The latest inflation data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has seen the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) reach a 30-year high of 5.5%. The latest rises in inflation represent the fastest growth in prices for consumer goods since March 1992, when, based on historical modelling, the … [Read more...]
News for: General Business
Macclesfield franchise group announces takeover of commercial kitchen maintenance brand
Macclesfield based Franchise Brands has agreed the takeover of Warwickshire-based Filta, which provides fryer cleaning and grease management services to commercial kitchens. The Macclesfield group, which owns franchises including Metro Rod, Willow Pumps, Ovenclean and Barking Mad, has purchased … [Read more...]
Government reveals plans to deliver on levelling up agenda
Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, has published the government’s Levelling Up White Paper, which shares its plans to rebalance inequalities between UK’s regions. The White Paper sets outs in detail the action the government proposes to take to deliver on … [Read more...]
MBO for Macclesfield engineering firm
Macclesfield-based engineering firm, Statiflo International, has undergone a management buyout (MBO) following the sad death of owner and MD last year. Directors Paul Davies, Paul Buck and Carl Wilkinson have acquired a majority stake in the business for an undisclosed sum. The trio have … [Read more...]
Growth Hub workshop to help Cheshire businesses bid for council contracts
A new workshop from the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub aims to help businesses in the region bid for public sector contracts. The workshop will help businesses understand the tender processes of Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington councils for contracts which collectively … [Read more...]
Deepened North-South divide highlighted in State of the North report
Think-tank IPPR has published its annual State of the North report which has revealed the North-South divide in prosperity has continued to widen, despite ‘levelling-up’ pledges by government. The report, published on the IPPR website, has highlighted in particular the disparity between … [Read more...]
Investor plans to build on successful 2021 of North-west deals
Capital growth investor, BGF, has pledged further investment in the North-west this year, after a record year of deals in 2021. In 2021, BGF invested £70 million to support the rapid growth of businesses in the region. The investor also successfully exited from a record number of enterprises … [Read more...]
Business confidence remains above average despite November decline
Business confidence fell across most of the country according Lloyds Bank’s November Business Barometer, however optimism in the economy remains high and above the long term average. The monthly business survey from the high street bank found that declines in firms’ own prospects led to the … [Read more...]
Council launches business recovery and growth programme
Cheshire East Council is launching a new programme of support to boost business recovery and growth in the borough's SMEs. The council’s Recovery and Growth Programme is aimed at assisting the region's businesses that are seeking to grow, adapt, diversify or expand their current operation to … [Read more...]
Chancellor pledges ‘stronger economy’ in 2021 Autumn Budget
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has set out his plans to ‘create a stronger economy’ in his 2021 Autumn Budget and Spending Review, announced on 27th October. In his address to Parliament, the Chancellor set out his plans to ‘build back better’ and highlighted ambitions for levelling-up and reducing … [Read more...]
North-west responds to 2021 Autumn Budget
Business leaders across the North-west have had a mixed response to the Chancellor’s 2021 Autumn Budget, announced on 27th October. Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out the government’s latest spending plans on 27th October, announcing a raft of measures aimed at supporting the UK economy after the … [Read more...]
Cheshire firms urged to sign up for final Peer Networks cohort
Businesses across Cheshire and Warrington are being urged to sign up to join the final cohort of the Peer Networks scheme, a fully-funded programme for SME owners and leaders to come together and help support each other to grow and develop their organisations. The programme brings together … [Read more...]