The government's apprenticeship programme has been criticised by a committee of MPs and reform is needed for success, despite 500 people joining the scheme last year. The Business, Innovation and Skills Committee 11 month report into apprenticeships urges schemes to be more ambitious and would … [Read more...]
Marketing Stockport News
Second Development scheme for Stockport
Following on from the news that Muse Developments have begun developing the former Grand Central area - work may begin to develop office accommodation on the site of the former Royal Mail depot in the town centre, just off Wellington Road and subject to planning approval. Phase 1 of the … [Read more...]
Joseph Rowntree Foundation is to pay staff increased living wage
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is to pay its staff the living wage, which has increased today by 25p to £7.45 per hour outside of London. The living wage is considered to be the amount of pay needed to provide an adequate standard of living, and is formulated by Loughborough … [Read more...]
Stockport Story Museum salutes local World War II Cockleshell Hero
Exhibition Preview: The Cockleshell Heroes, Stockport Story Museum, Stockport, November 9 2012 – November 10 2013 Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Admission free. "Stockport Story Museum salutes local hero's place among World War II Cockleshell Heroes" Written by Ben Miller | … [Read more...]
Amshire acquire Select Network Services
Stockport's Amshire IT Solutions Company is on the acquisition trail having bought Wilmslow based Select Network Services for an undisclosed sum. Amshire Solutions Ltd, both a Microsoft Partner since 2006 and Dell Registered Partner, have acquired Select Network Services from Wilmslow based … [Read more...]
Marketing Stockport Launches
Marketing Stockport Limited was officially launched on 31st October with the publication of the website. Marketing Stockport is an independent, inclusive, non-political organisation, set up by three Stockport-based business people, with one objective: to drive greater awareness of and encourage … [Read more...]
Local Business Accelerator Scheme announces more opportunities for SMEs
The Local Business Accelerator scheme is an initiative by the regional press industry to boost local businesses, fronted by the Dragons' Den's Deborah Meaden and supported by the Business in You. The initiative offers small businesses aged between one and five years old the opportunity to win … [Read more...]
Two thirds of retailers agree rates rise will hit jobs
Following our report where Mary Portas agrees with local MP Ann Coffey that a hike in Business Rates would have a dire impact on local town centres, around seventy per cent of retailers believe another business rates rise would stunt job creation and resut in less investment in new … [Read more...]
Bristol cafe-bar chain Loungers aims to double up
Bristol-based cafe and bar chain Loungers £16m investment from Piper Private Equity in April of this year is going to help the chain to more than double its outlets to 50 over the next three to five years. Loungers opened its first site in Bristol in 2002 and now has 20 Lounges – … [Read more...]
M60 Reopened Ahead of Schedule
Weekend work to install a new bridge on the M60 this weekend has been completed 8 hours ahead of schedule, lessening disruption to drivers. The M60 was due to be closed for 24 hours, in both directions between junctions five and eight, from 22:00 GMT on Saturday but instead it was able to open on … [Read more...]
Stockport’s Vintage Village Market – ‘Best in Greater Manchester’
Stockport's monthly Vintage Village Market has been awarded 'Best in Greater Manchester' by VintageManchester.com at a ceremony held in Manchester's Matt & Phred's in the Northern Quarter. The Vintage Village, run by Alan Lowe and Sarah Norris, is held on the second Sunday of every … [Read more...]
Mary Portas disputes delay in rate review wil benefit town centres
Retail tsar, Mary Portas, the name behind Stockport's winning Portas Pilot scheme, agrees with local MP Ann Coffey that the government's delay in reviewing business rates until 2017 will do nothing to aid the recovery of the UK's High Streets and town centre communities. She has said that … [Read more...]