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World first as Ariel Atom supercar bought with Bitcoin in Bolton

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One of the region’s best known supercar dealerships is celebrating a world first after completing the first ever sale of an Ariel Atom in Bitcoin.

Bolton’s Supercar Clinic on Halliwell Road completed the sale of the iconic Ariel Atom 3.5R model supercar after partnering with AutoCoinCars, a car marketplace that uniquely allows dealerships to advertise their cars for sale to cryptocurrency users.

The value of the sale to an undisclosed client was £64,995, circa 3.6 Bitcoin at the time.

Aadil Patel, Head of Sales at Supercar Clinic explains;

‘The idea that you could sell or buy a car with crypto currency, let alone a prestige supercar such as an Ariel Atom might have seemed like science fiction when we first began trading.

‘However, we are service led and endeavour to be at the forefront of the industry and dealing in crypto currency is part of that equation for a growing number of our clients. We all have a very pioneering spirit here and this is a huge moment, so we are all very proud of what we’ve just achieved, which was made possible thanks to our partnership with the team at AutoCoinCars.

Ariel Motor Company Ltd is a performance motor vehicle manufacturing company from Somerset, England. They create highly exclusive vehicles and are not mass-produced and are best known for producing small racing cars, including the Atom.

Each Ariel is hand-built by one technician from the start right through to performing a road test and personal sign off.

Luke Willmott, co-founder and COO of AutoCoinCars comments;

‘I’m delighted for Aadil and his client that they’ve made the first ever transaction in Bitcoin for an Ariel Atom. The relatively new nature of this concept means there’s always something exciting and innovative happening but aside from our technology that allows these incredible transactions to be possible, we should not lose sight of one simple thing – customer service.

‘Aadil and his team have an incredible range of vehicles and are leaders in their field but they never lose sight of that focus on adding value and their clients demand the very best solutions – that includes cryptocurrency as an option.

‘We now have over 850 dealerships on our platform as more and more people seek the flexibility of buying with cryptocurrency. There has often been criticism of cryptocurrency in that it is not tangible. However, we can now help people to unlock the potential of their portfolio by converting their Bitcoin into physical assets and we’re delighted to be part of this world first alongside the team at Supercar Clinic.’

Manchester-based businesses and marketing talent to benefit from DMA’s government-funded skills bootcamps

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Today the Data & Marketing Association (DMA) can announce its new Digital Marketing Strategy Skills Bootcamps, funded by the Department for Education (DfE) through its Skills for Life Programme. The skills bootcamps will help both aspiring and current marketing talent to upskill and reskill in key areas of marketing, while also increasing the pool of skilled talent available to businesses.

The DMA’s skills bootcamps will help diverse talent in major UK cities, predominantly those who are either unemployed or working within SMEs, to develop creative, data and digital skillsets, some of the most desirable skills across the marketing industry – to improve their career and employment opportunities. In addition, unemployed people who complete the skills bootcamps will also secure job interviews with reputable employers.

These new skills bootcamps, launching in Manchester in September, are a key part of the DMA’s wider campaign to reduce skills gaps and talent shortages across the UK. Not only will they help people from all backgrounds to upskill and reskill in marketing, but they will also increase the talent pool of skilled workers available to organisations across the UK.

“The DMA’s new skills bootcamps will help organisations and the people who power them to benefit from government-funded upskilling and reskilling opportunities during these extremely challenging economic times. They will help businesses to acquire skilled, diverse talent saving on both training and recruitment costs, while empowering them to boost growth and productivity,” said Chris Combemale, CEO of the DMA. “In addition, they will offer support to people from all backgrounds across the UK, not only helping them to develop highly desirable marketing and digital skills, but to also provide them with crucial links to responsible employers.”

Government heeds DMA calls to prioritise industry-led talent development

Late last year, the DMA and other industry partners called for increased funding from the UK Government to be dedicated to industry-led qualifications to help fill thousands of immediate job openings. The DfE has now selected the DMA as a partner, to help close the skills gaps that are negatively impacting businesses.

