A fast-expanding proptech business has opened a new office in London to serve a growing client base in the capital and across south-east England.

Symple, which was launched in May 2021, is an online platform for residential landlords, estate and letting agents and homeowners.

It manages property certificates for single and multiple sites, including ones for gas safety, electrical installation condition reports and residential energy performance, all of which are required by law.

The cloud-based platform is a one-stop shop which manages bookings for inspections and arranges for accredited and strictly vetted service providers – gas safety engineers, electricians and energy assessors – to carry them out.

Symple, which has its headquarters on the M60 Office Park in Swinton, Greater Manchester, began with just three staff and now has a team of 16.

Its ambitious growth plans include expanding its current portfolio of 3,000 properties to 10,000 by the end of 2022, as well as adding a raft of new services.

Symple has now opened an office in Hendon, north London, which is headed by product specialist David Schauder, who leads the innovation and development arm of the business.

A recruitment drive in the capital for sales and other staff is currently under way.

Founder and chief executive Simon Dresdner said:

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“Our new office in London provides a strong platform from which to further accelerate growth in line with our business plan.

“Our client base in and around the capital is increasing in size, as is our pool of service providers who carry out the inspections. As we also expand our range of services, it is important to have a presence there.

“David has been with us since the launch and is playing a key role as we develop our offering, focusing on the functionality and development of our platform alongside bringing on board innovative services which will add value to our client base.”

 

Registration with Symple is free for landlords, agents and homeowners as well as service providers.

Its platform manages the entire renewal process for certifications, including sending reminders and arranging inspections with key holders and service providers.

The Symple portal enables clients to check the progress of each job. They are charged for each inspection.

Service providers have no need to raise invoices, as they are paid automatically. They are notified via email or text about available jobs in their locality and they can set the distance they are prepared to travel for each inspection.

Simon added:

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“Landlords, agents and homeowners who were convinced their systems worked perfectly have tried us, and have subsequently transferred entire portfolios to Symple. The platform eliminates the headache of getting their certificates completed on time.

“They simply have to register their property and provide us with the last expiry date, and the rest is taken care of.

“Service providers have seen that Symple offers a great opportunity to earn extra money at a time and location that suits their schedule.

“These features have enabled us to expand rapidly nationwide and, as we add more services, we see great potential for sustained growth for the business.”

 

Symple is part of Kingsbury Holdings, the parent company of several service providers in the property and facilities management sectors.

The Kingsbury group includes Merco Facilities Services, a commercial cleaning business, and FCS Management Services, a business rates management company.

A real-life manufacturer from Salford is the star of a new advertising campaign to increase technology adoption among businesses in the region.

‘For The Makers’ has been launched by the Made Smarter Adoption Programme in the North West, which works with small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers to help adopt Industry 4.0 technologies and digital skills to help boost productivity, drive sustainable growth and create new jobs.

The ads are being used as livery on 120 buses travelling across the region, including in Salford, and will feature on digital billboards at key commuter locations including the M602.

They feature striking photographs and testimonials from ‘makers’ who have already reaped the rewards of Made Smarter since it was launched in 2018 including John Bowden from ATEC Solutions in Salford.

Together with social media ads featuring other manufacturers in the region, the campaign aims to raise awareness and showcase the impact the government-funded, industry-led programme can have on SMEs who seek support.

ATEC Engineering Solutions designs, manufactures and repairs complex electronic and electro-mechanical equipment used in the aerospace, defence, nuclear, and oil and gas sectors. It worked with Made Smarter to create a digital roadmap and has started adopting digital tools which will create efficiencies and growth over the coming years.

John Bowden, Managing Director, said:

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“ATEC is typical of a lot of SMEs. It’s not that we don’t want to do things differently, it’s that we don’t know how to. It’s finding a starting point. Made Smarter came into the business and highlighted the importance of data and system integration. This roadmapping process helped map our IT systems, show how disjointed they are and how to make a big difference with small changes. Now we are in a position where we are ready to adopt the right digital technologies.”

450 manufacturers in Greater Manchester, including 45 from Salford, have so far benefited from support of the Made Smarter’s programme of fully-funded intensive support which includes grants for technology, expert, impartial technology advice, and digital transformation workshops to help take their first steps to transform their business. Meanwhile, businesses have accessed digital technology internships which offer students and graduates paid placements to work on live technology projects, while current and future leaders have also developed the vision and the skills to pursue smarter manufacturing through the Made Smarter Leadership programme.

49 in Greater Manchester, including eight in Salford, have secured in excess of £1.1M matched funding for 63 projects, worth £3.8M after private sector investment, which are forecast to create 264 new jobs, upskill numerous roles, and deliver an additional £44.5M in gross value added (GVA) for the regional economy over the next three years. 

These technologies are helping integrate systems, capture and analyse data, and even create simulations of their plants and processes, to drive efficiencies and reduce waste. Other projects have introduced 3D-printing, automation, and robotics to solve business challenges and meet increased demand.

But given Greater Manchester is home to more than 6,000 manufacturers, employing 110,000 people and generating £8bn of economic output each year*, Made Smarter is determined to extend its offer of support to the SME’s in this sector who often struggle to realise industry 4.0 transformation within their companies. 

Donna Edwards, Programme Director for Made Smarter North West said:

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“The positive impact that Made Smarter is having on Greater Manchester’s manufacturing businesses has been fantastic to see and we hope to replicate this across the North West.

“Our mission is to continue reaching out to the region’s SME manufacturers to connect them to the tools that will make an everyday difference to their businesses. The campaign celebrates the local business leaders that have started their digital journey with Made Smarter and used new  technologies to grow their businesses.

“By showcasing their stories across Greater Manchester, we are communicating our key messages to those makers who may not be aware of our programme and what it could potentially offer their own businesses.”

