In Brief: C Gledhill increases stake; Simon Bailes goes hi-tech; Football scheme launched; More JJB stores to close

LEEDS-based auto-parts supplier C Gledhill has continued to increase its holding in Surface Transforms, the Merseyside business that makes high performance braking systems.

C Gledhill, which supplies the Ellesmere Port firm, bought an 8.8% stake in the business from the fund manager Gartmore back in May.

This year it has already bought 200,000 shares and it has just purchased an additional 100,000, taking its stake to 11.03%. Surface Transforms’ share price has declined this year and now stands at 9p.

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A NEW system that enables vehicle checks and repairs to be completed more quickly has been installed at Simon Bailes Peugeot.

The firm, which has dealerships in Stockton, Northallerton and Guisborough, said that the autoVHC meant that vehicles will now receive a more thorough service thanks to the award winning technology and that any problems can be addressed immediately.

The IT investment is part of its commitment to providing outstanding customer service and after-sales care.

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LEEDS primary school kids could be the soccer stars of the future and even the next Kaka thanks to Leeds law firm, The Needle Partnership.

The firm has kicked off a football coaching initiative as part of its sponsorship deal with Brazilian Soccer Schools and its community involvement programme.

The practice has donated free football coaching sessions to hundreds of underprivileged youngsters in up to 15 schools in Leeds. The donated sessions have been doubled by the Brazilian Soccer Schools.

Participating schools include Harehills Primary, Talbot Primary, Kerr Mackie Primary, Brownhill Primary, Alcuin Primary, Bankside Primary, Corpus Christi Primary, Ebor Gardens Primary, Chapel Allerton Primary and St Nicolas RC Primary.

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A FURTHER 10 stores from JJB Sports’ stricken lifestyle division have been closed by administrators with the loss of more than 120 jobs.

The lifestyle stores, which trade as Original Shoe Company and Qube, were placed into administration by Wigan-based JJB in med-February, and immediately closed 45 shops, with the loss of 438 jobs

After the closure of the latest batch of shops -which include OSC branches in Hull and Scunthorpe –  287 staff remain across the 19 OSC and three Qube stores that continue to trade and at the firm’s administrative centre in Wigan

Joint administrator Richard Fleming of KPMG said further store closures could not be ruled out: He said: “We are still considering our options and are in dialogue with interested parties for the remaining business.

“However, the strategy as to the remaining stores is being reviewed on a daily basis, although further store closures are likely.”