able to trust us. We can add value without adding cost, and where you need detailed or bespoke advice, we can help you to access it inexpensively and from sources that you know you can trust.
“Cyber security often feels technical and complicated, so it gets left as something which only happens to other people.
"The reality is, almost 50 per cent of businesses have reported attacks or breaches in the last 12 months, so if we can provide you with help and guidance for free, becoming a member feels like a bit of a no-brainer to me.”
To sign up for a free core membership, click here to visit the website.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/special-features/cyber-resilience-centre-offers-free-19604366
|
en
| 2021-01-18T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/bcbf56eef93bc8c03c32f07e10d4b6a627fd72e53825f7449095c48c8211b458.json
|
[
"The South West Cyber Resilience Centre (SWCRC) is an innovative partnership between police, the private sector and academia to help regional businesses and charities protect themselves against cybercrime.\nBusinesses in the South West can now sign up with the initiative for a free Core Membership online to receive a welcome pack full of practical resources and tools to help them identify their risks and vulnerabilities as well as outlining the steps that they can take to increase their levels of protection.\nThey’ll also get regular updates on new threats so that they can stay safer. If desired, they can also access inexpensive and bespoke advice, via the links which the centre is forging with top academic talent and nationally-recognised cyber companies that are located in the region.\nBusinesses of all sizes across the region are facing an increase in cyber-attacks. In this climate, it’s essential that micro businesses, SMEs and larger organisations take practical, proactive steps to better protect their businesses from what could be a costly attack.\nThe SWCRC is part of a network of centres across the country, designed to provide businesses with free guidance and affordable cyber services.\nMark Moore, Director of the SWCRC and Superintendent with the Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We know that any system is only as strong as its weakest link, and that is why we want to help improve protection for networks and supply chains across the region.\n“Being a not-for-profit organisation with clear policing links, you ought to be able to trust us. We can add value without adding cost, and where you need detailed or bespoke advice, we can help you to access it inexpensively and from sources that you know you can trust.\n“Cyber security often feels technical and complicated, so it gets left as something which only happens to other people.\n\"The reality is, almost 50 per cent of businesses have reported attacks or breaches in the last 12 months, so if we can provide you with help and guidance for free, becoming a member feels like a bit of a no-brainer to me.”\nTo sign up for a free core membership, click here to visit the website.",
"Cyber Resilience Centre offers free membership to South West businesses",
"It comes after almost 50 per cent of businesses have had security breaches in the last 12 months"
] |
|
[
"Stuart Cole",
"Image",
"Paul Grover Daily Telegraph Pa Wire"
] | 2021-01-04T16:28:03 | null | 2021-01-04T15:47:27 |
In a modern world sovereignty no longer exists
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fopinion-analysis%2Fconservative-gung-ho-sovereignty-pressures-19561244.json
|
en
| null |
Conservative gung-ho sovereignty pressures has been put before economic reality
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The new trade agreement between the UK and the European Union (EU) has been signed.
However, many of the outcomes set out in the referendum’s mendacious or at best wishful thinking ‘propaganda’ from the UK Government, have not been achieved for Wales. One hopes that the 52% who voted ‘Leave’ didn’t understand what the consequences would be.
The EU’s importance to the Welsh economy cannot be underestimated and it will continue to be so, but with greater operational difficulty.
Businesses know finding new customers is never an easy task. Overseas trade opportunities in for example north America or south east Asia will increase costs, are more inconvenient and require the logistics business to create new supply chains.
The so-called European Commission ‘bureaucracy’ was confused with a set of trading rules. My experience working with the European Commission showed clear arrangements enabling longer term planning – unlike those from UK ministers recently. Freight hauliers and forwarders now face extensive form filling for exported goods which will add to their overhead costs.
Road freight delays at Dover and other ports will continue for Welsh traders and hauliers. Even after correct form completion, there will be quality checks on food or mechanical/electrical goods.
Irish traders currently use the Wales/ England land-bridge between the island of Ireland and mainland Europe.
At a Zoom coffee morning with past European Commission colleagues it was suggested this will give the ‘motorways of the sea’ concept of direct sea trade the chance to prove itself through specific benefits to Ireland, The Netherlands, France, Spain and Portugal.
These will give just-in-time supply chains a more predictable (if longer) journey time through direct routes. Irish trade via Holyhead or Fishguard will reduce resulting in a loss of jobs.
Ironically these ‘motorways’ were designed to reduce traffic flows and improve air quality in France’s Region Central (Spanish traffic) and south east England (Irish traffic).
No tariffs and quotas are advantageous to our farming sector, 90% of whose output goes to Europe.
However, EU trading will have conditions, for example, the 55% of components in manufactured goods which must be sourced in the UK or the EU. This should allow continuing operation of the Newport CAF train and Broughton Airbus manufacturing plants in Wales.
In voting Leave in the referendum it might be reasonable to believe that British holiday makers did not vote for increased checks at the borders when travelling to EU destinations, delays at the first point of entry to the Schengen area and further delays between other EU member states.
How smoothly that works will depend on the effectiveness of preparation (which has not been extensive) and the goodwill of individual governments.
For Welsh coach companies this will add to their costs (through paper work and drivers’ hours limitations) and require changing their timetables.
Freedom of the skies is a provision for British airlines to operate between EU airports will now be restricted to journeys originating and terminating in Great Britain. This could not have come at a worse time for the British air travel sector and jobs recently lost are unlikely to return.
Travellers to major business airports such as Paris, Amsterdam or Rome (both business and leisure) can expect to be in the ‘other countries’ queue - slow moving because of the variety of travellers ’countries of origin.
It is likely that tourism dependent areas – Greek islands, north east Spain, Portugal, southern Italy – will try to minimise delays through bilateral agreements. Economics will call their tune.
However, they may expect similar allowances for their citizens into the UK - something Boris Johnson’s UK administration may find too unpalatable; and deny employees to the agricultural, distribution and hospitality sectors.
Sadly, this column has to report that our duty-free alcohol allowances will be reduced significantly with the ending of ‘for personal consumption’ allowances.
Having taught Erasmus exchange students from the EU at two universities, it was disappointing that these enterprising people (and Welsh students on the scheme in the EU) would no longer be able to continue an essential opportunity to study, and often later, to work in EU member states to their and Wales’ benefit.
The unenviable position in which the UK finds itself resulted from internal Conservative party gung-ho sovereignty pressures put before hard economic reality.
Sovereignty does not exist in the modern world; all international agreements require compromise.
A little more compromise with the EU would have avoided some unpleasant future trade deals with that union and with other future trading partners.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/opinion-analysis/conservative-gung-ho-sovereignty-pressures-19561244
|
en
| 2021-01-04T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/71fbeb34664db186af6c5204e5d1117b26764f632bd3622adda8d832914cab02.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe new trade agreement between the UK and the European Union (EU) has been signed.\nHowever, many of the outcomes set out in the referendum’s mendacious or at best wishful thinking ‘propaganda’ from the UK Government, have not been achieved for Wales. One hopes that the 52% who voted ‘Leave’ didn’t understand what the consequences would be.\nThe EU’s importance to the Welsh economy cannot be underestimated and it will continue to be so, but with greater operational difficulty.\nBusinesses know finding new customers is never an easy task. Overseas trade opportunities in for example north America or south east Asia will increase costs, are more inconvenient and require the logistics business to create new supply chains.\nThe so-called European Commission ‘bureaucracy’ was confused with a set of trading rules. My experience working with the European Commission showed clear arrangements enabling longer term planning – unlike those from UK ministers recently. Freight hauliers and forwarders now face extensive form filling for exported goods which will add to their overhead costs.\nRoad freight delays at Dover and other ports will continue for Welsh traders and hauliers. Even after correct form completion, there will be quality checks on food or mechanical/electrical goods.\nIrish traders currently use the Wales/ England land-bridge between the island of Ireland and mainland Europe.\nAt a Zoom coffee morning with past European Commission colleagues it was suggested this will give the ‘motorways of the sea’ concept of direct sea trade the chance to prove itself through specific benefits to Ireland, The Netherlands, France, Spain and Portugal.\nThese will give just-in-time supply chains a more predictable (if longer) journey time through direct routes. Irish trade via Holyhead or Fishguard will reduce resulting in a loss of jobs.\nIronically these ‘motorways’ were designed to reduce traffic flows and improve air quality in France’s Region Central (Spanish traffic) and south east England (Irish traffic).\nNo tariffs and quotas are advantageous to our farming sector, 90% of whose output goes to Europe.\nHowever, EU trading will have conditions, for example, the 55% of components in manufactured goods which must be sourced in the UK or the EU. This should allow continuing operation of the Newport CAF train and Broughton Airbus manufacturing plants in Wales.\nIn voting Leave in the referendum it might be reasonable to believe that British holiday makers did not vote for increased checks at the borders when travelling to EU destinations, delays at the first point of entry to the Schengen area and further delays between other EU member states.\nHow smoothly that works will depend on the effectiveness of preparation (which has not been extensive) and the goodwill of individual governments.\nFor Welsh coach companies this will add to their costs (through paper work and drivers’ hours limitations) and require changing their timetables.\nFreedom of the skies is a provision for British airlines to operate between EU airports will now be restricted to journeys originating and terminating in Great Britain. This could not have come at a worse time for the British air travel sector and jobs recently lost are unlikely to return.\nTravellers to major business airports such as Paris, Amsterdam or Rome (both business and leisure) can expect to be in the ‘other countries’ queue - slow moving because of the variety of travellers ’countries of origin.\nIt is likely that tourism dependent areas – Greek islands, north east Spain, Portugal, southern Italy – will try to minimise delays through bilateral agreements. Economics will call their tune.\nHowever, they may expect similar allowances for their citizens into the UK - something Boris Johnson’s UK administration may find too unpalatable; and deny employees to the agricultural, distribution and hospitality sectors.\nSadly, this column has to report that our duty-free alcohol allowances will be reduced significantly with the ending of ‘for personal consumption’ allowances.\nHaving taught Erasmus exchange students from the EU at two universities, it was disappointing that these enterprising people (and Welsh students on the scheme in the EU) would no longer be able to continue an essential opportunity to study, and often later, to work in EU member states to their and Wales’ benefit.\nThe unenviable position in which the UK finds itself resulted from internal Conservative party gung-ho sovereignty pressures put before hard economic reality.\nSovereignty does not exist in the modern world; all international agreements require compromise.\nA little more compromise with the EU would have avoided some unpleasant future trade deals with that union and with other future trading partners.",
"Conservative gung-ho sovereignty pressures has been put before economic reality",
"In a modern world sovereignty no longer exists"
] |
|
[
"Tom Pegden"
] | 2021-01-21T04:37:16 | null | 2021-01-21T03:00:00 |
The club – in partnership with Mattioli Woods – brings companies together and builds links with the Tigers
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Fdavid-haye-barry-hearn-joining-19661733.json
|
en
| null |
David Haye and Barry Hearn joining Leicester Tigers Business Club this spring
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - East Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A former heavyweight champion of the world and a headline grabbing sports promoter will be special guests at two upcoming business events in 2021.
David Haye and Barry Hearn will speak at the next events being hosted by the Leicester Tigers Business Club this spring.
The business club – run in partnership with Leicester pensions company Mattioli Woods – brings companies together and builds links with the Tigers.
Usually held at the Welford Road stadium, the events have moved to a virtual video format during the pandemic, with Sky TV pundit Chris Kamara opening the first event of the 2020/21 campaign back in December.
Barry Hearn will be joining guests on Thursday, February 11, to talk about his career as a promoter covering snooker, darts, golf and fishing alongside his various roles as chairman within the darts and football landscape.
David Haye will be the guest speaker on Wednesday, April 14, looking back on his career as a former heavyweight champion of the world and talking about his life outside of the ring.
Pending government restrictions, club management hope the April 14 event could even take place live at the stadium. Business Club membership is open to companies of all sizes, with four events during each season.
Previous guests include author and politician Lord Jeffrey Archer, TV’s Ant Middleton, Paralympian Sammi Kinghorn, TV presenter Clare Balding and former Leicester Tigers player Leon Lloyd.
Business Club membership includes:
– One place at each of the four events (two virtual events and two lunch events)
– Two-course meal for each lunch event
– Networking opportunities at every event
– A listing on Leicester Tigers’ Business Club event page on LeicesterTigers.com
– Priority booking for other club events
Prices start from £125 per person excluding VAT to attend 2021’s three events and include guaranteeing your spot at every Business Club event throughout the 2020/21 campaign.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/david-haye-barry-hearn-joining-19661733
|
en
| 2021-01-21T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/bfca11983d3ac811f27da1b0d87abba416ebc9d5836eac9e1359c61ea7e72824.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - East Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA former heavyweight champion of the world and a headline grabbing sports promoter will be special guests at two upcoming business events in 2021.\nDavid Haye and Barry Hearn will speak at the next events being hosted by the Leicester Tigers Business Club this spring.\nThe business club – run in partnership with Leicester pensions company Mattioli Woods – brings companies together and builds links with the Tigers.\nUsually held at the Welford Road stadium, the events have moved to a virtual video format during the pandemic, with Sky TV pundit Chris Kamara opening the first event of the 2020/21 campaign back in December.\nBarry Hearn will be joining guests on Thursday, February 11, to talk about his career as a promoter covering snooker, darts, golf and fishing alongside his various roles as chairman within the darts and football landscape.\nDavid Haye will be the guest speaker on Wednesday, April 14, looking back on his career as a former heavyweight champion of the world and talking about his life outside of the ring.\nPending government restrictions, club management hope the April 14 event could even take place live at the stadium. Business Club membership is open to companies of all sizes, with four events during each season.\nPrevious guests include author and politician Lord Jeffrey Archer, TV’s Ant Middleton, Paralympian Sammi Kinghorn, TV presenter Clare Balding and former Leicester Tigers player Leon Lloyd.\nBusiness Club membership includes:\n– One place at each of the four events (two virtual events and two lunch events)\n– Two-course meal for each lunch event\n– Networking opportunities at every event\n– A listing on Leicester Tigers’ Business Club event page on LeicesterTigers.com\n– Priority booking for other club events\nPrices start from £125 per person excluding VAT to attend 2021’s three events and include guaranteeing your spot at every Business Club event throughout the 2020/21 campaign.",
"David Haye and Barry Hearn joining Leicester Tigers Business Club this spring",
"The club – in partnership with Mattioli Woods – brings companies together and builds links with the Tigers"
] |
|
[
"Jonathon Manning"
] | 2021-01-21T12:10:39 | null | 2021-01-21T11:25:47 |
The hotel will become a new 'social hub' for those living and working in the city
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fcommercial-property%2Fleeds-queens-hotel-16m-refurbishment-19669973.json
|
en
| null |
Leeds' Queens Hotel to undergo £16m refurbishment
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Yorkshire & Humber Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The Queens Hotel in the heart of Leeds city centre is set to be revitalised after receiving a multimillion-pound investment.
The QHotels Group has revealed it is investing £16m in the hotel, which has been based in the city for more than 80 years, in an attempt to meet the changing ways people are using city centre hotels.
As part of the refurbishment, the ground floor of the Queens Hotel will be converted into a social hub offering a number of communal areas as well as a boutique and personal check-in area. The transformation has been designed to position the hotel as the "perfect place" to meet friends and colleagues as well as offering a new place to work for those currently working from home.
Along with the changes to the ground floor, QHotels is also investing significantly in the hotel's bedrooms. As well as fully renovating the rooms it will also create an additional 16 bedrooms, bringing its total number of rooms to 232.
The hotel will also become home to a new cocktail and dining experience, including a new wine bar and an outdoor terrace that will spill out into the city. A new coffee space will also be built within the hotel and the restaurant will undergo a refurbishment, allowing it to offer afternoon tea as well as a la carte options.
Richard Moore, group chief executive of The QHotels Group, said: “It’s a real pleasure to be part of such an exciting project for the group and the city of Leeds. The Queens Hotel, Leeds, is a special place, with fond memories for many who have visited or stayed at the hotel. It therefore provides a wonderful contrast of positivity for everyone at such challenging times.
"We’re very fortunate to have supportive shareholders who, despite the current economic conditions, remain passionate and continue to share our vision for the hotel. We are excited about the project ahead of us and can’t wait to share the next chapter of our exciting journey."
The ground floor will also be returned to its former glory through the renovation work. The barrel-vaulted ceiling above the reception will be fully restored, along with the original timber floors. The listed red passenger lifts will also be renovated and given modern functionality fit for the 21st century.
To recognise the hotel's glamorous history new chandeliers and pendant hanging lights will be installed within the public areas of the hotel and will fit with its existing art deco style lighting.
The hotel's new look has been created by Upperworth Studios and Illiard Design.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/leeds-queens-hotel-16m-refurbishment-19669973
|
en
| 2021-01-21T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/c6bd2e4e50b06b027fb30761bf4fbfc7b367ae5899a39e06f5f9c91a033e8bc9.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Yorkshire & Humber Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe Queens Hotel in the heart of Leeds city centre is set to be revitalised after receiving a multimillion-pound investment.\nThe QHotels Group has revealed it is investing £16m in the hotel, which has been based in the city for more than 80 years, in an attempt to meet the changing ways people are using city centre hotels.\nAs part of the refurbishment, the ground floor of the Queens Hotel will be converted into a social hub offering a number of communal areas as well as a boutique and personal check-in area. The transformation has been designed to position the hotel as the \"perfect place\" to meet friends and colleagues as well as offering a new place to work for those currently working from home.\nAlong with the changes to the ground floor, QHotels is also investing significantly in the hotel's bedrooms. As well as fully renovating the rooms it will also create an additional 16 bedrooms, bringing its total number of rooms to 232.\nThe hotel will also become home to a new cocktail and dining experience, including a new wine bar and an outdoor terrace that will spill out into the city. A new coffee space will also be built within the hotel and the restaurant will undergo a refurbishment, allowing it to offer afternoon tea as well as a la carte options.\nRichard Moore, group chief executive of The QHotels Group, said: “It’s a real pleasure to be part of such an exciting project for the group and the city of Leeds. The Queens Hotel, Leeds, is a special place, with fond memories for many who have visited or stayed at the hotel. It therefore provides a wonderful contrast of positivity for everyone at such challenging times.\n\"We’re very fortunate to have supportive shareholders who, despite the current economic conditions, remain passionate and continue to share our vision for the hotel. We are excited about the project ahead of us and can’t wait to share the next chapter of our exciting journey.\"\nThe ground floor will also be returned to its former glory through the renovation work. The barrel-vaulted ceiling above the reception will be fully restored, along with the original timber floors. The listed red passenger lifts will also be renovated and given modern functionality fit for the 21st century.\nTo recognise the hotel's glamorous history new chandeliers and pendant hanging lights will be installed within the public areas of the hotel and will fit with its existing art deco style lighting.\nThe hotel's new look has been created by Upperworth Studios and Illiard Design.",
"Leeds' Queens Hotel to undergo £16m refurbishment",
"The hotel will become a new 'social hub' for those living and working in the city"
] |
|
[
"Hannah Finch"
] | 2021-01-25T16:09:03 | null | 2021-01-25T14:24:02 |
Mahmud Kamani and Carol Kane have found incredible success of Boohoo.com by cutting out 'the middle man' and taking their fashion straight to the buyer thanks to the birth of internet shopping
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Fmore-boohoos-billionaire-retail-tycoons-19695837.json
|
en
| null |
More on Boohoo's billionaire retail tycoons
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Retail & Consumer Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The story of the man at the head of the Kamani family retail empire is a rags to riches tale.
Starting with a Manchester market stall in Manchester, Mahmud's father Abdullah Kamani sold handbags to support his family after escaping war-torn Kenya in the 1960s.
Abdullah went on to found a wholesale textile business, Pinstripe, becoming a major supplier for high-street names including New Look and Primark.
Mahmud started working in the business and built on that strong work ethic to start Boohoo in 2006 with business partner and creative lead Carol Kane.
They saw the potential of the internet, cutting out the middle-man by selling well-priced fast-turnaround fashion direct to shoppers.
In less than 15 years, Boohoo has gone from a three-employee operation to scooping revenue over the 10 months up to the end of 2020 of £1.47bn.
Boohoo has confirmed that it is the new owner of Debenhams but all its stores will close as part of the deal, with the loss of 12,000 jobs.
Mahmud Kamani, 55, and his wife, Aisha, and sons Umar, Adam and Samir, have gone from a house in Chorlton, Manchester, to lavish lifestyles, with properties in New York and Dubai.
The brand has been dogged by a series series of reports raising concerns about conditions in Leicester, with garment workers being paid as little as £3 an hour.
An independent review concluded in September 2020, found that Boohoo management were aware workers in its supply chain were being badly treated.
The retailer has since appointed Sir Brian Leveson to oversee its Agenda for Change programme to ensure workers in its supply chain are treated ethically and lawfully.
The company, which was listed on the stock market in 2014, includes fashion group brands boohoo, boohooMAN, PrettyLittleThing Nasty Gal, MissPap, Karen Millen and Coast.
What shops, retailers or business leaders would you like to know more about - let us know in the comments section below
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/more-boohoos-billionaire-retail-tycoons-19695837
|
en
| 2021-01-25T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/68b81e7da40ea3ed815f0e0483c415e9ab2cc4db82e251e98667098e9d686225.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Retail & Consumer Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe story of the man at the head of the Kamani family retail empire is a rags to riches tale.\nStarting with a Manchester market stall in Manchester, Mahmud's father Abdullah Kamani sold handbags to support his family after escaping war-torn Kenya in the 1960s.\nAbdullah went on to found a wholesale textile business, Pinstripe, becoming a major supplier for high-street names including New Look and Primark.\nMahmud started working in the business and built on that strong work ethic to start Boohoo in 2006 with business partner and creative lead Carol Kane.\nThey saw the potential of the internet, cutting out the middle-man by selling well-priced fast-turnaround fashion direct to shoppers.\nIn less than 15 years, Boohoo has gone from a three-employee operation to scooping revenue over the 10 months up to the end of 2020 of £1.47bn.\nBoohoo has confirmed that it is the new owner of Debenhams but all its stores will close as part of the deal, with the loss of 12,000 jobs.\nMahmud Kamani, 55, and his wife, Aisha, and sons Umar, Adam and Samir, have gone from a house in Chorlton, Manchester, to lavish lifestyles, with properties in New York and Dubai.\nThe brand has been dogged by a series series of reports raising concerns about conditions in Leicester, with garment workers being paid as little as £3 an hour.\nAn independent review concluded in September 2020, found that Boohoo management were aware workers in its supply chain were being badly treated.\nThe retailer has since appointed Sir Brian Leveson to oversee its Agenda for Change programme to ensure workers in its supply chain are treated ethically and lawfully.\nThe company, which was listed on the stock market in 2014, includes fashion group brands boohoo, boohooMAN, PrettyLittleThing Nasty Gal, MissPap, Karen Millen and Coast.\nWhat shops, retailers or business leaders would you like to know more about - let us know in the comments section below",
"More on Boohoo's billionaire retail tycoons",
"Mahmud Kamani and Carol Kane have found incredible success of Boohoo.com by cutting out 'the middle man' and taking their fashion straight to the buyer thanks to the birth of internet shopping"
] |
|
[
"David Laister",
"Image",
"Karl Andre Smit"
] | 2021-01-05T17:33:07 | null | 2021-01-05T17:15:06 |
London route will cease on Saturday with majority of staff furloughed
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fhull-trains-hibernates-once-more-19569096.json
|
en
| null |
Hull Trains 'hibernates' once more as lockdown three hits
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Yorkshire & Humber Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Hull Trains is suspending services for a third time as the latest lockdown comes into force.
Services will cease on Saturday as the open access operator responds to the latest coronavirus pandemic measures.
It follows calls for people to stay at home and stop all non-essential travel.
Louise Cheeseman, managing director, said: “We are again in a position where it is the right decision for the business to temporarily suspend all our direct rail services to London.
“The travel restrictions impact our income from ticket sales significantly, so hibernating allows us to protect the business for longer so we can return as a sustainable rail operator once restrictions ease.”
Despite efforts from Hull business and civic leaders, financial support over and above furloughing hasn’t been forthcoming for it, despite franchise operators being given assistance.
Louise added: “It’s another challenge we all face, but I am confident that the decision to temporarily suspend services is the right one to help safeguard the future of the business. “The majority of our staff will be furloughed until we are back up and running. At this time, we don’t have a planned return date, but we will be reviewing the situation as it evolves.
“Our direct rail route to London plays a vital role in supporting the local economy in Hull and East Riding and we shall continue to play a key part in the region’s growth in the future. I look forward to returning when restrictions are relaxed and more people start to travel again.
“All the information about this temporary measure and what this means for customers and refunds is available on our website.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/hull-trains-hibernates-once-more-19569096
|
en
| 2021-01-05T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/31a5d531eea0c4c5452434e85d63481a27170b7ff182a5f00043a5786842a4d5.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Yorkshire & Humber Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nHull Trains is suspending services for a third time as the latest lockdown comes into force.\nServices will cease on Saturday as the open access operator responds to the latest coronavirus pandemic measures.\nIt follows calls for people to stay at home and stop all non-essential travel.\nLouise Cheeseman, managing director, said: “We are again in a position where it is the right decision for the business to temporarily suspend all our direct rail services to London.\n“The travel restrictions impact our income from ticket sales significantly, so hibernating allows us to protect the business for longer so we can return as a sustainable rail operator once restrictions ease.”\nDespite efforts from Hull business and civic leaders, financial support over and above furloughing hasn’t been forthcoming for it, despite franchise operators being given assistance.\nLouise added: “It’s another challenge we all face, but I am confident that the decision to temporarily suspend services is the right one to help safeguard the future of the business. “The majority of our staff will be furloughed until we are back up and running. At this time, we don’t have a planned return date, but we will be reviewing the situation as it evolves.\n“Our direct rail route to London plays a vital role in supporting the local economy in Hull and East Riding and we shall continue to play a key part in the region’s growth in the future. I look forward to returning when restrictions are relaxed and more people start to travel again.\n“All the information about this temporary measure and what this means for customers and refunds is available on our website.”",
"Hull Trains 'hibernates' once more as lockdown three hits",
"London route will cease on Saturday with majority of staff furloughed"
] |
|
[
"William Telford"
] | 2021-01-11T11:36:15 | null | 2021-01-11T10:00:00 |
School for Social Entrepreneurs launches free programme to help people who have lost jobs to set up their own businesses
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fstart-up-scheme-help-unemployed-19586383.json
|
en
| null |
Start up scheme to help unemployed become social entrepreneurs
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A new, free support programme has been launched in Devon to help those who are unemployed or at risk of losing their jobs and considering starting their own social enterprise.
Devon County Council and The School for Social Entrepreneurs - Dartington are working together on the Social Entrepreneurs Start Up Programme which aims to provide local people with the skills, confidence and support they need to establish a social enterprise and make a difference to their local communities.
Participants in the online learning initiative, which is made up of 10 weekday sessions spread over eight weeks, will have the chance to learn from experts and existing entrepreneurs. These experts teach resilience, and create a supportive network of people who understand the challenges they are facing.
Government figures show that more than 50,000 people in the south west have lost their jobs since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, and many others face dramatically reduced hours, uncertain futures and prolonged periods on furlough.
At the same time, the crisis has highlighted just how many people want to step up and make a difference to their local area; pulling together to create stronger, kinder and more resilient communities.
Devon already has one of the largest communities of social entrepreneurs in the UK today and they range from individual people working in their communities to large service providers such as Livewell South West and universities.
The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) provides support for entrepreneurs who want to set up businesses that are able to give back to people and planet through their activities or profits - social entrepreneurs.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here
The start-up programme is open exclusively to people living in the Devon County Council area who are unemployed or feel their current employment isn’t secure. It will take place from Monday, February 1, to Thursday, March 25. Applications need to be submitted by Monday, January 18.
Dirk Rohwedder , director of SSE Dartington, said: “It is great to have this opportunity to work with Devon County Council on such an important project.
“Covid-19 has had devastating effects on communities around the UK and we are pleased to be able to support and empower people to rebuild the economy, and their community, in a way that is better for them.”
Cllr Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for economy and skills, said: “We’re committed to supporting a strong recovery for Devon’s economy and this initiative is an integral part of that.
“This Start Up Programme for Social Entrepreneurs is aimed at those who are looking for help to turn an idea for a new business into a reality. It offers practical guidance which looks to challenge and support people in getting a social enterprise off the ground.”
For more information visit Devon Social Entrepreneurs Start Up Programme 2021 webpages by clicking here
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/start-up-scheme-help-unemployed-19586383
|
en
| 2021-01-11T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/3f4be0716f86f3760729f3c874deff967ae205af82507ff6a8e79615315cd50f.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA new, free support programme has been launched in Devon to help those who are unemployed or at risk of losing their jobs and considering starting their own social enterprise.\nDevon County Council and The School for Social Entrepreneurs - Dartington are working together on the Social Entrepreneurs Start Up Programme which aims to provide local people with the skills, confidence and support they need to establish a social enterprise and make a difference to their local communities.\nParticipants in the online learning initiative, which is made up of 10 weekday sessions spread over eight weeks, will have the chance to learn from experts and existing entrepreneurs. These experts teach resilience, and create a supportive network of people who understand the challenges they are facing.\nGovernment figures show that more than 50,000 people in the south west have lost their jobs since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, and many others face dramatically reduced hours, uncertain futures and prolonged periods on furlough.\nAt the same time, the crisis has highlighted just how many people want to step up and make a difference to their local area; pulling together to create stronger, kinder and more resilient communities.\nDevon already has one of the largest communities of social entrepreneurs in the UK today and they range from individual people working in their communities to large service providers such as Livewell South West and universities.\nThe School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) provides support for entrepreneurs who want to set up businesses that are able to give back to people and planet through their activities or profits - social entrepreneurs.\nHow to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here\nThe start-up programme is open exclusively to people living in the Devon County Council area who are unemployed or feel their current employment isn’t secure. It will take place from Monday, February 1, to Thursday, March 25. Applications need to be submitted by Monday, January 18.\nDirk Rohwedder , director of SSE Dartington, said: “It is great to have this opportunity to work with Devon County Council on such an important project.\n“Covid-19 has had devastating effects on communities around the UK and we are pleased to be able to support and empower people to rebuild the economy, and their community, in a way that is better for them.”\nCllr Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for economy and skills, said: “We’re committed to supporting a strong recovery for Devon’s economy and this initiative is an integral part of that.\n“This Start Up Programme for Social Entrepreneurs is aimed at those who are looking for help to turn an idea for a new business into a reality. It offers practical guidance which looks to challenge and support people in getting a social enterprise off the ground.”\nFor more information visit Devon Social Entrepreneurs Start Up Programme 2021 webpages by clicking here",
"Start up scheme to help unemployed become social entrepreneurs",
"School for Social Entrepreneurs launches free programme to help people who have lost jobs to set up their own businesses"
] |
|
[
"Owen Hughes",
"Image",
"Mirrorpix",
"Daily Post Wales"
] | 2021-01-08T05:29:03 | null | 2021-01-08T05:00:00 |
The company is moving its operation from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fcastell-howell-relocating-north-wales-19581053.json
|
en
| null |
Castell Howell relocating North Wales logistics depot
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A foodservice company is relocating its North Wales depot to a new larger site.
Castell Howell, which has its headquarters in Cross Hands in Carmarthenshire, is moving its north west Wales hub from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog.
It is taking on space at Gelert House in the town.
This will boost storage capacity for the company although at this stage not increase staff numbers.
Martin Jones, director of transport operations, said: “The move to Porthmadog is logistical and will double our storage capacity.
(Image: Daily Post Wales)
“The new warehouse will best suit our needs for servicing our customers in North Wales.
“It will have the same staffing levels and is integral to our plans for managing the recovery in the foodservice and hospitality sector.’’
Sign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.
As well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.
Porthmadog cllr Nia Jeffreys said: "I am glad to welcome a new business to Porthmadog, new jobs are very important at this very difficult time.
"Porthmadog is a great location, right in the centre of Gwynedd with good road links so with easy access across the whole county. I look forward to hearing more about the company's plans."
To have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/castell-howell-relocating-north-wales-19581053
|
en
| 2021-01-08T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/493fec0a15ecf002c13c1effad75723b8e9b389db4309c235b90db70a59ca7e0.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA foodservice company is relocating its North Wales depot to a new larger site.\nCastell Howell, which has its headquarters in Cross Hands in Carmarthenshire, is moving its north west Wales hub from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog.\nIt is taking on space at Gelert House in the town.\nThis will boost storage capacity for the company although at this stage not increase staff numbers.\nMartin Jones, director of transport operations, said: “The move to Porthmadog is logistical and will double our storage capacity.\n(Image: Daily Post Wales)\n“The new warehouse will best suit our needs for servicing our customers in North Wales.\n“It will have the same staffing levels and is integral to our plans for managing the recovery in the foodservice and hospitality sector.’’\nSign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.\nAs well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.\nPorthmadog cllr Nia Jeffreys said: \"I am glad to welcome a new business to Porthmadog, new jobs are very important at this very difficult time.\n\"Porthmadog is a great location, right in the centre of Gwynedd with good road links so with easy access across the whole county. I look forward to hearing more about the company's plans.\"\nTo have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article",
"Castell Howell relocating North Wales logistics depot",
"The company is moving its operation from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog"
] |
|
[
"Sion Barry"
] | 2021-01-26T16:31:51 | null | 2021-01-26T15:20:29 |
Subject to due diligence a new ownership deal is expected shortly
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fcommercial-property%2Fnew-owner-cardiffs-historic-howells-19701708.json
|
https://s2-prod.business-live.co.uk/@trinitymirrordigital/chameleon-branding/publications/birminghampost/img/favicon.9b7adaf81d10eaf7.ico
|
en
| null |
New owner for Cardiff's historic Howells building identified
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A new owner for the landmark Howells building in the centre of Cardiff has been identified.
Avison Young have been marketing the Victorian built and listed building after the firm's Nathan Pask and Rosalind Goode were appointed joint fixed charged receivers in 2019.
Now the process is close to completion with a preferred new owner identified, subject to due diligence.
The property had been acquired by Naissance Capital Real Estate on behalf of investors in 2016 for £37m, financed by a combination of equity investment and bank debt.
The company that owned the property, Jersey-based Wallace Properties, went into administration.
The building extends to 275,000 sq ft, located on a prime 1.72 acre site. A new owner could look to redevelop the building to provide a new mixed-use scheme, with space for retail, office, residential, as well as potentially a new hotel too.
That would require an investment potentially of tens of millions of pounds. It is understood that property advisory firm Avison Young were seeking offers for the building in the region of £15m.
Mr Pask at Avison Young said: "We are currently at due diligence stage and expect to be able to provide an update shortly. We have received a considerable amount of interest ."
While expressing early interest, it is understood that Bristol- based property development firm Cubex, is not in the frame.
However, a project breathing new life into the building, could be one that property developer and investor Artisan Real Estate could look to take on, based on its strong track record of delivering mixed-used schemes across the UK.
Artisan were contacted to comment on whether it is seeking to acquire the Howells building.
House of Fraser, now part of Sports Direct International plc, remains a tenant of the building, but on a reduced footprint than in previous years.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/new-owner-cardiffs-historic-howells-19701708
|
en
| 2021-01-26T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/1b5082da6cd95c05d09e87b600cd43ddb420393e507c83963fed877838579608.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA new owner for the landmark Howells building in the centre of Cardiff has been identified.\nAvison Young have been marketing the Victorian built and listed building after the firm's Nathan Pask and Rosalind Goode were appointed joint fixed charged receivers in 2019.\nNow the process is close to completion with a preferred new owner identified, subject to due diligence.\nThe property had been acquired by Naissance Capital Real Estate on behalf of investors in 2016 for £37m, financed by a combination of equity investment and bank debt.\nThe company that owned the property, Jersey-based Wallace Properties, went into administration.\nThe building extends to 275,000 sq ft, located on a prime 1.72 acre site. A new owner could look to redevelop the building to provide a new mixed-use scheme, with space for retail, office, residential, as well as potentially a new hotel too.\nThat would require an investment potentially of tens of millions of pounds. It is understood that property advisory firm Avison Young were seeking offers for the building in the region of £15m.\nMr Pask at Avison Young said: \"We are currently at due diligence stage and expect to be able to provide an update shortly. We have received a considerable amount of interest .\"\nWhile expressing early interest, it is understood that Bristol- based property development firm Cubex, is not in the frame.\nHowever, a project breathing new life into the building, could be one that property developer and investor Artisan Real Estate could look to take on, based on its strong track record of delivering mixed-used schemes across the UK.\nArtisan were contacted to comment on whether it is seeking to acquire the Howells building.\nHouse of Fraser, now part of Sports Direct International plc, remains a tenant of the building, but on a reduced footprint than in previous years.",
"New owner for Cardiff's historic Howells building identified",
"Subject to due diligence a new ownership deal is expected shortly"
] |
[
"Sion Barry",
"Image",
"Shared Content Unit"
] | 2021-01-27T12:14:41 | null | 2021-01-27T10:43:46 |
It also predicts the UK economy will grow by 5% in 2021
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fuk-economy-expected-avoid-double-19708657.json
|
en
| null |
UK economy expected to avoid double-dip recession says EY ITEM Club
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - National Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The UK economy is likely to avoid a double-dip recession with growth this year put at 5% , according to the influential EY ITEM Club.
It says while the latest Covid-19 restrictions across the UK are expected to cause a 3% to 4% contraction in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021, the absence of a contraction in Q4 2020 - with flat growth anticipated - means th economy "may just" avoid its first double-dip recession since the 1970s.
A recession is defined by two consecutive quarters of economic contraction, which was seen in the aftermath of the outbreak of the pandemic last year. A double-dip recession for the UK economy would be seen if, following a short economic upturn, two new consecutive quarters of contraction were recorded.
The EY ITEM Club said that with a vaccine roll-out under way and a free trade agreement on goods with the EU having been secured, it has put the UK in position for a steady economic recovery from Q2 2021 onwards.
Its latest forecast predicts growth of 5% in 2021, 6.5% in 2022, 2% in 2023 and 1.8% in 2024.
It also estimates that the UK economy shrank by a record 10.1% in 2020, an improvement on its December forecast of an 11.6% contraction.
The point at which the UK economy is expected to regain its pre-Covid-19 peak is now forecast to happen in Q3 2022 – an improvement from the 2023 and 2024 dates predicted in earlier forecasts.
Howard Archer, chief economic advisor to the EY ITEM Club, said: “The UK economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience in recent months and the impact of recent lockdowns has been nowhere near what we saw in April. Over the course of 2020, the economy has become quicker to adapt to new Covid-19 restrictions and while new restrictions may still cause disruption, lessons learned from previous lockdowns are rapidly put into place.
“The prospects for recovery are looking brighter. Once the economy has negotiated what is likely to be a challenging first quarter of this year, it will undoubtedly benefit from the vaccine roll-out helping to boost consumer and business confidence. The combination of vaccines, a UK-EU trade deal and previous lockdown experience means there’s much less uncertainty out there. Excluding the first quarter, the UK is looking at two years of strong growth.”
The club is also forecasting that unemployment will peak at 7% in the middle of the year, before starting to fall towards the end of the year
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/uk-economy-expected-avoid-double-19708657
|
en
| 2021-01-27T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/21b4285363ad18f54f76159740df12c6cf6ea19e5c451ccc0efbb2377bae1d3f.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - National Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe UK economy is likely to avoid a double-dip recession with growth this year put at 5% , according to the influential EY ITEM Club.\nIt says while the latest Covid-19 restrictions across the UK are expected to cause a 3% to 4% contraction in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021, the absence of a contraction in Q4 2020 - with flat growth anticipated - means th economy \"may just\" avoid its first double-dip recession since the 1970s.\nA recession is defined by two consecutive quarters of economic contraction, which was seen in the aftermath of the outbreak of the pandemic last year. A double-dip recession for the UK economy would be seen if, following a short economic upturn, two new consecutive quarters of contraction were recorded.\nThe EY ITEM Club said that with a vaccine roll-out under way and a free trade agreement on goods with the EU having been secured, it has put the UK in position for a steady economic recovery from Q2 2021 onwards.\nIts latest forecast predicts growth of 5% in 2021, 6.5% in 2022, 2% in 2023 and 1.8% in 2024.\nIt also estimates that the UK economy shrank by a record 10.1% in 2020, an improvement on its December forecast of an 11.6% contraction.\nThe point at which the UK economy is expected to regain its pre-Covid-19 peak is now forecast to happen in Q3 2022 – an improvement from the 2023 and 2024 dates predicted in earlier forecasts.\nHoward Archer, chief economic advisor to the EY ITEM Club, said: “The UK economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience in recent months and the impact of recent lockdowns has been nowhere near what we saw in April. Over the course of 2020, the economy has become quicker to adapt to new Covid-19 restrictions and while new restrictions may still cause disruption, lessons learned from previous lockdowns are rapidly put into place.\n“The prospects for recovery are looking brighter. Once the economy has negotiated what is likely to be a challenging first quarter of this year, it will undoubtedly benefit from the vaccine roll-out helping to boost consumer and business confidence. The combination of vaccines, a UK-EU trade deal and previous lockdown experience means there’s much less uncertainty out there. Excluding the first quarter, the UK is looking at two years of strong growth.”\nThe club is also forecasting that unemployment will peak at 7% in the middle of the year, before starting to fall towards the end of the year",
"UK economy expected to avoid double-dip recession says EY ITEM Club",
"It also predicts the UK economy will grow by 5% in 2021"
] |
|
[
"Tamlyn Jones"
] | 2021-01-14T02:29:19 | null | 2021-01-14T02:00:00 |
Robata currently operates a single site in London but is now looking to expand into the heart of Birmingham's business district
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fcommercial-property%2Fjapanese-restaurant-set-make-birmingham-19617254.json
|
en
| null |
Japanese restaurant set to make Birmingham debut
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
An independent Japanese restaurant in London is planning to launch a new venue in Birmingham city centre.
Robata, which currently operates just a single site in Soho, has lodged new proposals to convert the former Chilango unit at the corner of Colmore Row and Bennetts Hill.
Robata, which means 'fireside', serves grilled charcoal cooking and specialises in the izakaya-style of restaurant which strives for a more casual, after-work atmosphere.
Head chef Charles Lee has previously worked at a number of Michelin-starred restaurants during his career before joining Robata.
If approved by city planners and once covid-19 restrictions are eased over the coming months, Robata should benefit from being in an extremely high area for footfall.
The £700 million Paradise project and thee workers of Colmore Row will be on the doorstep while customer numbers should be boosted even further when the 26-storey 103 Colmore Row office block is completed opposite the application site.
But it will also face plenty of competition for customers in a very busy area for the city's lunch market and night time economy with dozens of venues within a small radius of the application site.
Robata had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/japanese-restaurant-set-make-birmingham-19617254
|
en
| 2021-01-14T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/4a93624a06abdf5430fe300aa12f15882108f59d73239d681761c92dee30b370.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nAn independent Japanese restaurant in London is planning to launch a new venue in Birmingham city centre.\nRobata, which currently operates just a single site in Soho, has lodged new proposals to convert the former Chilango unit at the corner of Colmore Row and Bennetts Hill.\nRobata, which means 'fireside', serves grilled charcoal cooking and specialises in the izakaya-style of restaurant which strives for a more casual, after-work atmosphere.\nHead chef Charles Lee has previously worked at a number of Michelin-starred restaurants during his career before joining Robata.\nIf approved by city planners and once covid-19 restrictions are eased over the coming months, Robata should benefit from being in an extremely high area for footfall.\nThe £700 million Paradise project and thee workers of Colmore Row will be on the doorstep while customer numbers should be boosted even further when the 26-storey 103 Colmore Row office block is completed opposite the application site.\nBut it will also face plenty of competition for customers in a very busy area for the city's lunch market and night time economy with dozens of venues within a small radius of the application site.\nRobata had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.",
"Japanese restaurant set to make Birmingham debut",
"Robata currently operates a single site in London but is now looking to expand into the heart of Birmingham's business district"
] |
|
[
"Olivier Vergnault",
"William Telford",
"Image",
"Cornish Metals Website"
] | 2021-01-13T09:36:40 | null | 2021-01-13T09:19:12 |
Cornish Metals intends to list on AIM as it progresses plans at the United Downs copper and tin mine in Cornwall
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fmining-firm-prepares-stock-market-19614898.json
|
en
| null |
Mining firm prepares stock market float in bit to raise £5m
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The owner of Cornwall's South Crofty mine is to list on the London Stock Exchange as a way to raise funds for new drilling work.
Cornish Metals, formerly known as Strongbow, has been admitted on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) with a view to raising £5million to fund further exploration work at United Downs in the Duchy.
Richard Williams, chief executive of the Canada-based company, said: “United Downs is one of the most exciting exploration projects in the country. The commencement of a drilling programme will mark the start of a strategy to create a mining company with a Cornwall focus.
“There is an opportunity for Cornish Metals to become a domestic source of metals to the UK’s high-tech sector, where copper, tin and lithium are important.”
With the AIM listing Cornish Metals, headquartered in Vancouver, is hoping to fund the next phase of its project at United Downs and drill down to 8,000 metres to see the extent of the metal deposit zone for precious metals like tin, copper and lithium, all of which are used in new technologies from electric cars and batteries to electronics, robotics, 5G and renewable energy.
The company holds extensive mineral rights in a highly prospective historic mining area covering about 15,000 hectares around United Downs, Redruth and Camborne.
The United Downs Project is a near surface, high-grade copper-tin discovery and is located immediately adjacent to four former producing copper and tin mines: Consolidated Mines and United Mines to the north and south, respectively; and the Mount Wellington and Wheal Jane mines to the east.
Want more South West news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive South West is your home for business news in Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from the region and we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
In April last year Cornish Metals reported the discovery of a new zone of high-grade copper-tin mineralisation located in a previously unmined area between the historic United Mines and Consolidated Mines at United Downs.
Assays from drilling by Cornish Lithium at United Downs returned 14.69 m grading 8.45% copper, 1.19% tin, and 0.15% zinc from 90.60 m to 105.29 m, downhole length.
The 2020 drilling identified six mineralised lode structures located between United and Consolidated Mines, both historic high-grade copper producers that mined from surface to a maximum of 500m depth and also confirmed that structures mined at United Mines continue beneath the historical workings.
The company is trying to raise funds to pump water out of South Crofty mine with a view to reopen it and has worked with Cornish Lithium on land its owns to explore extraction potential for the precious lithium metal, which is used in electric cars.
Mr Williams added: “I am delighted to share our decision to bring Cornish Metals to the London market. This is an opportunity for us to partner with investors from the United Kingdom, to work towards becoming a domestic supplier of technology metals fundamental to the world of e-vehicles, battery technology, renewable energy, 5G internet, computing, data storage, robotics.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/mining-firm-prepares-stock-market-19614898
|
en
| 2021-01-13T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/9e09bb9cb176c07b8a225014943333e41d6b05e3e3c16b7c8b1790c82a8c4b19.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe owner of Cornwall's South Crofty mine is to list on the London Stock Exchange as a way to raise funds for new drilling work.\nCornish Metals, formerly known as Strongbow, has been admitted on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) with a view to raising £5million to fund further exploration work at United Downs in the Duchy.\nRichard Williams, chief executive of the Canada-based company, said: “United Downs is one of the most exciting exploration projects in the country. The commencement of a drilling programme will mark the start of a strategy to create a mining company with a Cornwall focus.\n“There is an opportunity for Cornish Metals to become a domestic source of metals to the UK’s high-tech sector, where copper, tin and lithium are important.”\nWith the AIM listing Cornish Metals, headquartered in Vancouver, is hoping to fund the next phase of its project at United Downs and drill down to 8,000 metres to see the extent of the metal deposit zone for precious metals like tin, copper and lithium, all of which are used in new technologies from electric cars and batteries to electronics, robotics, 5G and renewable energy.\nThe company holds extensive mineral rights in a highly prospective historic mining area covering about 15,000 hectares around United Downs, Redruth and Camborne.\nThe United Downs Project is a near surface, high-grade copper-tin discovery and is located immediately adjacent to four former producing copper and tin mines: Consolidated Mines and United Mines to the north and south, respectively; and the Mount Wellington and Wheal Jane mines to the east.\nWant more South West news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive South West is your home for business news in Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from the region and we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\nIn April last year Cornish Metals reported the discovery of a new zone of high-grade copper-tin mineralisation located in a previously unmined area between the historic United Mines and Consolidated Mines at United Downs.\nAssays from drilling by Cornish Lithium at United Downs returned 14.69 m grading 8.45% copper, 1.19% tin, and 0.15% zinc from 90.60 m to 105.29 m, downhole length.\nThe 2020 drilling identified six mineralised lode structures located between United and Consolidated Mines, both historic high-grade copper producers that mined from surface to a maximum of 500m depth and also confirmed that structures mined at United Mines continue beneath the historical workings.\nThe company is trying to raise funds to pump water out of South Crofty mine with a view to reopen it and has worked with Cornish Lithium on land its owns to explore extraction potential for the precious lithium metal, which is used in electric cars.\nMr Williams added: “I am delighted to share our decision to bring Cornish Metals to the London market. This is an opportunity for us to partner with investors from the United Kingdom, to work towards becoming a domestic supplier of technology metals fundamental to the world of e-vehicles, battery technology, renewable energy, 5G internet, computing, data storage, robotics.”",
"Mining firm prepares stock market float in bit to raise £5m",
"Cornish Metals intends to list on AIM as it progresses plans at the United Downs copper and tin mine in Cornwall"
] |
|
[
"William Telford"
] | 2021-01-07T09:16:16 | null | 2021-01-07T07:30:00 |
Award-winning Optimus-PM has been snaffled by Philadelphia's Gen3 Marketing
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Ftechnology%2Fplymouth-performance-marketing-firm-snapped-19574349.json
|
en
| null |
Plymouth performance marketing firm snapped up by US counterpart
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
An award-winning Plymouth performance marketing firm has been snapped up by a US company but will continue to operate in the city.
Optimus Performance Marketing, which is based at Derriford, has been acquired by Gen3 Marketing as part of its global expansion.
Gen3 Marketing is a Philadelphia-based, award-winning, industry-leading, full-service marketing agency, specializing in all aspects of digital marketing, including affiliate marketing, SEO/SEM, social media, and digital public relations.
The Blue Bell-headquartered firm has a stellar list of clients including Crocs, Jimmy Jazz, Motorola, New Balance and Rockport.
Founded in 2006, Optimus-PM is also an industry-leading affiliate marketing agency with an unparalleled reputation for delivering cost-effective results for brands across the UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, Singapore, South Africa and beyond.
It has won numerous awards, including Plymouth Business Awards honours, and has delivered global marketing campaigns for more than 100 clients including such names as for Kwik Fit, Richer Sounds, Gant, Oak Furniture Land, the Merlin Group, Royal Doulton, Hawkins Bazaar and the London Mint Office.
Annual turnover hit £2.2million in 2017 and the firm had more than £1million in assets in late 2019. It employs about 20 people and also has an office in London.
The addition of Optimus-PM expands Gen3’s geographical footprint and enables the agency to leverage international talent to deliver to clients across the globe.
Gen3’s co-chief executives Mike Tabasso and Andy Cantos will continue to lead the combined business and the founders of Optimus-PM, Mark Russell and Bruce Clayton, will be
joining the Gen3 team in an executive capacity, leading its expansion efforts in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and APAC (Asia-Pacific).
“Mark and Bruce have spent the past 15 years building a great business founded on expertly servicing clients across Europe and APAC. They have a reputation for delivering high quality, cost-effective results for their clients,” said Mr. Tabasso.
Mr Cantos added: “The Optimus team has done a great job building a leading performance marketing agency that partners with advertisers, publishers and networks across the globe.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here
“We look forward to joining forces to leverage the strengths of our collective organisations for the benefit of our clients that service global markets.”
Mr Russell said: “The acquisition is the start of a new chapter for Optimus. When we met with Gen3 it was obvious that we had a lot in common in terms of culture and servicing clients, so we are genuinely excited to be part of the Gen3 group and look forward to building on this amazing opportunity.”
Gen3 provides affiliate marketing services to customer “advertisers” by optimizing the positioning of their products and services on third party websites, known as “publishers” or “affiliates”.
The company also provides additional digital marketing services, including pay-per-click, search engine optimization, social media and other digital marketing campaigns.
The Gen3 platform combines technology expertise, people and process to effectively manage online marketing spend for customers globally.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/plymouth-performance-marketing-firm-snapped-19574349
|
en
| 2021-01-07T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/2a359aefc1f6c5a447fa3ea9332c1bd34b0b013c1991d17780182298a4435045.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nAn award-winning Plymouth performance marketing firm has been snapped up by a US company but will continue to operate in the city.\nOptimus Performance Marketing, which is based at Derriford, has been acquired by Gen3 Marketing as part of its global expansion.\nGen3 Marketing is a Philadelphia-based, award-winning, industry-leading, full-service marketing agency, specializing in all aspects of digital marketing, including affiliate marketing, SEO/SEM, social media, and digital public relations.\nThe Blue Bell-headquartered firm has a stellar list of clients including Crocs, Jimmy Jazz, Motorola, New Balance and Rockport.\nFounded in 2006, Optimus-PM is also an industry-leading affiliate marketing agency with an unparalleled reputation for delivering cost-effective results for brands across the UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, Singapore, South Africa and beyond.\nIt has won numerous awards, including Plymouth Business Awards honours, and has delivered global marketing campaigns for more than 100 clients including such names as for Kwik Fit, Richer Sounds, Gant, Oak Furniture Land, the Merlin Group, Royal Doulton, Hawkins Bazaar and the London Mint Office.\nAnnual turnover hit £2.2million in 2017 and the firm had more than £1million in assets in late 2019. It employs about 20 people and also has an office in London.\nThe addition of Optimus-PM expands Gen3’s geographical footprint and enables the agency to leverage international talent to deliver to clients across the globe.\nGen3’s co-chief executives Mike Tabasso and Andy Cantos will continue to lead the combined business and the founders of Optimus-PM, Mark Russell and Bruce Clayton, will be\njoining the Gen3 team in an executive capacity, leading its expansion efforts in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and APAC (Asia-Pacific).\n“Mark and Bruce have spent the past 15 years building a great business founded on expertly servicing clients across Europe and APAC. They have a reputation for delivering high quality, cost-effective results for their clients,” said Mr. Tabasso.\nMr Cantos added: “The Optimus team has done a great job building a leading performance marketing agency that partners with advertisers, publishers and networks across the globe.\nHow to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here\n“We look forward to joining forces to leverage the strengths of our collective organisations for the benefit of our clients that service global markets.”\nMr Russell said: “The acquisition is the start of a new chapter for Optimus. When we met with Gen3 it was obvious that we had a lot in common in terms of culture and servicing clients, so we are genuinely excited to be part of the Gen3 group and look forward to building on this amazing opportunity.”\nGen3 provides affiliate marketing services to customer “advertisers” by optimizing the positioning of their products and services on third party websites, known as “publishers” or “affiliates”.\nThe company also provides additional digital marketing services, including pay-per-click, search engine optimization, social media and other digital marketing campaigns.\nThe Gen3 platform combines technology expertise, people and process to effectively manage online marketing spend for customers globally.",
"Plymouth performance marketing firm snapped up by US counterpart",
"Award-winning Optimus-PM has been snaffled by Philadelphia's Gen3 Marketing"
] |
|
[
"Tom Pegden"
] | 2021-01-08T03:56:01 | null | 2021-01-08T03:00:00 |
East Coast tourist attraction taking on staff as it hopes to be open for 2021 summer season
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Ffantasy-island-managers-pushing-summer-19575647.json
|
en
| null |
Fantasy Island managers pushing on with summer plans despite latest lockdown
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - East Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Managers at a popular English holiday destination have started planning for their summer season - despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus.
The team at the Fantasy Islands resort in Ingoldmells near Skegness, say despite rolling lockdown measures it would be foolish not to have the resources in place if it can reopen as normal.
A summer recruitment campaign is now underway.
A spokesperson for the Lincolnshire coastal resort said: “In preparation for our opening in March we have now begun our annual recruitment drive.
“There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment but the responsible thing for us to do is to continue to plan and more forward with our opening date in mind.
“We closely monitor all Government announcements whose endorsements we follow.”