 

For more information, visit https://www.madesmarter.uk

Businesses across Salford now have a simple tool to help them navigate the complex and varied landscape of support and funding, thanks to the launch of GC Business Growth Hub’s Business Support and Funding Finder.

Commissioned by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the new online resource is available to all businesses in the city-region and enables them to find the right support and funding, either delivered by the Growth Hub or one of its many partner organisations.

As well as giving businesses the ability to search and filter results for all publicly funded support relevant to them, the Business Support and Funding Finder will ensure they can make the most of these opportunities by also signposting them to the enquiry team from the Hub, which is part of The Growth Company and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Janine Smith, Director of Business Growth at the Hub, said:

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“It’s a great accomplishment to bring all of these services and resources together in one place to create a unique resource for businesses of all shapes and sizes.

“There are 230 publicly funded programmes across Greater Manchester, which can make it difficult for businesses to understand what is right for them.

“This tool brings together all the support in one place and is incredibly accessible for time-poor businesses – answer a few simple questions online and it will identify the services that are available to you.”

 

Cllr Elise Wilson, Leader of Stockport Council and GMCA Portfolio Lead for Economy and Innovation, said:

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“There are many challenges businesses face, especially around having the time and resources to make things happen.

“The Business Support and Funding Finder is an essential new tool for every business in Greater Manchester, empowering them to find the right support or funding opportunity to help them to overcome these challenges, develop their services, upskill their staff and to innovate and grow.”

 

Nick Shepherd, Business Development Manager at the Hub, said:

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“I’m genuinely excited about the positive impact the Business Support and Funding Finder will have. By answering a handful of basic questions, businesses will be directed to the most comprehensive package of support available, quickly and effectively.

“Our advisors have played a crucial role in developing this tool and will also be on hand to ensure businesses can maximise the opportunities they will find.”

 

The Business Support and Funding Finder is available at https://www.businesssupportfinder.com.

Businesses looking to access specialist support can visit www.businessgrowthhub.com for more information about the organisation’s extensive range of services. This and other GC Business Growth Hub projects are part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the GM Business Growth Hub project designed to help ambitious SME businesses achieve growth and increase employment in Greater Manchester. The Hub is also supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Greater Manchester local authorities.

Photos: Janine Smith, Director of Business Growth at the Hub, Cllr Elise Wilson, Leader of Stockport Council and GMCA Portfolio Lead for Economy and Innovation, Nick Shepherd, Business Development Manager at the Hub

The 87 bedroom boutique four-star Ainscow Hotel has been put on the market for £8.5m after its owners called in administrators.

The building which previously seen life as a jam factory and a brewery was bought in 2003 and extensively remodelled before opening in 2014 following a capital expenditure plan in the area.

Situated along Salford's Trinity Way the hotel was within the heart of the Chapel Street regeneration area.

Kroll Advisory was appointed as administrator of four subsidiaries of the Manchester development group, with the fall-out of the Grenfell disaster named as a contributing factor in the companies demise.

Sole selling agent Knight Frank say they are seeking offers in excess of £8,500,000 for the property.

Matthew Smith, Partner in Knight Frank’s Hotels team, said:

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“We are delighted to be acting on behalf of the Joint Administrators.

"Given the lack of hotels available for sale in the current market, we expect The Ainscow Hotel will be well received from an array of buyer profiles. The hotel benefits from several value-add opportunities to include the potential to create an additional 57 guest bedrooms and 99 residential apartments, subject to planning permission.

“The North West of England recorded over £300m of hotel transactions in 2021 and was ranked as the third most liquid region in the UK (excluding London). Manchester accounted for 73% of this regional activity, which highlights the attractiveness of the region for hotel investment.”

 

Photos: Knight Frank

Comparison site Choose has found consumers are increasingly losing confidence in renewable tariffs, with the recent energy price hikes highlighting widespread confusion about why renewable tariffs are increasing in line with fossil fuel tariffs. This discrepancy is currently baked into the UK energy system, leading to disillusionment with the concept of green tariffs and risking the future success of the UK’s net zero goals.

For the green energy market to truly work for customers, the link between pricing for renewables and pricing for fossil fuels must be broken. Customers who actively chose renewable tariffs do not understand why they should face the same price increases as those on traditional tariffs, and this confusion risks undermining the very real need to invest in green projects here in the UK.

While the Government is focused on reducing dependency on international fossil fuels through investment in renewables, it is important to ensure that consumer confidence in the value of renewable tariffs is maintained.

In addition, it is clear the practice of using Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificates to back-up green electricity claims is causing serious issues for the UK energy market. Buying REGOs on the open market means there is little incentive for suppliers to invest directly in renewables generation or to work directly with independent generators to add extra renewables capacity here in the UK. REGOs are a legal quick-fix that benefit some suppliers but ultimately damage the energy market as a whole.

It is therefore more important than ever to recognise which energy suppliers are offering truly green tariffs and to help customers identify which providers directly invest in more renewable energy projects.

With this in mind, Choose is pleased to announce the greenest energy providers as part of the Choose Green Energy Awards 2022.

While many energy providers claim to offer green tariffs and renewable electricity, the 2022 Awards sought to highlight which suppliers are pursuing a holistic approach to green energy rather than offering single specialist tariffs that may be removed or adapted.

The Awards recognised the following three energy suppliers are the greenest providers in the UK:

• Ecotricity
• Good Energy
• Green Energy UK

These providers operate their own renewable energy supply or work directly with independent generators to purchase renewable energy at source. All of them are transparent about their renewable policies and actively invest in the future of UK renewables.

All three suppliers have received special dispensation from regulator Ofgem to price their tariffs above the default energy price cap due to their investment in renewable energy.

However, the 2022 Awards also spotlighted three bigger suppliers who are bound by the energy price cap and yet demonstrate their commitment to renewables:

• E.ON Next
• Octopus Energy
• Scottish Power

These three companies operate their own renewable electricity infrastructure including wind and solar farms, focusing on adding to the renewable capacity of the UK rather than relying on ‘greenwashing’ techniques to appear greener than they are.

