A £1 billion blueprint that will shape and transform the future of Bolton town centre up to 2030 and beyond has been published.

The masterplan contains proposals to redevelop the town centre by creating 1,800 new homes, 7,400 new jobs and generating economic activity worth an additional £412 million over five strategic sites.

The areas identified are: Trinity Quarter, Cheadle Square, Crompton Place, Church Wharf and Croal Valley.

Bolton Council announced initial details of the plan in July 2017 and the authority has since approved borrowing £100 million to kick-start the project. The remainder of the plan will be funded by private sector investors.

The £100 million will be used for a range of priorities including site assembly; getting sites ‘development ready’; public realm, and infrastructure.

It is hoped that work on the first phase of site clearance could start as early as Spring 2018.

The strategy aims to remodel key areas of Bolton town centre with housing – a major proposal within the framework – to attract families, young professionals, older people and students.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: “This masterplan shows how forward thinking and ambitious this council really is.

“We now want to get to work as quickly as possible. We are already speaking to a number of developers and partners about delivering the different schemes outlined in the framework.

“Although it is ambitious we are confident that this is an achievable vision that identifies key areas of the town centre, and it will be a game-changer in terms of transforming the centre of Bolton.”

Some of the main proposals include:-

• Trinity Quarter – creating a mixed Grade A office and residential development. A new hotel, office block and a multi-storey car park could be built at ‘Trinity Gateway’. The council is already in talks with NCP about the car park. A new pedestrian route through Trinity Quarter is also proposed, anchored by open space via four interlinked squares.
• Cheadle Square – developing housing and apartments on the former bus station site. On Queen Street creating student housing and a mixed used development to complement cultural venues such as the Octagon, Museum and Library, and establishing a pedestrian route between the Town Hall and Le Mans Crescent with Queens Park.
• Crompton Place – the framework envisages transforming the empty BHS store with an upper floor food court overlooking Victoria Square, exploring the possibility to expand Primark and creating a new pedestrian access between Bradshawgate and Hotel Street.
• Church Wharf – Church Wharf would be designated a new town centre ‘quarter’ with a mix of apartments and town houses, as well as a new pedestrian route along the River Croal.
• Croal Valley/Central Street – opening up the River Croal with an improved environment to make it a town centre feature – proposals include building houses and flats which would overlook the improved river frontage. A series of ‘pocket parks’ are proposed along the river.

Cllr Morris added: “It is no secret that town centres across the country continue to face tough challenges. We are also realistic that the plan may need to change and adapt over the years to reflect changing economic conditions.

“What we do know is that without the council’s direct intervention, there is a risk that the necessary pace and scale of change that is required will simply not be achieved.

“This is not simply looking at one or two compact areas in isolation – it is joined up, strategic planning to transform the town centre for decades to come.

“It is part of the huge jigsaw in our town centre regeneration plan, which can be clearly seen already with the new Interchange, the improvements to Newport Street, our plan to revamp Oxford Street and Knowsley Street, and the support we have given to the fantastic improvements to the Market Place Shopping Centre, with the Vaults and the new cinema.”

International design company BDP was the lead consultant on the strategy. The masterplan is proposed to be formally adopted on Monday (September 25) at a Cabinet meeting.

The free event – from 10am to 7pm – is being held today (Thursday 21 September) and features a number of invited speakers, including Martyn Walsh from the Inspiral Carpets – along with several workshops teaching a variety ofuseful business skills.

The day’s events and activities will help aspiring entrepreneurs transform their ideas into a successful enterprise by bringing together successful experienced entrepreneurs, speakers and teachers for a full day of inspiration and networking.

Martyn Walsh will be among the successful speakers from the business world who will reveal their inspiring stories throughout the day.  Martyn is set to become a Creative Industries Guru in residence for Central Library’s Business & IP Centre Manchester (BIPC). He will be holding regular advice sessions in the BIPC for businesses in the creative and media sectors.

