Innovation hub, HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology operated by IN4 Group, has formed an exclusive industrial Internet of Things (IoT) partnership with ifm electronic, one of the world’s largest and most innovative suppliers of sensors and sensing systems.

Ifm provides professional guidance and support for HOST members in MediaCity and across all its programmes to introduce and implement tailored digitisation solutions towards the creation of smart factories of the future for start-ups and SMEs.

IN4 Group has established a pedigree in enabling industrial digital technology adoption within SMEs. The partnership will further enhance the support and upskilling of teams to accelerate digitalisation to achieve higher productivity and business growth.

Alongside its expansion to the North West, ifm has provided two demonstrators for HOST’s Labs that allows companies to use the latest technology to test and verify IoT business use cases.

In addition, HOST will be working in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and CloudRail, providing a complete end to end solution from industrial sensors to AWS services, enabling companies to connect industrial machines in hours instead of weeks. 

As an automation technology specialist with 50 years of experience in industrial manufacturing, ifm offers a range of industrial IoT solutions including sensor parameter setting and condition monitoring, plug and play operational technology (OT) and IT products.

Paul Stansfield, head of Industry 4.0 Systems for ifm said:

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“This partnership brings the manufacturing know how of ifm together with IN4 and HOST’s training networks to really enable businesses to develop their digital futures.”

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4 Group, said: “I’m delighted to establish this key industrial manufacturing and IoT partnership with ifm as we continue to bring world-class support to the HOST community. SMEs and start-up businesses will benefit immensely from the industry-leading expertise that we can offer by enabling access to industry 4.0 technologies through our programmes and networks, creating sustainable prosperity and growth for the region.”

 

Phase three of the sprawling development will feature 189 new homes across 2 blocks, one of which will be 10 storeys high and the other 12 storeys.

The planned phase which has been named 'Railings', will be built on the opposite side on the northern side of the locks, opposite the 275 home first 'phase one',  with work expected to start in Spring and be completed in 2024.

Upon completion the neighbourhood will provide up 2,215 new homes and 900,000sq ft of commercial space for offices, hotels, shops and restaurants.

Planning consent for the project was gained 12 months ago.

Overall, the site has a gross development value of more than £700 million and is expected to create more than 7,000 jobs within the area.

Initially it was expected that China backed BCEGI would be replaced for this final phase of development by Leads based contactor GMI Construction who were the forerunners for the contract. This apparently is no longer the case.

Kevin McCabe, chairman of Scarborough Group International, said:

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 “Our relationship with BCEGI stretches back over seven years.

“Our mutual respect, admiration and commitment to excellence made BCEGI the obvious construction partner for Middlewood Locks and has culminated in the completion and occupation of 1,117 new homes and 10,000 sq ft of commercial space over the last five years.”

Dongwen YU, lead director at BCEGI, said: “The recent completion of phase two is a significant moment for Middlewood Locks as well as a great achievement for BCEGI in what has been an extremely challenging time for the construction industry.

We are thrilled to be, once again, an integral part of what is one of Greater Manchester’s most significant projects.”

 

Bolton-based retail giant will be Sharks’ new principal partner

The club and retailer announce ‘Are you AO-K?’, a game changing mental health programme for schools across the North West

Sale Sharks has signed up to a new long-term partnership with online electricals store, AO, which will see the Bolton-based retailer take over as the club’s principal front of shirt sponsor.

AO will also work closely with the Sharks Community Trust, the club’s charitable arm, to create and launch ‘Are you AO-K?’, a life-changing mental health programme in schools across the North West.

And the South Stand at Sharks’ AJ Bell Stadium will also be re-named and branded as the AO Stand, as part of the multi-year deal.

Sharks CEO Sid Sutton said:

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“Everyone at the club is so excited to welcome AO to the Sharks family. I have no doubt that this is a partnership that’s going to drive the club onto the next level both on and off the pitch.

“We’re embarking on a new era for the club and we want to work alongside partners who we can grow with and who share our ambition, our passion for the north and our values.

“AO puts its customers and the community at the heart of everything they do in the same way that we put our supporters right at the centre of every decision we take.

“The long-term commitment is a sign that both the club and AO believe strongly in the value and the potential of this partnership.”

 

Sharks fans won’t have long to wait to see the famous AO smile on the new 2021/22 kit, and work on the stadium re-branding will start straight away ahead of the new season.

And the AO influence on the supporter matchday experience won’t stop there - ahead of the new season the team are working on special giveaways, half-time activations on the pitch and promotions outside the stadium before after fixtures.

Vicky Monk, director of customer and brand at AO said:

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“We’re investing hugely in our brand this year and our partnership with Sale Sharks is a big part of that strategy.

“We are really looking forward to working closely together with the Trust to create and launch a highly impactful mental health programme to local schools in our region. It’s a topic that’s close to many of our hearts after the last 18 months and we’re proud to be able to play a part in making a difference for young people across the North West.”

 

Sale sharks are currently believed to be in talks with regards a joint purchase of the AJ Bell from its current owners as part of a stadium sharing deal with Salford FC.

