NW business briefs: Northern Light Cinema; Sale Sharks; Shawton Energy; Ingeus; NZNW

This week saw the launch of a new cinematic experience in Sale, as The Northern Light Cinema opened its doors in the newly regenerated Stanley Square yesterday (February 12).

The boutique, family-run venue is set to make Sale a destination for moviegoers of all ages. Comprising three screens, The Northern Light will  showcase the latest Hollywood has to offer as well as independent, foreign language, classic films, National Theatre Productions, and other live events from around the globe.

The new attraction will be bought to Stanley Square by the family-owned business, Manero Cinemas, owners of the Rex in Wilmslow and Savoy in Heaton Moor. On the opening of the group’s sixth cinema, owner and managing director, Tony Mundin, said: “The Northern Light Cinema will offer an affordable yet luxurious experience, making it easier for everyone in Sale to enjoy regular trips to the movies. Our focus is on exceptional service and comfort, ensuring that every visit is a fantastic one.”

The opening of The Northern Light Cinema is part of the ongoing regeneration of Stanley Square, which has attracted a growing number of independent businesses, contributing to the revival of Sale’s town centre.

Altered Space director, Michael Brown, said: “This fantastic addition will not only enhance the entertainment offering but also bring more visitors to the area throughout the day and into the evening. It perfectly complements our vibrant line-up of food and beverage businesses, creating an even more exciting destination for the community.”

The Northern Light will serve as a destination for film lovers as well as bolstering Sale’s high street’s economy. The opening of the cinema is set to play a key role in the town centre’s ongoing transformation.

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Rugby Union side, Sale Sharks, and Bentley Manchester have signed a new partnership agreement which will see the luxury car brand sponsor the club’s premium hospitality suite.

‘Club 1861 presented by Bentley Manchester’ is the highest level of matchday hospitality available at the Salford Community Stadium. As part of the deal, the luxury suite will be decorated with images of Bentley cars, and Bentley Manchester will also showcase its latest models outside the club’s West Stand at three home games this season, including the upcoming Gallagher Premiership fixtures against Northampton Saints (March 28) and Saracens (April 25).

Bentley Manchester will also sponsor the player of the match award, presented in the suite after each home game.

Sale Sharks Commercial Director, Luisa D’Aprano, said: “Bentley Manchester is an iconic brand and we’re really excited to build on our existing relationship to grow and develop both this partnership and our premium hospitality offering in Club 1861.”

Bentley Manchester Managing Director, Jon Crossley, said: “Bentley Manchester and Sale Sharks are united in their dedication to excellence, precision and performance, both on the road and on the rugby field. Our relationship offers an exciting opportunity to develop our affinity and we now look forward to celebrating the success of both teams in the coming months.”

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Shawton Energy, based in Newton-le-Willows, will develop an 8.6MW solar farm in South Wales, having acquired the project from One Planet Developments, for an undisclosed sum.

Located in South Pembrokeshire, the 14,000+-panel solar farm received planning approval last year. Construction will commence shortly, with energy generation projected to begin later this year. The solar farm will produce enough green electricity to power 2,500 homes per year, saving more than 2,000 tonnes of carbon annually.

Shawton Energy CEO, Jamie Shaw, said: “The acquisition of this ready-to-build asset from One Planet is a major milestone for Shawton Energy, as we continue to support British businesses in meeting their sustainability targets whilst reducing their energy costs.”

Robert Wall, Head of Sustainable Private Infrastructure at Lazard Asset Management (Director of Shawton Energy), said: “We are committed to supporting the development of local, distributed and sustainable energy and we are pleased to be further supporting Shawton Energy in its continued growth and local investments.”

James Stoney, Business Development Director at One Planet Developments, said: “Having developed the site from scratch through to ready-to-build stage, we look forward to seeing Shawton Energy build, own and operate it.”

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Julie Legge

Free dental treatment that supports jobseekers in their quest for employment is also giving student dentists vital training in a scheme involving the Ingeus Working Well: Work and Health Programme (WWWHP) team in Manchester.

The initiative brings together people whose poor oral health causes acute pain, and saps their confidence in trying to secure work, with dental students finding it difficult to gain useful experience with patients.

Jobseekers who do not have access to NHS treatment and are unable to afford private alternatives are being referred by Ingeus caseworkers to the Roots to Dental (R2D) programme. The WWWHP team was the first to offer participants access to R2D in partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) through its Working Well initiative. It has put forward 280 people for free dentistry at the University of Manchester’s School of Dentistry, such as routine check-ups, extractions, root canal work and dentures.

Among the first to benefit from the scheme was Julie Legge. The 52-year-old single mum of three had been unemployed for more than a year after tendonitis in her arms meant she had to give up her work as a carer. Her job search was made harder by a dental problem and lack of access to NHS treatment. She said: “My teeth just started to fall out so I couldn’t eat solid food. I lost weight and I was in pain. I had zero confidence when it came to talking to people, meaning I thought I needed to avoid customer-facing jobs.”

Julie secured a position as a reablement support worker, helping people to regain their independence after leaving hospital, and said: “I don’t think I would ever have got my teeth fixed without Roots to Dental.”
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Jane Gaston

Net Zero North West (NZNW) has confirmed that Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster (BECBC), Glass Futures and HyNet Alliance have all joined the organisation as affiliate members.

Affiliate membership of NZNW is designed to deliver a framework for greater collaboration between the organisation and like-minded sector and project alliances and cluster bodies by focusing on shared goals and outputs around industrial decarbonisation.

NZNW’s membership has now grown by a third in the past 12 months as more and more businesses and organisations have actively joined the drive towards a low carbon future.

Jane Gaston, CEO of NZNW, said: “I am excited for how our three new affiliate members can help us and each other drive the transition to industrial decarbonisation in the North West in a way that is fair and equitable for all and which creates new opportunities and jobs along the way.

“The decarbonisation opportunity that is presented to us is not just regional, but national and international, and HyNet Alliance, BECBC and Glass Futures will play a pivotal role in this.”