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May / June 2016 - Issue 24 £5

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Online giant Amazon is set to move into a huge warehouse atManchester Airport’s Airport City – bringing 1,500 jobs to the region.The retailer, the biggest internet seller in the USA, plans to occupy a654,000 sq ft warehouse at Airport City Manchester, along with a42,840 sq ft office and a 120,000 sq ft car park.

Jonathan Haigh, Director of Development Management &Infrastructure at MAG Property, said: “This deal marks a majormilestone for Airport City and creates 1,500 new local jobs, which isexciting news.

“Manchester Airport’s network of flights to destinations around theglobe is one of the key things that makes Airport City attractive tobusinesses looking to relocate or set up new bases in the UK.”

“This deal provides clear evidence of that and also gives Amazon closeaccess to both their supply chain and the 22m potential customerswithin a two hour drive of Manchester Airport. We look forward towelcoming them to the development.”

A 260,000 sq ft warehouse is already under construction after MAGProperty and logistics specialist Stoford, were granted planningfollowing a deal in June 2015, with Mountpark Logistics set todevelop an 11-acre plot at Airport City.

The Amazon plan follows DHL’s arrival at Airport City South. Theyopened a 37,308 sq ft warehouse in October 2014. The company nowoperates a daily freight flight from Leipzig to Manchester.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The newsthat Amazon is creating 1,500 jobs at Airport City is tremendous forWythenshawe and Manchester as a whole.”

“This development shows how attractive a location close to the aiport,with its extensive connections, is for occupiers who require a globalreach. It follows on from previous examples of investor confidence inthe enterprise zone, such as DHL relocating their overseas deliverylogistics hub to Airport City South.

“There’s every reason to believe that Airport City will go from strengthto strength.”

The internet retail giant plans to occupy a substantial space at Airport City Global Logistics – part ofthe £800m business, hotel and industrial development being built around Manchester Airport.

Amazon to create 1500 jobs at Airport City Manchester

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with disabled access, a planting scheme, and each of the 62properties on the street received new doors and windows, andrendering to the front of the properties.

Manchester City Council is involved in the second phase, nowunderway to bring further empty homes on the street back in to useas homes for veterans.

Cllr Bernard Priest, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said:“It’s always fantastic when such a worthy project - which has involvedcountless hours of work by city council staff, partners and volunteers -receives the recognition it deserves.

“Hundreds of trades and local people came together to build acommunity that will support veterans and their families to lead abetter quality of life.

“I would like to personally thank everyone who was involved and gavetheir time to make sure the project was such a huge success.”

Manchester City Council has been named the Outstanding Local Authority of the Year at the UKHousing Awards 2016.

Manchester wins top national housingaward for Veterans’ Village

Manchester fought offcompetition in a category ofsix other local authorities totake the top honour in one ofthe industry’s most illustriousawards.

The accolade was awarded forthe City Council’s leadershipof the partnership to

establish a veterans’ village, working with the BBC’s DIY SOSprogramme, charities Walking With The Wounded and Haig Housingand key construction partners.

The project has also won a North West Royal Institute of CharteredSurveyors Regeneration Award and North West Building Controlaward, while the BBC programme has also picked up two RoyalTelevision Society Awards for Best Popular Factual Programme.

In June the project will be in the limelight again, in the running for anaward at the North West Regional Constructing Excellence Awards forIntegration and Collaborative Working. The aim of the project was tocreate a veterans’ housing community within the existing communityon two streets in east Manchester, where empty homes wereblighting the area.

Completed as part of the BBC programme, the first phase of theproject saw eight of the street’s empty homes refurbished to createthree larger adapted residential homes for veterans and their families,one standard-size property.

A North West base for Walking With the Wounded was alsoestablished, from which they provide a range of advice and supportservices for veterans.

The entire street also benefitted from street scene improvements

Started in 1997, The Manchester Airport Community Fund hasdonated more than £3.25m to over 1,300 local community, socialand environmental groups in Greater Manchester.

One such group who received funding is Earlams in Styal Village.Run as a cooperative it’s an exciting community store, café, arts andcrafts enterprise. In June 2014 they received £2770.00 to fund newtables and chairs.

Working with local artists and crafts people their work has been onshow at the airport’s Community Artwalk in Terminal Three.

Helen White from Earlams, said: “The funding from the ManchesterAirport Community Trust Fund was invaluable in fitting out the Artsand Crafts gallery.

“The exhibition at the airport was an opportunity to showcase thework of more than 30 local crafts people to a wider audience andraise the profile of the Earlams enterprise.”

For more information and to apply, visit:http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/community/working-in-our-community/community-trust-fund/

Community groups are celebrating a windfall after sharing more than £27,000 fromThe Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund.

Community groups secure cash boostfrom Manchester Airport

In total 17 organisations fromacross Stockport, Manchester,Trafford and Cheshire have allreceived money as part of theairport’s commitment tosupporting groups in its localcommunities.

The Friends of Newton Park, inBroadheath, has received £2,000to buy outdoor gym equipmentfor residents to make use of,whilst BeeEducated received

£2,797 for beehive equipment.

The VC10 aircraft in the Avro Museum in Woodford will also soonbe benefitting from a new cockpit cradle thanks to a £2,730 grant.

Each year, Manchester Airport donates more than £100,000 to theFund, as well as the income it receives from fines levied on aircraftexceeding noise limits when operating out of the airport.

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World-class landscape architect, Tom Stuart-Smith, who was appointedto create the plan in November, has shared his initial proposals for the154-acre garden, which will bring back to life the lost historic groundsat Worsley New Hall, Salford.

Key elements of the aspirational horticultural masterplan include:

� An entrance garden laid out like a web and planted as a perennialmeadow

� A new lake which anchors the new visitor building within thelandscape

� A water garden of interlocking streams and rocky waterfalls

� The reconstruction of the historic walled garden, to include atherapeutic garden, vegetable garden and flower garden

� A new Learning Centre

Sue Biggs, RHS Director General, said: “These plans are at their earlieststages and may evolve as the garden develops, but they give a clear ideaof the scale of our ambitions for this beautiful garden. “I am grateful to Tom for his inspirational vision. We have an enormoustask ahead of us but this plan will underpin and help us to shapeeverything that we do.”

Tom Stuart-Smith, said: “RHS Garden Bridgewater is a perfect site for anRHS Garden, and these proposals are aimed at retaining the most historicaspects of the garden while reinterpreting and revitalising it.”

On arrival to the garden, visitors will be able to wander through a largegarden planted as an extensive perennial meadow, with a network ofweb-like paths, which will lead them to the historic walled garden.

A new visitor building, to be designed by Cullinan Studio, and adjacentcar parking facilities will be located at the southern edge of the site toavoid affecting the garden’s greatest assets – its existing structures,landscape and mature trees.

A large open café terrace to the east will allow visitors to enjoy

refreshments while looking over the water and into the heart of thegarden.

The immediate surroundings of the new visitor building will make astrong connection between the walled garden at one end of RHSGarden Bridgewater and the historic terraces and lake at the other. Anew lake will link the visitor building to the heart of the historiclandscape of the garden, which is formed by the Nesfield terraces andthe original lake.

A water garden of interlocking streams and rocky waterfalls will furtherlink the two and draw people along its length, creating a strong visitorcircuit around the garden.

The magnificent ten-acre walled garden, one of Worsley’s mostimpressive original features, will be the magnificent piece de rèsistanceof the first phase of RHS Garden Bridgewater. It will comprise animpressive sequence of three walled gardens.

The outer walled garden will include a mix of ornamental andproductive gardening, and a therapeutic garden; while theintermediate garden will concentrate on vegetable and fruitproduction. At the very centre, will be a flower garden based on theconcept of the Paradise garden, complete with a lily pond. A newLearning Centre will be located at the north-east corner of the walledgarden.

The 154-acre RHS Garden Bridgewater is planned to open in 2019 aspart of the RHS wider 10-year £160m investment programme toachieve its vision to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make theUK a greener and more beautiful place.

Tom Stuart-Smith’s masterplan sets out the overall vision for thegarden, assessing its current condition and outlining the conceptualapproach for its future. All plans at this stage are subject to lease andplanning permission.

The RHS is working with the owners of the historic estate, Peel Landand Property, and Salford City Council, to bring the historic garden tofruition.

First details of RHS Garden BridgewaterMasterplan are announced

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) hasrevealed the masterplan for the new RHSGarden Bridgewater in Salford.

The critically-acclaimed bass has a strong connection to the RNCMafter graduating from the Royal Manchester College of Music (RMCM)in 1970. Since then, he has performed leading roles with companiesthroughout the world and regularly appears at the Royal OperaHouse, Covent Garden, with English National Opera, at the BayreuthFestival and leading opera houses worldwide. His appointmentreplaces that of bass-baritone Sir Willard White, who has served inoffice since 2009.