A Salford manufacturer has secured support from a programme helping manufacturers boost productivity and growth using digital tools.

Forest Sofa, a furniture manufacturer is taking the next step on their digitalisation journey with the Made Smarter Adoption programme in the North West.

It means that the government funded and industry-led programme has reached a major milestone, having now backed its 200th technology project.

Forest Sofa is pursuing a technology project which will reduce fabric waste by up to 10% and reduce cutting time by 50%.

Ryan Mohieddin, Managing Director, said:

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"We are delighted that following Made Smarter's support with our data and systems integration project, which will enable us to digitally track our production through the manufacturing process, we have now secured support for the second stage of our digitalisation. 

"This involves the pattern digitisation, optimisation and material cutting to increase production capacity, whilst providing a digital back up protecting our IP.

"We are looking forward to this next step on our journey, as we continue to combine traditional manufacturing with digital innovation.”

 

Launched in 2019, the Made Smarter Adoption programme in the North West has now supported 161 businesses with £3.9M matched funding for 201 projects, leveraging £10.5M of private sector investment.

This includes 38 businesses in Greater Manchester who have secured grants worth £969,000 for 52 technology projects, valued at almost £3.3M after private investment.

Some manufacturers are developing projects using emerging technologies which enable them to integrate systems, capture and analyse data, and even create simulations of their plants and processes. Others are using 3D-printing, automation, and robotics to solve business challenges and meet increased

demand.

Across the North West, this transformative technology adoption is forecast to create 990 new jobs, upskill 1,845 existing roles, and deliver an additional £162.4M in gross value added (GVA) for the North West economy.

In Greater Manchester 222 new jobs will be created, 480 existing roles will be upskilled, and an additional £36.9M in gross value added (GVA) for the region’s economy.

Donna Edwards, Programme Director for the Made Smarter Adoption programme in the North West, said:

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“Surpassing the milestone of 200 funded technology projects is a significant achievement for the Made Smarter adoption programme in the North West - and there is much more to come.

“Industry 4.0 is the future of manufacturing. Through it, the entire sector can reap endless rewards that will ultimately lead to considerable – and sustainable – growth. But upgrading to new technologies can seem like a complex and daunting task, and SMEs can miss out on significant improvements to their operations. 

“Over the last two and half years we have developed a programme of wide-ranging support which cuts through the jargon to provide honest, impartial advice to help businesses identify the most effective digital tools, innovation and skills needed to make an everyday difference to their operations.

“I am delighted that so many manufacturing and engineering businesses of all sizes, from across all sectors, have realised the benefits of digital technology and would encourage other SMEs in the region to start their own conversation with us.”

 

Since 2019 Made Smarter has engaged with 1,266 businesses in the region to help them introduce digital tools and technologies to help boost productivity and growth and navigate the impact of Covid-19.

618 manufacturers have received intensive support including expert, impartial technology advice, digital transformation workshops to help manufacturers take their first steps to transform their business, a leadership programme, and funded digital technology internships.

Over 80% of SMEs working with Made Smarter to adopt cutting-edge technologies have seen a boost in productivity, and more than 25% reduced their carbon emissions. Businesses will also benefit from increased revenue, profits and exports, and lower energy bills.

For more information, visit www.madesmarter.uk

A disability-friendly fashion brand picked up an exciting accolade last night at The Small Awards, an initiative run by Small Business Britain to celebrate businesses often overlooked by other awards.

Kintsugi Clothing, founded in 2018, describes itself as an ‘inclusive’ company, which designs with disability in mind. Its collection includes subtle design features intended to make each piece more accessible. Zips are placed on the side seams of trousers, for example, to remove the pressure point of a typical front button and zip combination and to give wearers with ostomy bags an efficient means of accessing them, when needed.

Kintsugi’s founder, Emma McClelland, a 33-year-old from Eccles, said of the award:

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“I’m absolutely delighted that Kintsugi won the ‘Digital Star’ award and really grateful to Small Business Britain for hosting a fantastic event that brought so many members of the small business community together.

“I’m pleased to be representing Greater Manchester and also to be able to demonstrate the importance of companies including disabled people in their design processes, whether for products or services. Both are better when they’re accessible!”

 

The awards ceremony was held virtually, via Zoom, but in a surprise twist, roving ‘reporters’ arrived at the winners’ homes to hand them their award in person and broadcast their reaction live! For Emma, this meant seeing a familiar face in fellow entrepreneur Dee Mapasure, whose company K’s Wors has had its products – Boerewors sausages – retailed at Ocado and Costco.

The ‘Digital Star’ award category celebrates businesses that operate only online and make strong use of digital channels to engage and grow their customer base. Kintsugi was up against Badass Mother Runners, Delivered Social, ShopAppy.com and Martha Brook.

The Small Awards, launched in 2017 and run by Small Business Britain, targets the whole small business sector focusing on businesses often overlooked by other awards. With 5.8 million small businesses in the UK, there are huge numbers of small businesses doing great things that may not be recognised by awards due to geography, scale or even awareness of the benefits such awards can bring. The Small Awards changes that by reaching out to a massive small business base that its management team have built up over many years working in the sector. 

