North West business briefs: SSO Logistics; Fanattik; Pioneer Place; UCLan; PM+M; NORD; Her Game Too; Alcedo Care
A St Helens logistics specialist has wrapped up a 12-month distribution deal with a packaging supply company, also based in the town, after significantly reducing its damage rates.
SSO Logistics has secured a new contract Venturepak, which supplies injection moulded plastic containers and other packaging products to the food industry. Venturepak turned to SSO Logistics for support having previously struggled to find a reliable logistics partner who would work on reducing its high damage rates.
Reducing damages was a major priority for the packaging supplier as it specialises in food safe containers, which cannot be used if damaged due to the risk of contamination. SSO Logistics, which has sites in Haydock and St Helens, is transporting the goods through the Pallet-Track network. As a member of the network, SSO works with other independent haulage companies to transport goods nationwide.
Martin Barber, director at Venturepak, said: “I’ve worked in the packaging industry for many years and previously struggled to find a reliable logistics partner, as I encountered the same problems with every transport company. Due to the lightweight nature of the products we import and distribute, they are difficult to stack and cause pallets to become top-heavy, which increases the risk of them going over and the products being damaged.
“This is a major issue as most of our customers operate within the food industry, so if products are damaged they pose a contamination risk and cannot be used. Any refused goods then must be sent back and replaced. The frequency of the damages was a significant cost to our business and eliminating the issue has been key to making our business more profitable.”
SSO Logistics director, Peter Draper, said: “We are pleased to have had such a positive impact on Venturepak’s overall business by working with Martin and the team to mitigate the risks associated with their freight. For us to provide a tailored service, it was vital we fully understood the problems they were facing and introduce ETAs and rapid response times. As members of the Pallet-Track network, we can provide Venturepak with real-time tracking on their goods which is an additional benefit for its customers.”
::
Cheshire based Fanattik, the pop culture company, and Japanese video game giant Konami Digital Entertainment Inc, have signed a global merchandise licensing deal that includes three of their biggest brands: Metal Gear Solid, Castlevania and SILENT HILL.
Anthony Marks, Fanattik managing director, said: “There is so much in the pipeline for all three franchises. This is a great partnership for Fanattik and the retailers we supply. What started out as a casual conversation during my visit to Las Vegas Licensing Expo last year has evolved into something with such huge potential.”
With the popularity in retro gaming, Fanattik will be working with several retailers to create exclusive pieces for Metal Gear Solid, Castlevania, and SILENT HILL in 2023.
Fanattik is best known for iconic film-related gifts and collectibles being a licensee for Universal Studios, Hasbro, Paramount Studios, TOHO Studios etc, but over the past few years it has grown its video game portfolio, becoming a licensing partner also for Microsoft, Bethesda, Capcom and many others.
Melissa Tudor, Fanattik creative director, said: “We have a lot of experience working with Japanese studios. We will be bringing all this experience to the table when creating gifts and collectibles that will appeal to video game fans of these titles.”
::
Latest plans for the scheme
The £23m Pioneer Place leisure complex currently taking shape in Burnley town centre has announced Nando’s as its latest tenant, with Burnley Council leader, Cllr Afrasiab Anwar, saying: “It’s massive news that Nando’s is coming to Burnley. There have been rumours floating about and it’s great to be able to confirm that a deal has been done.”
He added: “It’s the result of a lot of hard work by council officers and our partners in this exciting development. Nando’s will bring in visitors from a wide area and help create a buzz across the town centre that will benefit other businesses who will the see the positive impact from the increased footfall. It will encourage people to stay longer in town, especially into the late afternoon and early evening, and boost the town centre economy.
“Pioneer Place is fast taking shape and we’re almost there – I’m sure people can’t wait for it to open.”
A spokesperson for Nando’s said: “We are excited that the news is out and we can finally share that we are coming to Burnley. Bringing all the PERi-PERi heat, we will be opening later in the year.”
The complex, which will include a seven-screen cinema and five retail and leisure units plus a 226-space public pay-and-display car park, is set to be opened in late summer 2023. The multi-screen cinema will be operated by REEL Cinemas which will continue to operate from its current site in Manchester Road, Burnley, until it moves to Pioneer Place. It is estimated Pioneer Place will support around 180 jobs, with a further 100-plus jobs being created in the cinema and supporting food outlets.
::
Future apprentices and local employers are invited by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to attend a free degree apprenticeship matchmaking event.
UCLan’s Spark Apprenticeship Marketplace will be held on March 30, on the Preston Campus and is open to employers and learners across all industries. The day-long session will provide those interested in completing a degree apprenticeship with the chance to be introduced to employers looking to develop their workforce.
Learners will meet with businesses for a five minute speed interview during a two-hour speed pitching session, and those who impress may be invited for a further interview with an employer. In addition, attendees will 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: “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. This day-long session will provide the perfect opportunity to do just that.”
The event, which runs from 9.30am-1.30pm, is free to attend by both employers and future apprentices but people are asked to book in advance via Eventbrite. The Spark event is an extension of UCLan’s Apprenticeship Matching Service, which was launched during National Apprenticeship Week in February and runs all year round. The service provides employers with a free specialist recruitment package, tailored to their needs, with step-by-step support from vacancy to appointment.
::
Ryan Bilsborough
Blackburn and Bury-based chartered accountancy, business advisory and financial planning group, PM+M, has acted in a deal that saw Blackburn-based Your Castle Caretakers be acquired by Wigan’s Oltec Group, for an undisclosed sum. All of Your Castle Caretakers’ staff and clients have been transferred to Oltec Group as part of the acquisition.
Your Castle Caretakers was established in 2013 and works across the North West. It specialises in commercial cleaning, facilities management and maintenance for clients operating in both the state and independent education sectors.
