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Pixel Kicks launches dedicated digital PR division

Creative

Sam Whitear

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16/03/2021

Pixel Kicks launches dedicated digital PR division

Pixel Kicks, the Manchester based full-service digital agency, is launching a dedicated digital PR division which will sit alongside and compliment its existing website development, digital marketing, creative content and branding offerings.

The decision to launch the new division follows a rise in client demand for digital PR over the past 12 months and will be focused on increasing online visibility and link building for brands – both in the North West and across the UK.

Pixel Kicks’ experience covers various sectors including professional services, creative, tech, property, construction and travel/ tourism.

Chris Buckley – managing director of Pixel Kicks – said: “Launching the digital PR offering is a natural step in the agency’s evolution. Over the past 10 years, we have helped hundreds of businesses to raise their profiles and generate sales thanks to our digital expertise. We see the PR division as another way to build on that success.

Chris added: “We’ll be working hard to generate high-quality backlinks on valuable news and media websites as well as increasing social media awareness and website traffic, all with the aim of improving our clients’ bottom-lines.”

Pub recognised for community support during lockdown

Awards

Sam Whitear

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16/03/2021

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Pub recognised for community support during lockdown

The Old Courts in Wigan is one of just 10 pubs from across the country to reach the finals of the Community Pub Hero Awards, organised by PubAid and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group and sponsored by Matthew Clark.

The competition was created to recognise the great work done by pubs since the first Covid lockdown in March last year, who have gone above and beyond to support their local communities, despite facing uncertainty themselves.

The team at the Old Courts, led by licensee Rebecca Davenport, delivered 700 food parcels to local people in need, and a further 10,000 packed lunches to children during school holidays. They also made over 900 phone calls to isolated residents.

The pub supports a number of local arts and music community projects so during lockdown they also collected unwanted musical instruments for children who wanted to learn but couldn’t afford an instrument – a great way to turn lockdown into a learning opportunity for youngsters. Other groups helped by the Old Courts include the Wigan Autistic Theatre Company, School of Rock and Over-50 Jammers.

Nationwide, 115 pubs entered the Community Pub Hero Awards, the majority nominated by their local MP. Entries were judged by a panel of industry experts and the overall Community Pub Hero will be announced later this spring.

PubAid co-founder Des O’Flanagan said: “Our heartfelt congratulations go to the Old Courts. Landlords and landladies and their teams have offered invaluable support for communities during the pandemic, whether offering vital supplies for residents, cooking hot meals for the elderly or countering social isolation through online quizzes or chats. Choosing the 10 finalists was a real challenge for the judges, as every pub who entered had a strong story to tell. Those who have reached the shortlist should be very proud of their achievement.”

Richard Hayhoe, Marketing Director, Matthew Clark added: “We were delighted to support this competition and pleased with the response from pubs and the many MPs who nominated a ‘hero’ in their constituency. The fantastic work done by so many licensees and teams during the lockdowns and periods of restricted trading over the last year have provided a vital lifeline to countless people, and prove that pubs are genuinely a force for good in their communities.”

Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South and Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group said: “These awards have been a great opportunity for MPs to celebrate how landladies and landlords in their constituencies have stepped up to the mark to support their community during the pandemic. Yet again we have seen that pubs are the antidote to isolation.”

This is the third year for the competition, which was reshaped and renamed this year – it was formerly Charity Pub of the Year – to focus on community support rather than traditional charity fundraising.

THE FINALISTS

The Angel & Crown, Richmond
The Bevy, Brighton
The Bowgie Inn, Crantock near Newquay, Cornwall
The Clifton Arms, Blackburn
The Horse & Jockey, Melling, Merseyside
The Mowden, Darlington
The Old Courts, Wigan
The Orange Tree, Baldock, Hertfordshire
The Portobello Inn, West Kingsdown, Kent
The Portsmouth Arms, Hatch Warren, Basingstoke

Manchester’s Dirt Factory on the lookout for a new home following a successful two year pop-up project.

Growth

Sam Whitear

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15/03/2021

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Manchester’s Dirt Factory on the lookout for a new home following a successful two year pop-up project.

