Business Connect Magazine - August/September 2023

L-R Ben Coates, Kelly Withall, Gill Sloan, Jay Debbie, Chris Palin, John Nuttall, Jason Burns, Adele Reid

4 : NEWS

From across the UK and beyond.

8 - 11 : CONSTRUCTION

News from across the sector.

12 : Interview

Interview with Adele Reid, MD of ABC+ Warranty

14 : GMCC NEWS

News from Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

15 : Mind the Gap!

Review of the ACT Pathway to Sustainable Business GrowthTM

16 : EXPORTING

Feature on current exporting opportunities by Tony Goodman

MBE. Also Freight Forwarding by Marie Boyer, France Line and Steve Swinburn, Harbour Freight

19 : LIVERPOOL CHAMBER NEWS

News from Liverpool Chamber of Commerce

20 : Finance

A look at AI use within accountancy firms with Les Leavitt from LWA ltd

21 : SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

Regular column from ’Godfather of Small Businesses’ Theo Paphitis

A look at AI adoption within small businesses.

22 : DIGITAL MARKETING

Reframing the mechanics of SEO, by Luke Flannery from Digibean

23 : COMMS

The PSTN switch-off, by Ram Gupta from Nybble IT

24 : OUT & ABOUT

Networking across the region and beyond.

27 : REMOTE WORKING

Is this now one of the biggest challenges facing employers?

28 : WELLBEING

Beware the pitfalls of working from home, by Susan Leigh from Lifestyle Therapy

29 : DIARY DATES

List of business networking events.

30 : PLACES TO MEET

List of venues supporting business requirements.

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Whilst we have taken all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information contained within this magazine, we give no warranty and make no representation regarding the accuracy or the completeness of the content of this information. Consequently we accept no liability for any losses or damage (whether direct, indirect, special, consequential or otherwise) arising out of errors or omissions contained in this magazine. Views expressed in Business Connect

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Government launches £50m fund supporting growth in health, tech and science sectors

backing is key to the research and development of climate tech, which is rising in prevalence as temperatures soar and we see the tragic events unfolding across Europe.

come to fruition, but we shall also see increased confidence from investors.”

This government has committed to invest a total of £20 billion in R&D in 2024-2025.

The Government has today launched the Research Ventures Catalyst fund, injecting £50 million to bolster cuttingedge research in tech and science. The fund, based on partnerships with private and philanthropic investors, is set to unlock tens of millions of GBP and drive new discoveries across the health, tech and science sectors.

The launch of the Catalyst is also set to drive further private and philanthropic funding into UK R&D, building on the UK’s position as a key global financial centre as new ways of joint-funding research is piloted.

Funds will go toward the likes of discovering new ways of tackling deadly diseases, climate change, and developing emerging technologies.

Laimonas Noreika, co-founder of HeavyFinance, commented: “Financial

“The funding will encourage innovators to take new approaches with confidence and support will unlock further benefits in the fight against climate change.”

The UK Science and Technology Framework set out to unlock greater private and philanthropic investment in UK R&D, and such partnerships are helping meet its objectives.

Steven Mooney, CEO of FundMyPitch, added: “As funds such as these get introduced, we are getting one step closer the UK needs to create a thriving investment market.

“Startups and SMEs host plentiful potential and such combined efforts from the Government, private and philanthropic investors to support growing companies with their innovative products will alleviate any risks that may occur threatening the development of their ideas. Not only will we see fantastic new projects

Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State, said: “From Edward Jenner’s invention of the very first vaccine, to the scientists in Manchester who isolated graphene, so many of the Great British breakthroughs which have changed the world would not have been possible without people who dared to do things differently, and take calculated risks. In today’s world, that approach is just as important as ever.”

“Research and innovation hold the keys to a vast range of benefits and opportunity, from radically improving healthcare to creating whole new industries in fields from quantum to engineering biology. But this work is impossible without funding. That is why, I am making an open invitation to private and philanthropic partners in the City and beyond to work with us through the Research Ventures Catalyst to put real financial firepower behind the world-leading science happening in the UK.”

UK economy

to receive £1 billion boost through innovative trade digitalisation act

A new law allowing shipping containers to be traded using digital documents, not paper ones, has been created after the Electronic Trade Documents Act received Royal Assent.

The simple yet impactful change is estimated to add over £1 billion to the British economy over the next decade by making trade more straightforward, efficient and sustainable.

Paul Scully, Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy said: “The global container shipping industry generates billions of paper documents a year - and in reality there’s no need for the immense costs UK businesses have to face in producing them, and the detrimental environmental impact that this has. Existing laws dating back to the 1800s meant that exporters and importers have to use paper documents. The government estimates that the new law could generate a net benefit of £1.14 billion for the British economy”.

Theo Paphitis writes for Business Connect

Theo Paphitis is to share his business expertise in a series of columns with Business Connect Magazine, starting from this edition (see page 21)

In his role as business entrepreneur, star of Dragons’ Den and creator of #SBS Small Business Sunday, Theo will be writing a series of six columns, over the year, sharing his vast retail and business experience.

Theo’s articles will be shared with

Business Connect’s SME readers titled Small Business News, and will offer expert help, guidance and plenty of anecdotes on many different subjects relating to starting, running and making a success of businesses of all sizes.

If you’re a small business then you should also check out Theo’s #SBS Small Business Sunday competition on Twitter and Instagram: www.theopaphitissbs.com/about/

Theo commented: “Delighted to be sharing my thoughts on all things small business and entrepreneurship in a bimonthly column for Business Connect Magazine.

“The #SBS Small Business Sunday network is all about giving a voice to SMEs across the UK, and as a magazine dedicated to providing a platform to small businesses, it’s the perfect fit!”

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Second Investment Zone for the North to unlock multimillion pound investments

The end of July saw the Government launching England’s second Investment Zone in Liverpool, which could unlock £320 million of private investment and deliver 4,000 jobs. This will bring benefits across Liverpool, Runcorn, St. Helens, Maghull and Prescot over the next five years. An initial £10 million investment will be made by US pharmaceutical manufacturer TriRx, to enhance its capabilities to manufacture monoclonal antibodies, a type of immunotherapy that work by blocking certain diseases from affecting healthy cells and are used to treat numerous types of diseases including cancers, arthritis and skin conditions.

This investment in Liverpool’s existing Speke Pharma cluster – home to one of the UK’s leading regions for bioprocessing - is the first step in unlocking a total pipeline up to £320 million of further private funding from a range of investors in the life sciences sector, helping to deliver over 4,000 jobs in the region over the next five years.

Rent-free Oxford Street shops for

Backed by £80 million in government funding, the Investment Zone will benefit from a range of interventions which could include skills, infrastructure and tax reliefs, depending on local circumstances – with the potential to completely transform the region, making Liverpool a pharmaceutical production superpower.

The government will continue to work with the Liverpool City Region, University of Liverpool and other local partners to co-develop the plans for their Life Sciences Investment Zone, including agreeing priority development sites and specific interventions to drive cluster growth, over the summer, ahead of final confirmation of plans.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

“Our area is fortunate to play home to world-leading clusters in life science research and innovation, which support thousands of secure, well-paid jobs and training opportunities for local people.

“I am incredibly proud of what our region has achieved in the sector - but this is just a down payment on our future ambitions.

“I want us to go even further and establish our region at the forefront of UK science and innovation.”

Small businesses are being offered the chance to take over a shop on Oxford Street, rent-free, as part of a new project launched today by Westminster City Council, in partnership with New West End Company.

Called “Meanwhile On: Oxford Street”, the programme invites applications from innovative, cutting-edge and up-and-coming brands who will offer something exciting and new to one of the world’s most iconic shopping streets.

The businesses selected can use this high-profile space to bring their brand’s story to life, for example through new technologies such as virtual or augmented reality, interactive exhibitions and in some cases, by bringing the production process to the customer by installing machines in store, opening visitor’s eyes to how clothes and other materials are made.

The programme forms part of Westminster City Council’s wider Fairer Economy plan to invest in high streets throughout the borough.

The campaign is aimed at businesses looking to launch their first store or physical space. Selected brands will be given a prime store location for an initial six-month period. These opportunities will be rent-free for brands, with a minimum 70% reduction in business rates. Stores will either be available for single occupancy or as a themed concept store shared between multiple brands.

