North West business briefs: TfGM; Three Little Words; PropCall; Nexer Digital; American Golf; Cataclean
Work to improve a key part of the Metrolink network in Manchester city centre is due to get under way next week. No trams will operate between Market Street and Shudehill tram stop while essential track replacement work is carried out from Wednesday, July 24, until Monday, August 19.
Passengers travelling between Piccadilly station and Victoria – in either direction – can board a replacement bus service or change trams at St Peter’s Square. A signed walking route will be put in place between Market Street and Shudehill tram stops. Further information can be found on the Bee Network website.
The works are part of a major coordinated programme taking place this summer to maintain and improve the Metrolink system to ensure tram journeys in Greater Manchester remain safe, reliable and accessible. Shudehill will also be closed to traffic where the Metrolink tracks cross the road between July 24, and August 5. A signed diversion route will be put in place for drivers and cyclists. Access to Manchester Arndale multi-storey car park will be maintained at all times during the works and businesses will be open as usual.
During this closure some bus services will be diverted, with customer information provided at affected bus stops. Customers can also download the Bee Network app for the latest information and to track the location of Bee Network buses. It comes after track replacement work at London Road was successfully completed on time earlier this month. A full list of summer tram improvement works can be found on the Bee Network website.
Pete Sommers, TfGM’s Metrolink Director, said: “Thousands of journeys are made on Metrolink every day of the week, which is why we’re always working to keep our passengers safe and Greater Manchester moving. During these essential works, we will be doing everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum with replacement bus services and signed diversions for vehicles and pedestrians. I would encourage customers to plan ahead – check our website for the latest travel information before setting off – and leave plenty of time for their journeys.”
On three consecutive Sundays (July, 28, August 4 and 11) additional works will also be taking place at Victoria from the start of service until 10am on each date. Normal services will start to resume from 10am. Replacement bus service will be operating to connect the affected services. Work to improve the Metrolink network in Manchester city centre will continue throughout the summer.
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Manchester cocktail bar, Three Little Words, has forged a new culinary collaboration with Japanese izakaya kitchen Etana, a partnership bringing together world-class cocktails and exquisite contemporary cuisine. Following a successful month-long pop-up at Exhibition in April this year, Etana will begin its residency at Three Little Words today (July 17), introducing an innovative dining experience to Manchester’s vibrant culinary scene.
Etana, meaning ‘to eat,’ offers an immersive Izakaya experience, a Japanese tradition of socialising, eating, and drinking. Led by Executive Chef Paolo Bianchi, Etana is on a mission to make high grade meats and fish accessible to everyone. The menu presents a curated selection of contemporary dishes that promise to be more than just a meal.
This exciting partnership, open Wednesday to Sunday, unites two Manchester independents, each founded by a passionate couple. Etana’s Steph and Paolo, and Three Little Words’ Jen and Seb, who each share a long standing love of hospitality and a dream of bringing people together over exquisite drinks and delicious food.
Chef Paolo’s career spans prestigious kitchens worldwide, including Michelin-starred Jean George, Zuma, Alain Ducasse, JV Pastor Groupe Monaco, The Ivy, and Gordon Ramsay restaurants. This partnership promises to deliver an exciting and fresh offering to Manchester’s dining scene, combining world class cocktails with world class food. Steph and Paolo said: “We are thrilled to bring Etana to Three Little Words. This partnership is a perfect blend of our passions, offering an innovative dining experience that celebrates the art of socialising, eating, and drinking, within the most beautifully sophisticated setting.”
Seb and Jen said: “Collaborating with Etana allows us to elevate our culinary offering and provide our guests with a truly exceptional experience. We can’t wait to share this exciting new chapter with everyone.”
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Bilal Mumtaz
BTR Operating, part of the John Lewis Partnership (JLP), has signed a contract to outsource its out-of-hours calls to Manchester-based PropCall.
Last year JLP launched a build-to-rent arm, in which it took over the management of hundreds of rental properties. PropCall covers both block and residential issues inside two of the buildings managed by the company, taking calls from tenants on evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
Using video-call technology, PropCall’s team of property managers is able to effectively triage issues, often resolving them over the phone with no need for emergency call outs, it said. With no app required, the video call chat is sent via a link to the caller’s phone and the video-call service allows PropCall’s team to freeze the screen and draw on the image to help clearly explain issues to tenants.
