NW business briefs: TfGM; Mersey Maritime; MHA; Destination Chester; Moulding Foundation; Anwyl; Surface Print
Passengers in Greater Manchester are being reassured that buses and trams will continue to run during planned industrial action set to start this Thursday (December 12).
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has made revised and improved pay offers for its staff, with a focus on reaching an agreement with unions and avoiding strike action. Despite discussions continuing, Unison and Unite unions are planning industrial action over pay. The planned action does not include bus or tram drivers, but TfGM staff in office-based roles and at interchanges, information and ticket offices, and in the customer contact centre.
Services will run as normal and transport interchanges will remain open. Passengers should be aware that, while they’ll still be able to make their journey with little disruption expected, some supporting facilities may be reduced, including: Customers may be unable to buy some ticket products, such as weekly tickets or passes. People will still be able to buy tickets on board, at machines and pay via contactless; some interchange facilities, such as toilets, might be closed; with Travelshops likely to close, there will be fewer staff members around to help passengers and provide journey information; the amount of time it takes to take bookings, respond to customer enquiries, process concession applications or update channels – such as the Bee Network website and social media – may also take longer than normal; and TravelSafe Support and Enforcement Officers will continue to work and be deployed to key locations as required.
TfG said its latest pay offer to unions is weighted to deliver the largest pay rise to those who are paid the least, with those who earn the most proposed to get the lowest uplift. All staff would get a raise in their 2024/25 pay, with all continuing to be paid above the Real Living Wage – which currently equates to a full time salary of £23,088.
Steve Warrener, Managing Director at TfGM, said: “The planned strikes do not affect drivers or any other bus or Metrolink staff. We’re reassuring passengers that their buses and trams will still run and we’ll keep Greater Manchester moving.
“Whilst there will, naturally, be some changes for passengers – including limited access to toilets and fewer people to provide information on strike days – we’ll be doing all we can to ensure such inconveniences are minimised. We’re still talking to union representatives and our focus is on reaching agreement and avoiding any industrial action, which could still be called off should they choose.”
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Chris Shirling-Rooke
Nine maritime clusters across the UK will receive a share £866,100 of government funding, helping them secure investment for local industry, deliver skills, training and educational programmes, Maritime Minister Mike Kane has announced.
Mersey Maritime will receive £100,000 as part of the distribution of funds to establish an annual innovation showcase to attract foreign investors to the region and boost the North West economy.
Mike Kane said: “The UK is a proud maritime nation, with our coastal communities being vital in unleashing our full potential and unlocking economic growth across the country. By investing in our excellent maritime clusters, we can deliver jobs, skills and training for local communities and turbocharge growth by delivering investment into the sector.”
Chris Shirling-Rooke, Mersey Maritime Chief Executive, said: “Today is an incredible milestone for the maritime industry across the UK. The Maritime Cluster Development Fund will create real impact and make a tangible difference to our most precious of places – our coastal communities.
“Having been on this incredible journey with partners at the Department for Transport for more than six years, this labour of love for all of us is testament to the power of collaboration and partnership. I look forward to seeing all of our maritime clusters thrive and creating those vital jobs and growth where they’re needed most.”
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Earlier this year, the Manchester Hoteliers Association (MHA), a membership organisation of 70 of Manchester’s key hotels, teamed up with CLASSOF68 to launch a fully funded development programme for the future leaders of Manchester’s hotels, and has now announced the graduation of its first cohort.
The programme aimed to give rising stars in hotels across the city a chance to explore a new skill set to establish themselves in leadership positions, over the course of six months.
The cohort of 12 graduated from the programme, which provided the opportunity to explore strengths and identify areas of personal or career progression through interconnected workshops and peer-to-peer sessions.
The MHA said it intends to continue to support and fund this initiative in the years to come, with the objective that Manchester is seen as a hotbed of hospitality talent and once again showing its dynamic and collaborative approach to nurturing its future hotel leaders.
Matt Townley, Chair of the Manchester Hoteliers Association and Operations Director at Dakota Hotels, said: “Manchester carries so much talented professionals, we’ve made it our aim to nurture and retain as much of this as possible. The supply of new hotels into Manchester will not ease, we have a responsibility to develop and retain our people in Manchester through creative programmes such as this, ensuring we have a deeper pool of talent in the coming years.”
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Joint tourism summit
Visitor economy business chiefs and leaders from Chester and Wrexham have pledged to work ever closer together to attract more visitors, encourage them to stay longer and spend more in the area.
Tourism leaders, hoteliers and transport providers came together in ongoing work to capitalise on Wrexham’s Hollywood football fairytale and combine it with the world class tourism offer of Chester, Cheshire and North Wales.