Lyndsey Burton, MD of Choose.co.uk, said:

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“The Choose Green Energy Awards 2022 recognise suppliers who approach green energy as more than just a label on their website or a box to tick. Our Excellent suppliers are small energy companies who embed green policies into every part of their organisations, investing in more renewables to help the UK cut out fossil fuels.

“It’s clear there’s a crisis of confidence among energy customers, many of whom feel conned into believing that green tariffs would equate to cheaper bills. While the structure of the energy system in the UK needs to change to address this, it’s important to point out to customers which suppliers are working hardest on renewables to allow them to make informed choices now.

“If we are to reach our net zero goals, customers must be able to understand the energy market far more effectively than they can today. As the Government looks to promote more investment in renewables to combat international pressure on fossil fuel supplies, it’s vital customers are not forgotten.”

 

A Salford accountancy company is partnering with national law firm Irwin Mitchell to support businesses in the creative industries in Greater Manchester, driving investment and employment in the region.

HDH Accountants is collaborating with Irwin Mitchell to provide creative and digital businesses with access to funding, investment opportunities and legal advice.

The accountancy firm is hosting a networking event, in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), at its new offices in Magnetic House, which overlooks Salford Quays.

The event is dedicated to the creative industries, enabling businesses in this sector to find out more about tax reliefs, opportunities, and key legal considerations.

Commercial lawyers Suzanne Thompson and Kate Norris from Irwin Mitchell will also be speaking at the event to discuss legal considerations for businesses, from cashflow and IP ownership, through to collaboration and investment.

HDH Accountants and business advisors specialise in supporting businesses working in the manufacturing, technology and creative sectors and has achieved 40 per cent growth year-to-date with new business wins. It has doubled its team to six and plans to make further new hires this year.

With over 20 years of industry experience, they help clients through the business life cycle, assisting with all aspects of tax and accountancy compliance as well as offering bespoke consultancy services.

Anthony Hurley, Managing Director of HDH Accountants, said:

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“We are passionate about supporting the creative industries in Greater Manchester, especially with helping them to navigate through grants, tax incentives and investment preparation. Access to funding can be difficult, particularly for businesses that are just starting out in the industry.

“There are currently huge opportunities for the creative industries as the economy begins to bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic as well. A range of tailored tax reliefs exist to help the Creative Industries and we are working with several clients to help them access these, quickly and efficiently.”

 

Suzanne Thompson, a commercial lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said:

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“Our specialist Media & Entertainment team continues to support the work of the great creative minds, businesses in our region, and the wider industry with specialist advice. The involvement of the FSB highlights the importance of such meetings for continuing to assist businesses in the Creative Industries at what is an important moment as we emerge from pandemic restrictions. Providing businesses and professionals in the region with the tools and knowledge they need will help them to make the most of the prospects that lie ahead.

“This is a great moment to re-start vital face to face networking sessions that have suffered over the last few years and meet some new contacts along the way. We are looking forward to sharing our expertise and how we are able to help businesses and solve problems – whether through practical, specialist legal support, strategic IP advice, access to funding or protecting cashflow.”

 

Anyone interested in attending the free networking event can register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-industries-networking-hdh-accountants-in-partnership-with-fsb-tickets-259497823977

Momentum continues in Salford as the unique partnership behind Crescent – Salford City Council, the University of Salford and leading development partnership, The English Cities Fund (ECF) – has submitted planning for the major infrastructure project, Salford Rise.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Department for Levelling up Housing and Communities awarded the project £13.17m in the Autumn budget, which will connect communities across Salford to the unrivalled opportunities the £2.5bn, 240-acre Crescent regeneration will present. Construction of Salford Rise is anticipated to start on site in Summer 2022.

Designed by international practice, Make Architects, Salford Rise will be the catalyst that will unlock the ambition for the Crescent Innovation area of the masterplan. Salford Rise will deliver a 90m long green boulevard in the sky that stretches over Fredrick Road, together with adjacent public realm for events and activities.

Crescent Innovation is where people, industry and academia will meet, is a key component of the Salford Innovation Triangle and was named in the recent levelling up white paper as one of the UK’s Innovation Accelerators, which will see £100m invested into three public-private academic partnerships to encourage research. This area will focus on creating a research, development and innovation campus that will sit at the northern gateway of Salford Rise. Work is already underway at three world-leading university facilities at the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre, the Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE) building and Energy House 2.0.

The Crescent masterplan brings together the best of the public and private sector to bring forward a truly connected, sustainable and inclusive Salford for the future, through the delivery of over 3,000 homes, over 1m sq ft of space to innovate and collaborate, alongside 1m sq ft of offices, retail, leisure, a new multi-modal transport hub with active travel at its heart, set within vast areas of green space.

Crescent will also create up to 7,000 new jobs, with more than £90m expected to be reinvested into local communities, through new revenue from business rates realised on completion of the scheme.

Maggie Grogan, development director at ECF, said:

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“Both the partnership and the vision for Crescent is unique. It’s clear that excitement around what we’re looking to achieve here is building, as we work hard with and for the people of Salford to turn that vision into reality.

“Essentially people make place and Salford Rise will remove a significant barrier to movement across the wider masterplan, enabling the delivery of Crescent Innovation, bringing communities in the surrounding area together, while connecting them to the opportunities to thrive and prosper.

“Together with the community, we’re forging ahead with our collective vision to create a robust and resilient Salford that’s seen on a global stage as a leader of innovation, collaboration and place-making.”

 

Paul Dennett, Salford city mayor, said:

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“This exciting and ambitious vision for the Crescent will deliver real change with a positive impact for local communities in the city. it will connect people with opportunities – both in education and industry as we strive to make the city a better and fairer place for all.

