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Manchester Airport retains its crown as best UK airport for fifth year in a row

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Manchester Airport is flying high after being named the UK’s best airport, for a fifth year running, at the Globe Awards hosted by Travel Weekly.

The UK’s third largest airport fought off competition from the likes of Heathrow, Liverpool, Gatwick and Birmingham to receive the accolade.

The award comes after a strong 2018 for Manchester Airport, which saw it smash its all-time passenger record, as 28.2m people passed through the airport in the calendar year.  It also saw Manchester Airport launch a wealth of new routes including Addis Ababa, Mumbai and Seattle.

Voted for by UK wide travel agents, representatives from Manchester Airport picked up the award from John Barrowman, at a glittering award ceremony at Grosvenor House in London.

Patrick Alexander, Head of Marketing, for Manchester Airport, said: “We’re delighted to receive this fantastic award and would like to thank all the travel agents who voted for Manchester Airport.

“Last year was a great one for the airport with record passenger numbers and expansion by lots of our airlines.

“Looking ahead, 2019 is set to be an exciting year, as well as further route expansion the first new pier on our £1bn transformation will open in April. We’ll also be working hard to try and retain our crown for a sixth year.”

Opticians and audiologists in Wythenshawe boost customer services with £180,000 refit

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Specsavers in Wythenshawe is currently completing a major new store expansion, boosting the audiology and eye health care services available to customers in the local community.

The store’s investment includes the state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology, The Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) machine. Usually found in hospital eye departments, the equipment is used for a variety of functions, including screening and management of conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

To help with the increase in customer demand, Specsavers will also be expanding the number of sight testing rooms from three to five and expanding the size of their waiting area.

The growing demand for audiology services also means the Wythenshawe store’s new equipment will see it offer an enhanced audiology service, with extensive insulation works currently being completed to improve the quality of sound and eliminate background noise.

To celebrate the expansion, Specsavers located on The Birtles in Wythenshawe town centre, will be hosting an in-store family fun day on 9 February.

Staff will treat the local community to goodie bags and a bake sale, including a delicious range of cupcakes and cookies.

Special guest Ammy Alligator, Wythenshawe AFC’s mascot, will also be on hand for children to pose for photos with throughout the day.

Store director, Amanda Pedder, says: “This expansion is a proud milestone for our team, and has only been made possible by the loyal support of the Wythenshawe community over the last 20 years.

“Our family fun day looks set to be a fantastic day and we’re inviting anyone who’s planning on being in the town centre to join us.

“We are hugely excited about this new development, and this investment represents our commitment to new and existing customers in the town and providing more accessible services than ever before.”

Bruntwood gives wellbeing boost to customers in the New Year

Bruntwood is pledging to help customers keep their healthy New Year’s resolutions by launching a series of wellness at work initiatives to help enhance professional development and personal wellbeing.

From LES MILLS virtual fitness classes to mindfulness and yoga sessions, Bruntwood buildings across Manchester are signing up to the programme to help boost staff morale and motivation.

Investing in employees’ wellbeing is good for business. It significantly reduces absenteeism and increases productivity. And with 46% of people admitting they turn up to the office feeling too tired to work, it is essential businesses get wellbeing on their radar for 2019.

Bruntwood’s initiatives are supporting them to do just that. The programme builds on its existing active and vibrant community activity across the portfolio, which ranges from art workshops and holistic therapy pop ups to running clubs and social events.

Resident gym at Bruntwood’s Riverside complex, FORM, offers customers a range of personalised programmes, as well as 1-2-1 and group personal training, and an outdoor astroturf training area.

For the first time, FORM will expand its offering in 2019 across other Bruntwood buildings, such as Neo and the newly refurbished Union in Manchester city centre. The team, led by personal trainers Libby Smith and Ben Wood are on a mission to empower the people of Manchester to lead happier and healthier lifestyles. They will be conducting pop-up studio classes within four training areas ‘Sweat, Lift, Move and Breathe’ – featuring everything from cardio, to wellbeing classes for the Bruntwood community.

At Trafford House, located on Chester Road in Old Trafford, Bruntwood continues its full exercise and wellbeing programme for customers to support them in increasing fitness and physical activity levels.

The pioneering initiative has seen the property company form a unique partnership with international fitness brand, LES MILLS, to offer a variety of 30 – 55-minute virtual classes like BODYCOMBAT (martial arts style cardio class), BODYPUMP (strength and conditioning) and BODYBALANCE (mind-body program). Les Mills’ mission is to create a fitter planet by helping people fall in love with fitness and research shows this virtual programming is a great way to get started into exercise while building the confidence for live classes.

For 2019, Bruntwood has also secured a deal with Altius Healthcare, which is headed up by former England Rugby and Sale Sharks physiotherapist Doug Jones, to provide its Sit Strong corporate wellness programme to customers.