Organised by Marketing Cheshire and Destination Wrexham, and led by Visit England and Visit Wales, the event at the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel was about strengthening links between the close city neighbours, just 15 minutes away from each other by train.
Colin Potts, Chair of Destination Chester, a group of the city’s tourism and hospitality leaders, said: “Wrexham’s growing profile provides a wonderful opportunity for joint marketing projects, not least because of Chester’s proximity and excellent accommodation offer. When you then combine that with the history and industrial heritage both sides of the border, the Unesco World Heritage Sites at Jodrell Bank and Pontcysyllte Aquaduct, when we join forces, we have an outstanding visitor offer.”
Joe Bickerton, Destination Manager, Destination Wrexham, said: “Working more collaboratively with our tourism partners in Cheshire is opening up greater opportunities to support the growing visitor economy of both areas. With a quick rail link, and a 15-minute drive time, feedback suggests that many of our visitors take in both cities on a single trip. Therefore, the further we can develop joint marketing campaigns, itineraries, and initiatives to support local hospitality operators in 2025, the more resilient and competitive we’ll become as a regional destination in the UK with something for everyone.”
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Lifeshare event
The Moulding Foundation, established to alleviate social and economic inequalities in the North of England, has raised more than £70,000 in its first fundraising event for Lifeshare, Manchester’s longest standing homeless charity.
The Ladies Lunch, hosted at the King Street Townhouse Hotel in Manchester city centre, brought together representatives from The Moulding Foundation and Lifeshare, as well as local businesspeople and members of the community.
Through ticket sales, donations, and fundraising activities, the event raised vital funds which will enable Lifeshare to deliver its services to the community until April 2025. The Moulding Foundation and its trustees also agreed to triple the money raised through ticket sales and on the day donations, significantly increasing the fundraise total significantly.
Jodie Moulding, co-founder of The Moulding Foundation, said: “Lifeshare, like us, believe that everyone, no matter what their personal situation, deserves an education, access to healthcare, and a safe place to call home. We’re so proud to have raised an incredible amount for Lifeshare, who are providing crucial support for some of the most vulnerable and often overlooked people in our city.”
Judy Vickers, Executive Officer at Lifeshare, said: “We were blown away by the love and kindness shown towards Lifeshare at The Moulding Foundation’s event. Thank you to Jodie and Matt from the bottom of our hearts for making Christmas happen for those less fortunate than ourselves.”
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A junior football team in Sefton, North Merseyside, is onto a winner after scoring sponsorship from Anwyl Homes.
Crosby Stuart Under Sevens received £500 from Anwyl Homes as sleeve sponsors of their kits. They play in the North Liverpool League and are based at Brook Vale Recreation Ground.
Crosby Stuart JFC has been established as a community club since the 1970’s and have both boys’ and girls’ teams competing from U6-U18 in various local leagues. The aim is to provide the opportunity for as many junior children as possible to stay active and enjoy football on a regular basis.
Under sevens coach, Liam Richardson, said: “We are completely blown away by the generosity of the donation. The Crosby Stuart Under Sevens boys will wear the Anwyl logo with pride on our sleeve. The boys have not long been formed but this will provide them access to new equipment and opportunities on the beginning of their footballing journey.”
The sponsorship deal was brokered by Anwyl Homes Lancashire land director, Paul Darwin, who said: “Anwyl is a proud supporter of grassroots sports. We recognise that sports clubs like Crosby Stuart are at the heart of communities, helping people lead active lifestyles while building life skills such as teamwork and communication and forming friendships.”
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James Watson
A Lancashire business has switched its working operations to a four-day week, following a successful six-month trial. The new ‘working week’ sees almost all of Surface Print’s 63 colleagues working Monday to Thursday, affording people an improved work/life balance.
It means the Clayton-le-Moors business is also reducing its emissions and saving on energy costs, resulting in production being more efficient.
The family business, which has been running since 1990, spent time researching the move, from both its workforce and with advice from Preston-based employment, HR and health and safety firm, AfterAthena, to give the trial the best chance of success.
James Watson, managing director of SurfacePrint, said: “This has been a hugely successful shift in our business arrangements, and everyone involved has been supportive and enthusiastic about the change. Consulting with everyone and seeking advice from AfterAthena was vital, and we ensured everyone’s voice was heard.”
Oli McCann, employment law and HR partner at AfterAthena, said: “As with many businesses, James and the team at Surface Print have had to navigate increased costs, and running a four-day week is something that benefits everyone. As many businesses face new challenges, it’s important they look at taking on Surface Print’s approach and ensure any changes are brought in steadily, and with feedback from their people.”