“I’d like to thank our partners at ECF and the University of Salford in driving this project forwards and bringing this masterplan to life.”

 

Professor Helen Marshall, vice-chancellor of the University of Salford, added:

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“The government has made it clear that unlocking the innovation potential of our regions will be critical to levelling up our communities. Crescent Innovation is a game-changing opportunity to deliver a new industrial innovation zone for Salford and Greater Manchester, and Salford Rise is the catalyst to bring our ambitions to life.

“This is a really exciting time to be moving forward on a project like this. Greater Manchester has just been awarded a share of a £100m fund to create an innovation accelerator for our city region – Innovation GM – and the University of Salford is committed to playing our part to harness the expertise and knowledge of our academic community to have a positive impact on businesses, society and communities across Greater Manchester through Crescent Innovation.”

 

For more information on Salford Rise and Crescent, please visit Crescentsalford.com.

Eccles saw the opening of it's latest supermarket last week when Show Market UK finally threw open it's doors to customers.

The store is directly opposite Aldi supermarket on Church Street and originally opened as a Tesco store in the mid 1960s and has since been a video rental store and a motor spares shop amongst other things,

I called in today to see what all the fuss was about and I have to say that I was astounded at the variety of stock that is available on it's shelves and if your a foodie or a budding MasterChef then this is the store for you.

There is an in-store bakery which bakes fresh bread in the evening and is piping hot on the shelves for 8am and throughout the day, as well as bread there are mouth watering cakes, pastries and halal cookies, well worth a visit just to see the visual display on show.

I was pleased to see they they have an instore butchery department, selling fresh chicken, beef, steaks, chops etc, I spoke to the trained butchers there, who told me that they would be delighted to chop the meat to a customers specification and hand them cooking tips.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are available with a selection of exotic vegetables, which to be honest I had heard of but had never seen, trust me it's an education just walking around the store, Msanraw cheese in glass jar, anyone?

The shelves are stocked with not only traditional tinned English foods, but a vast selection of Indian and Asian foods, I had no idea, there were so many types of flour, Chakki , Atta, Ragi, Juwar are just a few stocked, Ghee butter, Lassi milk and a staggering amount of rices and cooking materials.

Alcohol is not sold in the store, but it does have a large selection of soft drinks including non alcoholic Guinness called Malta! I kid you not.

I spoke to the shop Manager, Monica who told me that they are delighted with the way the reception that the shop has received from it's many customers and the staff are more than happy to chat with you about the array of world foods on the shelves.

The shop also has a wide range of frozen goods in its freezer cabinets for your perusal.

The store is open from 8am until 9pm every day of the week and I heartily recommend that you pay it a visit if not only to marvel at the wonderful selection of world food, and did I mention the cakes department?

Onward, a leading North West housing association, has pledged 1,200 hours of volunteering time to support a range of community projects across the region this year. The new target is 200 hours more than last year and represents the organisation’s commitment to making a positive difference in its communities.

Over the past year, Onward’s volunteering programme has supported 64 worthwhile causes across Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Cheshire, with colleagues providing over 900 hours of volunteering time in the last twelve months.

Colleagues from across the organisation are encouraged to get out into the local community and provide hands on support to a range of community projects. Onward’s dedicated Social Investment Team works with groups that provide essential services throughout the North West, identifying funding opportunities or brokering partnerships to provide these organisations with the tools to deliver their services.

Onward has been involved in a range of projects, including The Food Pantry in Salford, a service to help local people to purchase low-cost good quality food, ran by St James Church. The Church also offer a space for people to access advice and support. The Church also provides hot meals free from their own funds at St James and is a "hub" for Manchester City Council's food crisis response team delivering food parcels on their behalf.

Part of St James Church in Lower Broughton, The Food Pantry provides a significantly discounted grocery shopping experience three days a week for people of all ages in the local community. Customers can shop for £15 - £20 worth of goods including fresh veg, cereals, tinned food, dairy, and meat/meat-free options, all for only £2.50. The produce is provided through donations via the national FairShare charity scheme and Tesco.

Volunteers from Onward can help out at The Food Pantry by preparing vegetables for hot meals, taking in deliveries of stock and preparing food for sale.

Onward is now building on this success and has pledged 1,200 hours to increase its capacity to support more worthwhile causes throughout 2022.

Andrew Lord, Head of Neighbourhood Services, at Onward said:

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“Our volunteering programme provides colleagues with an make a positive difference to our communities. The new volunteering target is our most ambitious to date and is another example of our commitment to making The Onward Difference.

Colleagues from across the organisation are encouraged to step out of their day job and volunteer, which provides them with a chance to experience first-hand the incredible work that local organisations do across our region. Working closely with community organisations helps us to foster stronger relationships and spot opportunities to do more together. We look forward to building on our success and supporting more worthwhile causes in the future.”

 

When complete in May 2023 it will be the largest Net Zero 'Green Wall' in Europe and it is being constructed by Bowmer + Kirkland right here on the corner of Irwell and Stanley Street in our very own City of Salford.

The English Cities Fund has invested £36m in the construction of the ground-breaking 12-storey block which will provide 115,00 sq ft of useable floorspace.

The building aims to break new ground in sustainable development as the EFC aim for a 5.5 Star NABERS rating which would mean it is in a league of its own within the UK if achieved.

It has been designed with Net Zero in mind and will make use of a range of innovative technologies and approaches to achieve its ambitious goals.

A few of the technologies to be employed are:

  Enhanced, demand-controlled ventilation.

  CO2 monitoring throughout the building.

  An array of Solar Panels.

  Air source heat pumps & a total ban on fossil fuel usage within the building.

'Eden' as it has been named, will add to its sustainability credentials by the addition of a striking 'Living' facade, the largest in Europe.