Names behind some of Britain’s biggest brands will inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, including Suzanne Brock from pet food company Nutriment, and Jason Bailey from GRUB, a Manchester based street foods events company.

Attendees will also have the chance to find about the resources on offer for start-ups in Central Library’s BIPC.

In the last year Central Library’s BIPC has supported more than 4,000 people to set up and grow new businesses, and there will be a chance to meet some of the BIPC’s success stories at the ‘Made In Manchester’ panel event.

Free practical workshops will inform attendees on how to protect their idea, write a business plan, develop a marketing strategy and research the market using the libraries’ up-to-the-minute intellectual property and business databases.

Representatives from Virgin StartUp and Google Digital Garage will be on hand to advise aspiring entrepreneurs on issues surrounding funding and will explain how to maximise their online impact for today’s digital age.

Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Manchester City Council’s executive member for Schools, Culture and Leisure, said: “Start-Up Day promises to offer a wealth of help, advice, and networking opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to help launch their business.

“Whether you have a great business idea, are just starting up, or are in the process of getting your enterprise established, being able to access the right help and support will boost your chance of success and our team at Central Library’s Business & IP Centre are there to help get your business moving.”

The free event is open to all but spaces should be booked in advance at:

https://manchesterbipc.eventbrite.co.uk, or email businessinfo@manchester.gov.uk for more information.

A brand new coding school has launched in Manchester, giving anyone with an appetite for digital the chance to learn to code.

Code Nation has been created to help curb the mounting digital skills shortage facing businesses across the region. The school has also partnered with business leaders in the North West, including N Brown trading as JD Williams who have, amongst others, pledged their support to Code Nation, be it through advice, insight, or crucially – by offering future work placements for students – Code Nation’s biggest USP.

Alex Belford, managing director at Code Nation, explains: “There’s no getting away from the fact that every business – regardless of sector – has had to transform and digitalise itself in recent years.

“A lack of digitally skilled workers though, means that technical advancements have been both a help and a hindrance to businesses who want to embrace the changes, but just don’t have the people to do it. Code Nation will help leaders in their quest to fill this gap; we’ll be training people across the North West region, teaching them how to code so they can help to reshape the way business is done round here.

“Add to that the supporters we have already lined up from the business world, and we’re confident that Code Nation will be a great success in the region – and hopefully across the whole of the UK in the near future.”

Over the summer, Alex has been assembling his Code Nation team with lead teacher Stuart Kirby brought in from Amaze; Alex has also enlisted the support of university academics from around the country who will lend their knowledge to Code Nation’s programmes.

Code Nation students will be able to begin applying for their places straight away, with two types of course available; the one-week ‘Begin’ course and the 12-week ‘Master’ course. Alex continued: “We have decided to offer two types of courses so that we can accommodate more students; whether they’re graduates looking to embark on a 12-week course to top up what they’ve learnt at university, or someone already established in a similar industry who wants to add to their skills with a one-week course. The more people we train to code, the better for businesses in the region!

“There’ll be an inevitable entry criteria to ensure students can grasp the digital basics, but beyond that we’re open to welcoming people of all abilities to sign up. Upon completing their courses, students will be awarded a diploma and accreditation, as well as joining Code Nation’s alumni community.”

Code Nation is a subsidiary of global recruitment and talent business Rethink Group; explaining his decision to invest in a school of this kind, Rethink’s CEO Andy Lord explained: “We operate in multiple markets in Europe, the UAE and Australia so it’s fair to say that we’re acutely aware of the failings of businesses, government and the education sector in getting people interested in digital.

“Digital has permeated every aspect of business now. We see this across Rethink clients; massive organisations which just a decade ago looked and operated completely differently. The change brought on by the digital revolution keeps on coming for them and right now, there simply aren’t enough tech skilled people to actually make the transformation happen. Code Nation’s been a big ambition of mine for a few years, especially as I’ve seen that skills shortage become more prevalent and bizarrely fall to the back of the queue in terms of business priorities.