The spokesperson added: “2020 was such an unprecedented year, and unfortunately the impact has continued to spill over into 2021. We were thankful to be able to open and operate safely in 2020 and plan to do the same this year.
“We introduced various health and safety measures and found that our customers adhered to them well and look forward to welcoming them back again for another fun-filled year at the resort.”
An application form for work at Fantasy Island can be found on its website and Facebook page.
Ride operators, cashiers, arcade staff, cleaners, bars and catering staff are all among the roles needing to be filled.
The application deadline is January 31.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/fantasy-island-managers-pushing-summer-19575647
|
en
| 2021-01-08T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/5f231ab44e500f0cd683ff032a11bfe6b1e1603ca8e3e01bef3fc96a51c13ee7.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - East Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nManagers at a popular English holiday destination have started planning for their summer season - despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus.\nThe team at the Fantasy Islands resort in Ingoldmells near Skegness, say despite rolling lockdown measures it would be foolish not to have the resources in place if it can reopen as normal.\nA summer recruitment campaign is now underway.\nA spokesperson for the Lincolnshire coastal resort said: “In preparation for our opening in March we have now begun our annual recruitment drive.\n“There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment but the responsible thing for us to do is to continue to plan and more forward with our opening date in mind.\n“We closely monitor all Government announcements whose endorsements we follow.”\nThe spokesperson added: “2020 was such an unprecedented year, and unfortunately the impact has continued to spill over into 2021. We were thankful to be able to open and operate safely in 2020 and plan to do the same this year.\n“We introduced various health and safety measures and found that our customers adhered to them well and look forward to welcoming them back again for another fun-filled year at the resort.”\nAn application form for work at Fantasy Island can be found on its website and Facebook page.\nRide operators, cashiers, arcade staff, cleaners, bars and catering staff are all among the roles needing to be filled.\nThe application deadline is January 31.",
"Fantasy Island managers pushing on with summer plans despite latest lockdown",
"East Coast tourist attraction taking on staff as it hopes to be open for 2021 summer season"
] |
|
[
"David Laister",
"Image",
"Pa",
"Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership"
] | 2021-01-12T10:48:01 | null | 2021-01-12T10:29:38 |
Combined authorities, mayoral city deals, freeports, decarbonisation and collaborating with 'old friends' of his and the local authorities...
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fwelcome-interview-new-chair-new-19607992.json
|
en
| null |
Welcome interview: New chair of new Hull and East Riding LEP speaks to Business Live
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Yorkshire & Humber Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
James Newman OBE is the new man tasked with leading the North Bank of the Humber to becoming a more prosperous socio-political entity.
And as chairman of the emerging Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership he is clear on the need to work with his and the area’s old friends, while underlining the area’s key assets as they rise to even greater prominence in 2021.
From 2010 to 2015 the former financial director of Yorkshire Water oversaw the Sheffield city region deal, from a LEP leading role.
Describing himself as the leftfield candidate, he was the successful one, and while an East Riding resident - of a fringe York-neighbouring village - he makes no bones about needing to get to know the area, but certainly knows the job - and the expectations.
Despite leaving the last LEP role five years ago, Mr Newman still has a lot of connections, and sees his native Sheffield as a close ally to the Hull with the heavy industry drivers.
And with port-centric manufacturing expansion seen as part of the coveted freeport prize, he is clear on opportunity.
“It is on the government agenda, as is climate change,” he said of what many would see as the two biggest priorities beyond Covid economic survival. “Freeports are clearly important for Brexit and Hull is already part of one of the largest port complexes in Europe, where clearly they know how to run a freeport if we can get one. Much of the other industry, the energy, decarbonisation, offshore wind, is all part of the climate agenda, and this year is a very big year for climate change with our hosting of COP26 in November.
“We are at the forefront of these industries and we have got to put our case forward.”
(Image: PA)
Collaboration is vital, though there should be no inferiority complex about size despite shedding the South Bank as a result of political will to bring clarity and accountability.
Mr Newman is confident the dual authority area is big enough to fight a corner, some feel - that even after Siemens, City of Culture and the huge A63 investment - can still be forgotten.
“I’d like to think so, it is on the margin,” he said, when asked if Hull and East Yorkshire is large enough to go it alone. “To have a successful LEP pitching to government that you are going to make a difference, you have to have some scale. I think the industries within the region, not just Hull but the tourism and the farming - with more emphasis on being self-sufficient post Brexit - will matter. We are on the cusp but we have enough going for us and I am confident we can operate as a LEP.
“We will still be working cross-estuary with the Humber Leadership Board - the local authority leaders, myself and the chair of Greater Lincolnshire - and it is important we work together with a message to government to support both. It is sad that the Humber LEP had to be broken up, but I think there is enough north of the estuary to allow us to make a success of it.
“Government has been pushing this ‘one authority, one LEP’ agenda since I was chairing Sheffield. It is not only this area affected, in my previous role five of the nine authorities were not in South Yorkshire, but Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The economic success was tied in and it was a choice between that or the county.
“The two Lincolnshire local authorities will have taken that difficult decision to go with the county, we will make the best of it and I am sure they will as well. Leeds and North Yorkshire are in a similar position, so I wouldn’t want anyone in the Humber to have a complex about it.
“Collaboration is so important with other parts of Yorkshire. If you are smaller than other parts it is important you collaborate with bigger ones.
“I tried with energy when at Sheffield and there is more we can do. Nine years ago I remember coming to Hull, looking at the M62 corridor and looking how we both - for me with Doncaster - could work together to get this corridor moving. It didn’t move as fast as we’d have liked, but there is opportunity to do that - and when we talk about carbon capture, a pipeline across the region, there is so much opportunity which I am sure people will have looked at, and that we need to keep pushing.
(Image: Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership)
“There is also the Northern Powerhouse, and it is important we work with them, where fortunately I know a number of people.”
So what inspired his successful decision to apply? Mr Newman was awarded the OBE in 2017 for services to business, the economy and charity, and cable giant Bridon and print entity Watmaughs join Kelda Group on his FTSE-featuring CV, where at the latter he also held the deputy chief executive role.
“I live in East Riding, I have done for 20 years,” he said. “I am Yorkshire born and bred, lived in all parts and worked in all parts, and this was a role where there were some clearly defined outcomes required, such as combined authority, mayoral devolution deal and still some settling of political issues. I thought ‘why not, I can do this’. I’m learning an area from scratch but not how to do the job from scratch.
“I felt I was very much a leftfield candidate, I didn’t know the area, no-one knew me, and I didn’t think I would get it. Others thought better and I hope and I am sure they have chosen well.”
While acknowledging unprecedented times with the pandemic and political picture, he feels the LEP evolution will help from his last standing start.
“Brexit and Covid have certainly set out some new challenges, and changed the way things will need to be done or the economy’s priorities.
“Back in 2010 LEPs were a new great idea that we didn’t know what they would become. We didn’t have any money or people, and it was a huge challenge - at least 10 years on people know what they can do, what they can achieve and what structures are needed, so we’re in a much better place.”
And turning to Hull and East Yorkshire, he said: “The political will is there and that’s really important, both local authorities want this to happen. My role and challenge is to keep them on-side and working closely together to make sure it does happen, while getting the private sector back on stream again, because it will have been disappointed by the break-up of Humber LEP.
“With my background in the voluntary, charity and community sector,I want to engage more there too; it is an important part of the economy and at grass roots level they can identify demand and need. It has got to be an inclusive economy, it cannot just be business, it has got to be about business and jobs. There is going to be a lot of reskilling, a whole new agenda post-Covid that will need to be addressed and the more that can be done at a local level the better, and that’s why a devolution deal is so important.
“Of course we want more investment into the key industries, and it is a smaller entity than it was so there is a brand challenge. Hull and East Yorkshire doesn’t run off the tongue.
“I think I can get the voice heard again.”
What do you think of the appointment and the opportunity? Let us know in the comments field below.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/welcome-interview-new-chair-new-19607992
|
en
| 2021-01-12T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/259e410d11c6350b5ed745ce2b00961c09a78551e68a9da02ceedee2deaa3b12.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Yorkshire & Humber Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nJames Newman OBE is the new man tasked with leading the North Bank of the Humber to becoming a more prosperous socio-political entity.\nAnd as chairman of the emerging Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership he is clear on the need to work with his and the area’s old friends, while underlining the area’s key assets as they rise to even greater prominence in 2021.\nFrom 2010 to 2015 the former financial director of Yorkshire Water oversaw the Sheffield city region deal, from a LEP leading role.\nDescribing himself as the leftfield candidate, he was the successful one, and while an East Riding resident - of a fringe York-neighbouring village - he makes no bones about needing to get to know the area, but certainly knows the job - and the expectations.\nDespite leaving the last LEP role five years ago, Mr Newman still has a lot of connections, and sees his native Sheffield as a close ally to the Hull with the heavy industry drivers.\nAnd with port-centric manufacturing expansion seen as part of the coveted freeport prize, he is clear on opportunity.\n“It is on the government agenda, as is climate change,” he said of what many would see as the two biggest priorities beyond Covid economic survival. “Freeports are clearly important for Brexit and Hull is already part of one of the largest port complexes in Europe, where clearly they know how to run a freeport if we can get one. Much of the other industry, the energy, decarbonisation, offshore wind, is all part of the climate agenda, and this year is a very big year for climate change with our hosting of COP26 in November.\n“We are at the forefront of these industries and we have got to put our case forward.”\n(Image: PA)\nCollaboration is vital, though there should be no inferiority complex about size despite shedding the South Bank as a result of political will to bring clarity and accountability.\nMr Newman is confident the dual authority area is big enough to fight a corner, some feel - that even after Siemens, City of Culture and the huge A63 investment - can still be forgotten.\n“I’d like to think so, it is on the margin,” he said, when asked if Hull and East Yorkshire is large enough to go it alone. “To have a successful LEP pitching to government that you are going to make a difference, you have to have some scale. I think the industries within the region, not just Hull but the tourism and the farming - with more emphasis on being self-sufficient post Brexit - will matter. We are on the cusp but we have enough going for us and I am confident we can operate as a LEP.\n“We will still be working cross-estuary with the Humber Leadership Board - the local authority leaders, myself and the chair of Greater Lincolnshire - and it is important we work together with a message to government to support both. It is sad that the Humber LEP had to be broken up, but I think there is enough north of the estuary to allow us to make a success of it.\n“Government has been pushing this ‘one authority, one LEP’ agenda since I was chairing Sheffield. It is not only this area affected, in my previous role five of the nine authorities were not in South Yorkshire, but Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The economic success was tied in and it was a choice between that or the county.\n“The two Lincolnshire local authorities will have taken that difficult decision to go with the county, we will make the best of it and I am sure they will as well. Leeds and North Yorkshire are in a similar position, so I wouldn’t want anyone in the Humber to have a complex about it.\n“Collaboration is so important with other parts of Yorkshire. If you are smaller than other parts it is important you collaborate with bigger ones.\n“I tried with energy when at Sheffield and there is more we can do. Nine years ago I remember coming to Hull, looking at the M62 corridor and looking how we both - for me with Doncaster - could work together to get this corridor moving. It didn’t move as fast as we’d have liked, but there is opportunity to do that - and when we talk about carbon capture, a pipeline across the region, there is so much opportunity which I am sure people will have looked at, and that we need to keep pushing.\n(Image: Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership)\n“There is also the Northern Powerhouse, and it is important we work with them, where fortunately I know a number of people.”\nSo what inspired his successful decision to apply? Mr Newman was awarded the OBE in 2017 for services to business, the economy and charity, and cable giant Bridon and print entity Watmaughs join Kelda Group on his FTSE-featuring CV, where at the latter he also held the deputy chief executive role.\n“I live in East Riding, I have done for 20 years,” he said. “I am Yorkshire born and bred, lived in all parts and worked in all parts, and this was a role where there were some clearly defined outcomes required, such as combined authority, mayoral devolution deal and still some settling of political issues. I thought ‘why not, I can do this’. I’m learning an area from scratch but not how to do the job from scratch.\n“I felt I was very much a leftfield candidate, I didn’t know the area, no-one knew me, and I didn’t think I would get it. Others thought better and I hope and I am sure they have chosen well.”\nWhile acknowledging unprecedented times with the pandemic and political picture, he feels the LEP evolution will help from his last standing start.\n“Brexit and Covid have certainly set out some new challenges, and changed the way things will need to be done or the economy’s priorities.\n“Back in 2010 LEPs were a new great idea that we didn’t know what they would become. We didn’t have any money or people, and it was a huge challenge - at least 10 years on people know what they can do, what they can achieve and what structures are needed, so we’re in a much better place.”\nAnd turning to Hull and East Yorkshire, he said: “The political will is there and that’s really important, both local authorities want this to happen. My role and challenge is to keep them on-side and working closely together to make sure it does happen, while getting the private sector back on stream again, because it will have been disappointed by the break-up of Humber LEP.\n“With my background in the voluntary, charity and community sector,I want to engage more there too; it is an important part of the economy and at grass roots level they can identify demand and need. It has got to be an inclusive economy, it cannot just be business, it has got to be about business and jobs. There is going to be a lot of reskilling, a whole new agenda post-Covid that will need to be addressed and the more that can be done at a local level the better, and that’s why a devolution deal is so important.\n“Of course we want more investment into the key industries, and it is a smaller entity than it was so there is a brand challenge. Hull and East Yorkshire doesn’t run off the tongue.\n“I think I can get the voice heard again.”\nWhat do you think of the appointment and the opportunity? Let us know in the comments field below.",
"Welcome interview: New chair of new Hull and East Riding LEP speaks to Business Live",
"Combined authorities, mayoral city deals, freeports, decarbonisation and collaborating with 'old friends' of his and the local authorities..."
] |
|
[
"Laura Watson"
] | 2021-01-13T03:27:52 | null | 2021-01-13T03:00:00 |
The £2 million facility will provide workspace for more than 20 small businesses
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fenterprise-hub-plan-historic-staffordshire-19610286.json
|
en
| null |
Enterprise hub plan for iconic Staffordshire building
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
An enterprise hub providing workspace for more than 20 small businesses is set to be created in Stafford as part of a £2 million project to help boost the town centre economy.
The project will see part of the Shire Hall building, which formerly housed the town’s library, transformed into a full-service hub by early 2022, offering office space, reception facilities, meeting areas, networking opportunities and business advice and support.
The hub is being part-funded by Staffordshire County Council and £1.6 million which has been secured from the national Getting Building Fund through the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
It will aim to attract businesses from a range of professional services including solicitors, ICT firms, digital and tech.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: “The Shire Hall is an iconic building in the heart of Stafford town centre and it is important we bring it back into productive use for the community and the local economy.
“Much consideration has gone into the planning of the hall’s future use and our evidence and research has shown there is a need for provision in the town for small businesses. The enterprise hub facility will be in the former library area to the rear of the building and include all the facilities our target businesses will need. It will follow the model of our other enterprise centres with flexible tenancies and a support team on site.”
He added: “A thriving enterprise hub in the Shire Hall will benefit the wider town centre economy and recent investment and planned regeneration undoubtedly make Stafford an attractive place to work and live. How we re-purpose our town centres will be critical as we move out of the pandemic period.
“We will be working closely with colleagues at Stafford Borough Council and the LEP throughout this year as we prepare for the hub’s opening in early 2022.”
Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership chairman Alun Rogers said: “The former library space in the Shire Hall will provide ideal space for small businesses and support the town centre economy, particularly as it recovers from the pandemic period. It is a priority to the LEP to support small businesses and ensure they can operate in the right environment to enable them to thrive.
“The Getting Building Fund is aimed at projects which are ready to go and can make a difference as soon as possible. Transforming the vacant space at the Shire Hall into an entrepreneurial and collaboration hub is ideal and we look forward to working with our partners to bring it to life.”
Want more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
Frances Beatty, cabinet member for economic development and planning at Stafford Borough Council, added: “It will be great to have the iconic Shire Hall brought back in to use after being mothballed for so long.
“It will be our centrepiece for the renaissance of popular community events and gatherings in the Market Square and indeed across the town, in the post-covid world.”
What do you think about the plans for the Shire Hall? Share your views in the comments section below.
The enterprise hub project forms part of the wider longer-term regeneration of the Shire Hall and complements plans to re-purpose and re-develop land occupied by vacant buildings, including the former magistrates court and the county council’s own Wedgwood Building.
Other major recent investments in Stafford town centre include the recent renovation of Victoria Park and the Riverside retail development, both led by the borough council.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/enterprise-hub-plan-historic-staffordshire-19610286
|
en
| 2021-01-13T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/e484b942383e01b2415c1c84ec34419e092128985810ab647e76ebff0bf172dd.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nAn enterprise hub providing workspace for more than 20 small businesses is set to be created in Stafford as part of a £2 million project to help boost the town centre economy.\nThe project will see part of the Shire Hall building, which formerly housed the town’s library, transformed into a full-service hub by early 2022, offering office space, reception facilities, meeting areas, networking opportunities and business advice and support.\nThe hub is being part-funded by Staffordshire County Council and £1.6 million which has been secured from the national Getting Building Fund through the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).\nIt will aim to attract businesses from a range of professional services including solicitors, ICT firms, digital and tech.\nStaffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: “The Shire Hall is an iconic building in the heart of Stafford town centre and it is important we bring it back into productive use for the community and the local economy.\n“Much consideration has gone into the planning of the hall’s future use and our evidence and research has shown there is a need for provision in the town for small businesses. The enterprise hub facility will be in the former library area to the rear of the building and include all the facilities our target businesses will need. It will follow the model of our other enterprise centres with flexible tenancies and a support team on site.”\nHe added: “A thriving enterprise hub in the Shire Hall will benefit the wider town centre economy and recent investment and planned regeneration undoubtedly make Stafford an attractive place to work and live. How we re-purpose our town centres will be critical as we move out of the pandemic period.\n“We will be working closely with colleagues at Stafford Borough Council and the LEP throughout this year as we prepare for the hub’s opening in early 2022.”\nStoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership chairman Alun Rogers said: “The former library space in the Shire Hall will provide ideal space for small businesses and support the town centre economy, particularly as it recovers from the pandemic period. It is a priority to the LEP to support small businesses and ensure they can operate in the right environment to enable them to thrive.\n“The Getting Building Fund is aimed at projects which are ready to go and can make a difference as soon as possible. Transforming the vacant space at the Shire Hall into an entrepreneurial and collaboration hub is ideal and we look forward to working with our partners to bring it to life.”\nWant more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\nFrances Beatty, cabinet member for economic development and planning at Stafford Borough Council, added: “It will be great to have the iconic Shire Hall brought back in to use after being mothballed for so long.\n“It will be our centrepiece for the renaissance of popular community events and gatherings in the Market Square and indeed across the town, in the post-covid world.”\nWhat do you think about the plans for the Shire Hall? Share your views in the comments section below.\nThe enterprise hub project forms part of the wider longer-term regeneration of the Shire Hall and complements plans to re-purpose and re-develop land occupied by vacant buildings, including the former magistrates court and the county council’s own Wedgwood Building.\nOther major recent investments in Stafford town centre include the recent renovation of Victoria Park and the Riverside retail development, both led by the borough council.",
"Enterprise hub plan for iconic Staffordshire building",
"The £2 million facility will provide workspace for more than 20 small businesses"
] |
|
[
"Tom Pegden"
] | 2021-01-25T05:01:46 | null | 2021-01-25T03:00:00 |
Clowes Developments wants to build on a plot in the centre of the park, which is just off the A50
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fports-logistics%2Fplans-add-190000-sq-ft-19686173.json
|
en
| null |
Plans to add 190,000 sq ft warehouse to Dove Valley Park
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - East Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Formal plans have been submitted to add up to 190,000 sq ft of warehousing to the 200 acre Dove Valley Park (DVP) west of Derby.
Clowes Developments wants to build on a plot in the centre of the park, which is just off the A50.
Existing tenants on the warehouse and industrial park include JCB Power Systems, Futaba International, Tophat, Truma and Kuehne and Nagel.
Clowes has applied for two-phase planning consent for an initial speculatively built unit of up to 150,000 sq ft – with and option to expand that by an additional 40,000 sq ft.
The site is being offered on a freehold or leasehold basis.
Clowes Developments director Paul Shanley said: “With over 1,200 people employed on DVP and demand for ‘big sheds’ breaking new records, we are pleased to be going forward with the next development providing flexibility for occupiers in both size and tenure.
“DVP is now a well-established Business Park attracting household names.
“We are currently negotiating another large deal on the site which will further enhance DVP’s reputation as South Derbyshire’s premier employment site.”
In a joint statement agents Stephen Salloway, director at Salloway Property Consultants and Nick Waddington, director at MWRE said: “Clowes Developments proposal to develop a new 190,000 sq ft unit at DVP addresses the current burgeoning demand for warehouse accommodation.
“DVP’s location is ideal for distribution logistics, with the A50 being known as the “toll-free” M1-M6 link road and being a short distance from the Toyota junction of the A38.
“Furthermore, from a workforce perspective, the site draws from the easily commutable urban areas of Derby, Stoke on Trent, Burton on Trent, Uttoxeter, Stafford and Lichfield.”
The two-phase application means potential occupiers could take a 150,000 sq ft unit with a large yard which can be expanded onto, or a full 190,000 sq ft unit from day one.
The proposed unit would have 12m eaves, 19 loading docks, two-storey offices and provisions for a hub office.
The agents said: “There is little doubt that this will be well received in the marketplace and subject to planning permission being granted in timely fashion, occupiers will be in a position to take possession of the unit by the end of the year.”
Clowes Developments UK Limited is one of the UK’s biggest privately-owned property investment and development organisations.
In its latest annual accounts, the Derbyshire-based property group recorded a turnover of £116.1 million and an operating profit of £39.3 million for the financial year 2018-19.
That was up from a turnover of £104.9 million and an operating profit of £32.4 million during 2017-18.
The group holds more than 3,000 acres of land and 15,000 residential plots in 130 development sites across the country, as well as more than 50 office and business parks and several larger mixed-use sites.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/ports-logistics/plans-add-190000-sq-ft-19686173
|
en
| 2021-01-25T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/81a22bd572f1373435d2e9530820865e092655905bbedf66b6b656c52fe36d14.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - East Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nFormal plans have been submitted to add up to 190,000 sq ft of warehousing to the 200 acre Dove Valley Park (DVP) west of Derby.\nClowes Developments wants to build on a plot in the centre of the park, which is just off the A50.\nExisting tenants on the warehouse and industrial park include JCB Power Systems, Futaba International, Tophat, Truma and Kuehne and Nagel.\nClowes has applied for two-phase planning consent for an initial speculatively built unit of up to 150,000 sq ft – with and option to expand that by an additional 40,000 sq ft.\nThe site is being offered on a freehold or leasehold basis.\nClowes Developments director Paul Shanley said: “With over 1,200 people employed on DVP and demand for ‘big sheds’ breaking new records, we are pleased to be going forward with the next development providing flexibility for occupiers in both size and tenure.\n“DVP is now a well-established Business Park attracting household names.\n“We are currently negotiating another large deal on the site which will further enhance DVP’s reputation as South Derbyshire’s premier employment site.”\nIn a joint statement agents Stephen Salloway, director at Salloway Property Consultants and Nick Waddington, director at MWRE said: “Clowes Developments proposal to develop a new 190,000 sq ft unit at DVP addresses the current burgeoning demand for warehouse accommodation.\n“DVP’s location is ideal for distribution logistics, with the A50 being known as the “toll-free” M1-M6 link road and being a short distance from the Toyota junction of the A38.\n“Furthermore, from a workforce perspective, the site draws from the easily commutable urban areas of Derby, Stoke on Trent, Burton on Trent, Uttoxeter, Stafford and Lichfield.”\nThe two-phase application means potential occupiers could take a 150,000 sq ft unit with a large yard which can be expanded onto, or a full 190,000 sq ft unit from day one.\nThe proposed unit would have 12m eaves, 19 loading docks, two-storey offices and provisions for a hub office.\nThe agents said: “There is little doubt that this will be well received in the marketplace and subject to planning permission being granted in timely fashion, occupiers will be in a position to take possession of the unit by the end of the year.”\nClowes Developments UK Limited is one of the UK’s biggest privately-owned property investment and development organisations.\nIn its latest annual accounts, the Derbyshire-based property group recorded a turnover of £116.1 million and an operating profit of £39.3 million for the financial year 2018-19.\nThat was up from a turnover of £104.9 million and an operating profit of £32.4 million during 2017-18.\nThe group holds more than 3,000 acres of land and 15,000 residential plots in 130 development sites across the country, as well as more than 50 office and business parks and several larger mixed-use sites.",
"Plans to add 190,000 sq ft warehouse to Dove Valley Park",
"Clowes Developments wants to build on a plot in the centre of the park, which is just off the A50"
] |
|
[
"Sion Barry",
"Image",
"Getty Images",
"Andrew Hazard"
] | 2021-01-01T15:10:46 | null | 2021-01-01T14:24:48 |
Take up in Wales in 2020 was 2.7 million sq for deals above 50,000 sq ft
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fcommercial-property%2Findustrial-logistics-star-performers-tough-19549352.json
|
en
| null |
Industrial and logistics star performers in tough year for commercial property
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Demand for UK industrial and logistics space continued to grow and fared better than many other commercial property sectors over a challenging last 12 months, according to research by global property consultancy Knight Frank.
Its research shows the total take up in Wales during 2020 for industrial units over 50,000 sq ft was 2.74 million sq ft from 18 recorded transactions.
Although this included the sale of the Orb Works in Newport, which accounted for 790,000 sq ft of the take up, the figures were still higher than the 1.4 million sq ft recorded in 2019 and 2.4 million sq ft in 2018.
Within these figures 1.1 million sq ft was transacted in the final quarter of the year (Q4) which highlighted how this sector has continued to grow throughout the year.
Neil Francis, head of logistics and industrial at Knight Frank in Cardiff, said: “Whereas in recent years the majority of deals recorded have been in South Wales, it was pleasing to note five transactions took place in North and Mid Wales.
“These included the disposal of Boundary Park in Deeside, which was a speculative development of three units providing 84,000 sq ft. A joint venture between Trebor Developments and Maple Grove Developments, it was sold to Ifor Williams Trailers in November.
"It was also encouraging to see that the two former Laura Ashley units in Newtown - 163,000 sq ft and 138,000 sq ft - attracted enough local occupier interest to secure sales in excess of the asking price.”
Notable transactions within South Wales in 2020 included Urban Myths Films acquiring 164,000 sq ft leasehold in Queensway Meadows, Newport, and Great Point Media signing a long term lease at the former 178,000 sq ft Pinewood Studios in Wentloog, Cardiff.
Mr Francis said: “Both companies are within the creative industries sector, which is one of the fastest growing sectors in Wales, and the deals show commitment to the region and indicate a positive future for the industry moving forward."
In terms of availability the closure of Ford in Bridgend released approximately 1.6 million sq ft of industrial space to the market, which together with the 1 million sq ft available at the former Quinn site in Newport distorted the overall availability figure of 6.3 million sq ft. Despite this availability there was still a lack of grade A space throughout.
(Image: Andrew Hazard)
Mr Francis said:“This lack of good quality stock has encouraged logistics operators and more traditional industrial owners to consider new build. It is interesting to note that national operators are not baulking at the higher headline rents required, as acquiring the right building in an optimum location is essential to their business.
"This had provided developers with added confidence regarding the viability of larger scale industrial development and this had continued to improve as rental levels increased to over £6 per sq ft. St Modwen was currently on site at St Modwen Park, Newport speculatively developing 30,000 sq ft and 100,000 sq ft units that will be available in 2021.
"Similarly, Trebor Developments are progressing the speculative development of 46,000 sq ft at Junction 35, Pencoed and Border Group completed the construction of 50,000 sq. ft. in Crumlin, Caerphilly that has since been let to Orange Box.
In addition, development of smaller workshop and business units of up to 1,500 sq ft has been continuous, shows the Knight Frank research.
This type of development is typically built in phases and on sites of between 1 and 2 acres. The design and layout of these units centres on occupiers who do not require large amount of circulation and deep loading yards. T
The main source of demand for this product is local companies that want to own their own property, and sustained demand is driving up capital values.
Mr Francis said: “Many developers though have chosen to retain an interest and units of this type have let well when offered to market.
"For example, in a development close to Junction 32, six units of between 1,000 sq ft and 1,500 sq ft were constructed. Five of the units let before practical completion at a headline rent of £10 per sq ft, with occupiers keen to understand the actual monthly running costs, which is more important to them as they grow their business.
The rent at this development reflected the quality of the product on offer, its proximity to the M4 motorway and the flexibility of the space allowing for specific tenant fit out.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/industrial-logistics-star-performers-tough-19549352
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/56aad61ba2d499b3ccfb783e2bc1a27963c8417939b5038b7f80436806a70e07.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nDemand for UK industrial and logistics space continued to grow and fared better than many other commercial property sectors over a challenging last 12 months, according to research by global property consultancy Knight Frank.\nIts research shows the total take up in Wales during 2020 for industrial units over 50,000 sq ft was 2.74 million sq ft from 18 recorded transactions.\nAlthough this included the sale of the Orb Works in Newport, which accounted for 790,000 sq ft of the take up, the figures were still higher than the 1.4 million sq ft recorded in 2019 and 2.4 million sq ft in 2018.\nWithin these figures 1.1 million sq ft was transacted in the final quarter of the year (Q4) which highlighted how this sector has continued to grow throughout the year.\nNeil Francis, head of logistics and industrial at Knight Frank in Cardiff, said: “Whereas in recent years the majority of deals recorded have been in South Wales, it was pleasing to note five transactions took place in North and Mid Wales.\n“These included the disposal of Boundary Park in Deeside, which was a speculative development of three units providing 84,000 sq ft. A joint venture between Trebor Developments and Maple Grove Developments, it was sold to Ifor Williams Trailers in November.\n\"It was also encouraging to see that the two former Laura Ashley units in Newtown - 163,000 sq ft and 138,000 sq ft - attracted enough local occupier interest to secure sales in excess of the asking price.”\nNotable transactions within South Wales in 2020 included Urban Myths Films acquiring 164,000 sq ft leasehold in Queensway Meadows, Newport, and Great Point Media signing a long term lease at the former 178,000 sq ft Pinewood Studios in Wentloog, Cardiff.\nMr Francis said: “Both companies are within the creative industries sector, which is one of the fastest growing sectors in Wales, and the deals show commitment to the region and indicate a positive future for the industry moving forward.\"\nIn terms of availability the closure of Ford in Bridgend released approximately 1.6 million sq ft of industrial space to the market, which together with the 1 million sq ft available at the former Quinn site in Newport distorted the overall availability figure of 6.3 million sq ft. Despite this availability there was still a lack of grade A space throughout.\n(Image: Andrew Hazard)\nMr Francis said:“This lack of good quality stock has encouraged logistics operators and more traditional industrial owners to consider new build. It is interesting to note that national operators are not baulking at the higher headline rents required, as acquiring the right building in an optimum location is essential to their business.\n\"This had provided developers with added confidence regarding the viability of larger scale industrial development and this had continued to improve as rental levels increased to over £6 per sq ft. St Modwen was currently on site at St Modwen Park, Newport speculatively developing 30,000 sq ft and 100,000 sq ft units that will be available in 2021.\n\"Similarly, Trebor Developments are progressing the speculative development of 46,000 sq ft at Junction 35, Pencoed and Border Group completed the construction of 50,000 sq. ft. in Crumlin, Caerphilly that has since been let to Orange Box.\nIn addition, development of smaller workshop and business units of up to 1,500 sq ft has been continuous, shows the Knight Frank research.\nThis type of development is typically built in phases and on sites of between 1 and 2 acres. The design and layout of these units centres on occupiers who do not require large amount of circulation and deep loading yards. T\nThe main source of demand for this product is local companies that want to own their own property, and sustained demand is driving up capital values.\nMr Francis said: “Many developers though have chosen to retain an interest and units of this type have let well when offered to market.\n\"For example, in a development close to Junction 32, six units of between 1,000 sq ft and 1,500 sq ft were constructed. Five of the units let before practical completion at a headline rent of £10 per sq ft, with occupiers keen to understand the actual monthly running costs, which is more important to them as they grow their business.\nThe rent at this development reflected the quality of the product on offer, its proximity to the M4 motorway and the flexibility of the space allowing for specific tenant fit out.”",
"Industrial and logistics star performers in tough year for commercial property",
"Take up in Wales in 2020 was 2.7 million sq for deals above 50,000 sq ft"
] |
|
[
"Graeme Whitfield",
"Image",
"Pa"
] | 2021-01-28T08:13:41 | null | 2021-01-28T08:07:00 |
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders describe 2020 as 'a dreadful year' but warn that challenges remain for automotive sector
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fmanufacturing%2F10000-jobs-lost-car-production-19715949.json
|
en
| null |
10,000 jobs lost as car production falls to lowest level since 1984
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Manufacturing Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The number of new cars built in the UK last year fell the lowest total since 1984, leading to the loss of thousands of jobs, new figures show.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that production fell by 29.3% compared to the previous year, down to 920,928 units, with similar impacts on the domestic and overseas markets.
The SMMT said a fall in car production of 2.3% in December rounded off a “dreadful year”, with vehicle manufacturers hit by the impact of the coronavirus crisis as well as uncertainty for most of 2020 about a Brexit trade deal.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said declared job losses last year by carmakers and firms in the supply chain were around 10,000.
He said manufacturing operations were “severely disrupted” throughout 2020, with lockdowns and social distancing measures restricting factory output, Brexit uncertainty continuing until Christmas Eve and depressed overseas demand.
Despite the impact on trade of the global pandemic, more than eight in 10 of all cars made in the UK were shipped overseas, with the EU remaining the biggest export destination, taking a 53.5% share.
Combined production of battery electric (BEV), plug-hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid vehicles (HEV) increased to 18.8% of all cars made in this country, up from 14.8% a year before.
Mr Hawes described 2020 as a “very challenging year”, but he said there was optimism for 2021 because of the coronavirus vaccine, more clarity on technology and the last-ditch Brexit trade deal, even though it left exporters facing some extra costs.
Commenting on the slump in production, he said: “These figures, the worst in a generation, reflect the devastating impact of the pandemic on UK automotive production, with Covid lockdowns depressing demand, shuttering plants and threatening lives and livelihoods.
“The industry faces 2021 with more optimism, however with a vaccine being rolled out and clarity on how we trade with Europe, which remains by far our biggest market.
“The immediate challenge is to adapt to the new conditions, to overcome the additional customs burdens and regain our global competitiveness while delivering zero emission transport.”
Independent forecasts say UK car production will partly recover in 2021 to one million, but Mr Hawes said much will depend on the continued impact of the virus, the speed with which showrooms can reopen, and how quickly manufacturers can come to terms with new trading arrangements with the EU, which he described as “much more complicated”.
He hoped today’s production figures would reflect the “lowest ebb”, but added that significant investment would be needed to return to the figure of 1.7m reported in 2016.
Japanese car manufacturer Nissan, which has a major plant at Sunderland, has described the Brexit deal as 'positive' for its North East operations, but this week announced that 160 jobs are at risk at the plant.
And the future of Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant is in doubt after the car giant's owner said he would decide its fate within weeks due to the UK's upcoming ban on new petrol and diesel cars.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/10000-jobs-lost-car-production-19715949
|
en
| 2021-01-28T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/41279aea856f91a8acd779b85dc3d92110fedd78d38c9113f559437216af373a.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Manufacturing Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe number of new cars built in the UK last year fell the lowest total since 1984, leading to the loss of thousands of jobs, new figures show.\nFigures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that production fell by 29.3% compared to the previous year, down to 920,928 units, with similar impacts on the domestic and overseas markets.\nThe SMMT said a fall in car production of 2.3% in December rounded off a “dreadful year”, with vehicle manufacturers hit by the impact of the coronavirus crisis as well as uncertainty for most of 2020 about a Brexit trade deal.\nMike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said declared job losses last year by carmakers and firms in the supply chain were around 10,000.\nHe said manufacturing operations were “severely disrupted” throughout 2020, with lockdowns and social distancing measures restricting factory output, Brexit uncertainty continuing until Christmas Eve and depressed overseas demand.\nDespite the impact on trade of the global pandemic, more than eight in 10 of all cars made in the UK were shipped overseas, with the EU remaining the biggest export destination, taking a 53.5% share.\nCombined production of battery electric (BEV), plug-hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid vehicles (HEV) increased to 18.8% of all cars made in this country, up from 14.8% a year before.\nMr Hawes described 2020 as a “very challenging year”, but he said there was optimism for 2021 because of the coronavirus vaccine, more clarity on technology and the last-ditch Brexit trade deal, even though it left exporters facing some extra costs.\nCommenting on the slump in production, he said: “These figures, the worst in a generation, reflect the devastating impact of the pandemic on UK automotive production, with Covid lockdowns depressing demand, shuttering plants and threatening lives and livelihoods.\n“The industry faces 2021 with more optimism, however with a vaccine being rolled out and clarity on how we trade with Europe, which remains by far our biggest market.\n“The immediate challenge is to adapt to the new conditions, to overcome the additional customs burdens and regain our global competitiveness while delivering zero emission transport.”\nIndependent forecasts say UK car production will partly recover in 2021 to one million, but Mr Hawes said much will depend on the continued impact of the virus, the speed with which showrooms can reopen, and how quickly manufacturers can come to terms with new trading arrangements with the EU, which he described as “much more complicated”.\nHe hoped today’s production figures would reflect the “lowest ebb”, but added that significant investment would be needed to return to the figure of 1.7m reported in 2016.\nJapanese car manufacturer Nissan, which has a major plant at Sunderland, has described the Brexit deal as 'positive' for its North East operations, but this week announced that 160 jobs are at risk at the plant.\nAnd the future of Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant is in doubt after the car giant's owner said he would decide its fate within weeks due to the UK's upcoming ban on new petrol and diesel cars.",
"10,000 jobs lost as car production falls to lowest level since 1984",
"Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders describe 2020 as 'a dreadful year' but warn that challenges remain for automotive sector"
] |
|
[
"Laura Watson"
] | 2021-01-18T17:11:57 | null | 2021-01-18T14:48:34 |
The branch will have to remain closed until coronavirus restrictions are eased
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Fdunelm-postpones-opening-newly-built-19649021.json
|
en
| null |
Dunelm postpones opening of newly-built North Staffordshire store
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Home furnishings retailer Dunelm has postponed the opening of its new store in North Staffordshire as a result of the lockdown.
Work to build the company's latest branch on the Wolstanton Retail Park, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, started in May last year.
The new Dunelm store is being built between the existing M&S and Matalan stores at the retail park, and around 50 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of the opening.
Click here to sign up to the daily BusinessLive email
Work on the 22,000 sq ft store is almost complete after construction staff continued to work on the building throughout the pandemic.
But its grand opening has now been pushed back due to the current lockdown restrictions, meaning the store will not open next month as expected.
A new date for the opening is yet to be confirmed.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/dunelm-postpones-opening-newly-built-19649021
|
en
| 2021-01-18T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/62748d2e29d4c79634ff0e8919bcfd0d2f44f835c6501c52355d29356a60bf48.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nHome furnishings retailer Dunelm has postponed the opening of its new store in North Staffordshire as a result of the lockdown.\nWork to build the company's latest branch on the Wolstanton Retail Park, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, started in May last year.\nThe new Dunelm store is being built between the existing M&S and Matalan stores at the retail park, and around 50 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of the opening.\nClick here to sign up to the daily BusinessLive email\nWork on the 22,000 sq ft store is almost complete after construction staff continued to work on the building throughout the pandemic.\nBut its grand opening has now been pushed back due to the current lockdown restrictions, meaning the store will not open next month as expected.\nA new date for the opening is yet to be confirmed.",
"Dunelm postpones opening of newly-built North Staffordshire store",
"The branch will have to remain closed until coronavirus restrictions are eased"
] |
|
[
"Graeme Whitfield"
] | 2021-01-12T09:14:58 | null | 2021-01-12T08:05:55 |
The Liverpool online retailer benefitted from a number of trends linked to the coronavirus pandemic
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Frecord-breaking-christmas-very-group-19607230.json
|
en
| null |
Record breaking Christmas for Very Group sees annual revenues top £500m
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Online retailer Very had a record-breaking Christmas as the coronavirus lockdowns saw people surge to internet shopping.
The Liverpool company said sales in the run-up to Christmas were 25.2% up year-on-year, following strong trading throughout 2020. Revenues topped £500m for the first time in the company's history.
Home and electrical products sold the most, both up more than 45%, while the company attracted 500,000 new customers and had 139m website visits.
As well as benefiting from the move to online shopping as many physical stores were closed, Very was boosted by other coronavirus trends, such as people investing in their homes during the pandemic.
The company's sales of DIY products tripled, while it saw big increases in the number of beds, other furniture and soft furnishings it sold. Other benefits from the pandemic came in sales of sportswear and wellbeing products.
Very Group CEO Henry Birch said: “We are delighted with Very’s outstanding performance, which shows UK families were more determined than ever to celebrate this Christmas, despite all the challenges of 2020.
“Because we sell everything our customers could possibly want except food, are online only and offer a range of payment options, we were perfectly placed to help a record number of people make the most of the festive period.
“Christmas shopping started early at Very and our committed team worked tirelessly to deliver for our customers. Continued appetite for entertaining the family and home improvement during the pandemic resulted in strong growth across our electrical and home categories, in particular.
“Our record-breaking performance was supported by our new fulfilment centre, which processed 3.9m orders during peak; an incredible achievement for a facility that only launched in March this year, when the first national lockdown was announced.
“While the economic picture remains unpredictable, we have strong momentum as we begin the year. I believe our resilient, flexible and proven business model, which is online, multicategory and offers customers flexible payment options, will continue to help us thrive in 2021.”
Very, which was formed by the merger of the Littlewoods and Shop Direct companies in 2005, said overall group revenue, including financial services, rose 15.3% to surpass £500m.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/record-breaking-christmas-very-group-19607230
|
en
| 2021-01-12T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/519dd2885bb93090466620542d58297d1404f55a6d21806c0ec4316cbc707c37.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nOnline retailer Very had a record-breaking Christmas as the coronavirus lockdowns saw people surge to internet shopping.\nThe Liverpool company said sales in the run-up to Christmas were 25.2% up year-on-year, following strong trading throughout 2020. Revenues topped £500m for the first time in the company's history.\nHome and electrical products sold the most, both up more than 45%, while the company attracted 500,000 new customers and had 139m website visits.\nAs well as benefiting from the move to online shopping as many physical stores were closed, Very was boosted by other coronavirus trends, such as people investing in their homes during the pandemic.\nThe company's sales of DIY products tripled, while it saw big increases in the number of beds, other furniture and soft furnishings it sold. Other benefits from the pandemic came in sales of sportswear and wellbeing products.\nVery Group CEO Henry Birch said: “We are delighted with Very’s outstanding performance, which shows UK families were more determined than ever to celebrate this Christmas, despite all the challenges of 2020.\n“Because we sell everything our customers could possibly want except food, are online only and offer a range of payment options, we were perfectly placed to help a record number of people make the most of the festive period.\n“Christmas shopping started early at Very and our committed team worked tirelessly to deliver for our customers. Continued appetite for entertaining the family and home improvement during the pandemic resulted in strong growth across our electrical and home categories, in particular.\n“Our record-breaking performance was supported by our new fulfilment centre, which processed 3.9m orders during peak; an incredible achievement for a facility that only launched in March this year, when the first national lockdown was announced.\n“While the economic picture remains unpredictable, we have strong momentum as we begin the year. I believe our resilient, flexible and proven business model, which is online, multicategory and offers customers flexible payment options, will continue to help us thrive in 2021.”\nVery, which was formed by the merger of the Littlewoods and Shop Direct companies in 2005, said overall group revenue, including financial services, rose 15.3% to surpass £500m.",
"Record breaking Christmas for Very Group sees annual revenues top £500m",
"The Liverpool online retailer benefitted from a number of trends linked to the coronavirus pandemic"
] |
|
[
"William Telford"
] | 2021-01-29T10:06:47 | null | 2021-01-29T10:00:00 |
Covid tests for drivers and Brexit red tape mean more firms are looking at sending trailers on ferries without a cab
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fbrittany-ferries-reports-hike-driverless-19721150.json
|
en
| null |
Brittany Ferries reports hike in driverless freight as hauliers seek to tackle Covid and Brexit hurdles
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A growing number of haulage companies are shipping goods across the English Channel using unaccompanied trailers and the trend is set to increase, says Brittany Ferries.
The French-owned company, which sails out of Portsmouth and Plymouth, says more and more goods are being moved by driverless loads at the ports it serves on the western Channel in France and the UK.
Brexit-related red tape and additional costs have hit the logistics industry, with the need for drivers heading to the Continent to test negative for Covid-19 compounding issues for hauliers.
All ferry companies have reported reduced freight volumes in January as a consequence of Brexit fears and stockpiling by companies.
But while volumes are low, Brittany Ferries said the proportion of unaccompanied units is already much higher than in previous years.
Galicia is Brittany Ferries’ newest Ro-Pax (roll-on/roll-off passenger) vessel, operating between Santander in Spain and Portsmouth.
Since sailings began in early December, around 40% of Galicia’s freight has been unaccompanied trailers.
“Things like negative Covid tests for drivers are certainly helping drive the trend for unaccompanied loads,” said Simon Wagstaff, Brittany Ferries’ freight director.
“However, there are other financial benefits in going driverless. We know of one large haulage operation in Ireland, for example, that has organised reciprocal arrangements with another in Spain, dropping off and picking up trailers for each other. That’s a cost-effective way of doing business.”
Further evidence comes from the workhorse of the Brittany Ferries fleet, Pelican. This freight-only ship has been operating since 2016, connecting Bilbao with Poole.
Designed primarily for unaccompanied trailers, Pelican’s fill rates have risen so significantly that it is now the best performing freight ship in the Brittany Ferries fleet.
“Of course, Pelican is an extremely versatile vessel which can take out-of-gauge shipments as well as unaccompanied units,” Mr Wagstaff said.
“It’s this flexibility in our fleet, combined with our ability to accommodate unaccompanied loads throughout our extensive route network, that makes Brittany Ferries an attractive prospect for the year ahead. We are pleased too that freight is flowing well through our ports, without the queues that some forecast at the start of the year.”
Brittany Ferries began as a freight-only operation in 1973. The first ship Kerisnel, was a converted Israeli tank-carrier.
It had been chartered by French farmers to carry produce like cauliflowers and artichokes to the UK, a market that opened with the country’s entry into the EEC.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here
However, the company quickly adapted. It turned to carrying passenger traffic, as well as freight, when it became clear the biggest export market was for British holiday makers visiting Brittany and then Normandy.
The company still moves quickly when opportunities arise. It opened a sea route connecting Ireland with Spain for the first time in 2018, predominantly for freight traffic.
More recently it has brought forward the opening of a Rosslare Cherbourg connection, as Irish, French and Spanish hauliers seek an alternative to the UK land-bridge, with the cost, time and administrative burden that this now brings.
Plans are in progress to open further freight routes, connecting Roscoff and St Malo in Brittany with Ireland. The aim is to finalise schedules as soon as possible and to commence operations in early February using Ro-Pax vessel Armorique.
In a normal non-Covid year Brittany Ferries carries about 210,000 freight units. Its 12 ships serve Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Saint-Malo and Roscoff in France, Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth in the UK, Santander and Bilbao in Spain and Cork and Rosslare in Ireland.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/brittany-ferries-reports-hike-driverless-19721150
|
en
| 2021-01-29T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/0f3232c2d6c87b2e8f9b2158e4d590ddae2c8b8fa077d47b2a4af902146f89a7.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA growing number of haulage companies are shipping goods across the English Channel using unaccompanied trailers and the trend is set to increase, says Brittany Ferries.\nThe French-owned company, which sails out of Portsmouth and Plymouth, says more and more goods are being moved by driverless loads at the ports it serves on the western Channel in France and the UK.\nBrexit-related red tape and additional costs have hit the logistics industry, with the need for drivers heading to the Continent to test negative for Covid-19 compounding issues for hauliers.\nAll ferry companies have reported reduced freight volumes in January as a consequence of Brexit fears and stockpiling by companies.\nBut while volumes are low, Brittany Ferries said the proportion of unaccompanied units is already much higher than in previous years.\nGalicia is Brittany Ferries’ newest Ro-Pax (roll-on/roll-off passenger) vessel, operating between Santander in Spain and Portsmouth.\nSince sailings began in early December, around 40% of Galicia’s freight has been unaccompanied trailers.\n“Things like negative Covid tests for drivers are certainly helping drive the trend for unaccompanied loads,” said Simon Wagstaff, Brittany Ferries’ freight director.\n“However, there are other financial benefits in going driverless. We know of one large haulage operation in Ireland, for example, that has organised reciprocal arrangements with another in Spain, dropping off and picking up trailers for each other. That’s a cost-effective way of doing business.”\nFurther evidence comes from the workhorse of the Brittany Ferries fleet, Pelican. This freight-only ship has been operating since 2016, connecting Bilbao with Poole.\nDesigned primarily for unaccompanied trailers, Pelican’s fill rates have risen so significantly that it is now the best performing freight ship in the Brittany Ferries fleet.\n“Of course, Pelican is an extremely versatile vessel which can take out-of-gauge shipments as well as unaccompanied units,” Mr Wagstaff said.\n“It’s this flexibility in our fleet, combined with our ability to accommodate unaccompanied loads throughout our extensive route network, that makes Brittany Ferries an attractive prospect for the year ahead. We are pleased too that freight is flowing well through our ports, without the queues that some forecast at the start of the year.”\nBrittany Ferries began as a freight-only operation in 1973. The first ship Kerisnel, was a converted Israeli tank-carrier.\nIt had been chartered by French farmers to carry produce like cauliflowers and artichokes to the UK, a market that opened with the country’s entry into the EEC.\nHow to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here\nHowever, the company quickly adapted. It turned to carrying passenger traffic, as well as freight, when it became clear the biggest export market was for British holiday makers visiting Brittany and then Normandy.\nThe company still moves quickly when opportunities arise. It opened a sea route connecting Ireland with Spain for the first time in 2018, predominantly for freight traffic.\nMore recently it has brought forward the opening of a Rosslare Cherbourg connection, as Irish, French and Spanish hauliers seek an alternative to the UK land-bridge, with the cost, time and administrative burden that this now brings.\nPlans are in progress to open further freight routes, connecting Roscoff and St Malo in Brittany with Ireland. The aim is to finalise schedules as soon as possible and to commence operations in early February using Ro-Pax vessel Armorique.\nIn a normal non-Covid year Brittany Ferries carries about 210,000 freight units. Its 12 ships serve Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Saint-Malo and Roscoff in France, Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth in the UK, Santander and Bilbao in Spain and Cork and Rosslare in Ireland.",
"Brittany Ferries reports hike in driverless freight as hauliers seek to tackle Covid and Brexit hurdles",
"Covid tests for drivers and Brexit red tape mean more firms are looking at sending trailers on ferries without a cab"
] |
|
[
"Jonathon Manning",
"Image",
"Kromek"
] | 2021-01-13T09:37:31 | null | 2021-01-13T09:29:29 |
The Sedgefield firm has won £1.25m from Innovate UK to adapt its existing technology to help in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Ftechnology%2Ftech-firm-kromek-gets-government-19614953.json
|
en
| null |
Tech firm Kromek gets Government backing to develop Covid detection equipment
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Sedgefield’s Kromek is developing a new system that can detect Covid-19 in the air after receiving major Government funding.
The business is working on adapting its current technology so that it can automatically detect all airborne viruses, including coronavirus, which could improve the Government’s track and trace efforts. The project has received £1.25m backing from Innovate UK.
Once fully developed, Kromek plans to deploy the new technology in busy areas, such as airports, hospitals, shopping centres, and entertainment venues.
Kromek is well versed in developing detection equipment for the medical, security, and nuclear markets, and its equipment has already been used to protect public officials in high profile events. Its radiation detection equipment has been used to protect President Donald Trump during his visits to Europe.
Initially the new technology will be used to rapidly test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
The tests will run automatically and will not require analysis by trained individuals of lab specialists.
Dr Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek, said: “We are very pleased to have received backing from UKRI and Innovate UK to progress the deployment of our solution for the detection of airborne Covid-19.
“Our system can augment the Government’s test and trace system by enabling early identification of potential exposure to the virus while supporting the safe return of visitors to public spaces like mass transport, retail outlets and entertainment venues.
“We also believe that the continuous monitoring with our system, which can test for a wide spectrum of viruses as well as mutations of Covid-19, has significant potential for protecting against the outbreak of pandemics in the future.”
News of Kromek’s research was revealed at the same time as the firm released its results for the six months ending October 31 2020.
The accounts showed that the company’s turnover fell to £4.58m during the period, down from £5.3m a year earlier. Kromek’s operating loss also widened from £2.3m to £3.1m.
The firm’s business activity had been hit by the coronavirus pandemic, but it added that trading began to improve in September and October as business patterns began to return to normal.
Dr Basu said: “Looking ahead, the positive momentum seen in the last two months of the first half has continued into the second half of the year with increasing detector shipments. The renewed level of activity within our customer base is underpinned by the commercial traction Kromek has demonstrated in recent years in winning multiple, high-value contracts and we are excited about our new opportunities in the bio-security market.
“As a result, we expect to see significant growth in second half revenue compared with H1 2020/21 and the board continues to look to the future with confidence and optimism.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/tech-firm-kromek-gets-government-19614953
|
en
| 2021-01-13T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/aef01872de360f53cdd918f8e46ddd41d8e56c7c9fa5afcbfa6a8a7da8f4c328.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nSedgefield’s Kromek is developing a new system that can detect Covid-19 in the air after receiving major Government funding.\nThe business is working on adapting its current technology so that it can automatically detect all airborne viruses, including coronavirus, which could improve the Government’s track and trace efforts. The project has received £1.25m backing from Innovate UK.\nOnce fully developed, Kromek plans to deploy the new technology in busy areas, such as airports, hospitals, shopping centres, and entertainment venues.\nKromek is well versed in developing detection equipment for the medical, security, and nuclear markets, and its equipment has already been used to protect public officials in high profile events. Its radiation detection equipment has been used to protect President Donald Trump during his visits to Europe.\nInitially the new technology will be used to rapidly test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.\nThe tests will run automatically and will not require analysis by trained individuals of lab specialists.\nDr Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek, said: “We are very pleased to have received backing from UKRI and Innovate UK to progress the deployment of our solution for the detection of airborne Covid-19.\n“Our system can augment the Government’s test and trace system by enabling early identification of potential exposure to the virus while supporting the safe return of visitors to public spaces like mass transport, retail outlets and entertainment venues.\n“We also believe that the continuous monitoring with our system, which can test for a wide spectrum of viruses as well as mutations of Covid-19, has significant potential for protecting against the outbreak of pandemics in the future.”\nNews of Kromek’s research was revealed at the same time as the firm released its results for the six months ending October 31 2020.\nThe accounts showed that the company’s turnover fell to £4.58m during the period, down from £5.3m a year earlier. Kromek’s operating loss also widened from £2.3m to £3.1m.\nThe firm’s business activity had been hit by the coronavirus pandemic, but it added that trading began to improve in September and October as business patterns began to return to normal.\nDr Basu said: “Looking ahead, the positive momentum seen in the last two months of the first half has continued into the second half of the year with increasing detector shipments. The renewed level of activity within our customer base is underpinned by the commercial traction Kromek has demonstrated in recent years in winning multiple, high-value contracts and we are excited about our new opportunities in the bio-security market.\n“As a result, we expect to see significant growth in second half revenue compared with H1 2020/21 and the board continues to look to the future with confidence and optimism.”",
"Tech firm Kromek gets Government backing to develop Covid detection equipment",
"The Sedgefield firm has won £1.25m from Innovate UK to adapt its existing technology to help in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic"
] |
|
[
"William Telford",
"Image",
"Stride Treglown"
] | 2021-01-05T08:18:13 | null | 1956-02-26T00:00:00 |
New images show how ring of LED lighting would be placed on revamped 1960s city centre office block
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fplans-plymouths-halo-light-medical-19560184.json
|
en
| null |
Plans for Plymouth's 'halo of light' medical campus move forward
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Plans are moving forward to transform a ramshackle Plymouth city centre skyscraper into a medical campus complete with its “halo of light”.