Although rent free, successful applicants must be able to fund the other associated costs of running a store for six months and show potential to launch long-term after developing their brand through the programme.

Westminster City Council have appointed retail placemaking consultancy Someday Studios to deliver the three-year project. Design agency FormRoom will be designing the first store. The retail, mentoring and design support combined, offers a significant package of support for small businesses seeking the opportunity to trade in London’s West End.

Only 2% of VC funding goes to female and ethnic minority founded businesses

The Treasury Committee is challenging the lack of diversity in the venture capital industry as only 2% of funding goes toward female founded and ethnic minority businesses, according to a new report.

The Committee also found that 80% of investments went to the “Golden Triangle” of London, Oxford and Cambridge, with the capital receiving almost half of funding despite only being home to under a fifth (19%) of such firms.

The Committee highlighted the Government’s role in driving change as they support the venture capital market through tax-advantaged schemes and programmes delivered through the British Business Bank.

Harriet Baldwin, Chair of the Committee, said: “In the twenty-first century, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to investors that women and those from ethnic minority backgrounds can start successful businesses. Given public funds play

a key role in the success of the UK’s venture capital sector, more must be done,” she continued.

MPs have called for the Government to ensure the publication of diversity data by making its publication a condition of applying for tax reliefs.

Responding to the news, Suid Adeyanju, CEO of RiverSafe, commented: “One of the main issues perpetuating a lack of diversity in key industries such as tech is a lack of representation at the ownership and C-Suite levels. In the absence of role models from diverse backgrounds, staff from under-represented groups can often lose confidence.”

“If we are going to make the technology industry sustainable, we must first make it equitable, and that starts with boosting the percentage of funding for minority-founded businesses, and encouraging more entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to start their own ventures, supported by Government”.

UK to host 26th annual Taiwan talks to continue to strengthen trade relationship

Taiwan in areas of mutual interest.

The UK and Taiwan have a longstanding trade relationship with annual ministerial trade talks held since 1991.

Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston will co-host the 26th annual Trade Talks later this year with Deputy Minister Chern-Chyi Chen. At the last Trade Talks held in Taiwan in late 2022, the UK and Taiwan discussed barriers to trade in sectors like fintech, food and drink and pharma, aimed at helping more UK firms export and invest in Taiwan.

This year’s Trade Talks will take place in London and aim to help more UK firms export and investing in

Minister Huddleston also spoke to John Deng, Trade Representative/Minister without Portfolio, to endorse the start of official-level talks on an Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP), which will be underpinned by non-legally binding Memoranda of Understanding in key areas such as two-way investment, digital trade, and energy & net-zero.

The ETP will build on our ongoing collaboration through annual Trade Talks to tackle barriers to trade and promote UK expertise, deepening our relationship to take advantage of increasing commercial opportunities. Both sides will begin engaging businesses on the ETP in due course.

Like the UK, Taiwan is a champion of free and fair trade underpinned by a rules-based global trading system. The UK is already a major partner in Taiwan’s green transition, with more than 40 British companies already having set up offices in Taiwan.

LWA Ltd are an award-winning

North West schools and colleges among the best in the UK for cyber education

CyberFirst Schools & Colleges is an initiative set up by the NCSC, a part of GCHQ, and delivered by IN4 Group in the North West, to encourage a more diverse range of young people to pursue careers in the cyber sector.

CyberFirst North West has exceeded targets in its first year with 13 schools being awarded formal recognitions and 29 events facilitated to promote and encourage an interest in cyber.

The Association of Sustainable Business launched this month with the aim of helping the UK’s 5.58million businesses fight climate change, by making the process simple, profitable and rewarding.

through membership. They do this by plantings and preserving at least 400 trees on behalf of a memberbusiness and offset at least 1 tonne of C02 for them in world class carbon offsetting projects, depending on the membership level the business joins at.

A pioneering programme backed by global tech businesses and the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), has resulted in £1.57 million of social impact in less than 12 months, establishing 13 local schools and colleges from Lancashire and Greater Manchester as among the best in the UK for cyber and STEM education. This means that for every £1 invested in the programme, there has been a Social Return on Investment (SROI) of £2.57 in the regional community, further boosting cyber education in the North West Cyber Corridor.

To mark this achievement, Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, spoke at a celebration event held at BAE Systems’ site in Samlesbury. He said: “By opening up opportunities for young people to build exciting careers in cyber skills in the North West, we are expanding the range of durable careers in this area, bringing both benefits to those involved and the wider community.

“This is absolutely about up-skilling and levelling-up and I am hugely heartened to see the investment and progress being made.”

Help for over-50s start their own business to boost economy, say MPs

to start their own businesses was an “ideal way” back into work.

Businesses large and small are increasingly aware that they need to become more sustainable and reduce their emissions where possible, as the UK moves towards becoming Net Zero by 2050.

The problem to date has been that the process has been complex, confusing and expensive, and has become off-putting to business owners, especially smaller SME’s.

The Association is transforming that by making it simple for any business to gain instant Green credentials

Members receive a Carbon Reduction Plan to help them understand where their business emissions come from, with lots of simple ways to reduce emissions whilst saving money.

The Association offers Membership, Education and Accreditation opportunities including helping companies become Certified Green, Carbon Neutral or Climate Positive. Members also gain use of the Association’s logos to help them promote their Green credentials. Visit www.AOSB.org

A report by the Work and Pensions Select Committee has suggested a self-employment support programme could help reduce the level of economic inactivity in people over 50, as well as disabled people.

The scheme, if implemented, would replace the Enterprise Allowance scheme, which paid out to entrepreneurs first setting up on their own and closed in January 2022.

As many as 161,000 businesses were set up under the previous scheme, of which more than 31,000 were started by people aged over 50.

MP Stephen Timms, chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, said that providing support for older people

“There are quite a lot of advantages to being self-employed, particularly for older people and people with health difficulties, because the flexibility that it allows can be a real boon,” he said. “There are certainly risks that come with starting a business, that’s one of the justifications for government support,” he added. “But we know from survey evidence that many want to be in work, and we think this is the ideal way to support them. People are up for a bit of a challenge, they’re willing to give it a go.”

Data suggested that number of older people in work has risen steadily in the 10 years leading up to the pandemic, with employment levels in this age bracket reaching their highest in January 2022.

However, unemployment in the over-50s age group has risen since lockdowns began. More than 3.47 million people over 50 are now classed as economically inactive, meaning that they are neither working nor actively looking for a job.

L-R Lauren Monks, IN4 Group, Charlotte from Winstanley College, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Norbert from Moor Park High School and Sixth Form

construction

Serviced Offices sector looks to 17% growth in 2023

Industry analysis by the debt advisory specialists, Sirius Property Finance, reveals that the UK’s service offices market is set to grow by 17% in 2023, but a growing acceptance of remote working means the sector is still struggling to match its pre-pandemic highs.

Sirius Property Finance has analysed the annual revenue of the UK’s serviced offices market since 2013 to see how it has performed over the last decade, and what that might mean for the future of a once-prominent branch of commercial property.

Serviced offices are defined as fully furnished and fully operational offices leased to businesses on a short or long-term basis.

The data shows that the serviced offices sector generated a revenue of £961 million in 2013 before growing significantly year-on-year until reaching a peak of £2.6 billion in 2020.

This period of sustained growth was, in no small part, driven by WeWork’s entry to the UK market in 2014 which inspired a nationwide boom in co-working

As the pandemic took effect and businesses were required to adapt to a work-from-home model, 2021 saw service offices revenue decline by -20.1% before falling by a further -21.8% in 2022 when revenue totalled £1.6 billion.

It is now estimated that this pandemic dip will finally be stemmed in 2023 when, by year end, sector revenue

Dura Composites enters joint venture with GRP permanent

formwork

specialists, Mekina Industries

is forecast to hit £1.9 billion, marking annual growth of 16.8%.

This growth, however, fails to bring the sector anywhere close to its prepandemic peak and, due to a greater acceptance of remote working, there is now the real possibility that serviced offices will fail to generate the kind of revenue enjoyed in the past.