Salford based technology start-up Assenty has announced a partnership with Angels@Essex.

Based at the University of Essex, Angels@Essex is an invitation-only investment platform that links angel investors to entrepreneurs with innovative ideas, allowing new disruptive technologies to flourish.

Audience insights specialist Assenty is supporting the newly formed Female Founder and Investor Network within the platform, developing a female-led network that helps female-led tech businesses to find the right investors.

Assenty will partner with Angels@Essex to deliver regular community events supporting the aim of bringing together investors and entrepreneurs and it’s a focus which is nothing new for the Salford-based startup.

Assenty founder Chi-chi Ekweozor is the driving force behind Female Tech Founder, a UK wide community and network for female founders of technology businesses, products and platforms with more than 800 members in the network. Ekweozor and community partners Claire-Marie Boggiano and Natalie Asprey deliver regular events bringing together industry experts to support female founders with topics covering funding, pricing, pitching, marketing and growth strategies.

The innovative multi-platform polling provided by the Assenty platform is used to identify pertinent issues affecting the community with hundreds of participants regularly polled on their opinions before, during and after events.

The trio will combine their expertise across business strategy, technology and marketing alongside utilising the Assenty platform to deliver events and enable community growth for the Angels@Essex network. The launch event for the network took place on Wednesday 12th May as part of ExSE 2021 a three day digital business festival for Essex Enterprise celebrating the region’s business success stories. 

Assenty has previously worked with organisations including pro-manchester,  Manchester Digital, The Landing at MediaCity, Leeds Digital Festival and Elixir Conference EU and is a keen supporter of community initiatives across the North West including Women Leading In Business, She Has No Limits and Fund Her North. 

Assenty Founder Chi-chi Ekweozor said:

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“We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Angels@Essex to deliver their Female Founder and Investor Network events and to enable a brand new community to be built. As a trio of women who have started their own businesses, myself, Claire-Marie and Natalie are hugely passionate about supporting women founders in accessing the support and resources they need to grow and flourish and we can’t wait to get started!” 

Claire-Marie Boggiano of Lurig Ltd said:

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“This is a great initiative and one which I’m sure will bring huge benefits to the many female founders out there and crucially to the businesses who want to work with them. Female entrepreneurship and enabling businesses to grow and flourish is something I am incredibly passionate about and I’m looking forward to helping to create a new network of fantastic women founders and investors and to see what they create together.”

You can learn more about the Assenty platform here www.assenty.com and The Angels@Essex Network here 

A £1.5m revamp of the headquarters of Master Builders Solutions UK to accommodate an expanding workforce has been completed.

Salford-based MC Construction was the main contractor for the project. Gardiner & Theobald was the project manager and provided design and cost services to Master Builders Solutions UK. The architect was Fletcher Rae.

Master Builders Solutions UK, which is based in Swinton, Greater Manchester, manufactures and distributes construction chemicals used in new-build, maintenance, repair and renovation schemes. Its products include concrete admixtures and solutions for underground construction, waterproofing, sealants, flooring and grouts.

The business, which also has operations in Redditch and Rochester, was part of BASF before it was sold to an affiliate of global private equity firm Lone Star in 2020.

Following the deal, space was required at Swinton for sales and administrative staff transferring from offices in Cheadle, as well as a number of new recruits.

To accommodate them, the site’s warehouse has been reconfigured. 

MC Construction carried out demolition and strip-out works, installed foundations and then reconfigured the building to create a reception area, new offices on the ground floor and a new mezzanine floor, and to expand the company’s concrete admixture development laboratory to enable it to keep pace with growing demand. The lab is used for product development and customer trials.

External works carried out as part of the project included the installation of new charging points for electric cars. The scheme was completed in 26 weeks in a live working environment. A total of 40 staff are now based at the site.

David Lowe, managing director of MC Construction, which is celebrating its golden jubilee this year, said:

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“It has been a great pleasure to deliver this project for Master Builders Solutions UK. 

“Reconfiguring the site warehouse to incorporate new modern open-plan offices within a live environment was logistically very challenging. 

“Our ability to provide innovative solutions, as well as the collaboration between ourselves and the client team, proved key to the successful delivery of this scheme.

“We are very happy with the final product and I am grateful to our entire team for their hard work and expertise. We are looking forward to working with Master Builders Solutions UK further in the future.”

 

Geoff Birchall, head of operations at Master Builders Solutions UK, said: “With the requirement to create additional office space for existing staff and new recruits, we wanted to choose a local partner that we could trust, not only with the building aspect but also with ongoing support and maintenance.

“An extensive procurement process led us to MC Construction, whom we appointed based on their local expertise and quality. During the build, we were happy with how the project was planned and managed. The result is excellent and our employees are delighted with the new facilities.”

Smart glasses enhance end-to-end production line walks in digital transformation workshop (DTW) process

Made Smarter’s technology adoption programme is deploying smart glasses to SME manufacturers in Salford to virtually fast track their digital adoption strategies and navigate Covid-19 restrictions.

The wearable device enables technology specialists from Made Smarter to perform virtual end to end production line walks of factories with a business as part of the digital transformation workshop (DTW) process.