Sir John, who works each term with students in the School of VocalStudies and Opera as the RNCM’s International Chair in Singing, said:“I have been associated with the College since 1966 when, as a youngengineering undergraduate, I pinned on the noticeboard a card withthe words ‘singing lessons required’.

“The next day, Patrick McGuigan (later in the 90s to be Head of VocalStudies) replied, and I began singing lessons with him which led tome becoming a full-time student. Since then it’s been my pleasure toreturn at regular intervals for recitals and masterclasses and morerecently, to come and work with the students for a couple of dayseach term.

“Now I am privileged to become President of the RNCM for a five-yearterm and as such it is an honour for me to continue my associationwith this great institution.”

Professor Linda Merrick, RNCM Principal, added: “We are thrilled andhonoured that Sir John Tomlinson has accepted our invitation to serveas President from January 2017.

“Sir John is one of our most distinguished alumni and an international

artist of the highest standing who remains at the forefront of hisprofession. As our International Chair in Singing, he is already aninspiration to our students, and we look forward to welcoming him inhis new role next year.

“On behalf of the RNCM, I would also like to register our thanks to SirWillard White for his invaluable commitment and contribution to theCollege over the past eight years.”

Knighted in 2005, Sir John was a recipient of a 1993 Grammy Award,was honoured with a Special Award at the 2007 Oliviers, and receivedthe RPS Gold Medal in 2014. He was made an RNCM Fellow in 1996and became the College’s International Chair in Singing in 2014.

RNCM appoints Sir John Tomlinson as new President

The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) has announced the appointment of Sir John TomlinsonCBE as its new President, commencing in January 2017.

Positive business and commercial news always wanted.Contact the Lift-off! news desk: Email: editor@lift-offmagazine.co.uk

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Thomson and First Choice have announced increased capacity at Manchester airport for their summer2017 flying programme. This includes two brand new destinations – Olbia, Italy and Cayo Santa Maria,Cuba – as well as new 10 and 11 night breaks to Malta and Sal, Cape Verde which gives greaterflexibility to holidaymakers flying from the north of England.

The move to introduce new routes is part of theholiday company’s strategy to ensure customersacross the UK can fly from their local airport andstay at the best hotels in some of the mostexciting destinations. The new routes are nowavailable, in line with the launch of summer2017 holidays.

Customers travelling to new destination, Olbia,will have access to some of Thomson and FirstChoice’s most popular flagship hotels, includingThomson’s 4T+ Family Life Janna e Sole.

The Family Life hotel features a wide range ofactivities, parents can take a yoga class or grab adrink in the coffee shop and the little ones canhead to the kids’ club, teens can chill in TheHangout, and grandparents can relax by thepool.

Those flying on flexible breaks to Sal, Cape Verdecan visit the new for 2016 hotel – Thomson’s 5TSensimar Cabo Verde – where they can walk out

of the pool and straight onto the beach. Thehotel’s three a la carte restaurants, two poolsand private beach area make for the perfectadults only retreat.

Karen Switzer, Director of Aviation Planning forThomson and First Choice, said: “We are excitedto be launching the new summer 2016 route toCayo Santa Maria exclusively from Manchesterairport, which will open up our long hauldestinations to even more of our customers.

“The addition of these new routes and durationswill give customers in Manchester and thesurrounding area more flexibility when decidingon their 2017 summer holiday.

“Expanding access to our portfolio ofdestinations and hotels is a key part of our overallstrategy and will enhance the holiday experiencefor our customers.”

Stephen Turner, Commercial Director forManchester Airport, said: “It’s fantastic to seeThomson increasing capacity at ManchesterAirport for next summer and also adding twoexciting new routes.

“The new route to Cayo Santa Maria is testamentto the continuing demand for direct, long haulflights from the 22m people in our catchmentarea. We’re very proud to have been chosen byThomson as the exclusive UK airport for thisdestination.”

More choice and variety for sun-seekersfrom Manchester Airport

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LSE Retail Group drives global growth with China office launchManchester online lighting distributor, LSE Retail Group, has launched an office in China as it pushesahead with ambitious growth plans and expands its global supplier network.

The company behind brands Value Lights,Iconic Lights and MiniSun has openedthe office in Shekou, in the Shenzhenprovince close to Hong Kong, and hasrecruited three people from the localarea, with plans to hire a fourth staffmember by the end of 2016.

It comes as LSE was named the fastest-growing medium-sized businessby the 2016 Ward Hadaway GreaterManchester Fastest 50 Companies listand was ranked number one on theInvestec Mid-Market 100 league table in2015.

David Gutfreund, Managing Director of LSE, said: “With the vastmajority of LSE’s products sourced in China, the role of the new team willbe to maintain our high quality standards, oversee logistics and sourcenew suppliers to extend our ever-increasing range of lighting.

“The business is going from strength to strength andwe’re seeing a 50% year-on-year growth rate, with eachfinancial year performing at a record level. We’reconstantly recruiting at our head office in Eccles,Greater Manchester, in order to keep up with increasingdemand for products across all three of our brands.”

All staff members at the China office were recruitedlocally and LSE sourced the candidates directly, usingcontacts made through its existing supplier chain. Theteam will also be responsible for product developmentand will work closely with members of the Manchesterteam.

“With the new direct flight routes between Manchesterand China and the Airport City industrial park under

construction, links between the North West and the Far East havearguably never been stronger,” said David.

“We’re extremely excited to be part of this powerful relationship at a timewhen the region’s economy is flourishing and setting a strong example tothe rest of the UK and Europe.”

Photos ©Lift-off!

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Almost 300 businesses within Chester’s Business ImprovementDistrict (BID) area have already signed up to the new website –www.ShopinChester.com – putting key information such as theiropening hours, location and current offers on show to hundreds ofthousands of potential city visitors.

“More and more day trippers and city break visitors are doing theirresearch online before committing to a trip, so we’re determined tomake discovering the unique and wide-ranging shopping offer in ourcity as easy as possible for them,” said Julie Charlton, MarketingManager at CH1ChesterBID.

“This new site brings all of the key information about Chester citycentre businesses together under one roof for the very first time. It’s acomprehensive directory that will make it even easier for tourists – aswell as local people – to uncover all the fantastic options there are toshop, dine and play right here in Chester.

“We have almost 300 businesses signed up already but we want toincrease that number in the coming months by adding as manyChester-based brands as possible. That’s why we’re encouraging any ofour members that haven’t yet signed up to the free service to get intouch with us as soon as possible.”

The new ShopinChester.com website also includes an itineraryplanner for city visitors as well as special offers available throughoutthe city centre. The site has been built within the existingVisitChester.com website and cross promotes city accommodation aswell as things to see and do in Chester.

Alison Duckworth, Director of Tourism at Marketing Cheshire, whichmanages the VisitChester.com website, said: “This new tool is afantastic addition to the VisitChester.com site and we hope it willsupport the effort to attract more people to the city. We have a world-class heritage city in Chester, one with global appeal, so it’simportant we do all we can to entice people to spend more time andmoney here.

“Digital channels are playing an increasingly important role in visitordecision-making, which is why the ShopinChester.com website is areally positive move for the city. We’re delighted to have played ourpart.”

For more information about CH1ChesterBID, please visithttp://www.ch1chesterbid.co.uk/

A new website designed to promote Chester’s eclectic collection of shops and restaurants and helpbring more visitors to the high street has been launched by CH1ChesterBID.

New digital platform to help visitorsmake the most of Chester

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Boosting Cheshire’s businesses - a new fully-funded business growth programme for Cheshire and WarringtonManchester Metropolitan University has announced a new fully-funded business developmentprogramme to give a growth boost to start-up companies and SMEs in Cheshire and Warrington.

The programme is delivered with the Northwest Universities EuropeanUnit Ltd and partners across Cheshire, and will support more than 280companies to grow and succeed over the next three years.

The Manchester Met strand of the ‘Business Growth programme’ will bedelivered from the Manchester Met campus in Crewe and is fully-fundedby the European Regional Development Fund and Manchester Met. Thismeans that the expert advice and support is available at no financial costto business owners.

Cheshire has one of the best performing regional economies in the UKand the programme recognises that with additional support, many morebusinesses will be able to maximise their potential to grow. Theprogramme utilises the expertise of Manchester Met’s Centre forEnterprise, a unit that specialises in translating the latest growth researchinto practical lessons for businesses, as well as academic expertise atManchester Met’s Crewe campus

Jennie Shorley, Head of Bids and Partnerships in the Centre for Enterprise,said: “We are delighted that we have been successful with this funding bid,which will enable us to develop a network of growing companies andentrepreneurs, who will support each other across Cheshire and Warrington,creating sustainable growth.