The Skills for Life funding from the DfE supports the DMA’s ongoing campaign, launched in early July, to create a professionalised industry with a culture of continuous, structured learning at its core. DMA Members have been signing up to pilot the DMA’s bitesize learning, for a minimum of an hour per week, to show how micro-upskilling as an additional learning method can help the industry achieve this goal.

“The DMA believes that learning and professional development are integral to tackling skills shortages and improving people’s employment and career prospects. There remains a huge opportunity for industry bodies like the DMA to have a significant role in supporting the government’s upskilling and reskilling initiatives – so we hope that this is only the start of this exciting journey. We believe trade and professional bodies are best placed to spearhead these types of programmes with their strong industry connections and understanding of the skills that employers require most,” added Combemale.

Further information about the skills bootcamps can be found on the DMA website:https://view.ceros.com/dma/digital-marketing-strategy-skills-bootcamp-employer/

Manchester mums’ new venture combines action with mindfulness

A pair of enterprising mums have combined action adventure with the calm world of mindfulness to encourage local people to take time for themselves.

Sarah Daly, an outdoor adventure leader from Blackley, and Imelda McQuaid, a mindful practitioner from Wigan, set up Mindful Adventures UK after realising how their combined expertise can help encourage better mental health.

They say combining fun and high energy activities such as archery, kayaking and paddleboarding with mindfulness practice – where you stop to recognise the world around you – gives you the best of both worlds, releasing endorphins to keep you in high spirits while also ensuring you take the time to notice and recognise the world around you.

Imelda, 41, who runs Mindful by Nature, a mindful business that runs outdoor mindful self-compassion courses and guides mindful mountain hikes, explained: “Mindfulness is a practice whereby you stop and notice what is happening in this moment, how you are feeling here and now as opposed to being caught up worrying about the past or future. It’s fantastic for your mental health and the benefits are increased by being in nature.”

Imelda, who is mum to Finn, four, and Freddie, two, and a qualified mountain leader, said: “Today people have such hectic lives but it’s really important to take time for yourselves and practice mindfulness where you can. But we also appreciate that people also want to blow off some steam – so we thought, why not combine the two?

“By teaming up with Sarah to provide day and weekend retreats for families, individuals or groups, we are providing an opportunity for people to experience the thrill of an adventure with the reflective and calming attributes of mindfulness.”

Sarah, 33, who is a qualified kayak, archery and paddle boarding instructor, runs Manchester company Daly Adventures. She said: “I am passionate about people having access to adventure and fun activities no matter what their age or experience. But sometimes you are so busy having fun, you don’t stop to appreciate it. And that’s where mindfulness comes in!”

Sarah, who is mum to two-year-old Sophia, added: “The great thing about these retreats is that they are suitable for everyone – whether you are a harassed mum wanting to get some time away from the kids, someone looking to reconnect with nature in a fun and engaging way, or you would like to bring the whole family along to learn some new skills. Everyone is welcome!”

Mindful Adventures UK run day and weekend retreats across the North West.

The next adult only retreat takes place from Friday, November 18, to Sunday, November 20, and includes archery, hiking and mindfulness.

For more information about Mindful Adventures Uk or to find out about other scheduled events, go to www.mindfulbynature.co.uk/events.

Fast-growing tech recruiter makes two new hires

A fast-growing tech recruitment firm has hired two new members of staff as it looks to triple in size in a year.

Last month Fairmont Recruitment moved into 2,100 sq ft of space in 53-55 Mosley Street, Manchester, after signing a five-year deal.

Consultant Will Priamo and trainee James Craig have both joined the tech recruitment specialist, bringing the total number of staff to 11.

CEO Jack Donohue said if the company hit their target of recruiting up to four additional staff before the end of the year, the business will have tripled in size in 2022.

He said: “All our growth has been organic. We haven’t borrowed any money so everything has been funded from new business.

“Our new office in Mosley Street has space for between 24-26 people so we’re future-proofing our growth.

“Switching to a four-day week has really helped us recruit. It’s better for people’s mental health and we want our staff to really want to come into the office.

“We started the year with five staff and could end it with 15.”

Priamo joins from Wilmslow-based Venturi Group and will work in the contract division, predominantly software developers.

He said: “It’s a really exciting time to be joining Fairmont. I love the flexibility they offer and the variety of work opportunities.”

