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Stagecoach Manchester Supports National Sports Charity During Community Initiative in Greater Manchester

Olivia McHugh

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28/02/2023

Stagecoach Manchester Supports National Sports Charity During Community Initiative in Greater Manchester

Local bus provider Stagecoach Manchester has announced its support for a new initiative by Access Sport in partnership with Nuffield Health, which aims to tackle the unmet needs of 15,000 disadvantaged local young people and their families.

Access Sport trains, equips, supports and creates community sports clubs, transforming the lives of young people who belong to disadvantaged and disabled communities. With 31% of the UK’s under-18’s considered physically inactive, the charity provides essential services and a route into sport.

The partnership will build upon Access Sport’s award-winning community sport development model whilst utilising Nuffield Health’s facilities, health and fitness experts and educational resources to give young people from marginalised groups the tools to live a healthier life and learn key skills such as cycling competency.

The initiative will be rolled out across Greater Manchester, with young people on the programme provided access to Nuffield Health’s Manchester Institute of Health & Performance (MIHP) – a world-class fitness and health facility used by performance athletes including the Great Britain Cycling Team.

Manchester has almost twice the UK average amount of children under 16 living in poverty, and Access Sport’s invaluable work has provided support to over 6,000 young people across Greater Manchester since 2014, teaching a further 1,200 young people how to ride a bike.

Stagecoach Manchester will support the partnership between Access Sport and Nuffield Health in Greater Manchester helping to raise awareness of the opportunities available to young people in the region. The campaign will see information on the initiative shared with customers across the Greater Manchester region.

Helen Rowbotham, Chief Executive Officer at Access Sport, said:

“We are thrilled to be working with Stagecoach in Manchester. All too often, the young people who would benefit the most from community sport simply don’t have access to it. That’s why we are working hard to make sure more children and young people in Greater Manchester can benefit from inclusive sporting opportunities in their own neighbourhoods. We are really excited about our partnership with Stagecoach that will support local young people to lead more active, healthier lives.”

Jon Taberner, Senior Rehabilitation Specialist at MIHP, said:

“We are hugely supportive of the fantastic work Access Sport already does in the community and are excited to take our partnership to the next level with the support of Stagecoach. As the UK’s largest healthcare charity, we are committed to building a healthier nation, and our work with Access Sport and Stagecoach will increase sport provision and social mobility in the Manchester area. We are looking forward to welcoming more young people at MIHP, helping to get them involved in sports whilst using our world-class facilities to learn new skills.”

Together with Nuffield Health, the campaign across Greater Manchester will see support offered to 11 communities across the region; Moss Side, Gorton, Partington, Old Trafford, Little Hulton, Levenshulme, Openshaw, Wythenshawe, Sale West, Blackley & Ardwick.

Rebecca Rathore, Operations Director of Stagecoach Manchester said:

“The amount of young people who are not able to participate in activities across the UK through no fault of their own, is staggering. Stagecoach Manchester has a long history of supporting the communities we serve, and we are proud to support this initiative, helping to introduce the next generation of Mancunians to sport, and transforming the lives of many young people in our region and helping to build stronger and healthier communities.”

Lee Wasnidge, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester added:

“As the leading bus operator in the region we are committed to promoting health and wellbeing, supporting young people and addressing social isolation. This initiative by Access Sport in partnership with Nuffield Heath will improve the ability and opportunity for young people to get involved in activity and lead heather lifestyles and is something we are proud to get involved with.”

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3SZbToY

New Courses in Retrofitting Available to Boost Employment Opportunities and to Support Greater Manchester’s Carbon Neutral Target

Olivia McHugh

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28/02/2023

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New Courses in Retrofitting Available to Boost Employment Opportunities and to Support Greater Manchester’s Carbon Neutral Target

NEW training courses in retrofitting have launched to help individuals boost their careers, while ensuring Greater Manchester has a skilled workforce for achieving its carbon neutral ambition by 2038.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) awarded funding to the Growth Company to support people with progressing their careers in the green economy. The Accelerating Net-Zero Opportunities course launched last year, with new fully-funded courses in retrofitting being added to the current green skills courses on offer to people living or working in Greater Manchester.

