News in brief: Thursday June 26
CARTRIDGE World has appointed Leeds-based marketing and communications company, an agency called england, to handle its marketing account.
The contract – which is worth in excess of £1m – will see the agency working on a number of new projects for Cartridge World, the market-leading retailer of refilled and remanufactured printer cartridges, which has almost 300 franchises across the UK.
The agency will develop Cartridge World’s brand strategy with the aim of increasing awareness with consumers and small businesses, as well as with potential new franchisees. england will be responsible for advertising, creative design, media planning and buying, PR and website design.
Richard Midgley, managing director of england, said: “Cartridge World has clear plans to continue expanding with new franchises opening in the coming year. england is working on a number of on-going projects. The real value of the ITV4 sponsorship lies in the consistent audience generated by the channel, enabling us to build sustainable coverage and frequency for Cartridge World, while remaining cost effective.”
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HENDERSON Insurance Brokers, one of the fastest growing insurance brokers in the UK, has opened a flagship office in Manchester to develop its business in the North West.
The Leeds-based company is looking to replicate the success of its Leeds branch by offering bespoke commercial insurance solutions for businesses in the NorthWest.
In addition, Henderson has launched a new division, Henderson Surety Services which has been formed to continue its policy of diversification into niche markets.
Henderson Surety Services will complement the firm’s existing construction portfolio offering professional and expert advice on all surety-related matters. It is headed up by Trevor Jones, who has 30 years experience in bond underwriting
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TICKET sales at train company National Express East Coast’s website have now exceeded one million, following the site’s launch in November last year.
Placing the one millionth booking at www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com was Philip Botterill, a 31-year-old IT consultant from Rothwell in Leeds.
He regularly uses the site to book tickets for business trips between Wakefield Westgate station and London.
National Express East Coast has developed a reputation as an innovator in combining the benefits of rail travel with the internet. It offers laptop users free Wi-Fi access on services between London and Scotland in both First and Standard class carriages.
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GOLF and sports clubs which are non-profit making and often prey to zealous VAT officials could be eligible to claim substantial refunds in respect of output tax overpaid on membership income in the period from 1 January, 1990 to 31 March, 1994.
This is according to accountants and business advisers PKF and is in the wake of a recent House of Lords ruling.
The ruling has brought some substantial VAT refunds for businesses where HM Revenue & Customs had incorrectly denied VAT recovery to VAT registered businesses or had them wrongly account for output VAT.
Brian Birt, manager of VAT services in the Leeds office of PKF, said:”Not only will a club get the overpaid VAT refunded but substantial interest is payable on these refunds.
“Basically, you should be able to show that VAT was overpaid in the period on the membership income for playing members. It may be possible that this can be done from the Club accounts.”