Fairmont was founded in 2018 and is on track to double its turnover to £3.5m in the current financial year.

Capital&Centric plan new work spaces and HQ for Manchester’s growing Piccadilly East neighbourhood

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MANCHESTER’S Piccadilly East neighbourhood is set to grow, with Capital&Centric planning to restore a historic warehouse into buzzing new workspaces and their new HQ.

The social mission developers have acquired Chapeltown Warehouse, which adjoins their owner occupier community at Crusader Mill on Chapeltown Street. They plan to transform it into 20,000 sqft of high quality stripped back work space for creative industries – awesome modern spaces that retain the historic charm and original features of the building.

They’re also creating a new Capital&Centric HQ at the warehouse, moving their expanding team to the historic setting.

The work spaces will be split over four floors of the mill, with the plan to turn the ground floor into a café bar and social hub for businesses and residents from the surrounding community. Dating back to the mid-19th Century, the building was previously part of Manchester’s booming textile industry. Its restoration will mark Capital&Centric’s next major investment in the Piccadilly East neighbourhood.

Adam Higgins, co-founder at Capital&Centric, said:

“We were early investors in the Piccadilly East neighbourhood as we knew it could be something special. Years later, it’s still growing in popularity and we’re plotting our next restoration. Chapeltown Warehouse is the missing piece of the puzzle in that block, a rundown former textile mill in need of a decent future.

“To be successful, it’s important that new parts of the city aren’t just full of apartments. We’ve already delivered the Jenga hotel and now we want to add the workplaces and ground floor coffee shop to ensure that Piccadilly East is vibrant and active during the day too. Whilst we’ll keep all of the historic features like the cast iron beams and exposed brickwork, of course we also want to give it the trademark Capital&Centric design edge too.”

The Manchester-based developers have been instrumental in the growth of Piccadilly East. In 2015 they set out to transform a bunch of empty and derelict sites into a vibrant neighbourhood at the heart of the city.

Chapeltown Warehouse will neighbour homeowner communities at the historic Crusader Mill and new-build Phoenix block. The team also recently completed the jenga-inspired Leonardo Hotel, which opened in May, whilst the consented Ferrous will see an additional plot on Chapeltown Street turned into further homes, complete with ground-level shops, pocket parks and The Cabin, a space for community pop-up events.

It’s expected the workspaces will be ready to welcome their first occupiers in 2023.

Capital&Centric are now taking the approach they pioneered in Manchester to other locations. The team are about to start work on the Goods Yard neighbourhood in Stoke-on-Trent – one of the largest awards for a single project from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund – and are well underway transforming Eyewitness Works in Sheffield into apartments, set to be featured in a Channel 4 primetime show next year.

Will Technology Help to Reduce Car Accidents?

Every car that rolls off the production line and into the automotive market in the UK comes equipped with a range of gadgets and devices that, just a few years ago, would have seemed like the stuff of science fiction. Lidar, automation and engine management computers aren’t just there to improve performance and make life more comfortable and convenient; they also confer a number of distinct safety advantages.

Car accident stats in Great Britain

The story of the last few decades of road travel in England has been one of gradual improvement. The number of reported fatalities has declined, as has the number of casualties. In the first case, from 1,850 in 2010 to 1,460 in 2020; in the second, from 206,648 to 115,584. Take a look further back into road history, and you’ll find even more substantial decreases. Victims of these road accidents can seek to make a personal injury claim through the courts – but the damages might not fully compensate them for their loss.

We might attribute this to cultural changes, and improvements in driving behaviour. It used to be common practice for drivers to get behind the wheel while drunk, but now, you’d make yourself a pariah by doing it. We should also consider the technological changes that have helped to reduce the likelihood and severity of any given accident.

New Car Technology

A new car in the UK will likely come with a few crucial safety features.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Cars with this technology are able to automatically maintain a specific distance between the car and the car in front. Systems of this kind can automatically adapt to road signs, and pick up on speed limits, too.

Autonomous Emergency Braking

This will bring the car to a stop when it detects that the car in front has stopped – or that a collision is imminent. Since the machine can react much more quickly than a human, it cuts a substantial chunk off the braking distance. You might stop short of the obstacle – but even if you don’t, your speed will have been reduced substantially.

