News in Brief: Wednesday March 26

SHEFFIELD International Venues (SIV) has become the only leisure services provider to operate three “excellent” registered facilities in the UK.

Only five facilities gained the top rating in the prestigious leisure industry Quest awards for 2007.

Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield (EISS) and three times FLAME winner Hillsborough Leisure Centre all won the accreditation.

All six SIV-managed facilities – including iceSheffield, Concord Leisure Centre and Don Valley Stadium were awarded the highly commended mark in the Quest scores.

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MANUFACTURERS are continuing to reap the dividends of moving into higher value production despite the continued growth of low cost, emerging markets according to a new survey.

The study – conducted by EEF, the manufacturers' organisation and accountants and business advisers BDO Stoy Hayward – revealed that fewer UK manufacturers are reporting a significant impact from price competition in key markets, compared with 2004.

The survey shows the changing nature of competitive threats, but also the significant increase in companies identifying emerging markets as opportunities.

Whilst China and Eastern Europe remain perceived as major threats there has been a marked increase in the number of companies looking to take advantage of the rapid growth in those areas.

India and Russia are also viewed more as an opportunity than a threat with more than a fifth of companies seeing potential in both regions.

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FOUR Yorkshire companies who have improved their business by exporting overseas have received awards in recognition of their international success.

The awards – made by Yorkshire Forward and UK Trade and Investment as part of their drive to encourage regional businesses to grow through international trade – were presented at a ceremony at Sheffield's Cutlers Hall by commercial director of Virgin Galactic, Stephen Attenborough.

Harrogate based EnviroVent took the award for Best New Exporter; the award for Best Market Entry Strategy was presented to Bradford food giant Mutes; Sheffield-based Flex seal took home the award for Most Improved Exporter; and the award for Best Exporter went to Lubrizol, who have a major base in Barnsley and who have expanded their export activity into Eastern Europe.

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A UK charity has launched an initiative to help young people to avoid getting into debt.

LifeLine has announced plans to train more than 20,000 youth advisors across the country during the next years to provide young people with the knowledge and skills they need to manage their finances.

The project, Young People and Money, is part of the Financial Service Authority's £90m financial capability strategy.