News in brief: Green appointed administrator at brewer, Drive to encourage unemployed, and more

Leeds-based insolvency specialist Ian Green has been appointed joint administrator of brewer and pubs group Cains Beer.

The Liverpool brewery, which also has 100 pubs, went into administration yesterday.

Mr Green, who is a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Leeds, said there had been “indications of interest” from several buyers.

:: 

SHEFFIELD Enterprise Agency (SENTA) has won a contract to deliver a drive to help unemployed people set up their own business.

The one year extension to the New Deal for Self Employed initiative will see SENTA continuing to assist and inspire job-seekers throughout the city to make any dreams of being their own boss a reality, with the long-term target of swapping benefits for business success.

The programme allows unemployed people to set up a business of their own and to operate it for a six-month period under ‘test-trading’ conditions while remaining on benefits.

A one-to-one session at SENTA will follow exploring the viability of the business idea and setting tasks for the client such as researching their idea or fact-finding.

Once the test trading period has been completed the client can decide whether or not to continue with their new business and sign off benefits.

Sheffield Enterprise Agency (SENTA) is part of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and provides fully integrated support to new business start-ups and existing businesses The New Deal for Self Employed program is a Job Centre Plus initiative.

:: 

SMALL businesses across the region could save more than £8m a year with better advice and support on health and safety according to a new report.

The findings – published by the Better Regulation Executive  – examine how health and safety regulation affects low-risk and small businesses.

It sets out recommendations to save them time and money, while improving working environments and general understanding of health and safety.

The average company spends around 20 hours a year, or more than £350 on administration meeting health and safety requirements, but by cutting the time spent by just five hours per company would save businesses £150m a year.

Andrew Morris, team manager at Business Link Yorkshire, said: “Businesses want to act responsibly and providing clear information and support is essential in raising awareness and compliance with Health and Safety regulation. There is a wide range of free business support available, but often, businesses are unaware of the help and where to find it. Implementing these recommendations will clearly show that the government are genuinely listening to the concerns of small businesses and encouraging enterprise.”

For more information visit www.berr.gov.uk.