These fully-funded, bespoke workshops are led by technology advisers who cut through the jargon to provide impartial advice to help a business identify the most effective technologies to overcome their operational challenges. 

The virtual visit allows advisers to dial in to a conference call and watch each manufacturing operation being performed in order. This enables discussions around inputs, outputs, process control, and quality performance in order to provide a clear picture of each businesses’ bespoke operation. 

The introduction of smart glasses has enabled Made Smarter to overcome access restrictions and limitations caused by the pandemic to get the vital insights needed to support the manufacturer’s digital transformation. It also gives manufacturers a valuable opportunity to test how this emerging technology could be used in their business.

Will Kinghorn, Industrial Digital Technology Advisor for Made Smarter, said:

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“In the wake of the pandemic we redesigned our digital transformation workshops to continue delivery when in-person visits were not possible. 

“This approach has helped 141 manufacturers in the region engage in a streamlined process designed to accelerate manufacturing growth by identifying digital tools and technologies that can maximise operational processes.

“In that same spirit of innovation, as we tread a cautious roadmap out of lockdown, and to minimise the spread of the virus, we have developed virtual line walks.

“When it comes to how things are made there is no substitute for seeing it for yourself, but the use of smart glasses is a fantastic alternative. They are specifically designed to keep both your hands free, letting the wearer demonstrate how things work, what products look like, or easily show relevant paperwork.

“We have designed these workshops to require minimal time investment for manufacturers to turn the actions into results, while still allowing participants to focus on the day-to-day operations of the business.”

 

Made Smarter has different types of smart glasses to suit different requirements including: the Epson Moverio; Realwear HMT-1; Vuzix Blade; and Magic Leap.

The glasses come with a 4G dongle to ensure connectivity if there are WiFi or network coverage challenges. They even work offline, which means manufacturers can record a video of the production line walk which can be reviewed later.

The glasses are connected through Remote Eye software which enables a live stream video and the opportunity to take high definition screenshots which can be tagged in a library for swift access.

Viewers can also use a cursor to direct the wearer to any areas of interest and annotate the picture in real time.

Digital transformation workshops identify other ways the Made Smarter programme can support a manufacturer including: fully-funded digital technology internships to help implement projects and bring a fresh perspective and new skills into the business; specialist advice about workforce development and skills; and funding for new digital tools and technologies such as data and systems integration, robotics and automation, or additive manufacturing.

For more information visit madesmarter.uk

A family-owned construction company has made a strong start to its golden jubilee year with a £2.5m contract to build an extension at a Cheshire school, taking its order book to over £13m.

MC Construction, which is based in Salford, has begun work on the scheme at Park Lane Special School in Macclesfield.

The contract has been awarded by Cheshire East Council, procured through the North West Construction Hub framework.

It follows a project completed at the school which saw MC Construction build an emergency temporary mobile classroom block for the new pupil intake last September.

The latest Park Lane project means the company has secured more than £5.5m of education schemes for Cheshire East Council in the past couple of years.

These include one at Elworth Church of England Primary School in Sandbach, where MC Construction is building an extension to house four classrooms, offices, toilets and other facilities in a £1.5m scheme. The project also includes the creation of sports pitches and courts and a forest school area with trail paths.

Founded in 1971 by Charles Lowe and John Purcell, MC Construction has entered its milestone year with a strong order book, having secured contracts totalling more than £13m across the education, public sector, healthcare, leisure, heritage and industrial sectors.

The company is extending and refurbishing a two-storey building at Park Lane School alongside associated external works to form a new teaching block.

Park Lane School provides education for children with severe learning difficulties, complex needs and autism. The development will enable the school to increase pupil numbers from 82 to 122, in line with the council’s strategy of increasing specialist provision in the Macclesfield area. 

David Lowe, managing director of MC Construction and the son of co-founder Charles Lowe, said:

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“We are delighted to be working with Cheshire East Council once again and are immensely proud to be involved in this and other vital education projects in the area.

“The works will significantly boost educational provision in the borough. Improving the facilities and teaching environment at Park Lane School will enhance the outstanding resources that it already provides for its pupils.

“The school remains fully operational during the project, which has been carefully planned to minimise disruption, with an emphasis on ensuring the children feel safe and enjoy the construction works.

“Park Lane School and Elworth have welcomed us with open arms as we work together to ensure the construction works are delivered safely.

“With a strong pipeline of contracts across a number of sectors, we have begun our 50th year in business in great shape and look forward to the future with optimism.”

 

Santander has announced that it is to close 111 branches up and down the country by the end of August this year and two branches in Salford are facing the axe.

The Spanish-owned money lender said that the 'majority' of branches facing closure were under three miles from another Santander branch, with the furthest being just five miles away.

It said that all of the 111 closing branches were within half a mile of at least two free-to-use cash machines. 

Branches in Swinton and Walkden are just two of the swathes being axed.

The branch in Swinton is set to close on the 1st of July , whilst the Walkden branch is set closure even earlier on the 24th of June.

The Eccles branch based on the local shopping precinct was closed back in March 2018, whilst the branch located within the University of Salford, Manchester, Lady Hale Building was permanently closed after a temporary closure in March 2020.

