Business Manchester

Burj Khalifa’s Façade Sparkles with New Lighting Upgrade

News

News Desk

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29/11/2024

Burj Khalifa’s Façade Sparkles with New Lighting Upgrade

Dynamic RGBW system brings fresh vibrancy to the world’s tallest tower
Debut scheduled for Eid Al Etihad celebrations

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Emaar Properties has completed a significant lighting transformation for the Burj Khalifa. The cutting-edge RGBW system, designed to integrate seamlessly with the tower’s architecture, will debut during the UAE’s Eid Al Etihad celebrations on 1 December 2024. This marks the countdown to the iconic tower’s 15th anniversary on 4 January 2025.

This enhanced system transforms the façade with a spectacular spectrum of colours and effects, elevating the experience for visitors while affirming Dubai’s global leadership in innovation and design.

The project required six months of detailed preparation and testing to ensure flawless execution. The RGBW technology replaces static lighting with adaptable fixtures capable of creating intricate, vibrant patterns for festive and everyday displays. These dynamic visuals work in harmony with the Burj Khalifa’s media screen, maintaining the structure’s celebrated aesthetic.

Mr Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Executive Director of Emaar Properties, said: “Burj Khalifa has always stood as a beacon of what is possible when vision meets innovation. This lighting overhaul is a testament to our continuous pursuit of excellence and a tribute to the UAE’s spirit of progress. As we unveil this stunning upgrade during Eid Al Etihad celebrations and approach the tower’s 15th anniversary, this transformation marks a new chapter in its legacy, reaffirming Dubai as a city of boundless ambition.”

The lighting upgrade redefines standards in architectural innovation, showcasing the possibilities when technology and design come together to inspire future projects worldwide.

Follow Emaar on Facebook: www.facebook.com/emaardubai; X:www.twitter.com/emaardubai; Instagram: www.instagram.com/emaardubai

I’m a car expert… Check your vehicle insurance policy now

Helen Greaney

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28/11/2024

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I’m a car expert… Check your vehicle insurance policy now

Vehicle owners in high-risk areas are being urged by motoring experts to take extra precautions in the wake of Storm Bert and continued flooding.

Storm Bert has unleashed more than 80% of November’s average rainfall in under 48 hours, wreaking havoc across the UK. Torrential rain and strong winds have led to widespread flooding and severe travel delays across the country.

Low-lying areas and major transport routes have been among the hardest hit. In Listowel, over 70 homes were evacuated, and more than 100 roads have become impassable in what has been described as the worst flooding in over 50 years.

When it comes to the cost of damages at the hands of Storm Bert, past events may provide some perspective. Though calculated over a longer period of time, Government figures show flooding between November 2019 and March 2020 resulted in economic losses of £333 million.

With Storm Bert’s unprecedented rainfall, many areas of the UK are now beginning to count the costs of the damages caused, and in Northern Ireland, the combined damage to property and infrastructure, as well as disruptions to Christmas trade, means the region expects losses of millions of Euro.

Vehicles are particularly vulnerable during flooding events, and vehicle expert and Regtransfers CEO Mark Trimbee urges drivers across the country to take precautions, sharing some key advice for motorists:

“Storm Bert has caused chaos across the UK, with heavy rainfall and rising floodwaters creating hazardous conditions for drivers. If you own a car, the best thing you can do is plan ahead. Don’t leave your vehicle parked in low-lying areas where it’s vulnerable, and never attempt to drive through floodwater – even if it looks shallow. It takes just 30cm of water to make a car float, and the damage from water getting into your engine or electronics can be catastrophic.

If your vehicle has already been caught in the flood, resist the urge to start it up, as this could cause irreversible damage. Instead, get it checked by a professional before doing anything else. With storms like this becoming more common, it’s also worth double-checking your insurance to ensure you’re covered for flood-related issues.

Stay safe, keep an eye on weather alerts, and take precautions now – a little effort could save you a lot of hassle in the long run.”

Drivers are reminded to review their car insurance policies to confirm flood damage coverage. While comprehensive insurance typically includes protection against flood damage, third-party or third-party, fire, and theft policies usually do not. Negligent behaviour, such as attempting to drive through floodwaters, may also void claims, even with comprehensive cover. Coverage providers may treat the impact of Storm Bert differently, so drivers are urged to check their policy if they have concerns.