Work started in 2020 to convert the towering Intercity House, at Plymouth’s main railway station, into a University of Plymouth campus called Intercity Place, with the building reconfigured and refurbished inside and out, and topped with a ring of LED lighting.
Now, new plans have been submitted to make minor material amendments to the overall plan and vary some conditions around materials and pedestrian accessibility, with comments able to be received until January 26, 2021.
But filed alongside this are some startling new images of how the revamped building will appear, drawn by architects at Plymouth’s Stride Treglown practice. They show how the smart new exterior will look when new cladding is added to the dilapidated 59-year-old block.
(Image: Stride Treglown)
And they reveal the position of the “illuminated ‘halo’ light” which will ring the top op the building. This will be raised above the top floor of the 42m-high building, making the tower stand out at night and acting as a beacon for the city. But it appears from the drawings that plans for a glazed top floor viewing room and “sky cafe” have been abandoned.
The University of Plymouth signed a lease to take over the 11-storey monolith from Network Rail, last year. It is intended that the finished development will create a “striking and welcoming” entrance to Britain's Ocean City, part of an overall £80million redevelopment of the railway station, which will also see a new hotel and multi-storey car park created on the site.
Once completed, Intercity Place will house inter-professional clinical skills facilities for the university’s Faculty of Health and be used to train future nurses, midwives, paramedics, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals.
There will also be additional educational services, enabling staff to work together in one location to support the future health workforce.
(Image: Stride Treglown) (Image: Stride Treglown)
Planning consent to change the use of the building for educational use, and to fully renovate the building, has already been granted with permission also given to install scaffolding and to wrap all elevations during the construction phase.
The Intercity Place project forms part of the university’s wider Campus Masterplan, which outlines plans to invest in its campus and the city over the next decade.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here
Documents submitted to Plymouth City Council reveal how a new multi-storey car park, a hotel, and two further University of Plymouth campus buildings are planned, with a ramp to the main campus nearby. There are also two patches of land earmarked as “development sites”.
A document filed by transport consultants Atkins concludes that a Pedestrian Accessibility Audit has been undertaken based on discussions with the local highway authority.
It said: “Available pedestrian routes have been identified and reviewed during a site visit undertaken during the university term-time. It is considered that the existing pedestrian infrastructure and facilities can accommodate the increase in pedestrian demand generated by Intercity House, though it has been suggested that there are some opportunities for improvement which could be considered by Plymouth City Council in their maintenance strategy, or in the development of the Plymouth Station masterplan.”
Opened in 1962 by Dr Richard Beeching, Intercity House was constructed by British Rail between 1956 and 1962 to the designs of architects Howard Cavanagh and Ian Campbell as part of the post war reconstruction detailed in A Plan for Plymouth, put forward by Sir Patrick Abercrombie at the request of Plymouth City Councillors.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/plans-plymouths-halo-light-medical-19560184
|
en
| 1956-02-26T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/a956c09ab58b0eca68f04dab61e2d9f8fdd6251ffb64be44311720d24907d6d9.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nPlans are moving forward to transform a ramshackle Plymouth city centre skyscraper into a medical campus complete with its “halo of light”.\nWork started in 2020 to convert the towering Intercity House, at Plymouth’s main railway station, into a University of Plymouth campus called Intercity Place, with the building reconfigured and refurbished inside and out, and topped with a ring of LED lighting.\nNow, new plans have been submitted to make minor material amendments to the overall plan and vary some conditions around materials and pedestrian accessibility, with comments able to be received until January 26, 2021.\nBut filed alongside this are some startling new images of how the revamped building will appear, drawn by architects at Plymouth’s Stride Treglown practice. They show how the smart new exterior will look when new cladding is added to the dilapidated 59-year-old block.\n(Image: Stride Treglown)\nAnd they reveal the position of the “illuminated ‘halo’ light” which will ring the top op the building. This will be raised above the top floor of the 42m-high building, making the tower stand out at night and acting as a beacon for the city. But it appears from the drawings that plans for a glazed top floor viewing room and “sky cafe” have been abandoned.\nThe University of Plymouth signed a lease to take over the 11-storey monolith from Network Rail, last year. It is intended that the finished development will create a “striking and welcoming” entrance to Britain's Ocean City, part of an overall £80million redevelopment of the railway station, which will also see a new hotel and multi-storey car park created on the site.\nOnce completed, Intercity Place will house inter-professional clinical skills facilities for the university’s Faculty of Health and be used to train future nurses, midwives, paramedics, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals.\nThere will also be additional educational services, enabling staff to work together in one location to support the future health workforce.\n(Image: Stride Treglown) (Image: Stride Treglown)\nPlanning consent to change the use of the building for educational use, and to fully renovate the building, has already been granted with permission also given to install scaffolding and to wrap all elevations during the construction phase.\nThe Intercity Place project forms part of the university’s wider Campus Masterplan, which outlines plans to invest in its campus and the city over the next decade.\nHow to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here\nDocuments submitted to Plymouth City Council reveal how a new multi-storey car park, a hotel, and two further University of Plymouth campus buildings are planned, with a ramp to the main campus nearby. There are also two patches of land earmarked as “development sites”.\nA document filed by transport consultants Atkins concludes that a Pedestrian Accessibility Audit has been undertaken based on discussions with the local highway authority.\nIt said: “Available pedestrian routes have been identified and reviewed during a site visit undertaken during the university term-time. It is considered that the existing pedestrian infrastructure and facilities can accommodate the increase in pedestrian demand generated by Intercity House, though it has been suggested that there are some opportunities for improvement which could be considered by Plymouth City Council in their maintenance strategy, or in the development of the Plymouth Station masterplan.”\nOpened in 1962 by Dr Richard Beeching, Intercity House was constructed by British Rail between 1956 and 1962 to the designs of architects Howard Cavanagh and Ian Campbell as part of the post war reconstruction detailed in A Plan for Plymouth, put forward by Sir Patrick Abercrombie at the request of Plymouth City Councillors.",
"Plans for Plymouth's 'halo of light' medical campus move forward",
"New images show how ring of LED lighting would be placed on revamped 1960s city centre office block"
] |
|
[
"Tom Pegden"
] | 2021-01-14T04:02:01 | null | 2021-01-14T03:00:00 |
Influence delivers landscape architecture, urban design, environment planning and expert witness services
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fprofessional-services%2Fconsultancies%2Flandscape-architect-celebrates-record-2020-19615932.json
|
en
| null |
Landscape architect celebrates record 2020
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Professional Services Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The team at a Nottinghamshire and London-based landscape architect say they have started the year on a high following a record 2020 - which saw a 50 per cent increase in projects compared to 2019.
Despite the challenging conditions of 2020, Influence – which delivers landscape architecture, urban design, environment planning and expert witness services – had a record 12 months in business and plans for further team expansion this year.
The total number of new jobs commissioned in 2020 was 103.
It recently joined the open invitation to come up with a “bold and ambitious” green vision for Nottingham’s now redundant Broadmarsh centre, putting forward its ideas on behalf of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
The plans showed a transformed and reimagined Nottingham city centre, with a green space in place of the shopping centre. The team said the plans had attracted hundreds of comments from members of the public backing the scheme.
Last year, the company worked on major developments across the country. In the Midlands, projects included work on special educational needs schools in Lincolnshire, a flood defence scheme and work at a university medical school.
In Northamptonshire, the team worked on the recently designated High-Street Heritage Action Zones.
The team are also delivering residential developments in Manchester and have carried out specialist tall building assessments in London to protect the capital’s famous skyline.
Managing director Sara Boland said: “While 2020 was a year of uncertainty, it was also a year that I saw the very best from our team – who worked together to achieve our record year in business.
“Due to a number of challenges last year – the pandemic, social distancing measures and mental wellbeing – green space has been catapulted to the forefront of people’s minds, and we have seized the opportunity to respond.
“Green, open space plays an incredibly important role in our wellbeing and more of a balance needs to be found within commercial schemes to accommodate this.
“2020 was a real journey of highs and lows but we are so pleased to be able to share such positive business news going forward into 2021.
“There is still plenty of opportunity and movement in the property and construction sector and we are seeing this across all areas of our business.”
Influence director Shona Hatton added: “It goes without saying that we are proud of our team’s achievements in delivering brilliant work over the past 12 months, and to work on such an incredibly important and high-profile project with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, is really the icing on the cake.
“We have worked hard to provide the best possible training for our team and further build our portfolio and this strategy is reflected in our results this year.
“We have lots of exciting plans for 2021, and wish to thank our clients who choose to work with us.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/professional-services/consultancies/landscape-architect-celebrates-record-2020-19615932
|
en
| 2021-01-14T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/2cdff0180c9471893503d710f90dbdf439f3b5853e62fa9de237c9fb7f81d1a6.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Professional Services Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe team at a Nottinghamshire and London-based landscape architect say they have started the year on a high following a record 2020 - which saw a 50 per cent increase in projects compared to 2019.\nDespite the challenging conditions of 2020, Influence – which delivers landscape architecture, urban design, environment planning and expert witness services – had a record 12 months in business and plans for further team expansion this year.\nThe total number of new jobs commissioned in 2020 was 103.\nIt recently joined the open invitation to come up with a “bold and ambitious” green vision for Nottingham’s now redundant Broadmarsh centre, putting forward its ideas on behalf of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.\nThe plans showed a transformed and reimagined Nottingham city centre, with a green space in place of the shopping centre. The team said the plans had attracted hundreds of comments from members of the public backing the scheme.\nLast year, the company worked on major developments across the country. In the Midlands, projects included work on special educational needs schools in Lincolnshire, a flood defence scheme and work at a university medical school.\nIn Northamptonshire, the team worked on the recently designated High-Street Heritage Action Zones.\nThe team are also delivering residential developments in Manchester and have carried out specialist tall building assessments in London to protect the capital’s famous skyline.\nManaging director Sara Boland said: “While 2020 was a year of uncertainty, it was also a year that I saw the very best from our team – who worked together to achieve our record year in business.\n“Due to a number of challenges last year – the pandemic, social distancing measures and mental wellbeing – green space has been catapulted to the forefront of people’s minds, and we have seized the opportunity to respond.\n“Green, open space plays an incredibly important role in our wellbeing and more of a balance needs to be found within commercial schemes to accommodate this.\n“2020 was a real journey of highs and lows but we are so pleased to be able to share such positive business news going forward into 2021.\n“There is still plenty of opportunity and movement in the property and construction sector and we are seeing this across all areas of our business.”\nInfluence director Shona Hatton added: “It goes without saying that we are proud of our team’s achievements in delivering brilliant work over the past 12 months, and to work on such an incredibly important and high-profile project with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, is really the icing on the cake.\n“We have worked hard to provide the best possible training for our team and further build our portfolio and this strategy is reflected in our results this year.\n“We have lots of exciting plans for 2021, and wish to thank our clients who choose to work with us.”",
"Landscape architect celebrates record 2020",
"Influence delivers landscape architecture, urban design, environment planning and expert witness services"
] |
|
[
"Henry Saker-Clark",
"Pa City Reporter",
"Hannah Finch",
"Image",
"Bear"
] | 2021-01-05T15:59:54 | null | 2021-01-05T15:52:15 |
The retailer, which has 127 stores and 1,500 employees, confirmed it has filed a notice to appoint administrators from PwC to advise on its insolvency process.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Fpaperchase-calls-administrators-after-christmas-19567942.json
|
en
| null |
Paperchase calls in administrators after Christmas closures affects sales
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Retail & Consumer Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Stationery chain Paperchase is on the brink of collapsing into administration after sales were hammered by closures at the end of last year.
The firm, which has 127 stores and 1,500 employees, confirmed it has filed a notice to appoint administrators from PwC to advise on its insolvency process.
Sign up for more business news straight to your inbox Stay up to date with our daily newsletter, email breaking news alerts and weekly round-ups. To sign up, find out more and see all of our newsletters, follow the link here
Paperchase launched a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) restructuring in March in an attempt to turn around its fortunes but saw this heavily impacted by the pandemic.
It is understood the retailer’s decision to move towards administration was particularly driven by poor sales in November and December amid lockdown measures and tiered restrictions.
Typically, November and December trading account for 40% of the company’s annual sales.
It said online sales had performed strongly but this had not been enough to mitigate the overall impact of temporary closures.
The announcement comes a day after the Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the third English lockdown, forcing non-essential retailers to shut their doors once again.
A Paperchase spokesman said: “The cumulative effects of lockdown 1.0, lockdown 2.0 – at the start of the Christmas shopping period – and now the current restrictions have put unbearable strain on retail businesses across the country.
“Paperchase is not immune despite our strong online trading.
“Out of lockdown we’ve traded well, but as the country faces further restrictions for some months to come, we have to find a sustainable future for Paperchase.
“We are working hard to find that solution and this NOI (Notice of Intent to appoint administrators) is a necessary part of this work. This is not the situation we wanted to be in.
“Our team has been fantastic throughout this year and we cannot thank them enough for their support.”
Has the Government done enough to protect retail during the Covid-19 pandemic - be part of the conversation in our comments section below
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/paperchase-calls-administrators-after-christmas-19567942
|
en
| 2021-01-05T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/4e3934b33b5d1de3690c972846dece1ce90f2fe35a4addff24d3c971f7d36911.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Retail & Consumer Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nStationery chain Paperchase is on the brink of collapsing into administration after sales were hammered by closures at the end of last year.\nThe firm, which has 127 stores and 1,500 employees, confirmed it has filed a notice to appoint administrators from PwC to advise on its insolvency process.\nSign up for more business news straight to your inbox Stay up to date with our daily newsletter, email breaking news alerts and weekly round-ups. To sign up, find out more and see all of our newsletters, follow the link here\nPaperchase launched a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) restructuring in March in an attempt to turn around its fortunes but saw this heavily impacted by the pandemic.\nIt is understood the retailer’s decision to move towards administration was particularly driven by poor sales in November and December amid lockdown measures and tiered restrictions.\nTypically, November and December trading account for 40% of the company’s annual sales.\nIt said online sales had performed strongly but this had not been enough to mitigate the overall impact of temporary closures.\nThe announcement comes a day after the Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the third English lockdown, forcing non-essential retailers to shut their doors once again.\nA Paperchase spokesman said: “The cumulative effects of lockdown 1.0, lockdown 2.0 – at the start of the Christmas shopping period – and now the current restrictions have put unbearable strain on retail businesses across the country.\n“Paperchase is not immune despite our strong online trading.\n“Out of lockdown we’ve traded well, but as the country faces further restrictions for some months to come, we have to find a sustainable future for Paperchase.\n“We are working hard to find that solution and this NOI (Notice of Intent to appoint administrators) is a necessary part of this work. This is not the situation we wanted to be in.\n“Our team has been fantastic throughout this year and we cannot thank them enough for their support.”\nHas the Government done enough to protect retail during the Covid-19 pandemic - be part of the conversation in our comments section below",
"Paperchase calls in administrators after Christmas closures affects sales",
"The retailer, which has 127 stores and 1,500 employees, confirmed it has filed a notice to appoint administrators from PwC to advise on its insolvency process."
] |
|
[
"Kerry Ashdown",
"Laura Watson"
] | 2021-01-18T17:12:17 | null | 2021-01-18T15:30:00 |
Aldi and Lidl both want to open new branches in Rugeley
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Frival-supermarket-chains-green-light-19649227.json
|
en
| null |
Rival supermarket chains get green light to build new stores on same Staffordshire road
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Rival supermarket chains Aldi and Lidl have been granted permission to build new stores on the same Staffordshire road.
The discount supermarkets both lodged plans to build new branches on Power Station Road in Rugeley.
And Cannock Chase Council's planning committee approved both applications at a meeting last week - despite objections from fellow supermarket chains Tesco and Morrisons about the size of the stores and their impact on the town centre.
The plans will see Aldi relocate from its current branch on Market Street to the new site opposite Rugeley's Tesco store, while Lidl wants to build a new store on vacant land off Power Station Road and to the south of the Aldi and Tesco stores.
Robin Williams, regional property director for Aldi, said: "Aldi has been trading from the existing Rugeley store since 2001. While it remains popular, it is outdated and no longer meets standards. The current store is too small and compared to newer stores car parking provision is relatively poor.
"We came to the conclusion there were no suitable viable sites to meet our needs in the town centre. The new Aldi site will provide a significant improvement in environment on Power Station Road and the replacement store will be larger than the existing store.
"The new site allows our customers to make linked trips to Tesco and other stores and services in town. It will be of potential benefit to the town centre as a whole and provide more employment opportunities for local people." reports StokeonTrentLive.
Nick Hardy, an agent who spoke in support of the Lidl application, said: "The site itself will be simple and modern. The scheme will improve the appearance of the site and will also support up to 40 jobs.
"The application will provide a further discount food store for Rugeley, increasing consumer choice."
Click here to sign up to the daily BusinessLive email
Rugeley councillor Alan Dudson welcomed the plans.
He said: “When these new stores are built they can only be an asset to the area.”
Councillor Adrienne Fitzgerald added: “I think this is great. It will offer an easier shopping option for people on the power station estate.
“I still think the town will be busy – there are lots of lovely shops in the town centre. I think this will be an asset and an improvement to the town.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/rival-supermarket-chains-green-light-19649227
|
en
| 2021-01-18T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/3a28ff67cad16ed27611740fab7e1105f006048884510c1d1317e74b0f41a84c.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nRival supermarket chains Aldi and Lidl have been granted permission to build new stores on the same Staffordshire road.\nThe discount supermarkets both lodged plans to build new branches on Power Station Road in Rugeley.\nAnd Cannock Chase Council's planning committee approved both applications at a meeting last week - despite objections from fellow supermarket chains Tesco and Morrisons about the size of the stores and their impact on the town centre.\nThe plans will see Aldi relocate from its current branch on Market Street to the new site opposite Rugeley's Tesco store, while Lidl wants to build a new store on vacant land off Power Station Road and to the south of the Aldi and Tesco stores.\nRobin Williams, regional property director for Aldi, said: \"Aldi has been trading from the existing Rugeley store since 2001. While it remains popular, it is outdated and no longer meets standards. The current store is too small and compared to newer stores car parking provision is relatively poor.\n\"We came to the conclusion there were no suitable viable sites to meet our needs in the town centre. The new Aldi site will provide a significant improvement in environment on Power Station Road and the replacement store will be larger than the existing store.\n\"The new site allows our customers to make linked trips to Tesco and other stores and services in town. It will be of potential benefit to the town centre as a whole and provide more employment opportunities for local people.\" reports StokeonTrentLive.\nNick Hardy, an agent who spoke in support of the Lidl application, said: \"The site itself will be simple and modern. The scheme will improve the appearance of the site and will also support up to 40 jobs.\n\"The application will provide a further discount food store for Rugeley, increasing consumer choice.\"\nClick here to sign up to the daily BusinessLive email\nRugeley councillor Alan Dudson welcomed the plans.\nHe said: “When these new stores are built they can only be an asset to the area.”\nCouncillor Adrienne Fitzgerald added: “I think this is great. It will offer an easier shopping option for people on the power station estate.\n“I still think the town will be busy – there are lots of lovely shops in the town centre. I think this will be an asset and an improvement to the town.”",
"Rival supermarket chains get green light to build new stores on same Staffordshire road",
"Aldi and Lidl both want to open new branches in Rugeley"
] |
|
[
"Coreena Ford",
"Image",
"Eqs"
] | 2021-01-11T13:55:45 | null | 2021-01-11T13:02:49 |
The deal is Hebburn based eQs's first acquisition since completing an MBO and investment deal at the end of last year
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Ftechnology%2Ftyneside-ed-tech-firm-eqs-19602694.json
|
en
| null |
Tyneside ed-tech firm eQS snaps up Devon firm Amano Technologies
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Tech Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A South Tyneside education specialist has made its first acquisition, two weeks after completing a management buyout and £20m investment deal.
Hebburn-based eQuality Solutions (eQS) has snapped up Amano Technologies, based in Devon, in moves it says put the company on track to achieve its turnover target of £20m by 2023.
The education technology specialist for inclusivity and mental wellbeing said it acquired Amano Technologies, in West Devon Business Park, Tavistock, to expand its geographic reach and to add capabilities in the education and workplace support market.
The acquisition marks eQS’s first step in an ambitious ‘buy and build’ strategy, supported with the £20m funding from London-based Shard Credit Partners, and aimed at expanding its specialist technology and service offering.
Amano’s 10 Devon-based staff and 160 consultants based across the South West will join eQS’ 120-strong team.
eQS provides assistive technology equipment, training and software that help to remove barriers to learning, and following the acquisition of Amano, it also provides learning support services known as non-medical help (NMH).
Amano’s services cover a range of one-to-one learning support services, designed to help study skills tutors, mental health mentors and British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters.
eQS CEO Andy Gough said: “Amano has an outstanding reputation for providing high quality services that improve people’s chances at life and the genuine care of its staff and company culture in maintaining these quality standards, reflects how we work at eQS. The undeniable synergy between our companies made this feel like a natural fit for both companies.
“We plan to double the Amano contribution to the eQS group over the next two years by investing heavily in marketing and utilising our existing sales channels.
“Our aim long-term is to build a national presence offering innovative, high-quality, specialist services, all led from our North East base.”
Amano cofounders Graham Coiley and Paul Wood launched the business 10 years ago and, having been approached by eQS, made the decision to sell the business earlier than planned.
Mr Coiley said: “The inclusion of Amano into the eQS family will give Amano much greater scope for growth in the future.
“We know the eQS team well, they are a professional company who share our approach to student support, particularly around quality and innovation.
“We are very proud that eQS plans to preserve and enhance the Amano reputation, continuing to use our fantastic systems and understanding the value of our committed consultants. We are excited to follow the future of Amano as its specialist support reaches even more people across the UK.”
Advising eQS on the acquisition was Newcastle-based RG Corporate Finance (RGCF), while legal advice was provided by Ward Hadaway.
RGCF partner and head of corporate finance Carl Swansbury said: “The acquisition of Amano is the first step in the fast-track growth plans eQS has set for the next three years.
“The team at RGCF will be actively identifying further acquisition opportunities, particularly of businesses that provide specialist disability and mental wellbeing services to the private sector and have their own proprietary software that can add value to eQS’ capabilities. We look forward to helping the eQS management team scale the business over the coming months.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/tyneside-ed-tech-firm-eqs-19602694
|
en
| 2021-01-11T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/585a4a75ba4e07703601db8fee9328eb0bc95eb746df7e3ba677528d442010bf.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Tech Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA South Tyneside education specialist has made its first acquisition, two weeks after completing a management buyout and £20m investment deal.\nHebburn-based eQuality Solutions (eQS) has snapped up Amano Technologies, based in Devon, in moves it says put the company on track to achieve its turnover target of £20m by 2023.\nThe education technology specialist for inclusivity and mental wellbeing said it acquired Amano Technologies, in West Devon Business Park, Tavistock, to expand its geographic reach and to add capabilities in the education and workplace support market.\nThe acquisition marks eQS’s first step in an ambitious ‘buy and build’ strategy, supported with the £20m funding from London-based Shard Credit Partners, and aimed at expanding its specialist technology and service offering.\nAmano’s 10 Devon-based staff and 160 consultants based across the South West will join eQS’ 120-strong team.\neQS provides assistive technology equipment, training and software that help to remove barriers to learning, and following the acquisition of Amano, it also provides learning support services known as non-medical help (NMH).\nAmano’s services cover a range of one-to-one learning support services, designed to help study skills tutors, mental health mentors and British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters.\neQS CEO Andy Gough said: “Amano has an outstanding reputation for providing high quality services that improve people’s chances at life and the genuine care of its staff and company culture in maintaining these quality standards, reflects how we work at eQS. The undeniable synergy between our companies made this feel like a natural fit for both companies.\n“We plan to double the Amano contribution to the eQS group over the next two years by investing heavily in marketing and utilising our existing sales channels.\n“Our aim long-term is to build a national presence offering innovative, high-quality, specialist services, all led from our North East base.”\nAmano cofounders Graham Coiley and Paul Wood launched the business 10 years ago and, having been approached by eQS, made the decision to sell the business earlier than planned.\nMr Coiley said: “The inclusion of Amano into the eQS family will give Amano much greater scope for growth in the future.\n“We know the eQS team well, they are a professional company who share our approach to student support, particularly around quality and innovation.\n“We are very proud that eQS plans to preserve and enhance the Amano reputation, continuing to use our fantastic systems and understanding the value of our committed consultants. We are excited to follow the future of Amano as its specialist support reaches even more people across the UK.”\nAdvising eQS on the acquisition was Newcastle-based RG Corporate Finance (RGCF), while legal advice was provided by Ward Hadaway.\nRGCF partner and head of corporate finance Carl Swansbury said: “The acquisition of Amano is the first step in the fast-track growth plans eQS has set for the next three years.\n“The team at RGCF will be actively identifying further acquisition opportunities, particularly of businesses that provide specialist disability and mental wellbeing services to the private sector and have their own proprietary software that can add value to eQS’ capabilities. We look forward to helping the eQS management team scale the business over the coming months.”",
"Tyneside ed-tech firm eQS snaps up Devon firm Amano Technologies",
"The deal is Hebburn based eQs's first acquisition since completing an MBO and investment deal at the end of last year"
] |
|
[
"Alistair Houghton"
] | 2021-01-04T05:27:28 | null | 2021-01-04T05:00:00 |
From social enterprises to household names, our teams across England and Wales have been finding out which companies might make the news in 2021
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fcompanies-watch-2021-businesslive-looks-19549561.json
|
en
| null |
Companies to watch in 2021: BusinessLive looks forward to the year in business
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Enterprise Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
BusinessLive aims to bring you the best business stories from across England and Wales - and as we leave the turmoil of 2021 behind, we thought we'd look ahead at what companies might make the news in 2021.
Across the country, our expert reporters and editors has been asking which companies readers should look out for in 2021.
In the North East, the firms range from social enterprise The Skill Mill, which aims to train offenders and break the cycle of offending, to cryptocurrency firm Bottlepay,
In Wales we've covered firms from His Dark Materials producer Bad Wolf through to Mid Wales-based honey producer, Hilltop.
In the North West, the region's business leaders nominated a list of companies including Farm Urban, rapid-growth fintech firm Collctiv and playground equipment manufacturer Playdale.
We also asked business leaders in the West Midlands for their suggestions - and they came up with names from battery giant Britishvolt to retailer Loki Wine. In Staffordshire, our experts discuss businesses from 147-year-old Goodwins Jewellers to garden building manufacturer Round Peg Outdoor Buildings, which celebrates its first birthday this month.
In the East Midlands our list includes multiple award-winning ExpHand Prosthetics, anti-bacterial technology specialist Micro-Fresh and earbud designers Tzuka.
Meanwhile in the South West, companies to watch range from household names like Dyson and The Range to growing companies like brownie maker Hetty's Kitchen.
Remember you can stay in touch with BusinessLive by signing up to our free email newsletters.
And you can also keep up with us on Twitter and on LinkedIn.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/companies-watch-2021-businesslive-looks-19549561
|
en
| 2021-01-04T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/04aa9301242afb786fab918da3be1ce7d2150fbad12b24ff761f6a0d7001e8ee.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Enterprise Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nBusinessLive aims to bring you the best business stories from across England and Wales - and as we leave the turmoil of 2021 behind, we thought we'd look ahead at what companies might make the news in 2021.\nAcross the country, our expert reporters and editors has been asking which companies readers should look out for in 2021.\nIn the North East, the firms range from social enterprise The Skill Mill, which aims to train offenders and break the cycle of offending, to cryptocurrency firm Bottlepay,\nIn Wales we've covered firms from His Dark Materials producer Bad Wolf through to Mid Wales-based honey producer, Hilltop.\nIn the North West, the region's business leaders nominated a list of companies including Farm Urban, rapid-growth fintech firm Collctiv and playground equipment manufacturer Playdale.\nWe also asked business leaders in the West Midlands for their suggestions - and they came up with names from battery giant Britishvolt to retailer Loki Wine. In Staffordshire, our experts discuss businesses from 147-year-old Goodwins Jewellers to garden building manufacturer Round Peg Outdoor Buildings, which celebrates its first birthday this month.\nIn the East Midlands our list includes multiple award-winning ExpHand Prosthetics, anti-bacterial technology specialist Micro-Fresh and earbud designers Tzuka.\nMeanwhile in the South West, companies to watch range from household names like Dyson and The Range to growing companies like brownie maker Hetty's Kitchen.\nRemember you can stay in touch with BusinessLive by signing up to our free email newsletters.\nAnd you can also keep up with us on Twitter and on LinkedIn.",
"Companies to watch in 2021: BusinessLive looks forward to the year in business",
"From social enterprises to household names, our teams across England and Wales have been finding out which companies might make the news in 2021"
] |
|
[
"Owen Hughes",
"Image",
"Getty Images"
] | 2021-01-21T14:58:15 | null | 2021-01-21T13:59:09 |
The latest regulations came over concerns some stores were not following guidance
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Fnew-welsh-government-retail-rules-19671503.json
|
en
| null |
New Welsh Government retail rules have gone live with calls for more notice on future changes
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The new retail rules to help control the spread of coronavirus in stores have gone live in Wales.
First Minister Mark Drakeford announced the new measures last Friday over concerns some retailers weren't following guidance as strictly as during the spring lockdown.
Those rules have now gone into law with ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) saying retailers should have been kept better informed about the exact details of the changes.
All retail stores in Wales are now required to do the following:
Introduce measures for controlling entry to the premises and limiting the number of customers who are on the premises at one time.
Provide hand sanitisation products or hand washing facilities for use of customers when they enter the premises.
Introduce measures to sanitise any baskets, trolleys or similar containers provided for use by customers on the premises.
Remind customers to maintain distance of 2m between each other and wear a face covering. This should be done by displaying signs and other visual aids and making announcements on a regular basis.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Local shops in Wales have already been implementing many of the new measures that have been set out in the amended regulations to keep customers and colleagues safe throughout the pandemic.
"However, the new specifics around controlling entry to the premises and sanitising trolleys require additional resources and staff time which for many of the smallest stores is not something that can just be implemented straight away.
“The lack of communication from the Welsh Government means retailers are now reading regulations and trying to devise stop gap solutions rather than focusing on helping customers and colleagues, and maintaining Covid-safe sites – something they have done superbly over the past year.
"We need better consultation and some notice period to allow stores to prepare.”
Sign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.
As well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.
Speaking last week Mr Drakeford said: “Ministers have also met this week with key retailers to discuss their vital role during the pandemic. They set out the actions they are taking from providing sanitisers for hands and trolleys on entry; limiting the numbers in store at any one time; and making regular announcements reminding people to keep their distance from others.
“We will strengthen regulations to ensure retailers take these steps so that their premises are as safe as possible for shoppers and their employees alike. Many are already operating high standards and we need to raise the bar for those who could and should improve."
To have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/new-welsh-government-retail-rules-19671503
|
en
| 2021-01-21T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/8855e63b0a5dc54ce87b91084b3a4a54b409a3b9c926737edebdee92d959c208.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe new retail rules to help control the spread of coronavirus in stores have gone live in Wales.\nFirst Minister Mark Drakeford announced the new measures last Friday over concerns some retailers weren't following guidance as strictly as during the spring lockdown.\nThose rules have now gone into law with ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) saying retailers should have been kept better informed about the exact details of the changes.\nAll retail stores in Wales are now required to do the following:\nIntroduce measures for controlling entry to the premises and limiting the number of customers who are on the premises at one time.\nProvide hand sanitisation products or hand washing facilities for use of customers when they enter the premises.\nIntroduce measures to sanitise any baskets, trolleys or similar containers provided for use by customers on the premises.\nRemind customers to maintain distance of 2m between each other and wear a face covering. This should be done by displaying signs and other visual aids and making announcements on a regular basis.\nACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Local shops in Wales have already been implementing many of the new measures that have been set out in the amended regulations to keep customers and colleagues safe throughout the pandemic.\n\"However, the new specifics around controlling entry to the premises and sanitising trolleys require additional resources and staff time which for many of the smallest stores is not something that can just be implemented straight away.\n“The lack of communication from the Welsh Government means retailers are now reading regulations and trying to devise stop gap solutions rather than focusing on helping customers and colleagues, and maintaining Covid-safe sites – something they have done superbly over the past year.\n\"We need better consultation and some notice period to allow stores to prepare.”\nSign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.\nAs well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.\nSpeaking last week Mr Drakeford said: “Ministers have also met this week with key retailers to discuss their vital role during the pandemic. They set out the actions they are taking from providing sanitisers for hands and trolleys on entry; limiting the numbers in store at any one time; and making regular announcements reminding people to keep their distance from others.\n“We will strengthen regulations to ensure retailers take these steps so that their premises are as safe as possible for shoppers and their employees alike. Many are already operating high standards and we need to raise the bar for those who could and should improve.\"\nTo have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article",
"New Welsh Government retail rules have gone live with calls for more notice on future changes",
"The latest regulations came over concerns some stores were not following guidance"
] |
|
[
"Owen Hughes"
] | 2021-01-20T09:40:11 | null | 2021-01-20T09:15:23 |
Williams and Goodwin bosses say wider economic support would benefit more people
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Festate-agency-says-keep-people-19661250.json
|
en
| null |
Estate agency says 'keep people in jobs' to help housing market rather than extend homebuyer tax break
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Bosses at a North Wales estate agency believe wider support for the economy and keeping people in jobs will be the best boost for the housing market - rather than extending Land Transaction Tax relief.
Welsh Government increased the threshold for when you start playing Land Transaction Tax(LTT) - the Welsh version of stamp duty - on a house purchase from £180,000 to £250,000 last July to help stimulate the housing market.
The temporary measure is due to end in April with some campaigners calling for it to be extended - including Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders, who called it a tax “on aspiration and opportunity”.
But Melfyn Williams and Tim Goodwin at Williams and Goodwin estate agents said they believe wider economic support measures that kept Welsh workers in jobs would be the best way to ensure the housing markets remains buoyant.
They said: “The Land Transaction Tax (LTT) concession in place is currently due to end on 31st March 2021.
“Whilst campaigners are calling for this to be extended or at least have a softer ending rather than the proposed ‘cliff edge’ stop date, the impact here in Wales is expected to be less than across the border.
“In Wales the concession was on main residence property only, up to £250,000, while across the border buyers on property up to £500,000 have been benefiting from the concession. The pressure is now on for those to purchase before the deadline.
“Once this tinkering with the market has ended there may be a small pause in activity however we do believe that all else being equal the traditional spring market will continue as for whatever reason people we will still need to find a home and others will have to move.
“What is likely to have the greatest impact in the coming months in the property market will be employment and any redundancies which may appear as furlough schemes and other business support packages are finished.
“For the wider economy, it may be better for the furlough scheme to be extended rather than LTT (stamp duty). This in our view would benefit more people and the whole economy.”
They added: “The fundamentals of the economy remain very sound and it is this, more than any other influence, that supports the property market.
“That stamp duty concession was helpful, but it would not have prompted people to move unless they actually had a strong desire to do so based on market confidence and their personal lifestyle preferences.”
Sign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.
As well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.
The House of Commons has confirmed there will be a debate about stamp duty after a petition on the UK Government’s website for the current stamp duty holiday until September 2021 secured enough signatures for it to be considered for debate in Parliament.
If the UK Government did extend the stamp duty holiday in England, then Welsh Government would receive a Barnett consequential from this.
The UK Government has previously said it did not intend to extend this “temporary” measure.
To have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/estate-agency-says-keep-people-19661250
|
en
| 2021-01-20T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/a3b3e021ee02bec55b14d2aeecab612e8701362750222d7e52f7b18897bba285.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nBosses at a North Wales estate agency believe wider support for the economy and keeping people in jobs will be the best boost for the housing market - rather than extending Land Transaction Tax relief.\nWelsh Government increased the threshold for when you start playing Land Transaction Tax(LTT) - the Welsh version of stamp duty - on a house purchase from £180,000 to £250,000 last July to help stimulate the housing market.\nThe temporary measure is due to end in April with some campaigners calling for it to be extended - including Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders, who called it a tax “on aspiration and opportunity”.\nBut Melfyn Williams and Tim Goodwin at Williams and Goodwin estate agents said they believe wider economic support measures that kept Welsh workers in jobs would be the best way to ensure the housing markets remains buoyant.\nThey said: “The Land Transaction Tax (LTT) concession in place is currently due to end on 31st March 2021.\n“Whilst campaigners are calling for this to be extended or at least have a softer ending rather than the proposed ‘cliff edge’ stop date, the impact here in Wales is expected to be less than across the border.\n“In Wales the concession was on main residence property only, up to £250,000, while across the border buyers on property up to £500,000 have been benefiting from the concession. The pressure is now on for those to purchase before the deadline.\n“Once this tinkering with the market has ended there may be a small pause in activity however we do believe that all else being equal the traditional spring market will continue as for whatever reason people we will still need to find a home and others will have to move.\n“What is likely to have the greatest impact in the coming months in the property market will be employment and any redundancies which may appear as furlough schemes and other business support packages are finished.\n“For the wider economy, it may be better for the furlough scheme to be extended rather than LTT (stamp duty). This in our view would benefit more people and the whole economy.”\nThey added: “The fundamentals of the economy remain very sound and it is this, more than any other influence, that supports the property market.\n“That stamp duty concession was helpful, but it would not have prompted people to move unless they actually had a strong desire to do so based on market confidence and their personal lifestyle preferences.”\nSign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.\nAs well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.\nThe House of Commons has confirmed there will be a debate about stamp duty after a petition on the UK Government’s website for the current stamp duty holiday until September 2021 secured enough signatures for it to be considered for debate in Parliament.\nIf the UK Government did extend the stamp duty holiday in England, then Welsh Government would receive a Barnett consequential from this.\nThe UK Government has previously said it did not intend to extend this “temporary” measure.\nTo have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article",
"Estate agency says 'keep people in jobs' to help housing market rather than extend homebuyer tax break",
"Williams and Goodwin bosses say wider economic support would benefit more people"
] |
|
[
"Owen Hughes"
] | 2021-01-12T15:22:37 | null | 2021-01-12T13:48:18 |
The supermarket giant is taking additional action to tackle the spread of coronavirus
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Ftesco-bans-maskless-shoppers-entering-19610191.json
|
en
| null |
Tesco bans maskless shoppers from entering stores and will bring in extra security
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Retail & Consumer Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Tesco will ban shoppers not wearing face masks and beef up security in a bid to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Supermarket chains Morrisons and Sainsbury's yesterday announced measures to ensure masks are worn in stores.
Now Tesco has now also updated its advice amid government concerns that social distancing measures are not being adhered to in supermarkets.
A Tesco spokesman said: “Since the start of the pandemic, we have focused on ensuring everyone can get the food they need in a safe environment.
“To protect our customers and colleagues, we won’t let anyone into our stores who is not wearing a face covering, unless they are exempt in line with Government guidance.
"We are also asking our customers to shop alone, unless they’re a carer or with children.
"To support our colleagues, we will have additional security in stores to help manage this.
“Our colleagues are working hard in difficult circumstances to make sure everyone can get what they need, and we’d ask everyone to please be kind, patient and respectful as we all work to keep each other safe.”
To have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/tesco-bans-maskless-shoppers-entering-19610191
|
en
| 2021-01-12T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/cdfbea1d94cb903ff8eebd215eef59d9d54c78eaee54130b7e105d87f36f1ee2.json
|
[
"The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel\nSign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Retail & Consumer Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nTesco will ban shoppers not wearing face masks and beef up security in a bid to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.\nSupermarket chains Morrisons and Sainsbury's yesterday announced measures to ensure masks are worn in stores.\nNow Tesco has now also updated its advice amid government concerns that social distancing measures are not being adhered to in supermarkets.\nA Tesco spokesman said: “Since the start of the pandemic, we have focused on ensuring everyone can get the food they need in a safe environment.\n“To protect our customers and colleagues, we won’t let anyone into our stores who is not wearing a face covering, unless they are exempt in line with Government guidance.\n\"We are also asking our customers to shop alone, unless they’re a carer or with children.\n\"To support our colleagues, we will have additional security in stores to help manage this.\n“Our colleagues are working hard in difficult circumstances to make sure everyone can get what they need, and we’d ask everyone to please be kind, patient and respectful as we all work to keep each other safe.”\nTo have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article",
"Tesco bans maskless shoppers from entering stores and will bring in extra security",
"The supermarket giant is taking additional action to tackle the spread of coronavirus"
] |
|
[
"Graeme Whitfield",
"Image",
"Richard Waterhouse",
"C The Bigger Picture Agency Ltd"
] | 2021-01-19T14:26:19 | null | 2021-01-19T13:38:50 |
The Newcastle-based company, which was set up by RIBA in the 1970s, was taken over by Swedish firm Byggfakta at the end of last year
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Ftechnology%2Fconstruction-data-firm-nbs-set-19655964.json
|
en
| null |
Construction data firm NBS set for growth after equity-backed takeover
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The head of a Newcastle company sold in a multimillion-pound deal at the end of last year said its acquisition has left it well placed to be a global player in the data services market.
NBS, which is based in Newcastle’s old post office, provides technology for the architectural and construction sectors.
The company began life as the commercial arm of architecture body RIBA but was sold in November to Swedish technology group Byggfakta Group, in a deal backed by private equity firms Stirling Square Capital Partners and TA Associates.
The deal marked an exit for LDC, the equity arm of Lloyds Bank, which had invested in NBS in 2018 in a deal which valued the company at more than £85m. It is thought that its value has increased significantly since then.
NBS’ acquisition came just a few days after the company itself grew by taking over Australian firm SCL Schumann. It had also made an acquisition in Canada in 2017 as it developed its position as a leading English-language provider of construction information.
Chief strategy officer Richard Waterhouse said that Newcastle would remain NBS’ base despite the change in ownership, and that the link-up with Byggfakta offered opportunities for growth.
Mr Waterhouse said that “without a doubt we’ll expect to see more growth in terms of acquisitions and headcount as a result” of last year’s takeover.
He added: “NBS still remains a Newcastle business. This is the UK base for Byggfakta and there will be synergies between the businesses.
“We’re a business that’s all about construction data. Over the last year we’ve seen that data is crucial to how construction companies will improve and model buildings more effectively in the future.
“We’re the biggest provider of that data in the UK and having another private equity backer means there’s fantastic opportunities for NBS.
“We moved into the cloud as part of the LDC deal and the distributed working we’ve seen in the pandemic has pointed people to our cloud offering. We’ve shown we can continue to grow - spectacularly so - and we should see more of that coming forward.”
Mr Waterhouse said NBS had not been impacted by the Covid pandemic,with the firm being set up to switch to working-from-home easily.
The company benefited from its positioning in the provision of cloud-based technology, which is becoming more important to construction companies because of the pandemic.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/construction-data-firm-nbs-set-19655964
|
en
| 2021-01-19T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/88f9b0b532eb6d6fa535f6a727bf533c29b0e3f14791ff686c2b7f8d01ae05c9.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe head of a Newcastle company sold in a multimillion-pound deal at the end of last year said its acquisition has left it well placed to be a global player in the data services market.\nNBS, which is based in Newcastle’s old post office, provides technology for the architectural and construction sectors.\nThe company began life as the commercial arm of architecture body RIBA but was sold in November to Swedish technology group Byggfakta Group, in a deal backed by private equity firms Stirling Square Capital Partners and TA Associates.\nThe deal marked an exit for LDC, the equity arm of Lloyds Bank, which had invested in NBS in 2018 in a deal which valued the company at more than £85m. It is thought that its value has increased significantly since then.\nNBS’ acquisition came just a few days after the company itself grew by taking over Australian firm SCL Schumann. It had also made an acquisition in Canada in 2017 as it developed its position as a leading English-language provider of construction information.\nChief strategy officer Richard Waterhouse said that Newcastle would remain NBS’ base despite the change in ownership, and that the link-up with Byggfakta offered opportunities for growth.\nMr Waterhouse said that “without a doubt we’ll expect to see more growth in terms of acquisitions and headcount as a result” of last year’s takeover.\nHe added: “NBS still remains a Newcastle business. This is the UK base for Byggfakta and there will be synergies between the businesses.\n“We’re a business that’s all about construction data. Over the last year we’ve seen that data is crucial to how construction companies will improve and model buildings more effectively in the future.\n“We’re the biggest provider of that data in the UK and having another private equity backer means there’s fantastic opportunities for NBS.\n“We moved into the cloud as part of the LDC deal and the distributed working we’ve seen in the pandemic has pointed people to our cloud offering. We’ve shown we can continue to grow - spectacularly so - and we should see more of that coming forward.”\nMr Waterhouse said NBS had not been impacted by the Covid pandemic,with the firm being set up to switch to working-from-home easily.\nThe company benefited from its positioning in the provision of cloud-based technology, which is becoming more important to construction companies because of the pandemic.",
"Construction data firm NBS set for growth after equity-backed takeover",
"The Newcastle-based company, which was set up by RIBA in the 1970s, was taken over by Swedish firm Byggfakta at the end of last year"
] |
|
[
"Gareth Wyn-Williams",
"Image",
"Getty Images"
] | 2021-01-27T19:55:26 | null | 2021-01-27T19:25:19 |
Hitachi withdrew from the £16bn project after failing to reach a funding deal with UK Government
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fplanning-application-anglesey-nuclear-project-19714766.json
|
en
| null |
Planning application for Anglesey nuclear project withdrawn as developer pulls plug
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - National Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Developers behind Anglesey’s Wylfa Newydd have withdrawn their planning application for the £16bn project.
A failure to reach a funding agreement with the UK Government saw work ‘paused’ on the long awaited project in January 2019.
Ongoing troubles saw Hitachi announce last September that it was pulling out completely, initially leaving its Horizon Nuclear Power subsidiary to try and secure new investors for the site near Cemaes.
But with Horizon set to be wound up by the end of March 2021 and despite an expectation that the UK Government would announce a decision over the long delayed planning application by April 30, the company today informed the Planning Inspectorate that it was formally withdrawing its Development Consent Order (DCO) bid.
Established in 2018 with the first hearing held in October of that year, the five member panel was to consider and make a recommendation to the UK Government on whether the DCO for the main nuclear power station and other off-site integral developments should be permitted.
But in a letter to the Planning Inspectorate earlier today, Horizon announced it was formally withdrawing its application, citing a lack of “any definitive proposal” to transfer either Wylfa or its other site, at Oldbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire, to an alternative developer.
Describing Wylfa as “highly suitable” for nuclear new build and capable of “substantially supporting UK energy policy,” the company added it was “too important to the net zero agenda and the economic future of Anglesey and north Wales for that progress to be wasted.”
With plans now in place manage both sites under the control of its subsidiary, Hitachi Europe Limited, Horizon CEO Duncan Hawthorne concluded: “This will be done with a view to considering development proposals from commercial or public sector developers who may come forward, and Horizon will continue to support this intent until the end of March.
“Beyond this period Hitachi Europe will remain available to respond to any parties who may have an interest in acquiring these sites.”
Responding to the announcement, describing it as a “setback,” the island’s MP remains adamant of the UK Government’s commitment to establishing such a site on the island.
“This is by no means the end of our island’s ambition to have a new nuclear power station on this site, which is a world-class place to install this energy,” said Virginia Crosbie.
“The UK government remains completely committed to nuclear power at Wylfa Newydd as am I. However, the fact is work could not continue without a developer.
“We have experienced a setback and I share the disappointment of the Anglesey community who have been so supportive of the project and who very much wanted to see the jobs and investment on our island.”
She concluded, “My job now is to help find new developers with new ambitions to invest in this site using the latest nuclear technology.
“Wylfa Newydd is here ready and waiting for someone to take it forward. It will support the government’s 2050 net zero carbon goal, its levelling up agenda and it will stimulate the UK’s nuclear supply chain.
“Most importantly, the support of the community is fantastic, the government support is steadfast and I will do everything I can to ensure it becomes a reality. We go again.”
The leader of Anglesey Council, meanwhile, spoke of her “immense disappointment” at the news, describing the decision as a “real blow” for the future economic prosperity of north Anglesey in particular.
Cllr Llinos Medi went on to say, “We simply cannot let these long years of effort and hard work be for nothing; our young people and communities expect and deserve far better opportunities.
“The Wylfa site still remains one of the best in Europe and I would now urge the UK Government to work towards securing a credible way of financing new nuclear and deliver its energy policy.
“The county council will continue working with UK and Welsh Governments, and regional partners, to bring new investment and employment to Anglesey.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/planning-application-anglesey-nuclear-project-19714766
|
en
| 2021-01-27T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/72900a27bf94dacfafb8ac28667131f8a6d9cfb541c94ff071bc40ce56564b45.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - National Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nDevelopers behind Anglesey’s Wylfa Newydd have withdrawn their planning application for the £16bn project.\nA failure to reach a funding agreement with the UK Government saw work ‘paused’ on the long awaited project in January 2019.\nOngoing troubles saw Hitachi announce last September that it was pulling out completely, initially leaving its Horizon Nuclear Power subsidiary to try and secure new investors for the site near Cemaes.\nBut with Horizon set to be wound up by the end of March 2021 and despite an expectation that the UK Government would announce a decision over the long delayed planning application by April 30, the company today informed the Planning Inspectorate that it was formally withdrawing its Development Consent Order (DCO) bid.\nEstablished in 2018 with the first hearing held in October of that year, the five member panel was to consider and make a recommendation to the UK Government on whether the DCO for the main nuclear power station and other off-site integral developments should be permitted.\nBut in a letter to the Planning Inspectorate earlier today, Horizon announced it was formally withdrawing its application, citing a lack of “any definitive proposal” to transfer either Wylfa or its other site, at Oldbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire, to an alternative developer.\nDescribing Wylfa as “highly suitable” for nuclear new build and capable of “substantially supporting UK energy policy,” the company added it was “too important to the net zero agenda and the economic future of Anglesey and north Wales for that progress to be wasted.”\nWith plans now in place manage both sites under the control of its subsidiary, Hitachi Europe Limited, Horizon CEO Duncan Hawthorne concluded: “This will be done with a view to considering development proposals from commercial or public sector developers who may come forward, and Horizon will continue to support this intent until the end of March.\n“Beyond this period Hitachi Europe will remain available to respond to any parties who may have an interest in acquiring these sites.”\nResponding to the announcement, describing it as a “setback,” the island’s MP remains adamant of the UK Government’s commitment to establishing such a site on the island.\n“This is by no means the end of our island’s ambition to have a new nuclear power station on this site, which is a world-class place to install this energy,” said Virginia Crosbie.\n“The UK government remains completely committed to nuclear power at Wylfa Newydd as am I. However, the fact is work could not continue without a developer.\n“We have experienced a setback and I share the disappointment of the Anglesey community who have been so supportive of the project and who very much wanted to see the jobs and investment on our island.”\nShe concluded, “My job now is to help find new developers with new ambitions to invest in this site using the latest nuclear technology.\n“Wylfa Newydd is here ready and waiting for someone to take it forward. It will support the government’s 2050 net zero carbon goal, its levelling up agenda and it will stimulate the UK’s nuclear supply chain.\n“Most importantly, the support of the community is fantastic, the government support is steadfast and I will do everything I can to ensure it becomes a reality. We go again.”\nThe leader of Anglesey Council, meanwhile, spoke of her “immense disappointment” at the news, describing the decision as a “real blow” for the future economic prosperity of north Anglesey in particular.\nCllr Llinos Medi went on to say, “We simply cannot let these long years of effort and hard work be for nothing; our young people and communities expect and deserve far better opportunities.\n“The Wylfa site still remains one of the best in Europe and I would now urge the UK Government to work towards securing a credible way of financing new nuclear and deliver its energy policy.\n“The county council will continue working with UK and Welsh Governments, and regional partners, to bring new investment and employment to Anglesey.”",
"Planning application for Anglesey nuclear project withdrawn as developer pulls plug",
"Hitachi withdrew from the £16bn project after failing to reach a funding deal with UK Government"
] |
|
[
"William Telford"
] | 2021-01-21T09:09:24 | null | 2021-01-21T09:00:00 |
Tavistock's Amano Student Support is firs in eQS's 'buy and build' expansion strategy
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Ftechnology%2Fdevon-student-support-firm-snapped-19661664.json
|
en
| null |
Devon student support firm snapped up by North East tech specialist
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A Devon-headquartered student support firm has been acquired by a national disability and mental health technology specialist with a plan to reach new markets.
Tavistock’s Amano Student Support has been snapped up by the North East’s eQuality Solutions (eQS), expanding the combined organisations’ capabilities to offer a complete end-to-end service for students with disabilities across the UK.
eQS plans to invest in and provide greater security to South West-based staff, launch new products and expand the reach of existing services at Amano.
The acquisition will take the turnover for the eQS group beyond £8million and the addition of Amano is the first step towards the company’s three-year target of £20million turnover as part of its “buy and build” strategy, which will add specialist technology and capabilities in disability and mental wellness support.
Amano’s current team of 10 Devon-based staff and 160 consultants located across the South West will join eQS’ 120-strong team.
eQS provides assistive technology equipment, training and software that help to remove barriers to learning, and now, following the acquisition of Amano, learning support services known as non-medical help (NMH).
Amano’s specialist NMH services cover a range of one-to-one learning support services designed to improve educational outcomes, such as study skills tutors, mental health mentors, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters and more.
eQS chief executive Andy Gough said: “Amano has an outstanding reputation for providing high quality services that improve people’s chances at life and the genuine care of its staff and company culture in maintaining these quality standards, reflects how we work at eQS. The undeniable synergy between our companies made this feel like a natural fit for both companies.
“We plan to double the Amano contribution to the eQS group over the next two years by investing heavily in marketing and utilising our existing sales channels.
“Our aim long-term is to build a national presence offering innovative, high-quality, specialist services, all led from our North East base.”
Amano co-founders Graham Coiley and Paul Wood launched the business 10 years ago and, having been approached by eQS, made the decision to sell the business earlier than planned, seeing the potential for business and staff development associated with this opportunity.
Mr Coiley said: “The inclusion of Amano into the eQS family will give Amano much greater scope for growth in the future.
“We know the eQS team well, they are a professional company who share our approach to student support, particularly around quality and innovation.
“We are very proud that eQS plans to preserve and enhance the Amano reputation, continuing to use our fantastic systems and understanding the value of our committed consultants. We are excited to follow the future of Amano as its specialist support reaches even more people across the UK.”
How to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here
Advising eQS on the acquisition of Amano Technologies was Newcastle-based RG Corporate Finance (RGCF), led by partner and head of corporate finance Carl Swansbury. He was supported by corporate finance senior manager Rhiannon Nightingale and corporate finance assistant Ben Kain.
The acquisition is the first step in the company’s ambitious “buy and build” strategy, supported with funding from London-based Shard Credit Partners, and aimed at expanding its specialist technology and service offering, opening up channels into new markets and creating greater scalability.
Strategic tax advice was provided by RGCF’s business tax partner Simon Whiteside and director, Simon Hopwood. financial and tax due diligence was provided by RGCF’s audit and assurance partner, Grahame Maughan and director, Andrew Cameron.
Legal advice was provided by Ward Hadaway, led by corporate partner, Tom Pollard. He was supported by corporate solicitors Liam Stubbs and Jamie Guy.
eQS has also engaged RGCF to support its ongoing acquisition strategy. Mr Swansbury said: “The acquisition of Amano is the first step in the fast-track growth plans eQS has set for the next three years.