The innovative training programme is funded through the European Social Fund as part of GMCA’s three-year Skills for Growth programme, which has been created in partnership with employers who have highlighted skills gaps they are struggling to fill.

Those on the course will be taught the basic principles of domestic retrofit as well as skills in improving the energy efficiency measures of older buildings. The training has been designed to support people to take the next step in their careers, while at the same time assisting Greater Manchester’s target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2038, 12 years ahead of the national target.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, GMCA lead for Education, Work, Skills, Apprenticeships and Digital said:

“Training and upskilling Greater Manchester’s workforce in retrofitting is the first key step in moving towards a cleaner, greener and low carbon city-region. Thousands of buildings in our city-region will require upgrading with energy efficient measures and this is going to need to be carried out on a mass scale by a skilled workforce.

“We want everybody in the city-region to have the opportunity to upskill into the new roles and this Skills for Growth programme will help create pathways into the industry for an additional 150 people.”

Councillor Martyn Cox, Greater Manchester’s Green City-Region lead, said:

“The retrofit sector in Greater Manchester continues to grow, with employers highlighting the need for a workforce trained in skills such as insulation, ventilation and other domestic retrofit skills.

“Skills for Growth is helping with connecting the dots between the city-region achieving carbon neutral status, fulfilling skills gaps and job opportunities, as well as assisting our residents during the fuel crisis to keep costs down through installing cost-effective energy saving methods in their homes.”

The retrofitting training will be carried out at Growth Company’s brand-new Green Skills Academy facility, based in Trafford Park, which has been specially created to educate today’s workforce in green skills and technologies.

Roosevelt Alexander, Director of the Green Skills Academy at The Growth Company Education and Skills, said:

“These new courses will play a crucial role in plugging the skills gap and ensuring the workforce is prepared for the mass upgrading of Greater Manchester’s buildings and we look forward to welcoming the first cohort of learners to our brand-new Green Skills Academy.

“Learners will benefit from access to the latest emerging green technologies and techniques, giving them an understanding of how to improve energy efficiency measures and the skills needed to support the Greater Manchester Retrofitting Task Force and establish a future-proof career.”

The Domestic Retrofit course is one week long and is available to employed people who live or work in Greater Manchester. Applicants do not need to be working in the Retrofitting industry, however some basic construction knowledge and experience would be beneficial.

After completing the course, participants will achieve a Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings.

Back in 2021, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham launched The Greater Manchester Retrofitting Task Force, to set out a detailed action plan to deliver low-carbon retrofitting across the city-region. Upskilling construction workers was one of the priorities identified by the task force.

Skills for Growth was designed to support employers who have highlighted that they cannot find the technical skills in Greater Manchester required to support and grow their businesses. Since the programme launched in 2020, 11 training providers have been commissioned to deliver a wide range of skills across Digital, Construction, Health and Social Care, Early Years, Allies in Cancer Care, Manufacturing, Logistics, Security, Green Skills, Media, Blue Light Services and other professional training opportunities.

For more information on the Domestic Retrofit Course and to apply please visit Retrofit (gceducationandskills.ac.uk)

For more information on Skills for Growth and current live training programmes please visit ESF Skills for Growth – Greater Manchester Combined Authority (greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk)

For further information please contact the Communications and Engagement team on: news@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk.

Find us on social media @greatermcr.

The Most Innovative Ways To Improve Your Business

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Sam Allcock

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28/02/2023

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The Most Innovative Ways To Improve Your Business

Any business’s growth and success depend on its ability to innovate. It can help a company stay ahead of the competition, increase revenue, improve customer satisfaction, and drive overall growth. Businesses must constantly look for new and creative ways to improve their operations in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business environment. We’ll talk about some of the most creative ways to make your business better in this article.

Adopt new technologies

The business world has been transformed by technology, which is continuing to do so at a rapid rate. Companies that delay adopting new technologies run the risk of falling behind their rivals. As a result, staying abreast of the most recent technological trends and implementing them when necessary is essential. Businesses can automate repetitive tasks with artificial intelligence (AI), enhance customer service with chatbots, and gain valuable insights into customer behavior through data analytics.

Establish a robust online presence

The development of the internet and social media platforms has made it simpler for businesses to reach their intended audience. As a result, if you want to attract and keep customers, as it makes wild wild riches, it’s important to have a strong online presence. This includes making a website that is easy to use, growing a following on social media, and communicating with customers through email marketing campaigns.