Vehicle owners in high-risk areas are encouraged to take proactive steps, such as parking on higher ground, avoiding flood-prone routes, and staying informed through weather alerts.

Manchester not-for-profit transforms worker from warehouse to IT wizard at global firm

Employment

Helen Greaney

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28/11/2024

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Manchester not-for-profit transforms worker from warehouse to IT wizard at global firm

A pioneering not-for-profit marks a major milestone today as it celebrates a decade of empowering diverse talent in Manchester digital, creative, and tech industries.

Dawid Urbanski (29) embarked on Agent Academy’s Rise programme just two years ago.

Originally from Poland, Dawid moved to the UK when he was just 11 years old. Today, he reflects on his journey from a participant to a thriving project manager at CGI, a global IT and business consultancy firm.

He joined Agent Academy’s Rise, a 12-week initiative where learners work on live real life client challenges, to help them get industry-ready to hit the ground running once they get a job. This hands-on approach allowed him to showcase his potential and led to his current role.

Founded in 2014, Agent Academy was born out of a mission to address the problem of individuals leaving education and being locked out of industry opportunities due to a lack of connections and experience.

Since its inception, it has created a staggering impact of £35 million worth of salaries into the UK workforce, with over 500 North West companies growing as a result of the talent it has developed. The organisation achieved this by creating a practical, industry-designed curriculum with real-life client briefs, which has so far empowered over 5,000 young people, with a staggering 72% coming from underrepresented backgrounds.

Initially working as a warehouse operative while he contemplated his future, Dawid was interested in an IT career but felt locked out of the industry as he lacked the connections and experience. “I was in a position where I just wasn’t feeling fulfilled, but with bills to pay, I needed to work,” he said.

“Discovering Rise was like a breath of fresh air – I immediately applied and was so set on the programme, I told my boss at the warehouse I would quit if they wouldn’t give me two days off per week to do it.

“It was a great environment filled with likeminded people who all wanted to be creative and do the best job.

“The 12 weeks went by incredibly quickly, but it was perfect for getting my foot in the door. I wouldn’t have secured my dream job without Agent Academy, and for that, I am incredibly thankful.”

Open Media, an out-of-home advertising agency, has recruited eight team members from Agent Academy since its inception 10 years ago.

Mike Smith, CEO at Open Media, said: “The talent from Agent Academy is truly exceptional. The candidates we have recruited have shown a high level of creativity, enthusiasm and a real willingness to learn. We’re hugely grateful and look forward to working with them for many more years!”

Paul Corcoran, founder of Agent Academy, said: “Our anniversary is not just a celebration of our past, but also a reaffirmation of our commitment to the future.

“Ten years ago, a vision to create a hub for diverse talent was brought to life, with a view to solving a real industry problem. Over the years, Agent Academy has evolved significantly, forming industry-leading partnerships that have paved the way for young individuals to thrive in their chosen careers.”

As Agent Academy looks to the future, it remains committed to empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to succeed in the ever-evolving digital, creative, and tech sectors in the North West.

Stagecoach Performing Arts teams up with Mason Williams PR

Business

Helen Greaney

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28/11/2024

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Stagecoach Performing Arts teams up with Mason Williams PR

Mason Williams Manchester says plans are underway to ensure the spotlight is firmly on Stagecoach Performing Arts – covering creative campaigns, press office across the Stagecoach network, influencer relations, and partnerships.

The agency went up against five others in a bid to represent the brand.

Stagecoach Performing Arts has selected Mason Williams to handle all PR with immediate effect and is the UK’s largest network of part-time performing arts schools for children and teens aged 4-18 yrs with over 60,000 enrolled.

The campaign will highlight the work of the company, the opportunities for upcoming students and the full year of performance activities of the group.

Alumni of Stagecoach include, Emma Watson, Jamie Bell, Eleanor Tomlinson, Tuppence Middleton, Tom Fletcher, Danny Mac and Charlotte Jaconelli.

Dijanna Radisevic, Stagecoach Performing Arts head of marketing, said: “We are thrilled about the opportunity to collaborate with Mason Williams. Given their extensive experience in this sector, coupled with their love of the arts including having an actress working on our account – we are confident that this partnership will greatly enhance our brand exposure.”