“It’s time to change that. And Code Nation students will be a big part of the revolution moving forward. Why not come and be one of them?”

For further details about Code Nation including fees and course dates, visit: http://wearecodenation.com/ – the pilot one week ‘Begin’ course kicks off in October, with the first 12-week ‘Master’ course starting in January.

Pareto Financial Planning has hired five recruits, including an operations manager to meet an upsurge in client demand.

The Manchester-based financial services company, which specialises in providing independent advice and hands-on assistance to owner-managed businesses and high net worth private clients, has also launched a new servicing department to widen its offering and support growth.

Nicky Aspray joins Pareto FP as operations manager, bringing a wealth of experience with her, having previously worked in the industry for close to two decades. While Martyn Scobbie, who also boasts 20 years’ experience in finance roles – is now finance controller.

Chartered financial planner Marcus Pilkington has been named as the latest recruit on the advisory team. Marcus will be working closely with a new client win, a leading North West based accountancy practice – one of a wide network of professional firms Pareto FP has introducer agreements with.

The award-winning firm is expecting to add to its team of advisers over the next 12 months, and is currently recruiting both trainee and senior independent financial advisers to fill vacancies in recently won introducer firms.

New adviser support team member Andrew O’Nions, who started his career at Halifax, has his sights set on becoming diploma qualified at Pareto FP and ultimately working within the growing paraplanning team – which has also seen the arrival of paraplanner Richard Duncan.

Pareto FP managing director John Stevenson, who co-founded the company alongside George Chantry, has appointed Joanne Walsh as his PA.

John said: “As the business continues to grow, we remain fully committed to maintaining strong and lasting relationships with our existing clients.

“We now employ 36 members of staff and believe these recent hires are talented individuals that will only enhance our offer.

“Nicky Aspray for instance, has a wealth of experience in financial services and is a fantastic addition. She will be instrumental in the continued development of our adviser support team, and play a significant role in our future growth.

“On top of that, our new servicing department will ensure we continue to uphold our outstanding levels of client support.”

Pareto FP’s total funds under influence is currently more than £500 million, with the company’s end of year financial results due to be revealed soon.

New operations manager Nicky Aspray said: “When Pareto FP approached me to join as operations manager, there really was only one answer I could give. Having worked with John and George and several other members of the team before, I knew what a great company I would be joining and I am therefore glad to be back in familiar territory and in financial services once again.”

Earlier this year Pareto FP announced its sponsorship of England and Lancashire cricket star Haseeb Hameed.

The Manchester company is Bolton-born Haseeb’s exclusive ‘back-of-the-bat’ sponsor, meaning the firm’s logo features on the back of the cricketer’s bat.

Redag Crop Protection Ltd, an agrochemical discovery company, has secured £1.5 million in funding from existing shareholders which include institutional funds managed by Seneca Partners, and private individuals. Manchester-based corporate finance boutique Acceleris Capital arranged the funding.

Redag Crop addresses the declining innovation in the agrochemical sector through the use of world-class chemistry to develop a range of highly effective crop protection products for a global market. The company’s unique approach reduces development times, redundancy in biology testing and the cost of the discovery-to-market cycle.

The Company has made impressive progress in the development of its portfolio of assets since the previous capital raising in 2016. The lead asset, a fungicide aimed at controlling Oomycete diseases, is undergoing field trials in the UK currently.

According to Bill Thompson, Redag Crop’s CEO, the Company’s approach to improve agricultural productivity remains the go-to technology for proven results in weed disease and pest control;

“It is possible for agrochemicals to deliver up to 100% control reliably in a wide range of cultural and environmental conditions, however, to be truly effective, rapid innovation and cost savings are essential to combat the 30—40% reduction in yield caused by weed competition, diseases and insects.”

Already revenue generating with this new round of funding, Redag Crop will be able to advance its lead assets further and, by licensing these products for further development, bring new innovative products to customers seeking novel compounds to commercialise.