Concentrate on the customer experience

Customers are a company’s lifeblood, so making sure they are happy should be a top priority. As a result, providing a positive customer experience is critical. This includes providing individualized services, promptly responding to customer inquiries, and taking feedback from customers seriously. Businesses may be able to boost revenue by increasing customer loyalty and retention.

Encourage creativity and innovation among employees

Employees are a valuable resource for any company, and they can contribute to growth and innovation. As a result, it is absolutely necessary to foster innovation and creativity among employees. This can be accomplished by providing incentives for innovative ideas, fostering a culture that values innovation, and providing opportunities for training and development.

Set up a work environment that’s flexible

The 9-to-5 workday is getting old, and businesses need to learn to work in new ways. This includes creating a work environment that is adaptable to employees’ needs, allowing them to work from home, choose their own hours, and achieve a better work-life balance. This may assist in enhancing job satisfaction, lowering levels of stress, and boosting productivity.

Embrace sustainability

Businesses must adapt to the increasing importance of sustainability to customers. Utilizing renewable energy sources, reducing waste, and implementing eco-friendly practices are all examples of this. Businesses can reduce their environmental impact and attract environmentally conscious customers by doing this.

Establish strategic partnerships

Strategic partnerships can assist businesses in reaching new markets, sharing resources, and expanding their reach. This includes forming partnerships with businesses in the same or related industries, as well as with government and non-profit organizations.

Invest in employee training and development

Investing in employee training and development can help employees improve their skills and knowledge, which can result in higher levels of productivity, a higher level of job satisfaction, and lower rates of employee turnover. Workshops, seminars, and online courses are all examples of this.

Make decisions based on data analytics

Data analytics can offer useful insights into customer behavior, market trends, and business operations. As a result, data analytics must be used to guide decision-making. This includes identifying operational inefficiencies, analyzing customer data to enhance marketing strategies, and making informed business decisions.

Improve and innovate on a regular basis

Innovation ought to be a process that goes on all the time, and businesses ought to constantly look for new and creative ways to improve their operations. This includes looking over and evaluating business procedures on a regular basis, getting feedback from customers, and learning about new technologies and trends.

In conclusion, any business’s growth and success depend on innovation. By implementing cutting-edge technologies, establishing a robust online presence, concentrating on the satisfaction of customers, and encouraging employee ingenuity and creativity.

Madeleine Lindley Ltd Leaps to 35th Anniversary With World Book Day Offer and 10,000 Book Giveaway

Olivia McHugh

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28/02/2023

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Children’s book specialists Madeleine Lindley Ltd celebrates its 35th anniversary on 29th February 2023, after being formed and remaining family-owned since 1988.

Family-run Madeleine Lindley Ltd marks its 35th anniversary and World Book Day by gifting 10,000 books to children across the UK. They are also offering 35% off their World Book Day Box for 35 days. The box contains the top 35 books for every school, handpicked by the staff. Teachers can gift their class £300 worth of books for £195 and have between 27th February and 3rd April to take advantage.

Madeleine Lindley founded the company in 1988 and her legacy is survived by her two daughters Rachelle Carter and Amelia Clayton. The business was founded to help schools rejuvenate their book collection and help children develop a passion for reading.

The company has an international customer base and employs more than 30 people at the Book Centre, a purpose-built showroom in Oldham. From its Lancashire birthplace, the staff uses their encyclopaedic knowledge of children’s literature to help primary schools build their own literary oasis.

Rachelle said: “Supplying primary schools with the latest and most engaging books has always been Madeleine Lindley Ltd’s vision. The business was founded by our mother, Madeleine Lindley, a primary school teacher specialising in literacy. She grew frustrated at the difficulty in finding and choosing good-quality children’s books and began selling books to schools.

“As school book suppliers and acting as teachers’ personal shoppers, we help audit and update primary school’s book corners and libraries. Children across the country are once more unlocking their innate love for reading.

Amelia added: “Celebrating our 35th anniversary reminds us of the journey thus far and our ever-growing commitment to incite a passion for reading in every child. We are proud to match more teachers and classrooms with the literature they need to help their children grow as individuals and as academics.