Head of Corporate Partnerships at Sirius Property Finance, Kimberley Gates, commented:

“Serviced offices have suffered the same fate as the wider office market in that the pandemic has decimated profits. Lots of businesses have realised that huge savings can be made by dumping the overheads of office space, and this is especially true for bootstrapped SME businesses that served as the core customer base for serviced and co-working spaces.

“Can the sector recover? Can it one day reach its pre-pandemic peak? Without undergoing some significant changes, the answer is probably ‘no’. Serviced offices need to take a leaf out of the book of forward-thinking retailers who have realised that highstreet shopping will only survive if it offers an experience that is impossible to match online.

“If this doesn’t happen, the UK’s commercial landlords are going to have to think long and hard about the future usage of their assets which, based on current best-thinking, means moving to the mixed-use model that has proven successful elsewhere in the world.”

Destination leisure venue plans for Diecast factory

A Greater Manchester-based commercial finance broker has been chosen to assist returning client A Very Inc with the acquisition and redevelopment of a destination leisure venue which once stood as the Presbar Diecast factory in Piccadilly East, Central Manchester.

PMD Business Finance, an independent broker operating from Chadderton, arranged a six-figure funding package on behalf of the management team who continue to grow their operations despite cautious sentiment within the leisure sector. PMD enjoys a long-standing relationship with A Very Inc’s, having previously supported them with opening other sites including Ramona and Firehouse in the city.

PMD has been prolific with its investment into the hospitality industry post-covid and the deal team believe that their client’s acquisition of this historic site will contribute to significant growth in this emerging corner of Manchester City Centre.

Dura Composites, leading creator of composite products and solutions, has invested in like-minded business, Mekina Industries, best known for its permanent formwork solutions for bridge and civil structures. The collaboration will empower Mekina Industries in its aim to lead the way in GRP construction products such as permanent formwork, copers, and custom mouldings.

Mekina Industries was formed in 2023 by two industry experts in GRP permanent formworks who together have over 50 years’ experience in the technical design and manufacture of GRP products and as individuals have worked on over 4,000 projects worldwide.

Predominantly used as a sacrificial ‘leave-in-place’ formwork for bridges, Mekina Industries’ range of MekDek panels are strong, lightweight and manufactured to suit specific requirements to allow installations to take place offline and offsite in numerous scenarios. They can also reduce labour, restrict safety risks, speed up builds whilst providing a safe working platform. All installation of permanent formwork panels takes place whilst working above the structure, negating any need for access beneath.

The joint venture allows Mekina to benefit from the knowledge, expertise and experience gathered by Dura Composites over 27 years of supplying structural walkways to infrastructure

markets. Speaking on the natural fit between the two companies, Ian Baggaley, Director of Sales Operations at Mekina Industries said: “Quality, efficiency, and sustainability are all key drivers of our products and services, and with such a strong reputation in the industry, it was clear that Dura Composites shared these values.

“Not only will the backing of a respected name like Dura Composites enable us to open more doors as a new business, but their experience and expertise will be invaluable as we grow.”

Dura Composites has ambitious plans for 2023 and beyond. Managing Director, Stuart Burns, shared his thoughts: “Dura set out with the ambition of making composites mainstream. With this now the case in many sectors in which it operates, we want to solve even more challenging infrastructure problems, and that includes expanding our capabilities with a network of specialist partners such as Mekina.

“We put a lot of care and attention into who we work with. Mekina Industries’ expertise in GRP permanent formwork complements our portfolio of solutions for the transport and highways industry. They are uniquely positioned to service those in need of GRP permanent formwork more quickly than existing suppliers, and at a more competitive rate, however their experience in the industry and client focus business ethos means their customer care is second to none.”

The A Very Inc founders have over 15 years’ experience having been founders of the successful Mission Mars Group headquartered in Manchester, owning the ever-popular Albert Schloss, Albert Hall, Gorilla, The Deaf Institute and Troff. The management team came together again to open the dual concept Ramona and Firehouse on Swan Street. Ever ambitious and with an eye for growth, the Presbar Diecast concept has been well received by media and patrons alike. In time the venue will become one Europe’s largest artisan food, drink and entertainment destinations, with a capacity to support 3,500 customers.

Denby Pottery granted planning permission for new solar array

reduction of its carbon footprint. “Denby now has a long-term solution that will not only reduce its carbon emissions, but ensure it is protected against any future fluctuations in the electricity market, and ensure this business is around for the next 200 years.”

Derbyshire-based, Denby Pottery has been granted planning permission for a new 2 MW solar array, that will see the tableware manufacturer reduce its CO2 emissions by 475 tonnes each year.

The ground-mounted array of DMEGC Solar 550w modules will be delivered in partnership with on-site energy generation specialists, YLEM Energy. YLEM Energy led on the design of the solar array ensuring it would meet the pottery manufacturer’s load requirements for electricity.

Denby Pottery’s partnership with YLEM Energy solidifies its commitment to its wider sustainability agenda, with the pottery manufacturer already sending zero process waste to landfill, which already saves 600 tonnes of CO2 each year.

The Solar PV solution will be fully funded through YLEM Energy’s Dynamic Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA), a scheme that sees energy conscious businesses partner with YLEM Energy to secure their electricity consumption at a lower rate than National Grid Supplied Power,

at no extra cost.

YLEM Energy’s DPPA works with businesses through the funding stage to the construction and manages bespoke solutions on a business’s behalf. To date, the DPPA has saved YLEM’s customers over 1.1m MtCO2

Commenting on the approval of planning permission, Ian Gadsby, Managing Director of YLEM Energy said: “With the increasing pressures on the National Grid, I’m pleased to see that a much-loved UK business has been given approval to guarantee a

Operations Director at Denby Pottery, Dean Barlow added: “The granting of approval for our solar array is very much welcomed and further enhances our commitment to sustainability. This is a key step in our pathway to Net Zero 2050, and we hope that further steps that we will need to take in the future will be equally well supported by our local planning authority. Denby is rightly proud of its environmental credentials, and we have a “Greenprint” strategy for continual improvement in the environmental sphere which influences many of our business decisions”.

The solar PV solution will be monitored by YLEM Energy’s Operational and Maintenance Team.

construction

£400m St Michael’s scheme launched in Manchester

record-breaking deals for 26,842 sq ft and 18,192 sq ft respectively at No.1 St Michael’s.

Construction of the highly-anticipated iconic 41-storey tower is also set to commence in the coming weeks and when complete, will be home to a 162-bed 5 Star International hotel brand plus 217 luxury residences.

Relentless is in the final stages of signing a deal with an upscale global hotel operator for the tower, which will be announced in the autumn. Apartment sales will also commence after the summer as part of the joint venture between Relentless and property developer, Salboy.

St Michael’s is aiming to set new standards in quality, aesthetic and experience in the city, becoming a high profile destination for food, drink and entertainment. Iconic Nikkei restaurant brand, Chotto Matte will occupy the roof terrace while a public square will see the historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub retained following a substantial refurbishment.

The scheme has been designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and Hodder & Partners to be both epochal in its transformation of an underused area in the heart of the city, while also sympathetic to the site’s heritage as the former home to Manchester City Police headquarters.

Chotto Matte rooftop restaurant and two food and beverage outlets top and tail the building.

No.2 St Michael’s comprises the tower containing the hotel, apartments plus an additional 75,000 sq ft of office space.

Bowmer and Kirkland commenced delivery of No.1 in January 2022 with completion due in 2024. Salboy’s exclusive build partner, Domis, is set to break ground on No.2 in the coming weeks, with the scheme in its entirety completing in early 2027.

Gary Neville’s £400m landmark development launched at the beginning of July in Manchester, the culmination of 15 years of hard work to transform an underused area of the city into a new world-class destination for work, rest and play.

The mixed-use scheme is being brought to the market through a collaboration between Relentless

Developments and stakeholders KKR, Salboy and Manchester City Council. No.1 St Michael’s is expected to be the first fully Net Zero Carbon commercial development in the city, both in operation and delivery.

The launch sees the development set a new headline rent for offices in the city with international law firms, Pinsent Masons and Hill Dickinson signing

Interiors have been created in collaboration with SOM to complement the building’s high-quality external design.

