NW business briefs: Eurovision; Manchester United; MCS Certified; Sovini Group; Project Cosmetics; Porsche Centre Preston

Rail passengers travelling through Liverpool Lime Street station for the opening ceremony of Eurovision 2023 are being advised to carefully plan their journeys.

This Sunday (May 7), 25,000 people will attend ‘The National Lottery’s Big Eurovision Welcome’ – a ticketed event outside St George’s Hall – to mark the start of the world-renowned song contest. With the large crowds expected, Network Rail is reiterating its three top travel tips for the opening night: Plan your journey in advance by checking www.nationalrail.co.uk; allow extra time to travel – a queueing system will be in place during busy times; travel light – keep luggage and bags to a minimum as trains will be very busy.

With the event finishing at 10pm, people are also being urged to know exactly how they plan to get home, and not to rely on the last mainline train services.

Kyla Thomas, Network Rail Liverpool Lime Street station manager, said: “You can feel the excitement really building in the city with Eurovision almost upon us, and we have good plans in place to make people’s journeys through Lime Street station as smooth as possible. On the opening night this Sunday I’d urge people to plan their route home carefully, allow extra time for journeys, and not rely on the last trains as they will be extremely busy.”

Meanwhile, Merseyrail has announced late-night services on Sunday 7 May and Saturday 13 May’s Grand Final. Some of its city centre stations will be entirely closed or exit only during the busiest times. For more details on the extended services across the Liverpool City Region visit: www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-journey/eurovision

Jane English, Merseyrail acting managing director, said: “Merseyrail will be running services until after midnight on Sunday 7 May to help get everybody home after the Eurovision Big Welcome event. We’ve worked closely with our partners and stakeholders to be able to provide the extra services that will be needed as this huge event gets underway in the city centre. We urge passengers to carefully check their journey plan, allow plenty of time, and to be patient as our stations and trains are likely to be very busy.”

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Manchester United unveiled a statue in honour of Jimmy Murphy at an event this week celebrating his extraordinary contribution to the club.

The ceremony took place on the 65th anniversary of Jimmy leading the club to the FA Cup final against Bolton Wanderers in 1958, three months after the Munich Air Disaster, in which 23 people, including eight players, lost their lives. Murphy missed the fateful trip because he was coaching Wales on the path to their first appearance in a World Cup finals. In the aftermath of Munich, he helped steer Manchester United through its darkest days as Sir Matt Busby fought to recover from his injuries in hospital.

Wednesday’s ceremony was held at the Stretford End of Old Trafford and was attended by more than 1,000 fans, members of the Murphy family, senior club leaders, the sculptor, Alan Heriot, and members from the 1968 European Cup winning side which Jimmy coached together with Sir Matt. The crowd also heard a special message sent from Sir Alex Ferguson.

The statue joins those of Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson and the Unity Trinity of George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law at Old Trafford. It was proposed by a coalition of fan groups, who championed the case for Jimmy to be recognised along with those other legends outside the Theatre of Dreams.

Richard Arnold, Manchester United chief executive, said: “We listened and agreed with them. It is wonderfully fitting that the statue stands at the Stretford End of Old Trafford, overlooking the old ash-cinder pitches where Jimmy would train the Babes. A special place, on a special day, for a special person in Manchester United’s history.”

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Appentice Harry Phillips and Paul Leedham, Matrix Energy Systems MD

The MCS Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship is among six green apprenticeships hand-picked by industry experts to mark the Coronation in recognition of their sustainability credentials.

In honour of His Majesty The King’s Coronation, the apprenticeships have been selected for their contribution to creating a low carbon economy by ensuring the country’s workforce is equipped with the skills needed to support the transition to net zero. The official Coronation emblem will be used by employers and government to promote the apprenticeships as they are recognised as the gold-standard for green skills training.

Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, said: “As we work towards our net zero goals, it has never been more important to prioritise green skills and protect our natural environment. In recognition of the critical role education and skills play in responding to climate change, these green apprenticeships have been selected in honour of His Majesty The King’s Coronation.”