“Our length of service to schools is a testament to Madeleine’s vision to equip schools with the tools they need to nurture our future generations. Literature is crucial for language, literacy, and emotional development – and losing yourself in a book is the greatest opportunity you can gift a child. Distributing 10,000 books to children for World Book Day is an ode to that.”

Pixel Kicks’ Branding and Web Teams Score Double Account Wins

Olivia McHugh

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28/02/2023

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Pixel Kicks’ Branding and Web Teams Score Double Account Wins

The branding and web teams at Pixel Kicks, the Manchester-based full-service digital agency, have won two new clients in the tech and medical sectors.

The first appointment is with m-hance which is a leading Microsoft Gold Partner and provider of Microsoft solutions to organisations based in the UK and Ireland. It primarily works with charities, not-for-profits and the public sector. Its client roster includes Oxfam Ireland, Médecins Sans Frontières, Anthony Nolan and Woodgreen Pets Charity, as well as commercial organisations like Taylor Maxwell.

Pixel Kicks will be delivering a full rebrand and a new website that will be centred around marketing automation integration. The core aims of the project will be to showcase m-hance’s reputation across its primary audiences, to demonstrate the value it delivers through engaging case studies and to ultimately generate new leads. The new brand and website are expected to go live towards the end of Q2 2023.

The agency has also be briefed by Rathin Medical which is a medical procurement and digital healthcare firm based in Manchester. The project includes the creation of a new brand and website as well as an integrated social media and paid for media strategy and ongoing management programme. Pixel Kicks is expected to complete and deliver the new brand and website in May 2023.

The next 12 months is set to be a transformative year for Rathin Medical as it recently won Eureka Network Eurostars grant funding for its SMASH (Sweat Metabolite Analysis for Sports and Health) product which is an AI powered sweat sensing wearable patch. Eurostars is the largest international funding programme for SMEs wishing to collaborate on R&D projects that create innovative products, processes or services for commercialisation.

Jamie Bray – business development manager at Pixel Kicks – commented: “M-Hance and Rathin Medical are leaders in their respective fields so we are delighted to be working with both of them. Our branding team has grown steadily over the past few years and has now become a central pillar of the agency’s offering. Moving forward, we anticipate that we will be delivering even more pan-wide agency projects encompassing branding, web development and digital marketing as clients see the value of having all disciplines under one roof.”

Health Assured: UK Staring Down Barrel of Mental Health Crisis With Working From Home Having Significant Impact

Olivia McHugh

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28/02/2023

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Health Assured: UK Staring Down Barrel of Mental Health Crisis With Working From Home Having Significant Impact

A survey conducted by Health Assured, the UK and Ireland’s largest EAP provider, shows that the cost-of-living crisis and working from home are having a significant impact on mental health.

The company, whose services cover 16 million lives, has seen an alarming increase in the number of calls to their mental health hotline, with the number of urgent calls increasing by 26% over the last three years.

The survey of 5400 organisations across the country, suggests that this will continue to rise as the cost-of-living crisis deepens. Results show that:

91% of respondents expect financial pressures to have the biggest impact on mental health over the next 12 months, followed by workload / working long hours (52%) and threat of job cuts / redundancy (25%)
Just 19% believe that working from home has not had a negative impact on mental health.
30% of people in the north of England have personally experienced poor mental health while working from home, compared to 14% of those in the south.
40% of those under 30 said working from home has negatively impacted their mental health.
52% of employees over 30 have seen working from home negatively impact their colleagues’ mental health.

Bertrand Stern-Gillet, CEO at Health Assured, says “These results should ring alarm bells for all employers. The UK is currently staring down the barrel of a mental health crisis, and it is time to take action.

“Without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health and changed the shape of the modern workforce. But as we move out of the pandemic and into the ‘new normal’, we wanted to see what the lasting impact on the mental health of the UK workforce is.

“Over the last couple of years, we have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of people reporting feelings of declining mental health due to isolation and wanted to understand what was causing this.

“The results clearly indicate that working from home could be a risk factor for poor mental health, with people reporting direct effects both in themselves and colleagues.