Lane Assist

For motorway driving, drifting into the wrong lane can often lead to an accident. Many modern cars will nudge themselves back into lane if they determine a drift to have occurred. At the very least, they might issue a warning.

Possible Future Technology

As artificial intelligence and camera systems get more sophisticated, we might see control of the vehicle handed over entirely to machines. This Rubicon might be crossed only once the machines in question have been approved by regulators, which will tend to mean millions of hours of practice in both simulations and real-world settings. The UK government anticipates the first examples to arrive as early as 2025.

A machine driver will be able to not only handle the car much more safely than a human ever could; it will also be able to communicate constantly with other road vehicles. It’s entirely possible that, in the future, road fatalities will be reduced to close to zero.

Real estate duo join Shoosmiths’ Manchester office

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Shoosmiths has added to its real estate division with two new senior hires.

The law firm welcomes partner Patrick Duffy and legal director Emma Tonge to its Manchester office, with the duo bringing a combined 50 years of legal experience.

Both Patrick and Emma arrive at Shoosmiths from Addleshaw Goddard. Their specialisms include advising on large-scale regeneration schemes, including residential and commercial development matters, as well as real estate funding and investment.

Patrick’s experience includes advising Cole Waterhouse on the real estate aspects of a £55m refinancing deal for the development of No. 1 Old Trafford. He also led teams advising on the St Michael’s development in Manchester City Centre, as well as a multimillion-pound forward sale and development of a Unite Student accommodation scheme at UCFB at Wembley Stadium, while most recently supporting Bruntwood with its joint venture with Bury Council and the acquisition of the Mill Gate shopping centre in Bury town centre.

Emma also recently led the team advising Bruntwood SciTech on the lease to Roku at Manchester’s No. 1 Circle Square. The streaming giant took 115,066 sq ft of space – one of the largest regional office deals recorded in 2021 and the largest in Manchester since 2020.

The new additions join a 68-strong real estate team in Shoosmiths’ Manchester office, which now consists of 15 partners, six legal directors and over 40 lawyers – covering all aspects of real estate, including construction, planning and litigation.

The team is currently advising clients including Vita Group, Renaker and Peel L&P.

Andrew Pattinson, partner and head of Real Estate North at Shoosmiths, said:

“Emma and Patrick bring a wealth of experience, having worked on transformational regeneration schemes across the UK. They are already making an impression by opening up new workstreams and bolstering the support we can provide to clients.”

Emma Tonge, legal director at Shoosmiths, said:

“The quality and impact of the real estate projects Shoosmiths is advising on is matched by its team members, who are at the forefront of their practice areas. The firm has an ambitious vision and I’m looking forward to contributing to its growth in Manchester and nationally.”

Patrick Duffy, partner at Shoosmiths, said:

“Shoosmiths has built a strong reputation based on providing excellent legal support and finding solutions to industry-wide challenges. When combined with its client roster and collaborative approach, joining the firm was a compelling prospect.

“Emma and I have worked together for 15 years. We’re excited to continue this partnership as part of the Shoosmiths team – strengthening the expertise provided to clients in key areas such as student accommodation, build-to-rent and mixed-use developments.”

Jargon PR partners with GITEX Global 2022

Jargon announced as ‘Strategic Technology Partner’ for Marketing Mania and the inaugural North Star event at the Middle East’s largest technology event

Announcement follows recent expansion into the Middle East as Jargon confirms its fifth office and first overseas blueprint

Following the announcement of Jargon PR’s expansion into the UAE last month, the award-winning international B2B agency announced today that it will be partnering with GITEX Global 2022, the Middle East’s largest technology event. Jargon PR has been named as GITEX’s official Strategic Technology PR partner for 2022.

Jargon PR will work to onboard regional and international journalists and media partners to Marketing Mania and the inaugural North Star event. Marketing Mania is the only marketing and technology event taking place in the Middle East and North Africa region and is set to have over 400,000 visitors. North Star is a startup event which aims to connect impactful Venture Capitalists, Unicorns and Founders to future focussed corporates. North Star has over 100,000 global visitors and 4,000 exhibiting tech leaders.