This effectively leaves Salford without it's own branch of the bank with closest now being over the City border in neighbouring Manchester.

A manufacturer from Salford has urged others to follow in their footsteps by adopting technology and digital tools to survive and thrive.

Businesses from across the region shared their insights at the Made Smarter: journey to digital manufacturing conference which was attended by 300 delegates from across the industry.

They included Atec Solutions, based in Swinton, which designs, manufactures and repairs complex electronic and electro-mechanical equipment used in the aerospace, defence, nuclear, and oil and gas sectors.

Andrea Hough, Managing Director and member of the Made Smarter Pilot Steering Group and Made Smarter Commission, was on a panel discussion featuring industry leaders Juergen Maier, Chair of the Digital Catapult and co-Chair of the Made Smarter Commission, Stephen Phipson, the Chief Executive of Make UK, Andrea Hough, Glyn Jones, Service Delivery Director at Lancashire-based BAE Systems and Chair of the Made Smarter Pilot Steering Group, Donna Edwards, Managing Director of the Growth Company and Made Smarter North West Adoption Programme Director, and Matt Ellis, Assistant Director of Made Smarter for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

She told the conference:

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“We really are a showcase for what Made Smarter can do to help SMEs. 

“Our first step was a digital transformation workshop to analyse our products, processes and people to see where the challenges and opportunities were. It created a roadmap to adopt digital tools which will create efficiencies and growth over the coming years.

“Data Systems and Integration is the root of our digital tech strategy. Identifying that data was the key to change was the lightbulb moment. This data has provided the invaluable real-time oversight to assist decision-making.

“My message to other manufacturing leaders is to encourage you to look outside the business for best practice and create some time in the day to start to implement change and focus on keeping up with digital transformation. None of us are going to survive if we do the same thing day in and day out.”

 

Among the other Greater Manchester SME manufacturers to share their insights was Fabricon Design, a specialist in advanced manufacturing methods based in Ashton-under-Lyne, MacKinnon and Saunders, a world’s leading puppet-maker for TV and Film based in Altrincham, DRM Industrial Fabrics, a textile manufacturer based in Bury; Arden Dies, a Stockport-based die and tooling manufacturer; Bindatex, a manufacturer of advanced materials based in Bolton; Crystal Doors, a manufacturer of bespoke vinyl wrapped furniture components based in Rochdale; Creative Apparel, a clothing manufacturer based in Stockport; and Starlight Bedrooms, a furniture manufacturer based in Bolton.

They are among 1,200 businesses that have engaged with the Made Smarter North West Adoption programme over the last two years

Now after securing additional funding from the government, Made Smarter is looking to engage with hundreds more manufacturers in the city region, offering matched funded grants towards technology projects; expert, impartial technology advice; digital transformation workshops to help manufacturers take their first steps to transform their business; a leadership programme; and funded digital technology internships.

Opening the conference Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester praised the role of the Made Smarter North West Adoption Programme in supporting economic growth plans for the region.

Mr Burnham was among 44 experts and panellists sharing their insights and experiences at the Made Smarter: journey to digital manufacturing conference.

Addressing 300 delegates at the virtual event, Mr Burnham said:

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“Greater Manchester led the first industrial revolution and there’s no reason why we cannot lead the fourth, that will increase our productivity, clean up our air and our environment and meet our climate targets.

“The next industrial revolution will look to digitalisation and decarbonisation as twin forces that will shape industry for the rest of this century. Being a leader in both those areas will make this city region a leader globally.

“Made Smarter brings all these things together and looks at how we would support our traditional manufacturing base to become zero-carbon and fully digital and realise the productivity benefits that will come from that, but also the savings that will come from being more efficient and smarter in the way we operate.”

 

Meanwhile, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng underlined the importance of manufacturing through the pandemic and the UK’s drive towards recovery, growth and net zero:

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“Made Smarter has a critically important part to play in all of these targets,” he said. “Industry leaders have made clear that digital technology is vital to recovery and to the growth of UK manufacturing and they are all backing Made Smarter to achieve this.”

The theme of collaboration was prevalent throughout the conference.

For more details about Made Smarter visit https://www.madesmarter.uk

The UK low cost supermarket chain has submitted proposals for its new store that it is hoped will regenerate the area around Mocha Parade in Lower Broughton which was built in the 1970's.

If approved by Salford City Council it will become the 14th store within Greater Manchester as the chain expands across the country. 

Subject to approval, work on the store will start later this year with demolition of the existing building, erection of the store and extensive landscaping, as the area is known to attract wild birds including water-foul.

The plans include what is described as a flood basin along with a wild flower meadow which should provide an area for the local wildlife as well as become a focal point in the area. The store will be built upon a flood plain and has seen flooding in recent years but the opening of a new flood basin and wetlands in Kersal has been a huge game-changer for the area as it has provided protection to local homes and businesses.

In Feb 2020 the newly opened flood basin was put to the test during the worst of storm Ciara, a test it passed with flying colours.

When opened the multi million pound investment will provide around 40 jobs in the local area with a further 40 jobs to be created at another store in Castle Irwell.