The development is separated into two distinct phases, with phase one branded No.1 St Michael’s and comprising nine floors of office space set to achieve high ranking standards in sustainability and wellbeing. The

Gary Neville, Director at Relentless Developments, said: “This is an extraordinary scheme that has been no less than 15 years in the making and we believe it to be the most sustainable commercial space in the city. I’d like to thank all our partners who have been with me on this journey and remained committed to the vision to transform this pivotal area of the city into a global landmark.

“We’ve worked so hard to create a development that is distinctive in both its imaginative design and heritage as well as its location connecting the city’s business district with the historic civic quarter. Signing a deal with two of the world’s most reputable law firms and setting a new headline rent as we launch is testament to that.

“Progress is now beginning to accelerate as we approach the latter stages of No.1 and we set our sights on the world-class leisure and residential elements that will be delivered for No.2.”

No.1 St Michael’s (phase one) is a joint venture between Relentless Developments and global investment firm KKR. Nicky Barker, Managing Director and Head of Asset Management at KKR Europe Real Estate, said: “We are delighted to reach this important milestone and look forward to realising the vision for the exceptional regeneration project in the heart of Manchester alongside our partner, Relentless.”

Gary Neville, Director at Relentless Developments

Breakdown service and insurance giant the RAC has committed to relocating 300 employees to a 23,000 sq. ft space within Peel L&P’s The Vic, in Salford, MediaCity; making it one of the largest letting deals in Manchester this year, to date.

The RAC will bring its Manchester call centre facility, currently based in Stretford, to the entire second floor and part of the first floor of The Vic, which underwent a significant refurbishment three years ago and has been third party verified net zero carbon.

The signing coincides with multiaward-winning, independent videogames developer and publisher Team17 Digital committing to a further five years within the 6,000 sq. ft

ground floor space in The Vic, while The Department of Work and Pensions has signed a 10-year deal for a 9,000 sq. ft office space within Peel L&P’s neighbouring Alex building.

Dave Hobday, RAC Chief Executive said: “We’re very excited by our move to Salford Quays and MediaCity as it demonstrates our continued long-term investment in the RAC, our colleagues and Manchester.

“The Vic’s best-in-class sustainability and well-being credentials offer colleagues a better working environment, first-class facilities and an all-round greater experience in a modern and vibrant city setting.

“RAC colleagues will also be able to benefit from excellent transport

links, parking, a host of shops on the doorstep, and plenty of eateries and bars for after-work socialising.”

Simon Lovegrove, Senior Asset Manager for Peel L&P added: “We’ve seen a real flurry of activity in recent months with almost 40,000 sq. ft of lets in total across The Vic and Alex buildings which are experiencing a real renaissance in popularity. Occupiers are attracted by the buildings’ highly sustainable credentials, attractive waterfront setting and the vibrant MediaCity community with all of its amenities.”

CBRE acted on behalf of RAC, Cushman and Wakefield acted for The Department of Work and Pensions and Canning O’Neill acted on behalf of Peel L&P at MediaCity.

The number of registered company insolvencies in June 2023 was 2,163 - a 27% increase from the same month last year (1,698 in June 2022) according to new figures. There were 260 compulsory liquidations in June 2023, up 77% year-on-year.

In addition, figures from RSM UK’s internal database – ‘Tracker’, show that there have been 428 construction sector insolvencies in the North West in 2023, with the majority (94.9%) represented by liquidations. RSM UK’s data also identified three large NW based administrations during 2023 with aggregate turnover of £135m, placing pressure on the companies in their supply chains, not only from the cash flow hit off the bad debt, but also future cash flows as a customer.

Commenting on the latest figures, Ian Morton, RSM UK in Manchester, said: “Construction businesses are struggling to cope with increases in interest rates and inflationary pressures on material supplies. Although there are signs of easing, feasibilities of new projects will be called into question. Housebuilders are falling short on the number of dwellings being constructed.

“The next challenge is a skills shortage, with the government adding a number of trades to the shortage occupation list to plug gaps from overseas resources. Micro and macroeconomic factors are expected to continue to place pressure on the industry for the foreseeable future.”

Approved Building Certificates and Warranties

NW construction market facing skills shortage due to rising insolvencies

Building a winning

our multi award-winning services and products by monitoring and certifying the construction works to tens of thousands of residential and commercial properties.

“50% of our business are repeat customers and referrals from other construction professionals such as solicitors, estate agents, architects and building control - a testament of our reputation and service levels. We offer a superior cost-effective service, with 5 star google reviews speaking for themselves.”

Which areas do you cover?

“Our regional surveyors cover the whole of the UK, and we are the only RICs (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) registered structural warranty company in the country to offer both a 10-year and a 12-year structural warranty, plus a 6-year Professional Consultant’s Certificate (PCC).

“This sets our inspection standards apart from other warranty providers.”

Business Connect Magazine recently caught up with Northwest-based multi award-winning ABC+ Warranty. The firm has been supporting the property and construction sector since 1989, with Managing Director Adele Reid leading from the front. The company offers many ancillary services to the sector but specialises in structural warranties and Professional Consultant’s Certificates (PCCs).

Adele – please guide us along your business journey?

“ABC+ Warranty is a national structural warranty provider, with our head office based in Altrincham, Cheshire. We’ve been surveying properties for over 30 years, with a name change to ABC+ Warranty in 2011. Since we

rebranded, our business has grown rapidly. Our specialist team consists of experienced warranty specialists, underwriters, chartered building surveyors and claims handlers, our primary focus is to inspect, monitor and certify property ensuring that it has been built to a satisfactory standard of construction.

“Delivering customer excellence is at the heart of everything we do. I’m a big believer of sustainable growth and having the right staff in place at the right time. Currently, we’ve invested in 5 apprentices (2 chartered surveyors and 3 experienced insurance specialists).

“Each year, ABC+ Warranty provides thousands of satisfied clients with

Tell us about your services?

“We provide a full range of services to assist the builder, developer, and self-builder by offering both a 10- or 12year structural warranty (also known as latent defects insurance) and a Professional Consultant’s Certificate (PCC). Both types of certificates are mortgage lender accepted, and an essential requirement of all mortgage lenders in the UK, following the completion of works to UK property and buildings.

“ABC+ Warranty provides a way to claim against major structural defects caused by shoddy workmanship or defective materials which would otherwise be a very costly expense

to the end user or homeowner.

“Our certificates are also suitable for those purchasing their homes under the government’s Help to Buy scheme and are acceptable for Housing Associations.”

How does a structural warranty work?

“A structural warranty (sometimes known as latent defects insurance) is an insurance policy that covers against structural defects in a new build, conversion, or renovated building.

“In the unfortunate event that damage should occur, you’ll receive financial compensation to help cover the costs of structural damage repairs. The policy is valid for 10 or 12 years and starts from the date on the Building Control completion certificate.”

You also offer a Professional Consultant’s Certificate (PCC) – please can you explain in more detail?

“A 6-year PCC, also known as an Architects Certificate, is a certificate which confirms that the completed construction work adheres to acceptable building standards. It is valid for 6 years from the date of certification and is issued after satisfactory completion of works following a final inspection by a qualified surveyor. Please remember that a PCC is not a warranty - for more comprehensive cover, you should choose a 10-year structural warranty. There is the option to upgrade from a PCC to a Structural Warranty if later required.”

What is a Retrospective Warranty?

“This is a structural warranty that can be issued when the property has reached a completed stage of construction.

“It’s a more expensive option than

Adele Reid, Managing Director, ABC+ Warranty

winning reputation

appointing a warranty provider from the beginning of the building work as we won’t have monitored the development from the start of the project, and therefore there is a higher degree of risk to the insurance company who underwrites the warranty.

“Most mortgage lenders prefer that the warranty provider has monitored the building works from commencement, rather than at the end.”

Can you explain who needs a structural warranty?

“If you’re a self-builder, a developer or a Housing Association and you are about to commence a new housing project or maybe you’re thinking of converting an old barn or even transforming an older property into several flats, you should be considering a structural warranty provider. You may have even completed properties without valid certification; however, you can still appoint a Building Surveyor after building works have been completed.

“It is a lender requirement to have either a structural warranty or a Professional Consultant’s Certificate (PCC) in place. If you decide to sell or remortgage the property further down the line, you will be unable to do so without any of these certificates in place.”