“With this in mind, we must take precautions to ensure the mental health of employees across the country is protected. Encourage employees to return to the office. Not only does working in collaborative environments help combat loneliness, it also means that employers are better able to see any changes in or signs that employees may be struggling with mental health at an early stage and put support measure in place. If employers do have people working remotely, small actions such as regular check-ins with managers, virtual social events and improved wellbeing support can also make a difference.

“The mental health crisis in this country is not going away any time soon.

“With 75% of respondents to our survey believing that they have adequate support in place to support the mental health of their employees, it appears that some businesses could simply be treating mental health as a tick box exercise.

“Offering early, meaningful support in the workplace could help address service gaps, support the NHS, look after employees’ wellbeing, and support those currently off on long-term sick leave back into the workplace.”

Henley Investment Management Ltd Announces Plans to Redevelop Regent Retail Park

Olivia McHugh

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28/02/2023

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Henley Investment Management Ltd Announces Plans to Redevelop Regent Retail Park

Members of the public are being invited to have their say on exciting plans to transform part of the Regent Retail Park into a new neighbourhood and public park for Salford.
Public consultation launches on Monday 27 February and marks the first stepping stone in Henley’s bid to deliver a safe, green, inclusive new neighbourhood.
The plans will deliver Salford’s first new city park for decades, with approximately five acres of green space, together with walkways, cycleways and one, two and three bed homes.

Members of the public are being invited to have their say on exciting plans to transform Regent Retail Park into Regent Park: Salford’s new neighbourhood.

Henley acquired the retail park, which sits on the border of Salford and Manchester, in October 2020 and recognised that regeneration is needed to ensure the site continues to meet the needs of the local community. As such, Henley is now bringing forward proposals to redevelop the retail units, between Costa Coffee and TK Maxx, into a new green neighbourhood.

A modern new neighbourhood in close proximity to local services, Regent Park will provide attractive new homes to help meet the housing demand of a growing population, centred around a new urban park. The park, Salford’s first for decades, will run through the heart of the development, with approximately five acres of open space for people to enjoy.

The development will continue to serve as a Neighbourhood Centre for Salford, and will provide a multitude of shops, cafes, restaurants, and leisure uses that closely meet the needs of the local community – now and in the future.

The vision for the site:

“At the heart of our placemaking-led, people-first vision for Regent Park is a new urban park, which will provide much-needed green space for Salford residents. Our Masterplan creates a safe, walkable and inclusive neighbourhood where nature and architecture work together harmoniously, fostering a community that prioritises liveability and wellbeing“

Matt Brook – Founding Director, Matt Brook Architects

Warwick Hunter, [MD Development and Head of ESG] at for Henley said:

“Henley is excited to bring forward this unique development that connects communities, activities and amenities in one sustainable new space that balances the needs, aspirations and ideas of the growing Salford population.

“We want a place that is fit for the community it serves, that fosters growth and that people can be proud to call home. We look forward to hearing people’s views on the emerging proposals and using that feedback to help develop our designs into a space that people want.”

The first round of public consultation will commence on Monday 27^th February and last until Wednesday 15^th March. Local residents and businesses will be able to learn more about the proposals and have their say by:

Visiting the consultation website and completing a feedback form at www.regentparkconsultation.co.uk
Registering to attend an online webinar via the website on the evening of Wednesday 1^st March and Tuesday 7^th March.
Emailing comments and questions to regentpark@havingyoursay.co.uk
Speaking with a member of the dedicated community information line on 0161 711 0293 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm)

This is just the first stage of developing the plans for Regent Park – the public will have another opportunity to have their say on a more refined scheme when the second stage of consultation is held around spring time.

A step-by-step guide to retirement planning at any age

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Danielle Trigg

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27/02/2023

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A step-by-step guide to retirement planning at any age

Your retirement is one of the most important aspects of your life, and therefore requires the utmost dedication and forethought when planning for it.

Retirement planning is not something that’s only necessary for elderly people – it can be carried out at any age. It’s never too early to devise an optimal approach for building your wealth effectively.

In light of this, we’ve put together this universal step-by-step guide on how to start planning for your retirement, no matter how close to your retirement age you currently are.

Read on to find out more.

Find the right modern wealth manager

The first, and potentially most important step to take when planning for retirement, is to find the right modern wealth manager to advise you.