Oltec Group is a provider of building maintenance, security, and cleaning services. Its broad client base is spread throughout the UK and includes companies in the corporate, transport, logistics, retail, healthcare, and legal and finance industries. The firm was established in 1974.
Lionilde Laverman, managing director at Your Castle Caretakers, said: “After years of hard work and dedication, now felt like the right time for us to sell. Oltec Group’s infrastructure, reputation and reach will, I’m sure, aid the firm’s growth and we wish them all the best.”
Olivier Cavaliere, Oltec Group CEO, said: “Over the years, Castle Caretakers has built up a strong reputation and is a fantastic addition to our offering. This deal is another step in our ambitious growth strategy.”
Ryan Bilsborough, corporate finance manager at PM+M, handled the key elements of the sale, which was agreed and completed in eight weeks. Other advisors involved in the deal included Sonio Singh, corporate and commercial partner at Davis Blank Furniss, and his colleague Lauren Sever, associate solicitor, who acted for Oltec Group, and Rebecca McCann, senior associate at Forbes Solicitors, who acted for Your Castle Caretakers.
::
NORD Baked Alaska
Liverpool’s latest new dining space, NORD, is set to open in the 18-storey Plaza, on March 23, run by joint operators GSG.Hospitality and Chef Daniel Heffy.
Influenced by Chef Heffy’s time in Scandinavia, the NORD menu highlights locally sourced ingredients prepared in a contemporary way. NORD aims to showcase the incredible produce created by Northern suppliers. With this in mind, all fish and seafood will be supplied by Birkenhead-based fishmonger, Wards Fish, while Caterite in Cockermouth, which has one of the largest salt chambers in the UK, will provide fresh meat. Warrington farm, Field 28 will also be a supply partner providing high quality specialist leaf, microgreens, edible flowers and heritage vegetable varieties.
A native of Liverpool, Daniel’s career has spanned the city including founding cult supper club, Secret Diners Club, before being appointed head chef at local favourite, Buyers Club. He was also a driving force behind the successful street food concept CAHITA. Daniel then moved to Stockholm in 2017 to work in Frantzén (3 Michelin Star), before joining the esteemed Nordic restaurant, Adam/Albin (1 Michelin Star) as head chef. He said: “Partnering with the best suppliers the North has to offer has always been the ethos for NORD and I’m proud to be working with some of the top businesses around to create a menu unlike the city has seen before.”
Matt Farrell, co-founder and executive director of GSG.Hospitality, said: “NORD will offer something really different for the city with a menu that features accessible, yet exceptional quality food, showcasing regional produce. We can’t wait to open the doors and welcome people to what is set to be an incredible dining experience in Liverpool.”
Charlotte Wild, head of retail and leisure, Bruntwood Works, partners at The Plaza, said: “It’s very exciting to get a glimpse of what’s to come at The Plaza. We are absolutely delighted that this extraordinary building is to become a dining and drinking destination in its own right – the menu revealed so far looks set to ensure that NORD will not only provide an amazing ground floor offering for the existing community within The Plaza but also attract guests from far and wide.”
::
Seamus Coleman and Gabby George
Everton FC’s Seamus Coleman and Gabby George have become the first Premier League and Barclays Women’s Super League players to sign up as official advocates of Her Game Too.
The duo kicked off their formal support of the campaign by inviting youngsters from an Everton School Supporters’ Club to the Finch Farm training ground for a special event to celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8). In December 2021, Everton became the first top flight football club to formally support Her Game Too, which aims to champion women in sport and tackle sexist and online abuse.
Coleman and George will raise awareness of Her Game Too and its key messages, and educating teammates and fans about progress and positive steps being taken at Everton and beyond. Men’s senior captain Coleman said: “Women have a massive place in football, not just playing but watching, commentating, punditry – whatever it may be. I want my daughters and other young women and girls to have the same opportunity as I have had and to be able to enjoy the game in a safe environment where they always feel they belong.”
George said: “Having women’s footballers out there on Sky Sports and the BBC playing and commentating is great. Children growing up will see that and see that it is part of the game now, whereas growing up that wasn’t the case for my generation. I believe as the game grows, attitudes towards women in the game – be that playing, watching or working in the game – will continue to get better.”
Sam McPartland, Her Game Too’s Everton Ambassador, was behind the idea to introduce player advocates, with encouragement from the Everton Fans’ Forum Her Game Too lead Tony Sampson. Sam said: “I’m so proud of Everton, Seamus and Gabby for committing to this. Players are role models to supporters of all genders and, with their profiles, I think they can make a huge difference.”
::
Cassie Cody
North West-based Alcedo Care Group has expanded its portfolio and launched a new division, Children’s Complex Care, which will offer nurse-led clinical care services for children with complex care needs.
The company’s team of carers provides personal care for children in the comfort of their own home, helping to get them up and ready for school, feeding and administering medication and ventilation. They also take children out and about, from swimming lessons to play centres, ensuring they benefit from social interaction and retain their hobbies.
With comprehensive training in place, Alcedo says its team can care for children with brain injuries, epilepsy, congenital syndromes, as well as those with enteral feeding requirements and compromised airways.
As clinical lead for Children’s Complex Care, Cassie Cody, said: “The launch of this new service was the natural next step for Alcedo Care Group, supporting children with complicated care needs in the comfort of their own and helping maintain their interests outside of the home, ultimately enriching their lives.”
Alcedo currently looks after approximately 25 clients across the North West through its Children’s Complex Care service, offering flexible hours to suit the client’s need. The company hopes to develop the service over the course of the next 12 months, increasing the number of clients it supports and expanding the team.