At what stage of the build would you appoint a structural warranty provider?

“Appointing a structural warranty provider at the outset is more cost effective than appointing one midway through the build or once works have been completed. There is less chance of defective work being carried out as our surveyors are on site at key stages of the build. It’s important to remember that some mortgage lenders will not accept a structural warranty if the warranty provider has been appointed

mid-way through building works.”

Why Choose ABC+ Warranty?

“We’re a multi award-winning structural warranty company, providing the most cost-effective warranties in the UK. All types of properties are covered, whether residential or commercial.

“We’re different from other providers as we have no holding bonds or renewal fees, which gives us a clear advantage over other warranty suppliers like the NHBC, Premier, LABC, Protek, Checkmate, BLP or Advantage Warranty.

“If you’re on a budget or cashflow is particularly tight, we offer flexible payment plans to help you manage your project efficiently, and we can also issue our certifications within hours, not weeks.”

Congratulations on winning ‘Best Structural Warranty’ provider at the Grafter’s Awards at the end of June, tell us a bit about the awards evening?

“Thank you. It was a great night, with more than 400 construction specialists under one roof. The black tie event was held at the Mercure Piccadilly Hotel on Portland Street in Manchester and was hosted by the lovely Jenny Powell.

“We were crowned the winners, and managed to beat the likes of,

The NHBC, Premier and the LABC. The event also provided a great networking opportunity for the Northwest Construction and Property industry, with over 400 professionals in attendance.”

What does winning the award mean for you as a business?

“It increases our credibility and boosts our profile. It also increases employee morale as it assures our staff that their efforts are being recognised, not just by me, but by the wider industry and our customers, of which I am a big advocate.

“We have a great work culture and an exceptionally high staff retention rate. Most of our technical team have been with us for more than 8 years with some reaching their 10-year anniversary. Potential employees can see that we are a great company to work for. Even though we are a well-established business, with over 30 years of experience, winning another award is a great addition to our achievements. It increases our exposure and is proof that even after all these years, we’re still working hard, with our clients at the heart of everything we do.”

How important are your ESG goals as a business?

“Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance are the latest buzzwords for ethical business practices that

we and like-minded companies have been applying for many years.

“It’s simply not enough to apply internal changes to your company’s environmental sustainability and guidance towards a more ethical business culture. We have been strongly pro-active in delivering and sharing best practice in our industry.

“For example, we were one of the first offices in the UK to be COVID secure when the pandemic arrived. We created a set of guidelines that ensured our client services were safe, and the guidelines were then introduced by the UK government for safe office working at a national level.

“We are also passionate about diversity and equality, particularly in a challenging sector like property and construction. I’ve been public speaking on this subject for years at construction events around the UK such as the Grand Designs Live shows, the Home Building & Renovating shows and at UK Construction Week.

“We’ve also provided insight and advice to the New Homes Ombudsman service. It’s crucial to share our specialist knowledge across our industry, and I’d like to think the sector has made great positive changes over the last 10 years.”

What

has

ABC+ got planned for the future?

“To build on the fantastic growth we’ve enjoyed, even through challenging times like the Covid pandemic.

“We are constantly evolving our procedures via automation which includes using artificial intelligence. We’ve invested in a new website with some fantastic new features, and the site will be live from next month.

“In addition, we’ll soon be able to facilitate developer finance for specialist lending to developers of medium to larger building projects. This will enhance our comprehensive suite of services.”

Andy Burnham thanks Chamber members for support on skills

At Greater Manchester Chamber’s Summer Assembly, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham gave an overwhelming thank you to the Chamber and its members for their recent and ongoing work looking at skills issues in Greater Manchester.

Attendees at the Assembly, chaired by Chamber President Emma Holt, heard the Mayor thank the Chamber team for the work done on putting the GM Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) together, and he also referred to the thousands of businesses that have been involved with the survey work inputting vital evidence on skills

shortages and needs. The plan, once approved by the Department for Education, will play a critical role in guiding and influencing future skills developments and delivery in Greater Manchester as part of the Mayor’s ambitions for a new integrated skills and employment system.

Following the Mayor’s speech and Q & A session, attendees used the remainder of the meeting in round table discussion groups looking at a range of training related and skills issues that will play a major role in the ongoing work for the LSIP, ensuring it remains accurate

in representing business needs.

Chamber President, Emma Holt, said: “It was great to have the Mayor attend Assembly. He appreciated being here and having the opportunity to thank everyone for the work done so far with the LSIP. Businesses are obviously the key audience in this but the work also encompasses training providers and colleges among a range of other groups and organisations that have taken part so far.

“The Mayor’s passion for this subject was clear and its importance here and now in the difficult and challenging economic climate the country is currently in. Having the vast wealth of evidence that is now available will help solve some of the long-standing problems we have with regard to skilled workers and recruitment and it was appreciated by those in the Assembly meeting that the Mayor took time out to come and speak to them.

“From the follow up session it was quite clear that the issue around training employees and having access to a skilled workforce for now and in the future is a major issue. There are a variety of elements connected with this such as, older workers returning to the workforce, people changing careers and overall life skills such as managing finances - an issue that in a cost of living crisis becomes even more important - not being taught effectively.

“We look forward to continuing to develop the LSIP for Greater Manchester and to play our part with the Mayor to make sure that local businesses get the skilled workforce needed to continue to benefit them and the wider community.”

The Chamber’s current LSIP Survey is now live and is focused on identifying issues around training and can be accessed at: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GMLSIPST

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham

growth

Mind the gap!

In Business Connect’s April/May edition, Sim Goldblum, CEO of maxpotenti, introduced the ACT Pathway to Sustainable Business GrowthTM - a comprehensive 9-step programme designed specifically for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Sim explains that following the ACT programme can place a business on a reassuring road to sustainable growth, and that one of the most crucial elements is the beginning of the programme.

“The three core stages of this innovative approach - Assess, Connect, Transform - work together as an unwavering compass that guides businesses towards achieving your future aspirations.

“At the heart of the Assess phase lies “Mind the Gap”, which prompts entrepreneurs to take stock of themselves personally and professionally before creating their growth plan.

“This reflection allows you to identify areas where you can improve on your strengths while addressing weaknesses that may hinder progress in reaching desired outcomes.

“By regularly assessing oneself through self-evaluation exercises such as these, you can remain focused on what matters most: delivering value to customers consistently over time by providing high quality products/services that meet their needs effectively.

“Overall, “Mind the Gap” serves as a critical first step along the journey towards sustained success within today’s competitive marketplace environment; without it, entrepreneur efforts are likely to be challenged from the start due to lacklustre performance.

“This can be caused by poor decision-making based on incomplete information about current capabilities relative to those

6.

needed for long term prosperity.

“Achieving long term success requires a comprehensive evaluation of your current business standing.

“By examining the key metrics, KPIs and OKRs for your unique business, you can gain valuable insights into areas that need improvement or adjustment.

“With this information in hand, setting well-structured goals becomes possible - ones which will guide the company towards sustainable growth over time.

“To turn dreams into reality takes more than just having an idea; it also demands careful planning, with specific timelines assigned to each task, along with clear objectives outlined for every stage of development. This approach ensures that “the feasible” is transformed into “the viable” - making even ambitious ideas

achievable through hard work and dedication.

“In summary: by conducting thorough evaluations of your status while implementing strategic plans with detailed timelines and assignments, you will have greater chances of achieving lasting successes!

“The final phase of “Mind the Gap” involves creating a 2-3 year plan with eight to ten critical focal points.

“We’ll support you as you create manageable targets which are fully aligned with your success strategy.

“For example, if entering new markets are top priorities for you, we’ll help you ensure that all the interconnected processes -

from market analysis, sales and distribution, production, people and financial resources – are included, ensuring absolute clarity about where you want to go next.

“This approach fosters transparency among your people, resulting in collective efforts towards achieving common goals. Using the “Mind the Gap” process, you can confidently navigate your way forward, knowing exactly what steps need taking along the journey ahead.

“Mind the Gap” is not a quick fix solution but rather an essential foundation for future growth.

“It helps business owners like you understand your journey while equipping you with the necessary skills that lead to success.