Heading up the account is the formidable duo of senior account directors, Sarah Grindley and Lynsey Sizer, supported by executive Clara Parr and MD Rita Rowe. Sarah’s PR career spans 12 years and three continents.

With consumer, fashion and hotel and hospitality experience. She has headed up the Asmodee Games account, as well as a number of hotel and hospitality brands at the agency for two years, alongside spear heading a wide spread brand campaign for the Elf on the Shelf.

Lynsey has worked side by side with Sarah and also attended theatre school during her formative years. She is also ex-Mattel brand PR with experience heading up accounts for Fisher Price, Scrabble and Hot Wheels alongside leading the PR team at WW (previously Weight Watchers) and managing National and Regional PR campaigns at Safeway (now Morrisons).

Prior to her PR career, which spans 38 years – Rita handled publicity for local theatres (Library Theatre Company and Forum, Manchester) managing outreach for two Repertory companies and transfers to London West End during that time.

Rita was also responsible (along with the Artistic Director) for shaping the creative programme based on community needs, educational curriculum and initiative to bring young people into theatre.

Rita Rowe, Mason Williams MD, said: “This is best early Christmas present that any agency could have; a fabulous client who wants to make some noise with an incredible network of schools and students.

“We are so delighted with this win more so as the agency account team involved are from a performing arts background with two members ex-Stagecoach students. The account will be dynamic, theatrical and a bit bonkers given the nature of the beast. We can’t wait to get started and could not be more excited.”

Image: Stagecoach Frimley Students at The New Wimbledon Theatre

UK Food and Drink Sector Stays Strong on EU Imports

Food and Drink

News Desk

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28/11/2024

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UK Food and Drink Sector Stays Strong on EU Imports

New research confirms the UK food and drink sector’s determination to maintain close ties with EU suppliers, despite the complexities introduced by Brexit.

The survey, conducted on behalf of the European Commission, gathered responses from wholesalers, importers, producers, and HORECA professionals across seven food and beverage categories. It found that a majority remain committed to EU imports in the year ahead.

Wine and dairy/cheese sectors showed the strongest allegiance, with 100% of respondents planning to source additional SKUs from the EU. Beer and spirits (80%), charcuterie and meat (80%), and bakery (70%) also indicated a clear commitment to maintaining EU import connections.

By contrast, confectionery and fruit & vegetable sectors exhibited the highest uncertainty, with just 30% planning to source additional SKUs from the EU by 2025.

UK industry professionals cited quality (95%), pricing (81%), authenticity (78%), and sustainability (77%) as their most critical considerations when selecting products. EU products were especially appreciated for their authenticity (79%) and tradition (70%), with diversity (64%), taste (62%), safety (59%), and high quality (54%) also ranking as significant factors.

EU certifications such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), and Organic labels were deemed important by 66% of respondents. Recognition of these certifications remains high, with the European Organic Products label most widely recognised (93%) and the PGI label familiar to 78%.

The research, conducted in April 2024, aligns with the UK Government’s implementation of the Border Trading Operating Model (BTOM), designed to optimise border processes while maintaining security.

“These insights demonstrate that despite the challenges and complexities of new cross-border trade agreements, the EU remains a valued partner and important resource for the UK’s food and drink industry and is likely to remain that way,” said Andrew Crumpton, founder of AMC Consulting and advisor to the ‘More Than Only Food & Drink’ campaign.

Veryan Bliss, Managing Director of Food Intelligence and fresh produce advisor to the EU’s ‘More Than Only Food & Drink’ campaign, supported these findings: “It is clear that the relationship between the UK and EU is incredibly important. In 2023 the UK was the number one destination for EU agri-food, accounting for 22% of exports and with a value of €51.3 billion.”

Bliss also stressed the value of EU imports for year-round produce supply: “The geographical diversity of the EU ensures a steady supply of seasonal produce and often complements the UK’s own growing patterns. When certain crops are out of season in the UK, EU producers support the offer, ensuring that UK retailers can offer a consistent, high-quality selection to consumers throughout the year.”

“However responses from fruit and vegetable industry professionals highlight the impact of controls for fresh produce, which have been complex and changeable.”