The 43,000 sq ft exterior wall will be covered with an array of plants, bird boxes and insect hotels, providing a habitat for birds and pollinators. The lavish greenery will also function as a barrier to the elements and will increase the buildings thermal performance as a result.

An additional bonus will be that the wall will be completely self sufficient, requiring minimal maintenance. 

The project is slated for completion in May 2023 and will be a welcome sight amongst the otherwise dull and dreary office blocks which festoon the area.

Thousands more women are choosing self-employment in Greater Manchester in comparison to surrounding regions, new analysis from GC Business Growth Hub has revealed ahead of International Women’s Day.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics also shows that the conurbation’s percentage of women in self-employment has risen above the North West figure for the first time in 17 years.

In September 2021, 53,100 workers or 5.6 per cent of economically active women were in self-employment*.

In comparison, 3.9 per cent (20,700 women) were self-employed in Liverpool, and in Lancashire, 4.8 per cent (24,400 females) were in self-employment**.

The North West percentage stood at 5.5 per cent and it is the first time since 2004 – which is when data is available from - that Greater Manchester has ever risen above the North West.

Figures show that while the number of women in self-employment dipped in the first half of the pandemic, last June the figure started to increase again.

The latest Rose Review also found that more women than ever were starting new businesses.

Hilary Centeleghe is Head of Start up and Growth at the Hub, which is part of The Growth Company and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

She has worked in business support for more than 30 years and has seen first-hand how the landscape has changed.

Hilary said:

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“Female business founders are the bedrock of our economy and have an in-built entrepreneurial attitude.

 "COVID was a challenge for most people, but we know from the women on our programmes that it was also a turning point. It made them realise something had to change and look for other avenues such as self-employment.

“At the Hub we have seen more women embracing our support, particularly programmes like EnterprisingYou which really appeals to them due to its nurturing approach.

“There is still progress to be made to help more women realise their business goals. Having the right support is key and we are here to help.”

 

Two thirds of the people on the EnterprisingYou scheme from February 2020 to February 2022 were women, with 268 of the 1,192 over the age of 50.

The vital free programme supports self-employed business owners across Greater Manchester.

Karen Rudd, aged 36, based in Rochdale, left her corporate banking job due to the negative effects on her mental health.

In July 2021, she bought a franchise in Moo Music, a multisensory music and movement class for babies, toddlers, and their parents and carers.

After joining EnterprisingYou she successfully launched her first classes in Sale in September, Urmston in January, and is now looking for a venue in Altrincham.

Within six months of starting the programme Moo Music’s turnover has tripled, and total sales are up by 71 per cent since completing it.

Karen said:

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“I probably would have folded the business before it even got started because of anxiety, but thanks to EnterprisingYou, I've changed my mindset and stayed positive. It really arms women with confidence and self-belief.

“To any women thinking of starting a business - be brave. Chances are you already have the knowledge you need to get started, and for the things you don't know, there are amazing organisations like the Hub.”

 

Another EnterprisingYou graduate Dina Mistry, aged 37, is founder of Stockport-based Asian greeting card and gift company The Playful Indian.

She started the company full time in 2019 and accessed support from the course during the pandemic.

Dina said:

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“EnterprisingYou really helps people, especially women, achieve their dreams of running their own business.

“It gave me the support I needed to push forward and having a mentor really helped to process my thoughts.”

 

To find out more about EnterprisingYou visit https://www.enterprising-you.co.uk. A women’s coffee morning is also being held at Clockwise House, Manchester on Thursday (March 10) at 10am to celebrate International Women’s Day. Visit the website to register.

Businesses looking to access specialist support can visit www.businessgrowthhub.com for more information about the organisation’s extensive range of services. This and other GC Business Growth Hub projects are part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the GM Business Growth Hub project designed to help ambitious SME businesses achieve growth and increase employment in Greater Manchester. The Hub is also supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Greater Manchester local authorities

Eco-I North West will match fund capital investment for new products, processes and services.

A new £400k green innovation fund has been launched to help Salford SMEs transform their ideas into reality in the race to net zero.

Businesses, charities and social enterprises in the district can get up to 60% funding towards projects worth £25,000 to help them deliver sustainable products, processes or services.

The grant scheme is managed by Eco-I North West (NW), a £14 million research and development programme which gives SMEs access to a regional knowledge base, cutting-edge research facilities and skills involving six of the region’s leading universities - Cumbria, Lancaster, Central Lancashire, Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores and Manchester Metropolitan.

Since its launch two years ago, more than 100 enterprises, including 27 in Greater Manchester, have collaborated with universities to test their ideas which could help solve global challenges such as water supply and quality, waste, energy, resource efficiency, natural capital, air quality, and food security.

These new grants will accelerate these low carbon innovations from research to commercialisation by match funding prototypes, pilots and demonstration systems.

Andy Pickard, Manager of the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, which delivers the Eco-I NW programme, said:

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“Eco-I NW opens up such a huge academic regional resource to SMEs. It offers the opportunity for the North West to create an ecosystem which accelerates our transition to a low carbon economy.  This is a scheme which should allow businesses to access grants quickly and try new things.

“I would encourage leaders of SME enterprises in the North West to start a conversation with us about how Eco-I NW could help to reduce costs and their carbon footprint, improve performance, and future proof their business in a low carbon future.”

“More than 100 enterprises from a wide range of sectors, disciplines and project themes are already collaborating with the partner universities and could double their potential return on R&D investment. 

“These grants will further support those already working with the universities, and expand the benefits Eco-I NW can offer to even more SMEs to bring to market even more sustainable products, processes or services.”

 

Eco-I NW aims to work with more than 300 SMEs, supporting the development of 135 new innovative solutions which will save 3,850 tonnes of CO2.

To find out more about the programme, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), visit www.lancaster.ac.uk/eco-i-nw/capital-grant-scheme/

With International Women’s Day fast approaching, the most recent UK employment statistics make for positive reading, as the North West experienced a significant annual decrease to female unemployment (-28%).

