North West business briefs: Whitecroft Lighting; Private Client Solicitors; Rossendale Council; Bowland Brewery; Élan Laser Clinics; GSG Hospitality
Ashton-under-Lyne based commercial lighting manufacturer Whitecroft Lighting has been recognised for its work on 10 of the emergency COVID-19 Nightingale Centres, including the facility at the Manchester Central Conference Centre.
The NHS ProCure 22 (P22) framework has highlighted the speed and cost at which it supplied critical specialist healthcare lighting as part of the NHS’s rapid response to the pandemic.
Whitecroft not only met the exceptionally short deadlines dictated by the potential rapid spread and impact of the virus, but did so within the Framework’s usual capital and operational budgets.
The Nightingale Centres were emergency large-scale healthcare facilities constructed inside existing buildings, such as Manchester Central and the Excel Conference Centre in London, as well as emergency wards set up in existing hospitals.
Converted in just a matter of days at the height of the first wave of the pandemic, the Nightingale Centres were designed to treat COVID-19 patients, and support mainstream NHS Hospitals with the hope of isolating the spread of the virus.
Karen Bramman, healthcare director at Whitecroft Lighting, said: “The unique set of circumstances and deadlines were in many ways the ultimate test, and on reflection it’s clear that Whitecroft’s specialist knowledge and experience in the healthcare sector enabled us to react so effectively at the time.”
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Three partners at new boutique private client firm Private Client Solicitors (PCS) have been ranked individually in the Chambers & Partners HNW Guide 2022 for Private Wealth Law in Manchester and surrounds.
Tasnim Khalid is ranked in Band 1, Paul Gotch is ranked in Band 3 and Nicola Walker has been ranked as ‘Up and Coming’.
The hat trick for PCS partners comes as the Manchester practice won the Chambers & Partners ‘Emerging firm’ of the year award last week during a glittering ceremony in London.
Managing Partner Tasnim Khalid said: “I am so unbelievably proud of what we have achieved, all the blood, sweat and tears are paying off! When putting the firm together, I knew our Partner team was special.
“It’s amazing that such prestigious institutions are already recognising what PCS can bring to the table and we can only thank those who have supported our journey and continue to support us.”
Commenting on the award win, she added: “We are a new firm, and we couldn’t be prouder of this recognition. We know we have the best team in the world, and being recognised for a national award is a culmination of the hard work and focus on delivering quality and value to our clients.”
PCS is a boutique Private Client law firm specialising in succession planning – Wills, Trusts, Family Investment Companies, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and Estate Administration, Court of Protection, Charity and Shariah law for both national and international clients.
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Plans for Rawtenstall Market
Rossendale Council is seeking £17m from the new Levelling Up Fund (LUF) from the Government to assist with major developments across the borough.
A Levelling Up Board made up of large businesses, smaller scale entrepreneurs, creatives, community groups and key public sector partners like Rossendale Council, Lancashire County Council and the Nelson & Colne College Group, have developed the bid.
Council leader, Alyson Barnes, said: “Rossendale is already a great place to live, work and invest, but with a little help and investment from central government we can make it even better. Traditionally we have had lower skilled jobs in Rossendale, and we want to improve conditions to attract those businesses that will bring with them higher skilled and better paid jobs.
“That includes making our town centres better to attract investment, boosting footfall in the town centres, improving our road system and opening a skills and training centre in the heart of the borough.”
Improvements are focused on streamlining the gyratory system in Rawtenstall, reconfiguring Rawtenstall market, redeveloping the site of the existing Bacup Market and creating a new centre for skills provision in Rawtenstall working with Nelson & Colne College. The bid will be submitted by the first week of August and the council hope to hear if it has been successful in the autumn.
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Andrew Warburton
Clitheroe-based Bowland Brewery has reported a 21.5% rise in turnover to hit a record £1.7m for fiscal year 2021-22 against pre-COVID year 2018-19, while profits more than doubled with a 109.5% increase to £229,000.
The family-run brewer of premium cask ales has sold more than 1.1 million pints of cask, 400,000 bottles, and directly supplies pubs, hotels and bars across the North of England since 1983, with national distribution via Coors.
The brewery is owned by Andrew and James Warburton who took it over in 2014. Since then, the brewery has expanded its core range of ales and added a Pilsner to its range in 2020. During the past financial year, Bowland Brewery has expanded its offering into gin and has begun distilling its first London Dry, Bowland No.1, which was launched earlier this month.
Managing director, Warren Bennett, said: “Despite the challenges we faced as we began to operate in a post-pandemic climate in 2021, we have remained in a strong position and as a result have ended the year with some fantastic results. Our team are at the forefront of this success, navigating a trading environment that we could never have anticipated.”
He added: “The hospitality sector has suffered immensely since March 2020, and we are grateful for all the support we have received from both trade and non-trade customers who have helped us not only return to sustainable business levels, but achieve such outstanding results.”
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The Liverpool clinic team
Élan Laser Clinics has made a £626,000 investment in a new unit at the busy Metquarter Shopping Centre in Liverpool, initially creating six jobs, following on from its launch in Leeds in February.
The business, which provides personalised aesthetic laser and skin treatments, has also moved its head office hub to Liverpool, adding more jobs, as it grows its infrastructure and expands across the UK.
Two retail units, comprising 1,760 sq ft of space, have undergone an extensive re-fit to create a luxury spa-like environment with five treatment rooms, plus a reception and a retail area. Designed to combine the latest medical grade technology with a luxury spa-like experience, the new clinic offers a range of laser and aesthetic treatments from laser hair removal and tattoo removal to facials, skin rejuvenation, cosmetic injectables, fat freezing and body contouring.
Clinic manager, Heulwen Mullen, said: “Liverpool is a vibrant city with a mixed community. We think the luxury feel of the Élan brand fits well with the boutique retail experience provided by the Metquarter, allowing clients to have treatments where they live, work and play, but within a discrete shopping centre location.”
Having launched its first clinic in Leeds in The Springs, the company is due to open a third clinic in Hale Barns, Cheshire, as it continues its national roll-out.
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El Bandito, part of the Liverpool-based GSG Hospitality business, is undergoing an extensive refurbishment and new concept Manolo is opening in the former Santa Chupitos site on Slater Street.
Manolo has been created by the owner of Salt Dog Slims, Nick Thomas. Next door, El Bandito is undergoing a refurb which will upgrade the interior spec. There will also be a new outdoor seating area and new cocktail menu with the venue reopening in August.
John Ennis, director of Santa Chupitos, said: “We’re really sad to see Santas go and have loved watching it evolve and welcome thousands of people since we opened in 2009. Since COVID, things have changed drastically for the hospitality industry – there’s been a huge shift in clientele and we recognised that Santas wasn’t trading the way it had done pre-COVID.”
He added: “Santas will always be really special to GSG Hospitality as it was our first ever venue and the first independent cocktail bar in the city centre. It was the catalyst for others to open their own venues and we thank everyone for their support. El Bandito was due an upgrade and we’re really excited to reopen Liverpool’s world famous tequileria this summer after a refurb, the introduction of outdoor seating and a new cocktail menu.”
Nick Thomas said: “Manolo will bring a fresh concept to the area with expertly crafted Caribbean-inspired cocktails, modern drinks, bar snacks and an entirely new aesthetic. I have been working diligently behind the scenes for years now on some of the ideas and concepts that I want to bring into Manolo. I have been working on lab-based projects and redesigned classic drinks, to what I believe makes a truly unique guest experience.”