“But with an easement on fresh produce checks now in place until July 2025 and confirmation that several fruit and vegetable products, which were previously deemed medium risk have now been changed to “low risk”, there is an increased potential for UK importers to benefit from the quality of organically and sustainably grown produce from the EU.”

For more information about the EU’s More Than Only Food & Drink campaign visit: https://enjoy-its-from-europe.campaign.europa.eu/united-kingdom/en or email [email protected].

Luna Investment Management appoints Paul Finnan as Senior Investment Manager

News Desk

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28/11/2024

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Luna Investment Management appoints Paul Finnan as Senior Investment Manager

Luna Investment Management (Luna IM), a specialist investment management firm, and the North West’s largest independent discretionary fund manager, today announced the appointment of Paul Finnan as Senior Investment Manager.

Finnan joins Luna IM with 18 years of investment experience having managed a diverse range of portfolios for individuals, SIPP/SSAS and Trusts. Paul began his career at James Brearly & Sons in 2006, working his way up to regional office manager. Following this he spent nine years at Brown Shipley as an Investment Manager and most recently, prior to joining Luna, he spent almost three years at Charles Stanley. He becomes a member of the Luna Investment Committee and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

Paul Finnan, Senior Investment Manager, said: “The opportunity to join the Luna IM team with whom I share the same core values, namely maintaining client connections whilst providing personal flexible and proactive investment management strategy, was key in my decision to join. Luna is 100% focused on the client relationship and outcomes and I’m excited to add my experience to the team.”

James Carter, Director of Luna Investment Management, said: “It’s been a fantastic year of growth for the business and outcomes for our clients. Adding Paul to the senior management team further strengthens our offering.”

Luna Investment Management, which is located in Spinningfields in Manchester, provides bespoke investment solutions to a range of clients throughout the UK. Through agreements with providers and advisers, these tailored investment services are available within personal and corporate accounts, charitable foundations, trusts, pensions and offshore bond structures.

Public consultation begins on Northern Gateway project

Consultation

Helen Greaney

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27/11/2024

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Public consultation begins on Northern Gateway project

Residents can now voice their opinions on Greater Manchester’s biggest proposed employment development on the Bury and Rochdale border.

The Northern Gateway project aims to generate more than 20,000 jobs and bring a £1 billion economic boost. The 1.2 million square metre development site is close to Junction 19 of the M62.

Bury and Rochdale councils are now consulting on a Supplementary Development Plan (SPD) for the project. An SPD establishes planning principles for a particular area, which will be taken into consideration when planning applications are determined.

The Northern Gateway Development Framework SPD will include details about the site, such as the proposed infrastructure, phasing and timescales, the design principles and the benefits it is expected to deliver.

The Northern Gateway is part of the wider Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone, which aims to create a hub for high tech industries, innovations and economic growth in the North of Greater Manchester.

Public consultation

A public consultation has begun and runs until January 10, 2025.

All relevant documentation is on the councils’ websites at:

www.bury.gov.uk/spd

https://consultations.rochdale.gov.uk/research/consultation-on-the-draft-northern-gateway-develop

The councils are also holding two drop-in events, where planning officers will be on hand to answer any questions on the draft NGDF:

Wednesday, December 4 – Unsworth Academy, Unsworth (3.30pm to 7.30pm)
Tuesday, December 10 – The Old Police Station, Heywood (3.30pm to 7.30pm)

Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: “This is a true game- changer, a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring jobs and investment to our part of the world. It will play a crucial role in building prosperous communities in Bury and the wider area for generations to come. I urge people to read the proposals and take part in the consultation.”

Cllr Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Council, said: “The Northern Gateway, as part of the wider Atom Valley, presents us with a transformative opportunity to rebalance the Greater Manchester economy and bring thousands of high quality jobs, improved transport links to surrounding areas and increased prosperity to the Rochdale borough and beyond.”

Storm-hit Radcliffe bridge to be rebuilt

News

Helen Greaney

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27/11/2024

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Storm-hit Radcliffe bridge to be rebuilt

A bridge which was severely damaged by the worst storm to hit the borough for decades is to be replaced.

Milltown Street bridge in Radcliffe was all but swept away by Storm Eva, which brought mass flooding and damage on Boxing Day 2015.