“The team at RGCF will be actively identifying further acquisition opportunities, particularly of businesses that provide specialist disability and mental wellbeing services to the private sector and have their own proprietary software that can add value to eQS’ capabilities.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/devon-student-support-firm-snapped-19661664
|
en
| 2021-01-21T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/05ae6267352936d476f67b25e325f26e5b13fd7dcfb3fe00bdbc5d6ae79716a8.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA Devon-headquartered student support firm has been acquired by a national disability and mental health technology specialist with a plan to reach new markets.\nTavistock’s Amano Student Support has been snapped up by the North East’s eQuality Solutions (eQS), expanding the combined organisations’ capabilities to offer a complete end-to-end service for students with disabilities across the UK.\neQS plans to invest in and provide greater security to South West-based staff, launch new products and expand the reach of existing services at Amano.\nThe acquisition will take the turnover for the eQS group beyond £8million and the addition of Amano is the first step towards the company’s three-year target of £20million turnover as part of its “buy and build” strategy, which will add specialist technology and capabilities in disability and mental wellness support.\nAmano’s current team of 10 Devon-based staff and 160 consultants located across the South West will join eQS’ 120-strong team.\neQS provides assistive technology equipment, training and software that help to remove barriers to learning, and now, following the acquisition of Amano, learning support services known as non-medical help (NMH).\nAmano’s specialist NMH services cover a range of one-to-one learning support services designed to improve educational outcomes, such as study skills tutors, mental health mentors, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters and more.\neQS chief executive Andy Gough said: “Amano has an outstanding reputation for providing high quality services that improve people’s chances at life and the genuine care of its staff and company culture in maintaining these quality standards, reflects how we work at eQS. The undeniable synergy between our companies made this feel like a natural fit for both companies.\n“We plan to double the Amano contribution to the eQS group over the next two years by investing heavily in marketing and utilising our existing sales channels.\n“Our aim long-term is to build a national presence offering innovative, high-quality, specialist services, all led from our North East base.”\nAmano co-founders Graham Coiley and Paul Wood launched the business 10 years ago and, having been approached by eQS, made the decision to sell the business earlier than planned, seeing the potential for business and staff development associated with this opportunity.\nMr Coiley said: “The inclusion of Amano into the eQS family will give Amano much greater scope for growth in the future.\n“We know the eQS team well, they are a professional company who share our approach to student support, particularly around quality and innovation.\n“We are very proud that eQS plans to preserve and enhance the Amano reputation, continuing to use our fantastic systems and understanding the value of our committed consultants. We are excited to follow the future of Amano as its specialist support reaches even more people across the UK.”\nHow to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here\nAdvising eQS on the acquisition of Amano Technologies was Newcastle-based RG Corporate Finance (RGCF), led by partner and head of corporate finance Carl Swansbury. He was supported by corporate finance senior manager Rhiannon Nightingale and corporate finance assistant Ben Kain.\nThe acquisition is the first step in the company’s ambitious “buy and build” strategy, supported with funding from London-based Shard Credit Partners, and aimed at expanding its specialist technology and service offering, opening up channels into new markets and creating greater scalability.\nStrategic tax advice was provided by RGCF’s business tax partner Simon Whiteside and director, Simon Hopwood. financial and tax due diligence was provided by RGCF’s audit and assurance partner, Grahame Maughan and director, Andrew Cameron.\nLegal advice was provided by Ward Hadaway, led by corporate partner, Tom Pollard. He was supported by corporate solicitors Liam Stubbs and Jamie Guy.\neQS has also engaged RGCF to support its ongoing acquisition strategy. Mr Swansbury said: “The acquisition of Amano is the first step in the fast-track growth plans eQS has set for the next three years.\n“The team at RGCF will be actively identifying further acquisition opportunities, particularly of businesses that provide specialist disability and mental wellbeing services to the private sector and have their own proprietary software that can add value to eQS’ capabilities.”",
"Devon student support firm snapped up by North East tech specialist",
"Tavistock's Amano Student Support is firs in eQS's 'buy and build' expansion strategy"
] |
|
[
"Tom Houghton"
] | 2021-01-18T06:22:55 | null | 2021-01-18T05:00:00 |
It's close to expanding its international network of offices into Australia and New Zealand
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fports-logistics%2Fcardinal-maritime-ceo-asks-colleagues-19631715.json
|
en
| null |
Cardinal Maritime CEO asks colleagues to help logistics giant become £200m business by 2022
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The CEO of a growing Manchester logistics firm has asked his 400 employees to help it become a £200m company by 2022.
Brian Hay of Cardinal Maritime expects to reach its target through organic growth and acquisitions in an “unprecedented” market.
Mr Hay said that while the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt the natural rhythms of global container freight, he expects demand for consumer products to drive the industry forward.
With turnover expected at £143m for 2020, Mr Hay said he is now planning to launch 'Project 200' - to "galvanise" the group’s 400-strong team behind the £200m vision.
He said: “In the 22 years I have spent at Cardinal, I have never known the market like this; it’s unprecedented.
“The ships are full, and freight rates are high; not just because of demand, but also the fact that equipment has been displaced as a result of Covid-19.
“Cardinal is busy, some of our competitors are busy, and a lot of our clients are having the best years they have ever had. We don’t see that in the press, because there are understandably some tragic examples of people losing their businesses, but it’s not the whole story.”
Mr Hay said the idea behind Project 200 came following a conversation with James Timpson, CEO of multinational retailer Timpson.
He said: “James advised me that we needed a project, something to help people focus on the goal we were going for. That’s when Project 100 was born, and it really worked.
“We’re going to do the same again, and people will be rewarded for their achievements that help us get there. It’s a nice way of communicating that the business is focused on growth and that there are opportunities for all of us.
Sign up for your free BusinessLive North West newsletter BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the North West- and you can stay in touch with all the latest news from Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. By bringing together North West coverage with that from across Reach’s titles in England and Wales, BusinessLive will shine a spotlight on the entrepreneurs, the stars of the future and the small firms that are the backbone of our economy. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
“For mid-sized businesses, with a rich sense of culture, I think we continue to perform very well.”
Cardinal Maritime has 21 offices around the world and is close to agreeing a deal that will see the brand expand into Australia and New Zealand, adding a further five offices to the list
At the end of 2020, Far Logistics, which is part owned by the group, also announced a deal to buy Candour Logistics in Warrington.
Cardinal Maritime was named as a winner at the 2018 MEN Business of the Year Awards, in the £50m to £100m turnover category.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/ports-logistics/cardinal-maritime-ceo-asks-colleagues-19631715
|
en
| 2021-01-18T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/4f6f4955b31bc1afcc7fba7496efefe789a27ac1a740046e0da6200884ec2a3e.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe CEO of a growing Manchester logistics firm has asked his 400 employees to help it become a £200m company by 2022.\nBrian Hay of Cardinal Maritime expects to reach its target through organic growth and acquisitions in an “unprecedented” market.\nMr Hay said that while the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt the natural rhythms of global container freight, he expects demand for consumer products to drive the industry forward.\nWith turnover expected at £143m for 2020, Mr Hay said he is now planning to launch 'Project 200' - to \"galvanise\" the group’s 400-strong team behind the £200m vision.\nHe said: “In the 22 years I have spent at Cardinal, I have never known the market like this; it’s unprecedented.\n“The ships are full, and freight rates are high; not just because of demand, but also the fact that equipment has been displaced as a result of Covid-19.\n“Cardinal is busy, some of our competitors are busy, and a lot of our clients are having the best years they have ever had. We don’t see that in the press, because there are understandably some tragic examples of people losing their businesses, but it’s not the whole story.”\nMr Hay said the idea behind Project 200 came following a conversation with James Timpson, CEO of multinational retailer Timpson.\nHe said: “James advised me that we needed a project, something to help people focus on the goal we were going for. That’s when Project 100 was born, and it really worked.\n“We’re going to do the same again, and people will be rewarded for their achievements that help us get there. It’s a nice way of communicating that the business is focused on growth and that there are opportunities for all of us.\nSign up for your free BusinessLive North West newsletter BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the North West- and you can stay in touch with all the latest news from Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. By bringing together North West coverage with that from across Reach’s titles in England and Wales, BusinessLive will shine a spotlight on the entrepreneurs, the stars of the future and the small firms that are the backbone of our economy. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\n“For mid-sized businesses, with a rich sense of culture, I think we continue to perform very well.”\nCardinal Maritime has 21 offices around the world and is close to agreeing a deal that will see the brand expand into Australia and New Zealand, adding a further five offices to the list\nAt the end of 2020, Far Logistics, which is part owned by the group, also announced a deal to buy Candour Logistics in Warrington.\nCardinal Maritime was named as a winner at the 2018 MEN Business of the Year Awards, in the £50m to £100m turnover category.",
"Cardinal Maritime CEO asks colleagues to help logistics giant become £200m business by 2022",
"It's close to expanding its international network of offices into Australia and New Zealand"
] |
|
[
"Tom Houghton",
"Image",
"Colin Lane Liverpool Echo"
] | 2021-01-18T12:20:44 | null | 2021-01-18T11:17:43 |
Despite the positive overtones, the quarterly report said the effects of Covid-19 on the fabric of the city could still be 'devastating'
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fentrepreneurial-spirit-help-liverpool-bounce-19645735.json
|
en
| null |
'Entrepreneurial spirit' will help Liverpool bounce back from Covid crisis, latest City Residential report claims
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Liverpool "can and will recover" from the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic because of its unique "entrepreneurial spirit", a top city property report has claimed.
City Residential's managing director Alan Bevan has said Liverpool WILL bounce back - also citing the fact people are still "desperate" to return to working, shopping and socialising. Despite key city sectors like leisure and hospitality being ravaged by the virus, people are still longing for "the old days", he said.
In his latest quarterly market update released on Monday, Mr Bevan said he is optimistic - despite city centres being "written off" by many commentators.
His prediction came as he revealed property markets had plateaued in recent months, after a "huge increase" in activity during the second half of 2020.
Mr Bevan said Liverpool's "entrepreneurial spirit" was perhaps the most important factor as to why he believes the city will recover.
(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
He said: "A huge element of the city’s renaissance has been due to the entrepreneurial spirit that lives in the city.
"Whilst we may not have the huge employers, corporate HQ’s and institutional strength many UK cities do have, we have a real belief that our entrepreneurial spirit and SME business growth we have seen over the last 5/10 years will continue post lockdown."
His report added: "Whilst we are optimistic that the city will recover, we certainly do not underestimate the challenges ahead.
"We have said before, and will reiterate, that continual or further lockdowns could tip the balance against many of those entrepreneurial business owners, even the most determined and optimistic ones."
Another factor that will help the city's recovery is its famous hospitality sector which, while having been hit by constant lockdowns, "is too strong to not recover".
Mr Bevan said: "Many northern cities rely on their strong institutional employers (banks, solicitors, accountants etc) something that Liverpool does not.
"Whilst these other northern cities may take a lot longer to recover as workers take their time to return to offices and companies reduce their office space, Liverpool can continue to offer to its residents, workers, and visitors a wonderful range of restaurants, bars, cafes and culture.
"Yes, we will lose some great businesses before we emerge from the lockdown, but the city’s reputation and attractiveness are too strong for it not to recover, especially as many customers will be looking to make up for the last 12 months!"
Property 'extremely affordable' - but issues remain
In terms of residential sales, the City Residential report said the market had "plateaued a little" after a surge of activity in the second half of 2020, which came after the Chancellor announced a stamp duty holiday until March 2021.
The slowdown came despite continued low interest rates making city centre property "extremely affordable".
Difficulties remain, the report said, and the market "continues to suffer" from the fallout of the Grenfell Tower disaster and subsequent cladding issues - making apartment blocks unsaleable or unmortgageable until it is renewed.
Lettings were also more subdued in the fourth quarter than the third, although landlords keen to secure lettings offered greater affordability than previously.
Issues in lettings included a higher than normal increase in tenants leaving their apartments due to Covid-related job uncertainty, and a lower number of overseas students coming to the city.
A rush to the 'leafy suburbs'?
Despite a recent nationwide rush by buyers and tenants to the "leafy suburbs" of cities, Mr Bevan does not see that continuing in Liverpool - as people realise the "value the city offers in relation to the suburbs".
That's because the "flight" to the suburbs has pushed up house sales in those areas.
The report said: "We would be the first to understand the attraction of the leafy suburbs during lockdowns, when shops and restaurants are closed, and people are working from home. We would disagree however, that Liverpool city centre does not offer many of these attractions itself with numerous parks and our wonderful river frontage offering plenty of space to exercise without the crowds.
"Whilst we have seen some tenants move back home or to the suburbs it is substantially lower than many commentators would have you believe.
"This flight to the suburbs has pushed prices of both house sales and rentals substantially higher and certainly way beyond where we would have expected them to be when we had our first lockdown in March 2020."
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/entrepreneurial-spirit-help-liverpool-bounce-19645735
|
en
| 2021-01-18T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/567503987251764c76697df2d9d44fc1096083f386d2c64befc474cab6b6be47.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nLiverpool \"can and will recover\" from the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic because of its unique \"entrepreneurial spirit\", a top city property report has claimed.\nCity Residential's managing director Alan Bevan has said Liverpool WILL bounce back - also citing the fact people are still \"desperate\" to return to working, shopping and socialising. Despite key city sectors like leisure and hospitality being ravaged by the virus, people are still longing for \"the old days\", he said.\nIn his latest quarterly market update released on Monday, Mr Bevan said he is optimistic - despite city centres being \"written off\" by many commentators.\nHis prediction came as he revealed property markets had plateaued in recent months, after a \"huge increase\" in activity during the second half of 2020.\nMr Bevan said Liverpool's \"entrepreneurial spirit\" was perhaps the most important factor as to why he believes the city will recover.\n(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)\nHe said: \"A huge element of the city’s renaissance has been due to the entrepreneurial spirit that lives in the city.\n\"Whilst we may not have the huge employers, corporate HQ’s and institutional strength many UK cities do have, we have a real belief that our entrepreneurial spirit and SME business growth we have seen over the last 5/10 years will continue post lockdown.\"\nHis report added: \"Whilst we are optimistic that the city will recover, we certainly do not underestimate the challenges ahead.\n\"We have said before, and will reiterate, that continual or further lockdowns could tip the balance against many of those entrepreneurial business owners, even the most determined and optimistic ones.\"\nAnother factor that will help the city's recovery is its famous hospitality sector which, while having been hit by constant lockdowns, \"is too strong to not recover\".\nMr Bevan said: \"Many northern cities rely on their strong institutional employers (banks, solicitors, accountants etc) something that Liverpool does not.\n\"Whilst these other northern cities may take a lot longer to recover as workers take their time to return to offices and companies reduce their office space, Liverpool can continue to offer to its residents, workers, and visitors a wonderful range of restaurants, bars, cafes and culture.\n\"Yes, we will lose some great businesses before we emerge from the lockdown, but the city’s reputation and attractiveness are too strong for it not to recover, especially as many customers will be looking to make up for the last 12 months!\"\nProperty 'extremely affordable' - but issues remain\nIn terms of residential sales, the City Residential report said the market had \"plateaued a little\" after a surge of activity in the second half of 2020, which came after the Chancellor announced a stamp duty holiday until March 2021.\nThe slowdown came despite continued low interest rates making city centre property \"extremely affordable\".\nDifficulties remain, the report said, and the market \"continues to suffer\" from the fallout of the Grenfell Tower disaster and subsequent cladding issues - making apartment blocks unsaleable or unmortgageable until it is renewed.\nLettings were also more subdued in the fourth quarter than the third, although landlords keen to secure lettings offered greater affordability than previously.\nIssues in lettings included a higher than normal increase in tenants leaving their apartments due to Covid-related job uncertainty, and a lower number of overseas students coming to the city.\nA rush to the 'leafy suburbs'?\nDespite a recent nationwide rush by buyers and tenants to the \"leafy suburbs\" of cities, Mr Bevan does not see that continuing in Liverpool - as people realise the \"value the city offers in relation to the suburbs\".\nThat's because the \"flight\" to the suburbs has pushed up house sales in those areas.\nThe report said: \"We would be the first to understand the attraction of the leafy suburbs during lockdowns, when shops and restaurants are closed, and people are working from home. We would disagree however, that Liverpool city centre does not offer many of these attractions itself with numerous parks and our wonderful river frontage offering plenty of space to exercise without the crowds.\n\"Whilst we have seen some tenants move back home or to the suburbs it is substantially lower than many commentators would have you believe.\n\"This flight to the suburbs has pushed prices of both house sales and rentals substantially higher and certainly way beyond where we would have expected them to be when we had our first lockdown in March 2020.\"",
"'Entrepreneurial spirit' will help Liverpool bounce back from Covid crisis, latest City Residential report claims",
"Despite the positive overtones, the quarterly report said the effects of Covid-19 on the fabric of the city could still be 'devastating'"
] |
|
[
"Tom Pegden",
"Image",
"Edward Moss"
] | 2021-01-25T05:02:06 | null | 2021-01-25T03:00:00 |
Nationwide, BDO welcomed almost 400 trainees in November, with a further 450 roles available to start in 2021
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fprofessional-services%2Faccountancy%2Fbdo-welcomed-27-new-trainees-19674395.json
|
en
| null |
BDO has welcomed 27 new trainees into its Birmingham and Nottingham offices
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - East Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has welcomed 27 new trainees into its Birmingham and Nottingham offices – with a further 30-plus roles available later in 2021.
The latest Midlands cohort was welcomes in November, and was made up of both graduates and apprentices.
The new joiners took part in virtual inductions while BDO’s workforce continues to work remotely as a result of Covid-19.
The business said applications were now open for trainee roles starting in 2021, with most trainees able to undertake a level-7 apprenticeship programme – equivalent to a master’s degree.
Almost two-thirds of new trainees in the Midlands will be recruited to BDO’s audit department, which it said demonstrated continued investment in its audit practice.
In addition to this, last summer BDO hosted its first ever ‘virtual internship’ where 26 students in their penultimate year of university were able to spend a week with the firm, gaining valuable insight into what a career at BDO might entail.
Richard Rose, partner and head of BDO in the Midlands, said: “2020 was a year like no other but, despite the immense challenges facing businesses and individuals alike, we are delighted to have recently welcomed 27 new trainees to our team, and more than 30 in 2021.
“Through a combination of the latest technology and a unified approach by our 350-strong team in the Midlands, we have been able to support our clients and communities during the global pandemic from our homes.
“This flexibility and focus on our core purpose to help people succeed, will allow our new cohort of trainees to still fully immerse themselves into their first few months with BDO, while the vast majority of our colleagues continue to work remotely.
“Our own Rethinking the Economy analysis shows that investing in talent is hugely important to businesses in the current climate, particularly in young people looking to kick-start their careers. That’s why it’s important to look ahead and invest in the best and brightest people who will become our advisers of the future.”
Nationwide, BDO welcomed almost 400 trainees in November, with a further 450 roles available to start in 2021.
In 2019/20, the firm received more than 20,000 applications for its school leaver and graduate programmes.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/professional-services/accountancy/bdo-welcomed-27-new-trainees-19674395
|
en
| 2021-01-25T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/7a39e6d9b72069c27f0ef10a34db6aa8d6079f5694c124d17273a9d4f0586348.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - East Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nAccountancy and business advisory firm BDO has welcomed 27 new trainees into its Birmingham and Nottingham offices – with a further 30-plus roles available later in 2021.\nThe latest Midlands cohort was welcomes in November, and was made up of both graduates and apprentices.\nThe new joiners took part in virtual inductions while BDO’s workforce continues to work remotely as a result of Covid-19.\nThe business said applications were now open for trainee roles starting in 2021, with most trainees able to undertake a level-7 apprenticeship programme – equivalent to a master’s degree.\nAlmost two-thirds of new trainees in the Midlands will be recruited to BDO’s audit department, which it said demonstrated continued investment in its audit practice.\nIn addition to this, last summer BDO hosted its first ever ‘virtual internship’ where 26 students in their penultimate year of university were able to spend a week with the firm, gaining valuable insight into what a career at BDO might entail.\nRichard Rose, partner and head of BDO in the Midlands, said: “2020 was a year like no other but, despite the immense challenges facing businesses and individuals alike, we are delighted to have recently welcomed 27 new trainees to our team, and more than 30 in 2021.\n“Through a combination of the latest technology and a unified approach by our 350-strong team in the Midlands, we have been able to support our clients and communities during the global pandemic from our homes.\n“This flexibility and focus on our core purpose to help people succeed, will allow our new cohort of trainees to still fully immerse themselves into their first few months with BDO, while the vast majority of our colleagues continue to work remotely.\n“Our own Rethinking the Economy analysis shows that investing in talent is hugely important to businesses in the current climate, particularly in young people looking to kick-start their careers. That’s why it’s important to look ahead and invest in the best and brightest people who will become our advisers of the future.”\nNationwide, BDO welcomed almost 400 trainees in November, with a further 450 roles available to start in 2021.\nIn 2019/20, the firm received more than 20,000 applications for its school leaver and graduate programmes.",
"BDO has welcomed 27 new trainees into its Birmingham and Nottingham offices",
"Nationwide, BDO welcomed almost 400 trainees in November, with a further 450 roles available to start in 2021"
] |
|
[
"Owen Hughes",
"Image",
"Getty Images"
] | 2021-01-25T07:13:12 | null | 2021-01-25T05:00:00 |
Welsh Government commissioned Element Energy to study the opportunities for hydrogen
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Ften-key-objectives-drive-welsh-19692214.json
|
en
| null |
Ten key objectives to drive Welsh hydrogen sector
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A report has presented how hydrogen can help power the Welsh economy and cut carbon emissions.
In summer 2020 the Welsh Government commissioned Element Energy to study the opportunities for hydrogen across different sectors in Wales.
They have now produced a “hydrogen pathway” which presents ten key objectives, which will help to generate momentum in the Welsh hydrogen sector and lay the foundations for scale-up and commercial deployment from the end of the 2020s.
The UK Government has also announced investment and ambitions for hydrogen to be deployed across a range of sectors including transport, industry, power and heating.
10 Key Objectives
1. Deployment of 200 fuel cell buses in a town / city / region in Wales by 2024:
Fuel cell buses have been trialled across the UK and the technology is ready for deployment in larger fleets, which benefit from economies of scale. This initiative will create a consistent demand for low-carbon hydrogen and help Wales meet its target for all buses to be zero-emission by 2028.
2. Establish Wales as an early market for commercial fuel cell vehicles: Fuel cell vans and trucks are at an earlier stage of development than buses. The first commercial fuel cell trucks were delivered to customers in Europe in 2020. To bring these vehicles to Wales in the short-term, a sufficient customer demand is needed.
Initiatives to coordinate demand for hydrogen fuel cell vans and trucks are already underway at a UK level.
These include plans to develop standard specifications for vehicles which can be purchased at a scale which will attract vehicle manufacturers to bring fuel cell vans and trucks to the UK market. Engaging with these initiatives will help to bring zero-emission vans and trucks to Wales sooner and prepare for largescale commercial deployments, expected from 2027 onwards.
3. Consider support for vehicle manufacturers such as Riversimple, a Wales based designer and manufacturer of fuel cell electric vehicles:
The company is developing a two-seater hydrogen fuel cell car and is looking for sites to manufacture the vehicle from 2022/23. Supporting manufacturers such as Riversimple to establish manufacturing bases in Wales will promote the fuel cell sector and create additional hydrogen-related jobs.
4. Attract vehicle integrators to Wales: There is currently a lack of fuel cell vehicle options offered by vehicle manufacturers. Vehicle integrators can convert existing diesel or battery electric vehicles into hydrogen dual fuel or fuel cell rangeextender vehicles, respectively.
Coordinating demands for such vehicles, where pure battery electric is not suitable, within the Welsh public sector fleets would send a clear signal to the market of the potential for orders at a sufficient scale to attract vehicle integrators to establish bases in Wales, leading to local job opportunities.
5. Deploy fuel cell trains in Wales:
Wales has several rural rail lines, by replacing diesel trains hydrogen fuel cell trains provide a decarbonisation solution.
There are several fuel cell trains being developed for the UK market and future rolling stock orders should be compatible with the UK Government’s target for no diesel-only trains by 2040 and the broader Net Zero 2050 target.
These routes include the Cambrian line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, the Conwy Valley Line from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog and the Heart of Wales line between Shrewsbury and Swansea.
6. Establish at least one renewable hydrogen production site 10+ MW by 2023 / 24: The business case for local renewable hydrogen production can be developed if there is sufficient demand for low-carbon hydrogen from the transport sector. This presents an opportunity for one or more hydrogen production sites in Wales, in the order of 10 MW.
7. Scope large-scale hydrogen production sites: With hydrogen providing a route to decarbonisation for many difficult to decarbonise sectors, the demand for lowcarbon hydrogen is set to increase.
Given the time required from developing a concept to implementation of hydrogen production at scale, there is a need to begin planning low carbon / renewable hydrogen production and delivery facilities in parallel with the deployment of the initial smaller scale facilities.
8. Support industrial decarbonisation through skills development and R&D: Further research and development is required for industrial clusters to decarbonise. This sits alongside the need to address the skills gap for industrial fuel switching and the wider scale use of hydrogen as a fuel for industry.
There is an opportunity for Wales to develop expertise focused on industrial decarbonisation and export these skills and offer training to other industrial clusters.
9. Support local projects and place-based approaches: Developing hydrogen projects creates opportunities to engage with the wider community through a placebased approach. Further community engagement should also help to develop public support for these hydrogen projects.
10. Engage with other hydrogen initiatives: There is a range of existing hydrogen initiatives which will further develop the hydrogen sector in Wales. While some of these opportunities will need more time to develop, on-going monitoring of wider activities in the sector and stakeholder engagement will support Wales’ hydrogen sector and decarbonisation targets.
Next steps: The objecties will now go out to consulation on www.gov.wales/consultations
Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, said: “Whilst we have effectively banished coal from use for power, we still rely on oil and gas to maintain an affordable and secure energy system.
“Hydrogen is one of the ways we can shift our reliance away from these fossil fuels and while it is still a developing technology, its unique properties mean it could have a role in Wales’ future power, transport, industrial or heating systems, or more likely a combination of these.
“Wales needs to be in a position to develop and capture the opportunities offered by hydrogen.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/ten-key-objectives-drive-welsh-19692214
|
en
| 2021-01-25T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/2557a552a02b69b0cc0a6064e9a0e5d5d52fa5c020cc2eac2d6f190917a6967d.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA report has presented how hydrogen can help power the Welsh economy and cut carbon emissions.\nIn summer 2020 the Welsh Government commissioned Element Energy to study the opportunities for hydrogen across different sectors in Wales.\nThey have now produced a “hydrogen pathway” which presents ten key objectives, which will help to generate momentum in the Welsh hydrogen sector and lay the foundations for scale-up and commercial deployment from the end of the 2020s.\nThe UK Government has also announced investment and ambitions for hydrogen to be deployed across a range of sectors including transport, industry, power and heating.\n10 Key Objectives\n1. Deployment of 200 fuel cell buses in a town / city / region in Wales by 2024:\nFuel cell buses have been trialled across the UK and the technology is ready for deployment in larger fleets, which benefit from economies of scale. This initiative will create a consistent demand for low-carbon hydrogen and help Wales meet its target for all buses to be zero-emission by 2028.\n2. Establish Wales as an early market for commercial fuel cell vehicles: Fuel cell vans and trucks are at an earlier stage of development than buses. The first commercial fuel cell trucks were delivered to customers in Europe in 2020. To bring these vehicles to Wales in the short-term, a sufficient customer demand is needed.\nInitiatives to coordinate demand for hydrogen fuel cell vans and trucks are already underway at a UK level.\nThese include plans to develop standard specifications for vehicles which can be purchased at a scale which will attract vehicle manufacturers to bring fuel cell vans and trucks to the UK market. Engaging with these initiatives will help to bring zero-emission vans and trucks to Wales sooner and prepare for largescale commercial deployments, expected from 2027 onwards.\n3. Consider support for vehicle manufacturers such as Riversimple, a Wales based designer and manufacturer of fuel cell electric vehicles:\nThe company is developing a two-seater hydrogen fuel cell car and is looking for sites to manufacture the vehicle from 2022/23. Supporting manufacturers such as Riversimple to establish manufacturing bases in Wales will promote the fuel cell sector and create additional hydrogen-related jobs.\n4. Attract vehicle integrators to Wales: There is currently a lack of fuel cell vehicle options offered by vehicle manufacturers. Vehicle integrators can convert existing diesel or battery electric vehicles into hydrogen dual fuel or fuel cell rangeextender vehicles, respectively.\nCoordinating demands for such vehicles, where pure battery electric is not suitable, within the Welsh public sector fleets would send a clear signal to the market of the potential for orders at a sufficient scale to attract vehicle integrators to establish bases in Wales, leading to local job opportunities.\n5. Deploy fuel cell trains in Wales:\nWales has several rural rail lines, by replacing diesel trains hydrogen fuel cell trains provide a decarbonisation solution.\nThere are several fuel cell trains being developed for the UK market and future rolling stock orders should be compatible with the UK Government’s target for no diesel-only trains by 2040 and the broader Net Zero 2050 target.\nThese routes include the Cambrian line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, the Conwy Valley Line from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog and the Heart of Wales line between Shrewsbury and Swansea.\n6. Establish at least one renewable hydrogen production site 10+ MW by 2023 / 24: The business case for local renewable hydrogen production can be developed if there is sufficient demand for low-carbon hydrogen from the transport sector. This presents an opportunity for one or more hydrogen production sites in Wales, in the order of 10 MW.\n7. Scope large-scale hydrogen production sites: With hydrogen providing a route to decarbonisation for many difficult to decarbonise sectors, the demand for lowcarbon hydrogen is set to increase.\nGiven the time required from developing a concept to implementation of hydrogen production at scale, there is a need to begin planning low carbon / renewable hydrogen production and delivery facilities in parallel with the deployment of the initial smaller scale facilities.\n8. Support industrial decarbonisation through skills development and R&D: Further research and development is required for industrial clusters to decarbonise. This sits alongside the need to address the skills gap for industrial fuel switching and the wider scale use of hydrogen as a fuel for industry.\nThere is an opportunity for Wales to develop expertise focused on industrial decarbonisation and export these skills and offer training to other industrial clusters.\n9. Support local projects and place-based approaches: Developing hydrogen projects creates opportunities to engage with the wider community through a placebased approach. Further community engagement should also help to develop public support for these hydrogen projects.\n10. Engage with other hydrogen initiatives: There is a range of existing hydrogen initiatives which will further develop the hydrogen sector in Wales. While some of these opportunities will need more time to develop, on-going monitoring of wider activities in the sector and stakeholder engagement will support Wales’ hydrogen sector and decarbonisation targets.\nNext steps: The objecties will now go out to consulation on www.gov.wales/consultations\nLesley Griffiths, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, said: “Whilst we have effectively banished coal from use for power, we still rely on oil and gas to maintain an affordable and secure energy system.\n“Hydrogen is one of the ways we can shift our reliance away from these fossil fuels and while it is still a developing technology, its unique properties mean it could have a role in Wales’ future power, transport, industrial or heating systems, or more likely a combination of these.\n“Wales needs to be in a position to develop and capture the opportunities offered by hydrogen.”",
"Ten key objectives to drive Welsh hydrogen sector",
"Welsh Government commissioned Element Energy to study the opportunities for hydrogen"
] |
|
[
"Nick Tyrrell",
"Tom Houghton"
] | 2021-01-21T16:44:19 | null | 2021-01-21T15:13:30 |
Various tenants have already been confirmed at the food hall, which is set to open in spring
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2F130-new-jobs-created-liverpools-19673753.json
|
en
| null |
130 new jobs created as Liverpool's largest food hall to open at Metquarter
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
More than 130 jobs are to be created at Liverpool's Metquarter after the building's owners announced they were to open the largest food hall in the city.
The Queensberry Group announced on Thursday the facility will open in spring, with various tenants including Bullion Craft Bean Cafe, Restaurant Konjo and Jail Bird Nashville Fired Chicken already confirmed.
The new food hall will be branded as the General Post Office (GPO), a reference to the site's original usage, and will be operated by The Milestone Group, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Other confirmed tenants include Patty B's Burgers, Thai 25, Dirty Herb Vegan Chicken and Bubble Tea.
Alex Hyams, asset manager for Queensberry, said: "This is tremendous news, we're delighted to be bringing Milestone Group as experienced food hall operators to Liverpool.
"GPO will be the largest food hall in the city centre and adds to the dynamic blend of uses which make up our unique offering at Metquarter."
Matt Bigland, founder and director at The Milestone Group, said GPO would be a hub for emerging food brands in Liverpool.
He said: "With a mix of design and culinary excellence, GPO will showcase the best in up-and-coming food and drink talent in the heart of Liverpool City Centre.
"Independent and totally unique food vendors make up the mix, hand chosen and incubated to showcase the best in the world food in one iconic venue."
Sign up for your free BusinessLive North West newsletter BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the North West- and you can stay in touch with all the latest news from Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. By bringing together North West coverage with that from across Reach’s titles in England and Wales, BusinessLive will shine a spotlight on the entrepreneurs, the stars of the future and the small firms that are the backbone of our economy. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
The new food hall marks the latest overhaul for the Metquarter.
Last year, Liverpool Media Academy announced it would open a new campus in the upper floors of the Metquarter, which has struggled with high occupancy rates in its units in recent years.
Metquarter Centre Manager Jennina O'Neill said she was excited for GPO to open later this year.
Ms O'Neill said: "As well as creating 132 jobs in the city, GPO will be a hub for Liverpool's emerging food hall scene showcasing the best independent operators in the city.
"The revolutionary and innovative food ordering app iBe will be at the helm of the customer journey and will provide an unprecedented user experience for all visitors. We're excited to see the plans come to life over the coming weeks and look forward to welcoming visitors this spring."
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/130-new-jobs-created-liverpools-19673753
|
en
| 2021-01-21T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/615768a38886d519c9830ccd83e423e07ff285f6d9b85d0f74c0378a93de5591.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nMore than 130 jobs are to be created at Liverpool's Metquarter after the building's owners announced they were to open the largest food hall in the city.\nThe Queensberry Group announced on Thursday the facility will open in spring, with various tenants including Bullion Craft Bean Cafe, Restaurant Konjo and Jail Bird Nashville Fired Chicken already confirmed.\nThe new food hall will be branded as the General Post Office (GPO), a reference to the site's original usage, and will be operated by The Milestone Group, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.\nOther confirmed tenants include Patty B's Burgers, Thai 25, Dirty Herb Vegan Chicken and Bubble Tea.\nAlex Hyams, asset manager for Queensberry, said: \"This is tremendous news, we're delighted to be bringing Milestone Group as experienced food hall operators to Liverpool.\n\"GPO will be the largest food hall in the city centre and adds to the dynamic blend of uses which make up our unique offering at Metquarter.\"\nMatt Bigland, founder and director at The Milestone Group, said GPO would be a hub for emerging food brands in Liverpool.\nHe said: \"With a mix of design and culinary excellence, GPO will showcase the best in up-and-coming food and drink talent in the heart of Liverpool City Centre.\n\"Independent and totally unique food vendors make up the mix, hand chosen and incubated to showcase the best in the world food in one iconic venue.\"\nSign up for your free BusinessLive North West newsletter BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the North West- and you can stay in touch with all the latest news from Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. By bringing together North West coverage with that from across Reach’s titles in England and Wales, BusinessLive will shine a spotlight on the entrepreneurs, the stars of the future and the small firms that are the backbone of our economy. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\nThe new food hall marks the latest overhaul for the Metquarter.\nLast year, Liverpool Media Academy announced it would open a new campus in the upper floors of the Metquarter, which has struggled with high occupancy rates in its units in recent years.\nMetquarter Centre Manager Jennina O'Neill said she was excited for GPO to open later this year.\nMs O'Neill said: \"As well as creating 132 jobs in the city, GPO will be a hub for Liverpool's emerging food hall scene showcasing the best independent operators in the city.\n\"The revolutionary and innovative food ordering app iBe will be at the helm of the customer journey and will provide an unprecedented user experience for all visitors. We're excited to see the plans come to life over the coming weeks and look forward to welcoming visitors this spring.\"",
"130 new jobs created as Liverpool's largest food hall to open at Metquarter",
"Various tenants have already been confirmed at the food hall, which is set to open in spring"
] |
|
[
"Sion Barry"
] | 2021-01-06T18:02:57 | null | 2021-01-06T16:46:02 |
The investment into Pharmatelligence follows loans to Zip World and Creo Medical
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fprofessional-services%2Fbanking-finance%2Fcardiff-capital-region-takes-equity-19574649.json
|
en
| null |
Cardiff Capital Region takes equity stake in medtech firm with £2m investment
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The Cardiff Capital Region has made a £2m equity investment in Cardiff-based healthcare data specialist Pharmatelligence.
The investment gives the city region - made up of the ten local authorities of south east Wales - an undisclosed minority ownership stake in the firm. The investment had been made from the region's £1.2bn City Deal.
Last year the region provided, also from the City Deal, loans with a combined value of £5.5m to Creo Medical and Zip World.
Pharmatelligence analyses data for healthcare organisations and major pharmaceutical companies.
Built around NHS data, its new Livingstone software is intended to be the first of its kind worldwide, automating the analysis of large volumes of data to generate scientific quality reports in real time for NHS and pharmaceutical industry users.
This is of particular significance in the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic and future global health issues.
Peter Fox, vice-chair of the region's cabinet (made up of the region's ten local authority leaders) and leader Monmouthshire County Council, said: "Pharmatelligence is widely regarded as a thought leader in their scientific discipline and I am delighted we have been able to invest in this innovative business and support their ambitions to commercialise this game-changing software.
“This project is fully aligned with our investment objectives and outcomes, most notably in the proposed employment and ongoing training of a significant number of graduates and postgraduates in highly skilled, highly paid future-proofed jobs.
“The benefits to the wider economy are also significant, with the likelihood that Pharmatelligence will attract footfall in South Wales from global pharmaceutical companies, with all the ensuing additional trickle-down benefits into the local economy that this will bring.
“We have every confidence in Pharmatelligence’s ability to deliver and that this investment will help play a significant part in realising our CCR strategic ambition to become a regional centre of excellence in medical diagnostics."
Professor Craig Currie, founder and chief scientific officer of Pharmatelligence, said: “We are delighted to have agreed this investment which illustrates the potential value of Livingstone.
“Our ambition is to employ many of the best graduates from local universities to evolve a novel software platform that is second to none. Livingstone will allow us to conduct complex scientific studies in a few hours compared with the months it often takes us presently.
“Our future plans will always keep Livingstone in the vanguard of real-world healthcare data analysis.”
Last month the region provided debt finance, while not disclosing the interest rate, of £3.5m to Zip World to supports its under construction new adrenaline zipwire attraction in the Cynon Valley at the former Tower Colliery site.
The funding is repayable over five years. The city region was asked if the funding could have been secured by Zip World from private sector lenders.
At the time it said of the rationale for the funding: "The investment is fully aligned with our strategy of supporting inclusive economic growth, ensuring that the whole region benefits from the City Deal investment fund.
"It is also in line with our post-Covid-19 priorities for supporting and showing confidence in businesses with growth plans that can create sustainable employment within the region.
"By supporting Zip World throughout these difficult times, the adventure tourism facilities will now be ready post pandemic and it will be able to play a significant part in attracting visitors to the region.”
It also last year provided £2m in debt to Chepstow-based medical devices firm Creo. Also repayable over five years, it will support its emerging cool plasma technology.
It is is understood that the loan's interest rate has a commercial rate of around 3.5%.
The region is also exploring deploying its £1.2bn City Deal to create an investment fund to back high-growth potential firms across the region.
While at an early stage it could be, with match funding from the private sector, up to a £100m fund where debt into firms could be also be converted into equity.
Any fund is expected to managed by an external fund manager following a competitive process.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/professional-services/banking-finance/cardiff-capital-region-takes-equity-19574649
|
en
| 2021-01-06T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/c43f056e4d47d865786a342cbc6a21d3d5297beb8da8470f4e97e2d9dd859119.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe Cardiff Capital Region has made a £2m equity investment in Cardiff-based healthcare data specialist Pharmatelligence.\nThe investment gives the city region - made up of the ten local authorities of south east Wales - an undisclosed minority ownership stake in the firm. The investment had been made from the region's £1.2bn City Deal.\nLast year the region provided, also from the City Deal, loans with a combined value of £5.5m to Creo Medical and Zip World.\nPharmatelligence analyses data for healthcare organisations and major pharmaceutical companies.\nBuilt around NHS data, its new Livingstone software is intended to be the first of its kind worldwide, automating the analysis of large volumes of data to generate scientific quality reports in real time for NHS and pharmaceutical industry users.\nThis is of particular significance in the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic and future global health issues.\nPeter Fox, vice-chair of the region's cabinet (made up of the region's ten local authority leaders) and leader Monmouthshire County Council, said: \"Pharmatelligence is widely regarded as a thought leader in their scientific discipline and I am delighted we have been able to invest in this innovative business and support their ambitions to commercialise this game-changing software.\n“This project is fully aligned with our investment objectives and outcomes, most notably in the proposed employment and ongoing training of a significant number of graduates and postgraduates in highly skilled, highly paid future-proofed jobs.\n“The benefits to the wider economy are also significant, with the likelihood that Pharmatelligence will attract footfall in South Wales from global pharmaceutical companies, with all the ensuing additional trickle-down benefits into the local economy that this will bring.\n“We have every confidence in Pharmatelligence’s ability to deliver and that this investment will help play a significant part in realising our CCR strategic ambition to become a regional centre of excellence in medical diagnostics.\"\nProfessor Craig Currie, founder and chief scientific officer of Pharmatelligence, said: “We are delighted to have agreed this investment which illustrates the potential value of Livingstone.\n“Our ambition is to employ many of the best graduates from local universities to evolve a novel software platform that is second to none. Livingstone will allow us to conduct complex scientific studies in a few hours compared with the months it often takes us presently.\n“Our future plans will always keep Livingstone in the vanguard of real-world healthcare data analysis.”\nLast month the region provided debt finance, while not disclosing the interest rate, of £3.5m to Zip World to supports its under construction new adrenaline zipwire attraction in the Cynon Valley at the former Tower Colliery site.\nThe funding is repayable over five years. The city region was asked if the funding could have been secured by Zip World from private sector lenders.\nAt the time it said of the rationale for the funding: \"The investment is fully aligned with our strategy of supporting inclusive economic growth, ensuring that the whole region benefits from the City Deal investment fund.\n\"It is also in line with our post-Covid-19 priorities for supporting and showing confidence in businesses with growth plans that can create sustainable employment within the region.\n\"By supporting Zip World throughout these difficult times, the adventure tourism facilities will now be ready post pandemic and it will be able to play a significant part in attracting visitors to the region.”\nIt also last year provided £2m in debt to Chepstow-based medical devices firm Creo. Also repayable over five years, it will support its emerging cool plasma technology.\nIt is is understood that the loan's interest rate has a commercial rate of around 3.5%.\nThe region is also exploring deploying its £1.2bn City Deal to create an investment fund to back high-growth potential firms across the region.\nWhile at an early stage it could be, with match funding from the private sector, up to a £100m fund where debt into firms could be also be converted into equity.\nAny fund is expected to managed by an external fund manager following a competitive process.",
"Cardiff Capital Region takes equity stake in medtech firm with £2m investment",
"The investment into Pharmatelligence follows loans to Zip World and Creo Medical"
] |
|
[
"Jonathan Walker"
] | 2021-01-28T17:24:42 | null | 2021-01-28T16:20:48 |
Latest blow following controversial 2018 takeover as bosses say site in north of the city is no longer viable
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fmanufacturing%2Fgkn-wields-axe-over-birmingham-19721711.json
|
en
| null |
GKN wields axe over Birmingham plant as 519 staff face redundancy
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
More than 500 staff are facing the axe at a Birmingham engineering plant as the company looks to move production elsewhere.
GKN Automotive, which makes driveline systems, has begun consulting with 519 employees over the closure of its plant in Chester Road, Erdington.
GKN, which is one of the UK's oldest engineering firms, has its global headquarters in Redditch and was sold to Birmingham-based investment firm Melrose Industries in 2018 for £8.1 billion.
A letter from GKN Automotive's chief executive Liam Butterworth said: "GKN Automotive has taken the difficult decision to propose the closure of our assembly site at Chester Road, Birmingham.
Want more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
"Sadly, an increasingly competitive global market means that the site is no longer viable.
"This is despite significant effort and investment over the past ten years to reduce the site's high operating costs and make it competitive.
"Supporting our people is our first priority as we consult on this proposal.
"We will then commence a period of consultation with the union and employee representatives in the coming weeks."
The letter went on to say it would take around 18 months to wind down operations at the plant with work there to be transferred to other sites in the company's network.
Members of staff who contacted BusinessLive said they had been told production would be moving to GKN sites in Europe but the company has not provided any specific details on this matter yet.
This announcement will not affect other GKN Automotive facilities in the UK, including a site in Minworth near Sutton Coldfield and an office in Birmingham.
This latest move by the firm follows the news in spring 2019 that it would close its aerospace plant in Kings Norton and five months later the same division said it was shedding 1,000 staff across its global plants by integrating four arms of the business.
The 2018 takeover by Melrose was controversial, with Labour MP for Erdington Jack Dromey and trade union Unite calling on the Government to block it.
Mr Dromey said: "Despite all the warm words by Melrose in 2018 to protect the future prosperity of GKN and its British workforce, the cold reality three years on is that one of GKN's finest plants now faces closure.
"Melrose promised a bright future to GKN's employees - a promise they have now broken.
"This announcement is completely unexpected by employees at GKN. Working together with their trade union Unite I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the company.
"We now face the potential of British workers seeing their jobs move abroad to one of GKN's many continental plants."
A press statement issued by GKN Automotive added: "Proposing this closure is a difficult decision which has been made despite significant effort and investment over the past ten years to reduce the high operating costs at the Birmingham assembly site.
"Sadly, an increasingly competitive global market means that the site is no longer viable.
"Supporting our people is our priority as we consult on our proposals."
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/gkn-wields-axe-over-birmingham-19721711
|
en
| 2021-01-28T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/0cef7fa2151503302e3217c3d7f72b8b2c20f44c8460eba867bee95b30e6fee0.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nMore than 500 staff are facing the axe at a Birmingham engineering plant as the company looks to move production elsewhere.\nGKN Automotive, which makes driveline systems, has begun consulting with 519 employees over the closure of its plant in Chester Road, Erdington.\nGKN, which is one of the UK's oldest engineering firms, has its global headquarters in Redditch and was sold to Birmingham-based investment firm Melrose Industries in 2018 for £8.1 billion.\nA letter from GKN Automotive's chief executive Liam Butterworth said: \"GKN Automotive has taken the difficult decision to propose the closure of our assembly site at Chester Road, Birmingham.\nWant more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\n\"Sadly, an increasingly competitive global market means that the site is no longer viable.\n\"This is despite significant effort and investment over the past ten years to reduce the site's high operating costs and make it competitive.\n\"Supporting our people is our first priority as we consult on this proposal.\n\"We will then commence a period of consultation with the union and employee representatives in the coming weeks.\"\nThe letter went on to say it would take around 18 months to wind down operations at the plant with work there to be transferred to other sites in the company's network.\nMembers of staff who contacted BusinessLive said they had been told production would be moving to GKN sites in Europe but the company has not provided any specific details on this matter yet.\nThis announcement will not affect other GKN Automotive facilities in the UK, including a site in Minworth near Sutton Coldfield and an office in Birmingham.\nThis latest move by the firm follows the news in spring 2019 that it would close its aerospace plant in Kings Norton and five months later the same division said it was shedding 1,000 staff across its global plants by integrating four arms of the business.\nThe 2018 takeover by Melrose was controversial, with Labour MP for Erdington Jack Dromey and trade union Unite calling on the Government to block it.\nMr Dromey said: \"Despite all the warm words by Melrose in 2018 to protect the future prosperity of GKN and its British workforce, the cold reality three years on is that one of GKN's finest plants now faces closure.\n\"Melrose promised a bright future to GKN's employees - a promise they have now broken.\n\"This announcement is completely unexpected by employees at GKN. Working together with their trade union Unite I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the company.\n\"We now face the potential of British workers seeing their jobs move abroad to one of GKN's many continental plants.\"\nA press statement issued by GKN Automotive added: \"Proposing this closure is a difficult decision which has been made despite significant effort and investment over the past ten years to reduce the high operating costs at the Birmingham assembly site.\n\"Sadly, an increasingly competitive global market means that the site is no longer viable.\n\"Supporting our people is our priority as we consult on our proposals.\"",
"GKN wields axe over Birmingham plant as 519 staff face redundancy",
"Latest blow following controversial 2018 takeover as bosses say site in north of the city is no longer viable"
] |
|
[
"Hannah Finch"
] | 2021-01-10T00:54:08 | null | 2021-01-10T00:00:00 |
The move follows a financing deal with specialist infrastructure investment fund Basalt Infrastructure Partners III.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Ftechnology%2Fbroadband-firm-creates-60-jobs-19561390.json
|
en
| null |
Broadband firm creates 60 jobs in superfast service to hardest-to-reach users
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Broadband network provider Full Fibre is creating 60 jobs in Exeter as part ambitious plans to roll out new and ultrafast fibre broadband to more than 500,000 under served premises.
Full Fibre has builds underway in Devon, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Wiltshire and plans to quadruple its workforce in the next few months.
The business is already looking to move to a new, larger premises in the city - relocating from Barnfield Crescent.
Want more South West news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive South West is your home for business news in Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from the region and we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
The move follows a financing deal with specialist infrastructure investment fund Basalt Infrastructure Partners III.
The business will continue its focus on ‘forgotten’ market towns and areas, initially in the West Midlands, Central and South West, that might otherwise be left behind by the national FTTP rollout.
The news comes as CDS announces the next phase of fibre-to-the-premises connectivity throughout Devon and Somerset with partners Airband, Truespeed and Wessex Internet - to be rolled out over the next four years.
Full Fibre Chief Executive Oliver Helm said: "Full Fibre’s mission has always been to deliver pure fibre, wholesale only networks to underserved market towns. The current environment has highlighted more than ever the need for gigabit-capable fibre broadband to be available as standard.
"The regulator has been clear that a competitive market for consumers is vital, and the simple presence of a new infrastructure may not be sufficient to deliver this. It is vital that new infrastructure provides a competitive wholesale market to consumers, giving them the ability to move their purchasing power in search of quality, price and service.
"As we invest millions of pounds into these market towns, our new fibre infrastructure will help to revitalise businesses, drive economic growth and unlock social mobility where traditional copper services have frustrated progress.”
The deal means Basalt takes a majority interest in Full Fibre and will provide both capital investment and its management expertise in growing successful infrastructure businesses.
Full Fibre is a wholesale only network operator. Full Fibre concentrates on working with a growing number of retail broadband providers to deliver transformative gigabit connectivity across previously underserved market towns, whereas most other providers look to sell their services directly to consumers.
Full Fibre will announce the first wave of towns that will be built early in 2021.
Is the broadband connection good enough in your area? Does it affect your business? Share your experience in the comments section below
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/broadband-firm-creates-60-jobs-19561390
|
en
| 2021-01-10T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/7122ee7460af905232e26f08230ba930badbf9bc05d38aa46366d2d014fe7ee0.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nBroadband network provider Full Fibre is creating 60 jobs in Exeter as part ambitious plans to roll out new and ultrafast fibre broadband to more than 500,000 under served premises.\nFull Fibre has builds underway in Devon, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Wiltshire and plans to quadruple its workforce in the next few months.\nThe business is already looking to move to a new, larger premises in the city - relocating from Barnfield Crescent.\nWant more South West news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive South West is your home for business news in Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from the region and we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\nThe move follows a financing deal with specialist infrastructure investment fund Basalt Infrastructure Partners III.\nThe business will continue its focus on ‘forgotten’ market towns and areas, initially in the West Midlands, Central and South West, that might otherwise be left behind by the national FTTP rollout.\nThe news comes as CDS announces the next phase of fibre-to-the-premises connectivity throughout Devon and Somerset with partners Airband, Truespeed and Wessex Internet - to be rolled out over the next four years.\nFull Fibre Chief Executive Oliver Helm said: \"Full Fibre’s mission has always been to deliver pure fibre, wholesale only networks to underserved market towns. The current environment has highlighted more than ever the need for gigabit-capable fibre broadband to be available as standard.\n\"The regulator has been clear that a competitive market for consumers is vital, and the simple presence of a new infrastructure may not be sufficient to deliver this. It is vital that new infrastructure provides a competitive wholesale market to consumers, giving them the ability to move their purchasing power in search of quality, price and service.\n\"As we invest millions of pounds into these market towns, our new fibre infrastructure will help to revitalise businesses, drive economic growth and unlock social mobility where traditional copper services have frustrated progress.”\nThe deal means Basalt takes a majority interest in Full Fibre and will provide both capital investment and its management expertise in growing successful infrastructure businesses.\nFull Fibre is a wholesale only network operator. Full Fibre concentrates on working with a growing number of retail broadband providers to deliver transformative gigabit connectivity across previously underserved market towns, whereas most other providers look to sell their services directly to consumers.\nFull Fibre will announce the first wave of towns that will be built early in 2021.\nIs the broadband connection good enough in your area? Does it affect your business? Share your experience in the comments section below",
"Broadband firm creates 60 jobs in superfast service to hardest-to-reach users",
"The move follows a financing deal with specialist infrastructure investment fund Basalt Infrastructure Partners III."
] |
|
[
"Sion Barry",
"Image",
"Bristol Live"
] | 2021-01-28T17:25:02 | null | 2021-01-28T16:00:24 |
The employs 850 in Wales and west of England.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fprofessional-services%2Faccountancy%2Fpwc-appoints-new-director-wales-19721297.json
|
en
| null |
PwC appoints new directors in Wales and the west of England
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Professional Services Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Professional advisory PwC has announced new directors in its Wales and west of England practice, including a new recruit.
The professional services firm, which has offices in Cardiff and Bristol, has promoted five senior managers into director roles, and hired a sixth, Claire Wallin.
They are:
Andy Pye (Audit - financial services, specialising in insurance sector)
Louise Brock (Consulting - financial services, leads Salesforce team)
Matt Heal (Audit - private business and listed clients)
Nathan Price (Audit - leads the referred reporting hub)
Rhodri Evans (Cyber - ethical hacking specialist)
Claire Wallin (Consulting - transformation programmes)
PwC has also made 15 promotions to senior manager and 34 promotions to manager across its five lines of service.
The firms employs 850 in Wales and west of England.
John-Paul Barker, regional market leader for Wales and west of England said: "We have always looked to provide our people with the opportunity to progress and the talent we have in our region deserves to be recognised. We’re proud to be able to continue to invest in our people, even during difficult times such as these.
“The new directors, abetted by the promotions we’ve made at senior manager and manager levels, provide us with fresh impetus going into an important year for the West of England and Wales, where the need to build the foundations for an inclusive recovery from Covid-19 is paramount.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/professional-services/accountancy/pwc-appoints-new-director-wales-19721297
|
en
| 2021-01-28T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/dd3435e2ffb7d26fe901e8056f15a26762611d865226ad089b3011b42b3f595b.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Professional Services Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nProfessional advisory PwC has announced new directors in its Wales and west of England practice, including a new recruit.\nThe professional services firm, which has offices in Cardiff and Bristol, has promoted five senior managers into director roles, and hired a sixth, Claire Wallin.\nThey are:\nAndy Pye (Audit - financial services, specialising in insurance sector)\nLouise Brock (Consulting - financial services, leads Salesforce team)\nMatt Heal (Audit - private business and listed clients)\nNathan Price (Audit - leads the referred reporting hub)\nRhodri Evans (Cyber - ethical hacking specialist)\nClaire Wallin (Consulting - transformation programmes)\nPwC has also made 15 promotions to senior manager and 34 promotions to manager across its five lines of service.\nThe firms employs 850 in Wales and west of England.\nJohn-Paul Barker, regional market leader for Wales and west of England said: \"We have always looked to provide our people with the opportunity to progress and the talent we have in our region deserves to be recognised. We’re proud to be able to continue to invest in our people, even during difficult times such as these.\n“The new directors, abetted by the promotions we’ve made at senior manager and manager levels, provide us with fresh impetus going into an important year for the West of England and Wales, where the need to build the foundations for an inclusive recovery from Covid-19 is paramount.”",
"PwC appoints new directors in Wales and the west of England",
"The employs 850 in Wales and west of England."
] |
|
[
"Jonathon Manning"
] | 2021-01-28T09:49:16 | null | 2021-01-28T08:54:55 |
The company is building a new line to increase production of its polymer product Safeguard
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fmanufacturing%2Fde-la-rue-70-jobs-19716074.json
|
en
| null |
De La Rue creates 70 jobs after picking Bolton for new manufacturing line
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Bank note printer De La Rue has revealed it is opening a new manufacturing line in Bolton, creating around 70 jobs.
The company, which makes bank notes and passports for countries around the world, is planning to open a new line at Westhoughton, near Bolton, to expand its production capacity for it Safeguard polymer substrate. The polymer is used in its bank notes.
