North West business briefs: Lapwing Deli; EQUANS; Manchester Drinks Co; UCLan; Harrison Leisure Group

The Lapwing Deli team

Lapwing Deli, on Lapwing Lane, Didsbury, has received a £70,000 loan from the Regional Growth Fund managed by Manchester-based social impact lender GC Business Finance to help purchase the business and develop the premises which is now under new ownership.

Jack and Jay purchased Fusion Deli in October 2021. After meeting at work, the pair teamed together to realise their joint ambition to venture into the hospitality industry. When they saw the deli was up for sale, they jumped at the opportunity to purchase it. The pair have since rebranded the popular community deli, now called Lapwing Deli.

The pair worked with GC Business Finance to secure the loan, which was used to purchase the deli and make subsequent improvements. This has included kitting out the kitchen to prepare more dishes on site, developing the back of the shop into a seating area and bar, obtaining an alcohol license to allow them to operate in the evening and buying new furniture throughout the interior and under the veranda.

Additionally, Jack and Jay have grown the team of staff, recruited a full time manager and created a full time kitchen role to expand on the food produced on-site on top of existing part-time roles.

Jay Anderton, co-owner at Lapwing Deli, said: “Didsbury is a great area, and we’re seeing lots of independent shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars thriving. We wanted to bring this same energy to the Lapwing Lane parade. Lapwing Deli brings all those things together. The previous owner had already built a great establishment with some dedicated customers, and we want to build on this while adding our own modern spin.”

Paul Deighton, senior loan manager at GC Business Finance, said: “Our flexibility and people-first approach means that we are often able to provide finance to those who have previously been denied by their usual providers. We were pleased to have been able to support Jay and Jack in helping to realise their goal of owning this deli and are looking forward to visiting once all the renovations are complete.”

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Bruntwood SciTech Alderley Park

EQUANS has been awarded a facilities management and maintenance contract at Bruntwood SciTech’s Alderley Park campus in Cheshire – the UK’s largest single site life science campus. The contract includes mechanical, electrical, public health and water hygiene services, as well as minor works and capital projects.

Home to more than 250 life science and technology businesses, Alderley Park offers in excess of one million sq ft of office and laboratory space. The EQUANS contract initially covers around 24 buildings with more due to come into scope as the campus is redeveloped. EQUANS will also apply its net zero expertise to support Bruntwood SciTech’s commitment to minimising environmental impact.

Improved efficiencies in maintenance are also projected, underpinned by training and development of the site team and deployment of dynamic scheduling through the latest computer aided facilities management system.

Alex Edwards, head of infrastructure and energy for Bruntwood, who provide Bruntwood SciTech with facilities management support, said: “Our new FM partner needed to satisfy a range of strict criteria, most notably support for our energy ambitions through a collaborative approach and investment in staff, technology and technical expertise. EQUANS was able to satisfy all of these criteria whilst offering value for our business.”

Scott Birch, EQUANS UK & Ireland regional managing director, said: “The technical expertise we bring to the contract, through both site-based and central teams, ensure we can add value to their operations, while also reducing costs and carbon emissions.”

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Bury-based Manchester Drinks Co has secured a contract to export its unique Mystical Unicorn Gin Liqueur to Canada. The spirit will be distributed along the Eastern seaboard by the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation.

Already popular in the UK, Mystical Unicorn Gin is traditionally distilled with pure mountain water and infused with candy floss and marshmallow flavours.

Co-founder, Richard Benjamin, said: “The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation is a huge company in north America with over 100 stores. We were thrilled when they contacted us about Mystical Unicorn Gin. Because it’s made in small batches, the plan is to sell it in Nova Scotia at first and then extend into neighbouring New Brunswick and Newfoundland later this year when we’ve got a feel for demand.

“This is our second export deal of 2022, so our focus is very much on ensuring we can meet increasing UK demand for our products while taking full advantage of export opportunities. We love the idea of a Manchester brand being on the shelves of stores in Canada and are genuinely excited to be flying the flag for Britain overseas.”

Manchester Drinks Co was founded in 2005 by Richard Benjamin and Brian Levine. The company produces ready-to-drink products including soft drinks, cocktails, seltzers and small batch gins which are sold throughout the UK and further afield.

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The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is inviting future apprentices and local employers to come together for a series of matchmaking events.

The UCLan Spark apprenticeship marketplace events will take place on the June 29 and 30, and July 5. They will focus on engineering, construction, business and digital sectors.

The day-long events at both the Preston and Burnley Campuses will introduce people interested in completing a degree apprenticeship to employers looking to develop their workforce. Businesses will meet several potential future degree apprentices on a one-to-one basis during a two-hour speed pitching session, where they can award opportunities to those who impress them. Attendees will also hear from keynote speakers and take part in a question and answer session with an industry panel.

Martin Blunt, head of the UCLan Enterprise Engagement Unit, said: “We are looking forward to holding this Spark event again for the first time since the pandemic. It is so important that our future apprentices understand the pace of change within the sector they want to work in, and the best career opportunities open to them. These day-long sessions provide the perfect opportunity to do just that. Employers will not only be matched with talented people but also learn more about how they can benefit from the Lancashire Levy Transfer Network.”

Each event runs from 9.30am-3.00pm and employers and future apprentices are all required to register for the event via Eventbrite.

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CEO Michael North, left, and owner and George Harrison Jr

Harrison Leisure Group will add its support to the worldwide relief efforts in Ukraine, by donating £500 to the British Red Cross every month from the sales of holiday homes for the 2022 season to international aid and humanitarian organisations in Ukraine.

The business, established more than 40 years ago, is a family-owned and operated company.

It operates six holiday parks across the North of England, in Northumberland, Cumbria, Southport, Thirsk, Ormskirk, and Preston.

George Harrison, one the founders of Harrison Holidays, said: “Our thoughts are with anyone affected by this crisis and we hope our actions as a company will help the British Red Cross in providing essential humanitarian support when it is needed most.”

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