MANCHESTER’S first indoor mountain bike park, Dirt Factory, is looking for a new permanent home, after a successful two-years at its pop-up attraction at Mayfield.

The Dirt Factory Pop-Up has been a resounding success, welcoming more than 30,000 visitors from across the UK, from professional riders to first-time cyclists from the neighbouring community.

CEO and Founder Dan Makin said, “The Dirt Factory Pop-Up Bike Park has been everything we hoped it would be and much more. We’ve welcomed thousands of riders who have had fun, progressed their skills, gained confidence, made new friends and we’ve built a huge community.

“We’re proud of what’s been achieved and extremely grateful to U+i and the Mayfield Partnership for enabling Dirt Factory to utilise the site before redevelopment takes place. I would also like to thank every one of our customers, staff members, volunteers, supporters and partners for making the Dirt Factory pop-up a huge success and giving us extra motivation for our next goal”.

Dirt Factory closed in early January 2021 as construction work on the first phase of the £1.5bn redevelopment of Mayfield begins. This includes the creation of Mayfield Park, a stunning 6.5 acre green public space around The River Medlock, Manchester city centre’s first new park in 100 years.

Arlene Van Bosch, Development Director at regeneration company U+i, which is leading the £1.5bn project for the Mayfield Partnership, a public-private joint venture, said: “It has been brilliant to support the creation of Dirt Factory and see it make such great progress. Dan and his team deserve enormous credit for creating, from scratch, a unique and inclusive attraction.

“Mayfield was a place for pioneering innovation in the past, and the success of Dirt Factory over the last two years, proves this spirit of enterprise is very much alive. We wish the team all the best for the future, and are sure their relocation to a ‘forever’ home, will be a great success.”

A survey completed by 402 customers revealed that 60% of customers rode at Dirt Factory more than three times a week, 89% of customers agreed that Dirt Factory has helped them be physically active, 97% of customers agreed that Dirt Factory has helped them improve their bike riding skills and 80% of customers agreed that Dirt Factory has helped to improve their mental well-being.

The Dirt Factory bike park was not only used as a riding destination, but also has a community hub. The Dirt Factory team worked with One Manchester, Greater Manchester Police and various schools and community groups across Greater Manchester to deliver mountain bike skills coaching, bike repair classes and creative workshops using old bike parts.

Michelle Wright, Youth Opportunities Coordinator at One Manchester said: “Dirt Factory is an amazing resource for young people in Manchester. We’ve worked with the Dirt Factory team for over a year now, supporting their social objectives and community work. Many of those living in our place areas enjoy the experience provided by Dirt Factory and we’re pleased to continue our partnership. ”

The Dirt Factory team is now working hard to secure a permanent home in much bigger premises to carry on its community work and achieve their company mission, which is to get more people cycling more often. They’re aiming to secure a building in Greater Manchester between 40,000 and 90,000 square feet, ideally three times bigger than the Dirt Factory pop-up.

Dan Makin added, “The larger space will allow us to construct lots more progressive trails, zones and features, along with a bigger bike shop, cafe, rental space, education suite and much more. We’ve learnt a lot from the Dirt Factory pop-up and, together with our existing plans and rider feedback, we cannot wait to create a bigger, better facility for riders, friends, families and groups to enjoy. Whether you’re new to riding, an experienced mountain biker, BMXer, commuter or hobby cyclist, more people on bikes is good for everyone.”

During decommissioning the pop-up facility in Manchester the team was offered the opportunity to open a Dirt Factory Bike Shop at Farmer Johns MTB Park in Marple, Stockport. This will provide Dirt Factory a small hub to operate from while the premise search continues.

Ives & Taylor Insurance joins forces with Partners&

Partnerships

Sam Whitear

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15/03/2021

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Ives & Taylor Insurance joins forces with Partners&

Bolton-based independent insurance broker, Ives & Taylor, has joined forces with Partners&, a new insurance and employee benefits advisory business with 12 offices throughout the UK. The move is in line with the Partners& strategy to build a hub in the North of England and brings strong commercial lines, professional indemnity, and private client practices into the Partners& portfolio.