The new line will be built next to the De La Rue's existing Westhoughton site, in a building recently acquired by the company. It is expected that the line will be fully operational by the end of De La Rue's current financial year and that it will double the firm's production of the polymer.
Around 70 jobs will be created to work on the line over the next two and a half years.
Clive Vacher, CEO of De La Rue, said: "I am pleased that we are able to report increased adjusted operating profit expectations for the year, due to positive trading. We remain focused on delivering shareholder value through the successful execution of our turnaround plan.
"In addition, I am delighted to announce further investment in manufacturing and job creation in the North West of the UK, as we continue to increase our polymer market share globally. The currency team has done a remarkable job in bringing De La Rue's Safeguard polymer substrate to a position of industry leadership.
"It is a fitting endorsement of the technical and operational capabilities of our Westhoughton site, that we have made the decision to concentrate our polymer substrate manufacturing into this centre of excellence."
De La Rue added that it had seen strong demand from customers for its Safeguard polymer and as a result it was increasing its investment in its polymer strategy from £15m to £20m.
The company revealed it was creating the jobs in a trading update.
Boasting that its turnaround plan was progressing well, the company said that its operating profit will come in at between £36m and £37m for the full year. The forecast beats current market expectations, which had previously suggested the business would make an operating profit of around £34m.
De La Rue is spending £79.8m on its three-year turnaround plan, which was sparked after the firm's turnover dropped after it lost a number of notable contracts. This included the contract to make the UK's post-Brexit blue passports.
The loss of the contracts led to most of the jobs at the company's site in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, being made redundant.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/de-la-rue-70-jobs-19716074
|
en
| 2021-01-28T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/1fb3df47e497b4969eeb56b4f6b9ef9b295213d6d90e92fa8a5311afeada0bcd.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nBank note printer De La Rue has revealed it is opening a new manufacturing line in Bolton, creating around 70 jobs.\nThe company, which makes bank notes and passports for countries around the world, is planning to open a new line at Westhoughton, near Bolton, to expand its production capacity for it Safeguard polymer substrate. The polymer is used in its bank notes.\nThe new line will be built next to the De La Rue's existing Westhoughton site, in a building recently acquired by the company. It is expected that the line will be fully operational by the end of De La Rue's current financial year and that it will double the firm's production of the polymer.\nAround 70 jobs will be created to work on the line over the next two and a half years.\nClive Vacher, CEO of De La Rue, said: \"I am pleased that we are able to report increased adjusted operating profit expectations for the year, due to positive trading. We remain focused on delivering shareholder value through the successful execution of our turnaround plan.\n\"In addition, I am delighted to announce further investment in manufacturing and job creation in the North West of the UK, as we continue to increase our polymer market share globally. The currency team has done a remarkable job in bringing De La Rue's Safeguard polymer substrate to a position of industry leadership.\n\"It is a fitting endorsement of the technical and operational capabilities of our Westhoughton site, that we have made the decision to concentrate our polymer substrate manufacturing into this centre of excellence.\"\nDe La Rue added that it had seen strong demand from customers for its Safeguard polymer and as a result it was increasing its investment in its polymer strategy from £15m to £20m.\nThe company revealed it was creating the jobs in a trading update.\nBoasting that its turnaround plan was progressing well, the company said that its operating profit will come in at between £36m and £37m for the full year. The forecast beats current market expectations, which had previously suggested the business would make an operating profit of around £34m.\nDe La Rue is spending £79.8m on its three-year turnaround plan, which was sparked after the firm's turnover dropped after it lost a number of notable contracts. This included the contract to make the UK's post-Brexit blue passports.\nThe loss of the contracts led to most of the jobs at the company's site in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, being made redundant.",
"De La Rue creates 70 jobs after picking Bolton for new manufacturing line",
"The company is building a new line to increase production of its polymer product Safeguard"
] |
|
[
"Tamlyn Jones"
] | 2021-01-11T03:20:02 | null | 1959-03-04T00:00:00 |
West Midlands Combined Authority throws its support behind the next phase of regeneration work in Longbridge
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fcommercial-property%2Fnew-funding-support-143m-office-19590484.json
|
en
| null |
New funding to support £14.3m office development
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
More than 400 new jobs are set to be created after new funding was agreed to regenerate another part of Longbridge town centre.
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has granted £780,000 to support construction of ‘2 Park Square', a four-storey, 60,000sq ft office block on a 1.6-acre derelict plot next to Bournville College in the south Birmingham town.
The building will be operationally carbon neutral with its own roof garden and outdoor terraces and will overlook the Austin Park and River Rea.
Property group St Modwen is supporting the development with £13.5 million as part of its own long-running regeneration of the area.
The funding follows the award in December of more than £51 million of government cash for the combined authority to support significant regeneration schemes on brownfield, former industrial land.
Want more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
It forms the latest phase in the £1 billion regeneration of Longbridge which has already created a new town centre with a hotel, supermarket, offices, shops and housing.
It is estimated the work so far has already created 3,700 jobs as St Modwen brings new life to acres of land formerly owned by MG Rover prior to its collapse in 2005.
Is this the right plan for Longbridge going forward? Join the debate in the comments section below
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: "This derelict site was once a thriving hub of industry and now it can once again provide jobs and services for the region.
"Our funding will assist in closing the viability gap needed to get the redevelopment of this part of the Longbridge site under way.
"We may still be in the eye of the covid storm but we have refused to let it knock us off course.
"Throughout the pandemic, we have continued to invest in the regeneration of brownfield land across the region and put in place the building blocks we will need for a successful economic recovery that can provide decent jobs and good-quality affordable homes for local people."
St Modwen senior director Rob Flavell added: "Our partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority continues to grow and help unlock the exciting pipeline of jobs, homes and beautiful public realm spaces that will create an amazing place.
"Its support is key to delivering the huge benefit that Longbridge can contribute to the West Midlands."
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/new-funding-support-143m-office-19590484
|
en
| 1959-03-04T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/e6b98cd8cf5b736d5632580dc2bfc68ef520e9c66f6cf75d28ac77e5af6d1e07.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nMore than 400 new jobs are set to be created after new funding was agreed to regenerate another part of Longbridge town centre.\nWest Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has granted £780,000 to support construction of ‘2 Park Square', a four-storey, 60,000sq ft office block on a 1.6-acre derelict plot next to Bournville College in the south Birmingham town.\nThe building will be operationally carbon neutral with its own roof garden and outdoor terraces and will overlook the Austin Park and River Rea.\nProperty group St Modwen is supporting the development with £13.5 million as part of its own long-running regeneration of the area.\nThe funding follows the award in December of more than £51 million of government cash for the combined authority to support significant regeneration schemes on brownfield, former industrial land.\nWant more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\nIt forms the latest phase in the £1 billion regeneration of Longbridge which has already created a new town centre with a hotel, supermarket, offices, shops and housing.\nIt is estimated the work so far has already created 3,700 jobs as St Modwen brings new life to acres of land formerly owned by MG Rover prior to its collapse in 2005.\nIs this the right plan for Longbridge going forward? Join the debate in the comments section below\nWest Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: \"This derelict site was once a thriving hub of industry and now it can once again provide jobs and services for the region.\n\"Our funding will assist in closing the viability gap needed to get the redevelopment of this part of the Longbridge site under way.\n\"We may still be in the eye of the covid storm but we have refused to let it knock us off course.\n\"Throughout the pandemic, we have continued to invest in the regeneration of brownfield land across the region and put in place the building blocks we will need for a successful economic recovery that can provide decent jobs and good-quality affordable homes for local people.\"\nSt Modwen senior director Rob Flavell added: \"Our partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority continues to grow and help unlock the exciting pipeline of jobs, homes and beautiful public realm spaces that will create an amazing place.\n\"Its support is key to delivering the huge benefit that Longbridge can contribute to the West Midlands.\"",
"New funding to support £14.3m office development",
"West Midlands Combined Authority throws its support behind the next phase of regeneration work in Longbridge"
] |
|
[
"Jonathon Manning",
"Image",
"Huddersfield Daily Examiner"
] | 2021-01-08T11:36:48 | null | 2021-01-08T10:49:37 |
Barratt said the national lockdown led to more people wanting to move home
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fbarratt-results-pent-up-sales-19586007.json
|
en
| null |
'Pent-up' demand for homes leads to strong sales for Barratt Developments
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
House builder Barratt Developments has boasted “excellent” sales after lockdown led to more people wanting to move house.
The listed firm, which was founded in Newcastle but now based in Leicestershire, said the first national lockdown had led to “pent-up demand” for its home as more people acted on plans to move.
The introduction of the stamp duty holiday and the March 2021 end of Help to Buy for existing home owners also helped boost demand during the six months ending December 31.
During this time Barratt completed 9,077 home, up 9.2% on the 8,314 it completed a year earlier. Total forward sales grew by 14.3% to 13,588, at a value of £3.2bn, up from £2.7bn in the first half of 2019.
Barratt CEO David Thomas said: “Throughout the pandemic, our teams have worked hard to make our operations Covid-secure and our first priority continues to be keeping our employees, sub-contractors, suppliers and customers safe. I’d like to thank our people for their efforts in helping us to rebuild completion volumes, drive further operational improvements and deliver on our commitment to build the highest quality homes across the country.
“Despite the ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic, we are confident that our operating performance and strong financial position provide us with the resilience and flexibility to respond to the operating environment in FY21 and beyond.”
During the coronavirus pandemic, Barratt managed to implement a number of new Covid-19 secure working practices and protocols. This allowed the company to increase its construction activity ahead of its planned output to 298 homes per week.
However, the business did warn that as it entered December, it had a lower level of work in progress than last June, meaning it will have a greater reliance on construction activity in the second half of the year.
At the time of writing Barratt Developments’ share price had increased 4.04% to 716.8p per share.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/barratt-results-pent-up-sales-19586007
|
en
| 2021-01-08T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/8e0c585487b0a02e48f9c77c77f20bf5a304f28fee17f4abb65daa24c766b4ae.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nHouse builder Barratt Developments has boasted “excellent” sales after lockdown led to more people wanting to move house.\nThe listed firm, which was founded in Newcastle but now based in Leicestershire, said the first national lockdown had led to “pent-up demand” for its home as more people acted on plans to move.\nThe introduction of the stamp duty holiday and the March 2021 end of Help to Buy for existing home owners also helped boost demand during the six months ending December 31.\nDuring this time Barratt completed 9,077 home, up 9.2% on the 8,314 it completed a year earlier. Total forward sales grew by 14.3% to 13,588, at a value of £3.2bn, up from £2.7bn in the first half of 2019.\nBarratt CEO David Thomas said: “Throughout the pandemic, our teams have worked hard to make our operations Covid-secure and our first priority continues to be keeping our employees, sub-contractors, suppliers and customers safe. I’d like to thank our people for their efforts in helping us to rebuild completion volumes, drive further operational improvements and deliver on our commitment to build the highest quality homes across the country.\n“Despite the ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic, we are confident that our operating performance and strong financial position provide us with the resilience and flexibility to respond to the operating environment in FY21 and beyond.”\nDuring the coronavirus pandemic, Barratt managed to implement a number of new Covid-19 secure working practices and protocols. This allowed the company to increase its construction activity ahead of its planned output to 298 homes per week.\nHowever, the business did warn that as it entered December, it had a lower level of work in progress than last June, meaning it will have a greater reliance on construction activity in the second half of the year.\nAt the time of writing Barratt Developments’ share price had increased 4.04% to 716.8p per share.",
"'Pent-up' demand for homes leads to strong sales for Barratt Developments",
"Barratt said the national lockdown led to more people wanting to move home"
] |
|
[
"William Telford"
] | 2021-01-29T13:10:33 | null | 2021-01-29T12:22:11 |
Engineers begin huge CityFibre project to extend network to almost every home and business in Britain's Ocean City
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Ftechnology%2Fplymouth-set-economic-boost-works-19726689.json
|
en
| null |
Plymouth set for economic boost as work starts on £52m full fibre roll out
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A £52million project has begun to transform Plymouth into one of the world’s best digitally connected cities.
Engineers have begun to extend a full fibre network so it will reach almost every home and business. As part of the £52million private investment from CityFibre, Plymouth will benefit from a city-wide full fibre network rollout.
This will build on an earlier investment by CityFibre, the UK’s third national digital infrastructure platform, in Plymouth’s business connectivity, now making it accessible to residents too.
According to research from economic consultancy Regeneris, full fibre connectivity will have a major impact in Plymouth during the next 15 years.
It shows that up to £83million could be added to the value of homes, while Smart City initiatives – such as driverless transport and digitised transactions - could add as much as £52million locally.
Access to full fibre could also unlock £23million in business productivity and innovation, while a further £14million in growth could be driven from new business start-ups, with enhanced connectivity making it easier and less expensive to set up base and run efficiently.
Construction work has officially started in Plymouth’s Estover area, with the rest of the city set to follow during the next three to four years.
Oakway Limited is delivering the construction programme on CityFibre’s behalf, using modern build techniques to deploy the network quickly.
The team is also working closely with CityFibre, Plymouth City Council and communities to manage disruption and ensure a fast and successful rollout. Meanwhile, residents are being kept informed by mailings ahead of works in their streets.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here
Kathryn Askew Smith, CityFibre’s city manager for Plymouth, said: “Plymouth’s residents’ digital future is just around the corner. Work is now underway and that is something to be celebrated.
“Full Fibre broadband will help households access all the latest entertainment at lightning speed, but the benefits are far deeper than that – from enabling smart home technology to giving people the freedom to work from home with ease.
“The investment also comes at a critical time for Plymouth’s forward-thinking business community. Next generation full fibre connectivity can drive innovation and productivity, ultimately giving businesses the platform they need to realise their growth ambitions.
“And it won’t just improve business locally – it will also help businesses take their products or services to an international audience.”
Stuart Elford, chief executive at Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s fantastic news to learn that build has finally started in the city.
“CityFibre’s investment will help ensure that the power of digital technologies are fully harnessed in Plymouth.
“Full fibre broadband will benefit the people and the business community by unlocking new forms of economic and social value and ensure that Britain’s Ocean City builds on its reputation as a great place to live and work.”
Currently, fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) is available to fewer than 20% of premises across the UK. It is revered as the best in connectivity for its speed, near unlimited bandwidth and reliability.
By using fibre optic cables for every stage of the connection from the customer’s home or business to the internet, users will be offered a significantly superior and more reliable broadband service, capable of Gigabit speeds (1,000 Mbps).
The full fibre network is not yet live, but once activated, services will be available from an increasing range of broadband providers, including Giganet.
Residents interested in connecting to full fibre broadband can pre-register their interest here.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/plymouth-set-economic-boost-works-19726689
|
en
| 2021-01-29T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/bead00ec28ffec3530dd3a75d38ec69bd43ac960fb1125ff0218a1a213cf88cc.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA £52million project has begun to transform Plymouth into one of the world’s best digitally connected cities.\nEngineers have begun to extend a full fibre network so it will reach almost every home and business. As part of the £52million private investment from CityFibre, Plymouth will benefit from a city-wide full fibre network rollout.\nThis will build on an earlier investment by CityFibre, the UK’s third national digital infrastructure platform, in Plymouth’s business connectivity, now making it accessible to residents too.\nAccording to research from economic consultancy Regeneris, full fibre connectivity will have a major impact in Plymouth during the next 15 years.\nIt shows that up to £83million could be added to the value of homes, while Smart City initiatives – such as driverless transport and digitised transactions - could add as much as £52million locally.\nAccess to full fibre could also unlock £23million in business productivity and innovation, while a further £14million in growth could be driven from new business start-ups, with enhanced connectivity making it easier and less expensive to set up base and run efficiently.\nConstruction work has officially started in Plymouth’s Estover area, with the rest of the city set to follow during the next three to four years.\nOakway Limited is delivering the construction programme on CityFibre’s behalf, using modern build techniques to deploy the network quickly.\nThe team is also working closely with CityFibre, Plymouth City Council and communities to manage disruption and ensure a fast and successful rollout. Meanwhile, residents are being kept informed by mailings ahead of works in their streets.\nHow to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here\nKathryn Askew Smith, CityFibre’s city manager for Plymouth, said: “Plymouth’s residents’ digital future is just around the corner. Work is now underway and that is something to be celebrated.\n“Full Fibre broadband will help households access all the latest entertainment at lightning speed, but the benefits are far deeper than that – from enabling smart home technology to giving people the freedom to work from home with ease.\n“The investment also comes at a critical time for Plymouth’s forward-thinking business community. Next generation full fibre connectivity can drive innovation and productivity, ultimately giving businesses the platform they need to realise their growth ambitions.\n“And it won’t just improve business locally – it will also help businesses take their products or services to an international audience.”\nStuart Elford, chief executive at Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s fantastic news to learn that build has finally started in the city.\n“CityFibre’s investment will help ensure that the power of digital technologies are fully harnessed in Plymouth.\n“Full fibre broadband will benefit the people and the business community by unlocking new forms of economic and social value and ensure that Britain’s Ocean City builds on its reputation as a great place to live and work.”\nCurrently, fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) is available to fewer than 20% of premises across the UK. It is revered as the best in connectivity for its speed, near unlimited bandwidth and reliability.\nBy using fibre optic cables for every stage of the connection from the customer’s home or business to the internet, users will be offered a significantly superior and more reliable broadband service, capable of Gigabit speeds (1,000 Mbps).\nThe full fibre network is not yet live, but once activated, services will be available from an increasing range of broadband providers, including Giganet.\nResidents interested in connecting to full fibre broadband can pre-register their interest here.",
"Plymouth set for economic boost as work starts on £52m full fibre roll out",
"Engineers begin huge CityFibre project to extend network to almost every home and business in Britain's Ocean City"
] |
|
[
"William Telford",
"Image",
"Google"
] | 2021-01-08T09:41:23 | null | 1958-11-13T00:00:00 |
Charitable Abbeyfield Society says multi-million pound Plymouth development has been hit by 'unforeseen' construction problems
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fdeveloper-vows-stalled-waterfront-apartment-19581096.json
|
en
| null |
Developer vows stalled waterfront apartment block will be completed
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The company behind a multi-million pound block of Plymouth waterfront retirement flats says it is committed to finishing the project which is now almost a year behind schedule.
The charitable Abbeyfield Society celebrated the “topping out” of Mayflower Court, an 80-apartment development opposite the Millbay quayside, in November 2019. At that time it envisaged completing the eight-storey block by the spring or summer of 2020.
But that was before the arrival of coronavirus in the UK and the project has been hit with major delays with Abbyfield saying it has been hampered by “unforeseen issues with the construction process”.
The building is still covered in scaffolding and looks little different, in early 2021, than it did in late 2019. However, Abbyfield stressed the pile - which will boast a cinema, bar and even roof-top garden - will be completed. It just can’t say when.
A spokesperson for Abbeyfield said: ““We are excited to be bringing state-of-the-art retirement apartments to the heart of Millbay. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen issues with the construction process, the project is currently delayed and we are working to create a new timeline for the delivery of this development.
“We are still very much committed to this project, which will help to address the need for affordable housing for the community’s older people, and we hope to provide more of an update in the coming months.”
Mayflower Court is a joint project between The Abbeyfield Society, English Cities Fund, Homes England, Plymouth City Council and WRW Construction. It is part of the vast regeneration of the Millbay area. It is expected to create 150 full- and part-time jobs when completed.
When completed, the Extra Care Scheme will offer tailor-made care packages to residents aged 55-plus, enabling them to live independently as singles and couples, with additional care available 24/7 where required.
The building will also encompass “bariatric-friendly” apartments, for people who are obese, with five specifically equipped with wheelchair users in mind.
All apartments and the common areas will be fully equipped for those affected by dementia, advancing Plymouth’s status as a dementia-friendly city.
With 10 apartments for sale and the remaining 70 available as affordable rentals, the development will offer access to state-of-the-art facilities and on-site amenities, including a rooftop dining area and gardens, a cinema, a bar, and a community café, Abbyfield said.
Many of these will be shared spaces, able to be used by individuals and groups from the surrounding area as well as the residents.
The Abbeyfield Society, which will manage the facility, has said it is building relationships with key partners with a view to providing a “multitude of exciting activities and projects” for residents and the wider community.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here
In keeping with Plymouth’s history, Mayflower Court will also host the city’s famous sculpture of gold bullion, which will be displayed within the public area at the front of the building.
Also, star-shaped plaques, each of which is a tribute to a 20th century VIP who arrived in the UK at Millbay Docks, will be built into the building’s exterior walls.
The UK construction industry is allowed to operate during the Covid-10 lockdown restrictions and while the sector has recovered after the initial 2020 lockdown it has been hit with “supply shortages and strong demand for construction inputs” according to the January 2021 IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI report.
Tim Moore, Economics Director at IHS Markit, which compiled the survey, said: “Transport delays and a lack of stock among suppliers were the main difficulties reported by UK construction firms at the end of 2020, which contributed to the fastest rise in purchasing prices for nearly two years."
Duncan Brock, group director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CHPS), said that “supply chains were groaning at the seams and delivery times increased to the most dramatic extent for six months” and added: “Low availability for finished products and raw materials as a result of port disruptions added to builders’ woes as suppliers named their price for goods in acutely short supply and input price inflation increased to its highest level since April 2019.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/developer-vows-stalled-waterfront-apartment-19581096
|
en
| 1958-11-13T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/ed13f4a1dba4a9c2416f49754eafa2126bbb50ae240b8f7c05ef2c6cb289ceac.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe company behind a multi-million pound block of Plymouth waterfront retirement flats says it is committed to finishing the project which is now almost a year behind schedule.\nThe charitable Abbeyfield Society celebrated the “topping out” of Mayflower Court, an 80-apartment development opposite the Millbay quayside, in November 2019. At that time it envisaged completing the eight-storey block by the spring or summer of 2020.\nBut that was before the arrival of coronavirus in the UK and the project has been hit with major delays with Abbyfield saying it has been hampered by “unforeseen issues with the construction process”.\nThe building is still covered in scaffolding and looks little different, in early 2021, than it did in late 2019. However, Abbyfield stressed the pile - which will boast a cinema, bar and even roof-top garden - will be completed. It just can’t say when.\nA spokesperson for Abbeyfield said: ““We are excited to be bringing state-of-the-art retirement apartments to the heart of Millbay. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen issues with the construction process, the project is currently delayed and we are working to create a new timeline for the delivery of this development.\n“We are still very much committed to this project, which will help to address the need for affordable housing for the community’s older people, and we hope to provide more of an update in the coming months.”\nMayflower Court is a joint project between The Abbeyfield Society, English Cities Fund, Homes England, Plymouth City Council and WRW Construction. It is part of the vast regeneration of the Millbay area. It is expected to create 150 full- and part-time jobs when completed.\nWhen completed, the Extra Care Scheme will offer tailor-made care packages to residents aged 55-plus, enabling them to live independently as singles and couples, with additional care available 24/7 where required.\nThe building will also encompass “bariatric-friendly” apartments, for people who are obese, with five specifically equipped with wheelchair users in mind.\nAll apartments and the common areas will be fully equipped for those affected by dementia, advancing Plymouth’s status as a dementia-friendly city.\nWith 10 apartments for sale and the remaining 70 available as affordable rentals, the development will offer access to state-of-the-art facilities and on-site amenities, including a rooftop dining area and gardens, a cinema, a bar, and a community café, Abbyfield said.\nMany of these will be shared spaces, able to be used by individuals and groups from the surrounding area as well as the residents.\nThe Abbeyfield Society, which will manage the facility, has said it is building relationships with key partners with a view to providing a “multitude of exciting activities and projects” for residents and the wider community.\nHow to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here\nIn keeping with Plymouth’s history, Mayflower Court will also host the city’s famous sculpture of gold bullion, which will be displayed within the public area at the front of the building.\nAlso, star-shaped plaques, each of which is a tribute to a 20th century VIP who arrived in the UK at Millbay Docks, will be built into the building’s exterior walls.\nThe UK construction industry is allowed to operate during the Covid-10 lockdown restrictions and while the sector has recovered after the initial 2020 lockdown it has been hit with “supply shortages and strong demand for construction inputs” according to the January 2021 IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI report.\nTim Moore, Economics Director at IHS Markit, which compiled the survey, said: “Transport delays and a lack of stock among suppliers were the main difficulties reported by UK construction firms at the end of 2020, which contributed to the fastest rise in purchasing prices for nearly two years.\"\nDuncan Brock, group director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CHPS), said that “supply chains were groaning at the seams and delivery times increased to the most dramatic extent for six months” and added: “Low availability for finished products and raw materials as a result of port disruptions added to builders’ woes as suppliers named their price for goods in acutely short supply and input price inflation increased to its highest level since April 2019.”",
"Developer vows stalled waterfront apartment block will be completed",
"Charitable Abbeyfield Society says multi-million pound Plymouth development has been hit by 'unforeseen' construction problems"
] |
|
[
"Sarah Brazendale"
] | 2021-01-14T11:01:16 | null | 2021-01-14T08:57:53 |
Unisource is a Surrey-based digital hub that connects business owners seeking assistance with tasks, with university students looking for degree-relevant experience
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fspecial-features%2Ffree-new-digital-hub-launched-19615208.json
|
en
| null |
A free, new digital hub launched to connect businesses with university students
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
The new digital hub, Unisource, is a resourcing tool that aims to free up the time business owners spend on short-term tasks, while also tapping into the next generation of talent.
Unisource is the brainchild of the Farnham-based father and son team, Andrew and Niall Donnelly. It was while studying at university that Niall had a chance conversation with the cheerleading team.
Niall explained: “They were in dire need of funding for costumes, crash mats, and equipment. However, they were strapped for cash and their traditional part-time jobs were falling short in their efforts to raise additional funds. I was inspired to find a solution and develop a platform enabling university students to find paid degree-relevant work experience.”
Niall joined forces with his father Andrew, drawing on his global commercial experience of more than three decades to launch Unisource.
'Impressed with the layout, ease of use and functionality'
Start-up business, Dr. Heff’s Remarkable Mints has used Unisource. Founder, Tom Fender said: "We used Unisource recently to look for someone to conduct a short-term project for our start-up business. I was extremely impressed with the digital platform in terms of layout, ease of use and functionality. But the proof in the pudding is whether Unisource delivered on our needs. And the short answer is yes! We tasked two students with conducting a project and they delivered on time and to an extremely high standard.
"We were so impressed that we went back a week later for further support and even re-appointed one of the students who had worked with us on the original project. The Unisource service and platform was excellent, as was the standard of work from the students. I was delighted to be able to give undergraduates the experience they crave, and the income they need".
Build a portfolio of bite-sized work experiences
Unisource enables students to earn while they learn, building a portfolio of bite-sized work experiences to prepare them for the commercial world and developing commercial relationships along the way. According to UCAS, around two-thirds of employers look for graduates with relevant work experience because it helps them prepare for work and develop general business awareness. But many students have had their work placements cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which means they need to use other routes to gain commercial understanding.
The company commissioned independent research with the owners of small- to medium-sized businesses and discovered that 42% spend too much time doing administrative tasks. In fact, SMEs spend, on average, a quarter of their time on tasks not directly related to growing their business. The research also indicated that businesses need people with skills in social media marketing, graphic design, market research and focus groups, events, database management, data processing or recruitment and training. University students could assist with these needs and more. The knowledge and skills available are as diverse as the subjects studied.
The website is being soft-launched in partnership with the University of Surrey Employability and Careers Department and local Surrey businesses, with plans in place to continue to roll-out the service across the whole of Surrey and beyond.
To access the new digital hub, Unisource, head to unisource-tasks.com.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/special-features/free-new-digital-hub-launched-19615208
|
en
| 2021-01-14T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/992ea6ba20d081ccab6d8029818d477cbb14e9e006f758f0f236b22c7a09281c.json
|
[
"The new digital hub, Unisource, is a resourcing tool that aims to free up the time business owners spend on short-term tasks, while also tapping into the next generation of talent.\nUnisource is the brainchild of the Farnham-based father and son team, Andrew and Niall Donnelly. It was while studying at university that Niall had a chance conversation with the cheerleading team.\nNiall explained: “They were in dire need of funding for costumes, crash mats, and equipment. However, they were strapped for cash and their traditional part-time jobs were falling short in their efforts to raise additional funds. I was inspired to find a solution and develop a platform enabling university students to find paid degree-relevant work experience.”\nNiall joined forces with his father Andrew, drawing on his global commercial experience of more than three decades to launch Unisource.\n'Impressed with the layout, ease of use and functionality'\nStart-up business, Dr. Heff’s Remarkable Mints has used Unisource. Founder, Tom Fender said: \"We used Unisource recently to look for someone to conduct a short-term project for our start-up business. I was extremely impressed with the digital platform in terms of layout, ease of use and functionality. But the proof in the pudding is whether Unisource delivered on our needs. And the short answer is yes! We tasked two students with conducting a project and they delivered on time and to an extremely high standard.\n\"We were so impressed that we went back a week later for further support and even re-appointed one of the students who had worked with us on the original project. The Unisource service and platform was excellent, as was the standard of work from the students. I was delighted to be able to give undergraduates the experience they crave, and the income they need\".\nBuild a portfolio of bite-sized work experiences\nUnisource enables students to earn while they learn, building a portfolio of bite-sized work experiences to prepare them for the commercial world and developing commercial relationships along the way. According to UCAS, around two-thirds of employers look for graduates with relevant work experience because it helps them prepare for work and develop general business awareness. But many students have had their work placements cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which means they need to use other routes to gain commercial understanding.\nThe company commissioned independent research with the owners of small- to medium-sized businesses and discovered that 42% spend too much time doing administrative tasks. In fact, SMEs spend, on average, a quarter of their time on tasks not directly related to growing their business. The research also indicated that businesses need people with skills in social media marketing, graphic design, market research and focus groups, events, database management, data processing or recruitment and training. University students could assist with these needs and more. The knowledge and skills available are as diverse as the subjects studied.\nThe website is being soft-launched in partnership with the University of Surrey Employability and Careers Department and local Surrey businesses, with plans in place to continue to roll-out the service across the whole of Surrey and beyond.\nTo access the new digital hub, Unisource, head to unisource-tasks.com.",
"A free, new digital hub launched to connect businesses with university students",
"Unisource is a Surrey-based digital hub that connects business owners seeking assistance with tasks, with university students looking for degree-relevant experience"
] |
|
[
"William Telford"
] | 2021-01-29T16:38:24 | null | 2021-01-29T16:18:59 |
Plymouth-headquartered chain says money has been spent on making store Covid safe and vows to create 2,700 jobs in 2021
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Fchris-dawsons-range-defends-decision-19730034.json
|
en
| null |
Chris Dawson's The Range defends decision not to hand back £36m business rates saving
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Household goods chain The Range will not be following some other essential retailers and paying back the £36million it has saved in rates relief – but stressed it has used the cash to make stores Covid safe.
The Plymouth-headquartered company, run by former market trader Chris Dawson, has benefited from the Government’s year-long business rates holiday, designed to help stores cope with the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdowns.
Pressure is mounting on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend the scheme, which is due to end on March 31, but also to close a loophole which has seen essential retailers, who have stayed open and even profited during the pandemic, to save millions of pounds.
And while some retailers – including Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl and B&M – have returned huge savings to the Treasury, others – including Waitrose, Iceland, M&S, Poundland and The Range – have not, and, indeed, don’t have to.
The Range, which in December 2020 announced profits of £46.741million on sales of nearly £1billion, is understood to have saved about £36million thanks to the tax holiday.
But the chain, which kept 180 stores open, is stressing it has used some of that cash to pay for the additional costs from making stores Covid secure and hiring extra staff. And it insisted it will use the “majority” of its profits generated this year to create 2,700 jobs across the UK.
A company spokesman said: “The rates holiday provided by the Government gave The Range the confidence (at the time it was announced) to invest in our stores and additional staff to ensure they were Covid secure whilst trading throughout the pandemic to date. The rates initiative has helped to offset the costs involved in achieving this.
“The Range is planning to use the majority of the profits generated this year to invest in future growth and to create 2,700 new jobs in the UK during the next 12 months.”
Supermarkets and other essential traders have been some of the biggest winners financially during the pandemic and its subsequent lockdowns.
Many, however, invested large sums into making stores safe for the public to visit, and also had to cover the costs of staff sickness and self-isolation.
Sainsbury’s said it has spent £290million including £110million on ensuring social distancing and buying PPE for staff.
However, some supermarkets decided to make payments to the Government. The likes of Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s came under pressure after handing out dividends to shareholders.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here
The Treasury is now conducting a review of business rates with findings due to be published shortly. The Chancellor presents his Budget on March 3, 2021.
The Treasury has already confirmed there will be no increase in rates in 2021. Usually the bills go up in line with inflation.
The Scottish Government has now extended the rates relief north of the border to June 30.
Meanwhile, there is also pressure on the Chancellor to look at the situation regarding online operators, such as Amazon which only pays rates on its warehouses, and at a much lower rate due to their locations out of city and town centres.
Tesco's former chief executive Dave Lewis has called for a 2% online sales tax, and Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley wants online players charged more.
The Government has declined to say what the cash already paid to it by essential retailers will be used for, but there have been calls for it to be distributed to the leisure sector which has been severely damaged by repeated lockdowns.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/chris-dawsons-range-defends-decision-19730034
|
en
| 2021-01-29T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/578d97e3fed6214e47bbd43c3545429a2c5e4bcd7e3bc39939eb0f49ed8ae12b.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nHousehold goods chain The Range will not be following some other essential retailers and paying back the £36million it has saved in rates relief – but stressed it has used the cash to make stores Covid safe.\nThe Plymouth-headquartered company, run by former market trader Chris Dawson, has benefited from the Government’s year-long business rates holiday, designed to help stores cope with the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdowns.\nPressure is mounting on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend the scheme, which is due to end on March 31, but also to close a loophole which has seen essential retailers, who have stayed open and even profited during the pandemic, to save millions of pounds.\nAnd while some retailers – including Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl and B&M – have returned huge savings to the Treasury, others – including Waitrose, Iceland, M&S, Poundland and The Range – have not, and, indeed, don’t have to.\nThe Range, which in December 2020 announced profits of £46.741million on sales of nearly £1billion, is understood to have saved about £36million thanks to the tax holiday.\nBut the chain, which kept 180 stores open, is stressing it has used some of that cash to pay for the additional costs from making stores Covid secure and hiring extra staff. And it insisted it will use the “majority” of its profits generated this year to create 2,700 jobs across the UK.\nA company spokesman said: “The rates holiday provided by the Government gave The Range the confidence (at the time it was announced) to invest in our stores and additional staff to ensure they were Covid secure whilst trading throughout the pandemic to date. The rates initiative has helped to offset the costs involved in achieving this.\n“The Range is planning to use the majority of the profits generated this year to invest in future growth and to create 2,700 new jobs in the UK during the next 12 months.”\nSupermarkets and other essential traders have been some of the biggest winners financially during the pandemic and its subsequent lockdowns.\nMany, however, invested large sums into making stores safe for the public to visit, and also had to cover the costs of staff sickness and self-isolation.\nSainsbury’s said it has spent £290million including £110million on ensuring social distancing and buying PPE for staff.\nHowever, some supermarkets decided to make payments to the Government. The likes of Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s came under pressure after handing out dividends to shareholders.\nHow to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here\nThe Treasury is now conducting a review of business rates with findings due to be published shortly. The Chancellor presents his Budget on March 3, 2021.\nThe Treasury has already confirmed there will be no increase in rates in 2021. Usually the bills go up in line with inflation.\nThe Scottish Government has now extended the rates relief north of the border to June 30.\nMeanwhile, there is also pressure on the Chancellor to look at the situation regarding online operators, such as Amazon which only pays rates on its warehouses, and at a much lower rate due to their locations out of city and town centres.\nTesco's former chief executive Dave Lewis has called for a 2% online sales tax, and Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley wants online players charged more.\nThe Government has declined to say what the cash already paid to it by essential retailers will be used for, but there have been calls for it to be distributed to the leisure sector which has been severely damaged by repeated lockdowns.",
"Chris Dawson's The Range defends decision not to hand back £36m business rates saving",
"Plymouth-headquartered chain says money has been spent on making store Covid safe and vows to create 2,700 jobs in 2021"
] |
|
[
"Sion Barry",
"Image",
"Shared Content Unit",
"Charlotte Medlicott"
] | 2021-01-21T10:39:36 | null | 2021-01-21T10:10:11 |
It is looking to build on £10m invested into Welsh firms in 2020
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fprofessional-services%2Fbanking-finance%2Fbusiness-growth-fund-appetite-back-19669739.json
|
en
| null |
The Business Growth Fund with appetite to back more growth firms in Wales
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The Business Growth Fund (BFG) is looking to ramp up investments into growth-focused firms in Wales.
Last year the BGF, invested £10m into firms in Wales, including £6m into Cardiff-headquartered digital agency Kagool. With offices also in Manchester, London and New York, the equity investment is supporting its organic and acquisitive growth strategy. Shortly after the deal Kagool acquired Delete, a digital experience agency.
Since its launch in 2010 the BGF has invested £33.5m in Wales and across the UK £2.5bn into more than 335 firms. It can make equity investments of between £2m and £10m per investment deal.
Ned Dorbin, head of Wales and the south west of England for the BGF, said: “Covid-19 has placed a significant strain on many of the region’s businesses; however, we have remained determined to support those entrepreneurs and management teams showing great resilience in the face of economic uncertainty.
“Throughout 2020, BGF has continued its long-term approach, with the aim to assist the expansion of businesses in Wales at the appropriate pace and pursue an exit that is timed right to be of maximum benefit to all shareholders.
"There are so many exciting companies in the region, and we predict that we will see an increase in companies that are looking for growth support.”
(Image: Charlotte Medlicott 2017)
Mr Dorbin said his team has seen an uplift in enquiries heading into 2021, signalling further prospects for deal activity over the next 12 months.
He said opportunities are likely to arise from entrepreneurs looking to make acquisitions, enter new markets and potentially de-risk of some of their own personal investments.
Sign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.
As well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.
This view is supported by research carried out by Delineate on behalf of BGF which found that 83% of growth economy companies in the Wales – which have revenues between £2.5m and £100m – said they remain motivated to grow in 2021. This data also showed that 67% of companies in Wales said that the pandemic has triggered permanent changes to their business models. 58% have invested in digital infrastructure and 42% have entered new sectors.
BGF’s data also showed that Welsh companies were looking to employ more staff members in the region. 25% of Welsh respondents said they planned to hire a few new staff and 17% said they planned significant new hires – signalling that overall, there will be net gains in employment across the growth business population.
Mr Dorbin said: “We are seeing a real drive and motivation amongst growth economy businesses in Wales to get themselves in order, with many considering equity funding as a stabilising solution. BGF’s proposition as a long-term, minority equity partner is attractive to businesses looking to recapitalise, particularly if they have built up significant amounts of debt during the pandemic.
"Equity funding can allow the repayment of personal financing and accelerate growth plans, such as strategic acquisitions. BGF has the expertise and financial backing to give businesses critical advice as they look to reignite or forge ahead with growth plans this year.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/professional-services/banking-finance/business-growth-fund-appetite-back-19669739
|
en
| 2021-01-21T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/d0b53572a1a407e2d986c3efa243a209b66b9317fb01906fe5a16dc4fe9705ff.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe Business Growth Fund (BFG) is looking to ramp up investments into growth-focused firms in Wales.\nLast year the BGF, invested £10m into firms in Wales, including £6m into Cardiff-headquartered digital agency Kagool. With offices also in Manchester, London and New York, the equity investment is supporting its organic and acquisitive growth strategy. Shortly after the deal Kagool acquired Delete, a digital experience agency.\nSince its launch in 2010 the BGF has invested £33.5m in Wales and across the UK £2.5bn into more than 335 firms. It can make equity investments of between £2m and £10m per investment deal.\nNed Dorbin, head of Wales and the south west of England for the BGF, said: “Covid-19 has placed a significant strain on many of the region’s businesses; however, we have remained determined to support those entrepreneurs and management teams showing great resilience in the face of economic uncertainty.\n“Throughout 2020, BGF has continued its long-term approach, with the aim to assist the expansion of businesses in Wales at the appropriate pace and pursue an exit that is timed right to be of maximum benefit to all shareholders.\n\"There are so many exciting companies in the region, and we predict that we will see an increase in companies that are looking for growth support.”\n(Image: Charlotte Medlicott 2017)\nMr Dorbin said his team has seen an uplift in enquiries heading into 2021, signalling further prospects for deal activity over the next 12 months.\nHe said opportunities are likely to arise from entrepreneurs looking to make acquisitions, enter new markets and potentially de-risk of some of their own personal investments.\nSign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.\nAs well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.\nThis view is supported by research carried out by Delineate on behalf of BGF which found that 83% of growth economy companies in the Wales – which have revenues between £2.5m and £100m – said they remain motivated to grow in 2021. This data also showed that 67% of companies in Wales said that the pandemic has triggered permanent changes to their business models. 58% have invested in digital infrastructure and 42% have entered new sectors.\nBGF’s data also showed that Welsh companies were looking to employ more staff members in the region. 25% of Welsh respondents said they planned to hire a few new staff and 17% said they planned significant new hires – signalling that overall, there will be net gains in employment across the growth business population.\nMr Dorbin said: “We are seeing a real drive and motivation amongst growth economy businesses in Wales to get themselves in order, with many considering equity funding as a stabilising solution. BGF’s proposition as a long-term, minority equity partner is attractive to businesses looking to recapitalise, particularly if they have built up significant amounts of debt during the pandemic.\n\"Equity funding can allow the repayment of personal financing and accelerate growth plans, such as strategic acquisitions. BGF has the expertise and financial backing to give businesses critical advice as they look to reignite or forge ahead with growth plans this year.”",
"The Business Growth Fund with appetite to back more growth firms in Wales",
"It is looking to build on £10m invested into Welsh firms in 2020"
] |
|
[
"Laura Watson"
] | 2021-01-14T13:07:23 | null | 2021-01-14T11:48:54 |
The company expects revenue to be at least £87 million for 2020
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fmanufacturing%2Ffull-year-revenue-portmeirion-ahead-19623255.json
|
en
| null |
Full-year revenue at Portmeirion to be 'ahead of expectations' despite 6% drop
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Pottery firm Portmeirion expects full-year revenue for 2020 to be ‘ahead of expectations’ at around £87 million.
In a trading update to the stock exchange, the Stoke-based company revealed that revenue up to 31 December 2020, will be at least six per cent ahead of market expectations following a strong second half and seasonal trading performance.
The firm – which owns brands including Spode, Royal Worcester, Wax Lyrical, Nambe and Pimpernel – says 2020 revenue will be at least £87 million, which is down from £92.8 million in 2019.
The group said that sales were impacted by the multiple lockdown-related closures of stores in ‘key retail markets’ with second half sales down seven per cent on the same period in 2019.
This compares favourably to the 20 per cent reduction in the first half of the year.
Online sales, however, have performed strongly in the last six months and Portmeirion estimates that 47 per cent of its total UK and US sales are now made through its online channels – this is up from 30 per cent in 2019.
The company expects to see continued growth in online sales in 2021.
Chief executive Mike Raybould said: “Although 2020 has been a challenging year and our sales markets have been significantly impacted by Covid-19, we are hugely encouraged by the resilience of our brands and most recently our strong seasonal sales performance.
“We have taken a long term view through 2020 and increased investment spend behind our key strategic objectives; in particular online sales channel development and the efficiency and capabilities of our factories and warehouses. We believe this will accelerate growth in future years.
"We have an exciting pipeline of new products to launch around the world in 2021 which we expect will contribute to sales growth across our key sales markets.”
Click here to sign up to the daily BusinessLive email
Mr Raybould added: “There is no doubt that Covid-19 and the restrictions imposed by government lockdowns will continue to bring challenges through 2021. However our operations remain open and our proven international brand strength, growing online presence and strong balance sheet provide a platform for us to grow across our key sales markets.
"We remain confident in our strategic plan, the strength of our brands and the long term opportunities to grow our business.”
In September, Portmeirion announced plans to invest more than £1 million upgrading machinery and software at its London Road factory as part of efforts to ‘provide additional throughput and efficiency.’
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/full-year-revenue-portmeirion-ahead-19623255
|
en
| 2021-01-14T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/f19b6fdd68c9892d33659addb3474a87308f086d29e0611825ef7bbaa9037ddb.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nPottery firm Portmeirion expects full-year revenue for 2020 to be ‘ahead of expectations’ at around £87 million.\nIn a trading update to the stock exchange, the Stoke-based company revealed that revenue up to 31 December 2020, will be at least six per cent ahead of market expectations following a strong second half and seasonal trading performance.\nThe firm – which owns brands including Spode, Royal Worcester, Wax Lyrical, Nambe and Pimpernel – says 2020 revenue will be at least £87 million, which is down from £92.8 million in 2019.\nThe group said that sales were impacted by the multiple lockdown-related closures of stores in ‘key retail markets’ with second half sales down seven per cent on the same period in 2019.\nThis compares favourably to the 20 per cent reduction in the first half of the year.\nOnline sales, however, have performed strongly in the last six months and Portmeirion estimates that 47 per cent of its total UK and US sales are now made through its online channels – this is up from 30 per cent in 2019.\nThe company expects to see continued growth in online sales in 2021.\nChief executive Mike Raybould said: “Although 2020 has been a challenging year and our sales markets have been significantly impacted by Covid-19, we are hugely encouraged by the resilience of our brands and most recently our strong seasonal sales performance.\n“We have taken a long term view through 2020 and increased investment spend behind our key strategic objectives; in particular online sales channel development and the efficiency and capabilities of our factories and warehouses. We believe this will accelerate growth in future years.\n\"We have an exciting pipeline of new products to launch around the world in 2021 which we expect will contribute to sales growth across our key sales markets.”\nClick here to sign up to the daily BusinessLive email\nMr Raybould added: “There is no doubt that Covid-19 and the restrictions imposed by government lockdowns will continue to bring challenges through 2021. However our operations remain open and our proven international brand strength, growing online presence and strong balance sheet provide a platform for us to grow across our key sales markets.\n\"We remain confident in our strategic plan, the strength of our brands and the long term opportunities to grow our business.”\nIn September, Portmeirion announced plans to invest more than £1 million upgrading machinery and software at its London Road factory as part of efforts to ‘provide additional throughput and efficiency.’",
"Full-year revenue at Portmeirion to be 'ahead of expectations' despite 6% drop",
"The company expects revenue to be at least £87 million for 2020"
] |
|
[
"Laura Watson"
] | 2021-01-22T06:32:37 | null | 2021-01-22T05:00:00 |
The facility will accommodate the increasing volume of products being produced by the company
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fcommercial-property%2Fpottery-giant-emma-bridgewater-reveals-19673589.json
|
en
| null |
Pottery giant Emma Bridgewater reveals plans to open third warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Growing pottery firm Emma Bridgewater has announced plans for a huge new warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent - its third one in the city.
The company - which is known for its colourful, hand-decorated crockery - is opening a new distribution centre at Meir Point.
The 70,000 sq ft facility will be the company's third site in Stoke-on-Trent after the Emma Bridgewater factory in Hanley - which produces 44,000 pieces of pottery a week - and a distribution centre at the Berryhill Trading Estate in Fenton.
The new warehouse - which is due to open in the spring - will be the main site for all of the company's distribution and despatch operations and will help to accommodate the increasing volume of products.
The existing distribution centre at Berryhill will be repurposed as an additional manufacturing facility.
Company bosses say the move comes in response to 'continued strong demand' for its products in the UK and around the world.
Operations director Graham Bolton said: "The appeal of the brand's designs continues to grow, generating strong sales over the past three years with more of our Stoke-on-Trent-made pottery and other products being despatched across the world.
"Securing a larger distribution facility was a top priority for the business last year and we are delighted to be moving our warehouse operations to the new centre at Meir Point in the spring which will further improve our service to all our customers and support our excellent team to work even more efficiently.
"Our existing warehouse at Berryhill will be put to alternative use supporting our expanding production operations."
Want more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
Emma Bridgewater was established in Stoke-on-Trent in 1985.
Today the company boasts a workforce of more than 350 staff and an annual turnover of around £20 million.
It has a portfolio of more than 500 stockists and large retailers which include John Lewis and Liberty London.
Last year, Emma Bridgewater landed an £8 million investment from The British Growth Fund (BGF) to support its plans for international growth and to increase capacity at its Stoke-on-Trent factory.
In the last three years, the business has seen an increase in demand for its products from emerging markets such as China, the US and Europe.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/pottery-giant-emma-bridgewater-reveals-19673589
|
en
| 2021-01-22T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/3ce66efa20aa42f08567b467473afc0f9fe66d97608befbec576ace073de4a2e.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nGrowing pottery firm Emma Bridgewater has announced plans for a huge new warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent - its third one in the city.\nThe company - which is known for its colourful, hand-decorated crockery - is opening a new distribution centre at Meir Point.\nThe 70,000 sq ft facility will be the company's third site in Stoke-on-Trent after the Emma Bridgewater factory in Hanley - which produces 44,000 pieces of pottery a week - and a distribution centre at the Berryhill Trading Estate in Fenton.\nThe new warehouse - which is due to open in the spring - will be the main site for all of the company's distribution and despatch operations and will help to accommodate the increasing volume of products.\nThe existing distribution centre at Berryhill will be repurposed as an additional manufacturing facility.\nCompany bosses say the move comes in response to 'continued strong demand' for its products in the UK and around the world.\nOperations director Graham Bolton said: \"The appeal of the brand's designs continues to grow, generating strong sales over the past three years with more of our Stoke-on-Trent-made pottery and other products being despatched across the world.\n\"Securing a larger distribution facility was a top priority for the business last year and we are delighted to be moving our warehouse operations to the new centre at Meir Point in the spring which will further improve our service to all our customers and support our excellent team to work even more efficiently.\n\"Our existing warehouse at Berryhill will be put to alternative use supporting our expanding production operations.\"\nWant more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\nEmma Bridgewater was established in Stoke-on-Trent in 1985.\nToday the company boasts a workforce of more than 350 staff and an annual turnover of around £20 million.\nIt has a portfolio of more than 500 stockists and large retailers which include John Lewis and Liberty London.\nLast year, Emma Bridgewater landed an £8 million investment from The British Growth Fund (BGF) to support its plans for international growth and to increase capacity at its Stoke-on-Trent factory.\nIn the last three years, the business has seen an increase in demand for its products from emerging markets such as China, the US and Europe.",
"Pottery giant Emma Bridgewater reveals plans to open third warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent",
"The facility will accommodate the increasing volume of products being produced by the company"
] |
|
[
"Manisha Bhanot"
] | 2021-01-04T13:24:44 | null | 2021-01-04T12:36:32 |
Dains LLP, a regional firm of chartered accountants based in Derby, believes Chancellor Rishi Sunak will have a difficult job ahead of him managing the UK's tax strategy during the pandemic in 2021
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fpartners%2Fopinion-rishi-sunak-covid-19-19532547.json
|
en
| null |
OPINION: Rishi Sunak and Covid-19 amid the UK tax system's best-kept secret
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
After almost a year of lockdowns and social distancing, Dains Accountants - which specialises in advising growing and owner-managed businesses in the Midlands - states Rishi Sunak will face the impossible task of balancing the books, whilst trying to keep the taxpayer happy when contemplating the fiscal plan to be outlined during the spring budget:
Spending cuts, or a return to austerity seem highly unlikely and by the time of the spring budget, it is equally unlikely that we will have fought off the risk of COVID. So how will he begin to balance the books?
Much like his predecessors, George Osborne and Phillip Hammond, he will be left with very few choices. Conservative party election pledges may need to be compromised but it is inconceivable that Rishi will rip up the manifesto completely.
As a result, most commentators would argue that Capital Gains Tax (CGT) should be first in line for review. Whilst this may not be popular in some quarters, it is much less contentious than a ‘wealth tax’ which would apply taxation without the benefit of cashflow.
It is widely reported that Inheritance Tax Rules will be amended, and ‘large’ lifetime gifts may be subject to tax at the point of transaction, rather than falling into the Potentially Exempt Transfer (PET) legislation or ‘seven year rule’ as it is perhaps better known.
How business owners may be impacted by new tax rules
For business owners, the prospect of a significant hike in CGT levels is of real concern.
On March 11, 2020, Rishi Sunak reduced the Entrepreneurs’ Relief (ER) lifetime limit from £10m to £1m. This was a body blow for a significant number of business owners, contemplating a sale of their business during the next few years.
A business owner, eligible for ER, selling 100% of their business with a capital gain of £5m saw their capital gains tax charge increase from £500K to £900K – a bitter pill to swallow…or maybe not?
If we assume the Chancellor does not change Entrepreneurs’ Relief rules, we should perhaps consider the impact of an increase in the headline rate of CGT?
There is speculation that CGT on residential property sales may increase in line with income tax, but a tax hike of this magnitude would be hugely unpopular across the board and so perhaps there is room for some ‘middle ground’?
There is no logical reason why a 30% rate could not be applied – still more favourable than income tax and arguably, much less onerous than a wealth tax.
The bad news is that for the business owner contemplating the same £5m gain from a business sale, their tax charge would increase to £1.3m.
The prospect of an employee ownership model
Whilst employee ownership is still considered a new model in the UK, it feels increasingly relevant given the level of employee participation in proactive, growing businesses.
Legislation, introduced in 2014 Finance Act, means that subject to the correct structure, business owners can exit the business at an effective nil rate capital gains tax charge.
Funders are building their knowledge of employee ownership transactions and they are quickly becoming the model of choice for a growing number of businesses.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/partners/opinion-rishi-sunak-covid-19-19532547
|
en
| 2021-01-04T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/a98adda914f2b0a24d7bcf1e1e9c486dd646148a0391000f2f19db9f04441a73.json
|
[
"After almost a year of lockdowns and social distancing, Dains Accountants - which specialises in advising growing and owner-managed businesses in the Midlands - states Rishi Sunak will face the impossible task of balancing the books, whilst trying to keep the taxpayer happy when contemplating the fiscal plan to be outlined during the spring budget:\nSpending cuts, or a return to austerity seem highly unlikely and by the time of the spring budget, it is equally unlikely that we will have fought off the risk of COVID. So how will he begin to balance the books?\nMuch like his predecessors, George Osborne and Phillip Hammond, he will be left with very few choices. Conservative party election pledges may need to be compromised but it is inconceivable that Rishi will rip up the manifesto completely.\nAs a result, most commentators would argue that Capital Gains Tax (CGT) should be first in line for review. Whilst this may not be popular in some quarters, it is much less contentious than a ‘wealth tax’ which would apply taxation without the benefit of cashflow.\nIt is widely reported that Inheritance Tax Rules will be amended, and ‘large’ lifetime gifts may be subject to tax at the point of transaction, rather than falling into the Potentially Exempt Transfer (PET) legislation or ‘seven year rule’ as it is perhaps better known.\nHow business owners may be impacted by new tax rules\nFor business owners, the prospect of a significant hike in CGT levels is of real concern.\nOn March 11, 2020, Rishi Sunak reduced the Entrepreneurs’ Relief (ER) lifetime limit from £10m to £1m. This was a body blow for a significant number of business owners, contemplating a sale of their business during the next few years.\nA business owner, eligible for ER, selling 100% of their business with a capital gain of £5m saw their capital gains tax charge increase from £500K to £900K – a bitter pill to swallow…or maybe not?\nIf we assume the Chancellor does not change Entrepreneurs’ Relief rules, we should perhaps consider the impact of an increase in the headline rate of CGT?\nThere is speculation that CGT on residential property sales may increase in line with income tax, but a tax hike of this magnitude would be hugely unpopular across the board and so perhaps there is room for some ‘middle ground’?\nThere is no logical reason why a 30% rate could not be applied – still more favourable than income tax and arguably, much less onerous than a wealth tax.\nThe bad news is that for the business owner contemplating the same £5m gain from a business sale, their tax charge would increase to £1.3m.\nThe prospect of an employee ownership model\nWhilst employee ownership is still considered a new model in the UK, it feels increasingly relevant given the level of employee participation in proactive, growing businesses.\nLegislation, introduced in 2014 Finance Act, means that subject to the correct structure, business owners can exit the business at an effective nil rate capital gains tax charge.\nFunders are building their knowledge of employee ownership transactions and they are quickly becoming the model of choice for a growing number of businesses.",
"OPINION: Rishi Sunak and Covid-19 amid the UK tax system's best-kept secret",
"Dains LLP, a regional firm of chartered accountants based in Derby, believes Chancellor Rishi Sunak will have a difficult job ahead of him managing the UK's tax strategy during the pandemic in 2021"
] |
|
[
"Tom Pegden"
] | 2021-01-27T03:10:34 | null | 2021-01-27T03:00:00 |
Developer Tritax Symmetry wants to build on almost 1,000 acres of fields next to the motorway, six miles south of Leicester
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fregional-development%2Fpublic-invited-comment-6000-home-19701326.json
|
en
| null |
Public invited to comment on 6,000 home village and industrial complex that could straddle M1 motorway
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - East Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A public consultation is underway on plans to build up to 6,000 new homes and industrial development straddling the M1 in Leicestershire.