As with any planning, the more knowledge and consideration you put into your approach, the higher your chance of reaching a successful financial outcome when you retire. This is why an adviser is crucial.

For example, Netwealth financial planning provides expert advice that can be tailored to your unique financial circumstance. Your adviser will be sure to learn all the important aspects of your finances, as well as any personal concerns you might have moving forward.

This will ensure the approach you adopt is not only effective for building your wealth, but well aligned with your current circumstance – a key component of successful planning.

Build a clear financial plan

The next thing to do when planning for retirement, is to create the financial plan itself. This is a set strategy – whether it might be in the form of a document, or virtual plan on a financial planning tool – that outlines your future retirement goals, and the steps you need to take to reach them.

Your adviser can help you establish a range of short and long-term goals for your retirement, that encapsulate what you want for the future, and how your finances play a part in it. This could include things such as:

Having a certain value of wealth (assets, pension pot, etc.) when you retire
Being able to retire at a certain age
Living a particular retirement lifestyle

When it comes to setting your goals, your adviser will ensure they each prove beneficial to building your wealth. Not only this, but they can also help you refine each goal, so when aligned with your current financial circumstance, they can be realistically achieved.

Once this has been done, you can then start devising a set of steps that will help you reach these goals as efficiently as possible. Your adviser can give you the best-suited approach and timeline, so you can grow your wealth for retirement with a strategy that compliments your circumstance.

Start optimising your pension contributions

When executing your financial plan for retirement, one of the most important steps involves optimising your pension contributions.

How you structure your contributions is a huge factor in how efficiently you build your wealth, and ultimately, how much you have saved in your pension when you choose to retire.

Your adviser will help you make the right contributions that suit your current circumstance, whilst simultaneously sheltering as much of your money from tax as possible.

This can be achieved by navigating your allowances with a more strategic approach. This might include the lifetime allowance – £1,073,100 – which is the total amount you can contribute to your pension whilst remaining sheltered from tax, and the annual allowance – £40,000 – which is the amount you can contribute each year whilst being sheltered from tax.

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Please note, the value of your investments can go down as well as up.

Co-op Live Reveals the Bentley Record Room, the Uk’s Most Luxurious Live Music Members’ Club

Olivia McHugh

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27/02/2023

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Co-op Live Reveals the Bentley Record Room, the Uk’s Most Luxurious Live Music Members’ Club

Stunning designs for The Bentley Record Room, the most exclusive VIP experience at Co-op Live, have been revealed
Designed by the Bentley Motors Design Team, the space replicates the custom finishes and designs of its luxurious cars and will include low carbon Beluga leather seating and expertly crafted Bentley Home furniture
Luxe membership of the hospitality club is very limited with 100-person capacity and includes the best tickets to every publicly ticketed event at Co-op Live, and is expected to sell out immediately

Bentley Motors is delighted to reveal Manchester’s most exclusive luxe member’s club – The Bentley Record Room – an intimate lounge designed by the Bentley Motors Design Team at Co-op Live, the highly anticipated music and entertainment arena in Manchester.

The Bentley Record Room will be situated next to the performers’ Green Room inside the new £365 million music and entertainment venue – set to be the largest live music arena in the UK. Luxe members will have access to the space before, during and after events at Co-op Live, with the best tickets to live shows as well as access to an exciting range of special events in The Bentley Record Room.

The 100-capacity club will offer the ultimate in luxury and intimacy for music fans, boasting high-end dining options, a private host and waiter service, designated parking, and a VIP entrance to the venue. Its sumptuous interiors will be designed by the Bentley Design Team replicating the custom finishes and designs of its luxurious cars. The space will include low carbon Beluga leather seating and expertly crafted Bentley Home furniture, created in partnership with Luxury Living Group.

Christoph Hohmann, Global Head of Brand Communications at Bentley Motors, says: “We are delighted to offer music lovers a dedicated Bentley Place – an environment that is as luxurious and cosseting as the interior of a Bentley – allowing them to experience the craftsmanship, beauty and luxury that you can find in each one of our cars but on a much larger and totally immersive scale.”

Sam Piccione, President of OVG International: “Bentley is number one in British luxury, so it’s the exemplar brand to name this unique room. As the UK’s first private luxe members’ club inside an arena, The Bentley Record Room will put Manchester ahead of anywhere else, including London, for unrivalled quality entertainment. There’s no doubt it will be one of the best and most lavish places to enjoy live events anywhere in the world.”