“Following a period of success in discovering active compounds, protecting the IP and securing collaboration deals, this current fundraise enables us to accelerate development and address the global challenge of food security”. Thompson added that the industry has seen a declining number of compounds in development following a period of consolidation across large agrochemical companies, alongside an increasing number of compounds being deregistered or withdrawn for health, safety or environmental reasons.

“Right across the industry there is a strategic need for new compounds to replace the older compounds,” he said, explaining it could be in the provision of greater safety or new modes of action. “Redag Crop will play its part as the engine of discovery. We will continue to do what we do best and grow our business to provide competitive solutions for our industry partners.”

Norman Molyneux, founder of Acceleris Capital and non-executive director of Redag Crop has been involved in multiple several funding rounds for the company since incorporation. He said: “There is a clear product innovation requirement within the agrochemical industry and a ready base of customers seeking novel compounds to commercialise in the market. Following a successful period for Redag Crop, Acceleris are delighted to have arranged a further development fundraise for the Company and we look forward to another period of growth for the Company.”

Redag Crop boasts a highly experienced and skilled management team whose previous roles including senior positions at Syngenta and Dow across both research and commercial areas.

The Company will be attending the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in London on 17th and 18th of October.

Paul Flint and David Costley-Wood from KPMG’s Restructuring practice in Manchester were appointed Joint Administrators of TT Express Haulage (Oldham) Limited, a transport and logistics specialist, on Friday 15 September 2017

The company operated from leased premises in Royton, Oldham and was responsible for distribution on behalf of a number of large blue chip customers.

Immediately after their appointment, the joint administrators sold the business and its assets to TT Express Group Limited, an unconnected party. As part of the sale, all 56 members of staff transferred to the purchaser.

Paul Flint, associate partner at KPMG and Joint Administrator, commented: “Like many UK hauliers, in recent years the company experienced significant pressure on its margins and suffered loss of revenue as a consequence of a highly competitive market. As a result, the company incurred sustained trading losses prompting management to consider its strategic options.

“Over the summer, the company engaged with two different advisors in order to assess whether the business could be sold, or whether a different form of restructuring would be possible. Unfortunately, neither of these processes were successful and in the meantime, the company’s cash position became acute. KPMG was engaged in early September to ascertain if an accelerated sale would be possible. However, when it became evident that no solvent solution was available, the company was placed into administration.

“We are therefore delighted to have a concluded a sale of the business in such a quick timeframe, ensuring continued employment for the 56 members of staff. We wish the business all the best for the future”
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Sigma has opened a new office in Poland to expand its digital and IT capacity.

The new office in Wroclaw has opened to provide technical software development and IT services across a wide range of technologies including web, mobile and application development.

Sigma, a 3,500-strong global IT consulting company, with UK offices in Macclesfield and Cambridge, will be able to draw on the skills and capacity in Poland to supplement existing project teams and deliver further IT and development programmes and services to its range of clients.

Sigma IT Consulting Poland has already recruited 15 skilled software engineers and IT specialists and plans to expand to over 25 by the end of the year.

Managing director of Sigma, Hilary Stephenson, said: “Sigma ITC Poland presents a great opportunity to expand our offering, and for Sigma UK it gives us further strength in our development capability and means we can offer an alternative, cost effective delivery model to our clients.

“Poland is currently experiencing a boom in highly skilled IT and research and development professionals so we saw this as the perfect opportunity to draw on the very strong and talented local IT community.”

Maciej Reutt, who has been appointed as managing director of Sigma’s new unit in Wroclaw, said: “I am excited to lead this new business venture for Sigma in Poland. Wroclaw is an amazing city and a bit like Poland’s equivalent to Silicon Valley. We are constantly on the look out for the very best in talent, and have big plans to expand over the coming months. We are looking forward to working alongside Sigma in the UK to knowledge share and provide technical support where needed.”