NW business briefs: Merseyway Innovation Centre; Productivity Institute; The Zip Yard; ACC Liverpool

Merseyway Innovation Centre has reached 85% capacity, just a year after opening, having welcomed an influx of new users and several existing occupants increasing the size of their offices. 

Eight new businesses have taken space in the past quarter, leaving it with just two offices available to hire. The new users include branding, e-commerce and web design agency Create8, European innovation and grants consultancy PNO Consultants, and The Teenage Market, which gives young people a free platform to showcase their creative talents.

Other businesses now working from Merseyway Innovation Centre include JHR Solicitors, Human Made, Feeling and Healing Therapeutic Services, the National Union of Students, and Mentell.

Three existing users of the space have also upgraded their offices following expansion of their teams and operations. These include EK Automation Systems, Calculated Performance, and Sector 3.

Rob Kates, Centre Manager, said: “There is a lot of change taking place across Stockport. We are part of that transformation and the position we find ourselves in today. At 90% occupancy within a year of opening shows we have created something that businesses in the area really need.” 

Merseyway Innovation Centre has been made possible through funding from Stockport Council, the EU’s European Regional Development Fund (via Northern Powerhouse), the UK’s Shared Prosperity Fund and from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport’s Cultural Development Fund managed by Arts Council England.

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University of Manchester

The Productivity Institute, a public-funded research body headquartered at The University of Manchester, has launched a policy unit dedicated to informing thinking about the productivity growth needed to support the new government’s economic ambitions. It will be located at the Institute’s London hub at King’s Business School, King’s College London.

The Productivity Policy Unit has been established in response to the new UK government making economic growth, net zero and future-proofing the NHS three of its five missions key to raising living standards and wellbeing.

The unit has been launched with three core purposes: Developing research outcomes from The Productivity Institute into concrete policy ideas for key government decisionmakers; knowledge sharing among thought leaders from different policy fields to inform guidance; and serving as a response board for policymakers when productivity-related questions emerge.

It has identified three areas the Government should focus on as part of its strategy – net zero and the energy transition, exploiting potential, and tackling underperforming regional growth.

It will be led by Prof Andy Westwood, The Productivity Institute’s policy director, who said: “Productivity needs to be at the heart of all decision making on the economy in Whitehall. Our unit is designed to ensure policymakers have the information needed at their disposal to make long term decisions that improve our productivity and lay the foundations to achieve economic growth.”

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Kabir Sholagberu, right, with store manager Aishah Bibitayo

The Zip Yard, a clothing alterations and repairs franchise, will open its latest store in Salford on October 14. The store will create five jobs and plans to expand, with up to nine more hires, as demand for services grows.

Located at 39 Hankinson Way, the new store will be the second The Zip Yard store in Greater Manchester. It will be owned and run by Kabir Sholagberu Ahmed, an entrepreneur with a strong background in both fashion and business management.

Kabir’s journey in the industry began when he helped his mother run a successful business which he then combined with formal training in tailoring and fashion design. He said: “My curiosity around fashion has been a constant throughout my life, and I’m excited to bring The Zip Yard’s services to Salford.” 

In addition to creating jobs, The Zip Yard, Salford will be committed to promoting sustainable fashion. By offering high quality alterations and repairs, the store will encourage people to repair and reuse their clothes, reducing waste and helping to protect the environment.

Kabir added: “We plan to support local clothing retailers by collaborating and partnering with them, helping customers who buy from them to alter or tailor clothing. We also want to become an integral part of the wider community, supporting charities through in-store fundraising campaigns, with a portion of sales going to support local charities.”

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ACC Liverpool

ACC Liverpool has achieved the Green Meetings Gold Accreditation. This accomplishment recognises the venue’s commitment to eco-friendly practices, positioning it as a leader in the events industry when it comes to environmental responsibility.

The Green Meetings Gold Accreditation is awarded to venues that demonstrate excellence in sustainable operations, including waste reduction, energy efficiency, and promoting green initiatives within the community.

The venue has implemented a range of initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint, from installing air sourced heat pumps and LED lighting, promoting

sustainable waste management practices, and increasing biodiversity on-site.

Long term efforts to reduce carbon emissions are continuing to pay off after the latest figures show that the centre is ahead of schedule in its goal to reach carbon zero by 2030.

Adrian Evans, Director of Sales – Conference & Business Events, said, “Achieving the Green Meetings Gold Accreditation is an incredible honour for us. It’s testament to our team’s hard work and dedication to sustainability.”