With the ACT Pathway to Sustainable Business GrowthTM programme, unlocking this potential has never been more accessible!

“Embrace transformative change today by embarking on this incredible journey of self-discovery, education and skill-building”.

Further insights into the ACT programme will be unveiled in the next few editions of Business Connect Magazine.

Regroup

4. Redeploy

9. Sustainable Growth Sim Goldblum CEO, maxpotenti

exporting The world just

got smaller

Who are your customers?

What criteria do you use to find new customers?

How do you price in different markets? Do you sell direct or through distributors?

How do you market your products or services?

One world

So far away, doesn’t anybody sell in one place any more? (with apologies

The UK has just signed up to the CPTPP – the Comprehensive and Progressive agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership.

The fellow members sit astride the world – Canada, Japan, Australia, Mexico, Chile, Malaysia, Peru and several more.

This is in addition to a plethora of trade agreements across the world, including of course a comprehensive agreement with the EU. The UK’s position as a leading trading nation is

The world just got smaller. Much smaller.

Nearly 50% of UK exports are services

That shouldn’t come as a surprise as the UK is the second largest exporter of services in the world; only the USA has more. Most of those services exporters don’t have to worry about the distance as they don’t have goods to deliver. But what of the other 50%,

Meet your new best friend

Goods exporters must factor in freight costs every bit as much as they do with delivery costs in their home market.

My best advice is to find and closely work with a freight forwarding company who can become part of the pricing and logistics arrangements from an early stage of engagement. Even if you are selling ex-works

exporting

(always my favoured option – please ask me why!) the freight forwarder can help you to calculate the full supply chain pricing.

Having the right experienced experts as part of the team will alleviate many possible concerns Feet on the street

How should you as a new or inexperienced exporter cope with unfamiliar export requirements?

There are many ways, depending on how you decide to do business in each of the markets you enter (always markets not countries).

One simple but comprehensive solution is to use an experienced

local distributor. They can act as the necessary interface between you, the regulations, customers and consumers.

My practice is to look for distributors that have already had success working with UK companies and in similar markets, but this is not essential.

A good distributor will be able to take you through the local regulatory requirements, help you with translations, arrange introductions, participate at local trade shows and provide you with direct feedback.

All this is of course in addition to the main role of the distributor which would involve the transportation,

storage and distribution to local customers.

By ensuring that all the terms of the distributorship are agreed up front, and by your allowing the distributor sufficient margin to work with, they can take much of the administration work off your hands.

This works brilliantly as a model, as by doing so, you can have both more confidence in your own sales margin and without having additional overheads.

You will then be able to use your time more effectively to enter into more such arrangements and continue your export journey.

This virtuous circle of engagement does require nurturing and it is important to set aside time and some budget to support the distributor and their team and ensure that they become an extension of your business that can replay your messaging with the same enthusiasm as you do.

Exporting should be a profitable extension of your business with likeminded markets around the world, many of whom are already fans of UK style and quality, providing a plethora of opportunities.

It is never too early or too late in a business to start to export, you just need to take the next step.

“Following the UK’s exit from the EU there has been a lot of talk about how difficult exporting is. The short answer is it really isn’t. But you do need to get the basics right from the start.

“You will need a Freight Forwarder who will also act as your Customs Clearance broker. There are many to choose from but if you want that personal service and someone to patiently guide you through the processes then find someone local to you.

“As they say its good to talk, a few simple questions answered, and you can work away with peace and mind knowing it will be ok.

“Terms of Shipment/Incoterms - If you are sending the goods (Exporter) then the easiest one to use is DAP this means that you will send the goods via your forwarder, but any VAT or Duty on arrival in the end country is for the recipient. There are other terms of shipment, but this is the one that will not add too many additional costs.

“We have found Northern Ireland and Ireland are good starting points (which we specialise in). Once the Ireland process is mastered, it’s the same for all other EU countries plus Norway and Switzerland.

“It’s too easy to say no to exporting, but the potential benefits are endless for what is in essentially just some additional paperwork.”

Useful links: gov.uk/business-and-industry/exporting gov.uk/government/publications/export-strategymade-in-the-uk-sold-to-the-world/made-in-the-uksold-to-the-world-web-version export.org.uk britishchambers.org.uk

“

“For any exporter, the advice to ‘find and work closely with a Freight Forwarding company’ for the transport of their goods is well worth heeding.

“Choosing the right Freight Forwarder is vital, as expert Freight Forwarders will help make exporters’ lives and jobs easier, saving hassle, time and money.

“When choosing a Freight Forwarder, my two main recommendations would be:

“

1. Work with a company that specialises in a particular geographical area, an area where your main markets are. They will have a good network of hauliers and partners in their specialist area. This will enable them to provide you with different solutions and services, and offer the most efficient and cost-effective way to ship your goods.

2. Select a company that knows the local rules and regulations. For example, France Line specialises in France. That local expertise recently enabled us to advise our customers about extended driving bans at weekends over the summer as well as a forthcoming French bank holiday, and the consequences in terms of transit time.”

Tony Goodman MBE is a successful exporter and has been doing so through a variety of different businesses. He is currently Marketing Advisor at Forest and Co who specialise in offering guidance on branding, exporting and sales: www.forestandco.com

Marie Boyer is the MD of Manchester-based European Freight Forwarder France Line International Transport Ltd, who specialise in crosschannel freight services between the UK and France.

Steve Swinburn is MD for Harbour International Freight in Manchester. The specialist Freight Forwarder has grown to become a dynamic transport, logistics and 3PL provider.

Shortlist unveiled for Innovation in Business Awards

“Last year, we received more than 15,000 public votes for the Innovation in Business Awards and we fully expect this year’s ballot to be just as popular, with so many high-calibre businesses on the shortlist.

Finalists await public vote and judging ahead of ceremony on October 26

Finalists have been announced for this year’s Innovation in Business Awards, organised by Liverpool Chamber.

This year’s awards have generated an incredible response from businesses, with nearly 150 nominations being made across the 15 categories. The unprecedented volume of entries has required a shortlist to be produced ahead of the event on Thursday 26 October at St George’s Hall.

Featuring a number of new categories including Experience Provider of the Year, Innovative Product, Talent

Development and Innovation Leadership, this year’s awards will welcome more than 400 people to a celebration of business creation, ideation and achievement.

The award winners will be decided by an equal split combination of public vote and judging panel verdict. The public vote will now take place until Friday 1 September alongside a judging panel scoring of each application. The combination of both scores will decide which of the shortlisted businesses and individuals will receive a prize at the awards ceremony at St George’s Hall on Thursday 26 October.

Paul Cherpeau, Chief Executive of Liverpool Chamber, said:

“The awards serve to recognise and celebrate those businesses, and the individuals who lead them, that have driven forward throughout the past year, often in very challenging economic circumstances. The high number of nominations for some of our new categories demonstrates the collective appreciation and understanding of how businesses have continued to adapt and innovate.

“We know that St George’s Hall will be a wonderful venue for this celebration and we look forward to seeing who will take to the stage to claim their awards this year.”

The Innovation in Business Awards 2023 are headline sponsored by Blok ‘N’ Mesh. Tickets for the awards ceremony are now available, with more than half already sold.”

Simon Worsley, CEO of Blok ‘N’ Mesh, said:

“It is wonderful to see so many inspiring and innovative businesses being nominated for this year’s awards and the shortlist reflects the quality of our local business community. We wish the very best of luck to all of the finalists and we are excited to join many of them at the awards ceremony in October.”

To see the full shortlist and to buy tickets, please visit: liverpoolchamber. org.uk/events/innovation-inbusiness-awards-2023-inassociation-with-blok-n-mesh/

finance

Can AI chatbots do my accounts?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the way we live and work, and there has been an increase in the number of companies using AI powered chatbots for business activities such as Chat GPT and Google Bard to produce marketing content.

The accounting profession is no exception with AI already being used to automate many of the tasks that accountants traditionally do, such as data entry, analysis, and reporting. As AI continues to develop, it is likely to have an even greater impact on the accounting profession, freeing up accountants to focus on more strategic and value-added work, and at LWA we’re also helping clients to embrace AI when it comes to their inhouse accounting and tax processes.

