Top North West stories of 2018

The North West business community has seen a year of progress, and setbacks, throughout 2018.

Property deals have come thick and fast, although the region’s retail sector, like the UK, has not been immune from turbulent conditions throughout the year.

Across TheBusinessDesk.com’s North West coverage, the best-read stories include the $1bn Hut Group development at Manchester Aiport, the growth of Liverpool and Manchester law firm Brabners, a £40m acquisition by Moneysupermarket being given the green light, expansion plans by drug research firm Sygnature Discovery at Alderley Park, and the closure of two well-known Manchester restaurants.

Here are the top 20 most read stories from the North West over the past 12 months:

Firm splashes out $1bn on largest ever company HQ to be built in North West

The largest development ever built by a business in the North West is to be constructed on two sites at Manchester Airport.

Online beauty retailer The Hut Group has announced it is investing $1bn (£760m) in the one million square foot development.

The Hut Group has signed a deal to develop offices as well as studio space which will eventually be home to 10,000 workers.

Law firm poaches entire litigation team from rivals

Law firm Brabners has poached a financial litigation team from one of its rivals.

Brabners has taken on partners Jon Close and Phil Sheard, along with three members of his team.

Commercial litigation partner Phil Sheard joins the firm with his finance litigation, debt recovery and enforcement team from Hill Dickinson in Liverpool.

 
Moneysupermarket given green light to press ahead with £40m acquisition

Moneysupermarket.com has been given the green light to press ahead with a £40m acquisition.

The Chester based firm announced on the Stock Market this morning that the acquisition of Decision Technologies is to be completed within a matter of weeks.

 
Drug research company announces major expansion at science park

Drug research firm Sygnature Discovery has announced major expansion plans which will include a new facility at Alderley Park.

The expansion will result in the doubling of Sygnature’s drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) department.

The firm is also planning a sustained recruitment programme.

Two well-known city centre venues forced to close doors due to difficult trading

Two high profile Manchester venues have gone out of business putting almost 140 jobs at risk.

Up-market Manchester House and Artisan have both gone into administration.

Both venues are on Bridge Street in the city centre and were operated by the Living Ventures Group.

Fresh jobs blow as North West firm goes into administration

A one-hundred-year-old company which specialises in cleaning and beauty products is the latest business to hit serious problems.

Lancashire-based Kleeneze has gone into administration putting 140 jobs at risk. In recent days there have been a slew of announcements from businesses facing serious problems.

Law firm announces highest turnover in its history

North West law firm Bermans has announced record financial results for the fourth consecutive year.

The North West firm reported an increase in turnover of 12% from £5.3m to £5.95m for the financial year ending June.

80 jobs lost after food company placed into administration

The recent hot weather and currency fluctuations after the Brexit vote have been blamed for the collapse of a food company which had outlets in Blackpool, and Wakefield, Yorkshire.

Clifton Quality Meats was based in Blackpool, where it traded from three locations, as well as a site in Wakefield.

The £10m turnover firm supplied meat and poultry to the leisure, retail and education sectors, and boasted an 80-strong workforce.

Jaguar Land Rover’s new Manchester home is revealed

Property group Bruntwood has agreed a deal to bring Britain’s biggest car manufacturer, Jaguar Land Rover, to Neo in central Manchester.

The vehicle manufacturing giant will be opening a new software, IT and engineering centre in Manchester city centre.

It has taken the last two remaining floors at the 12-storey building, which Bruntwood says offers a distinctive collaborative environment for forward-thinking businesses.

Six of the region’s most popular golf courses closed as operator ceases trading

Six golf courses in the North West have been forced to close after the company which runs them collapsed.

Mack Golf has gone into liquidation with immediate effect.

The collapse of the firm has led to the closure of the popular course at Heaton Park in Manchester as well as Bowring Park Golf Course in Huyton, Merseyside, and Ellesmere Port Golf Course.

Knights Grange Golf Club in Winsford has also closed its doors along with Stanley Park in Blackpool and Stony Holme in Carlisle.

Senior corporate finance adviser arrested on conspiracy to defraud

A co-founder of corporate finance firm Seneca Partners has been arrested by the City of London Police investigating allegations of a major fraud.

Ian Battersby, who is the business development director of Haydock-based Seneca Partners, was one of three former employees of Kingsbridge Asset Management questioned by police on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.

Battersby told TheBusinessDesk.com the allegations are “groundless and without merit”.

High street carnage continues as fashion brand files for administration

The carnage on the high street is showing no sign of easing with yet another big name announcing major problems.

Fashion firm Bench, which was set up in Manchester in 1989, has announced it is filing for administration.

The move has put 176 jobs at risk in the UK and further 170 roles in the firm’s German operations are under threat.

Bolton construction company slides into administration

Anthony Collier and Ben Woolrych of FRP Advisory LLP were appointed joint administrators of Herbert T Forrest Limited, today, December 7.

The Bolton construction company employs around 230 people and provides construction, refurbishment and energy services across the North of England.

In March 2017 the company was refinanced, including additional shareholder support, in order to address cash pressures caused by a series of losses on refurbishment contracts.

Marks and Spencer closures scheduled for late April

Marks and Spencer is going ahead with the closure of two stores in Greater Manchester as part of its wider plan to shut 14 outlets across the UK.

Its stores in Stockport and Denton will close on April 21, the company said today (Tuesday, February 27).

Some 100 employees at the Stockport store and a further 36 at Denton are being offered alternative roles at M&S’s other outlets, the company said today.

Independent financial adviser enters administration

Manchester-based independent financial adviser Care Asset Management Ltd has gone into administration.

Partners Anthony Collier and Tom MacLennan from specialist business advisory firm FRP Advisory LLP were appointed joint administrators and are now seeking a buyer for the business.

The company specialises in investment advice for people in later life. It provides retirement planning, estate and tax planning, care fee funding, legal services and investment and wealth management services to circa. 280 clients across the UK.

Well known property professional dies during sponsored bike ride

Property market company director Neil Bowler has passed away, it has been announced.

A director of Manchester-based Jenics, Mr Bowler, 52, passed away yesterday.

He had been participating in the Jenics-sponsored Great Hotel Bike Ride from London to Manchester.

Manchester law firm set to make history with £1bn float

A law firm which was launched in Manchester just over a decade ago will be valued at £1bn when it is listed on the London Stock Exchange later this year.

The float will rake in a fortune for the 275 partners who work for DWF.

If given the go-ahead by the firm’s partners the flotation could see a small number of DWF’s senior manager handed £10 million in shares.

Building firm sets sights on expansion with new London offices

Building contractor McGoff Construction has announced plans to open a new office in London.

The company, based in Altrincham, recently celebrated 45 years in business and is marking the milestone by opening a second office in the capital. The new office will open later this year.

The firm has a number of clients in the capital and has a number of leading southern based projects.

Embattled energy firm forced to call in administrators

Troubled energy firm Flowgroup has been forced to call in the administrators after talks with its creditors came to a standstill.

The Chester-based gas and electricity supplier has been struggling for some time and 12 months ago its chief executive Tony Stiff stepped down.

The environmentally-friendly business, which has around 250,000 customers, launched a turnaround plan which included cost-cutting measures.

But this morning the AIM listed business announced on the Stock Market that it has been forced to call in the administrators.

Doors close at some of Manchester’s best-known bars as firm goes into liquidation

A company which owned a some of Manchester’s best known bars and restaurants has gone into liquidation with the loss of around 125 jobs.

Mark Andrew Developments – or MAD – owned 11 high profile venues across the city including four in the Northern Quarter.

The news is the latest blow for Manchester’s restaurant trade.