NW business briefs: Gascoigne Halman; Maghull rail station; Barons Contract Furniture; Salford City Council; Sale Sharks

Cheshire estate agent, Gascoigne Halman, has acquired an estate agency in Nantwich, Baker, Wynne and Wilson, for an undisclosed sum, adding a 23rd office to the regional network that encompasses Cheshire, South Manchester and the Peak District.  

Established in 1992, Baker, Wynne and Wilson has a strong track record in property sales.  Under the leadership of John Baker and Simon Morgan-Wynne, with Mark Johnson continuing as a consultant, its team will continue to deliver local property expertise trading as Baker, Wynne and Wilson for the foreseeable future.

Gascoigne Halman chairman, John Halman, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Baker, Wynne and Wilson into the Gascoigne Halman family. The team’s focus on putting clients’ requirements at the centre of everything they do aligns perfectly with our values at Gascoigne Halman.

“We all believe that estate agency is a people business, and that local knowledge, professionalism and dedicated customer service is what everyone deserves when dealing with transactions as valuable as property. The experience of the team here is second to none and we are excited to have them on board.”

Gascoigne Halman’s arrival in Nantwich will increase the services the Pepper Street-based office provides with its team adding lettings and mortgage expertise to the successful sales and auction business. The office will further strengthen Gascoigne Halman’s presence in the south and west of the region, where its Tarporley and Frodsham offices already perform well.

John added: “These are exciting times for the property market. Labour has signalled a clear commitment to housing, and we are already seeing rising confidence among both property developers and consumers across the region.”

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World Cup of Stations winners

Maghull rail station has emerged victorious in the national grand final of the World Cup of Stations 2024, securing the title of Britain’s best railway station, beating the challenge from King’s Lynn and Dorridge.

The victory comes after Maghull’s impressive performance throughout the tournament, which saw the Sefton station capturing support from local customers, community groups, politicians and across local media.

This year’s contest celebrated the diverse businesses found in train stations across Great Britain, highlighting facilities such as delis, florists, and cafes that enrich local communities and economies.

Maghull’s success is largely attributed to both it’s fantastic station team and to its popular café, ‘The Coffee Carriage,’ which opened in 2024. Founded by two local entrepreneurs, the café quickly became a community hub, offering a range of hot drinks, artisan bakes, and a welcoming atmosphere that has drawn both regular commuters and residents.

Suzanne Grant, Chief Commercial Officer and Deputy Managing Director of Merseyrail, said: “Winning the World Cup of Stations is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the amazing support we have seen from the local community during the competition. Maghull station is a special place, combining a dedicated station team, a wonderful local business in the form of the Coffee Carriage and not forgetting our station volunteers, who keep it looking at its best.”

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With 50 years’ experience of fitting out care homes and assisted living accommodation, Barons Contract Furniture has become a corporate supporter of The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, as the business embarks on the next chapter of its evolution.

Based in Lytham and with a 70-strong team, Barons Furniture manages complete furniture fit-out projects, specialising in working with the care home and residential assisted living markets. Liaising closely with customers architects, managers and interior designers, it provides a one-stop shop, manufacturing a wide selection of high quality furniture, from upholstered sofas and chairs to dining and bedroom furniture.

Established in 1974, the privately-owned family business underwent an MBO a year ago, led by Garry Smith in the role of managing director and supported by Gary Lasham as chair. Since then, the £10m-turnover business has entered a new phase of growth, moving to a larger distribution centre in Leyland, and now joining The Furniture Makers’ Company. 

Gary Lasham said: “Having worked in the furniture industry for many years, including being familiar with MBOs, I joined Barons to share my experience and act as a mentor. I could see that there was a huge opportunity to drive the business forward and as I had been involved with other businesses that had joined The Furniture Makers’ Company, I know that membership will really help our transformation.”

Barons Furniture will be formally welcomed as a corporate supporter at an admission ceremony on December 10, at Furniture Makers’ Hall, London. Gary Lasham will be admitted as a corporate freeman and personally welcomed by the Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company.

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Salford Quays

Salford City Council has been named as the eighth-best council in the country in the latest IMPOWER Index, an independent measure of how efficiently councils deliver core services in relation to their budgets.

The index measures the productivity of councils across eight areas: Housing, homelessness, waste and recycling, high needs, children’s services, working age adults, older adults, and their relationship with health services. These areas cover around 70% of all local government spending. The top 10 list recognises those authorities who have outperformed their closest statistical neighbours by the biggest margin, across the most areas.

Salford City Council has been recognised for its work including having one of the best rated children’s services in the North West and commitments to improve housing standards and tackle homelessness.

Cllr Jack Youd, Salford City Council Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Finance, Support Services and Regeneration, said: “We’re really pleased to be recognised in the top 10 authorities in the country as it demonstrates our commitment to providing high quality services while ensuring value for money. It shows we’re one of the most efficient councils in the country.

“But we know that providing the best services to our residents, businesses and communities is not about rankings and league tables, it is in being able to respond to and work on behalf of the needs of our city.”

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Sale Sharks Women have signed a partnership deal with award-winning sports bra brand MAAREE. The deal is the first of its kind in Premiership Women’s Rugby and will see the Sharks players wear custom-fitted MAAREE sports bras in this season’s campaign and beyond.

MAAREE’s sports bras are designed and engineered to enhance an athlete’s performance. World-leading Overband Technology reduces the upward motion of breasts during activity, ensuring athletes can focus on the game without distraction or discomfort.

The Sharks players made sure they were fully equipped for the new campaign thanks to an in-person fitting session with MAAREE at the club’s Carrington training ground, where the players were measured for the perfect fit and able to try different designs.

Sale Sharks Women’s captain, Georgie Perris-Redding, said: “Elite sport is about fine margins. MAAREE are right at the top of their game and we know the technology involved in their bras can significantly improve the team’s performance and the breast health of our players. We want to help grow the women’s game on and off the field and partnerships like this are a huge step forwards.”

MAAREE founder, Mari Thomas-Welland, said: “We are incredibly proud to support Sale Sharks Women for their upcoming season. A well-fitting sports bra is crucial for an athlete’s performance, providing the necessary support and comfort to focus on the game without any unwanted distractions. It was a privilege to personally fit each player, ensuring they have the perfect size, style, and support level to enhance their performance on the field.”