An opticians in Openshaw has been awarded for its outstanding dedication to its employees store and its ongoing work in inspiring the next generation of optometrists and audiologists.

Specsavers on Lime Square was presented with the company’s Platinum Employer accreditation, recognising both the eye care and the hear care departments for their continued efforts in support of employee welfare and career development.

The Platinum Employer status is measured by five indicators of the employee experience, including talent management, recruitment and induction, and performance management and reward.

Rachel Harrison, store director at Specsavers Openshaw, said: “We count ourselves lucky to have a great variety of people working here, who have decades of experience under their belt. This award is down entirely to their expertise and dedication which has fostered a brilliant working environment in which new talent can really flourish.

“Their loyalty means we can deliver an amazing service to our customers and give back to the community through some fantastic employment opportunities. We are always looking at how we can improve as an employer and this is an amazing reward for the team’s continued hard work and enthusiasm.”

Specsavers director of HR, Mark Moorton, added: “The Platinum Employer scheme is an exciting new addition to our extensive portfolio of training and development programmes, helping our staff to benefit from the opportunity of a full-career journey from entry-level to store owner.”

Bidooh, a real-time, real-audience, digital billboard advertising platform, is pleased to announce that one of the world’s largest digital asset exchanges OKEx has participated in its Initial Coin Offering (“ICO”). Bidooh launched an ICO pre-sale of its cryptocurrency, DOOH Token, on 1 October 2018.

OKEx uses blockchain technology to optimise the provision of financial services to global traders. It regularly features in the top three digital asset exchanges by daily trading volume, serving millions of users in over 100 countries. In addition to its participation in the ICO, OKEx has agreed to use its global reach to promote Bidooh to prospective token purchasers and has endorsed the platform by displaying its own adverts on Bidooh’s network of digital screens.

In a further endorsement for the Group, Bidooh is pleased to report that within days of its project applying for Huobi’s HADAX exchange, its application was fast-tracked through to the listing process, reaching number two on the exchange’s popular projects page with over 150 pro votes. Huobi is a global financial hub of digital assets which has turned over an accumulated total in excess of $1 trillion since it was established in 2013. The decision to fast-track the DOOH Token application followed overwhelming positive market support for the ICO and Bidooh has now been invited to present to three of Huobi’s institutional investors.

Abdul Alim, co-founder and CEO, commented: “We are delighted to have received this level of institutional support from OKEx, one of the largest digital asset exchanges in the blockchain world. It is very rare for exchanges to engage directly in token sales, so to receive this endorsement is extremely encouraging. We believe this demonstrates just how receptive our Bidooh Platform is to blockchain technology. By providing independent verification of advertising spend and outcomes, our blockchain-based platform will bring a new level of transparency to the industry.”

Estrella Du, Investment Manager at OKEx’s investment arm, OK Blockchain Capital, added: “We believe Bidooh’s platform is well positioned to disrupt the rapidly growing digital advertising market. We are excited to see a real-world example of a traditional business moving to the blockchain for the benefit of both the advertising industry and consumers.”

Mistoria Group, owners of Mistoria Estate Agents, North West specialists in residential and student property sales and lettings, have purchased “Pick My Pad”, the Walkden based lettings and estate agency who have approximately 200 properties under management across Greater Manchester.

The acquisition of the business is part of Mistoria’s continuing growth strategy and follows on from the launch of their third estate agency office in Bolton announced earlier this year. All Pick My Pad staff will continue in the new business and will aim to build on their extensive landlord support services. They currently manage properties for more than 150 landlords covering areas from Widnes to Oldham and across the whole of Greater Manchester.

Mish Liyanage, Managing Director of The Mistoria Group comments: “The friendly acquisition of Pick My Pad is in line with my vision in the next three to five years for Mistoria to manage over 1000 properties and over 5000 tenancies and to be the preferred employer in the real estate industry in the North of England. With this acquisition the number of branches will also increase to five.

Pick my Pad, under Oliver Press has been a very successful business over the last 9 years especially in the Walkden and Little Hulton areas so it is an excellent fit with Mistoria geographically, operationally and financially. It was an easy decision for Mistoria to make to acquire this business and take it to the next level with my team.”

Commenting on the sale Oliver Press said: “I have stepped away from the business as I felt I had taken it as far as I could, and it was time for it to grow. I feel with the current set up at Mistoria it is perfectly placed to go from strength to strength.”