We are now looking for ambitious businesses and potential entrepreneursto work with.”

This programme strand focuses on strengthening local businesscommunities and is based on peer-to-peer learning, informed by expertadvice. This format has been proven to work incredibly well in previous

programmes run by the Centre for Enterprise, affording small businessesand start-ups a crucial support network in what can be a challengingstage of their development.

The initiative is one of three new European Regional Development Fundsupported projects that the Centre for Enterprise is involved in deliveringin the coming months, the others being the Greater Manchester HighGrowth Network (with the Manchester Growth Hub) and SMARTCheshire.

For more information on the programmes, or to get in touch, please visitthe Centre for Enterprise website where you can register your interest inthe programme or email directly, by visiting www.mmucfe.co.uk

The city took home an armful of awards at the RIBA North WestAwards 2016, which heaped praise on four of Manchester’s newest orrestored landmarks.

The RIBA North West Awards 2016 seek to recognise architecturalexcellence. Three buildings commissioned by Manchester City Councilreceived awards (HOME, the Library Walk Link Building and therestoration of Manchester Central Library) as well as The NationalGraphene Institute at the University of Manchester.

Manchester City Council went on to gain further recognition receiving

both the Client Of The Year award and the Conservation award,specifically for work on Manchester Central Library.

Councillor Bernard Priest, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Councilsaid: “It’s an honour to see Manchester receive so many awards from theRoyal Institute of British Architects.

“Manchester has benefited from dramatic and bold change in last fewyears and these awards recognise what we all already knew locally -Manchester is a world class city that continues to evolve and grow.

“We place sustainability and quality of design at the heart of all ourregeneration projects and I’m proud to see that aim recognised by theseawards.”

Sheena Wrigley, HOME’s Executive Director, said: “Hugecongratulations to Manchester City Council for winning the Client of theYear Award as part of the 2016 RIBA Awards and we’re thrilled thatHOME has also won one of the ten, 2016 RIBA Regional Awards,recognising architectural excellence in the North West.

“We’ve really enjoyed this productive and collaborative relationshipwhich has made it possible to realise a project of this scale – a fantasticteam effort.

“Here at HOME, we really appreciated how Manchester City Council sohighly valued our input on our journey to create a cultural hub wherewe can present a diverse artistic programme spanning art, theatre andfilm, as well as a vibrant social space which has already attracted wellover half a million visitors.”

Buildings across Manchester have been recognised for the quality of their world class design by The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Manchester recognised for innovative architecture

Home

Launch of BID Company marks new erafor AltrinchamFollowing 18 months of consultation, a five-week ballot, a strong ‘yes’ vote and several months ofintense behind the scenes activity, Altrincham BID has been launched, marking an exciting new era forthe town.

Since November, when businesses voted resoundingly in favour ofcreating a Business Improvement District (BID) in Altrincham towncentre, members of the original BID Steering Group, with assistancefrom the team at Heart of Manchester BID, have been hard at worksetting up the brand new Altrincham BID Company.

Representatives from a range of business sectors across the townhave come together to form an interim BID Board supported by twointerim Advisory Groups, which will develop projects within thespecific areas of Marketing & Events and Business & Finance. Over

Martin Duff, Chair of the Interim BID Board.

BID Steering Group above - left-right as follows: Stuart Marshall, Dawsons Music, Hannah Rowbotham, Club Studio, Charlotte Atkinson, Boots, Martin Duff, Randalls Jewellers, John Keating,Databroker, Karen Wroe, Art with a Heart, Stewart Smith, Marks & Spencer, Cllr Sean Anstee, Leader of Trafford Council and Sarah Walmsley, Our Altrincham.

the coming five years, Altrincham BID will have a fund ofapproximately £1.4m to spend on improving Altrincham forbusinesses, investors, workers, visitors and residents.

Much of the initial work to set up the company has now beencompleted, with the appropriate legal and financial structures inplace and premises secured. The new BID Company will be based at17 The Downs, in offices above estate agency Jameson & Partners,and will initially have one full-time member of staff, plus part-timesupport.

Martin Duff, Chair of the Interim BID Board and Owner of RandallsJewellery, said: “The beauty of the BID is that it will be run by peoplewho experience Altrincham on a daily basis and understand the town’schallenges, but also its huge potential.

“We have a genuine vested interest in driving improvement in the townand, as owners and employees of Altrincham-based businesses, we areextremely excited to have the opportunity to start work on initiativesthat will have a tangible benefit in Altrincham.”

Charlotte Atkinson, Chair of the Marketing & Events Advisory Groupand Boots Store Manager, said: “Marketing and events is one of theareas where the BID will have real impact in raising Altrincham’s profileboth locally and regionally, and increasing footfall to the town centre.

“We have a committed group of people who are full of great ideasabout how to achieve this, and our first job will be to identify priorityprojects for year one, that will attract more visitors and give themreasons to keep coming back to Altrincham.”

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Through this purchase, the Council will make sure that MerseywayShopping Centre has a sustainable future by making a significantinvestment in updating and improving its current infrastructure andfacilities, which will ultimately benefit the local businessescommunity and Stockport residents.

One of the Council’s main objectives is to secure the long-term futureof the Town Centre. The aim is to have a Town Centre which peoplewant to enjoy and use. To this end, the Council is investing £900m inits Investing in Stockport projects. These include Stockport Exchange,Redrock and making access much easier for all.

Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive at Stockport Council, said: "Thispurchase will not cost Stockport Council Tax payers a penny and willprovide the long awaited opportunity for the Council to promote agenuine regeneration of the Town Centre in conjunction with theRedrock Scheme, which also went on site last week.”

Caroline Simpson, Corporate Director for Place Management andRegeneration at Stockport Council, said: “As a Council, we arecommitted to ensuring that all of the town centre and wider boroughhave a bright future.

“The purchase comes at a time when the Council is working hard withpartners to transform areas of the town centre through our Investing inGrowth projects.”

Bilfinger GVA acted for the vendor Merseyway Centre No1 and No2Ltd acting by the LPA Receiver. The Council’s legal services departmentand Pinsent Mason acted on the purchase and DWF LLP acted for theseller.

The Council was also supported and advised by its Strategic PropertyPartners Carillion, CBRE and Barker Proudlove.

Stockport Council buys Merseyway Shopping Centre

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Million pound investment in new factoryfor JS Burgess EngineeringJS Burgess Engineering Ltd, the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of stillages and associatedproducts, has purchased additional factory space and machinery, investing more than £1m in order toincrease its manufacturing output from its base within the High Peaks.

Jonny Patoff, Managing Director felt expansion was necessary to continue to provide high quality services to new and long-standing clients,and said: “Towards the end of last year, we purchased adjacent factory buildings which has enabled us to increase our production capacity whilstat the same time reducing our lead times - it was important thatwe found ways to improve our flexibility to respond quickly to ourcustomers.

“We are proud to be a British manufacturer and believe thisinvestment is a clear indication of our commitment to the futureprospects for UK companies.”

JS Burgess are one of the few firms able to fund, project manage,manufacture and deliver large production runs. The expansionincludes investment in a range of new machinery, plant andequipment, including two, purpose-built spray booths and astate-of-the-art steel saw.

The growth has enabled Burgess to take on extra staff, includingan additional dedicated CAD designer, which will aid theexpediency of order enquiries, processing and fulfilment, a keyelement to facilitate the company’s continued growth.

The company is already a supplier to a number of majorcompanies in diverse industries, including Toyota and Network Rail.

Following months of negotiation, Stockport Council has exchanged contracts for the purchaseMerseyway Shopping Centre.

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Balfour Beatty plans exciting New CrossdevelopmentBalfour Beatty Investments, the global infrastructure investor, has submitted a planning applicationfor a residential-led mixed-use development within New Cross, Manchester.

The Hodder and Partners designed ‘build to rent’ development consistsof 274 one/two/three bedroom apartments within two buildingspositioned around a landscaped courtyard. Residents will be providedwith amenities including; concierge facilities, residents lounges, a gym,and two roof top terraces incorporating private dining pavilions.

The development is within a five-minute walk of the vibrant andcreative Northern Quarter district which offers a range of independentdesigners, bars and restaurants. It is also within easy reach of PiccadillyGardens, Market Street and Shudehill interchange for connections tothe extensive bus and metrolink service as well as Victoria Train Station.

Balfour Beatty Investments acquired the site in January 2016 andpending the successful planning application, it is anticipated thatconstruction will commence late 2016 with the first residents movingin in late 2018.