A webinar will take place this week to open up the proposals for the new “Garden Village” to public scrutiny.
Developer Tritax Symmetry wants to build on almost 1,000 acres of fields next to the motorway, six miles south of Leicester.
It said the development, which it is calling Whetstone Pastures, could have between 5,000 and 6,000 homes along with new shops, schools and a logistics park with four million square feet of space.
It also wants to build a new motorway service station.
The public is being asked for its input on the ‘draft vision’ for the scheme, with the webinar event taking place at 7pm on Thursday January 28 at 7pm. People can e-mail [email protected] if they want to take part.
People can also find out more at www.whetstonepastures.co.uk.
Sinead Turnbull, planning director at Tritax Symmetry, said: “We’ve already had a good level of interest in the draft vision since the launch and thank everyone who has taken part to date.
“We want to encourage as many people as possible to review the documents and provide feedback over the remaining weeks, especially young people whose views are all important to future development.
“Whetstone Pastures is an opportunity to create something ‘unique’ and ‘special’ in south Leicestershire.
“A distinct “standalone” new community for the future that as well as delivering new homes, employment, schools, healthcare facilities, parks and infrastructure can also provide benefits to existing villages, especially through its connectivity with them.
“Whetstone Pastures provides an opportunity to plan for sustainable and deliverable long-term growth for the district instead of piecemeal development in existing villages and settlements throughout South Leicestershire.”
Feedback will be considered by the Tritax design team and incorporated into a final vision document which will be the shared blueprint for Whetstone Pastures between the project partners and people living nearby.
Blaby District Council leader Coun Terry Richardson recently told LeicestershireLive: “Tritax are doing the first stage of public consultation but there will be many more opportunities for people to have their say.
“I know people might suggest this is a done deal but it isn’t.
“As a council we can’t bury our heads in the sand and ignore developments.
“It’s right that we should be part of the conversation to make sure this, if it gets permission, is the right development and is good quality.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/regional-development/public-invited-comment-6000-home-19701326
|
en
| 2021-01-27T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/2d57ed5e74e38cbd18f02a2744573558db0b3ca97b1a835a0059d717b692c531.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - East Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA public consultation is underway on plans to build up to 6,000 new homes and industrial development straddling the M1 in Leicestershire.\nA webinar will take place this week to open up the proposals for the new “Garden Village” to public scrutiny.\nDeveloper Tritax Symmetry wants to build on almost 1,000 acres of fields next to the motorway, six miles south of Leicester.\nIt said the development, which it is calling Whetstone Pastures, could have between 5,000 and 6,000 homes along with new shops, schools and a logistics park with four million square feet of space.\nIt also wants to build a new motorway service station.\nThe public is being asked for its input on the ‘draft vision’ for the scheme, with the webinar event taking place at 7pm on Thursday January 28 at 7pm. People can e-mail [email protected] if they want to take part.\nPeople can also find out more at www.whetstonepastures.co.uk.\nSinead Turnbull, planning director at Tritax Symmetry, said: “We’ve already had a good level of interest in the draft vision since the launch and thank everyone who has taken part to date.\n“We want to encourage as many people as possible to review the documents and provide feedback over the remaining weeks, especially young people whose views are all important to future development.\n“Whetstone Pastures is an opportunity to create something ‘unique’ and ‘special’ in south Leicestershire.\n“A distinct “standalone” new community for the future that as well as delivering new homes, employment, schools, healthcare facilities, parks and infrastructure can also provide benefits to existing villages, especially through its connectivity with them.\n“Whetstone Pastures provides an opportunity to plan for sustainable and deliverable long-term growth for the district instead of piecemeal development in existing villages and settlements throughout South Leicestershire.”\nFeedback will be considered by the Tritax design team and incorporated into a final vision document which will be the shared blueprint for Whetstone Pastures between the project partners and people living nearby.\nBlaby District Council leader Coun Terry Richardson recently told LeicestershireLive: “Tritax are doing the first stage of public consultation but there will be many more opportunities for people to have their say.\n“I know people might suggest this is a done deal but it isn’t.\n“As a council we can’t bury our heads in the sand and ignore developments.\n“It’s right that we should be part of the conversation to make sure this, if it gets permission, is the right development and is good quality.”",
"Public invited to comment on 6,000 home village and industrial complex that could straddle M1 motorway",
"Developer Tritax Symmetry wants to build on almost 1,000 acres of fields next to the motorway, six miles south of Leicester"
] |
|
[
"Tamlyn Jones"
] | 2021-01-19T11:17:03 | null | 2021-01-19T10:56:26 |
Retail specialist launched in 1964 has been rebranded Birmingham Bank
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fprofessional-services%2Fbanking-finance%2Fbira-bank-takeover-bushell-investment-19653986.json
|
en
| null |
Bira Bank takeover by Bushell Investment Group
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A bank founded in the 1960s which specialises in serving the retail sector has been taken over.
Bira Bank was run by the British Independent Retailers Association in Birmingham and worked with thousands of independent retailers.
Bushell Investment Group, also based in the city, has now acquired Bira Bank and changed its name to Birmingham Bank with the aim of serving independent SMEs across both the Midlands and wider UK.
Bira Bank said it needed "significant investment” to improve its technology, computer systems and offer more banking services therefore opted for a sale.
It is said to be the first time a bank has borne the Birmingham name in over a century.
Want more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
Lee Bushell founded Bushell Investment Group since when he has bought or sold more than 40 businesses over the past two decades in sectors such as finance, retail, hair and beauty and construction.
He said: "This acquisition and investment is focused on providing a real banking alternative for Midlands businesses.
"As an entrepreneur, I understand the frustrations many businesses face when dealing with their bank.
"As we roll out the Birmingham Bank, we aim to simplify banking and focus on the underlying relationship between ourselves and our customers.
"In an age of fintechs and large banks, we will sit squarely in the centre and use technology to make banking needs simpler but use experienced people to make common sense-based decisions."
The acquisition was granted regulatory approval late last year and has now been formalised.
All existing staff and customers will be automatically transferred over to the new company and there are no planned redundancies, according to a statement from Birmingham Bank.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street added: "The launch of the new Birmingham Bank is a great boost for the region's economy and will play an important role in supporting local business and enterprise.
"Small- and medium-sized businesses are critical to our economy and jobs and having this new bank embedded in the region will help provide them with the financial support that is crucial, now more than ever."
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/professional-services/banking-finance/bira-bank-takeover-bushell-investment-19653986
|
en
| 2021-01-19T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/8baa51f9699fb9ac0770c5c33bb25d09ffd18ed60f25f70a06ad6ea93b7f6028.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA bank founded in the 1960s which specialises in serving the retail sector has been taken over.\nBira Bank was run by the British Independent Retailers Association in Birmingham and worked with thousands of independent retailers.\nBushell Investment Group, also based in the city, has now acquired Bira Bank and changed its name to Birmingham Bank with the aim of serving independent SMEs across both the Midlands and wider UK.\nBira Bank said it needed \"significant investment” to improve its technology, computer systems and offer more banking services therefore opted for a sale.\nIt is said to be the first time a bank has borne the Birmingham name in over a century.\nWant more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\nLee Bushell founded Bushell Investment Group since when he has bought or sold more than 40 businesses over the past two decades in sectors such as finance, retail, hair and beauty and construction.\nHe said: \"This acquisition and investment is focused on providing a real banking alternative for Midlands businesses.\n\"As an entrepreneur, I understand the frustrations many businesses face when dealing with their bank.\n\"As we roll out the Birmingham Bank, we aim to simplify banking and focus on the underlying relationship between ourselves and our customers.\n\"In an age of fintechs and large banks, we will sit squarely in the centre and use technology to make banking needs simpler but use experienced people to make common sense-based decisions.\"\nThe acquisition was granted regulatory approval late last year and has now been formalised.\nAll existing staff and customers will be automatically transferred over to the new company and there are no planned redundancies, according to a statement from Birmingham Bank.\nWest Midlands Mayor Andy Street added: \"The launch of the new Birmingham Bank is a great boost for the region's economy and will play an important role in supporting local business and enterprise.\n\"Small- and medium-sized businesses are critical to our economy and jobs and having this new bank embedded in the region will help provide them with the financial support that is crucial, now more than ever.\"",
"Bira Bank takeover by Bushell Investment Group",
"Retail specialist launched in 1964 has been rebranded Birmingham Bank"
] |
|
[
"Tom Pegden"
] | 2021-01-12T09:14:28 | null | 2021-01-12T08:10:46 |
The number of fee earners within the business rose to 785, from 706 the previous year
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fprofessional-services%2Fgateley-management-optimistic-after-strong-19607236.json
|
en
| null |
Gateley management optimistic after strong six months
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Professional Services Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Management at Gateley law firm say they are feeling optimistic about the coming months after a strong performance during the pandemic.
The business, the first commercial UK law firm to list on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM Market, saw pre-tax profits rise 10 per cent in the six months to October 31, at £6.1 million.
A sharp drop in activity levels in the spring lockdown had been mitigated by continuing improvements, taking overall activity levels slightly up on the same period a year earlier.
The number of fee earners within the business rose to 785, from 706 the previous year.
Overall revenues were down marginally at £50.5 million.
Net assets were up 60 per cent to almost £50 million.
Founded in Birmingham in 1808, the business now has 1,100 staff across offices in Belfast, Birmingham, Bolton, Guildford, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Reading and Dubai.
In a trading statement Gateley said: “Following a strong first half performance, the business has entered the second half of the financial year with a sense of optimism and confidence.
“Trading in the second half has maintained momentum despite macro-economic uncertainty resulting from the ongoing pandemic.
“Whilst remaining cautious, the group’s well-diversified and resilient business model gives the board confidence for the future.
“So long as trading remains robust for the remainder of the financial year, the board will be in a position to, and intends to, award bonus payments to staff and make dividend payments to shareholders for the current financial year.”
Chief executive Rod Waldie said: “I am delighted with the group’s excellent operational and financial performance during the first half of our 2021 financial year.
“The wellbeing of all our people remains our priority. In the meantime, despite the personal challenges of working through the pandemic, our loyal and dedicated teams continue to serve our clients to the highest standard.
“This affirms the strength of Gateley’s “one team” culture and the adaptation of our systems to ensure the delivery of an excellent service to our clients.
“Gateley’s business model and its mix of service lines, which has been supplemented by our successful M&A strategy, was deliberately designed to provide resilience, the value of which is demonstrated in the Group’s H1 21 performance.
“Our platform strategy is developing across the group. Legal and consultancy businesses are working closely together to attract new work, in a manner that differentiates Gateley and which is becoming increasingly attractive to clients.
“The acquisition pipeline is positive. Our strategy remains to continue to acquire complementary legal and consultancy services, to expand our diversified business and to reach deeper into our chosen markets, further enhancing the group’s resilience.
“The FY 21 revenue pipeline is robust and this, combined with the many operational efficiencies that we have so far realised in the current year, means I am confident that, despite general uncertainty arising from the pandemic, the group is positioned well to deliver a strong performance for the remainder of the financial year.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/professional-services/gateley-management-optimistic-after-strong-19607236
|
en
| 2021-01-12T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/d1301e028aa4d5e4a34395daeb538a63b9dea8885b09220bab5e6ed99b2343f5.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Professional Services Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nManagement at Gateley law firm say they are feeling optimistic about the coming months after a strong performance during the pandemic.\nThe business, the first commercial UK law firm to list on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM Market, saw pre-tax profits rise 10 per cent in the six months to October 31, at £6.1 million.\nA sharp drop in activity levels in the spring lockdown had been mitigated by continuing improvements, taking overall activity levels slightly up on the same period a year earlier.\nThe number of fee earners within the business rose to 785, from 706 the previous year.\nOverall revenues were down marginally at £50.5 million.\nNet assets were up 60 per cent to almost £50 million.\nFounded in Birmingham in 1808, the business now has 1,100 staff across offices in Belfast, Birmingham, Bolton, Guildford, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Reading and Dubai.\nIn a trading statement Gateley said: “Following a strong first half performance, the business has entered the second half of the financial year with a sense of optimism and confidence.\n“Trading in the second half has maintained momentum despite macro-economic uncertainty resulting from the ongoing pandemic.\n“Whilst remaining cautious, the group’s well-diversified and resilient business model gives the board confidence for the future.\n“So long as trading remains robust for the remainder of the financial year, the board will be in a position to, and intends to, award bonus payments to staff and make dividend payments to shareholders for the current financial year.”\nChief executive Rod Waldie said: “I am delighted with the group’s excellent operational and financial performance during the first half of our 2021 financial year.\n“The wellbeing of all our people remains our priority. In the meantime, despite the personal challenges of working through the pandemic, our loyal and dedicated teams continue to serve our clients to the highest standard.\n“This affirms the strength of Gateley’s “one team” culture and the adaptation of our systems to ensure the delivery of an excellent service to our clients.\n“Gateley’s business model and its mix of service lines, which has been supplemented by our successful M&A strategy, was deliberately designed to provide resilience, the value of which is demonstrated in the Group’s H1 21 performance.\n“Our platform strategy is developing across the group. Legal and consultancy businesses are working closely together to attract new work, in a manner that differentiates Gateley and which is becoming increasingly attractive to clients.\n“The acquisition pipeline is positive. Our strategy remains to continue to acquire complementary legal and consultancy services, to expand our diversified business and to reach deeper into our chosen markets, further enhancing the group’s resilience.\n“The FY 21 revenue pipeline is robust and this, combined with the many operational efficiencies that we have so far realised in the current year, means I am confident that, despite general uncertainty arising from the pandemic, the group is positioned well to deliver a strong performance for the remainder of the financial year.”",
"Gateley management optimistic after strong six months",
"The number of fee earners within the business rose to 785, from 706 the previous year"
] |
|
[
"Alistair Houghton",
"Image",
"Sheffield Newspapers",
"Reach Data Team"
] | 2021-01-28T07:38:16 | null | 2021-01-28T07:00:00 |
Other companies urged to sign up to scheme to help fix 'urgent social problem'
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fcash-connectivity-businesses-join-campaign-19713789.json
|
en
| null |
Cash for Connectivity: Businesses join campaign to help disadvantaged households get online
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Enterprise Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Businesses across the North of England are joining forces in a campaign to help disadvantaged households get online.
BusinessLive and titles across our parent company Reach plc are backing the Cash for Connectivity appeal which hopes to raise £1.2m to help provide free internet to 100,000 disadvantaged households.
Young children are being denied their basic right to education because they cannot access online learning at home during lockdown.
The appeal is part of the Laptops for Kids campaign, launched by technology entrepreneur David Richards and supported by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and a growing number of newspapers, websites, businesses and local authorities.
Cash for Connectivity will fund the purchase of dongles - inexpensive hardware to connect laptops and up to five other devices per household to the internet.
Data software company WANDisco is jointly headquartered in Sheffield and Silicon Valley, and also has a base in Newcastle. Its founder and CEO David Richards said: “This is a quick and inexpensive fix to an urgent social problem and we encourage readers to donate.
“Connectivity is as important as water and should be freely available to those in need. Together we can help end the data drought in the North of England.”
The Laptops for Kids campaign launched in Sheffield in September and is scaling up across the North with its proven method of sourcing, securely erasing and distributing devices to schools, according to need.
Other partners include Partners include Blancco plc, the global leader in certified data erasure, the non-political Northern Powerhouse Partnership, and Twinkl, the Yorkshire-based online educational publisher.
(Image: Reach Data Team)
Nigel Watson, group information services director at Northumbrian Water said: “We are incredibly proud to be part of the Laptops for Kids campaign, which has so far seen over 700 devices donated to children in our region.
“By collaborating and innovating together, we managed to provide valuable resources to youngsters across the North East. However, without reliable connectivity to the internet, there is a limitation on how they can be used.
“Without connectivity, home-schooling children are at a huge disadvantage.
“The Cash for Connectivity campaign is the vital next step for our children to continue their remote education.”
Robert Forrester, chief executive of North East-based Vertu Motors plc, said: “This campaign is vitally important.
"Education is the cornerstone of our country and we must ensure that all children have the same opportunities to learn while schools are closed. This means having access to laptops and digital equipment to support virtual learning and home schooling.
"Inequality now will lead to inequality in later life and we must do what we can to help. Well done to the Journal and its publishers for leading the way and we are delighted to have the opportunity to donate some equipment.”
Other businesses backing the campaign range from corporate giants Google UK, DLA Piper to Sunderland AFC and Newcastle FC through to the Port of Tyne to Pontefract-based RV RUGG Wire Fabrication.
Why is connectivity an issue? It's easy to think everyone has access to superfast broadband. This isn't the case. Many households rely on one mobile phone internet bundle, with everything else on Sim-only deals. This keeps costs down. Data isn't always unlimited. With the rise in home-schooling, video calling, which is data intensive, has become the norm. As well as facing the issue of not having laptops, many households might receive kit from schools, the government, or charities - but if there's only one device in the house which provides the actual internet connectivity then suddenly three children trying to home-school becomes a problem. Homes are not fibre-connected offices able to support hundreds of people working at once. This is why we need Cash For Connectivity to help ensure these dongles are delivered to ensure those who need to keep home-schooling into February, or beyond, can do so. Staying home means staying safe and it should also mean staying connected.
With more than 2.6million users across the North of England, InYourArea.co.uk is urging its users to help others in their community in support of the campaign.
Editor-in-chief and audience and content director for Reach PLC's regional titles, Ed Walker, said: “Both InYourArea and our regional titles across the North of England are all about connecting our communities.
“Our journalists have been inundated by messages from those struggling with homeschooling, and many of us feel that pressure too with children at home at the moment.
“Not having a consistent and reliable connection means the learning chances of those who need it most in communities across the North is being hit by buffering or sometimes having no connection at all.
“I am proud to lead InYourArea and Reach's regional titles across the North in uniting to urge our readers both in print and online to help us to make a real difference, and quickly, to many.”
To donate, please visit www.business-live.co.uk/c4c
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/cash-connectivity-businesses-join-campaign-19713789
|
en
| 2021-01-28T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/fed65f071c4036b8a16439ad82fb9528e07b71ebb2dee3d3c6d3c13dac90faad.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Enterprise Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nBusinesses across the North of England are joining forces in a campaign to help disadvantaged households get online.\nBusinessLive and titles across our parent company Reach plc are backing the Cash for Connectivity appeal which hopes to raise £1.2m to help provide free internet to 100,000 disadvantaged households.\nYoung children are being denied their basic right to education because they cannot access online learning at home during lockdown.\nThe appeal is part of the Laptops for Kids campaign, launched by technology entrepreneur David Richards and supported by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and a growing number of newspapers, websites, businesses and local authorities.\nCash for Connectivity will fund the purchase of dongles - inexpensive hardware to connect laptops and up to five other devices per household to the internet.\nData software company WANDisco is jointly headquartered in Sheffield and Silicon Valley, and also has a base in Newcastle. Its founder and CEO David Richards said: “This is a quick and inexpensive fix to an urgent social problem and we encourage readers to donate.\n“Connectivity is as important as water and should be freely available to those in need. Together we can help end the data drought in the North of England.”\nThe Laptops for Kids campaign launched in Sheffield in September and is scaling up across the North with its proven method of sourcing, securely erasing and distributing devices to schools, according to need.\nOther partners include Partners include Blancco plc, the global leader in certified data erasure, the non-political Northern Powerhouse Partnership, and Twinkl, the Yorkshire-based online educational publisher.\n(Image: Reach Data Team)\nNigel Watson, group information services director at Northumbrian Water said: “We are incredibly proud to be part of the Laptops for Kids campaign, which has so far seen over 700 devices donated to children in our region.\n“By collaborating and innovating together, we managed to provide valuable resources to youngsters across the North East. However, without reliable connectivity to the internet, there is a limitation on how they can be used.\n“Without connectivity, home-schooling children are at a huge disadvantage.\n“The Cash for Connectivity campaign is the vital next step for our children to continue their remote education.”\nRobert Forrester, chief executive of North East-based Vertu Motors plc, said: “This campaign is vitally important.\n\"Education is the cornerstone of our country and we must ensure that all children have the same opportunities to learn while schools are closed. This means having access to laptops and digital equipment to support virtual learning and home schooling.\n\"Inequality now will lead to inequality in later life and we must do what we can to help. Well done to the Journal and its publishers for leading the way and we are delighted to have the opportunity to donate some equipment.”\nOther businesses backing the campaign range from corporate giants Google UK, DLA Piper to Sunderland AFC and Newcastle FC through to the Port of Tyne to Pontefract-based RV RUGG Wire Fabrication.\nWhy is connectivity an issue? It's easy to think everyone has access to superfast broadband. This isn't the case. Many households rely on one mobile phone internet bundle, with everything else on Sim-only deals. This keeps costs down. Data isn't always unlimited. With the rise in home-schooling, video calling, which is data intensive, has become the norm. As well as facing the issue of not having laptops, many households might receive kit from schools, the government, or charities - but if there's only one device in the house which provides the actual internet connectivity then suddenly three children trying to home-school becomes a problem. Homes are not fibre-connected offices able to support hundreds of people working at once. This is why we need Cash For Connectivity to help ensure these dongles are delivered to ensure those who need to keep home-schooling into February, or beyond, can do so. Staying home means staying safe and it should also mean staying connected.\nWith more than 2.6million users across the North of England, InYourArea.co.uk is urging its users to help others in their community in support of the campaign.\nEditor-in-chief and audience and content director for Reach PLC's regional titles, Ed Walker, said: “Both InYourArea and our regional titles across the North of England are all about connecting our communities.\n“Our journalists have been inundated by messages from those struggling with homeschooling, and many of us feel that pressure too with children at home at the moment.\n“Not having a consistent and reliable connection means the learning chances of those who need it most in communities across the North is being hit by buffering or sometimes having no connection at all.\n“I am proud to lead InYourArea and Reach's regional titles across the North in uniting to urge our readers both in print and online to help us to make a real difference, and quickly, to many.”\nTo donate, please visit www.business-live.co.uk/c4c",
"Cash for Connectivity: Businesses join campaign to help disadvantaged households get online",
"Other companies urged to sign up to scheme to help fix 'urgent social problem'"
] |
|
[
"Owen Hughes",
"Image",
"Chris Fairweather Huw Evans Agency"
] | 2021-01-22T14:07:52 | null | 2021-01-22T12:59:31 |
First Minister Mark Drakeford revealed additional much-needed support
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fwelsh-government-announce-extra-200m-19680507.json
|
en
| null |
Welsh Government announce extra £200m for lockdown hit businesses in Wales
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced an extra £200m will be released for Welsh businesses hit by lockdown.
Businesses and sector groups have been calling on the Welsh Government for an update on funding.
Wales has been in lockdown since December 20 with hospitality, leisure, tourism and non-essential retail closed since then.
Business resilience grants and sector specific grants have been awarded in a package worth £450m.
But with lockdown looking set to drag on firms are desperate to know what additional support will be in place.
Mr Drakeford said today that when the Welsh Government cabinet review the restrictions next week they will also set out details of a new package of support to help businesses affected by the pandemic.
He said there will be a further £200m made available to support businesses with their operating costs.
There are no further details yet on how the funds will be allocated.
Welsh Government has been asked to comment further.
Mr Drakeford said today that £1.7bn has been handed out to businesses in Wales in addition to the direct support from UK Government.
Economy minister Ken Stakes said: "To get more than £1.7 billion out to our firms has meant a huge effort, not least from our local authorities.
Sign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.
As well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.
“Our package of help, which is in addition to that available from the UK Government, continues to be the most comprehensive and generous package of support for businesses, anywhere in the United Kingdom.
“We will continue to engage closely with the business community through these difficult times and do all that we can to support them.”
To have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/welsh-government-announce-extra-200m-19680507
|
en
| 2021-01-22T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/45c1345df462a235b5891d07974be4f73bcc2f382dcea0d0cc8f482f7aa9f17e.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nWales First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced an extra £200m will be released for Welsh businesses hit by lockdown.\nBusinesses and sector groups have been calling on the Welsh Government for an update on funding.\nWales has been in lockdown since December 20 with hospitality, leisure, tourism and non-essential retail closed since then.\nBusiness resilience grants and sector specific grants have been awarded in a package worth £450m.\nBut with lockdown looking set to drag on firms are desperate to know what additional support will be in place.\nMr Drakeford said today that when the Welsh Government cabinet review the restrictions next week they will also set out details of a new package of support to help businesses affected by the pandemic.\nHe said there will be a further £200m made available to support businesses with their operating costs.\nThere are no further details yet on how the funds will be allocated.\nWelsh Government has been asked to comment further.\nMr Drakeford said today that £1.7bn has been handed out to businesses in Wales in addition to the direct support from UK Government.\nEconomy minister Ken Stakes said: \"To get more than £1.7 billion out to our firms has meant a huge effort, not least from our local authorities.\nSign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.\nAs well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.\n“Our package of help, which is in addition to that available from the UK Government, continues to be the most comprehensive and generous package of support for businesses, anywhere in the United Kingdom.\n“We will continue to engage closely with the business community through these difficult times and do all that we can to support them.”\nTo have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article",
"Welsh Government announce extra £200m for lockdown hit businesses in Wales",
"First Minister Mark Drakeford revealed additional much-needed support"
] |
|
[
"William Telford"
] | 2021-01-11T09:06:55 | null | 2021-01-11T07:00:00 |
Government pumps £75k into plan to create rum plant powered by energy from under the Earth
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fcornwalls-10m-geothermal-rum-distillery-19588451.json
|
en
| null |
Cornwall's £10m geothermal rum distillery wins kickstart funding
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The Cornish company behind plans to build a rum distillery inside a biome heated by geothermal energy has received £75,000 from the Government to kickstart the project.
The Cornish Geothermal Distillery Company’s (CGDC) Celsius project is a 100% sustainable scheme to geothermally mature and distil rum using heat generated by the UK’s first geothermal power plant, in one of the most deprived parts of the country,
The ambitious scheme has won one of the biggest research and development grants awarded in the Government’s Green Distillery Competition. The first phase of this Government funding is aimed at cutting carbon emissions in the industry and supporting new, green jobs.
The award is one of 17 successful distillery projects across Scotland and England announced as winning between £44,000 and £75,000 from the £10million initial R&D fund.
CGDC is more than two years into the research and development of its £10million, 30-job Celsius scheme to geothermally distil and mature rum in an ultra high-tech, carbon neutral biome using heat and energy from Geothermal Engineering Limited’s (GEL) pilot power plant at United Downs in Cornwall’s historic mining heartland.
CGDC founder Matt Clifford said: “As an ambitious, start-up distillery project, aiming to get everything sustainably right from the word go, we are overwhelmed and beyond grateful to be amongst the highest beneficiaries of the Government’s Green Distillery award. It’s an endorsement and an understanding at the very highest level of what we aim to do.
“We have poured our hearts and souls into this vision which combines our absolute passion for rum with root and branch sustainability, much-needed investment and quality full-time jobs utilising local skills and businesses in this part of Cornwall.”
T
he Government’s Green Distillery backing will allow 11 distillery projects across Scotland and six in England to kickstart green innovations, helping them harness energy sources such as low-carbon hydrogen, biomass, repurposed waste – and in the Celsius case geothermal energy - to power their operations.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here
The awards are part of the Government’s stated commitment to a clean, resilient recovery, working towards the UK’s goal of reaching net zero by 2050 and comes in addition to ambitious green targets announced in the Ten Point Plan and Energy White Paper.
Energy and clean growth minister Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Building back greener from the pandemic is something we can all raise a toast to. Every business can play a part in the green industrial revolution and this funding will allow UK distilleries to lead the way by making their production cleaner while also creating jobs.”
CGDC’s outline planning application for a rum cask maturation facility and visitor centre await consideration by Cornwall Council planners for land which is a pipeline and cable’s distance from where GEL’s project team has drilled more than 5km into ancient granite to tap the deep geothermal heat from which significant quantities of clean, renewable electricity and heat will be produced in 2022.
The initial phase would see ethically produced, Bonsucro accredited rum distilled around the world brought to the site, laid down in oak casks made and repaired by CGDC coopers and stored in the maturation biome to enhance the product’s quality and flavour.
The biome would incorporate four patent-pending “maturation pods”, each holding 800 200L casks, amounting to 640,000L of rum, which would be tropically matured over a period of five to 10 years.
CGDC’s Celsius team hopes the rum cask maturation facility would be up and running by the late summer of 2022 - and that a demonstrable success of this “catalyst phase” could draw further interest and investment into the creation of a full £30million Cornish geothermal rum distillery with potential to create up to 100 jobs.
Jobs created in the Celsius Catalyst Phase would include highly skilled master coopers and master blenders as well as offering apprenticeships to local young people.
CGDC is engaging with the communities close to United Downs and aims to work with the Cornwall Mining World Heritage Site team to preserve and enhance the historic area to pay tribute to those who worked above and below this land right back to medieval times.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/cornwalls-10m-geothermal-rum-distillery-19588451
|
en
| 2021-01-11T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/6fecf96c80d6c2f0502bf6a49e6b97898cc077684fffc41d08aeb196d9cff7fc.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe Cornish company behind plans to build a rum distillery inside a biome heated by geothermal energy has received £75,000 from the Government to kickstart the project.\nThe Cornish Geothermal Distillery Company’s (CGDC) Celsius project is a 100% sustainable scheme to geothermally mature and distil rum using heat generated by the UK’s first geothermal power plant, in one of the most deprived parts of the country,\nThe ambitious scheme has won one of the biggest research and development grants awarded in the Government’s Green Distillery Competition. The first phase of this Government funding is aimed at cutting carbon emissions in the industry and supporting new, green jobs.\nThe award is one of 17 successful distillery projects across Scotland and England announced as winning between £44,000 and £75,000 from the £10million initial R&D fund.\nCGDC is more than two years into the research and development of its £10million, 30-job Celsius scheme to geothermally distil and mature rum in an ultra high-tech, carbon neutral biome using heat and energy from Geothermal Engineering Limited’s (GEL) pilot power plant at United Downs in Cornwall’s historic mining heartland.\nCGDC founder Matt Clifford said: “As an ambitious, start-up distillery project, aiming to get everything sustainably right from the word go, we are overwhelmed and beyond grateful to be amongst the highest beneficiaries of the Government’s Green Distillery award. It’s an endorsement and an understanding at the very highest level of what we aim to do.\n“We have poured our hearts and souls into this vision which combines our absolute passion for rum with root and branch sustainability, much-needed investment and quality full-time jobs utilising local skills and businesses in this part of Cornwall.”\nT\nhe Government’s Green Distillery backing will allow 11 distillery projects across Scotland and six in England to kickstart green innovations, helping them harness energy sources such as low-carbon hydrogen, biomass, repurposed waste – and in the Celsius case geothermal energy - to power their operations.\nHow to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here\nThe awards are part of the Government’s stated commitment to a clean, resilient recovery, working towards the UK’s goal of reaching net zero by 2050 and comes in addition to ambitious green targets announced in the Ten Point Plan and Energy White Paper.\nEnergy and clean growth minister Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Building back greener from the pandemic is something we can all raise a toast to. Every business can play a part in the green industrial revolution and this funding will allow UK distilleries to lead the way by making their production cleaner while also creating jobs.”\nCGDC’s outline planning application for a rum cask maturation facility and visitor centre await consideration by Cornwall Council planners for land which is a pipeline and cable’s distance from where GEL’s project team has drilled more than 5km into ancient granite to tap the deep geothermal heat from which significant quantities of clean, renewable electricity and heat will be produced in 2022.\nThe initial phase would see ethically produced, Bonsucro accredited rum distilled around the world brought to the site, laid down in oak casks made and repaired by CGDC coopers and stored in the maturation biome to enhance the product’s quality and flavour.\nThe biome would incorporate four patent-pending “maturation pods”, each holding 800 200L casks, amounting to 640,000L of rum, which would be tropically matured over a period of five to 10 years.\nCGDC’s Celsius team hopes the rum cask maturation facility would be up and running by the late summer of 2022 - and that a demonstrable success of this “catalyst phase” could draw further interest and investment into the creation of a full £30million Cornish geothermal rum distillery with potential to create up to 100 jobs.\nJobs created in the Celsius Catalyst Phase would include highly skilled master coopers and master blenders as well as offering apprenticeships to local young people.\nCGDC is engaging with the communities close to United Downs and aims to work with the Cornwall Mining World Heritage Site team to preserve and enhance the historic area to pay tribute to those who worked above and below this land right back to medieval times.",
"Cornwall's £10m geothermal rum distillery wins kickstart funding",
"Government pumps £75k into plan to create rum plant powered by energy from under the Earth"
] |
|
[
"Henry Saker-Clark",
"Tom Houghton",
"Image",
"Nick Potts Pa Wire"
] | 2021-01-21T14:57:55 | null | 2021-01-21T14:28:12 |
The consumer giant says social equality has widened in the past 12 months
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fmanufacturing%2Funilever-promises-workers-supply-chains-19672947.json
|
en
| null |
Unilever promises all workers in its supply chains will receive living wage
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Unilever has said all firms in its supply chain will pay the living wage by 2030 after bosses warned the pandemic has increased social inequality over the last 12 months.
The consumer giant, which makes Ben & Jerry's and Marmite, has laid out its wage pledge amid a host of social commitments, hoping to improve conditions for employees in the supply chain, as PA reports.
The group, whose research and development centre is in Port Sunlight, Merseyside, has invested billions in addressing sustainability and environmental concerns in recent years - but it will now turn more of its attention towards social inequality.
Alan Jope, chief executive officer at Unilever, said: "The two biggest threats that the world currently faces are climate change and social inequality.
"The past year has undoubtedly widened the social divide, and decisive and collective action is needed to build a society that helps to improve livelihoods, embraces diversity, nurtures talent, and offers opportunities for everyone.
"We believe the actions we are committing to will make Unilever a better, stronger business; ready for the huge societal changes we are experiencing today - changes that will only accelerate."
The company said it will ensure everyone who directly provides or delivers goods and services for Unilever will earn at least a living wage or income by 2030.
Leena Nair, chief people officer, told the PA news agency that it sees it biggest challenges in its supply chain in Vietnam, the Philippines, Brazil and India.
The group said there are specific issues regarding social inequality in the production of tea and cocoa which it hopes it can help address.
"It has been really sad to see that social divides have grown globally this year we felt this action was pressing," Ms Nair told PA.
"It is a systemic issue and will need the support of Government and NGOs (non-government organisations) but we are positive about the change that can take place here."
In the UK, Unilever said it is improving flexibility for employees and within its supply chain.
It said the group has now expanded its U-Work programme to employ people who do not solely work for Unilever with monthly retainers as well as benefits such as pensions, healthcare, sick pay and holiday pay.
The group launched the scheme in a pilot in late 2019 and now has 220 employees on the programme after the expansion last year.
Globally, Unilever has also committed to spending two billion dollars (£1.46 billion) with suppliers owned and managed by people from under-represented groups by 2025 in a bid to improve diversity.
Gabriela Bucher, executive director at Oxfam International, said: "Unilever's plan shows the kind of responsible action needed from the private sector that can have a great impact on tackling inequality, and help to build a world in which everyone has the power to thrive, not just survive.
"We welcome Unilever's commitments for living wages and farmer incomes in the global supply chain, an important step in the right direction, and are proud to have been a partner of Unilever as it formed this ambitious new plan."
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/unilever-promises-workers-supply-chains-19672947
|
en
| 2021-01-21T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/4e6e0207f16ae58a32d4c0318ed9abf5fff3bb949fe02faa9a45d3ce4ab364cd.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nUnilever has said all firms in its supply chain will pay the living wage by 2030 after bosses warned the pandemic has increased social inequality over the last 12 months.\nThe consumer giant, which makes Ben & Jerry's and Marmite, has laid out its wage pledge amid a host of social commitments, hoping to improve conditions for employees in the supply chain, as PA reports.\nThe group, whose research and development centre is in Port Sunlight, Merseyside, has invested billions in addressing sustainability and environmental concerns in recent years - but it will now turn more of its attention towards social inequality.\nAlan Jope, chief executive officer at Unilever, said: \"The two biggest threats that the world currently faces are climate change and social inequality.\n\"The past year has undoubtedly widened the social divide, and decisive and collective action is needed to build a society that helps to improve livelihoods, embraces diversity, nurtures talent, and offers opportunities for everyone.\n\"We believe the actions we are committing to will make Unilever a better, stronger business; ready for the huge societal changes we are experiencing today - changes that will only accelerate.\"\nThe company said it will ensure everyone who directly provides or delivers goods and services for Unilever will earn at least a living wage or income by 2030.\nLeena Nair, chief people officer, told the PA news agency that it sees it biggest challenges in its supply chain in Vietnam, the Philippines, Brazil and India.\nThe group said there are specific issues regarding social inequality in the production of tea and cocoa which it hopes it can help address.\n\"It has been really sad to see that social divides have grown globally this year we felt this action was pressing,\" Ms Nair told PA.\n\"It is a systemic issue and will need the support of Government and NGOs (non-government organisations) but we are positive about the change that can take place here.\"\nIn the UK, Unilever said it is improving flexibility for employees and within its supply chain.\nIt said the group has now expanded its U-Work programme to employ people who do not solely work for Unilever with monthly retainers as well as benefits such as pensions, healthcare, sick pay and holiday pay.\nThe group launched the scheme in a pilot in late 2019 and now has 220 employees on the programme after the expansion last year.\nGlobally, Unilever has also committed to spending two billion dollars (£1.46 billion) with suppliers owned and managed by people from under-represented groups by 2025 in a bid to improve diversity.\nGabriela Bucher, executive director at Oxfam International, said: \"Unilever's plan shows the kind of responsible action needed from the private sector that can have a great impact on tackling inequality, and help to build a world in which everyone has the power to thrive, not just survive.\n\"We welcome Unilever's commitments for living wages and farmer incomes in the global supply chain, an important step in the right direction, and are proud to have been a partner of Unilever as it formed this ambitious new plan.\"",
"Unilever promises all workers in its supply chains will receive living wage",
"The consumer giant says social equality has widened in the past 12 months"
] |
|
[
"Jonathon Manning",
"Image",
"Publicity Handout Frank Recruitment Group"
] | 2021-01-13T12:41:35 | null | 2021-01-13T11:18:47 |
The company now has 21 offices in nine different countries and is closing in on staffing of 2,000
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Ffrank-recruitment-geneva-office-switzerland-19615869.json
|
en
| null |
Newcastle's Frank Recruitment opens new office in Geneva to expand global reach
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Tech recruitment firm Frank Recruitment has announced its 21st global office with the opening of a site in Geneva, Switzerland.
The company, which started in Newcastle in 2006 with just three members of staff, now employs almost 2,000 people in nine different countries. The new office will see around 50 jobs created over the next five years.
The opening will also see Frank Recruitment Group further increase its reach in Europe and enable the firm to better support its growing global client base.
It said the Swiss technology market is expanding quickly, with demand growing for IT professionals to support the digitalisation and cloud migration transformation of companies in various sectors.
Paul Hanley, director of sales and head of the Geneva office, said: “Our new Swiss base will allow us to offer better support to our clients and partners in the region, at a time when specialist technology recruitment consulting is more needed than ever.
“We want to replicate the success we’ve achieved in other global regions here in Switzerland by solidifying our position as the leaders in cloud tech staffing solutions, and continue to enable digital transformation by delivering the best permanent and contract tech talent to businesses that need it.”
At the new location, Frank Recruitment Group will initially launch its Nigel Frank, Mason Frank, and FRG Technology Consulting brands, which recruit for Microsoft, Salesforce, and emerging technology specialists.
Frank Recruitment Group president Zoë Morris said: “I’m especially proud to be launching our Swiss office.
“2020 was a challenging year for the staffing industry, so it feels like a special achievement to be opening a new location and growing our business at this time. We feel very privileged to be able to serve this exciting market and create new jobs in the area in the process.”
Frank Recruitment was acquired by equity group TPG Growth, which had previously backed the likes of Spotify and Airbnb, in a 2016 deal that valued the company at around £200m.
The company’s main base is at Newcastle’s St Nicholas Building in St Nicholas Street. It has opened a number of overseas offices over the last two last years, including Munich, Barcelona, Denver and Warsaw.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/frank-recruitment-geneva-office-switzerland-19615869
|
en
| 2021-01-13T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/1a751b8b8fa90744f47e7ef9528b3ec44fd8c82470f8d79a2abed470d8dc8dde.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nTech recruitment firm Frank Recruitment has announced its 21st global office with the opening of a site in Geneva, Switzerland.\nThe company, which started in Newcastle in 2006 with just three members of staff, now employs almost 2,000 people in nine different countries. The new office will see around 50 jobs created over the next five years.\nThe opening will also see Frank Recruitment Group further increase its reach in Europe and enable the firm to better support its growing global client base.\nIt said the Swiss technology market is expanding quickly, with demand growing for IT professionals to support the digitalisation and cloud migration transformation of companies in various sectors.\nPaul Hanley, director of sales and head of the Geneva office, said: “Our new Swiss base will allow us to offer better support to our clients and partners in the region, at a time when specialist technology recruitment consulting is more needed than ever.\n“We want to replicate the success we’ve achieved in other global regions here in Switzerland by solidifying our position as the leaders in cloud tech staffing solutions, and continue to enable digital transformation by delivering the best permanent and contract tech talent to businesses that need it.”\nAt the new location, Frank Recruitment Group will initially launch its Nigel Frank, Mason Frank, and FRG Technology Consulting brands, which recruit for Microsoft, Salesforce, and emerging technology specialists.\nFrank Recruitment Group president Zoë Morris said: “I’m especially proud to be launching our Swiss office.\n“2020 was a challenging year for the staffing industry, so it feels like a special achievement to be opening a new location and growing our business at this time. We feel very privileged to be able to serve this exciting market and create new jobs in the area in the process.”\nFrank Recruitment was acquired by equity group TPG Growth, which had previously backed the likes of Spotify and Airbnb, in a 2016 deal that valued the company at around £200m.\nThe company’s main base is at Newcastle’s St Nicholas Building in St Nicholas Street. It has opened a number of overseas offices over the last two last years, including Munich, Barcelona, Denver and Warsaw.",
"Newcastle's Frank Recruitment opens new office in Geneva to expand global reach",
"The company now has 21 offices in nine different countries and is closing in on staffing of 2,000"
] |
|
[
"Tom Houghton"
] | 2021-01-28T11:16:38 | null | 2021-01-28T11:00:00 |
It's part of the 'biggest hospital building programme in a generation'
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fbam-appointed-work-start-new-19716679.json
|
en
| null |
BAM appointed and work to start on new £68m Salford hospital as plans push ahead
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Work is set to start on a new £68m hospital in Salford after BAM Construction was appointed as the contractor.
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust has appointed the firm to build the new major trauma centre for Greater Manchester - the six-story James Potter Building - and work is now set to start within weeks.
The new hospital build on the Salford Royal site is part of the Government’s Health Infrastructure Plan, the "biggest hospital building programme in a generation", set to deliver 48 facilities across the country by 2030. The Salford site is hoped to complete in summer 2023.
Salford-based BAM’s appointment to the £68m major capital project follows a competitive process under the Procure22 Health Framework.
The 9,800sq m centre is set to include a resuscitation area, five emergency theatres, inpatient beds, and diagnostic imaging, and a helipad.
The trust is part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group (NCA). Its chief executive, Raj Jain, said: “This important facility has been many years in the planning with a number of our local, regional and national partners and it’s great to now be just weeks away from the official start date of construction.
"We are proud to be the major trauma centre for Greater Manchester and this centre and the amazing state of the art facilities and our specialist clinical teams within it will allow us to provide trauma care and services to an additional 400 trauma patients per year and help save more lives.
Planning permission for the six-storey James Potter Building - previously referred the Acute Receiving Centre - was granted in December 2019.
The development is named in honour of the organisation’s recently retired chairman Jim Potter, and will provide the trust with major trauma and high acuity surgery facilities in a modern, high quality building.
Sign up for your free BusinessLive North West newsletter BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the North West- and you can stay in touch with all the latest news from Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. By bringing together North West coverage with that from across Reach’s titles in England and Wales, BusinessLive will shine a spotlight on the entrepreneurs, the stars of the future and the small firms that are the backbone of our economy. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
Once complete, the specialist facility is set to receive 90% of all major trauma patients in Greater Manchester - such as people who have been involved in a serious road traffic accident or serious fall.
It will also be the hub site for high risk general surgery across Bolton, Salford and Wigan. That means any patients from these areas who require high risk emergency surgical or non-surgical treatment will be brought to Salford for their care.
BAM is now on Salford Royal’s site carrying out enabling works with a full construction programme start confirmed for February 22.
Day Architectural worked on the design with BAM and the trust.
Rob Bailey, BAM’s healthcare construction manager, said: “We have worked extensively on the design and programme with the trust to understand fully what their requirements are, and focus completely on what matters to them – providing a high quality building in which their patients are cared for and their staff can provide that care.
"That is how buildings should be delivered, with the outcomes the client wants placed at the centre.
“We have an integrated capability to deliver facilities, because apart from constructing buildings, we also design them, develop them and manage facilities inside them.
"This insight and understanding of the built environment empowers our use of digital tools and construction techniques, and it enhances the sustainability and energy efficiency we can bring to make buildings better to use and more efficient to run.”
Cliff Jones, head of construction procurement, NHS Estates and Facilities said he was "delighted" at the news, adding: "We look forward to the successful delivery of this unique and dynamic facility and the resulting improvements in healthcare delivery for the community that it will serve.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/bam-appointed-work-start-new-19716679
|
en
| 2021-01-28T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/c0b4d49f7dc013e1dfb01383dce832024a9bf3346dc3cf85ad39b2da33077a6c.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nWork is set to start on a new £68m hospital in Salford after BAM Construction was appointed as the contractor.\nSalford Royal NHS Foundation Trust has appointed the firm to build the new major trauma centre for Greater Manchester - the six-story James Potter Building - and work is now set to start within weeks.\nThe new hospital build on the Salford Royal site is part of the Government’s Health Infrastructure Plan, the \"biggest hospital building programme in a generation\", set to deliver 48 facilities across the country by 2030. The Salford site is hoped to complete in summer 2023.\nSalford-based BAM’s appointment to the £68m major capital project follows a competitive process under the Procure22 Health Framework.\nThe 9,800sq m centre is set to include a resuscitation area, five emergency theatres, inpatient beds, and diagnostic imaging, and a helipad.\nThe trust is part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group (NCA). Its chief executive, Raj Jain, said: “This important facility has been many years in the planning with a number of our local, regional and national partners and it’s great to now be just weeks away from the official start date of construction.\n\"We are proud to be the major trauma centre for Greater Manchester and this centre and the amazing state of the art facilities and our specialist clinical teams within it will allow us to provide trauma care and services to an additional 400 trauma patients per year and help save more lives.\nPlanning permission for the six-storey James Potter Building - previously referred the Acute Receiving Centre - was granted in December 2019.\nThe development is named in honour of the organisation’s recently retired chairman Jim Potter, and will provide the trust with major trauma and high acuity surgery facilities in a modern, high quality building.\nSign up for your free BusinessLive North West newsletter BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the North West- and you can stay in touch with all the latest news from Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. By bringing together North West coverage with that from across Reach’s titles in England and Wales, BusinessLive will shine a spotlight on the entrepreneurs, the stars of the future and the small firms that are the backbone of our economy. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\nOnce complete, the specialist facility is set to receive 90% of all major trauma patients in Greater Manchester - such as people who have been involved in a serious road traffic accident or serious fall.\nIt will also be the hub site for high risk general surgery across Bolton, Salford and Wigan. That means any patients from these areas who require high risk emergency surgical or non-surgical treatment will be brought to Salford for their care.\nBAM is now on Salford Royal’s site carrying out enabling works with a full construction programme start confirmed for February 22.\nDay Architectural worked on the design with BAM and the trust.\nRob Bailey, BAM’s healthcare construction manager, said: “We have worked extensively on the design and programme with the trust to understand fully what their requirements are, and focus completely on what matters to them – providing a high quality building in which their patients are cared for and their staff can provide that care.\n\"That is how buildings should be delivered, with the outcomes the client wants placed at the centre.\n“We have an integrated capability to deliver facilities, because apart from constructing buildings, we also design them, develop them and manage facilities inside them.\n\"This insight and understanding of the built environment empowers our use of digital tools and construction techniques, and it enhances the sustainability and energy efficiency we can bring to make buildings better to use and more efficient to run.”\nCliff Jones, head of construction procurement, NHS Estates and Facilities said he was \"delighted\" at the news, adding: \"We look forward to the successful delivery of this unique and dynamic facility and the resulting improvements in healthcare delivery for the community that it will serve.”",
"BAM appointed and work to start on new £68m Salford hospital as plans push ahead",
"It's part of the 'biggest hospital building programme in a generation'"
] |
|
[
"Jonathon Manning",
"Image",
"Drägerwerk Ag",
"Co. Kgaa"
] | 2021-01-26T16:32:11 | null | 2021-01-26T15:56:46 |
The new factory at Follingsby Park will create special filtered masks to protect key workers
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fmanufacturing%2Fdrger-opens-ppe-factory-gateshead-19704562.json
|
en
| null |
Dräger opens PPE factory in Gateshead creating 40 jobs
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A North East manufacturer is creating more than 40 jobs after opening a new factory in Gateshead to make protective equipment to protect key workers.
Dräger has opened a new facility at Follingsby Park where it will now make face masks as part of efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The company, which has a site at Blyth, Northumberland, began searching for a second North East base last year after the Government launched a call to action for manufacturers capable of making protective equipment.
The new site will employ more than 40 members of staff and will specialise in making high quality face masks, known as filtering face pieces (FFPs). Its products will include both masks with and without valves.
Ian Gil-Rodriguez, cross segment marketing manager at Dräger's medical and safety division, hosted the virtual opening event.
He said: "To open a factory at any time is special. To open a factory making PPE is amazing and to open a factory at the height of a pandemic is incredible."
Dräger already employs more than 400 people at its factory in Blyth. The base at Follingsby Park was selected due to its strong connection to local infrastructure and its close proximity to its existing site in the region.
The company made clear that the new facility would not be a short term project for the business but would form part of the its overall strategy.
Rainer Klug, executive board member for Dräger's safety division, said: "We are opening today a manufacturing site for Tech for Life producing FFP here in Gateshead. What we open today is not an one hit wonder it will find its way into an integrated global manufacturing network at Draeger. This will be a strong pillar in our group strategy like our sites at Blyth and Plymouth."
He added: "We are very happy we can provide the new manufacturing site and good quality jobs in the North East of England."
(Image: © Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA)
The virtual of the site was attended by a number of local leaders, including Gateshead mayor Michael Hood, who officially opened the new factory through a ribbon cutting ceremony broadcast online.
Blyth Valley MP Ian Levy also gave a short speech on the opening, which was prerecorded for those attending the ceremony.
Mr Levy said: "The Dräger site in Gateshead is a site that I worked really hard on to back the tender bid.
"They are going to be producing the FFP three face masks - that is the special ones with the valves on them. They are going to be producing them in Gateshead. We were hoping that they would be made in Blyth but the facility was not suitable so that has gone to Gateshead. I wish them all the best with their ventures."
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/drger-opens-ppe-factory-gateshead-19704562
|
en
| 2021-01-26T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/ea3a377071d53cdfb19ef9cd04d489babde76416fbd0dbb4818844352780d795.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA North East manufacturer is creating more than 40 jobs after opening a new factory in Gateshead to make protective equipment to protect key workers.\nDräger has opened a new facility at Follingsby Park where it will now make face masks as part of efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus.\nThe company, which has a site at Blyth, Northumberland, began searching for a second North East base last year after the Government launched a call to action for manufacturers capable of making protective equipment.\nThe new site will employ more than 40 members of staff and will specialise in making high quality face masks, known as filtering face pieces (FFPs). Its products will include both masks with and without valves.\nIan Gil-Rodriguez, cross segment marketing manager at Dräger's medical and safety division, hosted the virtual opening event.\nHe said: \"To open a factory at any time is special. To open a factory making PPE is amazing and to open a factory at the height of a pandemic is incredible.\"\nDräger already employs more than 400 people at its factory in Blyth. The base at Follingsby Park was selected due to its strong connection to local infrastructure and its close proximity to its existing site in the region.\nThe company made clear that the new facility would not be a short term project for the business but would form part of the its overall strategy.\nRainer Klug, executive board member for Dräger's safety division, said: \"We are opening today a manufacturing site for Tech for Life producing FFP here in Gateshead. What we open today is not an one hit wonder it will find its way into an integrated global manufacturing network at Draeger. This will be a strong pillar in our group strategy like our sites at Blyth and Plymouth.\"\nHe added: \"We are very happy we can provide the new manufacturing site and good quality jobs in the North East of England.\"\n(Image: © Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA)\nThe virtual of the site was attended by a number of local leaders, including Gateshead mayor Michael Hood, who officially opened the new factory through a ribbon cutting ceremony broadcast online.\nBlyth Valley MP Ian Levy also gave a short speech on the opening, which was prerecorded for those attending the ceremony.\nMr Levy said: \"The Dräger site in Gateshead is a site that I worked really hard on to back the tender bid.\n\"They are going to be producing the FFP three face masks - that is the special ones with the valves on them. They are going to be producing them in Gateshead. We were hoping that they would be made in Blyth but the facility was not suitable so that has gone to Gateshead. I wish them all the best with their ventures.\"",
"Dräger opens PPE factory in Gateshead creating 40 jobs",
"The new factory at Follingsby Park will create special filtered masks to protect key workers"
] |
|
[
"Graeme Whitfield",
"Image",
"Handout Kpmg"
] | 2021-01-18T09:28:40 | null | 2021-01-18T08:16:49 |
Ian Beamont succeeds Dave Elliot, who is retiring in April, as the head of the Big Four accountancy group's North East operation
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fprofessional-services%2Faccountants-kpmg-appoint-new-senior-19645097.json
|
en
| null |
Accountants KPMG appoint new senior office partner in Newcastle
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Big Four accoutancy group KPMG has appointed Ian Beaumont as the new office senior partner at its Newcastle office.
Mr Beaumont joined KPMG 2014 and has led the firm’s private enterprise and family business teams across the North. He has more than 20 years’ partner experience and will take up his new post on February 1.
Mr Beaumont will succeed David Elliott, who is retiring at the end of April after four years as Newcastle senior partner and 13 with KPMG.
Mr Beaumont said: “I’m privileged to be joining a talented team here at KPMG in the North East who are passionately supporting this region’s organisations when they most need it, during this intensely challenging time. We’re not required to look too far ahead, though, to also be excited about the opportunities presented by changing circumstances.
“With the vaccination programme under way, the Brexit deal done, the Government’s levelling-up agenda on the table and investment going into the low carbon sector, in which the North East has valuable credentials and assets, there’s huge potential for this region to continue to thrive on the global stage.
“Really taking advantage of this will depend on all parts of the North East economy’s ecosystem collaborating, so I’m looking forward to working alongside local government, universities, local enterprise partnerships and the investor community to best support those leading the region’s businesses.
“From large established employers to entrepreneurial start-ups and scale-ups, helping them to realise their ambitions will mean playing a valuable role in driving the region’s economic recovery and prosperity.