Bury Council is about to appoint contractors to build a new bridge for walkers and cyclists over the River Irwell. The £3.2 million project is being paid for through the Greater Manchester Mayor’s City Region Sustainable Transport Fund.

It is a key element of the Greater Manchester Bee Active network in Radcliffe and will complement the proposed CRSTS investment in cycling and walking infrastructure elsewhere in Radcliffe.

The bridge crosses the River Irwell linking Rectory Lane and Milltown Street and will be higher than the original bridge for flood defence reasons. It will reconnect an existing public right of way across the Irwell and provide a north-south cycle link through the east of the town.

Councillors are due to approve the plans when the cabinet meets next Wednesday.

Councillor Alan Quinn said: “No one who lived here at the time will ever forget Storm Eva, and the devastation it brought to our borough, particularly Radcliffe.

“The new bridge will be a welcome addition to the ongoing regeneration of the town centre. It will connect housing and businesses south of the river with existing and proposed housing, as well as schools and businesses, north of the river, supporting economic regeneration.

“The new bridge will be manufactured in the UK, as I’m determined to place as many orders as I can with British companies. It’s only right that taxpayers’ money is used to generate British jobs and it’s part of the council’s social value policy.

“The north bank of the River Irwell is the subject of a large housing-led regeneration scheme to create up to 400 much-needed homes on East Lancashire Paper Mill development site. The bridge offers a route from the south bank to Radcliffe Metrolink stop and the new high school, via a proposed new crossing on Church Street West and a new Metrolink ramp.”

Storm Eva

Storm Eva was the worst storm to strike Greater Manchester in living memory.

Originally headed for Cumbria, which had been badly hit just weeks before by Storm Desmond, it changed direction and landed further south.

The storm caused unprecedented flooding, following a month of constant rain which had saturated the land. Water levels at the rivers Roch and Irwell rose by 2.1m to their highest recorded level.

Across the borough of Bury, more than 800 homes were evacuated, particularly in Radcliffe and Redvales. Some 3,200 households were without power, and many people could not return to their homes for many months afterwards. It led to £40 million of flood defences being built along the rivers.

Pictures of the Kay Street bridge in Summerseat, which collapsed into the River Irwell taking the Waterside Inn with it, made the national news but no one was killed or seriously injured.

Storm Eva was one of 5 winter storms that hit the UK in the winter of 2015, starting with Abbie and followed by Barny, Chloe and Desmond. Since then Radcliffe has been hit by further storms with more flooding caused by Storm Ciara in 2020. When Storm Christoph hit in 2021 Radcliffe was fully protected as most of the defences had been constructed.

Cllr Quinn added: “Climate change is now fact, and the recent storms are testament to that. We must do what we can to do our bit, and cut our carbon emissions to combat climate change.”

9 in 10 SMEs report poor internet connectivity and frequent outages

Helen Greaney

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27/11/2024

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9 in 10 SMEs report poor internet connectivity and frequent outages

A recent study has revealed that an overwhelming 94% of small businesses in the UK experience poor internet connection while 91%encounter internet outages; a staggering quarter of businesses don’t have any backup in place if internet connection goes down.

The survey by Zen, which included responses from 500 SME decision-makers across the UK, highlighted several key findings:

While seven in 10 (72%) of SMEs agreed that having failover internet connectivity is critical to business operations, nearly a quarter (23%) don’t have any backup in place to support continued operations during an internet outage.
Having no back up in place rises to two fifths (38%) in businesses between one and nine employees, leaving these companies more susceptible to the productivity challenges and hidden costs that come with an internet outage.
Almost half (48%) of those surveyed agreed that the internet performance at their business has negatively impacted productivity, and almost two-thirds (65%) said they find connectivity issues within their business stressful.
On average, SMEs could be losing up to three hours per month in productivity due to internet outages or poor internet connection.

Dean Burdon, customer experience director at Zen, said: “The investment in new infrastructure is crucial; however, many businesses still rely on outdated copper networks, which have a higher fault rate.

“For businesses heavily dependent on consistent uptime, it’s essential to consider the cost-benefit of investing in backup systems, as well as using a reliable internet provider, versus the potential financial impact of downtime. Businesses rely on internet connectivity for everything from processing payments to operating security systems – the cost of outage is likely to massively outweigh the cost of having a backup in place.”