Accountancy software, automation and integration

A number of cloud-based accounts software programmes such as Xero and Dext have been available to businesses for several years, allowing bookkeeping to be more automated, quicker and easier, and therefore massively impacting an organisation’s efficiency and productivity in their accounts departments.

At LWA, we have been successfully using these tools to help clients become more efficient and able to make better business decisions through management accounts forecasting.

Business Matters magazine recently reported on research by Open Banking Limited (a body set up by the Competition and Markets Authority), confirming that at least 750,000 SMEs have adopted ‘open banking’ technology by integrating their bank accounts with third party services, helping to reduce the cost of transactions and to manage cashflow.

There were 68 million open banking payments last year – more than double from the year previous year.

Through its Making Tax Digital (MTD) programme, HMRC have required digitally submitted quarterly VAT reports from businesses since April 2019 with heavy penalties for delayed or incorrect submissions.

In December 2022, it was announced

by Victoria Atkins, financial secretary to the Treasury, that the next phase of MTD requiring self-employed individuals and landlords to submit their accounts information quarterly, will be effective from April 2026.

How can I use Chatbots for my accounting tasks?

Recently in the USA, a test was carried out asking ChatGPT to produce a tax return for an individual, and whilst it got the basis right, it didn’t quite work out the tax due correctly.

Hence why AI alone is not enough when it comes to carrying out important legislative accountancyrelated tasks.

Chatbots can be successfully used to assist you in some of your accountancy related queries for example, if you’re looking to set up a business or change the formation of your current trading style, you could ask “What are the differences between becoming a sole trader vs a limited company?”

Again, it would be advisable to then discuss the answer with an accountant to ensure the data the Chatbot has given is up to date and accurate for your specific circumstances. Here are some additional ways in which AI can be used in accounting and that LWA are already using to support clients:

• Data entry and analysis: AI can be used to automate the process of entering data into accounting

systems. This can save accountants a significant amount of time and effort, and it can also help to improve the accuracy of data entry. AI can also be used to analyse financial data and identify trends. This information can be used to help businesses make better financial decisions.

• Reporting: AI can be used to generate reports on financial data. This can save accountants a significant amount of time and effort, and it can also help to improve the accuracy and timeliness of reports.

• Fraud detection: AI can be used to detect fraudulent activity. This can help businesses protect their financial assets and ensure that their financial statements are accurate.

The importance of a (human being) qualified accountant

Overall, AI has the potential to revolutionise the accounting profession. By automating tasks and providing accountants with new tools and insights, AI can help accountants and their clients to be more productive, efficient, and effective.

However, whilst accountancy software might allow automation of many sales related tasks and can speed up your bookkeeping process, you still need to have this information assessed and reported to HMRC by a qualified accountant.

This helps to avoid charges payable by your company to HMRC and it

is worth noting changes to the new HMRC VAT Penalty System that became effective on 1st January 2023. At LWA we have received many Google Reviews and Client Testimonials specifically commenting on the personalised and supportive work of our accounts and tax teams in helping to improve business efficiency and forecasting through our use of innovative accounts technology, as well as our ability to amicably work with HMRC to challenge and appeal penalties charged where paperwork may have been completed without the support of an accountant.

We would love to hear your thoughts about AI and chatbots and to learn about your experiences using new technology - connect with us on social media and send in your comments!

To learn more about how LWA are embracing innovative solutions to assist clients in all areas of accountancy, tax and our other business support services, read our range of blogs online at lwaltd.com or speak to our in-house experts – Matt Jones in our Manchester office on 0161 905 1801 / matt@lwaltd.com and Bradley Allen-McKenna in our Warrington office on 01925 830 830 / bradley@lwaltd.com

Les Leavitt Managing Director Leavitt Walmsley Associates Chartered Certified Accountants

www.lwaltd.com

small business

Making AI work for your small

Just when businesses thought they’d seen the tail end of the pressure that Covid had foisted upon them, they’re now faced with a cocktail of cost pressures and supply chain instabilities; I think most people would agree when I say that it’s been a tough time for businesses recently - especially for SMEs, who form the backbone of our economy.

However, amongst this slew of bad news, there’s been one recent development that’s shone through and offered a potential glimmer of opportunity for small businessesArtificial Intelligence.

Now, I know there’s some bleak commentary surrounding AInotably how the advent of it marks the extinction of the human race! But quite frankly, the potential it has to revolutionise and help catapult small businesses to the next level is indisputable.

Business owners often find themselves trapped working inside their business rather than on it - and it’s not just them saying this, the stats speak for themselves.

Of the 5.5 million small businesses in the UK, 4.1 million have no employees, meaning the owner has to do the sales, admin, marketing, accounting - the list goes on.

For small business owners, performing all these roles is timeconsuming, often inefficient and ultimately means they don’t have time to focus on developing their business.

AI can completely transform that. If it was around when I was first

starting out, I’d have bit your arm off if you’d said I could implement it into my business.

Take Chat GPT - a free chatbot-style AI - as an example. Not so good at writing, but you understand the value of having a social media presence? Not to worry, Chat GPT can churn out a conveyor belt of personalised social media posts in a matter of moments. And, it’s not just copywriting that you can leverage AI to help you with; it can optimise your customer service, streamline admin and even automate your sales outreach - and the cherry on the top? It’s incredibly cost-effective - if not completely free.

Of course, it goes without saying that you’re still responsible for what AI outputs, and as a lawyer recently found out when he was caught out for citing made-up case law he’d got from Chat GPT to a judge, sometimes AI can spout utter nonsense!

At a recent event, dedicated to providing a voice for SMEs, one of the businesses in attendance shared that they’d managed to work out where their pricing formulas had gone wrong, just by

inputting his data into Chat GPTtruly remarkable stuff!

What does all of this translate to I hear you ask?

Valuable time that can now be redirected to the development of your business rather than on dayto-day tasks that suck away all your time and creativity.

So to all the SMEs out there reading this, don’t be afraid to embrace AI because it’s only going to get better, and become an even more intrinsic part of business and society.

We’re very much just scratching the surface of what it’s capable of. It’s here to help you, at least, when it comes to running your business!

Theo Paphitis Theo Paphitis Retail Group

digital marketing

Reframing the mechanics of SEO

Businesses can often be hesitant to address digital because they feel they are not tech-savvy enough or simply lack understanding of the technical factors at play.

However, once we strip the technical complexities back to their fundamentals, the process becomes much clearer. As a decision maker, you don’t need to know how digital works, you just need to know what it can do.

So, let’s master the basics.

In this brief article, I’m going to outline and reframe two essential pillars of an effective online presence: attracting relevant traffic (SEO) and converting visitors to customers (UX).

SEO & UX in a nutshell

SEO, known as Search Engine Optimisation, is the process of increasing the visibility of websites on search engines like Google around relevant search terms, reaching as wide an audience as possible.

UX, also known as user experience, is best understood as the emotions a person experiences when they interact with your business online.

UX addresses how users behave and influences how they ‘feel’

about you as a business.

Drawing parallels

When searching for a new career, you attempt to sell yourself as the most viable candidate to as many decision-makers as possible, with the hopes of getting hired. With that being said, there ultimately lies two basic ingredients in a successful job hunt (or sale):

- Talk to the right people, en masseleverage the law of averages.

- Present yourself and your value impeccably - appearance matters. These same rules apply as much in a digital sales journey as they do in reality - get in front of the largest audience possible, and clarify your value proposition appealingly.

What’s the relationship?

SEO drives prospects to your door, but getting customers to enter is just the first step. Once inside, UX becomes the friendly and knowledgeable salesperson who understands their needs, guides them to the right products, fields any questions, and ensures everyone leaves with a positive impression of the business.

UX is not just about aesthetics; it is a deliberate, psychological, and emotional approach to design.

You may be getting in front of an audience just fine, but if they arrive and you look shabby and are difficult to interact with - your search efforts were pointless.

Likewise, you could provide the most seamless experience in your industry, but if no one’s around to listen, what’s the use?

Remember, SEO and UX are intrinsically linked - one cannot be efficient without the aid of the other. SEO will make the introduction, and UX will deliver the pitch and close the sale.