The development follows the principles set out by Manchester CityCouncil within the New Cross Neighbourhood DevelopmentFramework to help bring forward the regeneration of the area.

Digital Enterprise Hub coming to Oldham's Independent Quarter

Oldham Council has approved plans to refurbish premises to create a new Digital Enterprise Hub in theheart of the town’s Independent Quarter. Cabinet have given the green light to begin works to repair andrenovate the former Wahoo nightclub building (plus the adjacentformer Kiss bar) on Yorkshire Street. Both properties are localauthority-owned and form part of the same terrace.

Wayra UK Ltd and Hack Oldham willbecome tenants at the new DigitalEnterprise Hub and together, willprovide an entirely new kind ofventure and offer for the town centre.The hub will be a space where newenterprises and businesses can beencouraged and helped to grow acrossthe local digital, technology andcreative sectors.

Access to low-cost and flexibleworkspace, plus equipment geared tohosting individual entrepreneurs andSmall to Medium sized Enterprises(SMEs) in the digital and creativesectors, will be provided by HackOldham on the ground floor and basement.

Wayra will be occupying the first and second floors of the old Wahoobar, providing a work environment and intensive support for fledgingenterprises via its established “pre-accelerator” programme.

Approval of the plans means refurbishment works can get underwayin May.

Councillor Jean Stretton, Oldham Council Leader, said: “This is a firstfor Oldham town centre and a perfect fit for the vibe we are trying tocreate in our Independent Quarter.

“The Digital Enterprise Hub will be a focal point for entrepreneurs andcreatives to get together to share ideas, innovate and unlock eachother’s potential in a low-cost but good quality environment.

“This building has been vacant for some time and this new use fits ourwider vision for the Independent Quarter area as a place where intrepid,inspired and motivated people who want to ‘have a go’, can find thelaunch pad and support they need to help get them up and running.”

Wayra UK is a start-up‘accelerator’ that is part ofTelefonica Open Future, theprogramme that integrates thedifferent initiatives of the wholeTelefonica Group related toentrepreneurship andinnovation. It already has athriving London base and theywant to now establish anorthern hub – with Oldham asthe ideal location.

Hack Oldham, a group ofcreatives, will relocate to the hubfrom existing premises nearby.They recently become a social

enterprise and their activity compliments that of Wayra UK.

Andy Powell, founder of Hack Oldham, said: “There’s lots of excitingthings happening in Oldham at the moment and we are really thrilledto be involved in the Digital Enterprise Hub.

“There’s an obvious gap in provision for something like this and thelocation is ideal. The hub is going to be a brilliant place for digitalinnovation and creative start-ups – we simply can’t wait to move in.”

Refurbishment works should complete at the site in September witha view to the new hub opening for business in October 2016.

The Council is also in negotiations with a potential retail tenantseeking to lease the ground floor and basement of the former Kiss barpremises.

Clothes2order bolsters management team

Clothes2order supplies more than 20,000 businesses, teams andcommunities with personalised clothing for uniforms, promotionsand events.

Clients range from start-ups and small firms to household namessuch as Google, Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, Microsoft and Kellogg’s.

Clothes2order is the fastest-growing part of Quayside Group, whoseturnover has doubled to £9m in the past two years, with staffnumbers increasing from 28 to 110. The group is targeting annualrevenues of £20m by 2017.

Michael said: “Sam, Simon and Paul add immense firepower to theboard to help us deliver our ambitious growth plans.

“Sam is a vastly-experienced e-commerce professional who brings ahost of attributes to the business, and Simon fully deserves hispromotion after excelling in a variety of marketing roles. Paul hasimpressed in his role after overseeing a doubling of our productioncapacity and premises.

“As the business has continued to expand rapidly, it has also becomenecessary to strengthen our management team to support thisgrowth.

“We need to ensure we recruit and retain the best people to achieve ourgoals, and Debbie, Michelle, Stephen, Phil and Pradeesh have provenrecords of success.

“We expect to recruit further during the course of 2016, with a focus onadditional roles in our customer support and artwork teams.”

Personalised clothing business Clothes2order has strengthened its board of Directors with threeappointments to support its continued rapid growth.

Sam Jones has joined the firm as Commercial Director from sports e-commerce company Kitbag, while Simon Turner has been promotedfrom Marketing Manager to Marketing Director. Operations DirectorPaul Sellars is the third new member of the company’s board.

Sam spent 12 years at Kitbag, where he held a number of senior rolesand was latterly the Director responsible for Kitbag.com. He isresponsible for Clothes2order’s e-commerce, IT and customer serviceoperations and is overseeing the development of new revenuestreams.

Simon joined the Trafford Park firm in 2008 as a digital marketingassistant and has worked his way through the ranks. In his new rolehe oversees all of the company’s sales and marketing strategies aswell as brand development.

Paul joined the company last year and has more than 20 years’management experience, including spells at Heinz, Northern Foodsand McBride.

Meanwhile, Clothes2order has created four additional managerialposts and has a new head of e-commerce.

Debbie Ross has been appointed Human Resources Manager,Michelle Harris as Finance Manager, Stephen Booth as Operationsand Engineering Manager and Phil Somerville has been promotedfrom Web Developer to the role of Senior Technical Lead.

Pradeesh Geethanunny has been recruited as Head of e-commercefrom appliances retailer AO.com.

Pictured: from left to right, Board Directors Lisa Flannery (Finance Director), Paul Sellars (Operations Director), Michael Conway (Managing Director), Simon Turner (Marketing Director) and Sam Jones (Commercial Director).

PART-TIME SALESOPPORTUNITY

For more information call HeatherT 0161 945 6015 or email info@lift-offmagazine.co.uk

The company was presented with the highlysought-after accolade at an exclusive Galaceremony in April, for its entry in the “BestIndividual New Home” category, and was upagainst 15 other contenders, includingnational architect firms.

The company was selected as a finalist afterimpressing judges with a unique, innovativeand eco-friendly design for a residentialproperty located in Hale, Cheshire, which ineffect has now been recognised as one of thebest-designed houses in the North Westregion.

The winning design comprised acombination of modern architecturaltechniques, which showcased the latest inground-breaking construction materials toovercome a number of constructionchallenges. In order to be shortlisted,entrants had to demonstrate what the LABC(Local Authority Building Control) BuildingExcellence Awards refer to as the “X Factor”,which Arc Design Services effectivelydemonstrated with their design.

The “highly commended” entry was aninnovative, large, five-bedroom family home,spanning over four floors to give more than5000 sq ft of accommodation. The property

was constructed utilising a revolutionary andeco-friendly Insulated Concrete Formwork(ICF) technique, and showcases creativefeatures such as a space-saving car lift.

Progressive energy-saving solutions, like awhole house ventilation system, have beenintegrated too, whilst the property alsoboasts a stunning, luxurious ambience.

Jonathan Riddle, Director of Arc DesignServices, said: “To be highly commended bythe LABC Building Excellence Awards is a hugehonour that I’m extremely proud of - this wasa team effort and I’d like to thank all of theteam members for their contribution andprofessionalism.

“As a small firm, we pride ourselves on ourindividual and bespoke approach. Being hand-selected for our credentials by such aprestigious and respected organisation istestament to unique and forward-thinkingdesigns that are both technically andcreatively innovative. I’m thrilled with whatwe have achieved.”

The winning team comprised: SimonKennedy from DS Building Projects Ltd(builder), Neil Gornall from iHomes CheshireLtd (AV, lighting and Home automation),Maralyn Sukert from Maralyn Interiors(Interior Designer), Jonathan Hayes from STL Projects Ltd (structural engineer) andRory McVean from DEP LandscapeArchitecture Ltd (landscape architect).

The LABC (Local Authority Building Control)Building Excellence Awards are a celebrationof exceptional accomplishment in theconstruction industry, and exist to rewardoutstanding craftsmanship, technicalinnovation, sustainability and highperformance properties - such as thatdemonstrated by Arc Design Services.

Arc Design Services recognised atbuilding awards ceremony

Cheshire architectural design company, Arc Design Services, has received the “Highly Commended”prize at the prestigious 2016 LABC Building Excellence North West Regional Awards.

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The Royal Bank of Scotland has announced the appointment of Liam Kane as Regional Director ofCommercial Banking for the North and Scotland.

Liam Kane will head up the Commercial Banking team that is responsible for supporting SMEcustomers across the North West, Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North East and Scotland. He has tenlocal Directors of Commercial Banking reporting into him along with their respective relationshipmanagement and specialist sector teams.