Residents with questions can call Lidl’s consultation team via their Freephone number 0161 8176225.

Full planning details can be found on this link : Plans

MC Construction has won a place on a new three-year framework for improvement
works at the internationally-renowned Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire.

Salford-based MC Construction has been appointed by the Science & Technology
Facilities Council (STFC).

Part of the Science & Technology Facilities Council, STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory
has more than 300 staff and is located at Sci-Tech Daresbury, which spans nearly
200,000 sq metres.

MC Construction achieved the highest overall score in the tendering process for
refurbishment, replacement and maintenance projects worth up to £500,000 in value.

Its first-place ranking means it will be awarded all works up to £15,000 in value under
the terms of the framework.

The estimated total spend under the agreement will be up to £2m a year.

Projects will range from minor construction works to extensions and lab and office fit-outs.

Russ Forshaw, group operations director at MC Construction, said:

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“STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory is internationally recognised for its world-leading scientific
research.

“We are thrilled by our appointment to improve and maintain this inspiring campus
via the new framework, and coming first in the tender process highlights that our
experience, processes and personnel are of the highest standard to deliver a wide
range of projects.

“The framework will enable us to showcase the flexibility we offer via our core
construction business and facilities services division. In addition, our specialist local
supply chain, who will be helping to deliver small and large projects, will have an
important role to play in the delivery of future schemes.

“We look forward to starting projects in the near future and to building a strong
relationship with the client.”

 

MC Construction undertakes building projects throughout the north west with a focus
on the commercial, education, heritage, hospitality, industrial, local authority, social
housing and healthcare sectors.

Its other framework partnerships include Manchester Airport, Royal Mail Group,
Transport for Greater Manchester, the University of Manchester, Salford City
Council, Cheshire East Council, STAR Procurement, the Crown Commercial
Service, North West Construction Hub and the Rise Construction Framework.

The family-owned business is based on Oldfield Road, Salford, and employs 60
people. It is celebrating its golden jubilee in 2021.

Photos: Kevin Freddy Media

After a Review which took place earlier in the year, the Trustees Savings Bank (TSB) at Moorfield Parade in Irlam is set to close on the 25th of May.

The move comes as the TSB revealed that 67% of all its customers are now using mobile, online or telephone banking, and in some branches they see an average of just 20 customers regularly visiting each week.

Staff are now urging its customers to use the Branch in Eccles in the future should they require counter services as the bank moves more towards online banking as a way to provide its services. 

The move is part of a larger set of closures of which the TSB hopes will bring them savings of £100m by 2020.

However, not all customers are happy at the prospect of having to travel an extra 4.5miles to visit a branch of their bank. Elderly customers are expected to be impacted upon the most due to the changes, with many unable to access or use computers, mobile phones or the internet.

Full details on the move can be found below.

A further 14.6 acres of land around the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford is to be sold to make way for the development of warehouses and combined office space, totalling 275,000 ft.

The land is currently in the ownership of CosCoS, (The City of Salford Stadium Community Stadium Limited), which is a partnership between Salford City Council and Peel L&P, and terms have been agreed to sell the site to an experienced developer in the logistics sector.

Subject to planning, work on the new units could start by the end of the year and create around 350 new jobs. The planning team will consider issues such as infrastructure, accessibility, public transport and green space as part of the process.

The sale follows land bought by Greene King and Aldi with a number of other potential sales being discussed on the remaining 25 acres of development land.

The news indicates the strong market interest in the location and will, when all sales are completed, deliver investment in excess of £100 million, an estimated 800 jobs and business rates income each year of around £2million.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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“It is fantastic that CosCos are selling further land around the AJ Bell Stadium. There is strong interest in the remaining development plots and we are confident that the City Council will fully recover its investment in the project when all are bought.

“What was once derelict land is now a catalyst for jobs, growth and investment in our city.

“The development of the land around the stadium is more critical than ever as we start to plan our recovery from the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

 

Not all have been so upbeat about the development news as the Mayor, with some local residents taking to social media to claim that the siting of warehouses upon the land signals the end of a now failed dream to turn the area into a thriving retail park with the formerly named Salford City Stadium as the focal point, as just two plots were sold to Aldi for a supermarket and Greene King which built the Barley Farm public house on land close to the stadium.

A covenant that was in place which restricted the use has been pretty much torn up, as despite years of attempting to sell the land, the market for retail units in the area was clearly just not there. The land is located within distance of one of Europe's largest shopping centres (The Trafford Centre) as well as just a short car ride to an already established shopping centre just a motorway junction away.

A number of potential sales have been mooted by local Salford councillors over the years but they ultimately failed to materialise into anything significant.

Meanwhile others commenters on social media said that realistically speaking it is better to find some use for the land which can start to benefit Salford than to leave it vacant for potentially many more years to come.

The plots are now set to be repurposed as industrial and employment space.

James Whittaker, Executive Director for Development at Peel L&P said:

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“Receipts from the land sales are being used to repay CosCos loan, including funding supplied by Salford City Council and Peel L&P that was instrumental in the development and operation of the AJ Bell Stadium. The site has significantly benefited from the £46milllion investment into the Western Gateway Infrastructure Scheme that was completed in 2018.