The collective performance of all twelve regions equates to a small, yet much-welcomed annual improvement to the overall female employment rate, with 72% of women aged 16-64 currently in work. The only regions to experience an increase in female unemployment were the South East (+33.4%), North East (+24%) and Scotland (+7.5%).

The male employment rate also saw a small annual improvement, indicating that UK businesses are beginning to gain confidence and expand their workforce in the post-pandemic era, with many believing the worst of Covid is now behind them.

However, with workplace diversification still a key factor for businesses to consider during the recruitment process, it is important for employers in the North West to think carefully about how they select applicants and treat their existing employees.

Tina Chander, Head of the Employment Law team at Wright Hassall, commented:

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“Given the challenges people have faced over the last two years, it is great to read some positive news with regards to employment rates, as this shows that businesses are beginning to resume operations at full capacity.

“That being said, it is important for employers to continue the progress made in the last decade, whereby we have seen a larger female representation at board level and workforces are generally much more diverse. 

“From a business perspective, having a diverse workforce provides a wide range of benefits, as you have different talents, ideas and approaches at your disposal, which allows for a much more complete service offering, with better results delivered.

“Not only this, but all organisations should strive for more inclusivity, as this helps build a positive culture for the business, where employees are treated fairly and equal opportunities are available to everyone, regardless of gender.

“Given the fact that a lot of businesses are currently in the process of recruiting new talent, now is the perfect time for employers to take stock of their current situation, ensuring they bring in experienced individuals, whilst also working towards a diverse workforce.”

 

Following the success of the Watermelon Wheat beer, the Passion Fruit beer was initially launched in 2020 as a limited-edition special. The pale ale proved a huge hit with drinkers and was brought back by popular demand for a short summer run in May 2021.

Now in a fruity twist of fate, the brothers’ have decided to make Passion Fruit a permanent fixture in the brand’s core family of beers.

The beer will also hit ASDA shelves in June as a seasonal special joining the Juicy IPA and Honeycomb Pale which are available permanently. The beer will be sold in stores across the UK and online.

Bursting with passionfruit aromas this 5.0 ABV beer is packed full of flavour. From the generous dry hopping of experimental hops to the old favourite El Dorado hops, this hazy pale is fruity and crushable.

A pint of the Passion Fruit will leave you with a lingering sweetness from the oats and dextrin, however offering a full body experience of a pale ale without being too heavy – perfect for summertime drinking all year round.

CEO of SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO, Keith McAvoy, said:

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“We have run the Passion Fruit pale as a special beer on a number of occasions and it always proves a huge hit with our customers – with a demand for more.

“Our fruity beers always perform well, so we felt it was time to reflect our shoppers’ habits and welcome Passion Fruit in as a permanent fixture. As we head into the Spring, it felt like the right time to re-launch and celebrate the newest member of our family core range.”

 

Passion Fruit is available on the SEVEN BRO7HERS web shop for £3.85 in 440 ml cans and will also be available in the SEVEN BRO7HERS Manchester BeerHouses.

In December SEVEN BRO7HERS launched its first alcohol free beer, 0.5% ABV. This beer was also added to the brand’s core range.

SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO was founded in 2014 by McAvoy brothers, Guy, Keith, Luke, Daniel, Nathan, Kit, and Greg, inspired by their dad’s home-brewing in their cellar at home.

In 2016 the brothers opened their first BeerHouse in Ancoats, Manchester. They now have an onsite taproom at the brewery in Salford and a BeerHouse at Middlewood Locks, Manchester.

In July 2020 they opened their partnership bar at Manchester Airports new T2 Departure Lounge and in May 2021 they opened their doors to a brand-new BeerHouse in the heart of MediaCityUK. Work is currently underway to open their latest BeerHouse in Liverpool city centre, opening April 2022.

People based in Salford who are ready to start up a business or might already be in the early stages of micro-business ownership are being invited to apply for a new fully-funded programme of support, designed to unlock their full enterprising potential.    

Start Up Vision is a brand-new initiative, aimed at individuals within the region who are looking to begin their self-employment journey and those who are at the very early stages of starting up a business*.

The programme is open to all trades and sectors and offers support for those currently unemployed or economically inactive, as well as for micro businesses that are less than one-year old and based in the local area. 

It is being delivered across Greater Manchester by GC Business Growth Hub, funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund. 

Throughout the programme, which runs until the end of June 2022, successful participants will receive tailored advice and support on a one-to-one basis from an experienced business adviser.

Together they will develop a personalised action plan and where relevant, will gain access to additional funded training courses and workshops or practical support services delivered by specialist providers.  

The programme has been designed to test out a new approach to supporting business start-ups and very early-stage businesses, to determine whether, by giving very tailored and specialist support they can become capable of growing much quicker and more sustainably.

Hilary Centeleghe, head of Start-up and Growth at GC Business Growth Hub, said:

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“This is a commendable new initiative to help empower individual entrepreneurs and start-ups during that critical first phase of a business life cycle, when a strong business idea is both on the cusp of blossoming into its fullest potential and is also at its most vulnerable. 

“Start-ups and small businesses are the lifeblood of our regional and national economies, so it’s crucial that they are offered the fullest possible support to succeed and especially in those crucial first few months of operating.”    

 

The programme is aimed at any individual who can demonstrate a strong business or freelance idea and an enterprising vision; from individuals who are currently unemployed or economically inactive, to those who are employed but looking to move into self-employment, or self-employed running a small business for less than one year.

The scheme is open to all individuals who meet these criteria and people from typically underrepresented communities such as those from minority ethnic backgrounds, people over 50 years old, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.   

All programme participants will gain the knowledge and skills they need to put their ideas into action or take their start-up businesses to the next level.