Liam will be based at the bank’s Mosley Street office in Manchester, but will also work across theNorth of England region. He has more than 28 years experience in banking having started his careerat NatWest in 1988 and worked his way up to his most recent role of Regional Director for Yorkshire,Humber and North Derbyshire at NatWest.

Across the Manchester region Liam will work closely with his team of Directors, including Chris Saltin Manchester, Mike Lamont in Greater Manchester, Philip Pugh in the Real Estate team, Gault Pickenin Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales, Anne-Marie Jones in the North West Healthcare team andStephen Ford in Preston and Lancashire.

Liam Kane, said: “I am excited about working with my colleagues to support a wide range of localbusinesses to facilitate their growth strategies.

“We have a vision to be the favourite commercial bank and as a team, we are focused on puttingpeople at the heart of modern banking, supporting customer ambitions, providing outstanding customer service and growing our business.”

New Regional Director for Royal Bank of Scotland

Liam Kane

The University fended off stiff competition to take the top honour inthe second annual Educate North Awards which celebrate, recogniseand share best practice and excellence in the education sector in theNorth.

The news comes after the announcement that the Business Schoolwas awarded the prestigious AACSB accreditation in February, joiningan elite global group. Only five per cent of business schools worldwideachieve this accreditation.

Professor Julia Clarke, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, said:“The award serves as recognition of the fantastic work that has beentaking place in the Business School. We continue to thrive as a leadingcentre for business innovation, commercial partnerships, teaching andresearch.

“To be named as the best Business School in the North is particularlypleasing - as a significant partner in regional development and growth,our programmes provide applied continuing professional development

for employees in partner companies, enhance students’ employability,support regional SMEs, and develop innovative programmes such as thenew Degree Apprenticeships.

“It has been an excellent year so far with AACSB accreditation and thisaward is affirmation of our reputation as one of the leading businessschools in the region and beyond.”

Winners were announced at a ceremony in The Hilton, Deansgate,Manchester.

The Business School was also nominated for Research Project of theYear for Prof Carol Atkinson’s work on behalf of the Welshgovernment looking at pay and conditions in the domiciliary caresector.

The Educate North Awards and Conference focuses on the highereducation sector across the North and the economic and culturalhealth and future of the Northern economy and the UK.

For more information, log on to www.educatenorth.co.uk

Manchester Metropolitan University has been named as the Business School of the Year in the North.

Manchester Met named 'Business School of the Year'

Positions available range from Cadet pilotsstarting their career, experienced co-pilotsfrom other airlines to Direct Entry Captainsand as well as introducing new talent toeasyJet, opportunities will also be availablefor more than 140 of the airline’s current FirstOfficers to be promoted to Captains.

Of the 450 positions, 400 will be Cadet pilotsand experienced co-pilots and 50 Direct EntryCaptains.

easyJet now flies more than 245 aircraft onmore than 800 routes in 31countries and new recruits will jointhe airline at an exciting time ofcontinued growth. They will beoffered positions across all ofeasyJet’s 28 European bases andprovided access to high qualitytraining and a range of careerdevelopment opportunities.

For new cadets undertaking theirtraining with CTC Aviation, CAE orFTE Jerez, many will have theopportunity to apply for all or partof their training loan (between£30,000 to £100,000) underwritten by theairline, and some experienced pilots joiningfrom other airlines, can also apply for theopportunity to have their type rating loanunderwritten.

Earlier this year, easyJet also announced thelaunch of the Amy Johnson Flying Initiative tohelp encourage more women to train for acareer as a commercial airline pilot. Currentlywomen make up six per cent of easyJet’s newpilot intake, in line with the industry as awhole. The airline plans to double this to 12per cent over the next two years and willoffer to underwrite the full training loan ofsix female new entrant pilots.

Lesley Hopker, easyJet Senior First Officerbased at Newcastle International Airport,said: “For me, working as a pilot is a trulyunique career. The opportunities it presentsare numerous, the days are exciting,rewarding, sometimes challenging and alwaysenjoyable. It is safe to say that no two days areever the same.

“As easyJet is one of Europe’s biggest airlines,that also brings with it job security, as well asgreat career opportunities and progression as

a pilot. There is great support for you to takeyour command or to get into a training role aseither a Captain or a First Officer, if that is thedirection you want your career to take. Theopportunities are all there for you, all you haveto do is put in the hard work.

“easyJet’s number one priority is safety andthis is reflected in the outstanding trainingyou continually receive throughout yourcareer and of course we get to fly some of thenewest aircraft in the skies. For me personally, Iwould be hard pushed to think of a moreenjoyable and satisfying career than with oneof the most successful airlines around today.”

Captain Brian Tyrrell, easyJet’s Head of FlightOperations, said: “We’re really pleased to haveopened recruitment for more than 450 neweasyJet pilot positions.

“At easyJet, we pride ourselves on having ateam of the highest talent and we offer ourpilots a clear career path with the opportunityto develop from First Officer to Captain quickerthan at other airlines.

“This is an exciting time to join easyJet as wecontinue to grow and develop to maintain ourposition as Europe’s leading airline and I lookforward to welcoming the successfulapplicants in the near future.”

Candidates can apply now athttps://careers.easyjet.com/pilots/

In the initial stages of a new pilot’s career, thefirst step towards joining easyJet will usuallybe through the airline’s training partners CTCAviation, CAE and FTE Jerez.

The pilots will gain experience of the airline’soperations and build up their flying hourswith more work in the summer than thewinter. This also provides easyJet with a levelof flexibility due to the seasonal nature of theairline industry.

With easyJet’s continued planned growth thetime taken from First Officer to Captain islikely to be quicker than at other airlines.Once they have completed as least 12months, pilots then join easyJet aspermanent employees at Second Officerrank. After flying for a further two years witheasyJet, pilots will then become a Senior FirstOfficer. From that stage the aim is to achievetheir Command and become Captains.

Beyond this there are further opportunitiesfor pilots to develop their career, whetherthat be into training or management role.

easyJet, one of Europe’s leading airlines, has announced that it will recruit more than 450 new pilots.

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Photos ©Lift-off!easyJet opens recruitment for 450 pilot positions

16

Matt has spent more than 20 years working at the region’s most creative and award-winning agencies. He brings with him a provenability to implement campaigns across all communications channels, as well as extensive designand brand development experience.

He joins gyro from Origin where he was Creative Director, working with clients includingManchester United, Brother, Superdrug and Westfield Health. Prior to that, he was atTBWA\Manchester for 10 years as Head of Design working on Brother, Nissan, Cussons andWestfield Horticulture.

Danny Turnbull, Managing Director of gyro Manchester, said: “Throughout his career, Matt hasexcelled at delivering powerful humanly relevant ideas. His passion, collaborative approach andenergetic personality are a great fit for us as we continue to expand and drive our creative excellenceforward.”

Matt Casey, said: “Right away I was impressed by the motivated and passionate team at gyroManchester. We all share the same goal: to create brilliant work, based on the right ideas, the rightinsights, and humanly relevant ideas that speak to the target audience. That’s the gyro ethos.”

Casey’s experience spans a diverse and global spectrum of the arts, sport, charity, education, travel,corporate, and professional services. He is passionate about music, and in his spare time enjoysplaying the guitar.

gyro, the global ideas shop, has appointed Matt Casey as Creative Director of its Manchester office.

gyro Manchester Appoints Matt Casey as Creative Director

Matt Casey

Duo UK invests in revolutionary start-upPolythene packaging manufacturer and packaging supplier, Duo UK, is investing in a start-up firmthat’s set to revolutionise Britain’s sanitary industry.

Set up in 2015 by entrepreneur Martha Silcott, Loopeeze is an early-stage company that designed, owns and markets FabLittleBag®an invention designed to give women a simple, practicalenvironmental solution to dispose of primarily tampons, but alsorelevant for sanitary towels and intimate wipes.

The unique design, which has a registered trademark and is fullypatented, features a unique loop handle allowing them to be openedand sealed with one hand. Enhancing its environmental credentials,each bag is made from 35% organic materialand is oxo-biodegradable.

Duo UK has been closely involved in theentire journey of the project from initial ideathrough to finished product. The firm createdthe first prototype for the FabLittleBag® andengineered the machinery to manufacturethe unique bag design for mass-marketproduction.

FabLittleBags® are currently stocked by majorUK retailer’s including WholeFoods, Waitroseand Ocado stores, and has major UK waterboards interested in supplying the product asa potential solution to help the increasingdrainage crisis in the UK.

Loopeeze is also looking to raise £600,000through a crowd-funding project withGrowthDeck. This funding will enableinvestment in marketing, staff and stock tobuild on the great success to date.

Anthony Brimelow, Commercial Director at Duo UK, said: “We’realways open minded when it comes to expanding our business offeringwhich is why when Martha approached us we were keen to find outmore about her invention.