Bilal Mumtaz, Head of Sales and Business Development at PropCall, said: “By answering calls outside of normal working hours, we are able to quickly and efficiently manage tenant issues, protecting the company’s reputation and helping operations run smoothly.”
Rob Leonard, BTR Facilities Lead at BTR Operating, said: “PropCall reinforces the values and trust that are central to our John Lewis and Waitrose brands and the service we want to provide our residents with.”
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The National Employment Savings Trust (Nest), the UK’s largest workplace pension scheme, is continuing to modernise its service so it is accessible to all 11 million users and has extended its partnership with Manchester-based Nexer Digital, a human-centred design agency, following a successful two-year project.
The new two-year contract extension, worth up to £1.3m, aims to deliver a user-centred, digital-first pension service and further enhance Nest’s service design capability.
Nest, the Government-backed, auto-enrolment pension provider, has worked with Nexer Digital for the past three years to design a modern, user-centred pension service. The goal is to create a low cost pension service, which is easy to use and manage, and which can be delivered across multiple channels to meet the diverse needs of its 11 million members.
Nexer Digital has worked closely with Nest’s teams, service users and its scheme administrator to redesign crucial elements of the service in an inclusive, user-centred way. The focus will be on building internal capability and helping Nest to deliver a seamless, multi-channel experience for all users of the scheme, whether they’re employers, members or advisers.
Shaun Gomm, Commercial Director at Nexer Digital, said: “This continuation is a testament to the great work we’ve done together and our shared vision for the future. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and delivering a service that really works for everyone. This partnership has the potential to significantly enhance the service for millions of users, making it more user-centred and accessible.”
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Warrington-based UK-wide golf retailer, American Golf, has launched a personalisation service, ‘My American Golf – Corporate and Societies.’ This expansion caters to the needs of companies, golf societies, charities and tour groups, providing personalised golf products and clothing for large events.
Personalisation is available on a range of top golf brands such as Titleist, Under Armour, TaylorMade, FootJoy, Callaway, PING, Stromberg and more. A wide variety of products can be customised, including polos, caps, balls, bags, and gifts, making them perfect for team prizes.
Clients can personalise these items with player names, society and corporate logos, and even images. This service is made possible through American Golf’s partnership with Slick Stitch, a specialist in product personalisation.
Scott Taylor, American Golf Customer Marketing Director, said: “Our goal is to bring the same level of excellence in personalised golf merchandise to the corporate world and larger groups. We understand that event clothing and apparel is used time and time again, which is why we prioritise high quality, durable products and fast turnaround times. We are committed to delivering nothing but the best to our clients.”
Key features of the service include high quality personalisation, top golf brands, fast delivery, bespoke service and competitive pricing, said the retailer.
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Car repair group Kwik Fit has created a new partnership with Liverpool-based Cataclean, making it the official supplier of fuel and engine additives. The deal was signed at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed.
As part of this partnership, Cataclean’s range will be distributed to more than 700 Kwik Fit retail autocentres across the UK. William Jones, Sales Director of Cataclean, said: “Our fuel and exhaust system cleaner is an ideal product for Kwik Fit and its customers, offering a comprehensive solution that cleans the entire fuel and exhaust system in one simple treatment. This helps to reduce harmful emissions, improve MPG, and keep vehicles running better, cleaner, and longer.”
The announcement was made by ITV Sport presenter, Louise Goodman, at the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed. She was joined on stage by Mark Slade CEO of Kwik Fit, Cataclean brand ambassador and BTCC driver, Dan Rowbottom, William Jones and Alliance Automotive Group (AAG) /NAPA Key Account Operations Manager, Mat Adams.
Cataclean has supported multiple race-winner Dan Rowbottom since 2017 in the Kwik Fit-sponsored British Touring Car Championships (BTCC). Rowbottom’s on and off-track drive and commercial thinking has been instrumental in bringing the brands together. He said: “This truly is an industry-leading partnership. Everyone at Cataclean is looking forward to a long and prosperous collaboration with Kwik Fit. I’m extremely proud of this deal and it wouldn’t have been possible without our participation with the NAPA Racing Team UK in the BTCC and the relationships that we’ve been able to build there.”
Tom Gentle, Head of Retail Marketing at Kwik Fit, said: “We are thrilled to kick off this long term partnership with Cataclean. We look forward to showcasing Kwik Fit at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and strengthening our relationship with Cataclean.”