Ives & Taylor was established in Bolton in 1965 and has built a strong reputation as a well-respected community broker with many long-term relationships with local businesses. It employs 13 people.

Stephen Buckley, Managing Director of Ives & Taylor, said: “We’re excited to be joining Partners&. We believe in the vision that Phil has for the business, and the opportunity it brings for our people and our clients. We are proud of our heritage and of the service and care we bring to our clients, so it is of critical importance to us to be part of a values-based organisation which shares our core principles around clients and people.”

Phil Barton, Partners& CEO, said: “Creating a hub in the North of England is an important step for us in developing our national footprint. For us to continue our mission, which seeks to return the market to the best traditions of advice and relationships, combined with modern thinking and intelligent use of technology, it was critical that we aligned ourselves with a business which shares our values and will fit in with our culture. We have found that in Ives & Taylor and I’m confident it will be a good move for the team, their clients and of course, Partners&.”

NEW APPOINTMENTS AT MANCHESTER ENGINEERING FIRM

Appointments

Sam Whitear

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15/03/2021

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NEW APPOINTMENTS AT MANCHESTER ENGINEERING FIRM

Adept Civil and Structural Consulting Engineers is expanding its team with a raft of new appointments at its Manchester city centre office, and the company plans to create further jobs later this year.
Mark Walsh joins the firm as an associate, Saif Farjawi has been appointed as a civil and structural engineer and David Finch has become the office’s first apprentice.
With more than eight years’ experience at both national and regional engineering practices, Mark has worked on a wide range of projects across the leisure, retail, education, healthcare and commercial sectors. In his new role, he will be responsible for leading projects throughout the North West.

Saif completed a master’s degree in structural engineering at The University of Salford in 2018 before spending two years working at a national engineering firm as a graduate engineer. In addition, Bilal Ashraf joined Adept last year as a senior engineer.

Adept, which is headquartered in Leeds, has also been running a hugely successful apprentice programme for more than 12 years which has resulted in numerous participants becoming fully qualified engineers and completing university degrees. David will now complete a BTEC apprenticeship course at Barnsley College, whilst working four days a week at Adept in Manchester.

Earlier this year, Adept significantly expanded its Manchester operation after relocating to new city centre offices at Number 7 St James Square, which sits between John Dalton Street and South King Street.

Mark said: “Joining Adept is an opportunity to further my career at a growing company that is quickly establishing an enviable reputation across Manchester and beyond and works across an extremely varied portfolio of projects.”
Neil Brown, a director at Adept, who heads up the company’s Manchester office, said: “These appointments are a direct result of new contract wins throughout the North West across the rail, education, industrial and residential sectors. Mark brings a wealth of experience to the team and Saif is an ambitious structural engineer who has gained experience across an impressive portfolio of projects, so they will both further enhance the service that our clients enjoy.

“We’re also delighted to welcome our first apprentice to the Manchester team. Apprenticeships are a proven way of introducing young people into the engineering and STEM sectors, which is vital to the industry. David is a very bright individual and with our guidance and support, he can forge a successful career in the industry.

“We now employ a team of six in Manchester and plan to recruit another engineer and Revit technician, to produce technical drawings and models, later this year, which all combines to make it an exciting time for Adept.”

Adept provides a full range of civil and structural engineering solutions. These include surveys and reports, feasibility advice for new schemes, BIM services, geo-environmental studies, site investigations, conceptual and detailed drawings, flood-risk and drainage assessments and highway design.

£20 million SME Brexit Support Fund opens for applications

Business support

Sam Whitear

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15/03/2021

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£20 million SME Brexit Support Fund opens for applications

Smaller businesses can today (15 March 2021) apply for grants of up to £2,000 to help them adapt to new customs and tax rules when trading with the EU.

The £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund enables traders to access practical support, including training for new customs, rules of origin and VAT processes.

Katherine Green and Sophie Dean, Directors General, Borders and Trade, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), said:

We recognise that changes to customs rules have been challenging for small and micro businesses, and this is why we are encouraging business owners to apply for support through the SME Brexit Support Fund.