“The site is closely linked to Peel L&P’s adjacent Port Salford initiative which will deliver 320,000 sqm of employment space supporting up to 10,000 jobs. The £60million rail terminal is under development and will lever in £140 million of private sector investment creating at least 2,500 jobs and secure a reduction in CO2 emissions of 14,900 tonnes per annum by taking freight movements off the road.”

 

This morning Asda revealed that it is to being consultation with its employees as it plans a massive restructuring of its business which could put 5,000 jobs at risk, including 3,000 support jobs.

The proposed cuts would include in areas such as cash management, where there is less work as more people have been increasingly shopping online for groceries.

The company aims to focus more on its online retail and delivery services which have become heavily used during the pandemic.

Asda has increasingly come under pressure from smaller lo-cost supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl, both of whom are fast becoming a major source of competition. The companies more traditional rivals like Tesco and Sainsburys are having similar problems as more and more people look to cut the cost of their weekly shop.

Lidl is opening two new stores in Salford soon, one on the site of the old Mocha Parade in Lower Broughton and the second at Castle Irwell. The company opened a new store in Winton not too long ago.

The smaller supermarkets were never really considered a threat but with the nations finances under pressure, so are they.

Overall there has been a huge shift to online shopping as people have been forced to social distance but some have cited the current plans by Asda to be a step in the wrong direction as when the country reopens and the pandemic is a footnote in history, they predict people will return to the shops and traditional ways to shop. 

If the shops and services are not there then they will simply go to the ones which are.

Both Lidl and Aldi have seen a boom in shopping in recent months and have even gone so far as to give staff wage increases and bonuses to reflect their increased profits.

Asda chief executive Roger Burnley said:

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"The pandemic has accelerated change across the retail sector especially the shift towards grocery home shopping and our priority is to serve customers in the way they want to shop with us.

"The last 12 months have shown us that businesses have to be prepared to adapt quickly to change and I am incredibly proud of the way we demonstrated our agility and resilience through the pandemic."

 

Salford based telecommunications provider Talk Talk, who took up residency of the former boiler house at the 'SoapWorks' in Ordsall (Salford Quays) back in 2017, announced more than 50 six-month work placements for young people, as part of the Government’s Kickstart Scheme.

The Kickstart Scheme is run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and will last until the end of 2021. It provides funding to create new job placements for 16- to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment, having been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis.

Department for Work and Pensions data shows that there were 83,000 people aged 16-24 who were unemployed and on Universal Credit in the North West as of June 2020. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, between March 2020 and October 2020, there was also a 75% increase in people on Universal Credit in the North West.

As one of the region’s leading employers, they are offering roles to at least 50 young people across all areas of the business. Positions will be available in customer relations, communications, technology, and administration initially, with the potential to extend into other departments later in the year.  

They began advertising the roles over the weekend and are now accepting applications. The jobs are only available to young people currently receiving Universal Credit.

Advertisements and more information can be found in local job centres and on the TalkTalk careers page: careers.talktalk.co.uk. Applicants are advised to seek advice from their work coach before applying.

They will also be selecting applicants with the help of The Prince’s Trust, a charity which supports young people on their journey through education and workplace training. Potential new starters will be taking part in development bootcamps before being directed to TalkTalk for an interview. Aside from facilitating the interview process, the bootcamp also offers sessions and advice on employability, workplace skills and office 101 training.

All placements will be paid Real Living Wage for 25 hours a week over the six-month contract period. We will review the placements once the six-month contract ends, with the potential to place those on the Kickstart Scheme into full-time positions.

Daniel Kasmir, Chief People Officer, said:

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“We know that the North West has faced some difficult times over the last year, with many young people experiencing unemployment and job losses as a result of the pandemic.

“Thanks to the Kickstart Scheme, we’re able to provide some much-needed opportunities for young people in our area to gain real-life work experience, learn new and transferable skills, and workshop their CVs so they can secure a fantastic job in the future, be it with us, or elsewhere.

“Both TalkTalk and our Kickstart placements will benefit from this great scheme. We welcome fresh blood and new ideas – something a tech company like ours cannot do without.”

 

Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP, said: 

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“It’s great to see TalkTalk backing this Government’s Kickstart Scheme with recruitment for 50 young people to get on the employment ladder in roles across the region – giving local talent crucial work experience in areas from finance to social media in this exciting industry.

“Our Plan for Jobs is creating vital fresh opportunities, boosting job prospects and supporting employers to recruit in key growth sectors, as we push to build back better and level up the country.”

 

Today we visited Brookes Cycles on Liverpool Road, Eccles to have a chat with the owner, Nick Bayman who gave us an update on how the shop is coping with the Covid crisis.

I posted on Facebook over the weekend that I had been told the shop was closed and was possibly closing down, I was inundated with replies and memories from people who had bought bicycles from their over the years and so  many memories of Mrs Brookes and her kindness and if not eccentric methods of payments for the bikes often on a weekly basis, not to mention her i at a premium, so call in the shop whilst you can.