The programme will seek to upskill 200 self-employed individuals/new business start-ups with tailored 1:1 support and action plan development.

Its aim is to enable more individuals to make the shift into self-employment and help more micro businesses to grow faster and more effectively.

The programme will include opportunities for peer-to-peer networking and additional mentoring, with support provided to help participants identify knowledge and skills gaps.

There will be progression reviews delivered midway through and at the close of the programme, with access to training and workshops to help overcome obstacles and enable implementation of each action plan.  

For more details or to make an enquiry visit www.businessgrowthhub.com/start-up-vision

* The types of businesses and early-stage business ideas that might be eligible could include, but are not limited to, gardeners, dog groomers, joiners, physiotherapists, beauticians, and property maintenance managers, for example.       

A new Lidl store has opened its doors for the first time this morning, built upon the former site of Mocha Parade in Lower Broughton.

As expected it has been busy all day with people streaming in to check out the popular middle isle bargains. I myself grabbed one or two.

The low cost super-market chain is the fastest growing in the country and was signed up by Salford City Council as a preferred retailer partner.

The former shopping centre which the new store replaces, was built in the 60's and at the time was considered to be state of the art, however, over the years it had fallen into decline and quickly came to be considered to be one of the biggest eyesores in the city.

The new super-market has provided around 40 new jobs for the area as well as provided a valuable local resource fo the area.

It’s part of a long-term plan to revitalise the whole Broughton area, which has seen considerable investment in new homes, schools and parks over the last few years. The council is seeking to create a thriving, vibrant local shopping centre for the community.

North West based Mo Isap has been recognised with a national award for efforts to support women freelancers during the pandemic. The CEO of IN4 Group, operator of HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology in MediaCity, established free accelerator programme FreelanceHER 100 for women in the digital, creative, media and technology sectors across the North West.

Mo was awarded the Inclusive Skills Excellence Award at last night’s (Thursday) WorldSkills UK’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Heroes Awards. The awards, in partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and NCFE, celebrate the individuals and organisations championing diversity and inclusion within the business and technical education sectors. 

The aim of the programme was to give women in Greater Manchester and Lancashire access to the skills and confidence to pursue their ambitions. The project had a strong reach across the different sectors with 50% of participants coming from creative sectors, 27% from digital and 18% working in technology.

It also succeeded in attracting women from a host of different backgrounds and creating a diverse community. One quarter (25%) were from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, 13% registered disabled, 12% identified as LGBTQ+ and the ages ranged from 16-60. 

The programme is designed to help women entrepreneurs create, innovate, learn and grow their businesses through workshops and peer to peer mentoring. Participants speak highly of its success with 97% believing it positively impacted their businesses and over 90% saying they could not have received better business support. Looking to build on the success of the pilot scheme, the next cohort of FreelanceHER 100 will launch on Tuesday (1 March). 

Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE, CEO of WorldSkills UK, said:

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“This exciting new initiative has had a real impact on women in the North West. FreelanceHER 100 blazes a trail when it comes to finding out how to deal with a real issue that had been exacerbated by the pandemic. The stats also show an appreciation for diversity among leaders and we are excited that the project is going from strength to strength with the second cohort launching in March. Brilliant work from Mo – well done!”

Mo Isap said:

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“This award is a huge honour and privilege as it recognises the work of our amazing team at IN4 Group, who designed and launched FreelanceHER 100, and successfully supported 104 women into tech, digital and creative freelance careers. WorldSkills UK is an exemplar organisation, doing such an incredible job, and winning this award will further enhance our mission to ensure that everyone has fair access to digital jobs and skills. Our ambition is to support 1000 women with achieving their entrepreneurial ambitions and growing new businesses.”

Also shortlisted for the Inclusive Skills Excellence Award, sponsored by FE Week, was the Supported Learning Department from New College Lanarkshire and Mike Butcher from Pembrokeshire College.

Applications for FreelanceHER 100 are now open, visit: www.freelanceher100.com/join

Salford's Kingsland Drinks Group (KDG) is embarking on an updated and upweighted sustainability strategy, titled Thirsty Earth. The Thirsty Earth programme will drive the firm’s sustainability agenda, which seeks to create a better society and drinks industry for all, now and in the future, and will be integral in achieving the company’s business goals. 

Initiatives will be centred on the three core pillars of Sustainability; Society, which focuses on charity, wellbeing, inclusion, and equality; Environment, which looks at energy and emissions, waste, renewable energy, recycling and reuse, and Economy, which includes responsible sourcing and ongoing investment. In the future, Kingsland Drinks Group intends for the Thirsty Earth Foundation to become a registered charity which raises awareness and funds to invest in initiatives which have a positive impact on society.  

Thirsty Earth activity will include a series of long-term projects linked to the UN’s sustainable development goals, each with clear and measurable targets to safeguard society, the environment, and the economic health of the industry in which it works. 

The Thirsty Earth Programme will be delivered by Kingsland Drinks Group members – having become an employee-owned business in July last year – and made a part of the fabric of the business and day-to-day operations. 

Andy Sagar, Executive Chairman of Kingsland Drinks Group, comments:

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“We have always strived as a business to take the lead with a fresh approach in the drinks industry. As we have global reach with partner producers, suppliers, and customers all over the world, it is imperative we continuously improve our sustainability footprint both in our community and in the drinks industry as a whole.  

“We have always placed sustainability at the heart of our operations and now with Thirsty Earth and the collective power of our employee owners, we’re taking it to the next level. Our investment and business development in recent years have focused on sustainability and we’re proud of the industry leading achievements we’ve made already. Although we are in challenging times, it’s important we are not complacent, and we continue to show commitment with real goals that will help make a positive difference to society and the environment in the years ahead. 

“Thirsty Earth will be crucial to how we meet the UN’s sustainable development goals, but it also encapsulates the vision and realisation of what we’ve been working towards for a long time. It’s vital we do not negatively impact current or future generations, and instead become a force for positive change and our mantra - a better society and drinks industry for all, now and in the future – is at the heart of every decision we make.” 