“In the first five minutes of meeting Martha we were absolutely blownaway by her passion, confidence and sheer belief in how this productwas going to revolutionise the sanitary industry. We thrive on

challenges and developing a solution to bring this concept to marketwith such a driven individual has been an incredible experience.

“Everybody is in agreement that Britain’s Victorian drainage systemsimply can’t cope with the level of waste that it has to deal with, andwe are confident that FabLittleBag® with Martha’s infectious passionfor the product, will help to reduce the environmental impact ofsanitary product disposal and provide a hygienic alternative option toflushing.”

Loopeeze Founder, Martha Silcott, added:“These are exciting times for FabLittleBag® as wefocus on becoming the product of choice forthose looking for an alternative tampon disposalthat’s simple, hygienic, and kind to theenvironment.

“We’re also looking to change habits andeducate people as we go. Our goal is to replacethe angst and embarrassment around tampondisposal and empower our customers with theconfidence and security for a safe disposal everytime.

“Right from the outset, Duo UK had theforesight, enthusiasm, and flexibility to supportthis new invention to market even at the veryearly stages.

“The dedication Duo UK has shown to make myidea a reality, together with their valuablemanufacturing and product expertise has

ensured that together, we’ve been able to launch with a commerciallyviable product. We’re very much looking forward to what the futureholds for this partnership.”

There are exciting opportunities in the pipeline for Loopeeze and DuoUK, as plans take place for FabLittleBag® to be sold in all major retailstores as well as monthly subscription services such as Pink Parcel andSanitary Owl. The next year will also see potential use of the exclusiveLoopeeze design to be used in other markets such as forensics andmedical disposal.

Displayed across key locations around the city, the creative agency hascreated a short film as part of a wider campaign to position theshopping centre as a relevant fashion destination at the heart ofManchester.

The campaign, ‘SS16 Made for me’, captures the essence of the cityand features eight ‘fashion moments’ - including abstract acid, orangeattitude and the 90s - sourced from retailers within the shoppingcomplex. Shot against a backdrop of iconic Manchester street scenesto highlight its location at ‘the centre of everything’, the clip capturesthe vibe and eclectic style of the city with vibrant street art, bustlingsquares and personal styles.

Aimed at 16-34 year olds,Refinery created 30 differentedits highlighting differentSS16 trends showcased ondigital screens throughoutManchester, as well as SkyAdsmart, in-centre digitalClear Channels screens andacross social media.

Darren Price,Senior ArtDirector, said: “The creative campaign, which was shot during a coldday in March in between outbursts of snow and rain, positions Arndaleas integral to the city – a destination for high street fashion fromcontemporary chic to urban lifestyle.”

The brand and communications agency has a long standing history inretail and has worked with Manchester Arndale for six years with thenew integrated campaign to reinforce fashion credentials to its coreaudiences, while amplifying the breadth of its offering.

Built in the 1970s, Manchester Arndale is home to more than 200stylish stores including All Saints, Topshop, and River Island. Otheractivities for the shopping centre include ‘MCR Made up’, featuringtwo days of beauty, Student Spring Break and Autumn/Winter16.

Refinery’s retail portfolio also includes J D Williams, The Co-operative,Homebase and Hillarys.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV0POQEmHYU

Refinery is kicking of the Manchester Arndale spring/summer 16 campaign with a stylish edit of thisseason’s most fashionable outfits.

Refinery launches Manchester Arndale SS16 campaign

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Greater Manchester Talent Match and The Co-operative arededicated to supporting young people into employment and havelaunched a film to showcase their commitment to championing abetter way of doing business for the community.

Greater Manchester Talent Match supports young people who arethe furthest from the jobs market back into employment throughpersonalised one-to-one support.

The film features David, a young person with an interest in retail,exploring the world of work at The Co-operative store in the GreenQuarter, Manchester.

David’s journey starts with an introductory visit to the storealongside a number of other young people to allow foran informal introduction to the world of work. Davidwas then successful in gaining work experience at thestore.

At the end of his 10th day, David, said: “My confidencehas improved. I want to work really hard and keep a jobgoing.”

Having completed the pathway, David is now workingtowards getting a job in retail. After the success of thepilot programme, The Co-operative and GreaterManchester Talent Match hope to offer their strategyto other businesses.

Marie Graham, Programme Manager of GreaterManchester Talent Match said, “We’re really pleased that David had a

positive experience on the pathway. The Cooperative is a greatasset to the programme, bringing new ideas that can beimplemented across the Greater Manchester area.”

Kath Carroll, Deputy Manager at the Green Quarter Co-operative store, said: “David is a very pleasant young manwho in time could find a job. The Cooperative has opened agateway and is laying down foundations to help young peopleget in the world of work.”

Greater Manchester Talent Match is a Big Lottery-fundedprogramme offering one-to-one, long-term support to youngpeople to shape journeys towards employment.

You can watch the film on the Greater Manchester TalentMatch website www.gmtalentmatch.org.uk

A short film has been produced by a Greater Manchester support project to showcase a newinnovative way of tackling youth unemployment.

Greater Manchester Talent Match and The Co-operative -working together to build futures for young people

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Tips to get your business ahead onlineAs Google’s free digital skills training pop-up – Digital Garage – leavesManchester’s Central Library, Google’s Director UK & Ireland SMB,Shane Nolan, outlines 3 digital marketing tips for growing online sales.

As Google’s free digital skills training pop-up – Digital Garage –leaves Manchester’s Central Library, Google’s Director UK & IrelandSMB, Shane Nolan, outlines 3 digital marketing tips for growingonline sales

Shane explains: “We’ve had a fantastic five months in Manchester,offering free digital marketing training to prospective entrepreneursand small business owners at our Digital Garage.

But now that we’ve physically left the city, we want to leave you withsome tips and a reminder that you can keep on learning atDigitalGarage.WithGoogle.com.”

There are a few key ways to ensure you’re keeping up with digitaldemand:

1. Be visible Whether you set up your own website, or start with a social mediapage, ensure that you’re sharing useful information about yourbusiness. These are things like your opening hours, location, pricesand the services you offer. ‘Google My Business’ enables you to dothese things without needing your own website, so customers canfind you when they search for relevant terms online.

2. Advertiseeffectively

It pays to watch the pennies. As an SMB with an ad budget thatneeds to work hard for your business, it makes sense to advertise inways that only charge you when someone actually clicks or sees anad, whether that’s through video or search ads.

Google AdWords even suggests the best campaign settings, budgetallocation and formats for you.

3. Optimise customers’ experienceOnce you’re set up online and growing, constant improvement isvital. You might learn through Google Analytics that lots of peoplevisit your website but fail to make a purchase. Are they strugglingwith the payment process on mobile, perhaps?

Consider building a dedicated mobile website, or using ‘responsivedesign’ which adapts to different screen sizes.

For more details, please visit: DigitalGarage.WithGoogle.com

HAUD creates unique and intuitive mobile network firewall solutions toprotect mobile operators against fraud and known vulnerabilities ofthe SS7 protocol, the underlying system that transports voice and SMStraffic. The company offers traffic profiling and fully managed serviceshelping mobile operators to stay in control of their networks andrecover revenues lost from fraudulent traffic.

Working with the brand, which is a subsidiary of Fortytwo Group,Tangerine will implement a content-led communications strategy toelevate HAUD within the technology and telecoms sectors to secure itsposition at the forefront of the dialogue on mobile security.

Desiree Bone, Head of Brand and Marketing at HAUD, said: “The mobileindustry is constantly evolving, as are the threats that put reputation andrevenue at risk, so building a level of trust with our customers is moreimportant than ever.

“Tangerine clearly understandsthe importance of this and hasadvised us with a robustapproach to increase thebrand’s visibility andcommunication with the market, underpinned by proven expertise andin-depth industry knowledge.”

Sam Gregory, Tangerine B2B’s managing director, said: “A solidcommunications strategy is one of the most effective methods ofestablishing trust with new and existing customers, and is central toHAUD’s success.

“We’re looking forward to working with the brand to cement itsinternational industry leading position across this dynamic andfascinating market.”

Integrated communications agency, Tangerine, has been appointed by HAUD, the market leader insecurity and revenue assurance for the telecoms industry, to increase brand awareness and engage keyinfluencers as part of a global brief.

Tangerine wins global brief from HAUD

The leisure airline has launched its biggest season with a choice of 20 weekly flights toseven ski destinations from Manchester Airport, including brand new route Sofia, pluseight weekly flights to Geneva for the first time.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “We really mean business with ournewly expanded ski programme, giving our North West customers access to some of thebest resorts in Europe.