“I’m excited to be representing an advisory team of dedicated, highly skilled professionals.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/professional-services/accountants-kpmg-appoint-new-senior-19645097
|
en
| 2021-01-18T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/b0144f2fc0f08bcc555ab0efdf61f0b71b95f3deb5207d9dce60a5ed869dfede.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nBig Four accoutancy group KPMG has appointed Ian Beaumont as the new office senior partner at its Newcastle office.\nMr Beaumont joined KPMG 2014 and has led the firm’s private enterprise and family business teams across the North. He has more than 20 years’ partner experience and will take up his new post on February 1.\nMr Beaumont will succeed David Elliott, who is retiring at the end of April after four years as Newcastle senior partner and 13 with KPMG.\nMr Beaumont said: “I’m privileged to be joining a talented team here at KPMG in the North East who are passionately supporting this region’s organisations when they most need it, during this intensely challenging time. We’re not required to look too far ahead, though, to also be excited about the opportunities presented by changing circumstances.\n“With the vaccination programme under way, the Brexit deal done, the Government’s levelling-up agenda on the table and investment going into the low carbon sector, in which the North East has valuable credentials and assets, there’s huge potential for this region to continue to thrive on the global stage.\n“Really taking advantage of this will depend on all parts of the North East economy’s ecosystem collaborating, so I’m looking forward to working alongside local government, universities, local enterprise partnerships and the investor community to best support those leading the region’s businesses.\n“From large established employers to entrepreneurial start-ups and scale-ups, helping them to realise their ambitions will mean playing a valuable role in driving the region’s economic recovery and prosperity.\n“I’m excited to be representing an advisory team of dedicated, highly skilled professionals.”",
"Accountants KPMG appoint new senior office partner in Newcastle",
"Ian Beamont succeeds Dave Elliot, who is retiring in April, as the head of the Big Four accountancy group's North East operation"
] |
|
[
"Owen Hughes",
"Image",
"Savills"
] | 2021-01-26T11:54:43 | null | 2021-01-26T10:35:28 |
'End of an era' at Plas Bodegroes but impact will live on with talented chefs and inventive dishes
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Fformer-michelin-starred-restaurant-closes-19700658.json
|
en
| null |
Former Michelin-starred restaurant closes permanently but leaves lasting legacy on Welsh food scene
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A former Michelin-starred restaurant has closed permanently, but will leave a lasting impact on the food scene in Wales.
Chris and Gunna Chown bought Plas Bodegroes near Pwllheli and turned it from a private home to a restaurant with rooms.
They opened in August 1986 and "very nearly went bust" by November.
But after that initial difficult period they went on to create one of the finest restaurants in Wales - holding a Michelin star for 14 years, still a record in the nation.
Over that time famed guests included Demi Moore, Dizzy Rascal and Anthony Hopkins and they were named Welsh restaurant of the year.
Its legacy will be the talented chefs who came through the kitchen - including TV chef Bryn Williams, Steve Stephens (Sosban and the Old Butchers) and Mark Threadgill, head chef at Portmeirion.
They were the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Wales when they received their first star but this year there are five.
The couple have had the site up for sale for several years and secured planning to revert back to a private home.
Now they have announced that after 34 years they will not reopen after lockdown - converting the commercial kitchen into a smaller domestic one.
The hardest part of the decision was telling the restaurant's 14 staff.
Chris Chown, 63, said: "It is the end of an era but I feel we have left a very good legacy.
"The restaurant still holds the record in Wales for holding a Michelin star, at 14 years.
"We have left a legacy with the chefs that have come through the kitchen and some of the dishes created here."
He added: "The hardest part has been telling our staff, that has been a real wrench.
"We have had a very loyal staff with a small staff turnover, one staff member has been here for 34 years."
He added: "When we came here we turned a private house into a restaurant with rooms and now we are turning it back.
"We have gone full circle and have been involved from the start to the finish."
Sign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.
As well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.
They will remain in the house for the time-being, potentially using it as a holiday let during the peak season. It does remain up for sale, with increased demand for rural retreats.
Chris added: "The demand for rural properties is now bonkers due to the pandemic because people can now run a business or work from anywhere.
"That demand is filtering through to this area."
To have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/former-michelin-starred-restaurant-closes-19700658
|
en
| 2021-01-26T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/bc89fa4b4e092b1cc529dc999fbaee0ee36757822a730789a5c6b1d72c8bbb0d.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA former Michelin-starred restaurant has closed permanently, but will leave a lasting impact on the food scene in Wales.\nChris and Gunna Chown bought Plas Bodegroes near Pwllheli and turned it from a private home to a restaurant with rooms.\nThey opened in August 1986 and \"very nearly went bust\" by November.\nBut after that initial difficult period they went on to create one of the finest restaurants in Wales - holding a Michelin star for 14 years, still a record in the nation.\nOver that time famed guests included Demi Moore, Dizzy Rascal and Anthony Hopkins and they were named Welsh restaurant of the year.\nIts legacy will be the talented chefs who came through the kitchen - including TV chef Bryn Williams, Steve Stephens (Sosban and the Old Butchers) and Mark Threadgill, head chef at Portmeirion.\nThey were the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Wales when they received their first star but this year there are five.\nThe couple have had the site up for sale for several years and secured planning to revert back to a private home.\nNow they have announced that after 34 years they will not reopen after lockdown - converting the commercial kitchen into a smaller domestic one.\nThe hardest part of the decision was telling the restaurant's 14 staff.\nChris Chown, 63, said: \"It is the end of an era but I feel we have left a very good legacy.\n\"The restaurant still holds the record in Wales for holding a Michelin star, at 14 years.\n\"We have left a legacy with the chefs that have come through the kitchen and some of the dishes created here.\"\nHe added: \"The hardest part has been telling our staff, that has been a real wrench.\n\"We have had a very loyal staff with a small staff turnover, one staff member has been here for 34 years.\"\nHe added: \"When we came here we turned a private house into a restaurant with rooms and now we are turning it back.\n\"We have gone full circle and have been involved from the start to the finish.\"\nSign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.\nAs well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.\nThey will remain in the house for the time-being, potentially using it as a holiday let during the peak season. It does remain up for sale, with increased demand for rural retreats.\nChris added: \"The demand for rural properties is now bonkers due to the pandemic because people can now run a business or work from anywhere.\n\"That demand is filtering through to this area.\"\nTo have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article",
"Former Michelin-starred restaurant closes permanently but leaves lasting legacy on Welsh food scene",
"'End of an era' at Plas Bodegroes but impact will live on with talented chefs and inventive dishes"
] |
|
[
"Coreena Ford",
"Image",
"Rockacad"
] | 2021-01-28T09:49:06 | null | 2021-01-28T09:41:33 |
The Gateshead drummer has enlisted tutors working with the likes of Sam Fender, Boy George and James Arthur and Selena Gomez
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fnorth-east-musician-launches-rockacad-19716300.json
|
en
| null |
North East musician launches RockAcad online music academy to counter Covid impacts
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A North East musician has launched an online tutoring academy in a bid to counter the impacts of Covid-19 on the music sector.
Drummer David Green, of Gateshead, has launched RockAcad after bringing together recording and session musicians from around the country to offer their expertise.
Mr Green, who was voted Rhythm Magazine and Music Radar’s Best New Drummer In The World in 2016, expanded his online drum teaching business at the start of the pandemic to bring lessons to locked-down students across the country.
The service proved to be such a success that he expanded the service, enlisting other seasoned musicians to create RockAcad.
The academy has an initial team of nine tutors, who work with the likes of The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood, Rod Stewart, Sam Fender, Boy George, James Arthur and Selena Gomez. They cover a range of instruments and musical disciplines.
Mr Green plans to increase the team to 20 within the next 18 months, and expects to add more tutors soon amid plans to team up with Trinity College London.
RockAcad offers one-to-one live music lessons and plans to introduce new services including song-writing courses, group classes, live performances, masterclasses and Q&As from music industry players.
The company is also building music therapy courses which Mr Green hopes will address the growing issue of mental health, which has intensified during the pandemic as many tackle loneliness and isolation.
Mr Green, who expects to turn over £250,000 in the next three years, said: “We would like to be in a position to eventually franchise the business model as well as possibly expand into other creative artistic markets to solidify RockAcad as a leading global online education service.
“We want to keep expanding the business, collaborate with artists and educational services, host workshops, clinics and Q&As from special guest teachers.
“It has been widely proven that learning an instrument has many physical and mental benefits and can be used as a very important therapeutic tool in helping to destress, focus and provide a productive and healthy escape.
“This has been a lifeline for many people this year with lockdowns and restrictions. It is a form of escapism that you can have in your own home.”
Despite being less than a year old, RockAcad has grown rapidly and now provides one-to-one tuition for students across the world.
Mr Green added: “Lockdown has shifted public opinion about online education and demand for home learning has skyrocketed as a result.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/north-east-musician-launches-rockacad-19716300
|
en
| 2021-01-28T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/4f1767795fc01dd4c4f38501846fed9d739dc56d2f71f323ad090b7137a4b3de.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA North East musician has launched an online tutoring academy in a bid to counter the impacts of Covid-19 on the music sector.\nDrummer David Green, of Gateshead, has launched RockAcad after bringing together recording and session musicians from around the country to offer their expertise.\nMr Green, who was voted Rhythm Magazine and Music Radar’s Best New Drummer In The World in 2016, expanded his online drum teaching business at the start of the pandemic to bring lessons to locked-down students across the country.\nThe service proved to be such a success that he expanded the service, enlisting other seasoned musicians to create RockAcad.\nThe academy has an initial team of nine tutors, who work with the likes of The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood, Rod Stewart, Sam Fender, Boy George, James Arthur and Selena Gomez. They cover a range of instruments and musical disciplines.\nMr Green plans to increase the team to 20 within the next 18 months, and expects to add more tutors soon amid plans to team up with Trinity College London.\nRockAcad offers one-to-one live music lessons and plans to introduce new services including song-writing courses, group classes, live performances, masterclasses and Q&As from music industry players.\nThe company is also building music therapy courses which Mr Green hopes will address the growing issue of mental health, which has intensified during the pandemic as many tackle loneliness and isolation.\nMr Green, who expects to turn over £250,000 in the next three years, said: “We would like to be in a position to eventually franchise the business model as well as possibly expand into other creative artistic markets to solidify RockAcad as a leading global online education service.\n“We want to keep expanding the business, collaborate with artists and educational services, host workshops, clinics and Q&As from special guest teachers.\n“It has been widely proven that learning an instrument has many physical and mental benefits and can be used as a very important therapeutic tool in helping to destress, focus and provide a productive and healthy escape.\n“This has been a lifeline for many people this year with lockdowns and restrictions. It is a form of escapism that you can have in your own home.”\nDespite being less than a year old, RockAcad has grown rapidly and now provides one-to-one tuition for students across the world.\nMr Green added: “Lockdown has shifted public opinion about online education and demand for home learning has skyrocketed as a result.”",
"North East musician launches RockAcad online music academy to counter Covid impacts",
"The Gateshead drummer has enlisted tutors working with the likes of Sam Fender, Boy George and James Arthur and Selena Gomez"
] |
|
[
"Owen Hughes",
"Image",
"Ian Cooper Daily Post Wales",
"Bbc Ldr Service"
] | 2021-01-19T20:33:00 | null | 2021-01-19T19:21:06 |
The twin crises are impacting a sector with calls for additional support
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fwitches-brew-covid-brexit-hitting-19659946.json
|
en
| null |
A 'witches' brew' of Covid and Brexit hitting Welsh fisheries
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A combination of Covid and Brexit is causing a “witches’ brew” for the fisheries sector, with calls for more support for badly affected businesses.
The pandemic’s closure of hospitality has hit sales to restaurants and cafes – with the double whammy of Brexit also hitting trade with the EU.
James Wilson of Menai Strait mussel firm Deepdock Ltd said: “The twin crises of Covid and Brexit have both had severe consequences individually; the collision of both at the same time is a proper witches’ brew.
“Our intention for the end of EU transition had been to sell out everything. However, the effects of the European pandemic lockdowns meant demand was suppressed and so we moved into this year with stock.
“Roughly 60% of the mussels we produce, when processed in Netherlands and France, end up in retail supply, the rest to restaurants. This latter market of course is not functioning at all in many countries.
“There is some demand now, but of course the biggest hurdle is the uncertainty of entry into the European market, especially the transit times and also too the uplift in transport costs.”
Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs Janet Finch-Saunders MS has written to the Welsh Government to call for urgent grant support to be made available to the fisheries sector in Wales.
She said: “A vitally important part of the hospitality and tourism offering in Wales is seafood, demand for which has understandably collapsed due to the closure of hotels and restaurants. This greatly impacts our fishing businesses, which tend to have very high fixed costs that cannot be avoided.
(Image: BBC LDR service)
“For this reason, I have written to the Welsh Government to ask the Minister for Economy to urgently outline what grant support will be made available to the fisheries sector in Wales in light of the collapse in demand for product.”
She said many firms and workers had been left excluded due to working on a freelance share of catch basis.
Welsh Government said the Self Employment Income Support Scheme should support workers and criticised the UK Government’s EU trade deal for the “catastrophic” impact on the seafood sector in Wales.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Our support complements that of the UK Government and it is their Self Employment Income Support Scheme which should be explored in cases such as this.
“But the blame for this situation rests wholly with the UK Government’s determination to leave the Customs Union and the deal it negotiated with the EU.
“The deal is having a catastrophic impact on the Welsh seafood sector because of the requirement for additional paperwork and new checks on exports of Welsh produce into EU markets.
Sign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.
As well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.
"A number of exporters have experienced difficulties in getting their product to Europe and some of these difficulties resulted in consignments of fresh and live product becoming stranded or delayed.
"A number of orders have gone unfulfilled with high value products being spoiled, which has resulted in poor market prices due to lack of demand.”
To have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/witches-brew-covid-brexit-hitting-19659946
|
en
| 2021-01-19T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/d304c29eb2d186f63cf59eb35d359d27945781b6e68c62e6961c40f3998341ea.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA combination of Covid and Brexit is causing a “witches’ brew” for the fisheries sector, with calls for more support for badly affected businesses.\nThe pandemic’s closure of hospitality has hit sales to restaurants and cafes – with the double whammy of Brexit also hitting trade with the EU.\nJames Wilson of Menai Strait mussel firm Deepdock Ltd said: “The twin crises of Covid and Brexit have both had severe consequences individually; the collision of both at the same time is a proper witches’ brew.\n“Our intention for the end of EU transition had been to sell out everything. However, the effects of the European pandemic lockdowns meant demand was suppressed and so we moved into this year with stock.\n“Roughly 60% of the mussels we produce, when processed in Netherlands and France, end up in retail supply, the rest to restaurants. This latter market of course is not functioning at all in many countries.\n“There is some demand now, but of course the biggest hurdle is the uncertainty of entry into the European market, especially the transit times and also too the uplift in transport costs.”\nShadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs Janet Finch-Saunders MS has written to the Welsh Government to call for urgent grant support to be made available to the fisheries sector in Wales.\nShe said: “A vitally important part of the hospitality and tourism offering in Wales is seafood, demand for which has understandably collapsed due to the closure of hotels and restaurants. This greatly impacts our fishing businesses, which tend to have very high fixed costs that cannot be avoided.\n(Image: BBC LDR service)\n“For this reason, I have written to the Welsh Government to ask the Minister for Economy to urgently outline what grant support will be made available to the fisheries sector in Wales in light of the collapse in demand for product.”\nShe said many firms and workers had been left excluded due to working on a freelance share of catch basis.\nWelsh Government said the Self Employment Income Support Scheme should support workers and criticised the UK Government’s EU trade deal for the “catastrophic” impact on the seafood sector in Wales.\nA Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Our support complements that of the UK Government and it is their Self Employment Income Support Scheme which should be explored in cases such as this.\n“But the blame for this situation rests wholly with the UK Government’s determination to leave the Customs Union and the deal it negotiated with the EU.\n“The deal is having a catastrophic impact on the Welsh seafood sector because of the requirement for additional paperwork and new checks on exports of Welsh produce into EU markets.\nSign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.\nAs well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.\n\"A number of exporters have experienced difficulties in getting their product to Europe and some of these difficulties resulted in consignments of fresh and live product becoming stranded or delayed.\n\"A number of orders have gone unfulfilled with high value products being spoiled, which has resulted in poor market prices due to lack of demand.”\nTo have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article",
"A 'witches' brew' of Covid and Brexit hitting Welsh fisheries",
"The twin crises are impacting a sector with calls for additional support"
] |
|
[
"Tom Pegden"
] | 2021-01-13T03:28:32 | null | 2021-01-13T03:00:00 |
LENKÉ Space and Water Solutions uses satellite data to look at water supplies in developing countries
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fstartups%2Ffirst-tenant-signs-up-esa-19610103.json
|
en
| null |
First tenants sign up to ESA innovation hub at £100m Space Park Leicester
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - East Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The first start-up has signed up to a new innovation hub at the £100 million Space Park Leicester.
Dr Nkeiruka Nneti Onyia, who has a PhD from the University of Leicester, and Lensa Etefa Jotte, a PhD researcher at the university, have formed LENKÉ Space and Water Solutions which uses space data to look at water supplies in different parts of the world.
They will move into the space park’s European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre UK when it opens later this year.
The pair use satellite data to improve water management in areas where fresh water is scarce.
One part of the world they have been looking at includes the Central Rift Valley, which runs down the eastern edge of Africa into Kenya and Ethiopia.
The first phase of the space park, which is led by the city university, is now going up in the shadow of the National Space Centre in Leicester.
When finished, it could become a world leading manufacturer of satellites and a centre for processing the data they provide – providing room for companies of all sizes and contributing in the region of £750 million a year to the economy.
Aerospace and technology giants that have already signed up include Hewlett Packard, Airbus and even Amazon. It could lead to 2,500 jobs.
The new incubation centre will provide support and funding for start-ups to gain a competitive advantage in the space sector, with successful applicants given access to industry-leading business coaching and technical support, as well as legal advice, funding and office space at the new Space Park Leicester site.
Dr Nkeiruka Nneti Onyia, co-founder and chief executive of LENKÉ Space and Water Solutions Ltd, said: “Our focus is on water management and optimising harvests for local farmers, so we are in the process of developing a tool called SWIFT – our Soil Water Index Focus Tool – which helps predict the soil water index order to help farmers decide on the best time to harvest their products and to help decision-makers in the allocation of resources.
“But we are a space company, so we are open to providing solutions to any aspect of the environment by using space data.
“Space Park Leicester is a great platform to bring research and academia together with business, so it’s a really good feeling to be in the centre of where academic science meets industry.
“The fact that we are going to be a part of that, and venturing into the industry itself, is really exciting. Space Park Leicester gives us the support system we need to succeed in our objectives.”
Follow company co-founder and director Lensa Etefa Jotte said: “We have previously worked closely with the university’s Innovation Hub, and Space Park has been interfacing with that, so we’ve always been aware of Space Park and the benefits it will bring in coming to Leicester.
“But we were especially excited about the ESA BIC competition and part of that is being welcomed into the collaborative space at Space Park to work alongside other start-up companies.
“We’re really excited about becoming one of the first members to be part of the new space.
“The fact that we are even in this space, and will find ourselves surrounded by people with similar ambitions who are interested in solving similar problems, can only open our eyes to different opportunities.”
Grant Bourhill, chief executive of Science Parks at the University of Leicester, said: “Providing effective access to, and management of, scarce water resources is crucial and is only going to become more important with increasing impact from climate change.
“I am delighted therefore that LENKÉ is working on providing tools and services to provide a solution to this global problem and look forward to welcoming them into the growing Space Park Leicester community.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/startups/first-tenant-signs-up-esa-19610103
|
en
| 2021-01-13T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/f3a8f54c3cd4f21d2f076ae7f752f086211adf9f441e9a33c19a5545c78f4a94.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - East Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe first start-up has signed up to a new innovation hub at the £100 million Space Park Leicester.\nDr Nkeiruka Nneti Onyia, who has a PhD from the University of Leicester, and Lensa Etefa Jotte, a PhD researcher at the university, have formed LENKÉ Space and Water Solutions which uses space data to look at water supplies in different parts of the world.\nThey will move into the space park’s European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre UK when it opens later this year.\nThe pair use satellite data to improve water management in areas where fresh water is scarce.\nOne part of the world they have been looking at includes the Central Rift Valley, which runs down the eastern edge of Africa into Kenya and Ethiopia.\nThe first phase of the space park, which is led by the city university, is now going up in the shadow of the National Space Centre in Leicester.\nWhen finished, it could become a world leading manufacturer of satellites and a centre for processing the data they provide – providing room for companies of all sizes and contributing in the region of £750 million a year to the economy.\nAerospace and technology giants that have already signed up include Hewlett Packard, Airbus and even Amazon. It could lead to 2,500 jobs.\nThe new incubation centre will provide support and funding for start-ups to gain a competitive advantage in the space sector, with successful applicants given access to industry-leading business coaching and technical support, as well as legal advice, funding and office space at the new Space Park Leicester site.\nDr Nkeiruka Nneti Onyia, co-founder and chief executive of LENKÉ Space and Water Solutions Ltd, said: “Our focus is on water management and optimising harvests for local farmers, so we are in the process of developing a tool called SWIFT – our Soil Water Index Focus Tool – which helps predict the soil water index order to help farmers decide on the best time to harvest their products and to help decision-makers in the allocation of resources.\n“But we are a space company, so we are open to providing solutions to any aspect of the environment by using space data.\n“Space Park Leicester is a great platform to bring research and academia together with business, so it’s a really good feeling to be in the centre of where academic science meets industry.\n“The fact that we are going to be a part of that, and venturing into the industry itself, is really exciting. Space Park Leicester gives us the support system we need to succeed in our objectives.”\nFollow company co-founder and director Lensa Etefa Jotte said: “We have previously worked closely with the university’s Innovation Hub, and Space Park has been interfacing with that, so we’ve always been aware of Space Park and the benefits it will bring in coming to Leicester.\n“But we were especially excited about the ESA BIC competition and part of that is being welcomed into the collaborative space at Space Park to work alongside other start-up companies.\n“We’re really excited about becoming one of the first members to be part of the new space.\n“The fact that we are even in this space, and will find ourselves surrounded by people with similar ambitions who are interested in solving similar problems, can only open our eyes to different opportunities.”\nGrant Bourhill, chief executive of Science Parks at the University of Leicester, said: “Providing effective access to, and management of, scarce water resources is crucial and is only going to become more important with increasing impact from climate change.\n“I am delighted therefore that LENKÉ is working on providing tools and services to provide a solution to this global problem and look forward to welcoming them into the growing Space Park Leicester community.”",
"First tenants sign up to ESA innovation hub at £100m Space Park Leicester",
"LENKÉ Space and Water Solutions uses satellite data to look at water supplies in developing countries"
] |
|
[
"Jonathon Manning"
] | 2021-01-04T15:01:29 | null | 2021-01-04T14:38:37 |
Managing director David Greatorex said closing schools will mean parts of its workforce will be unable to work
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fmanufacturing%2Fhydram-engineering-warns-covid-19-19560537.json
|
en
| null |
Hydram Engineering warns Covid-19 and Brexit will dent its turnover
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
County Durham’s Hydram Engineering saw its profits fall by more than 30% last year and has warned that its turnover is expected to take a hit due to the pandemic and Brexit.
Hydram, which makes and sells sheet metal components and assemblies, saw its operating profit drop from £2.4m in 2019 to £1.6m for the year ending March 31 2020.
Turnover at the firm remained largely flat last year at £18.6m, compared with £18.8m in 2019, but the company has warned that the major economic uncertainties affecting the UK are likely to impact its future turnover.
David Greatorex, Hydram’s managing director, said the drop in profits was due to a number of the manufacturer’s new rail contracts taking time to set up along with the company’s Ferryhill factory being forced to close temporarily due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Greatorex said: “There were several principle factors that contributed to the decrease in profit. Firstly, the business was successful in winning some new major contracts from rail customers. However, these new projects involve a considerable set-up time before moving onto regular production volumes. Most of the people costs associated with the new part introductions were absorbed in FY2020, with the benefits not being realised until FY2021 and onwards.
“Secondly, the business closed for a period prior to the end of the financial year as a result of the pandemic. This resulted in lost revenue and profit.”
In the accounts Hydram added that the full impact of Covid-19 would likely lead to a global recession and it did not know when the economy would bounce back.
It also warned that if the UK Government failed to strike an “advantageous deal with the EU” the situation could be exacerbated.
Mr Greatorex added: “The impact of Brexit on the business has been limited. However, there remain concerns in respect of the supply chain. While Hydram may be able to secure parts from the existing European or alternative non-EU supply routes, many of our customers are committed to EU suppliers.
“If they cannot secure parts in a timely manner that may affect their build programmes, which could lead to delays, this would directly impact on their requirements from Hydram.
“The uncertainty around Covid-19 remains a short-term challenge with individuals having to self-isolate.
“The additional threat of further school closures will impact directly on those employees with children. Hydram is a manufacturing plant which makes it impossible for most employees to work from home. You cannot facilitate relocating a £1m automated laser cutting machine to the home of an employee for a few weeks!”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/hydram-engineering-warns-covid-19-19560537
|
en
| 2021-01-04T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/1d01fc1b87bc773e6ec796908ca064a78128bc84ce896ff2240dee276a21d40e.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nCounty Durham’s Hydram Engineering saw its profits fall by more than 30% last year and has warned that its turnover is expected to take a hit due to the pandemic and Brexit.\nHydram, which makes and sells sheet metal components and assemblies, saw its operating profit drop from £2.4m in 2019 to £1.6m for the year ending March 31 2020.\nTurnover at the firm remained largely flat last year at £18.6m, compared with £18.8m in 2019, but the company has warned that the major economic uncertainties affecting the UK are likely to impact its future turnover.\nDavid Greatorex, Hydram’s managing director, said the drop in profits was due to a number of the manufacturer’s new rail contracts taking time to set up along with the company’s Ferryhill factory being forced to close temporarily due to the coronavirus pandemic.\nMr Greatorex said: “There were several principle factors that contributed to the decrease in profit. Firstly, the business was successful in winning some new major contracts from rail customers. However, these new projects involve a considerable set-up time before moving onto regular production volumes. Most of the people costs associated with the new part introductions were absorbed in FY2020, with the benefits not being realised until FY2021 and onwards.\n“Secondly, the business closed for a period prior to the end of the financial year as a result of the pandemic. This resulted in lost revenue and profit.”\nIn the accounts Hydram added that the full impact of Covid-19 would likely lead to a global recession and it did not know when the economy would bounce back.\nIt also warned that if the UK Government failed to strike an “advantageous deal with the EU” the situation could be exacerbated.\nMr Greatorex added: “The impact of Brexit on the business has been limited. However, there remain concerns in respect of the supply chain. While Hydram may be able to secure parts from the existing European or alternative non-EU supply routes, many of our customers are committed to EU suppliers.\n“If they cannot secure parts in a timely manner that may affect their build programmes, which could lead to delays, this would directly impact on their requirements from Hydram.\n“The uncertainty around Covid-19 remains a short-term challenge with individuals having to self-isolate.\n“The additional threat of further school closures will impact directly on those employees with children. Hydram is a manufacturing plant which makes it impossible for most employees to work from home. You cannot facilitate relocating a £1m automated laser cutting machine to the home of an employee for a few weeks!”",
"Hydram Engineering warns Covid-19 and Brexit will dent its turnover",
"Managing director David Greatorex said closing schools will mean parts of its workforce will be unable to work"
] |
|
[
"Owen Hughes",
"Image",
"David Powell North Wales Live",
"Daily Post Wales"
] | 2021-01-01T16:36:20 | null | 2021-01-01T15:42:08 |
Head of UK Port Authorities at Stena Line Ian Davies says smooth start as handful of trucks turned away
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fports-logistics%2Fstena-line-boss-relatively-positive-19549833.json
|
en
| null |
Stena Line boss 'relatively positive' on Day One of Brexit but says true test yet to come
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A Stena Line boss said the first day of the UK's full exit from the EU has been "relatively positive" at Holyhead port but warned bigger tests are yet to come.
The Brexit transition period ended today and while a trade deal has been completed between the EU and the UK to remove tariffs it still means extra paperwork is now required to export between the trading blocks.
Stena said the positives from today were that their business and Irish Ferries saw their systems align with those set up in the UK and Ireland to handle the new customs arrangements.
While a small number of lorries were turned away due to not having the correct paperwork most were prepared.
But New Year's Day is the quietest day of the year after Christmas Day so they said next week will be a true test of the new set-up.
Head of UK Port Authorities at Stena Line Ian Davies said: "It has been relatively positive but the true test is yet to come.
(Image: Daily Post Wales)
"The positives are that the systems worked for both ferry companies.
"We had a small number who had not completed the required paperwork for various reasons, although 2/3 of these were then able to complete this quickly."
He added: "We couldn't have asked for a better day to test the systems as after Christmas Day this is the quietest day of the year and this year was extremely quiet. This means we can't read too much into this but we are quietly pleased with how this has gone.
"Next week will be the next test when we see how this works with volume and we find out then how prepared hauliers, importers and exporters are.
"There are contingency plans in place and this includes stacking lorries on the A55 but we hope this is not required. This is in place to ensure we do not cause disruption in the town."
(Image: David Powell/North Wales Live)
Stena Line has doubled capacity on the direct Rosslare to Cherbourg route and said early January sailings are full or near capacity.
Mr Davies said: "We expected this initial demand in the short term because operators want a degree of certainty.
Sign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.
As well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.
"They are waiting to see what happens at crossings like Dover/Calais. We will have to wait for things to settle before we get a truer picture on the long term impact on ports like Holyhead."
Landbridge traffic - where Ireland to EU traffic crosses the UK - makes up around 30% of Holyhead's trade and Stena will analyse how the new arrangements impact that part of their business on the route in the medium and long term.
To have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/ports-logistics/stena-line-boss-relatively-positive-19549833
|
en
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/070e914d3e0c4823e84d11eeb4f15649b316c5728982775bf10083284ac2a604.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA Stena Line boss said the first day of the UK's full exit from the EU has been \"relatively positive\" at Holyhead port but warned bigger tests are yet to come.\nThe Brexit transition period ended today and while a trade deal has been completed between the EU and the UK to remove tariffs it still means extra paperwork is now required to export between the trading blocks.\nStena said the positives from today were that their business and Irish Ferries saw their systems align with those set up in the UK and Ireland to handle the new customs arrangements.\nWhile a small number of lorries were turned away due to not having the correct paperwork most were prepared.\nBut New Year's Day is the quietest day of the year after Christmas Day so they said next week will be a true test of the new set-up.\nHead of UK Port Authorities at Stena Line Ian Davies said: \"It has been relatively positive but the true test is yet to come.\n(Image: Daily Post Wales)\n\"The positives are that the systems worked for both ferry companies.\n\"We had a small number who had not completed the required paperwork for various reasons, although 2/3 of these were then able to complete this quickly.\"\nHe added: \"We couldn't have asked for a better day to test the systems as after Christmas Day this is the quietest day of the year and this year was extremely quiet. This means we can't read too much into this but we are quietly pleased with how this has gone.\n\"Next week will be the next test when we see how this works with volume and we find out then how prepared hauliers, importers and exporters are.\n\"There are contingency plans in place and this includes stacking lorries on the A55 but we hope this is not required. This is in place to ensure we do not cause disruption in the town.\"\n(Image: David Powell/North Wales Live)\nStena Line has doubled capacity on the direct Rosslare to Cherbourg route and said early January sailings are full or near capacity.\nMr Davies said: \"We expected this initial demand in the short term because operators want a degree of certainty.\nSign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.\nAs well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.\n\"They are waiting to see what happens at crossings like Dover/Calais. We will have to wait for things to settle before we get a truer picture on the long term impact on ports like Holyhead.\"\nLandbridge traffic - where Ireland to EU traffic crosses the UK - makes up around 30% of Holyhead's trade and Stena will analyse how the new arrangements impact that part of their business on the route in the medium and long term.\nTo have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article",
"Stena Line boss 'relatively positive' on Day One of Brexit but says true test yet to come",
"Head of UK Port Authorities at Stena Line Ian Davies says smooth start as handful of trucks turned away"
] |
|
[
"Tamlyn Jones",
"Image",
"Glancy Nicholls Architects"
] | 2021-01-08T05:28:53 | null | 2021-01-08T05:00:00 |
Court Collaboration wins backing for redevelopment of former Irish Centre in Digbeth
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fcommercial-property%2Fgreen-light-48-storey-apartment-19581761.json
|
en
| null |
Green light for 48-storey apartment tower in Birmingham
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
City planners in Birmingham have given the green light to a 48-storey apartment tower.
The scheme will be built on the site of the former Irish Centre in Digbeth after it left its home of 50 years 12 months ago.
The new build-to-rent scheme, on the corner of High Street Deritend and Stone Yard, will have 454 one- and two-bedroom apartments and more than 10,000 sq ft of amenity space.
This will include a gym, cinema, sky bar, flexible co-working space and cycle parking but no parking for vehicles.
Want more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
Birmingham-based developer Court Collaboration is leading the scheme along with the Stone Yard project on land next door where it received consent to build 995 apartments in August.
The extension of the West Midlands Metro will run directly past the two sites and connect with HS2 and New Street and Snow Hill stations.
What do you think of these proposals for Digbeth? Share your views in the comments section below
Construction work is expected to commence later this year.
Alex Neale, chief executive of Court Collaboration, said: "This development will provide high-quality, contemporary city living in a prime location, complementing the surrounding area and numerous high-rise developments coming forward in Digbeth, including Connaught Square, Lunar Rise and our own Stone Yard.
"With a high level of ongoing investment and regeneration in this area, as well as the wider city centre, we are thrilled to have received planning permission from Birmingham City Council and look forward to starting works on site in due course."
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/green-light-48-storey-apartment-19581761
|
en
| 2021-01-08T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/9863326b3f5b2c84d9034af3c79636558eb901c8ab20f7421ccfedb81bbec854.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nCity planners in Birmingham have given the green light to a 48-storey apartment tower.\nThe scheme will be built on the site of the former Irish Centre in Digbeth after it left its home of 50 years 12 months ago.\nThe new build-to-rent scheme, on the corner of High Street Deritend and Stone Yard, will have 454 one- and two-bedroom apartments and more than 10,000 sq ft of amenity space.\nThis will include a gym, cinema, sky bar, flexible co-working space and cycle parking but no parking for vehicles.\nWant more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\nBirmingham-based developer Court Collaboration is leading the scheme along with the Stone Yard project on land next door where it received consent to build 995 apartments in August.\nThe extension of the West Midlands Metro will run directly past the two sites and connect with HS2 and New Street and Snow Hill stations.\nWhat do you think of these proposals for Digbeth? Share your views in the comments section below\nConstruction work is expected to commence later this year.\nAlex Neale, chief executive of Court Collaboration, said: \"This development will provide high-quality, contemporary city living in a prime location, complementing the surrounding area and numerous high-rise developments coming forward in Digbeth, including Connaught Square, Lunar Rise and our own Stone Yard.\n\"With a high level of ongoing investment and regeneration in this area, as well as the wider city centre, we are thrilled to have received planning permission from Birmingham City Council and look forward to starting works on site in due course.\"",
"Green light for 48-storey apartment tower in Birmingham",
"Court Collaboration wins backing for redevelopment of former Irish Centre in Digbeth"
] |
|
[
"Enda Mullen"
] | 2021-01-13T06:28:46 | null | 2021-01-13T05:15:00 |
Covrad Heat Transfer has seen almost half of its staff made redundant
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fmanufacturing%2Frevenue-downturn-hits-manufacturer-placed-19611283.json
|
en
| null |
Revenue downturn hits manufacturer placed into administration
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A historic manufacturer has been placed in administration which has seen almost half of its staff already axed.
Coventry-based Covrad Heat Transfer, whose roots in the city can be traced back to 1886, specialises in heat transfer equipment, serving the power, rail, marine, oil and gas, and off-highway markets.
But administrators said it had suffered a downturn in revenue as a result of the pandemic and key customers sourcing products from alternative suppliers.
Want more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
The move has seen 28 employees on furlough made redundant while the remaining 38 will be retained to support re-confirmed orders and the administration process.
Raj Mittal and Tony Barrell from business advisory firm FRP are joint administrators and are now in discussion with Covrad’s key customers regarding ongoing orders.
Mr Mittal said: “Despite the efforts of the directors and management, the reduction in turnover and consequential trading losses facing the company were not able to be resolved and resulted in the decision to place the business into administration.
“Our immediate priority is now to support those affected and work closely with the redundancy payments service to ensure that employees receive every support at this difficult time.”
Covrad Heat Transfer is a subsidiary of the API Heat Transfer Group based in the USA which also has operations in Germany, China and the Netherlands.
The other operations of API Heat Transfer Group remain unaffected by the administration.
Covrad previously employed 165 staff at its base in the Canley area of the city but numbers have been reducing there following two previous rounds of redundancies.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/revenue-downturn-hits-manufacturer-placed-19611283
|
en
| 2021-01-13T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/2e95732f134eac466ab233681284a57a49cf5fdb5ffa6aa5608b19f096d9d17d.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA historic manufacturer has been placed in administration which has seen almost half of its staff already axed.\nCoventry-based Covrad Heat Transfer, whose roots in the city can be traced back to 1886, specialises in heat transfer equipment, serving the power, rail, marine, oil and gas, and off-highway markets.\nBut administrators said it had suffered a downturn in revenue as a result of the pandemic and key customers sourcing products from alternative suppliers.\nWant more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\nThe move has seen 28 employees on furlough made redundant while the remaining 38 will be retained to support re-confirmed orders and the administration process.\nRaj Mittal and Tony Barrell from business advisory firm FRP are joint administrators and are now in discussion with Covrad’s key customers regarding ongoing orders.\nMr Mittal said: “Despite the efforts of the directors and management, the reduction in turnover and consequential trading losses facing the company were not able to be resolved and resulted in the decision to place the business into administration.\n“Our immediate priority is now to support those affected and work closely with the redundancy payments service to ensure that employees receive every support at this difficult time.”\nCovrad Heat Transfer is a subsidiary of the API Heat Transfer Group based in the USA which also has operations in Germany, China and the Netherlands.\nThe other operations of API Heat Transfer Group remain unaffected by the administration.\nCovrad previously employed 165 staff at its base in the Canley area of the city but numbers have been reducing there following two previous rounds of redundancies.",
"Revenue downturn hits manufacturer placed into administration",
"Covrad Heat Transfer has seen almost half of its staff made redundant"
] |
|
[
"Sion Barry"
] | 2021-01-28T12:48:02 | null | 2021-01-28T12:12:04 |
TVR still need to raise £25m to start production at the Welsh Government-owned factory
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fmanufacturing%2Fwork-starts-new-tvr-sports-19710400.json
|
en
| null |
Work starts on new TVR sports car factory in Ebbw Vale
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Work preparing a factory in Ebbw Vale for production of a new TVR luxury sports car has started, although its backers have yet to confirm if it has raised the £25m to move to the manufacturing stage.
TVR, which first mooted the project back in 2015, has identified a Welsh Government-owned factory in Ebbw Vale to produce its Griffith vehicle.
The former Techboard factory was acquired by the Welsh Government for £4.75m in 2017. It is now investing a a further £6m on its fitout.
The Welsh Government has already provided a £2m loan to TVR and has a 3% stake after making a £500,000 equity investment.
TVR is seeking to raise £25m through a corporate bond on the Dublin exchange to allow it to move to the production stage and breathe new life into the 70 year TVR brand, which was originally founded by Trevor Wilkinson back in 1947.
The company said it couldn't provide an update on backing for the TVR 8.25% Income Bond, which is being overseen by Audacia Capital and was issued on the Euronext Dublin Exchange last June.
It said the funding will allow it to meet £40m of advanced orders.
It also couldn't provide a production schedule for the TVR Griffith, which been given a price tag of £90,000, saying that would be the subject of a future announcement.
Once at full production the project is forecast to create around 200 direct new jobs.
Jones Brothers (Henllan) Ltd have been awarded the principal contract for the programme of works at the Techboard building, which extends to nearly 200,000 sq ft on the Rassau Industrial Estate.
This includes replacement of the main building’s roof, the recladding of the building, extensive groundworks and also preparation of a prototype build area at the side of the intended main production area.
Les Edgar, chairman of TVR, said: “This is a fantastic milestone in our mission to rejuvenate an iconic British brand, and we are all tremendously excited to witness the renovation of our new home in Ebbw Vale.
"We have hundreds of faithful depositors worldwide who are patiently waiting to take delivery of their Griffiths, so I hope they are just as delighted as we are.
"Our partners at the Welsh Government have shown stoic support through challenging times and I must extend my personal thanks to all those who share our vision of helping to develop a sustainable automotive sector in South Wales.”
Economy Minister Ken Skates said: “I’m very pleased we are moving ahead with our investment in a strategically important building on Rassau Industrial Estate, which is situated within the Tech Valleys. The Welsh Government’s investment will help secure this significant building for extensive refurbishment for the beneficial use of business.
"The former Techboard building has enormous potential and would be an ideal location for TVR which has identified the property as its prospective new home in Wales.”
The Welsh Government said it was "closely engaging" with the company for the leasing of the space, which it hopes will be concluded in the near future.
Work on the factory comes as TVR has secured new financial backing from Fiduciam in the form of a £2m loan under the under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).
Fiduciam has been a financial backer of TVR’s project since 2016, when it provided the company with a £6m credit facility.
Mr Edgar said “Fiduciam has been a reliable financial partner for TVR as we develop the new Griffith sport car. Raising funds is always a challenge and even more so for manufacturing projects in Covid-19 times.
We appreciate that Fiduciam has always been willing to roll up the sleeves to fully understand our business plan. We have endured a further delay because of Covid-19, but we are confident we are now into the final straight to commence manufacturing
Johan Groothaert, chief executive of Fiduciam, sid: “Since we granted our first loan, TVR, together with Gordon Murray Design, has been able to design an excellent new sports car. It has introduced an innovative assembly concept, which allows for much smaller production runs.
We are pleased that TVR, with its strong and committed management team, has overcome the many hurdles on the road to launching the new Griffith.
"We are looking forward to seeing the new Griffith rolling off the production line and our financing relationship with TVR continue for many years to come."
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/work-starts-new-tvr-sports-19710400
|
en
| 2021-01-28T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/8d8123fec1f631f661234d421c38296c02573e3aea80390d90ce7d6d7b62d815.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Wales Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nWork preparing a factory in Ebbw Vale for production of a new TVR luxury sports car has started, although its backers have yet to confirm if it has raised the £25m to move to the manufacturing stage.\nTVR, which first mooted the project back in 2015, has identified a Welsh Government-owned factory in Ebbw Vale to produce its Griffith vehicle.\nThe former Techboard factory was acquired by the Welsh Government for £4.75m in 2017. It is now investing a a further £6m on its fitout.\nThe Welsh Government has already provided a £2m loan to TVR and has a 3% stake after making a £500,000 equity investment.\nTVR is seeking to raise £25m through a corporate bond on the Dublin exchange to allow it to move to the production stage and breathe new life into the 70 year TVR brand, which was originally founded by Trevor Wilkinson back in 1947.\nThe company said it couldn't provide an update on backing for the TVR 8.25% Income Bond, which is being overseen by Audacia Capital and was issued on the Euronext Dublin Exchange last June.\nIt said the funding will allow it to meet £40m of advanced orders.\nIt also couldn't provide a production schedule for the TVR Griffith, which been given a price tag of £90,000, saying that would be the subject of a future announcement.\nOnce at full production the project is forecast to create around 200 direct new jobs.\nJones Brothers (Henllan) Ltd have been awarded the principal contract for the programme of works at the Techboard building, which extends to nearly 200,000 sq ft on the Rassau Industrial Estate.\nThis includes replacement of the main building’s roof, the recladding of the building, extensive groundworks and also preparation of a prototype build area at the side of the intended main production area.\nLes Edgar, chairman of TVR, said: “This is a fantastic milestone in our mission to rejuvenate an iconic British brand, and we are all tremendously excited to witness the renovation of our new home in Ebbw Vale.\n\"We have hundreds of faithful depositors worldwide who are patiently waiting to take delivery of their Griffiths, so I hope they are just as delighted as we are.\n\"Our partners at the Welsh Government have shown stoic support through challenging times and I must extend my personal thanks to all those who share our vision of helping to develop a sustainable automotive sector in South Wales.”\nEconomy Minister Ken Skates said: “I’m very pleased we are moving ahead with our investment in a strategically important building on Rassau Industrial Estate, which is situated within the Tech Valleys. The Welsh Government’s investment will help secure this significant building for extensive refurbishment for the beneficial use of business.\n\"The former Techboard building has enormous potential and would be an ideal location for TVR which has identified the property as its prospective new home in Wales.”\nThe Welsh Government said it was \"closely engaging\" with the company for the leasing of the space, which it hopes will be concluded in the near future.\nWork on the factory comes as TVR has secured new financial backing from Fiduciam in the form of a £2m loan under the under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).\nFiduciam has been a financial backer of TVR’s project since 2016, when it provided the company with a £6m credit facility.\nMr Edgar said “Fiduciam has been a reliable financial partner for TVR as we develop the new Griffith sport car. Raising funds is always a challenge and even more so for manufacturing projects in Covid-19 times.\nWe appreciate that Fiduciam has always been willing to roll up the sleeves to fully understand our business plan. We have endured a further delay because of Covid-19, but we are confident we are now into the final straight to commence manufacturing\nJohan Groothaert, chief executive of Fiduciam, sid: “Since we granted our first loan, TVR, together with Gordon Murray Design, has been able to design an excellent new sports car. It has introduced an innovative assembly concept, which allows for much smaller production runs.\nWe are pleased that TVR, with its strong and committed management team, has overcome the many hurdles on the road to launching the new Griffith.\n\"We are looking forward to seeing the new Griffith rolling off the production line and our financing relationship with TVR continue for many years to come.\"",
"Work starts on new TVR sports car factory in Ebbw Vale",
"TVR still need to raise £25m to start production at the Welsh Government-owned factory"
] |
|
[
"Coreena Ford"
] | 2021-01-26T10:20:00 | null | 2021-01-26T08:53:51 |
Frontline staff will get a one-off payment of £200 as a thank you and around 25,000 staff will benefit
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Flidl-gifts-55m-cash-pot-19700092.json
|
en
| null |
Lidl gifts £5.5m cash pot to UK staff as thank you for hard work during pandemic
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Retail & Consumer Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Supermarket giant Lidl has announced a £5.5m one-off cash pot to be shared among its 25,000 UK staff, as a thank you for their work during the Covid-19 crisis.
The discount retailer will award frontline colleagues, including customer assistants, warehouse operatives and cleaners, across more than 800 stores and 13 distribution centres a £200 “thank you” payment.
The company said the payment is in recognition of “their tireless efforts to keep the nation fed and provide a safe shopping experience for customers up and down the country”.
Lidl GB will also give all office based colleagues, amounting to approximately 1,800 people, a one-off £100 payment to recognise their efforts in supporting the business.
The move will directly benefit over 25,000 colleagues across Great Britain and represents a £5.5m investment.
Christian Härtnagel, CEO at Lidl GB said: “Everyone in the food retail sector has been in the privileged position of being able to continue operating throughout this pandemic.
“However, it has been an extremely challenging period and our teams have done a phenomenal job in helping to keep the nation fed.
"I am incredibly proud of the dedication and commitment our colleagues have shown and continue to show and this payment is about recognising their unrelenting hard work and thanking each individual for the important part they’ve played in the year like no other”.
The payment follows a £150 voucher issued to all colleagues in March of last year, in recognition of their efforts.
Last November Lidl announced that it would be increasing the wages of all colleagues on hourly rates, for the sixth year in a row.
The new wages, which will come into effect from March 2021, will see entry-level wages will increase from £9.30 to £9.50 per hour outside the M25 and £10.75 to £10.85 within the M25.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/lidl-gifts-55m-cash-pot-19700092
|
en
| 2021-01-26T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/fa65ee3d2e0a8f7172794c2bb7eb34b958fd08a4b1c3b378488e0d8449f95ed5.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Retail & Consumer Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nSupermarket giant Lidl has announced a £5.5m one-off cash pot to be shared among its 25,000 UK staff, as a thank you for their work during the Covid-19 crisis.\nThe discount retailer will award frontline colleagues, including customer assistants, warehouse operatives and cleaners, across more than 800 stores and 13 distribution centres a £200 “thank you” payment.\nThe company said the payment is in recognition of “their tireless efforts to keep the nation fed and provide a safe shopping experience for customers up and down the country”.\nLidl GB will also give all office based colleagues, amounting to approximately 1,800 people, a one-off £100 payment to recognise their efforts in supporting the business.\nThe move will directly benefit over 25,000 colleagues across Great Britain and represents a £5.5m investment.\nChristian Härtnagel, CEO at Lidl GB said: “Everyone in the food retail sector has been in the privileged position of being able to continue operating throughout this pandemic.\n“However, it has been an extremely challenging period and our teams have done a phenomenal job in helping to keep the nation fed.\n\"I am incredibly proud of the dedication and commitment our colleagues have shown and continue to show and this payment is about recognising their unrelenting hard work and thanking each individual for the important part they’ve played in the year like no other”.\nThe payment follows a £150 voucher issued to all colleagues in March of last year, in recognition of their efforts.\nLast November Lidl announced that it would be increasing the wages of all colleagues on hourly rates, for the sixth year in a row.\nThe new wages, which will come into effect from March 2021, will see entry-level wages will increase from £9.30 to £9.50 per hour outside the M25 and £10.75 to £10.85 within the M25.",
"Lidl gifts £5.5m cash pot to UK staff as thank you for hard work during pandemic",
"Frontline staff will get a one-off payment of £200 as a thank you and around 25,000 staff will benefit"
] |
|
[
"Owen Hughes",
"Image",
"Rob Browne Walesonline",
"Main",
"Matthew Horwood",
"Inset",
"Rowan Griffiths"
] | 2021-01-15T12:41:43 | null | 2021-01-15T12:15:00 |
First minister Mark Drakeford today set out tighter new rules for businesses that remain open in lockdown
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fretail-consumer%2Fwelsh-government-announcement-retailer-rules-19631231.json
|
en
| null |
Welsh Government announcement on retailer rules and new workplace risk assessments
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Retail & Consumer Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Businesses in Wales will have to carry out a specific coronavirus risk assessment under new Welsh Government legislation.
First Minister Mark Drakeford made the announcement at the Welsh Government coronavirus briefing today.
The government said these risk assessments will be the starting point for implementing the reasonable measures that are required to be taken to minimise exposure to the coronavirus on premises open to the public and in workplaces.
This involves considering issues such as:
whether ventilation is adequate;
hygiene;
ensuring physical distancing is taking place;
use of PPE and face coverings.
It will also include considering how employers maximise the number of people who can work from home.
They said: "The highly contagious new strain of the virus means we have had to look again at the rules regulating workplaces and premises that remain open to the public."
First Minister, Mark Drakeford said: “Risk assessments must be reviewed and updated regularly, whenever circumstances change and I want to make clear in law this includes whenever the coronavirus Alert levels change in Wales.
"Recording the risk assessment will only be required by those who employ five or more people.
(Image: Rowan Griffiths)
"We are working closely with employers, trade unions, Local Authorities and the Health and Safety Executive to consider the detail on how to keep work settings safe.
"Ministers have also met this week with key retailers to discuss their vital role during the pandemic.
"They set out the actions they are taking from providing sanitisers for hands and trolleys on entry; limiting the numbers in store at any one time; and making regular announcements reminding people to keep their distance from others.
"We will strengthen regulations to ensure retailers take these steps so that their premises are as safe as possible for shoppers and their employees alike.
"Many are already operating high standards and we need to raise the bar for those who could and should improve.
Sign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.
As well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.
"However we all have a personal responsibility to help make shops as safe as possible. We all need to shop alone if we can, observe the 2m rule, practise good hand hygiene and wear a face covering unless exempt.
"Any abuse directed at store employees who remind people of their responsibilities will not be tolerated.”
To have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/welsh-government-announcement-retailer-rules-19631231
|
en
| 2021-01-15T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/5fb66d2b6d1fdaf3b38275cabdebe902be37c69a7962b7565b81a36a2e12b30e.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - Retail & Consumer Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nBusinesses in Wales will have to carry out a specific coronavirus risk assessment under new Welsh Government legislation.\nFirst Minister Mark Drakeford made the announcement at the Welsh Government coronavirus briefing today.\nThe government said these risk assessments will be the starting point for implementing the reasonable measures that are required to be taken to minimise exposure to the coronavirus on premises open to the public and in workplaces.\nThis involves considering issues such as:\nwhether ventilation is adequate;\nhygiene;\nensuring physical distancing is taking place;\nuse of PPE and face coverings.\nIt will also include considering how employers maximise the number of people who can work from home.\nThey said: \"The highly contagious new strain of the virus means we have had to look again at the rules regulating workplaces and premises that remain open to the public.\"\nFirst Minister, Mark Drakeford said: “Risk assessments must be reviewed and updated regularly, whenever circumstances change and I want to make clear in law this includes whenever the coronavirus Alert levels change in Wales.\n\"Recording the risk assessment will only be required by those who employ five or more people.\n(Image: Rowan Griffiths)\n\"We are working closely with employers, trade unions, Local Authorities and the Health and Safety Executive to consider the detail on how to keep work settings safe.\n\"Ministers have also met this week with key retailers to discuss their vital role during the pandemic.\n\"They set out the actions they are taking from providing sanitisers for hands and trolleys on entry; limiting the numbers in store at any one time; and making regular announcements reminding people to keep their distance from others.\n\"We will strengthen regulations to ensure retailers take these steps so that their premises are as safe as possible for shoppers and their employees alike.\n\"Many are already operating high standards and we need to raise the bar for those who could and should improve.\nSign up to our BusinessLive Wales email service BusinessLive Wales is your new comprehensive home for business news from across Wales; from large corporates to exciting start-ups and sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial and professional services. To sign up to our breaking news and daily newsletter service CLICK HERE.\nAs well as our in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts.\n\"However we all have a personal responsibility to help make shops as safe as possible. We all need to shop alone if we can, observe the 2m rule, practise good hand hygiene and wear a face covering unless exempt.\n\"Any abuse directed at store employees who remind people of their responsibilities will not be tolerated.”\nTo have your say on this story please use our comments section at the top of this article",
"Welsh Government announcement on retailer rules and new workplace risk assessments",
"First minister Mark Drakeford today set out tighter new rules for businesses that remain open in lockdown"
] |
|
[
"Tamlyn Jones"
] | 2021-01-18T02:48:36 | null | 2021-01-18T02:00:00 |
Quartet of firms stare down pandemic to add new clients to their rosters and grow their teams
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fsmall-and-medium-enterprises%2Fpr-news-brief-promotions-contract-19634953.json
|
en
| null |
PR news in brief: Promotions, contract wins and growth for Birmingham agencies
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Birmingham PR agency Pearl Comms has added two new faces to its team.
The corporate comms specialist has hired Emily Eddings and Carlos Vasconcelos as account executives.
Ms Eddings is graduate of Birmingham City University and has more than two years of agency experience in PR and content creation and Mr Vasconcelos joins after holding an in-house communications role.
Some team members have also been promoted with Lucy Blackman becoming communications consultant to lead technical copywriting briefs and communications for professional services projects.
Shelley Ruffles and Paige Northover have both been promoted to senior account executive.
Want more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.
Founder and managing director Alia Al-Doori said: "The last year has been tough going for nearly every business around the UK but we're ready to take advantage of each opportunity over the coming months.
"The rulebook has been totally rewritten and there has never been a greater need for purposeful, precise and brave comms."
Elsewhere in the city's PR sector, East Village has started the year with a brace of new client wins.
Sustainably sourced jewellery brand Influenstar and the UK plastic-free firewood retailer Love Logs have retained the agency to deliver strategic PR and influencer engagement.
Influenstar is a UK start up which aims to be a green jewellery label and sells earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets made from recycled silver.
East Village has been appointed to deliver national PR and influencer engagement with the aim of positioning the e-commerce firm alongside leading mid-market jewellery brands.
The agency has also been recruited by planet-friendly firewood retailer Love Logs to deliver its ongoing PR strategy.
Launched last year, Brierley Hill-based Love Logs provides sustainably sourced kiln-dried logs, kindling and natural firelighters and claims to be the UK's only plastic-free firewood retailer.
The company said it had seen an upsurge in the use of wood burners, pizza ovens and fire pits during lockdown so hired East Village to raise its profile across both consumer and trade media.
East Village founder Tara Tomes said: "Working with brands who have good values has always been at the heart of what we do and I am so excited that we're kicking off the year with two amazing client wins.