Altius will deliver a programme of physiotherapy services, strengthening and conditioning classes, and wellbeing therapies to firms located across the Bruntwood community.

The initiative will launch in three of Bruntwood’s buildings – Trafford House, Booths Park in Knutsford, and Neo in Manchester city centre, with further buildings to follow.

Toby Sproll, director of retail, amenity and community from Bruntwood, said: “Happy, healthy people are the biggest asset to any business and at Bruntwood our focus has always been creating places where companies can succeed and thrive. The way in which people work is rapidly evolving and work environments need to reflect this. Modern businesses need flexible workspaces and wellbeing facilities within easy reach. They need spaces which have people at their heart.

“It’s clear from our customer steering groups that wellbeing at work is no longer a ‘nice to have’, but a ‘must have’. Everyone wants to feel their company is looking after them, and by providing such a wide range of options for our customers we can help all businesses, whatever their size, offer these services to employees. Whether its fitness facilities, art classes, yoga or mindfulness training there are plenty of wellbeing options to get employees engaged.

“And our customers don’t have to be in that building to benefit from the classes and fitness amenities on offer. As part of the Bruntwood community you can come in and enjoy facilities at any of our other buildings too!”

Alternative SME finance provider Capify secures £75 million credit facility from Goldman Sachs

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Capify, a leading alternative SME finance provider in the UK, has secured a £75 million credit facility from Goldman Sachs Private Capital (“Goldman Sachs”) to support its future growth plans and provide working capital to thousands of British SMEs over the coming years.

The Greater Manchester-based fintech company will use the new facility to accelerate the growth of its lending business to UK SMEs through its merchant cash advance (MCA) and business loan products.

Capify has been active in the UK since 2008, executing over 9,000 transactions for UK SMEs seeking working capital for their business. Since inception, Capify has helped deliver £150 million in business loans and merchant cash advances in the UK.

“This is a landmark achievement for Capify and we are very pleased that we have secured this financing with Goldman Sachs, one of the premiere capital providers in the world,” said David Goldin, Founder and CEO of Capify.

“This new multi-year credit facility allows us to deliver on our own growth plans, whilst providing much needed access to capital for UK SMEs to help them to grow, to boost the economy and to create jobs.”

“The credit facility validates our company as a leader in the marketplace and underlines the strength of our business model to provide simple, affordable and smart financial options to UK SMEs.”

Pankaj Soni, Executive Director at Goldman Sachs Private Capital, said: “Capify is one of the leading SME finance providers in the UK. We have been impressed with the management team, business model and innovative finance solutions for SMEs. We look forward to supporting their growth in the years ahead.”

“We are extremely excited about our future relationship with Goldman Sachs,” added John Rozenbroek, Chief Financial Officer at Capify. “The credit facility will enable us to continue on our growth trajectory while offering even more attractive and innovative solutions to thousands of small businesses in need of capital.”

Lloyds Banking Group to support North West businesses with £1.3billion of lending

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As part of Lloyds Banking Group’s national pledge to lend £18billion to UK businesses, the Group expects to support firms in the North West with up to £1.3billion of lending during 2019.

As part of the Group’s continued commitment to help British businesses prosper, today’s announcement underlines to existing and new businesses across the North West that the Group is committed to supporting businesses through 2019 and beyond.

The £1.3billion is available to firms across the North West and will support entrepreneurs looking to start-up a new business, micro-businesses seeking to scale up and small businesses considering trading internationally for the first time. It will also support established mid-sized businesses and large, multinational corporations seeking further growth.

Last year, Lloyds Banking Group supported Cheshire-based housing association Halton Housing. It confirmed plans to build 1,000 new homes in the next five years, after securing a £60million funding package.

Lloyds Banking Group Ambassador for the North West, Nick Williams, said: “The North West is one of the top regional contributors to UK PLC and we want to support the businesses delivering this growth. Up to £1.3billion of lending will help the region’s firms to access investment and realise their ambitions. Here at Lloyds Banking Group we’re by the side of business and as part of our plan to help Britain prosper we’ll support those that need advice or a capital injection – be it to expand into new international markets, overcome recruitment challenges or improve productivity.”

Slater Heelis appoints new practice director

Full-service law firm Slater Heelis has appointed Naeem Dean as its new practice director as it eyes future growth.

Naeem Dean is a qualified FCCA (Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) with more than 20 years’ experience of managing the finances and operations of legal practices. He will be based at the Sale office of the law firm.

Naeem’s new role at Slater Heelis will see him working closely with the partners and heads of departments and having an involvement in all aspects of the running of the legal practice.

Chris Bishop, managing partner at Slater Heelis said: “We’re delighted to have Naeem join the team as our practice director. As we continue to expand, it’s vital that we have an experienced practice director to ensure we’re operating efficiently and are geared up for growth.