“With this growth, plus our friendly flight times and industry-leading baggage allowance,I’m confident even more people will slope off with us next season.”

Jet2.com has announced a major expansion to its ski programmefor 2016/17 including a brand new destination, more flights andeven more seats on popular routes from Manchester Airport.

Jet2 increases its flight and destination offerings

From its prime position alongside junction 1 of the M60, AuroraStockport will transform an 18-acre site, close to Stockport towncentre, into a modern 145,000 sq ft industrial park. Comprising 10light industrial units ranging from 8,650 sq ft to 46,566 sq ft, thedevelopment will give companies the opportunity to run theirbusiness from high spec premises in one of the best connectedlocations in the North West.

Hosted by Stockport Council and scheme agents CBRE, thesuccessful event gave agents the chance to hear more about AuroraStockport and how its development forms part of the £1bnInvesting in Stockport programme currently underway acrossStockport, bringing with it unrivalled opportunities for businessesand residents.

Work by Seddon Construction at Aurora Stockport has alreadybegun, with the first units being available in early 2017.

Caroline Simpson, Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “This is truly an exciting time for Stockport.Work on many of our Growth projects is already underway and gathering pace, transforming areas of Stockport. Aurora Stockport will complement this andplay an important role in the town’s development.

“Stockport’s exceptional workforce and connectivity means that demand for industrial units continues to increase locally. Aurora Stockport will help ensurebusinesses can find their new home in our town bringing new jobs and opportunities to the borough.”

Steve Capper of sole Letting Agents CBRE, said: “Demand for industrial accommodation in Stockport remains exceptionally strong and the build quality,mix of unit sizes and the fantastic location of Aurora will undoubtedly generate huge interest from local and regional occupiers.

“In fact, we are already talking to a significant number of occupiers who are keen to take advantage of this excellent opportunity.”

CBRE have been appointed as agents for Aurora Stockport (Stephen Capper 0161 233 5616 or stephen.capper@cbre.com) with Stockport Council’sproperty partners Carillion and CBRE acting for the Council as Development Manager and Project Managers.

Property agents from across Manchester’s industrial sector recently came together for the launch ofAurora Stockport, the town’s newest industrial park.

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Ingram claimed the final podiumspot following a mixed up Qualifying sessionstrewn with red flags and hail. The Stockport-based squad claimed fifth on thegrid for the first of the BTCC's three races, six-tenths of a second off the Works' Honda of2015 Champion, Gordon Shedden.

Tom grabbed third, at the Leicestershire Circuit,in a Safety Car interrupted Race that wasultimately red-flagged when the Subaru ofJames Cole caught fire, though the BRDCSuperstar had already secured a podium spot,nicking third off the MG of Ash Sutton.

"I made an absolutely abysmal start", admittedIngram to Cre8media, "had we not had had theSafety Car when we did, we could have had 2ndthere as well. Very pleased with that, more points,more podiums."

Aurora Stockport unveiled to agents

Speedworks Motorsport have more podiums in the bag as Tom Ingram grabbed third place in Race Oneof the Dunlop MSA British Touring Championship at Donington Park in April.

Speedworks bag more podiums in April

"Weird now that we can go in to a weekendhoping that we can get podiums and points,rather than just trying to go and get finishes. I'mvery pleased with that. It's good for the Team,and good for all the boys".

Race Two saw Ingram run as high as 2nd placefor much of the race, but the chasing pack were

having none of it, and, with cars running asmuch as four abreast, contact from the BMW ofJack Goff resulted in Tom dropping way downthe order to cross the line in 15th position.

Starting Race Three from 15th place in such aclose grid was never going to be easy, and atough third encounter of the day saw theformer Ginetta Champion run briefly as high as13th on the weaker soft tyre. Ingram finallyhaving to settle for 19th place at the flag.

Ingram leaves Donington Park sixth in theIndependents Trophy, on 58 points, ten behindthe Mercedes of Adam Morgan. WhilstSpeedworks also sit sixth in the IndependentsTeam Trophy, just three points behind WIXRacing.

The Series now moves on to Thruxton inHampshire, for Rounds 7,8&9 of the 2016Championship on the 7-8th May.

20

Richmond Rovers Junior Football Club has used the cash to buy adefibrillator, which has been installed at the Norbury playing fields inHazel Grove, Stockport, where home games are staged as well astraining sessions and soccer schools for youngsters.

A defibrillator is a portable electronic device that monitors heartrhythms and delivers a shock when prompted to treat people whohave suffered a cardiac arrest. By re-establishing an effective heartrhythm, it is a vital piece of life-saving equipment.

Poynton-based Richmond Rovers have more than 450 players acrossover 30 teams, from under-5s to veterans.

Chris Grossmith, Manager of the under-15s girls’ team, said: “We reallycannot thank BMI enough for donating the money for a newdefibrillator. It’s a wonderful gesture.

“It’s an essential device which could save lives, although we hope we willnever have to use it.

“As a token of our appreciation, one of our teams will next season havethe Alex’s logo on their kit.”

The club is under the auspices of the Cheshire Football Association,which is promoting a charity called Ciaran’s Cause.

The charity was founded by the mother of Ciaran Latham-Geddes, whosuffered a suspected cardiac arrest and died at the age of seven whileplaying football with his friends in Warrington in 2012.

Had a defibrillator been on hand, he would have stood a greaterchance of surviving.

Ciaran’s Cause raises money to supply defibrillators and awarenesstraining to schools and sport clubs. All primary and junior schools inWarrington have them, and the charity has partnered with theCheshire FA to provide equipment for every club in its area.

Richmond Rovers received one for the club’s ground at Vernon PrimarySchool in Poynton, and then decided to raise money for defibrillators atits other venues. Managers, their assistants and volunteer helpers atthe club have been trained to use them.

Simon Shepherd, Executive Director at The Alex, said: “We have beenworking with our local community since the hospital opened 35 yearsago, and we are delighted to be associated with such a worthy cause.

“We greatly value our association with Richmond Rovers and wish thema very successful finish to their season.”

A junior football club has received £1,200 fromThe Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle to buy life-saving equipment.

Richmond Rovers score first-aid goal with£1,200 from The Alex

Simon Shepherd, far right, Executive Director of the Alexandra Hospital, presenting thecheque to girls in the under-15s team and, far left, Manager Chris Grossmith and AssistantManager Gary Halliwell, rear centre.

Bishop welcomed into new WCHG roleWythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG) has announced the appointment of its new GroupChair of the Board, The Bishop of Manchester, The Right Reverend Dr David Walker.

Bishop David joined the WCHG board in April 2014 and is keen tobuild on the successes and numerous achievements since theGroup came into formation on the 1st April 2013.

He has been a Housing Association board member since 1988,and his passion for social housing, urban regeneration and thewellbeing of tenants has also included being a member of theNational Housing Federation Board and as Chair of HACT. Hewelcomes the opportunity to serve the people of Wythenshawethrough the vision of WCHG.

David has held the position of Bishop of Manchester since 2013and prior to that, he was Bishop of Dudley from 2000, following17 years in assorted parish ministries and industrial chaplaincy inthe Diocese of Sheffield.

He is also Chair of the Advisory Council on the Relations ofBishops and Religious Communities and the Remuneration andConditions of Service Committee and is a member of the ministryCouncil of the Church of England. He recently became an electedmember of the Church Commissioners.

Wythenshawe Community Housing Group Chief Executive, NigelWilson said: "I’m delighted to welcome David and look forward toworking with him to contribute to the strategic future and the

next leg of the Groups journey. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Eddy Newman, Paul Andrewsand David Chorlton, former Chairs of the Group and Subsidiary Boards.

“They have contributed to a great deal of achievements and successes for the Wythenshawe Community over the past three years and I am proudof the legacy they have left which will be nurtured going forward by the Bishop and the Group Board.”

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ESOF, Europe’s largest scientific conference, will be held atManchester Central between 24-27 July, with up to 4,500 people setto descend on the city to see some of the most eminent minds inscience, technology, engineering, maths, the social sciences andhumanities, talk about the latest research and developments in thescientific world.

Wrapped around the conference (22-29 July) will be a specialEuropean City of Science festival –Science in the City – which willjoin up the world-leading science happening at the ESOFconference and take it on to the streets through a series ofengaging and inspiring events.

Enthusiastic volunteers who are keen to be part of the experienceare required for a range of roles – from welcome and registration toVIP assistants and media hosts. The team is welcoming expressionsof interest from people of any age, background or ability and stressthat extensive scientific knowledge is not required to volunteer.

Fiona Cariss, ESOF and European City of Science volunteer co-ordinator, said: “As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to be part of a unique event as part of Manchester’s celebration asEuropean City of Science and will gain invaluable experience.