We do not take for granted that the UK’s small businesses – from designers creating bespoke handmade pieces from their kitchen tables, to those selling sweet treats – are vital to the growth and prosperity of our economy, so we look forward to supporting them with practical help to do business with our European partners, on top of a wide range of support available from the government.

Small and medium sized businesses that trade solely with the EU – and are therefore new to importing and exporting processes – are encouraged to apply for the grants.

The fund, announced in February by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, is the latest round of government support for UK trade.

To be eligible, businesses must import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU, or move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

This follows the government setting out a new timetable for introducing import border control processes to enable UK businesses to focus on their recovery. Full import border control processes will now be introduced on 1 January 2022, six months later than originally planned.

Mike Cherry, Federation of Small Businesses National Chairman, said:

The vast majority of UK small firms that do business overseas trade with the EU. Not only are they trying to stay afloat as lockdowns gradually ease, they now have new, unfamiliar paperwork and costs to navigate when they buy from, or sell to, Europe.

That’s why we asked the government for targeted funding to help them navigate these fresh demands, and it’s brilliant to see that funding go live today.

We encourage all eligible small businesses to take a look and apply for this new source of help.

Jon Geldart, Director-General, Institute of Directors, said:

Smaller firms have long needed assistance with managing the host of new requirements that come with changing our EU trading arrangements, and that need has only grown in the current adjustment phase.

This is why the Institute of Directors has campaigned for so long to help companies with the cost of accessing the professional advice they need, and we commend the government for stepping in to do so.

More information about the SME Brexit Support Fund, including details of how to apply, can be found on GOV.UK.

LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR GOES DOWN UNDER WITH MASSIVE DEAL WORTH $220k WITH THE WOOLWORTHS GROUP

Hospitality

Sam Whitear

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15/03/2021

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LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR GOES DOWN UNDER WITH MASSIVE DEAL WORTH $220k WITH THE WOOLWORTHS GROUP

Rockstar Spirits – Britain’s Most Exciting Independent Rum Brand To Hit Shelves In 226 Stores Across Australia.

Rockstar Spirits, an award-winning independent rum brand based in Manchester, has secured a distribution deal with Australia’s largest retail company, Woolworths Group Ltd.

The deal will see four Rockstar Spirits brands sold in Dan Murphy’s, an Australian liquor supermarket chain owned by the Woolworths Group, with 226 stores across the country.

The Dan Murphy’s launch range will include the Captn Webb Two Swallows series, with Citrus & Salted Caramel, Cherry & Salted Caramel and Orange & Ginger, and the Banana Bomb, a 57% Navy Strength rum.

The brand, which was last week awarded triple gold at the Rum & Cachaça Masters 2021* for its Captn Webb’s Two Swallows Citrus & Salted Caramel, Pineapple Grenade and Banana Bomb rum, saw a sales increase of 550% in 2020 taking the growing market by storm.

Now this new deal, which founder Tom negotiated with the internationally renowned brand, will secure an immediate national footprint across Australia, with a presence in every major town and city, taking rum connoisseurs and virgins on a journey of discovery with its unique flavour profiles.

The value of the first orders secured at Dan Murphy’s will deliver $220k Australian Dollars worth of rum through the tills initially, with a goal of delivering $500k worth of rum in the first year. The initial stock is currently being shipped to Australia to be in stores early May.

Rockstar Spirit was launched in November 2018 by Tom Hurst, 43, who waved goodbye to a 20-year corporate career in the drinks industry to realise his dream of launching his own rum brand and to create a rum perfect for mixing with coke.

Talks of the deal started in July 2020, when a buyer from the Woolworths Group contacted Tom after seeing the Captn Webb Two Swallows series online.

Tom Hurst, founder and CEO of Rockstar Spirits said: “I set a key goal every year for Rockstar, and in 2020 the goal was to deliver a national listing with a top supermarket in the UK, which I delivered with a Sainsburys listing in Q1. The goal for 2021 was to deliver our first major export deal and I believe that working with Woolworths has delivered this objective in Q1 again and puts us in a good place to continue our strong growth curve despite all the challenges we have seen from events of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Rockstar Spirits comprises three distinct series, Captn Webb’s Two Swallows, The Grenade Series and Banana Bomb.