 

In recent months, the firm has actively backed brands that are working towards a more positive industry and protecting the planet; The Hidden Sea, an Australian wine brand, which Kingsland Drinks manages for the UK on and off trade market, removes plastic from the world’s oceans with the bold aim of removing one billion plastic bottles by 2030.  

Notably, the firm has established conscious premium drinks company Ten Locks, with Becky Davies leading the curation and development of a portfolio of purpose-led spirits brands striving for positive change.  

Sagar continues: 

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“The company has grown and diversified in recent years, and we’re incredibly proud to be a significant local employer. By constantly evolving our infrastructure and developing our capabilities we have in turn, grown our headcount and established ourselves as an employee-owned business. It’s an exciting time to be part of an incredible workforce powering a drinks business with a fresh approach, capable of true positive change.”  

Kingsland Drinks Group - which includes Ten Locks - made a move to being an employee-owned business in July 2021. The move builds on Kingsland Drinks Group’s people-centric mindset and follows a period of significant investment in capabilities and capacity.   

The company is currently undergoing a recruitment drive with a focus on roles in production and engineering at HQ in Irlam.  

Kingsland Drinks Group was the first company to import wine into the UK in bulk, and utilise flexi-containers, a method that is now industry standard. It was also the first business to utilise inland waterways to transport bulk wine from port to site, saving large amounts of carbon and reducing road miles.  With over 120 million litres packed last year alone, this results in an enormous carbon saving on bottled at source products, removing the need to transport glass and other packaging materials around the world. 

To learn more about Kingsland Drinks’ industry-leading work to nurture a greener drinks industry click here.  

Mason Advisory has been named in ‘The UK’s Leading Management Consultants 2022’ report, published by the Financial Times.

The annual report, published in partnership with Statista, identifies and celebrates the organisations most highly respected by industry peers and clients. Consultancies are rated by sector and specialism. Mason Advisory, a digital and technology transformation consultancy working across the public and private sectors, is delighted to have made the list for the fourth time, appearing in five bronze categories this year: Chemical & Pharma; Healthcare & Life Sciences; Public & Social Sector; IT Implementation and IT strategy.

Steve Watmough, Mason Advisory CEO, said:

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“We are proud to be included on such a comprehensive list of consultancies. It’s a real honour to be judged so highly by our industry peers and clients and to have expanded our listing from three to five sectors since last year, is a real testament to the team’s hard work and dedication.

“To be featured for the fourth time in this FT report is recognition of the outstanding work we have delivered and the high calibre of consultants in our team, who are really driving our business forward and producing quality results and solutions for our clients in the UK and around the world. Inclusion in the list is a public acknowledgment of Mason Advisory’s strong reputation within the consulting sector.”

 

With offices at MediaCityUK, Salford, and London, Mason Advisory enables organisations to deliver value through digital and technology transformation, solving complex business challenges through the intelligent use of IT resources including strategy, sourcing, architecture, cybersecurity, and delivery. It operates in sectors such as financial services, professional services, public safety, government, pharmaceutical and retail.

Launched in May 2014, the consultancy has received a number of awards, including Best New Consultancy in the MCA 2021 Awards. They have also been recognised in the UK’s Best Workplaces™ in Tech and Excellence in Wellbeing by Great Place to Work® UK, an institute that assesses and certifies top employers. Mason Advisory, for the first time, secured a ranking in the medium category due to its growth over the last year.

For more information on Mason Advisory, visit https://www.masonadvisory.com

A Scottish inspirational training specialist that provides expert leadership coaching and personal development support to empower people into sustainable careers is expanding to MediaCity.

Innovation hub HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology, is partnering with the Tree of Knowledge to offer learners from its Skills Bootcamps a holistic approach to learning by helping them to develop transferable soft skills, build confidence and essential interview techniques.

Fife-based Tree of Knowledge will be opening a new office at HOST in MediaCity as the business continues to grow. They deliver entertaining, enlightening and educating training programmes to schools, third sector organisations, small businesses and high-profile organisations, including the NHS and Nike.

Established over 20 years ago and having worked directly with over 1 million people, Tree of Knowledge has already been working with IN4 Group, the operator of HOST, for over 2 years to support its training programmes as a key delivery partner.

This includes its Department for Education funded Skills City bootcamps, which fast-tracks 450 people into technology careers, with every learner provided with a guaranteed interview at the end of the course. 

Tree of Knowledge will also bring to the North West its ground-breaking online learning platform Treehouse, which supports the mental health and wellbeing of school pupils and staff, and already has over 400 schools using it as part of their curriculum.

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4 Group, operator of HOST said:

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“I’m excited to extend our relationship with Scottish education pioneers Tree of Knowledge as an industry partner at HOST, where they will support our Skills Bootcamps learners with inspirational training and unique learning experiences. Further ensuring our learners have fair access to digital technology career starts in the region.

“Schools and businesses in the North West will benefit immensely from this expansion as their expertise and understanding in human behaviour offer valuable insights into supporting positive mental health and wellbeing.” 

 

Alice Beveridge, Tree of Knowledge director said:

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“Working with IN4 Group over the past 2 years, we have witnessed first hand the impact of combining world class technical training with cognitively stimulating soft skills development. This extended partnership kicks off exciting plans for Tree of Knowledge to expand support to businesses and schools in the North West with the aim of developing emotionally intelligent leadership, soft skills and positive mental health and wellbeing. 

“We know that schools, colleges, universities, and businesses prosper when their people are happy, engaged and having fun. People are more likely to flourish when they prioritise their mental wellbeing, work in environments that build their resilience and where they feel empowered. Through humour, creativity and a big dose of positive psychology, we can improve the present and help shape a better future for all.”