“Being part of the team will mean meeting delegates from all over the world and learning about the amazing advancements science ismaking.

“We don’t need our volunteers to know the full Periodic Table or the basics of quantum theory – we just need people who are passionateabout Manchester, proud of the city’s scientific achievements and are willing to be as helpful and friendly as possible.”

Volunteers need to be available for a minimum of three shifts to be undertaken between 22-29 July 2016 and applications must bereceived by Sunday, 15 May 2016.

See www.manchestersciencecity.com/volunteer to find out more and to apply.

The EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) and European City of Science team have begun the search tofind up to 200 volunteers for a week of science events and activities in July.

Join in: volunteers wanted for summerscience week

More graduates are training to teach than ever before. Withexcellent career progression opportunities, becoming ateacher is a wonderfully rewarding career choice.

Anyone considering a career in early years, primary orsecondary teaching is invited to come and meet the GreaterManchester Bright Futures SCITT team at a forthcomingrecruitment event on 15th June, at the ManchesterGraduate Recruitment Fair, Armitage Centre, Fallowfield.

The Greater Manchester Bright Futures SCITT opened inSeptember 2015, delivering outstanding school-based,primary and secondary, initial teacher training through theAlliance for Learning; a partnership of 50 schools, collegesand universities led by Altrincham Grammar School forGirls, working in partnership with St Bede’s PrimaryAcademy.

Kal Hodgson, SCITT Director and Assistant Head of TeachingSchool, said: “The high quality of our courses result from the very successful relationship between the university and our partner schools.

“Between us, we have achieved an unrivalled consistency and coherence of university-based teaching and school placement opportunities forstudent teachers. This ensures that our postgraduates continue to maintain a competitive edge in the job market.”

For more information about training to be a teacher at the Alliance for Learning, please contact Hilary Langmead-Jones on 0161 912 5912 or visit http://allianceforlearning.co.uk/courses/school-centred-training/. For regular updates follow on Twitter @GM_BFET_SCITT

The Greater Manchester Bright Futures SCITT are looking to attract a new generation of passionateand gifted teachers to inspire and help children to reach their full potential.

Do you have a passion to teach?

I run a business where my customers are given credit and aresometimes slow to pay, my suppliers on the other hand are offering meless time to pay and some offer no credit. This is often a strain on my

cash flow and I am struggling to make my VAT payments each quarter. Whatare my options?

If you are using standard VAT accounting, you pay VAT on anyinvoices issued, even if they have not been paid and reclaim anyVAT on invoices received, even if you have not paid. This can be a

strain on cash flow, particularly as you have said, when customers areslower to pay than you.

You may be able to change to a cash accounting scheme whereby you pay the VAT to HMRC onceyou have been paid. However, you cannot reclaim any VAT until you have paid the supplier.

To be eligible to use the cash accounting scheme, there are some conditions. The main one beingthat your turnover must not exceed £1.35million.

If you think you would benefit from this cash accounting scheme, there are no forms to fill in, yousimply start from the first day of your next VAT period. You can also change back to standard VAT accounting at any point if you prefer butwill have to pay VAT over on any outstanding invoices.

Take care when changing between VAT schemes to ensure you don’t miss anything or count anything twice.

Another option to help plan your cash flow could be the annual accounting scheme. This means you would only submit one VAT return atthe end of the year.

During the year you would make nine equal monthly instalments towards any liability. The remaining balance is due when the VAT returnis submitted or, if you have overpaid a repayment will be made. As the payments are equal, this allows you to manage your cash flow moreeasily.

For any specific advice about which scheme suits you, please give us a ring to arrange a free chat.

Q

A

If you have any business-related questions you’d like our financialexperts to answer, please send them to: marketing@nabarropoole.com

Whilst every care has been taken in answering readers’ enquiries,neither Lift-Off! Magazine, nor Nabarro Poole, can accept any liabilityor loss for actions that readers may sustain as a result of reading this column.

Specific circumstances can make a substantial difference and,as this information is simply for guidance, please ensure youtake appropriate professional advice before acting on anyspecific matter.

Nabarro Poole, 31 Church Road, Northenden, Manchester M22 4NN

The Accountant's Clinic FREE Readers' Service

For a Free InitialConsultation call0161 998 4276

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Held at Wythenshawe Library, in the Forum, the aim of the workshop was to help local businesses increase their visibility online in order fornew customers to find them. By helping attendees understand the cornerstones of digital marketing it will allow them to reach moreprospective customers via the Internet.

Nathan Jack, Employment and Enterprise Manager at WCHG, said:“Wythenshawe is a great place to do business and it’s fantastic for thearea that Google chose to host their workshop here.

“At the Enterprise Centre we can offer local entrepreneurs theopportunity to turn their ideas into businesses and we wouldencourage them to get in touch with us for an informal chat.”

The Enterprise Centre provides affordable office space and supportto Wythenshawe businesses. To find out more call 0161 946 1056 oremail enterprisecentre@wchg.org.uk

Manchester Libraries provide support to businesses throughoutGreater Manchester. To book and appointment at The Business andIntellectual Property Centre email businessinfo@manchester.gov.uk

Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG), in partnership with Manchester Libraries,recently helped to host Google’s Digital Garage for local business looking for help online.

Google Digital Garage teams up with WCHG andManchester Libraries to deliver online trading advice

Gourmet pizza business Love Pizza has launched its first premises onHulme High Street in Manchester, supported by a £100k loan from the Regional Growth Fund.

The loan was provided by BFS www.business-finance-solutions.org.uk, which is supportedby Greater Manchester Combined Authorityand provides loans to Greater Manchesterbusinesses helping them to grow and createor protect jobs.

Love Pizza (www.lovepizza.com), which isowned by parent company Taste MakerConcepts Limited, already has plans in placeto expand the business nationwide througha franchise model which will rival nationaltakeaway chains by offering a hand crafted,stone-baked pizza experience.

Love Pizza has invested the £100k loan fromBFS and more than £200k of their own fundsin developing the new site with state of theart equipment, including stone bake ovensfrom Italy that use a conveyor belt madefrom stone interlocking slats to create acrisper, thinner pizza than currentmainstream takeaways. The pizza deliverybags are equally as high tech, using Formula1 technology to ensure that the pizzas aredelivered hot and fresh.

The IT investment includes an integratedePOS with delivery management fromPointOne, and an online ordering platformfrom OrderSwift, both partners chosen fortheir ability to scale in line with the LovePizza franchise model.

Andy Nichols, Senior Loan Manager atBusiness Finance Solutions, which is part ofthe Manchester Growth Company, said:“Love Pizza is one of the most exciting andambitious businesses we have worked withthis year and, like many motivated start upbusinesses, already had detailed businessplans and some funds in place.

“Securing the low interest loan from BFSmeant that they were able to move quickly toget the first premises up and running; and toinvest in the high quality equipment and ITthat is at the heart of their business model.”

Love Pizza was co-founded by HarinderDhaliwal and Anil Sumra who met when Anilfirst started working for Harinder in 2000.Managing Director Harinder Dhaliwal haspreviously run a number of retail businessesincluding the Olive Delicatessen inManchester. He is also the owner of First StepGroup, which is investing in building newhousing in East Manchester.

Operations Director Anil Sumra, owns amanagement consulting business in London,delivering projects for clients such asDeutche Bank, British Airways, and Bank ofAmerica

Harinder, said: “We are absolutely passionateabout creating a new style of pizza deliverybusiness and the loan from BFS has meantthat our first premises is now up and running

and we are already looking at other sitesacross the North West and nationally.

“Consumers are increasingly demanding amore authentic way of cooking and what weare able to deliver is the gourmet stone-bakedpizza taste that you might find at a foodmarket or festival – but delivered to the doorwith a guarantee of quality.”

BFS Business Loans is a government-backedinitiative that will see in excess of £24minvested into growing businesses in GreaterManchester over the next 10 years. Acondition of the loan is that it must create orprotect jobs and typical loans are from £3k to£100k in value.

BFS is the finance arm of the ManchesterGrowth Company and supported by the GMCombined Authorities and Local EnterprisePartnership.

Over the years, BFS has grown and developedits financial options and offers finance from£500 through to £500k delivered through arange of products including Start Up Loans,Export Loans, Business Loans and MicroBusiness Loans, with support on raisingequity through the Co Angel initiative ofinvestments up to £2m. To date BFS managesa portfolio of more than £80m across the UK.

Find out more about BFS finance atwww.business-finance-solutions.org.uk orby calling 0161 245 4737.

Anil Sumra - Love Pizza

Dough to make the dough as BFSsupports Love Pizza with £100k

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