Sourcing spirits from the world’s greatest rum distilleries, The Grenade and Two Swallows ranges use the finest
rum from Diamond Distillery in Guyana as their starting point, with Banana Bomb sourced from the most
awarded rum distillery in Panama that takes ethical and sustainable production to new levels.

Captn Webb’s Two Swallows range of spiced rums use the finest rum from Guyana married with incredible flavour combinations. The range consists of Citrus & Salted Caramel, Cherry & Salted Caramel and Orange & Ginger.

The Grenade Series from Rockstar Spirits consists of three 65% premium rums, Pineapple Grenade, Grapefruit Grenade and Passionfruit Grenade.

Banana Bomb sources fair trade rum from Panama that is carbon neutral and the distillery is run entirely on renewable biomass energy. The rum is aged for 2 years in oak ex Bourbon Casks and distilled to Navy Strength 57% abv. Giving the incredible spirit a Rockstar twist, it is then infused with natural Banana, Spices and Salted Caramel to create an incredibly well rounded and smooth spiced rum. Great with coke, lemonade or ginger beer and makes a killer Banana Daiquiri.

UNITE AND CREATE AIMING TO SHAKE UP THE AGENCY WORLD

Sam Whitear

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15/03/2021

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UNITE AND CREATE AIMING TO SHAKE UP THE AGENCY WORLD

Former Managing Director and Client Services Director of HGA, have launched their new creative services agency, Unite and Create.

Offering a new way to ‘create together’ the launch offers a very different take on the traditional agency model, by exclusively working with freelance talent to support a wide range of client briefs.

Founding Director, Dan Laurence commented, “For us the agency model of in-house teams and resources has stood for decades, but we believe disruption is healthy for every industry and having operated in that world for a combined 30 years, believe there is a better way. By working with us, our clients are able to build their dream team, every time – a team specifically tailored to each and every brief. We believe this way of creating not only offers a more bespoke, tailored service but ultimately delivers better results at a better price too.”

Since launch in November the agency has already seen rapid growth and has picked up a string of new client wins, including securing a contract with the agricultural business of BASF UK & Ireland following a competitive tender.

The initial contract is to deliver a range of digital and virtual solutions and Andre Cambeis, Head of Communications, Agricultural Solutions UK & Ireland, said: “By 2050, farmers will have to feed an estimated 9.7 billion people, requiring an increase in productivity of 50%. Digitalization has the potential to make an important contribution to this. The company is therefore advancing its digital technologies and approaches together with other innovations across its whole portfolio. We are excited to work with an agency that brings progressive thinking, creative ideas and agility to the way we engage with our audiences.”

Founding Director, Chris Hobson added, “Starting up a new agency in the middle of a pandemic was always a brave thing to do, especially when we offer such a radically different approach to the way we operate. Our process is unique, but we know it is a better, more agile and customisable way of working. We have access to the biggest creative collective in the UK and as such operate in a world without limits. As great as we know this is, we’re thrilled to see those views shared by an ever-growing client roster too. We’re excited about uniting with many more clients in the months ahead”

SharpFutures & Sky Studios in association with ScreenSkills launch Flip The Script.

Creative

Sam Whitear

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15/03/2021

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SharpFutures & Sky Studios in association with ScreenSkills launch Flip The Script.

Flip The Script is a new creative talent development programme for trainee script editors launched by social enterprise SharpFutures with the support of Sky Studios curated by Cameron Roach and members of the Sky Drama team.

ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen industries, are also supporting the programme.

The aim and vision of the programme is to inspire and encourage a new generation of scripted professionals, specifically with a focus on individuals in the North West, by offering twelve paid placements for trainee script editors to acquire and hone their skills and editorial voice, enabling them to go forward and apply for positions as researchers, script editors, assistant story editors and dramaturgs in the future.