Iconic Manchester Fashion Retailer Hervia Reopens HQ and Flagship Store Following Investment From Growth Investor Rami Cassis

Olivia McHugh

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27/02/2023

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Iconic Manchester Fashion Retailer Hervia Reopens HQ and Flagship Store Following Investment From Growth Investor Rami Cassis

Hervia, Manchester’s iconic fashion retailer, will today reopen their new HQ and flagship store after its acquisition by growth investor Rami Cassis in the middle of last year.

The Hervia Bazaar store has been a popular landmark in Manchester since it first opened in 1993, and the reopening comes in perfect time for the brand to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The independent fashion retailer stocks the likes of Rick Owens, Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons, Y-3, Maison Margiela, DSM, and Charles Jeffrey Loverboy.

The reopening follows a development project to bring together Hervia’s head office, e-commerce operations, and stock holdings under one roof alongside its beautiful galleried retail space. Housed in a Grade 2-listed former banking hall, the 4,000-square-foot HQ and store provides ample space for customers and team members to shop and work.

Visitors to the store will be welcomed by the building’s original bronze doorway, with full-height glazed store windows. The store and HQ uniquely blends an intimate and high-end luxury retail experience, with a fresh, modern, and customer-friendly floorplan and design.

Since its acquisition in May last year, Rami Cassis, CEO of Parabellum Investments, has worked with Hervia’s founder, Oscar Pinto-Hervia, to accelerate the growth of the company through integrating its core functions into the new Manchester HQ whilst refreshing its online presence to capitalise on global demand. The pair are also eyeing up childrenswear as a segment to expand into.

In the 1990s, Hervia made its name because of its popularity amongst The Haçienda nightclub-goers as well as being frequented by the likes of boyband Take That. Since then, it has become a Manchester-born global success story, with more than 80 percent of its sales now coming from outside of the UK, including a large number of buyers from Asia.

At the point of acquisition, Cassis announced that he intended for Hervia to become the basis for further acquisitions in the fashion and retail space, with a view to becoming a new independent Manchester-based supergroup. The supergroup is expected to be a platform for emerging and early-career British, French, and other international designers.

Rami Cassis is an international growth investor who acquires businesses to supercharge their growth and drive their expansion. Starting out in management, engineering, and consulting, Cassis established his family office in 2012. His other recent investments include tech and fintech firms including Parseq, Advanco, and ieDigital.

Oscar Pinto-Hervia arrived from Chile as a refugee in 1978 and later founded Hervia in 1993. His decision to stock Vivienne Westwood cemented his reputation as a trailblazer in the industry. Pinto-Hervia has since opened several Westwood franchise stores and opened the first Y-3 store in collaboration with Adidas and Yohji Yamamoto.

The store will be open to the public from 11:00am today.

Rami Cassis and Oscar Pinto Hervia — (L-R) Rami Cassis and Oscar Pinto-Hervia.

Oscar Pinto-Hervia, founder of Hervia, said: “This reopening is momentous for Hervia. This is the first phase in a plan to build the brand into something truly incredible.

“It is particularly exciting to be holding this reopening in our 30th year of business. I am looking forward to continuing to work at the heart of the Manchester fashion community for another thirty years.

“Having Rami on board has allowed us to be even more ambitious with our strategy, and, with his expertise, lay the groundwork for the expansion of Hervia well into the future.”

Rami Cassis, principal investor at Hervia, said: “The reopening of Hervia’s flagship store is a really exciting moment in our plan for the brand’s growth.

“Hervia and Oscar have a proven track record of providing a platform for emerging designers, both British and international. We want to keep that at the core of Hervia while we evolve the business.

“The future of Hervia is all about investing in the business from top to bottom, fine-tuning the best customer experience, and expanding into untapped markets at home and abroad.”

Adopt new technologies

Establish a robust online presence

Concentrate on the customer experience

Encourage creativity and innovation among employees

Set up a work environment that’s flexible

Embrace sustainability

Establish strategic partnerships

Invest in employee training and development

Make decisions based on data analytics

Improve and innovate on a regular basis

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