NW business briefs: Tangerine Group; Creed Communications; Inform Direct; Sync; British Business Bank; The Deansgate

Fylde-based Tangerine Group has continued its long-standing investment in its colleagues by rewarding them for their contribution to business growth with a substantial bonus package for the 16 th consecutive year – with several long serving employees receiving a five-figure sum.

It said 57 employees with more than two-years of service have been awarded an annual profit share bonus, sharing a £400,000 bonus pot, with those who have been with the business the longest receiving up to £10,000 in their October paycheck.

Chairman, David Haythornthwaite, said it is important to recognise the significant role that his employees make to the overall success of the business. The profit share bonus is just one of the ways that the business is supporting its team. Earlier this year, the Tangerine Group also became one of the first companies in the UK to introduce an additional Cost of Living Payment to help staff with the increase in energy and fuel costs.

The family-owned business, which comprises animal health and nutritional brands, VetPlus, Agri-Lloyd and Farmsense, as well as the purpose-built leisure complex, Mill Farm Sports Village in Kirkham, has enjoyed another year of strong financial results. Turnover for the group increased from £34.8m to £37.4m, with pre-tax profit slightly down at £7.4m.

David said: “I am pleased that once again we are able to share the company’s profits with our colleagues as a reward for their valued contribution to our business success, particularly during these challenging times. We’ve continued to expand across the globe and it is great to see that the number of people who have received a profit share bonus this year has risen by 19%.”

In its 27-year history, the Tangerine Group has increased turnover and profit year-on-year and has a global presence with exclusive partners or wholly owned subsidiaries in 42 countries. It manufactures all its products in purpose-built facilities in Lytham.

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Creed Communications team

The owners of Altrincham-based communications agency, Creed Communications, have sold the company to its employees, to reward and develop them following 15 years in business.

The firm specialises in marketing support for employer branding, people communications and talent attraction. The business was established in 2007 by shareholders Caroline Hill and Simon McLoughlin, who will continue to lead the business as working directors. The firm, which counts Iceland, Jaguar Land Rover and Vodafone among its clients, has grown its headcount over the past decade to 20 staff. It plans to hire more experts to support organic growth under the new employee-owned model.

The specialist EOT team at Brabners and Xeinadin group firms (Xeinadin Corporate Finance, Kay Johnson Gee taxation advisory and Philip Carrol accountants) advised Creed on the deal and establishment of the firm’s new employee ownership trust (EOT).

Caroline Hill said: “Our talented people make all the difference to our company and clients, and so it’s fitting that after 15 successful years in business that we should reward and recognise their contribution by moving to an employee-owned model. This move ultimately sets us up to look ahead to the next 15 years of business and beyond, as we develop our experts and leaders for the future, remain agile and independent and support more organisations as they grapple with the constant and changing demands of the employment market.”

Stephen Hadlow, corporate partner at Brabners, said: “Since founding the business, the people-focused ethos fostered by Simon and Caroline has been absolutely key to Creed’s success. Becoming an employee owned business is a natural next step for Creed in that it preserves a hard-won cultural identity and independence – and will allow the business to retain and attract talented individuals for the future.”

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John Korchak

Latest figures have revealed that Merseyside is home to more than 80,000 companies for the first time.

There are now 80,451 businesses registered, according to company secretarial software specialist Inform Direct, based on statistics from Companies House and the Office for National Statistics. Leading the way is: Liverpool, with 36,577, followed by Wirral (16,129) and Sefton (14,390).

John Korchak, operations director at Inform Direct, said: “It is excellent news to see that Merseyside has achieved this important milestone. This underlines its success in providing a supportive environment for business ventures resulting in an active economy.”

Merseyside offers a number of benefits to companies choosing to locate there including cost-effective operating costs, excellent connectivity throughout the UK and overseas by air and sea and a skilled workforce, attracting graduates from Liverpool University and Liverpool John Moores University.

