North West business briefs: Salford Rum; Lancashire Cricket; HMRC; Starbucks; Justin Kellett Opticians

The Salford Rum Company has secured a listing in 14 Morrisons stores in the brand’s North West heartland.

Following listings in 90 Co-op convenience stores nationwide last month, Salford Rum’s Dark Spice variant is being rolled out to Morrisons stores this month, widening the availability of the popular rum brand for its ever-growing fan base.

A celebrated rum after winning a silver medal at the World Rum and Cachaca Awards, Dark Spice blends specially selected rums from Barbados, matured for up to eight years in ex-Bourbon, American white oak casks. Salford Rum Company’s expert distillers combine these pot and column distilled rums with a distinct spice blend to deliver an exceptional Dark Spice rum with flavours of vanilla, coconut, burnt caramel and cloves. The perfect pairing to cola or ginger beer, Dark Spice also works well in a variety of cocktails.

The retailer listings have been secured thanks to fellow Greater Manchester company, Ten Locks – a drinks company that focuses on conscious, progressive premium spirits brands and unique liquids that have a story to tell.

Thomas Elliman, buying manager for the region at Morrisons, said: “After watching the brand with interest and noting its growing army of followers, providing an off-trade outlet for this popular, versatile – and delicious – liquid, makes sense. The ceramic bottle provides great stand out on shelf and we are keen to see what our shoppers get up to, cocktail-making wise.”

Tommy Gaughan, co-founder of Salford Rum, said: “This listing is a huge step forward for the brand, and we are so pleased that local fans of Salford Rum can grab a bottle of Dark Spice while they do their weekly shop. We see it as the start of something big – and we wouldn’t be where we are without the unwavering support of our loyal customer base that has stuck by us for the last two and a half years.”

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Emirates Old Trafford

Lancashire Cricket says that Emirates Old Trafford will be a cashless venue when crowds return this month. The move will come into effect from today (May 17), when Lancashire’s Second XI host Middlesex, and will then apply to all future matches.

In order to give guests the safest and best possible matchday experience when they are welcomed back, while also improving efficiency across the venue, Emirates Old Trafford will accept card payment only.

The club said that, during a time when safety of its members, supporters and staff is its number one priority, the use of contactless card payments is preferred, and safer, than the handling of cash.

This quicker form of payment will also reduce queues around the venue, enhancing the matchday experience inside Emirates Old Trafford by allowing fans to miss less of the action while having peace of mind during transactions. The move to cashless also applies to the venue’s non-matchday conference and events business and the on-site Hilton Garden Inn hotel.

Lancashire Cricket’s operations director, Steve Davies, said: “There are several reasons behind Emirates Old Trafford becoming a cashless venue, the main one being that the use of contactless card payments significantly minimises the potential for spreading the virus. By moving to a fully cashless operation, our guests can also expect to experience increased speed and shorter queue times at our retail store, bars and food kiosks.”

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HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is accepting tax relief claims for working from home due to coronavirus during 2021/22. More than 550,000 employed workers have already claimed and are benefiting from the tax relief.

If employed workers were told to work at home by their employer because of coronavirus and, as a result, their household costs have increased, they are eligible to claim the working from home tax relief. It is quick and easy to claim via HMRC’s online portal.

HMRC received more than three million claims for the tax relief for the 2020/21 tax year.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s director general for customer services, said: “Half a million people have already reduced their income tax this year by up to £125, by claiming tax relief on their working from home expenses.

“We want everyone who’s eligible to benefit, so we’ve made it quick and easy to do online. Check if you’re eligible and apply at GOV.UK by searching ‘working from home tax relief’.”

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The new Dunnings Bridge Road outlet

A new Starbucks Drive Thru opened at Dunnings Bridge Road, Liverpool, last Friday (May 14). Operated by Starbucks licensee, Blackburn-based EG Group, the store has created 12 jobs.

Rob Todorov, Starbucks brand manager at EG Group, said: “We are excited to open our new store in Liverpool and becoming a part of the local community.

“The team are closely following the latest guidance from both the Government and health authorities to keep everyone safe.”

Seating will be available inside the store from today (May 17) in line with next phase of the Government’s reopening roadmap.

The new store is located at Dunnings Bridge Road, in Bootle, a busy thoroughfare from the M57 and M58 motorways, leading to the Port of Liverpool’s Seaforth docks complex.

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Justin Kellett

A boutique opticians in Horwich has bucked the trend on the high street during the pandemic and is now projecting further sales growth following the purchase of new larger commercial premises, with financial support from Barclays.

Justin Kellett Opticians recently purchased the former Barclays branch on Winter Hey Lane, supported by a six-figure commercial mortgage from the bank, which has resulted in turnover almost doubling.

The independent opticians serves the local community and beyond, drawing patients from across the North West. Forced to close its doors for long periods during the pandemic, the new premises have enabled the business to continue to grow sales with additional support through its online platform which has been vital to supporting their growth in the past 12 months.

Justin Kellett, said: “Some might say expanding a business during a pandemic is foolhardy, some may think it brave. One thing is for sure, given the right support from a banking partner you are ready to hit the ground running when the green shoots of recovery return, as we all know they will, and capitalise. We are now well positioned as the economy starts to recover, we will be looking to recruit more staff to cope with the influx of new business from our fantastic new premises and further extend the online presence with new ecommerce platforms.”

Louise Fenton, Barclays business manager, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome Justin and the team to Barclays and so pleased we have been able to support him expand and grow the business during such a challenging period. This entrepreneurial spirit is so important to the fabric of the local business community and we look forward to working with Justin to support the future growth and success of the business.”