Four in ten respondents agree that the internet performance at their business has negatively impacted customer experience.

The ramifications of unreliable internet extend beyond internal operations and productivity, and significantly affect customer satisfaction. Zen’s survey found that the top five ways that poor internet performance at businesses has impacted customer experience, are:

Issues with processing online orders or payments (45%)
Longer wait times for loading product images or website content (45%)
Slower response times for online inquiries or customer service requests (42%)
Difficulty processing in person card payments with card machine ‘out of range’ (42%)
Difficulty accessing or navigating the company website (37%)

The top tasks affected by internet outages SMEs highlighted as damaging to their business were:

Issues accessing cloud-based services such as voice (54%)
Difficulties with online banking transactions (47%)
Not taking card payments (39%)
Being unable to generate quotes and invoices (33%)

Dean added: “For the UK to enhance productivity and ensure a positive customer experience, it must confront these connectivity challenges. Reliable internet is fundamental to all aspects of business operation, from attracting customers to streamlining service delivery.

“While internet technology is becoming more and more reliable, the simple fact is that it’s not bullet proof and sometimes things can go wrong due to external factors such as weather or physical damage to cables. That’s why service providers have solutions in place such as 4G Backup that will ensure continued operations should your internet service drop out during business hours.

“Zen’s 4G Backup uses multi-network SIM cards enabling customers to connect to one of three major networks depending on the network availability at location. This means businesses can have access to the strongest available signal, regardless of geographic location enhancing reliability and minimising downtime.”

New consultation to take place regarding city centre roads

Helen Greaney

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27/11/2024

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New consultation to take place regarding city centre roads

New plans are set to go out for public consultation on the future layout of two key Manchester city centre roads.

In February and March, Manchester City Council announced plans to make improvements to John Dalton Street and Bridge Street.

The aim was to improve how people get around the city centre and to focus on what elements could be improved.

During that consultation, members of the public said there was popular support for widening footpaths along these roads, increasing space for people queuing at bus stops and creating new crossing points.

But concerns were raised regarding the width of the carriageways and how if they were made narrower it would increase congestion and negatively impact the goals of this scheme.

Taking this on board Manchester City Council is launching the next stage of the consultation process, with people being invited to give their opinions on the new changes.

Changes

Bus stops – Bus stops in John Dalton Street and Bridge Street will be incorporated into laybys, rather than in the carriageway. This will allow traffic to flow while buses are stopping and prevent potential disruption during peak times.

Bus stops will also be made longer to allow two buses to stop at the same time without interrupting traffic.

Pedestrians – Footways are to be widened where space allows, especially at junctions where people gather in large numbers to cross.

Additional crossings are to be added in the following locations

Gartside Street with Bridge Street West

St Mary’s Parsonage with Bridge Street

Deansgate and John Dalton Street

John Dalton Street with Cross Street

Princess Street and Clarence Street

Loading bays – These bays will remain accessible for businesses between 6-10am, after which they will revert to footways during the remainder of the day.

On the north side of Bridge Street (pictured) and John Dalton Street, loading arrangements have been changed to help keep traffic lanes clear, with loading allowed for up to 15 mins at non-peak times. There are also additional bays on side streets with longer loading periods.

Additional provision will also be made for taxis as well as disabled spaces for parking, with new spaces for both being added.

Engagement events

Engagement events will be taking place in person and online, the details of which can be found below.

Drop-in event: Monday, December 9, 4-7pm, Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount Street,M2 5NS
Online event: Tuesday, December 10, 6.30-7.30pm.

Email [email protected] to receive a link to a Microsoft teams meeting.

Councillor Tracey Rawlins said: “This project gives us an opportunity to make positive changes around how people travel in the city centre. We want people to view the city centre as a great place to live, work or visit and to achieve that we need to make bold changes.

“These two streets are some of the most-used routes in the city and its important that we ensure the public’s views are reflected in any future changes that may take place.

“We want to make the city a safe and easy place for people to get around by walking or wheeling, as well as making it more accessible for people using public transport. I’d encourage everyone to please take part in this consultation so that their voices are heard.”