Working closely to support GITEX, Jargon PR will pique the interests of journalists to ensure their attendance at the event. These journalists will play a key part in driving significant levels of press coverage to allow the event to gain audience awareness and credibility both in advance of and during the event. What’s more, the agency will be seeking out high value media partnerships with businesses that specialise across the broad technology spectrum, including AI, Fintech, Blockchain, Cybersecurity and more. Jargon PR’s team will be on ground during the week, on hand to facilitate media interviews and networking opportunities for the businesses key industry spokespeople.

Kevin Winfield, Associate Director at Jargon PR, commented: “We’re thrilled to be supporting GITEX 2022, the event which sets the agenda for technological innovation in the Middle East. Our team has excellent relationships with international technology media, developed through our work on similar events around the world such as Mobile World Congress.

“It’s fantastic to harness this experience and knowledge to support such an important event. This adds huge momentum to our growth in the region and we’re looking forward to continuing to support brands with international campaigns.”

Semia Azaiz, Senior Marketing Manager at Dubai World Trade Centre, commented: “We’re delighted to be working with Jargon PR who are playing an important role in seeking out the most relevant media partners and journalists as we look to highlight the international appeal and value of Marketing Mania and North Star. The team have secured some excellent media so far and we’re looking forward to hosting an amazing show.”

This partnership marks the start of significant levels of growth for Jargon PR throughout the UAE, with Jargon having opened up its office in the UAE earlier this year.

POPULOUS APPOINTS CHARLIE BROOKS TO COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING LEADERSHIP ROLE

Populous, the world’s leading stadium and entertainment venue design and architectural practise, has appointed Charlie Brooks as Communications and Marketing Director.

Brooks joins from Manchester United, where he was Communications Director overseeing both Football and Corporate Communications. He joined United in 2018 and prior to that held a number of senior comms leadership roles at NIKE, Inc, including VP of Consumer Category Communications and, most recently, VP of Comms for the sportswear giant’s global Direct-to-Consumer business.

Populous is a global architecture and design practice, with innovation and sustainability at its core, that has led the design and delivery of some of the most iconic sports and entertainment projects across Europe and around the globe, including stadiums for multiple World Cups, Olympic Games and Super Bowls

Notable work includes Wembley, the Emirates, the 2012 Olympic stadium and the Etihad expansion, as well as Wimbledon and Royal Ascot. More recent venues include the iconic Tottenham Hotspur stadium, Lyon’s Groupama stadium and the new Riverside stand at Fulham FC, while upcoming work will include Manchester United’s Old Trafford and the new Cathedral stadium in Milan. The company also specialises in entertainment venues, such as the 02 Arena and the new Co-Op Live venue in Manchester, set to be the UK’s largest and most spectacular live music arena.

Brooks will undertake a dual role, focusing on EMEA projects and activity, while also elevating the company’s global strategic Communications and Marketing Strategy across its regional portfolio of The Americas, Asia Pacific and EMEA.

New food, drink and retail concept launches in Manchester this month

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Department Store, offering a destination to dine, drink, work, meet and shop in one immersive setting, launches September 12th

Manchester’s new experiential social space is launching to the public this week, offering locals a new place to eat, drink, shop and socialise, and small businesses a space to showcase their products.

Department Store, an immersive shop floor at Department Bonded Warehouse in Enterprise City, opening on Monday 12th September, will be accessible to the general public as well as workers in the district.

The store is launching with an all-day dining menu consisting of brunch classics, smoothies, and fresh juices, and various delicious small plates and desserts for lunch and dinner. There is also a wide-ranging drinks menu of wines, beers, cocktails, spirits, and soft drinks.

Department Store reflects Enterprise City’s ethos of supporting up-and-coming businesses by giving them access to a pop-up shop front, accessible by a diverse population, without the ongoing burden of their own operational overheads. The footfall in the area consists of members within Department Bonded Warehouse itself, workers, and commuters. With a placemaking initiative, such as Department Store, the wider Manchester community is only set to grow further.

Retailers can take a low-commitment residency which offers a solution to reaching a wide and varied audience. There is also space for events, exhibitors, and pop-ups within the creative programming of the venue.