“Naeem brings a wealth of senior experience and his legal and commercial background will prove a real asset to the firm and strengthen our senior management team. It has been an exciting year and Naeem’s appointment marks another key development for us.”

Four wins starts record-breaking year for Social Republic

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Manchester-based Social Republic, has announced four new wins. The social-media agency has announced contracts with UK supplier, The Avocado Company, luxury underwear brand Rebel Empire, online discounter HiHouse and fitness app for mums, Buump Active.

The deals represent a record start year for the agency, as it takes on developing new organic content and paid advertising projects.

CEO, Rob Illidge commented: “When we say to clients that we are different to any other agency, we deliver on that promise.

“As the first social media agency in the city to build a business around the wealth of exceptional freelance talent, we are continuing to develop a unique proposition. We are excited for the year ahead as we look to double turnover, increase our investment into creating jobs and welcome more new clients with open arms. The new client wins are a testament to the hard work of everyone at the company, and I can’t wait for us to get started.”

Kenny Moran, Buying Manager at The Avocado Company, said: “The personal and bespoke approach of the team at Social Republic won it for us. We completed a three-way pitch and the experience and flexibility of the team stood out above the rest. We are looking forward to the growth of our organic content throughout the year.”

Manchester Lawyer appointed Chief Assessor of the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Panel

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The Law Society has appointed a top medical negligence solicitor from Manchester’s Fletchers Solicitors as chief assessor of its clinical negligence specialist panel.

Trevor Ward of Adlington, Cheshire has taken up the post, after being an assessor of the panel since its inception. As chief assessor, he will be responsible for working with the Law Society to administer its clinical negligence accreditation scheme, oversee the application process and ensure it is up to date.

Trevor has more than 30 years’ experience in the legal sector, specialising in all areas of medical negligence, and has been member of the Panel for 25 years. He will hold the post of Chief Assessor for three years.

The clinical negligence accreditation scheme ensures that the general public are easily able to identify legal practitioners with proven competency in clinical negligence law.

Trevor said: “It is an absolute honour to accept this appointment and to be involved with such an important programme. I have been on the Panel for many years so can bring a wealth of experience to the role of Chief Assessor. It is a great way to start the New Year and a role that I look forward to developing over the coming three years.”

Trevor joined Fletchers Solicitors, one of the UK’s leading medical negligence firms, in November 2017. He is based in Fletchers offices in St James’ Tower in the heart of Manchester City Centre, working alongside a team of 50 solicitors dedicated to dealing with medical negligence cases. Trevor, who was born and brought up in East Manchester, has spent his whole career working for firms in the city centre.

Ed Fletcher, CEO at Fletchers Solicitors, commented: “At Fletchers, Trevor is responsible for handling the most serious, life changing medical negligence cases the firm receives.

“He is highly regarded in the legal industry due to his level of experience and his dedication to upholding high standards of practice within the sector.”

Lookers Stockport wins sales award

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Lookers Stockport has won the Sales Excellence Award, for the second year running, at this years’ Kia National Dealer Conference. The award presented by Steve Hicks, Sales Director at Kia Motors (UK) Ltd, reflects on Lookers’ overall sales performance, including retail performance in their local area.

Michael Pollitt, General Manager at Lookers Stockport commented on the win: “We’re thrilled to have won this award for a second year running. We pride ourselves on our commitment to sales and customer experience so it is an honour to be recognised for this. I want to say a special thank you to all the team here, it is their hard work and effort has helped us to win this award.”

“The fact that we were also recognised in the top three performing dealers in the Kia network just shows our commitment to the Kia brand and its products. We’re constantly investing and improving our dealership in all areas from sales and aftersales to our family-like care and overall customer experience. I am extremely proud of the team and we want to make 2019 our best yet.”

Bromleys shortlisted for two accolades at 2019 Manchester legal awards

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Bromleys Solicitors has been shortlisted for two accolades at the 2019 Manchester Legal Awards.

The Tameside firm is a finalist in the Private Client Team of the Year and the Pro Bono/Community Initiative categories.

The 10th annual awards have attracted a record number of entries and will be presented at a gala dinner at Manchester’s Midland Hotel on Thursday, March 7.

At last year’s ceremony, Bromleys was crowned Small Law Firm of the Year.

Senior partner Mark Hirst said: “We are truly delighted and thrilled to be shortlisted at the 2019 Manchester Legal Awards.

“Having won the Small Law Firm of the Year category in 2018, we decided this year to enter our private client team in recognition of its strong growth and specialist expertise, and the Pro Bono/Community Initiative category following a hugely successful year for our flourishing Access to Free Legal Advice programme combined with our increasing involvement in community-based projects.

“The fact that we have been shortlisted for both awards reflects the strength of our team and the commitment of everyone at the firm to the community initiatives that we run.

“It’s great to be recognised for these achievements by the panel of independent judges and we are all looking forward to the awards ceremony.”