SharpFutures and Sky Drama started collaborating closely whilst shooting the forthcoming Sky1 show Intergalactic.
The 12 week programme which commences in May is targeted at individuals living in the North West, as we recognise that the broadcast industry needs to provide greater access to careers in the creative sector in this region.

‘Sky have worked in collaboration with Sharp Futures across a number of our shows shot in the North-West in recent years, including the forthcoming Intergalactic, and their passion and commitment for enabling the individual voice is incredibly inspiring.

We’re excited to unearth a new generation of creative talent working in partnership with SharpFutures, and ScreenSkills, as well as the generous industry partners and individuals who have agreed to offer masterclasses and workshops. Script Editing is a powerful industry tool in enabling true diversity of voice, and we recognise that there needs to be more open access into the role going forward’.
Cameron Roach, Director of Drama, Sky Studios
‘For SharpFutures, where we pride ourselves in being a leader in securing opportunities in the broadcast sector, collaborating with the teams at Sky Drama and Screenskills is always a pleasure. Invariably it leads to us discovering new ways to face challenges and ultimately make positive change in our industry and for our community in the future.

Flip The Script is an initiative I know will deliver wonderful openings for a new generation of creative talent. A great reason to get up and get to work every day!’
Elli Metcalfe, Head of Production, SharpFutures

‘We know that there is an industry demand for script editors and associated roles so are really pleased to be working with our partners at Sky and SharpFutures on this programme targeted at finding and developing talent in the North West.
This is a great opportunity for a new generation of script professionals to get practical experience and hone their skills in a way that will be of wider benefit to our thriving industry’.

Kaye Elliott, Director of High-end Television, ScreenSkills
Online applications are now open and the successful applicants will have direct access to a range of industry professionals who have succeeded in making their own literary aspirations come true. They will also have the opportunity to train in recognised Industry software Final Draft.

The initiative will include masterclasses from Nicola Shindler, Paul Abbott, Furquan Akhtar, Danny Brocklehurst, Jerome Bucchan-Nelson, Lisa Holdsworth, Namsi Khan, Lisa McGee, Liz Lewin and Cameron Roach. Every one of these contributors are working in scripted TV in the UK; across the genres of Comedy, Children’s TV, Drama, High End TV as well as Continuing Drama. ScreenSkills will also be providing sessions for the participants along with and to complement the other masterclass leaders.

As well as these named individuals the initiative will also ensure participants have exposure to a wide variety of scripted content and contributors which will include employees and creatives working with Sky, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Netflix, NBC, AbbottVision, Quay Street Productions, Lime Pictures & CBBC.

The deadline for application is Friday April 9th 2021.
The course is open for applicants who are over 18 and resident in the North West
Apply via: https://sharpfutures.org.uk/flip-the-script/
Course info: https://sharpfutures.org.uk/flip-the-script/

NETWORK SPACE ACQUIRES INDUSTRIAL ASSET

Property

Sam Whitear

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15/03/2021

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Network Space has exchanged contracts for the purchase of a prime 11.4 acre (4.6 ha) site in South Manchester.

The site on Atlantic Street in Altrincham, which comprises 220,000 sq ft of industrial warehouse space, was until recently the HQ and trailer manufacturing site for the Cartwright Group. Acquired from the administrators for an undisclosed sum, Network Space will refurbish and redevelop the site to meet existing and future demand for industrial property.

Richard Ainscough from Network Space, said: “At its peak some 700 people would have been employed by Cartwright in Altrincham. The closure of the business has undoubtedly left a hole in the local economy. There is a well-documented shortage of light industrial space in the urban environment. We are specialists in industrial development and regeneration, and will provide much-needed space for small and mid-box urban logistics, as well as traditional multi-let industrial estate uses. This will hopefully go some way to create new jobs at the site by attracting a mix of local, regional and national occupiers. We aim to be on site as soon as possible.”

Network Space expects to have new space ready to occupy next year.

The site lies eight miles south of Manchester City Centre and a mile from Altrincham Town Centre in the well-established Broadheath industrial area. It is three miles from the M56 and offers easy access to the M6 and M60.

Savills and Gateley acted for Network Space, B8, SIA Group and Addleshaw Goddard acted for the administrators.

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