Brands that will be part of Department Store’s opening community of businesses include accessory retailer Beaches & Cream, cyclist clothing retailer Rapha, and artist Lorna Bent.

Commenting on the launch, Anthony Powell, managing director at Department said: “Department is building a collection of iconic destinations that combine workspace, wellness, and social experiences. The new Department Store does just that. It offers the public and Department members a new space for culinary and creative ideas. The setting has been purposefully designed as a fluid venue to drink, dine, relax, and socialise, whilst providing independent retailers the platform to promote their brands.

“We have been focusing on expanding our food and beverage offering in recent months with the launch of The Stables, a casual canteen-style restaurant, and now Department Store. They are both ran by our food and beverage team who have a passion for hospitality, creative concepts and delivering an elevated experience.”

Department Store will be open Monday – Friday, with brunch served from 8am and an all-day small plates menu available from 11.30am. In addition, scheduled arts, music, and culinary workshops will be incorporated into the offering. Applications are currently being welcomed for brand partnerships and retailer residencies.

In amongst the experiential concept, Department Store also houses a content studio available to hire for private workshops and photoshoots. The studio can be hired by the hour, half day or full day with lighting and backdrop rolls provided.

Access to Department Store is currently via the main Department Bonded Warehouse workspace entrance off Lower Byrom Street, behind the Science and Industry Museum. However, once Grape Street has opened in Enterprise City, there will be an alternative gateway to Department Store, with outdoor seating, a lively ambiance, and live music & DJs.

To find out more about Department Store visit: https://www.departmentuk.com/

ENDS

Notes to editors

For additional details, please contact:

Rick Hollister, Emily Hume and Holly Gregory at PR Agency One T: 0161 871 9140 E: alliedlondon@pragencyone.co.uk

About All Work & Social

“Do Work Be Social” – that’s the tagline that encapsulates the ethos of award-winning brand All Work & Social.

The unique operator provides work and social spaces for members in some of the UK’s key cities: Manchester, Leeds and London. The most notable brand within All Work & Social’s portfolio is Department, a collection of work, wellness and social destinations. Having established Department XYZ in Spinningfields in 2018, Department also operates Department Bonded Warehouse in Enterprise City and is set to make its mark on Leeds Dock in October 2022 with an additional workspace. As well as owned workspaces, All Work & Social also manage operations on behalf of landlords, including the 60s inspired ABC Buildings in Manchester.

Part of the Allied London business portfolio, All Work & Social was founded in 2015, built around a culture and environment that inspires creativity, harbours new relationships, and nurtures mental and physical wellbeing in order to support business growth. It’s more than just a co-working space. All Work & offers places to enjoy a working community and an ecosystem that encourages work to be serious as well as social.

The All Work & Social brand personality is encapsulated within the following five pillars:

1. Clear

a. The All Work & Social offering is straight-forward. It offers places to work and be social. It’s everything members need for your daily work life in one place.

2. Consistent

a. Each space fosters collaboration, creativity and commercial enterprise – inspiring places that enhance the work/life balance of members.

3. Committed

a. All Work & Social is committed to its members, so the culture is fueled by choice and tailored to their needs.

4. Community

a. All Work & Social encourages work to be serious as well as social by providing a catered community ecosystem.

5. Choice

a. Everything members could need is provided under one roof, with the goal of making the daily work life easier.

With over 20 years of workplace design experience, Allied London knows how to create a workspace concept that works. The company draws on its vast expertise to create the right spaces to support All Work & Social members’ businesses and aide growth. What sets this brand apart from the rest is the focus on community, environment, and the uniqueness of the buildings it operates.

There’s no such thing as one-size-fits all. With spaces facilitating a multitude of sectors, from tech and media to corporate, members of All Work & Social have the chance to flex their entrepreneurial wings whilst rubbing shoulders with international companies like PwC, Booking.com and more.

With All Work & Social, you’re guaranteed a place within the heart of the city. You only need to experience the space to know that it’s a place you’ll want to be.

It works because it’s a seriously well-designed product that is aimed at the customer. All Work & Social functions to support members’ working lives by offering a modern approach to work and social.