Ian Ripping, CEO of Warrington-based MCS Certified, said: “One of the major barriers in increasing the uptake of low carbon technology in recent years has been a lack of qualified contractors to install systems due to limited training routes across the industry. Therefore, it is fabulous to see recognition from His Majesty The King and the Department of Education of the importance of increasing access to and awareness of green jobs.

“Later this year, following the support and dedication of a group of MCS certified installers in creating this apprenticeship, we will be helping build a dedicated pipeline of industry talent when we launch our Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship. We are delighted that the apprenticeship has received this approval.”

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Sovini Group staff

The Liverpool-based Sovini Group continues its net zero carbon commitment, achieving 100% recycling rates of their construction waste for 2021/2022.

The property, facilities and construction company which manages and maintains more than 14,000 homes and boast an ambitious new-build housing programme, surpassed industry standards of 80% recycle rates, through its innovative supply-chain. Sovini Waste Solutions, part of the group, provide it with a bespoke waste management solution which supports the business’s continuing commitment to going green.

Sovini’s in-house property and facilities management company, Sovini Property Services (SPS), has also diverted more than 6,000 tonnes of waste from landfill during 2021/2022.

In line with the group’s net zero carbon commitment and the Future Buildings Standard (2021), all projects and initiatives take a ‘fabric first’ decarbonisation approach aimed at reducing energy consumption and providing sustainable homes for customers.

Operations manager at Sovini Waste Solutions, Tony Beckett, said: “We are proud of the service we deliver which supports our customers and communities in creating a more sustainable future.”

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Joy Howieson

Manchester cosmetics house, Project Cosmetics, said that, having already cemented itself as a go-to in the non-invasive lip-plumping market, it has now launched into the skincare category with PROJECT FACE, available in the UK and US.

Founder and CEO, Joy Howieson, started her career as a make-up artist at MAC Cosmetics in Selfridges where she noticed a demand from clients asking for luxury vegan lip care.

First launched in 2017 with its lip-plumping range PROJECT LIP, the collagen-boosting and lip-plumping products have now expanded to coloured balms, hydrating lip masks, lip scrubs and coloured glosses that are now sold globally on Pretty Little Thing, Look Fantastic, Beauty Bay, REVOLVE, URBAN OUTFITTERS US and FashionNova.

Joy Howieson said: “Following the successful launch of our Plump & Fill Lip Liner & QVC sell-out in America with Project Lip, we are applying the same innovative plumping technologies to our new face range. We know our customers want minimal fuss vegan products that work harder and won’t break the bank. We’ve always championed that you are your own best project and this continues as we disrupt the skincare market.”

Project Cosmetics counts celebrities Rita Ora, Lottie Tomlinson, Maura Higgins and Batsheva Haart as fans.

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Adam Smalley

Porsche Centre Preston has confirmed a new sponsorship deal with Poulton racing driver Adam Smalley for the upcoming Mobil 1 Porsche Supercup race at Silverstone as part of the British Grand Prix.

The centre’s logo will appear on Smalley’s car and hospitality in the British Racing Drivers Club on July 7-9. The deal also includes exclusive coaching to Porsche Centre Preston customers who want to get the most out of their car on the track. Smalley will serve as a driver coach for PCP customers and share exclusive social media content from the race.

Tom Fox, managing director of Porsche Centre Preston, said: “We’re pleased that we’ve been able to support a local driver. He’s a gifted competitor – we can’t wait to see how he gets on. Better still, part of the agreement means some customers will enjoy unrivalled access to Adam and the team for an unforgettable racing experience.”

Adam Smalley is a rising star in the racing world, having won the title in three of the four categories he has raced in. He also won the 2022-2023 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Junior Scholarship Award in November 2021, succeeding Harry King.

He said: “I’m incredibly grateful for the support of Porsche Centre Preston. Their backing has allowed me to compete in the Porsche Supercup and showcase my abilities on the international stage.”