There’s also a vibrant start-up culture, providing unique opportunities for innovation and knowledge transfer.

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Accredited IT specialist, Sync, has been awarded a place on the Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) framework for Software Licences & Associated Services for Academies and Schools, a framework geared towards aiding educational institutions across the UK in the acquisition of software.

Worth up to £2.8m, the framework will provide schools and academies with a one-stop solution for the procurement of computer software licences and associated services from six lots, including Microsoft, Adobe and Google.

Manchester-based Sync will be included in this framework over the next two years, with the opportunity to extend the contract at that time. Schools on the latest CPC framework will have access to competitive pricing and special conditions exclusive to education, as well as substantial discounts on academic software, licences and software services. Sync is one of a select few to be awarded a place across all six lots. The full list includes: Microsoft; Adobe; Google; Data Security, Backup and Recovery; Other, off-the-shelf software; and Multi-purpose Lot.

Head of sales at Sync, Tom Crump, said: “Our acceptance onto this framework solidifies our reputation as a Trusted Advisor in educational institutions across the UK. We’ve had great success in the past on other Crescent Purchasing Consortium frameworks and appreciate that more and more institutions will be purchasing centrally through frameworks like this. Even more so as the push towards academisation continues across the country.”

Sync has supported more than 7,000 schools and Multi Academy Trusts for around 30 years. It was instrumental in the introduction of iPad in education. In 2020, The IT services provider partnered with Oasis Community Learning on the Oasis Horizons scheme, to supply more than 37,000 devices to primary, secondary and sixth form students and staff across 52 Academies.

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Louise McCoy

Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank, has named the top local authorities for start-ups across the UK, based on the number of Start Up loans successfully drawn down since 2012 by borrowers in their areas in comparison to other local authorities, with Hyndburn the top location in the North West.

It recorded 275 Start Up loans, worth almost £2m, successfully drawn down since 2012, representing 5.7 in every thousand local adults. It also ranked second highest in the UK. Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley and Bury closely follow.

Louise McCoy, commercial director, Start Up Loans, said: “It’s wonderful to see Hyndburn recognised in the North West for its contribution to entrepreneurship.

“I’m always inspired by the stories of small business owners who have used the Start Up Loans programme to take the leap into business ownership.

“The North West has an ever-growing pool of diverse small businesses and I’m pleased to see that, with the help of Start Up Loans, they’re able to access the finance they need to grow and contribute to the local economy.”

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The Deansgate

Iconic Manchester pub, The Deansgate, has officially reopened its doors, bringing three floors of first class food and drink, as well as live entertainment to the city once more.

After closing during the pandemic in 2020, the pub, which started life in the city in the 19th century, has undergone a three-month refurbishment, to transform the space into an authentic city pub, with a modern twist. The refurb includes the full transformation of the venue’s existing two floors, as well as opening up a third-floor space, taking the venue’s capacity to 312 seats. There’s also two roof terraces, with built-in seating, lighting and outdoor heaters.

In a nod to the history of the pub, the refurbishment has been careful to retain some of its original features including the stained-glass windows, external frontage, ceilings, and woodwork, while also giving the venue a modern, on-trend feel. New features include green décor and solid wood flooring and bar areas, and the introduction of booth style seating on all floors. The ground floor also includes a feature bar area in a half moon shape, made from solid wood in the venue’s signature green colour, with bespoke brass fonts and a glass back bar.

As well as a whole new look, guests will also be able to enjoy an exciting new food menu which features a mix of pub classics as well as sharing plates and platters. Traditional dishes include Steak and Ale Pie and Beer Battered Cod and Chips, as well as classic Sunday Roasts, with a range of meat options or Nut Roast Wellington, served with all the trimmings.

Jonathon Evans, general manager, said: “The Deansgate has always been a Manchester staple, from when it was first opened back in the 19th century and we’re so excited to be able to open its doors once more. The transformation from an empty space into a proper, yet modern, pub, has been months in the making and we’re looking forward to welcoming guests back.”