"The last 12 months has shown us just how important it is to not only have purpose within your business but also use PR to showcase it in an authentic way."
Story Comms has started the year with a trio of contract wins and two promotions.
The agency has welcomed Spitfire Bespoke Homes, Birmingham City Council and Boom Radio to its client roster.
Story Comms is now managing Spitfire's national PR and recently led on Birmingham City Council's #BrumWeCan campaign which showcased the city's good causes throughout the festive period and into 2021.
It also launched Boom Radio which is a new national station aimed at the baby-boomer generation.
In addition to the client wins, the agency has promoted Sophie Drake to account director and Lewis Thomas to account manager and launched a recruitment drive for 2021.
Founder Amanda Lowe said: "We had a really strong finish to the year and a very positive start to 2021 with new clients, promotions in the team and a recruitment drive.
"Our video service has grown by 70 per cent in the last year - an area of expansion pre-pandemic that exploded for us as everyone spent more time online.
"We've worked hard to help clients stay relevant and cut through the noise by bringing their message to life in ways that connect to people on a human emotive level."
Completing the round up is Digbeth-based content marketing agency HDY which said it had secured £1 million worth of new business and welcomed a string of new members to the team.
It has won new work from global tech firm Avantra, Ayla Skin, British Porridge Company, Cheltenham Science Festival, the NHS, eco-friendly bedding company Snug and rugby club Wasps.
It has also added seven new employees to the team - digital marketing manager Matt Cooper, digital creative Nathan Hallett, art director Paul Power, creative Morgan Tedd, senior PR and social manager Amanda Radek, senior digital marketing manager Matt Rees and designer Anna Smith.
Angel Gaskell, who co-founded the agency with Heart FM DJ Ed James in 2018, said: "I doubt any business can say confidently they were fully prepared for everything that 2020 threw at us.
"Lockdown illuminated the importance of businesses remaining flexible, resilient and innovative to succeed.
"It became a two-pronged approach to ramp up the agency's content marketing to get our name and proposition out there to prospective new clients while also recognising the importance of protecting and boosting the team's wellbeing."
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/small-and-medium-enterprises/pr-news-brief-promotions-contract-19634953
|
en
| 2021-01-18T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/82d5bbca5cac1bdf86b910c776c309a2d6a69fbe3298d1871f189abf529d6e46.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nBirmingham PR agency Pearl Comms has added two new faces to its team.\nThe corporate comms specialist has hired Emily Eddings and Carlos Vasconcelos as account executives.\nMs Eddings is graduate of Birmingham City University and has more than two years of agency experience in PR and content creation and Mr Vasconcelos joins after holding an in-house communications role.\nSome team members have also been promoted with Lucy Blackman becoming communications consultant to lead technical copywriting briefs and communications for professional services projects.\nShelley Ruffles and Paige Northover have both been promoted to senior account executive.\nWant more business news straight to your inbox? BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts. You can sign up to receive daily morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss. Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.\nFounder and managing director Alia Al-Doori said: \"The last year has been tough going for nearly every business around the UK but we're ready to take advantage of each opportunity over the coming months.\n\"The rulebook has been totally rewritten and there has never been a greater need for purposeful, precise and brave comms.\"\nElsewhere in the city's PR sector, East Village has started the year with a brace of new client wins.\nSustainably sourced jewellery brand Influenstar and the UK plastic-free firewood retailer Love Logs have retained the agency to deliver strategic PR and influencer engagement.\nInfluenstar is a UK start up which aims to be a green jewellery label and sells earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets made from recycled silver.\nEast Village has been appointed to deliver national PR and influencer engagement with the aim of positioning the e-commerce firm alongside leading mid-market jewellery brands.\nThe agency has also been recruited by planet-friendly firewood retailer Love Logs to deliver its ongoing PR strategy.\nLaunched last year, Brierley Hill-based Love Logs provides sustainably sourced kiln-dried logs, kindling and natural firelighters and claims to be the UK's only plastic-free firewood retailer.\nThe company said it had seen an upsurge in the use of wood burners, pizza ovens and fire pits during lockdown so hired East Village to raise its profile across both consumer and trade media.\nEast Village founder Tara Tomes said: \"Working with brands who have good values has always been at the heart of what we do and I am so excited that we're kicking off the year with two amazing client wins.\n\"The last 12 months has shown us just how important it is to not only have purpose within your business but also use PR to showcase it in an authentic way.\"\nStory Comms has started the year with a trio of contract wins and two promotions.\nThe agency has welcomed Spitfire Bespoke Homes, Birmingham City Council and Boom Radio to its client roster.\nStory Comms is now managing Spitfire's national PR and recently led on Birmingham City Council's #BrumWeCan campaign which showcased the city's good causes throughout the festive period and into 2021.\nIt also launched Boom Radio which is a new national station aimed at the baby-boomer generation.\nIn addition to the client wins, the agency has promoted Sophie Drake to account director and Lewis Thomas to account manager and launched a recruitment drive for 2021.\nFounder Amanda Lowe said: \"We had a really strong finish to the year and a very positive start to 2021 with new clients, promotions in the team and a recruitment drive.\n\"Our video service has grown by 70 per cent in the last year - an area of expansion pre-pandemic that exploded for us as everyone spent more time online.\n\"We've worked hard to help clients stay relevant and cut through the noise by bringing their message to life in ways that connect to people on a human emotive level.\"\nCompleting the round up is Digbeth-based content marketing agency HDY which said it had secured £1 million worth of new business and welcomed a string of new members to the team.\nIt has won new work from global tech firm Avantra, Ayla Skin, British Porridge Company, Cheltenham Science Festival, the NHS, eco-friendly bedding company Snug and rugby club Wasps.\nIt has also added seven new employees to the team - digital marketing manager Matt Cooper, digital creative Nathan Hallett, art director Paul Power, creative Morgan Tedd, senior PR and social manager Amanda Radek, senior digital marketing manager Matt Rees and designer Anna Smith.\nAngel Gaskell, who co-founded the agency with Heart FM DJ Ed James in 2018, said: \"I doubt any business can say confidently they were fully prepared for everything that 2020 threw at us.\n\"Lockdown illuminated the importance of businesses remaining flexible, resilient and innovative to succeed.\n\"It became a two-pronged approach to ramp up the agency's content marketing to get our name and proposition out there to prospective new clients while also recognising the importance of protecting and boosting the team's wellbeing.\"",
"PR news in brief: Promotions, contract wins and growth for Birmingham agencies",
"Quartet of firms stare down pandemic to add new clients to their rosters and grow their teams"
] |
|
[
"Tom Pegden"
] | 2021-01-26T03:39:01 | null | 2021-01-26T03:00:00 |
Work forms part of the Skegness Foreshore Masterplan to improve the town for residents and holidaymakers
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fregional-development%2Fskegness-esplanade-transformation-work-begins-19695514.json
|
en
| null |
Skegness Esplanade Transformation Work Begins
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - East Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Work has started revamping the esplanade at Skegness – in time for visitors hopefully returning when lockdown restrictions improve.
Work is underway with £750,000 of government help to improve things such as pedestrian links to the seafront and parking.
The work is being done by the Connected Coast Board which saw Mablethorpe and Skegness combine their efforts to bid for funding under the government’s Towns Deal.
The Skegness work, which also has funding from East Lindsey District Council, forms part of the Skegness Foreshore Masterplan to improve the town for residents and visitors – and at its heart will be supporting the local visitor economy.
The Towns Fund Foreshore project will improve cycling and footpaths and boost passing trade for businesses.
The area will also be made to feel safer while the changes will reflect the historic importance of the Foreshore – something already recognised through its designation as a historic park.
Sarah Louise Fairburn, who chairs the Connected Coast Board, said: “We’re so pleased to see this project starting thanks to an Accelerated Fund Grant of £750,000 for Skegness, which has enabled us to fast-track one of Towns’ Fund projects.
“Significant progress has been made with work to pedestrianise part of Tower Esplanade and improve the alternative car park entrance to Princes Parade.”
It is hoped areas such as Hildreds Shopping Centre will see the benefits. Shops in the centre include Boots, Card Factory, EE, Game, JD Sport and Superdrug.
Centre manager Steve Andrews said: “This is fantastic news and we welcome the improvements to the Esplanade.
“Any investment in the town always results in more visitors as we have seen from the installation of lights along the seafront.
“Anything that brings more people to the resort is to be commended as we have so much to offer.
“At Hildreds, we are also looking forward to the further planned investment through the Towns Fund.
“Skegness has performed slightly ahead of the national average for footfall in terms of retail, which was better than expected.
“We therefore hope that as the global pandemic abates, we will be able to welcome even more people to Skegness in a safe and secure way.”
Work should be completed before Good Friday in time for – lockdown permitting – visitors to be welcomed back to the resort for start of the summer season.
As part of a wider programme of planned development of the Skegness Foreshore the council recently submitted a planning application to develop a new holiday lodge scheme.
It is hoped it will extend and diversify the visitor season by generating new and repeat visitors to the seaside town.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/regional-development/skegness-esplanade-transformation-work-begins-19695514
|
en
| 2021-01-26T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/61d84e46e5cac1ee838af20ab637e6d7a5926285f88e08a3d4cd5fb231ab1708.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - East Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nWork has started revamping the esplanade at Skegness – in time for visitors hopefully returning when lockdown restrictions improve.\nWork is underway with £750,000 of government help to improve things such as pedestrian links to the seafront and parking.\nThe work is being done by the Connected Coast Board which saw Mablethorpe and Skegness combine their efforts to bid for funding under the government’s Towns Deal.\nThe Skegness work, which also has funding from East Lindsey District Council, forms part of the Skegness Foreshore Masterplan to improve the town for residents and visitors – and at its heart will be supporting the local visitor economy.\nThe Towns Fund Foreshore project will improve cycling and footpaths and boost passing trade for businesses.\nThe area will also be made to feel safer while the changes will reflect the historic importance of the Foreshore – something already recognised through its designation as a historic park.\nSarah Louise Fairburn, who chairs the Connected Coast Board, said: “We’re so pleased to see this project starting thanks to an Accelerated Fund Grant of £750,000 for Skegness, which has enabled us to fast-track one of Towns’ Fund projects.\n“Significant progress has been made with work to pedestrianise part of Tower Esplanade and improve the alternative car park entrance to Princes Parade.”\nIt is hoped areas such as Hildreds Shopping Centre will see the benefits. Shops in the centre include Boots, Card Factory, EE, Game, JD Sport and Superdrug.\nCentre manager Steve Andrews said: “This is fantastic news and we welcome the improvements to the Esplanade.\n“Any investment in the town always results in more visitors as we have seen from the installation of lights along the seafront.\n“Anything that brings more people to the resort is to be commended as we have so much to offer.\n“At Hildreds, we are also looking forward to the further planned investment through the Towns Fund.\n“Skegness has performed slightly ahead of the national average for footfall in terms of retail, which was better than expected.\n“We therefore hope that as the global pandemic abates, we will be able to welcome even more people to Skegness in a safe and secure way.”\nWork should be completed before Good Friday in time for – lockdown permitting – visitors to be welcomed back to the resort for start of the summer season.\nAs part of a wider programme of planned development of the Skegness Foreshore the council recently submitted a planning application to develop a new holiday lodge scheme.\nIt is hoped it will extend and diversify the visitor season by generating new and repeat visitors to the seaside town.",
"Skegness Esplanade Transformation Work Begins",
"Work forms part of the Skegness Foreshore Masterplan to improve the town for residents and holidaymakers"
] |
|
[
"Jonathon Manning",
"Image",
"Getty Images"
] | 2021-01-28T12:47:32 | null | 2021-01-28T11:38:46 |
Wall Street investors have lost a fortune thanks to an army of traders on Reddit
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Feconomic-development%2Fgamestop-short-squeeze-video-game-19716587.json
|
en
| null |
GameStop short squeeze: Why did a video game retailer's shares soar yesterday?
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - National Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Yesterday investment specialists watched as US video game retailer GameStop saw its share price soar to around $380 per share in defiance of all expectations.
The huge surge in the company’s share price has caused massive losses on Wall Street and led to the White House admitting it is “monitoring” the situation.
At the start of January GameStock's shares were trading on the New York Stock Exchange for around $40 a share. Investors were expecting this to fall after an analyst's report claimed the shares were already overvalued and should be trading at around $20 a piece.
Instead GameStop's shares began to steadily climb in value and yesterday (January 27) the share price soared to around $380.
From the outside the situation looks bizarre and confusing especially considering that GameStop's business model is that of a traditional retailer.
The company sells video games from its brick and mortar stores around the US, meaning it is operating in a retail space that is not well suited to the coronavirus pandemic.
So why has GameStop’s share price increased so dramatically? And why is that a huge problem for the US financial markets?
What caused GameStop's share price to rise?
GameStop's unexpected share price increase was largely caused by private investors that grouped together to buy the company's shares.
This small army of investors organised themselves, mostly through chat rooms such as Reddit, in the hopes of profiting from bets made by private investment companies on Wall Street.
A number of these Wall Street firms have placed significant financial bets that GameStop's share price will fall - a practice known as short selling.
But by organising a large number of people to buy GameStop shares, the smaller traders have caused GameStop's shares to increase in value, costing Wall Street a fortune.
What is short selling and how does it work?
Short selling, or shorting, is financial practice where investors effectively bet that a company's share price will go down.
The practice works by investors agreeing to borrow shares for a set period of time and then making a number of trades with the aim of making a profit when the share price falls. The practice was a major plot point in the film The Big Short, which told the story of those who made money during the collapse of the housing market.
In effect, the investor buys the shares at a set price and agrees to sell them back to the original owner at the initial price. During this time the investor then sells the shares to others. When the share price falls the investor buys these shares back again and returns them to the original owner - pocketing the difference between the old and new price.
For example:
Mr Smith (short seller) agrees to buy a share in Apple at £10 a share from Mr Brady. Mr Smith then sells his share for £10 to another investor. Apple's share price falls to £8, and Mr Smith buys back his share at the new price. Mr Smith then sells the share price back to Mr Brady for £10, as they previously agreed. Mr Smith has made £2 profit from the deals.
Why has GameStop's share price been bad for Wall Street?
After hearing analysts' claims that GameStop's share price was overvalued a number of Wall Street investors began short selling the company's shares.
If the share price had fallen these firms would have made a lot of money but because the price increased they now stand to make a huge loss.
With the share price increasing to almost $380 Wall Street investors are having to buy back their shares at a price nearly 10 times what they agreed to sell them for.
Melvin Capital Management is one of the firms that decided to short GameStop. However, the firm told CNBC that it had now closed out its short position after taking a huge loss.
The hedge fund has lost 30% of the $12.5bn (£9.1bn) it manages this year.
Why are Reddit users doing this?
The investors that banded together on Reddit have helped raise GameStop's share price for a couple of reasons.
The first is simply to make money. By inflating the share price these investors have caused what is known as a "short squeeze", making the Wall Street firms that shorted GameStop lose their financial bets, while allowing them to profit.
The other reason is more anarchistic. Many investors and private individuals are against short sellers because they root for companies to fail. Other people on the Reddit chat simply do not like those working on Wall Street.
How do you feel about investors inflating GameStop's share price? What do you think about the losses facing Wall Street? Let us know in the comments below.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/gamestop-short-squeeze-video-game-19716587
|
en
| 2021-01-28T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/071d4b0bc5406466eb4d939fca460d838adf0646fd10aa96b6aee339ae79f349.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - National Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nYesterday investment specialists watched as US video game retailer GameStop saw its share price soar to around $380 per share in defiance of all expectations.\nThe huge surge in the company’s share price has caused massive losses on Wall Street and led to the White House admitting it is “monitoring” the situation.\nAt the start of January GameStock's shares were trading on the New York Stock Exchange for around $40 a share. Investors were expecting this to fall after an analyst's report claimed the shares were already overvalued and should be trading at around $20 a piece.\nInstead GameStop's shares began to steadily climb in value and yesterday (January 27) the share price soared to around $380.\nFrom the outside the situation looks bizarre and confusing especially considering that GameStop's business model is that of a traditional retailer.\nThe company sells video games from its brick and mortar stores around the US, meaning it is operating in a retail space that is not well suited to the coronavirus pandemic.\nSo why has GameStop’s share price increased so dramatically? And why is that a huge problem for the US financial markets?\nWhat caused GameStop's share price to rise?\nGameStop's unexpected share price increase was largely caused by private investors that grouped together to buy the company's shares.\nThis small army of investors organised themselves, mostly through chat rooms such as Reddit, in the hopes of profiting from bets made by private investment companies on Wall Street.\nA number of these Wall Street firms have placed significant financial bets that GameStop's share price will fall - a practice known as short selling.\nBut by organising a large number of people to buy GameStop shares, the smaller traders have caused GameStop's shares to increase in value, costing Wall Street a fortune.\nWhat is short selling and how does it work?\nShort selling, or shorting, is financial practice where investors effectively bet that a company's share price will go down.\nThe practice works by investors agreeing to borrow shares for a set period of time and then making a number of trades with the aim of making a profit when the share price falls. The practice was a major plot point in the film The Big Short, which told the story of those who made money during the collapse of the housing market.\nIn effect, the investor buys the shares at a set price and agrees to sell them back to the original owner at the initial price. During this time the investor then sells the shares to others. When the share price falls the investor buys these shares back again and returns them to the original owner - pocketing the difference between the old and new price.\nFor example:\nMr Smith (short seller) agrees to buy a share in Apple at £10 a share from Mr Brady. Mr Smith then sells his share for £10 to another investor. Apple's share price falls to £8, and Mr Smith buys back his share at the new price. Mr Smith then sells the share price back to Mr Brady for £10, as they previously agreed. Mr Smith has made £2 profit from the deals.\nWhy has GameStop's share price been bad for Wall Street?\nAfter hearing analysts' claims that GameStop's share price was overvalued a number of Wall Street investors began short selling the company's shares.\nIf the share price had fallen these firms would have made a lot of money but because the price increased they now stand to make a huge loss.\nWith the share price increasing to almost $380 Wall Street investors are having to buy back their shares at a price nearly 10 times what they agreed to sell them for.\nMelvin Capital Management is one of the firms that decided to short GameStop. However, the firm told CNBC that it had now closed out its short position after taking a huge loss.\nThe hedge fund has lost 30% of the $12.5bn (£9.1bn) it manages this year.\nWhy are Reddit users doing this?\nThe investors that banded together on Reddit have helped raise GameStop's share price for a couple of reasons.\nThe first is simply to make money. By inflating the share price these investors have caused what is known as a \"short squeeze\", making the Wall Street firms that shorted GameStop lose their financial bets, while allowing them to profit.\nThe other reason is more anarchistic. Many investors and private individuals are against short sellers because they root for companies to fail. Other people on the Reddit chat simply do not like those working on Wall Street.\nHow do you feel about investors inflating GameStop's share price? What do you think about the losses facing Wall Street? Let us know in the comments below.",
"GameStop short squeeze: Why did a video game retailer's shares soar yesterday?",
"Wall Street investors have lost a fortune thanks to an army of traders on Reddit"
] |
|
[
"Graeme Whitfield"
] | 2021-01-12T17:48:55 | null | 2021-01-12T17:34:30 |
The Newcastle firm represents cricket stars Mark Wood and Ben Foakes, plus footballers Duncan Watmore and Elliot Anderson
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fnorth-east-sports-management-firm-19612658.json
|
en
| null |
North East sports management firm Quantum Sport opens Dublin office
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A sports management company headed by a North East footballing legend is to open to new office in Dublin.
Quantum Sport, which is run by former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini and business partner James Welch, already has offices in England and Scotland. Its office in Ireland will be headed by Patrick Conliffe, a dual-qualified Irish and English solicitor who has helped a number of Irish footballers to land deals with English clubs.
Quantum represents a number of well-known sportsmen and women, including England cricket internationals Mark Wood and Jack Leach, Middlesbrough footballer Duncan Watmore and rising Newcastle United youngster Elliot Anderson.
Mr Welch said: “I have thought for some time that there was an opportunity for us in Ireland and I am delighted to say that we are opening an office in Dublin. Patrick Conliffe, a dual-qualified Irish and English solicitor and an FA registered Intermediary will head Quantum Sport in
Ireland.
“He is an extremely experienced Intermediary who previously ran his own sports agency and in recent years worked with Full Contact Sports.
“He looks after some of the best talent in Ireland.
“We already represented several Irish players and Patrick has a fantastic client base, so this is a great fit.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Patrick and all his players to the Quantum Sport team.”
Mr Conliffe, head of Quantum Sport Ireland, said: “Quantum have an excellent client base. They also have an equally fantastic team within Quantum to assist clients, be it legal, financial, sponsorship or ex-professional player expertise.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/north-east-sports-management-firm-19612658
|
en
| 2021-01-12T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/662538dc815c2692eb945bd29e417954b9b70f778af06d408f63ad3208786798.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA sports management company headed by a North East footballing legend is to open to new office in Dublin.\nQuantum Sport, which is run by former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini and business partner James Welch, already has offices in England and Scotland. Its office in Ireland will be headed by Patrick Conliffe, a dual-qualified Irish and English solicitor who has helped a number of Irish footballers to land deals with English clubs.\nQuantum represents a number of well-known sportsmen and women, including England cricket internationals Mark Wood and Jack Leach, Middlesbrough footballer Duncan Watmore and rising Newcastle United youngster Elliot Anderson.\nMr Welch said: “I have thought for some time that there was an opportunity for us in Ireland and I am delighted to say that we are opening an office in Dublin. Patrick Conliffe, a dual-qualified Irish and English solicitor and an FA registered Intermediary will head Quantum Sport in\nIreland.\n“He is an extremely experienced Intermediary who previously ran his own sports agency and in recent years worked with Full Contact Sports.\n“He looks after some of the best talent in Ireland.\n“We already represented several Irish players and Patrick has a fantastic client base, so this is a great fit.\n“We are looking forward to welcoming Patrick and all his players to the Quantum Sport team.”\nMr Conliffe, head of Quantum Sport Ireland, said: “Quantum have an excellent client base. They also have an equally fantastic team within Quantum to assist clients, be it legal, financial, sponsorship or ex-professional player expertise.”",
"North East sports management firm Quantum Sport opens Dublin office",
"The Newcastle firm represents cricket stars Mark Wood and Ben Foakes, plus footballers Duncan Watmore and Elliot Anderson"
] |
|
[
"William Telford",
"Image",
"Matt Gilley"
] | 2021-01-15T10:36:06 | null | 2021-01-15T10:00:00 |
Investigation centres on whether dangerous substance was used in ships based at Devonport and Rosyth dockyards prior to privatisation
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Flawyer-starts-probe-asbestos-use-19626822.json
|
en
| null |
Lawyer starts probe into asbestos use on warships after woman's death
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A Plymouth lawyer has launched an investigation into whether there was asbestos in Royal Navy warships based at Devonport and Rosyth in the 1970s and whether this could have led to deaths.
James Walsh, a partner at Plymouth’s GA Solicitors and a specialist in industrial disease claims, is probing whether asbestos was used in the frigate HMS Gurkha and the carrier HMS Ark Royal.
He is working for the family and estate of a Plymouth woman who died after suffering from mesothelioma, an incurable form of cancer often linked to asbestos exposure.
It is believed the woman, who did not work at either dockyard, may have suffered from secondary exposure. During the 1970s her husband at the time was in the Royal Navy and was based at both Devonport and Rosyth, in Scotland, serving on HMS Gurkha and HMS Ark Royal.
(Image: Matt Gilley)
Asbestos has insulation and fire-retardant properties but wasn’t banned in the UK until 1986, by which time it was revealed as a cause of a range of illnesses, with many people exposed during the 1950s to 1980s, often from working in publicly owned buildings such as schools and dockyards.
Mr Walsh, who has handled hundreds of asbestos-related illness claims during a near 30-year career, is investigating whether the substance would have been found on those two ships.
He wants to hear from anyone who served on either vessel or worked in either dockyard between 1973 and 1976, specifically if they were on HMS Gurkha at any time between January 1973 and October 1974 or HMS Ark Royal between February 1975 and October 1976.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here
Mr Walsh is also studying academic reports such as those by PG Harries, author of the 1970 University of London paper about “the effects and control of diseases associated with exposure to asbestos in a Naval Dockyard”.
“I am asking if there is anyone out there who worked on HMS Gurkha or HMS Ark Royal during that period (1973 to 1976) who could say if there was asbestos on the ships at that time,” he said.
Mr Walsh, who may also engage an engineer to make further inquiries into use of asbestos on warships, said: “Mesothelioma, essentially cancer, is caused 99% by exposure to asbestos. I have handled hundreds of cases. I have been dealing with cases for more than 25 years.”
Mr Walsh, who is also president of Plymouth Law Society, said he has worked on cases where people had been suffering from the effects of asbestos from an exposure that occurred at any time until the end of the 1980s. After this date privatisation of dockyards brought an improvement of standards and cases of infection became rare.
“It’s a nasty disease,” said Mr Walsh. “Not just for people working with asbestos but for people exposed on a secondary basis. Raising awareness of this is still a problem. It is still a big problem in Plymouth, it has not gone away and will continue to be an issue, particularly secondary exposure.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/lawyer-starts-probe-asbestos-use-19626822
|
en
| 2021-01-15T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/145894c13421f95de50dbfcf1f508244200047ca0e4f1430fb2837f62740c3cf.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - South West Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA Plymouth lawyer has launched an investigation into whether there was asbestos in Royal Navy warships based at Devonport and Rosyth in the 1970s and whether this could have led to deaths.\nJames Walsh, a partner at Plymouth’s GA Solicitors and a specialist in industrial disease claims, is probing whether asbestos was used in the frigate HMS Gurkha and the carrier HMS Ark Royal.\nHe is working for the family and estate of a Plymouth woman who died after suffering from mesothelioma, an incurable form of cancer often linked to asbestos exposure.\nIt is believed the woman, who did not work at either dockyard, may have suffered from secondary exposure. During the 1970s her husband at the time was in the Royal Navy and was based at both Devonport and Rosyth, in Scotland, serving on HMS Gurkha and HMS Ark Royal.\n(Image: Matt Gilley)\nAsbestos has insulation and fire-retardant properties but wasn’t banned in the UK until 1986, by which time it was revealed as a cause of a range of illnesses, with many people exposed during the 1950s to 1980s, often from working in publicly owned buildings such as schools and dockyards.\nMr Walsh, who has handled hundreds of asbestos-related illness claims during a near 30-year career, is investigating whether the substance would have been found on those two ships.\nHe wants to hear from anyone who served on either vessel or worked in either dockyard between 1973 and 1976, specifically if they were on HMS Gurkha at any time between January 1973 and October 1974 or HMS Ark Royal between February 1975 and October 1976.\nHow to contact William Telford and Business Live Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region. To contact William: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01752 293116 Mob: 07584 594052 Twitter: @WTelfordHerald LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/william.telford.5473 William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click here\nMr Walsh is also studying academic reports such as those by PG Harries, author of the 1970 University of London paper about “the effects and control of diseases associated with exposure to asbestos in a Naval Dockyard”.\n“I am asking if there is anyone out there who worked on HMS Gurkha or HMS Ark Royal during that period (1973 to 1976) who could say if there was asbestos on the ships at that time,” he said.\nMr Walsh, who may also engage an engineer to make further inquiries into use of asbestos on warships, said: “Mesothelioma, essentially cancer, is caused 99% by exposure to asbestos. I have handled hundreds of cases. I have been dealing with cases for more than 25 years.”\nMr Walsh, who is also president of Plymouth Law Society, said he has worked on cases where people had been suffering from the effects of asbestos from an exposure that occurred at any time until the end of the 1980s. After this date privatisation of dockyards brought an improvement of standards and cases of infection became rare.\n“It’s a nasty disease,” said Mr Walsh. “Not just for people working with asbestos but for people exposed on a secondary basis. Raising awareness of this is still a problem. It is still a big problem in Plymouth, it has not gone away and will continue to be an issue, particularly secondary exposure.”",
"Lawyer starts probe into asbestos use on warships after woman's death",
"Investigation centres on whether dangerous substance was used in ships based at Devonport and Rosyth dockyards prior to privatisation"
] |
|
[
"Laura Watson"
] | 2021-01-05T09:02:51 | null | 2021-01-05T08:30:00 |
The Stoke-on-Trent organisation is supporting the Innovation in Business category
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fstaffordshire-business-innovation-centre-bic-19535363.json
|
en
| null |
Staffordshire Business Innovation Centre (BIC) signs up to sponsor the StokeonTrentLive Business Awards 2021
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The Staffordshire Business Innovation Centre (BIC) has been confirmed as one of the sponsors of the StokeonTrentLive Business Awards 2021.
The not-for-profit organisation - which has been supporting individuals and small and medium businesses in Staffordshire for almost three decades - has signed up to sponsor the Innovation in Business award, again.
The Stoke-on-Trent-based organisation is joining StokeonTrentLive to recognise businesses whose new idea - or novel use of an existing one - is making a difference to their business.
The Innovation in Business award is one of 13 categories which are up for grabs at the StokeonTrentLive Business Awards 2021.
Staffordshire BIC CEO Geoff Riley said: The Business Innovation Centre has been sponsoring the Innovation in Business category of the StokeonTrentLive Business Awards since 1998 and are pleased that many of our clients have been successful with the awards over the years.
"As a not-for-profit organisation which has been successfully operating in Staffordshire for 25 years, the BIC offers advice and guidance to individuals and small and medium sized businesses who have innovative new product and business ideas in mind.
Geoff added: "The BIC offers one-to-one meetings to discuss and help people with their new ideas referring them, where appropriate, to partner organisations that can also help them.
"The BIC runs free events, workshops and now webinars to help companies develop their ideas and run their businesses; the BIC currently has a grant of £5,000 to help companies research, develop and launch to market a new product or service.
"We look forward to receiving excellent entries for our award this year."
Click here to sign up to the daily BusinessLive email
Entries are now being accepted for the awards. To enter, visit the official website here and fill in the nomination form for the relevant category.
The deadline for applications is Tuesday, February 23 and the winners will be announced at virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, April 22.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/staffordshire-business-innovation-centre-bic-19535363
|
en
| 2021-01-05T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/49a010a180863949547f37d19bf71cab183e50ddd465dd66eec6f376b01b49d4.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe Staffordshire Business Innovation Centre (BIC) has been confirmed as one of the sponsors of the StokeonTrentLive Business Awards 2021.\nThe not-for-profit organisation - which has been supporting individuals and small and medium businesses in Staffordshire for almost three decades - has signed up to sponsor the Innovation in Business award, again.\nThe Stoke-on-Trent-based organisation is joining StokeonTrentLive to recognise businesses whose new idea - or novel use of an existing one - is making a difference to their business.\nThe Innovation in Business award is one of 13 categories which are up for grabs at the StokeonTrentLive Business Awards 2021.\nStaffordshire BIC CEO Geoff Riley said: The Business Innovation Centre has been sponsoring the Innovation in Business category of the StokeonTrentLive Business Awards since 1998 and are pleased that many of our clients have been successful with the awards over the years.\n\"As a not-for-profit organisation which has been successfully operating in Staffordshire for 25 years, the BIC offers advice and guidance to individuals and small and medium sized businesses who have innovative new product and business ideas in mind.\nGeoff added: \"The BIC offers one-to-one meetings to discuss and help people with their new ideas referring them, where appropriate, to partner organisations that can also help them.\n\"The BIC runs free events, workshops and now webinars to help companies develop their ideas and run their businesses; the BIC currently has a grant of £5,000 to help companies research, develop and launch to market a new product or service.\n\"We look forward to receiving excellent entries for our award this year.\"\nClick here to sign up to the daily BusinessLive email\nEntries are now being accepted for the awards. To enter, visit the official website here and fill in the nomination form for the relevant category.\nThe deadline for applications is Tuesday, February 23 and the winners will be announced at virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, April 22.",
"Staffordshire Business Innovation Centre (BIC) signs up to sponsor the StokeonTrentLive Business Awards 2021",
"The Stoke-on-Trent organisation is supporting the Innovation in Business category"
] |
|
[
"Coreena Ford",
"Image",
"Gateshead College"
] | 2021-01-19T12:54:17 | null | 2021-01-19T12:09:08 |
The immersive tech start-up has joined forces with Gateshead College as part of the new T Levels programme
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Ftechnology%2Fgateshead-immersive-tech-firm-infinity-19654730.json
|
en
| null |
Gateshead immersive tech firm Infinity 27 invests in future workforce
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A creative tech start-up is driving forward expansion thanks to a partnership with Gateshead College.
Infinity 27, based in Gateshead’s Proto emerging technology centre, is creating placements and future jobs for up to 10 young people in the coming year through the new T Levels programme, a vocational qualification with an emphasis on work placements.
The digital technology company, which designs and develops next-generation immersive content, including augmented and virtual reality, has teamed up with Gateshead College to offer the digital production, design and development course.
Students will spend two days at Infinity 27 gaining first-hand experience in what it’s like to work in the immersive industry, a growing sector in the UK that currently employs around 6,000 people.
Infinity 27 successfully took on two students last summer, prompting the firm to make a bigger investment in more placements, while also wanting to play a key role in preparing the region’s young talent for future job roles in the sector.
Dan Baird, director of Infinity 27, said: “One of the biggest challenges that threatens future innovation in the immersive sector is a lack of relevant skills and experience required to succeed in this very fast paced, ever-changing industry.
“The T Levels course with the extended industry placements are a breath of fresh air to bridging the immersive skills gap.
“The students will be exposed to the very specific technology applications that only an immersive company could invest in, learn the range of cross-discipline skills required, and experience the agile methodology we adopt to meet our clients’ needs. We’re really looking forward to working with students and giving them a real taste of what working in the immersive industry is like on a daily basis.”
Deni Chambers, assistant principal at Gateshead College, said: “The partnership with Infinity 27 is a fantastic example of how T Levels will have an impact on the future workforce, especially in the digital sector which requires a very specific skillset.
“A big hurdle faced in the digital and immersive technology sector is gaps in knowledge about the new technology being implemented which is why on-the-job experience is vital alongside classroom learning to ensure those learning remain current and skills developed are ahead of the curve.
“We hope Infinity 27 sets a precedent for other North East businesses in seeking the opportunities T Level qualifications can provide to their business in equipping their workforces with work ready, relevant skills.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/gateshead-immersive-tech-firm-infinity-19654730
|
en
| 2021-01-19T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/2d284c5e8e9a3503266b9193136739ca44a2040b5a63a5beb00940542da57f4a.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA creative tech start-up is driving forward expansion thanks to a partnership with Gateshead College.\nInfinity 27, based in Gateshead’s Proto emerging technology centre, is creating placements and future jobs for up to 10 young people in the coming year through the new T Levels programme, a vocational qualification with an emphasis on work placements.\nThe digital technology company, which designs and develops next-generation immersive content, including augmented and virtual reality, has teamed up with Gateshead College to offer the digital production, design and development course.\nStudents will spend two days at Infinity 27 gaining first-hand experience in what it’s like to work in the immersive industry, a growing sector in the UK that currently employs around 6,000 people.\nInfinity 27 successfully took on two students last summer, prompting the firm to make a bigger investment in more placements, while also wanting to play a key role in preparing the region’s young talent for future job roles in the sector.\nDan Baird, director of Infinity 27, said: “One of the biggest challenges that threatens future innovation in the immersive sector is a lack of relevant skills and experience required to succeed in this very fast paced, ever-changing industry.\n“The T Levels course with the extended industry placements are a breath of fresh air to bridging the immersive skills gap.\n“The students will be exposed to the very specific technology applications that only an immersive company could invest in, learn the range of cross-discipline skills required, and experience the agile methodology we adopt to meet our clients’ needs. We’re really looking forward to working with students and giving them a real taste of what working in the immersive industry is like on a daily basis.”\nDeni Chambers, assistant principal at Gateshead College, said: “The partnership with Infinity 27 is a fantastic example of how T Levels will have an impact on the future workforce, especially in the digital sector which requires a very specific skillset.\n“A big hurdle faced in the digital and immersive technology sector is gaps in knowledge about the new technology being implemented which is why on-the-job experience is vital alongside classroom learning to ensure those learning remain current and skills developed are ahead of the curve.\n“We hope Infinity 27 sets a precedent for other North East businesses in seeking the opportunities T Level qualifications can provide to their business in equipping their workforces with work ready, relevant skills.”",
"Gateshead immersive tech firm Infinity 27 invests in future workforce",
"The immersive tech start-up has joined forces with Gateshead College as part of the new T Levels programme"
] |
|
[
"Graeme Whitfield",
"Image",
"Publicity Handout Nissan"
] | 2021-01-22T00:22:25 | null | 2021-01-22T00:00:00 |
Chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta said the deal would allow Nissan to continue exports of almost all of its vehicles
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fmanufacturing%2Fnissan-executive-hails-brexit-deal-19675458.json
|
en
| null |
Nissan executive hails Brexit deal as 'positive' for Sunderland plant
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
A leading Nissan executive has said the Government’s post-Brexit deal should give the company competitive advantage in the electric vehicle market.
Speaking from Japan, Nissan's chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta said the deal reached just before Christmas meant almost all of the vehicles produced at its Washington plant would continue to be exported to Europe tariff-free.
The only vehicle not covered by the deal is a high-end model of the Nissan Leaf which has a battery that is not produced in the UK.
As a result, Nissan has decided to switch production of that battery to the Envision plant next to its Sunderland factory, creating jobs there.
Mr Gupta’s welcoming of the Brexit deal comes after many years of concerns from Nissan about how the UK’s trading relationship with Europe would be affected by the 2016 referendum.
He had himself warned the company’s business model was ‘not viable’ if the post-Brexit deal added tariffs to cars exported to Europe or introduced delays to its ‘just-in-time’ supply chain.
However, his comments that “Brexit for Nissan is positive” will boost both staff at the Washington plant and the Government, coming as problems arising from the the deal with the EU are increasingly emerging.
(Image: Publicity handout from Nissan)
Mr Gupta said: “What this Brexit deal has brought to us, in the short term it has brought short-term business continuity. It has protected 75,000 direct and indirect jobs across Europe and most important, all of our models manufacturered in Washington qualify as local origin except the Leaf higher-range battery.
“We decided today to get those from the Envision factory, which means all of our products, including the Qashqai E-power, which are we going to launch from Washington will also qualify.
“That means Brexit has brought Nissan a competitive advantage for being in the UK as one of the largest automotive companies, not only for UK but also outside the UK.
“That’s why I say that Brexit is positive for Nissan.”
The Nissan plant benefits from a close relationship with the Envision electric battery plant, which was launched as an in-house offering by Nissan but sold to new Chinese owners in 2019.
Mr Gupta did not rule out buying batteries from other sources, including from the Britishvolt gigafactory being planned for Blyth, Northumberland, if demand for electric cars increased.
Nissan’s global operations have suffered from a turbulent period in recent years, the high-profile departure of chairman Carlos Ghosn followed by a slump in sales that led to thousands of job losses.
The Wearside plant lost two models due to be produced there after the Brexit referendum and employment levels were cut.
However, the company also invested in a new press and announced at the end of last year that a new model Qashqai would be built at the plant..
Mr Gupta said Nissan would “continue to invest in the UK as far as the business conditions are consistent with how they are today.
He added that “Brexit has secured the sustainability and improved the competitiveness of the Washington plant.”
He also insisted the company had not suffered as many problems as other manufacturers from post-Brexit teething problems in its supply chains.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/nissan-executive-hails-brexit-deal-19675458
|
en
| 2021-01-22T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/ce77a97d0c7ddf56e60f37b5dfb14fb0d37e50f55af726a429d17240cb54d58e.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nA leading Nissan executive has said the Government’s post-Brexit deal should give the company competitive advantage in the electric vehicle market.\nSpeaking from Japan, Nissan's chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta said the deal reached just before Christmas meant almost all of the vehicles produced at its Washington plant would continue to be exported to Europe tariff-free.\nThe only vehicle not covered by the deal is a high-end model of the Nissan Leaf which has a battery that is not produced in the UK.\nAs a result, Nissan has decided to switch production of that battery to the Envision plant next to its Sunderland factory, creating jobs there.\nMr Gupta’s welcoming of the Brexit deal comes after many years of concerns from Nissan about how the UK’s trading relationship with Europe would be affected by the 2016 referendum.\nHe had himself warned the company’s business model was ‘not viable’ if the post-Brexit deal added tariffs to cars exported to Europe or introduced delays to its ‘just-in-time’ supply chain.\nHowever, his comments that “Brexit for Nissan is positive” will boost both staff at the Washington plant and the Government, coming as problems arising from the the deal with the EU are increasingly emerging.\n(Image: Publicity handout from Nissan)\nMr Gupta said: “What this Brexit deal has brought to us, in the short term it has brought short-term business continuity. It has protected 75,000 direct and indirect jobs across Europe and most important, all of our models manufacturered in Washington qualify as local origin except the Leaf higher-range battery.\n“We decided today to get those from the Envision factory, which means all of our products, including the Qashqai E-power, which are we going to launch from Washington will also qualify.\n“That means Brexit has brought Nissan a competitive advantage for being in the UK as one of the largest automotive companies, not only for UK but also outside the UK.\n“That’s why I say that Brexit is positive for Nissan.”\nThe Nissan plant benefits from a close relationship with the Envision electric battery plant, which was launched as an in-house offering by Nissan but sold to new Chinese owners in 2019.\nMr Gupta did not rule out buying batteries from other sources, including from the Britishvolt gigafactory being planned for Blyth, Northumberland, if demand for electric cars increased.\nNissan’s global operations have suffered from a turbulent period in recent years, the high-profile departure of chairman Carlos Ghosn followed by a slump in sales that led to thousands of job losses.\nThe Wearside plant lost two models due to be produced there after the Brexit referendum and employment levels were cut.\nHowever, the company also invested in a new press and announced at the end of last year that a new model Qashqai would be built at the plant..\nMr Gupta said Nissan would “continue to invest in the UK as far as the business conditions are consistent with how they are today.\nHe added that “Brexit has secured the sustainability and improved the competitiveness of the Washington plant.”\nHe also insisted the company had not suffered as many problems as other manufacturers from post-Brexit teething problems in its supply chains.",
"Nissan executive hails Brexit deal as 'positive' for Sunderland plant",
"Chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta said the deal would allow Nissan to continue exports of almost all of its vehicles"
] |
|
[
"Jonathon Manning",
"Image",
"Unknown"
] | 2021-01-08T17:47:09 | null | 2021-01-08T16:12:44 |
The Teesside media agency, which is looking to grow by 25% this year, was bought out an investment group which supported its growth
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Ftechnology%2Fsocial-allies-founder-buys-back-19590168.json
|
en
| null |
Social Allies' founder buys back 100% of media agency's shares after successful year
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
The founder of Teesside media agency Social Allies has bought back 100% of the shares in the business after a successful period of growth.
Jessica Tucker founded Social Allies in 2019 and secured funding from SaaS investment company Northern Stable to help develop the business.
The company has since doubled its turnover and boosted its client portfolio to more than 40 businesses, including Michael Poole, Wolviston Management, Wilton Engineering and Bespoke Financial.
Following a successful 2020, Ms Tucker has now bought out Nortern Stable’s shares in Social Allies, and once again owns 100% of the company.
The business, which has recently relocated to Preston Farm, in Stockton, is now looking to grow its revenue by 25% over the next year.
Ms Tucker said: “Despite the challenges of the past year, Social Allies has been able to grow significantly and is now at the point where I can continue to build the business independently. I am so grateful to Dean, Mark, Rich and Tim at Northern Stable for the opportunity, and I have loved working together to build Social Allies to the point where I am now a 100% shareholder.
“I am immensely grateful for the support of these local business owners and their mutual desire to create a local support chain mentality. I am also extremely grateful to our clients, who recognise it’s a testing time but remain committed to growth.
“Our success is a testament to the forward-thinking businesses we work with recognising that, in these unprecedented times, effective social media, brand visibility and marketing are essential.”
Northern Stable was formed in January 2019 and invests in new tech start-ups, providing them with finance during their initial growth state. It also provides firms with office space, support, and financial management advice.
Dean Benson, non-executive chairman of Northern Stable, said: “As a proud Teessider, I’ve spent my career living and growing businesses in the North East. Through this, I know first-hand that the region is home to some of the UK’s best and brightest creative and digital talent.
“To harness that potential, we need to continually invest in the regional digital community, creating thriving businesses wherein they can grow, develop their careers, and even start new local enterprises of their own in the future.
“We were thrilled to be able to play a part in Social Allies’ business journey – they are a fantastic new business that are already garnering a strong local and national reputation for the great work they do. I and the rest of the team at Northern Stable look forward to watching their continued success in the months and years to come.”
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/social-allies-founder-buys-back-19590168
|
en
| 2021-01-08T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/40eb768e54a83706cf262c7475863cd214de5b412a4b83d24c8c55d9e0f3f9b7.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nThe founder of Teesside media agency Social Allies has bought back 100% of the shares in the business after a successful period of growth.\nJessica Tucker founded Social Allies in 2019 and secured funding from SaaS investment company Northern Stable to help develop the business.\nThe company has since doubled its turnover and boosted its client portfolio to more than 40 businesses, including Michael Poole, Wolviston Management, Wilton Engineering and Bespoke Financial.\nFollowing a successful 2020, Ms Tucker has now bought out Nortern Stable’s shares in Social Allies, and once again owns 100% of the company.\nThe business, which has recently relocated to Preston Farm, in Stockton, is now looking to grow its revenue by 25% over the next year.\nMs Tucker said: “Despite the challenges of the past year, Social Allies has been able to grow significantly and is now at the point where I can continue to build the business independently. I am so grateful to Dean, Mark, Rich and Tim at Northern Stable for the opportunity, and I have loved working together to build Social Allies to the point where I am now a 100% shareholder.\n“I am immensely grateful for the support of these local business owners and their mutual desire to create a local support chain mentality. I am also extremely grateful to our clients, who recognise it’s a testing time but remain committed to growth.\n“Our success is a testament to the forward-thinking businesses we work with recognising that, in these unprecedented times, effective social media, brand visibility and marketing are essential.”\nNorthern Stable was formed in January 2019 and invests in new tech start-ups, providing them with finance during their initial growth state. It also provides firms with office space, support, and financial management advice.\nDean Benson, non-executive chairman of Northern Stable, said: “As a proud Teessider, I’ve spent my career living and growing businesses in the North East. Through this, I know first-hand that the region is home to some of the UK’s best and brightest creative and digital talent.\n“To harness that potential, we need to continually invest in the regional digital community, creating thriving businesses wherein they can grow, develop their careers, and even start new local enterprises of their own in the future.\n“We were thrilled to be able to play a part in Social Allies’ business journey – they are a fantastic new business that are already garnering a strong local and national reputation for the great work they do. I and the rest of the team at Northern Stable look forward to watching their continued success in the months and years to come.”",
"Social Allies' founder buys back 100% of media agency's shares after successful year",
"The Teesside media agency, which is looking to grow by 25% this year, was bought out an investment group which supported its growth"
] |
|
[
"Graeme Whitfield",
"Image",
"Pa"
] | 2021-01-14T08:32:55 | null | 2021-01-14T07:39:02 |
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has started company director disqualification proceedings against eight current and former directors of the collapsed construction giant
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fformer-carillion-directors-facing-disqualification-19622032.json
|
en
| null |
Former Carillion directors facing disqualification proceedings
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has started company director disqualification proceedings against eight current and former directors of collapsed construction giant Carillion, the Insolvency Service said.
Carillion was wound up in January, 2018, and the Official Receiver submitted a report about the conduct of each director.
Mr Kwarteng has decided it would be in the public interest for a court to make an order disqualifying the directors on the grounds their conduct made them unfit to be concerned in the management of a company.
Thousands of jobs were lost following the collapse of the firm, which was seen as one of the biggest ever corporate failures in the UK.
“We can confirm that on 12 January the Secretary of State issued company director disqualification proceedings in the public interest against eight directors and former directors of Carillion,” an Insolvency Service spokesman said in a statement.
The proceedings will name Richard Adam, Richard Howson, Zafar Khan, Keith Cochrane, Andrew Dougal, Phillip Green, Alison Horner and Ceri Powell, it is understood.
Anyone subject to disqualification orders could be bound by a range of restrictions including not being allowed to be a director of any UK-registered company or any overseas firm which has connections with the UK.
At the time of Carillion’s collapse, unions led criticism of the company’s executives and auditors, and of the handling of public sector contracts by private companies.
A new book on the collapse released this week – Bandit Capitalism: Carillion and the Corruption of the British State, by Bob Wylie – said workers and taxpayers had been left to pick up the tab for the collapse, while no-one had yet been held to account.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/former-carillion-directors-facing-disqualification-19622032
|
en
| 2021-01-14T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/b793d74fca6d7395cf4ea12f42abae26d970812356c060710a8fe4696f5e5f74.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - West Midlands Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nBusiness Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has started company director disqualification proceedings against eight current and former directors of collapsed construction giant Carillion, the Insolvency Service said.\nCarillion was wound up in January, 2018, and the Official Receiver submitted a report about the conduct of each director.\nMr Kwarteng has decided it would be in the public interest for a court to make an order disqualifying the directors on the grounds their conduct made them unfit to be concerned in the management of a company.\nThousands of jobs were lost following the collapse of the firm, which was seen as one of the biggest ever corporate failures in the UK.\n“We can confirm that on 12 January the Secretary of State issued company director disqualification proceedings in the public interest against eight directors and former directors of Carillion,” an Insolvency Service spokesman said in a statement.\nThe proceedings will name Richard Adam, Richard Howson, Zafar Khan, Keith Cochrane, Andrew Dougal, Phillip Green, Alison Horner and Ceri Powell, it is understood.\nAnyone subject to disqualification orders could be bound by a range of restrictions including not being allowed to be a director of any UK-registered company or any overseas firm which has connections with the UK.\nAt the time of Carillion’s collapse, unions led criticism of the company’s executives and auditors, and of the handling of public sector contracts by private companies.\nA new book on the collapse released this week – Bandit Capitalism: Carillion and the Corruption of the British State, by Bob Wylie – said workers and taxpayers had been left to pick up the tab for the collapse, while no-one had yet been held to account.",
"Former Carillion directors facing disqualification proceedings",
"Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has started company director disqualification proceedings against eight current and former directors of the collapsed construction giant"
] |
|
[
"Coreena Ford",
"Image",
"Express Engineering"
] | 2021-01-04T15:01:09 | null | 1956-06-06T00:00:00 |
The deal has safeguarded jobs and seen the creation of a new facility near Middlesbrough
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-live.co.uk%2Fenterprise%2Fexpress-engineering-sells-aerospace-division-19560629.json
|
en
| null |
Express Engineering sells aerospace division to Paralloy Ltd
| null | null |
www.business-live.co.uk
|
Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email
North East manufacturing specialist Express Engineering has sold its aerospace division to focus on developing its subsea energy products business.
Gateshead-based Express Engineering, a leader in manufacturing, assembly and testing solutions for the subsea oil and gas industry, has sold the division for an undisclosed sum to Paralloy Limited, a Nimbus LLC company, which has operations in Billingham, Middlesbrough and Sheffield.
The sale, which sees Paralloy expand its capabilities in aerospace and other sectors, was formalised several months ago but the relocation of jobs and assets from Team Valley to a new facility near Middlesbrough was only recently completed.
Gary Thirlwell, managing director of Express Engineering, said: “We have disposed of the aerospace business to focus on our core subsea products.
“Aerospace was a small, albeit profitable division, but is not part of our strategic focus.
“During the last year or two, we have been transforming Express Engineering through a new product strategy and investment in infrastructure that includes a new test and assembly facility. To continue to compete in global markets and provide customers with top quality subsea products and services we need to be fully focussed on that task and sector.”
Express Engineering originally acquired the aerospace business from Burdon Engineering, in Stokesley, North Yorkshire in 2013.
The business continued to operate from this site until 2016/17 when it was moved and integrated within Express Engineering at a factory unit on Team Valley.
Mr Thirlwell added: “We were delighted to find a buyer for this successful business; one who is committed to investing in it to make it a bigger enterprise.
“We’re also pleased to see that the skilled workforce, most of whom commuted to Team Valley from Teesside and North Yorkshire, will now be working much closer to home.”
Robert McGowan, CEO of Paralloy & FVC, said: “2020 has been a great year for Paralloy Ltd, despite the difficult economic and trading conditions created by the pandemic in 2020, Paralloy continued to grow, invest and more recently acquire the Express Engineering aerospace division which is an ideal fit with our Firth Vickers Centrispinning business.
“A new company called Firth Vickers Engineering has been born out of this acquisition and is now established at the Teesamp advanced manufacturing park in Middlesbrough.
“This strategic investment coupled with other investments in the pipeline ideally positions the business to offer turnkey supply and grow from strength to strength.”
Express Engineering was supported by a legal team led by James Nightingale at law firm Ward Hadaway.
Since embarking on a refocused business strategy at the end of 2018, Express Engineering has seen sales in the oil and gas sector grow significantly resulting in a jump in revenues to more than £35m for 2020.
The company works with customers like TechnipFMC, Baker Hughes and Aker Solutions and it is a significant exporter of products, operating within geographical areas including the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, east coast of Brazil, east and west coasts of Africa and Australasia.
|
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/express-engineering-sells-aerospace-division-19560629
|
en
| 1956-06-06T00:00:00 |
www.business-live.co.uk/c18bd999dba9742538eb0f53352af83f8296ee28951fe7d17962bcd7ae83d85c.json
|
[
"Sign up to FREE email alerts from BusinessLive - North East Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email\nNorth East manufacturing specialist Express Engineering has sold its aerospace division to focus on developing its subsea energy products business.\nGateshead-based Express Engineering, a leader in manufacturing, assembly and testing solutions for the subsea oil and gas industry, has sold the division for an undisclosed sum to Paralloy Limited, a Nimbus LLC company, which has operations in Billingham, Middlesbrough and Sheffield.\nThe sale, which sees Paralloy expand its capabilities in aerospace and other sectors, was formalised several months ago but the relocation of jobs and assets from Team Valley to a new facility near Middlesbrough was only recently completed.\nGary Thirlwell, managing director of Express Engineering, said: “We have disposed of the aerospace business to focus on our core subsea products.\n“Aerospace was a small, albeit profitable division, but is not part of our strategic focus.\n“During the last year or two, we have been transforming Express Engineering through a new product strategy and investment in infrastructure that includes a new test and assembly facility. To continue to compete in global markets and provide customers with top quality subsea products and services we need to be fully focussed on that task and sector.”\nExpress Engineering originally acquired the aerospace business from Burdon Engineering, in Stokesley, North Yorkshire in 2013.\nThe business continued to operate from this site until 2016/17 when it was moved and integrated within Express Engineering at a factory unit on Team Valley.\nMr Thirlwell added: “We were delighted to find a buyer for this successful business; one who is committed to investing in it to make it a bigger enterprise.\n“We’re also pleased to see that the skilled workforce, most of whom commuted to Team Valley from Teesside and North Yorkshire, will now be working much closer to home.”\nRobert McGowan, CEO of Paralloy & FVC, said: “2020 has been a great year for Paralloy Ltd, despite the difficult economic and trading conditions created by the pandemic in 2020, Paralloy continued to grow, invest and more recently acquire the Express Engineering aerospace division which is an ideal fit with our Firth Vickers Centrispinning business.\n“A new company called Firth Vickers Engineering has been born out of this acquisition and is now established at the Teesamp advanced manufacturing park in Middlesbrough.\n“This strategic investment coupled with other investments in the pipeline ideally positions the business to offer turnkey supply and grow from strength to strength.”\nExpress Engineering was supported by a legal team led by James Nightingale at law firm Ward Hadaway.\nSince embarking on a refocused business strategy at the end of 2018, Express Engineering has seen sales in the oil and gas sector grow significantly resulting in a jump in revenues to more than £35m for 2020.\nThe company works with customers like TechnipFMC, Baker Hughes and Aker Solutions and it is a significant exporter of products, operating within geographical areas including the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, east coast of Brazil, east and west coasts of Africa and Australasia.",
"Express Engineering sells aerospace division to Paralloy Ltd",
"The deal has safeguarded jobs and seen the creation of a new facility near Middlesbrough"
] |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.