The family have been selling bicycles for 130 years and it is thought they have been trading in Eccles for almost 100 years, which must be a record in itself, almost everybody I know have bought a bicycle their children and their parents bought them one as well, I know I bought Sean's there.

So please support your local business in these troubled times, you know it makes sense!

Many thanks to Martin O'Neil https://www.photographyinfrance.fr/ for the use of the photos in the video.

The 2020 Technology Innovator Awards returns for its fifth year, allowing Corporate Vision magazine to reward firms working in this demanding sector for their innovation and excellence in business practice, as well as their outstanding overall performance.

Technology has become one of the most important aspects in our daily lives and is all around us; from instant communication and entertainment, to improvements in services and security, every aspect of the modern business market has been influenced by technology in one way or another.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is widely considered to be the next giant technological leap towards global interconnectivity and integration.  The Internet of things (IoT) describes connecting everyday physical objects— “things” to the internet through embedded devices equipped with sensors, software, and other technologies. This enables “things” like plant, machinery, building systems to be controlled remotely, provide live performance data and advise their operators of impending electrical or mechanical failures before they occur.

Corporate Vison’s Awards Manager, Laura Hunter comments upon SanCloud’s achievement within the IoT arena:

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“SanCloud has become an industry powerhouse in pushing forward advances in the Internet of Things. SanCloud offers a range of innovative products and solutions that are in use today in many different kinds of domestic, industrial, and commercial applications. The firm’s relatively unique capabilities are enabling its loyal and impressive customer base to stay ahead and benefit from the very best solutions. A well-deserved winner with a lot of exciting IoT developments in the pipeline".

Over the last few years, SanCloud has grown to become a highly influential British brand  recognised by IoT specialists within major companies across the global automotive, electronics, power, and IT security sectors. With a customer portfolio that spans forty countries across six continents and includes Boeing, Fujitsu, Peugeot, Stanford University, and Toyota to name but a few, along with its evolving product range, SanCloud is perfectly poised with its world-class hardware and software engineers to help companies solve diverse and complex IoT problems.

As the IoT has become a core part of technological innovation in the last several years, SanCloud’s mission has evolved to focus on developing its offering of BeagleBone Enhanced (BBE) range of Single Board Computers (SBCs). These SBCs provide the perfect smart IoT device empowering customers with an unparalleled blend of processing power, speed, and connectivity to all manner of ‘Things’, as evidenced in the diverse range of applications they support.

Marc Murphy, SanCloud’s Director of Software Engineering comments on SanCloud's latest innovations:

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"Equipped with the latest ARM dual core and quad core processors, our next generation of BBE’s will increase processing power and speed to support more demanding IoT applications. The BBEs also come with onboard sensors, multiple inputs and outputs including multiple USB ports to enable physical connectivity with all types of ‘Things’. These ‘Things’ can be controlled and monitored via both Ethernet and wireless connections.

"Alongside our SBCs performing the function of Smart IoT devices is the option of an IoT turnkey device-to-dashboard solution. This incorporates a cloud-based web platform that is highly customisable with the reliability and versatility required to effectively solve all types of IoT challenges.

"Critical to keeping ahead in a market that is moving at a remarkable pace, we design our IoT devices to support Open Source development. This approach truly empowers our customer’s engineering teams to take control of their own deployments. We also offer hardware and software engineering support, enabling customers to embrace new technology and the outstanding potential that the future of IoT can bring. SanCloud’s customers regularly report back how their concepts become reality, going to market with relative ease and speed."

 

Carl James, SanCloud Director of Sales & Marketing comments

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"Above all, we are passionate about what we do and the efforts of our highly skilled multi-disciplinary teams are a shining example of how a technology business operating in the rapidly growing IoT sector, can prosper amidst these challenging times. The testament of this is the nature and diversity of the companies we engage and retain, as well as the wealth of positive feedback we continue to receive. SanCloud is now experiencing a steep, yet sustainable growth trajectory as we onboard more customers and launch more exciting product innovations in the near future."

Get in touch

To find out more about SanCloud, please visit www.sancloud.co.uk email: info@sancloud.co.uk or call +44 (0)161 790 3488.

Salford Council have passed plans for developers Salboy to go ahead with their first phase plans to redevelop the former student village off Cromwell Road and Littleton Road.

The development is close to the site of the former racecourse which has recently been developed as a protective flood basin and wildlife and waterfowl oasis within the city.

The new development will see 157 homes built across four plots on land acquired by the company from the University of Salford in November 2015.

The project will see a mix of two - three and four bedroom homes built at first with two additional phases adding a further 110 and then 233 homes at a later date if further plans are given the green light.

There is also talk of a possible school on the site.

Calderpeel have been Chosen as the architect's who will work along with Euan Kellie Property Solutions as planning consultants.Simon Ismail, managing director of Salboy, told Place North West:

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“Getting detailed planning on the first phase of new homes at Castle Irwell means we can now push on and turn this brownfield site into a new community of contemporary high- quality housing with lots of green open space.

“We will be revealing more details shortly with a view to launching sales next month and the first homes will be completed by mid-2021.”