Your online presence is one of the most important and profitable assets at your disposal. Prioritise discussions that focus on tangible outcomes, not technical explanations. Digital doesn’t have to be difficult, and with Digibean, it isn’t.

For more information about how we can strengthen your digital presence, email grow@digibean.co.uk or call 0161 958 6292 to speak to a member of the team.

Luke Flannery Digibean digibean.co.uk

PSTN switch-off: know

and analytics that allow businesses to improve their overall communication efficiency.

Another telephony solution available is SIP trunking. SIP trunking allows businesses to connect their IP (Internet Protocol) PBX systems to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) through the internet.

This means that businesses can make and receive calls through their existing internet connection, reducing their telecommunications costs significantly.

SIP trunking solutions are highly scalable, allowing businesses to add or remove channels as per their changing communication needs. Additionally, SIP trunking solutions come with advanced features such as disaster recovery, call routing, and failover options that ensure business continuity even in the event of network failures or outages.

and SIP trunking are now more efficient and cost-effective. As a result, BT has announced that it will be switching off its PSTN and ISDN networks by 2025.

So, what does this mean for businesses?

The switch-off is not happening overnight, but businesses must prepare for the change now.

Companies still using PSTN need to migrate to other services, like VoIP or SIP trunking, and ensure their equipment is compatible with the new technology.

Find out more about cutting costs and boosting productivity with our COMMUNICATION and

Businesses should also consider the quality of the new services as they move away from PSTN. While VoIP and SIP trunking offer many advantages over PSTN, such as cost savings and more features, they also rely on an internet connection. Furthermore, businesses need to ensure they have a stable and reliable internet connection to support these new services.

This means that companies must upgrade their internet connection to accommodate the increased traffic from the new telecommunications services.

Our team can assess your current infrastructure, identify the right technologies for your business, and ensure your equipment is compatible with these new services.

We can also provide ongoing support to make the switch as smooth and seamless as possible.

The right telephony solutions are designed to improve communication and collaboration for businesses of all sizes. One of the key solutions available is cloud-based PBX (Private Branch Exchange) systems.

These systems allow businesses to manage their communication channels and routes through a centralised platform that is hosted in the cloud.

This means that businesses no longer need to invest in costly hardware and infrastructure to manage their phone systems.

Cloud-based PBX systems also come with advanced features such as call routing, voicemail, call recording,

In conclusion, the PSTN switchoff is a significant change to the telecommunications industry in the UK, and businesses need to start preparing for it now.

Contact Nybble today to learn how we can help your business prepare for the switch-off and ensure you have the right telecommunications services to support your operations. Call us on 03300 020886, email enquiries@nybble.co.uk or click on the QR code on the advert to find out more.

&out about

The launch of Gary Neville’s St. Michael’s development took place in July at the Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester.

June saw The Business Network lunch take place at Clayton Hotel in Manchester hosted by organiser Helen Bennett.

Business guests enjoyed a 2-course lunch and an update from Brendan Greally regarding Martyn’s Law.

July saw The Business Catalyst Club network take place in city centre Manchester. Organiser Graham Shiers handed over £420 to business card winner Mark Fallon in support of Mark’s chosen charity Parkinsons.

For more information or to arrange a guest invitation please contact Graham Shiers at graham@BusinessCatalystClub.co.uk or visit www.BusinessCatalystClub.co.uk

The Greater Manchester Business Fair took place at the beginning of July. Business Connect Magazine were media sponsors, as they are with all four Northern business fairs hosted by Liverpool BA.

Don’t miss out on the forthcoming Wirral and Chester Business Fair on 20 September, plus the Halton & Warrington Business Fair on the 9 November.

Full details in our Diary Dates on p29.

L-R Graham Shires, Mark Fallon, Kelly Williamson

The Greater Manchester Chamber hosts diverse events fostering networking, learning, and business growth. Engaging conferences, workshops, and seminars to create invaluable opportunities for professionals in the region. In June, Diane Elebert-Morgan hosted a sell out Property & Construction Lunch at HQ Elliot House. Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce: gmchamber.co.uk

July saw the first social gathering of the Inspire25Club hosted by co-founders Mike Newman BEM and John Galloway from Speed of Sight.

Business Connect Magazine, who have been long term friends and supporters of the charity, were in attendance at the Inspire25Club summer barbeque which was sponsored by Mistoria Estate Agents. Inspire25Club consist of over 120 businesses primarily based in the

northwest who all pride themselves on making a social impact through supporting Speed of Sight.

Speed of Sight: speedofsight.org

Despite the truly traditional Manchester weather, the annual FM North Summer Party was another sold out event attended by over 150 industry leaders and professionals within the cleaning, facilities management and construction sectors from across the UK.

Co-founder Daniel Cross of Tennant UK said “Its amazing to see how popular and successful FM North has become, and we keep attracting new members every month. The annual Summer

The charity offers inspirational

Party has become a fixed date in peoples diaries, and we are proud of the connections and business opportunities we are helping people make in a setting that doesn’t feel like its business.”

The event was generously sponsored by the Cleaning and Support Services Association, Darwin Clayton Insurance, Bird and Pest Worx, Peartree Cleaning Services, Tennant UK, and CSS Facilities. There are exciting developments and plans in the works for FM North and you can stay up to date by joining the Linkedin group.

Join the FM North LinkedIn group linkedin.com/groups/8348707/ or contact ian@fmnorth.co.uk or danny.cross@tennantco.com

driving experiences to both children and adults living with life limiting disabilities which usually would restrict them from being able to drive.

Diane Elebert-Morgan

remote working

there’s a need for a more concrete solution - mainly due to the fact 25% of employees will quit if forced to return to the office on a permanent basis, based on a report by King’s College.

So much so, Gartner discovered that only 3% of companies would fire noncompliant employees when it came to a full-return to work.

Based on the fact employees are considering fully remote positions ahead of hybrid or completely office based roles, if businesses offering the latter are to continue attracting the highest calibre of talent, they need to make some concessions.

“If employees don’t want to be in the office everyday, they can pretend to work somewhere else” is a phrase coined by the world’s second richest man, Elon Musk in recent times.

Unfortunately, Mr Musk’s opinion, when it comes to remote working, is one which is shared by a number of big business owners and their supporting boards.

A study by Stanford University in 2020 found that when working from home staff were five per cent more efficient than office workers. This Stanford study is supported by research by RingCentral which highlighted that 51 per cent of employees think they’re more productive at home than they are at work.

So, why then when employees are more content and data shows that they’re working harder, are businesses so insistent to see them return to the office environment?

The executive-employee disconnect

According to Global Chairman and CEO of EY, Carmine Di Sibio: “We’re encouraging our people to get back to the offices. We think that’s important to our culture. This is about creating a sense of truly being part of a team and being in it together

at all costs and the level of die-hard commitment that comes with all that.”

According to a survey conducted by Slack, there’s a major ‘executiveemployee disconnect’ when it comes to the topic of working from home. The report detailed that 44% of executives were supportive of returning to the office every day in comparison to only 17% of employees.

But obviously there’s more than their personal productivity that’s making employees feel like the remote working offer is more appealing - and you wouldn’t be wrong to think this.

Why staff want to be at home

Digital.com conducted a survey in February in a bid to find out the real reasons why staff don’t want to return to the office - surprisingly, it isn’t productivity.

Obviously, balance and the opportunity to commit more time to family life came out on top but, following this, interestingly, the most common reason for not wanting to return to work is to ensure more time spent with pets.

In the first 12 months of lockdown, from March 2020 to March 2021, 3.2 million new UK households acquired a pet. Pandemic puppies and furry creatures then have become a standout reason

for the popularity of working from home with 75% of remote workers saying they want to work at home to spend time with their pets.

This is then followed by 73% of staff suggesting that they want to watch TV while they’re working and 72% saying that they want the ability to nap or workout during the day. Whether it’s a lunch 5k or some quick, post-lunch shut eye, there’s a definite requirement to get an hour back during the day, to do something productive (or unproductive) that isn’t work related. Other reasons include the commute into the office and appearance, including not having to dress up everyday.

In reference to the latter of the two reasons, a number of employees have been able to significantly strip back their wardrobe from one that was focused mainly around appropriate office attire, to one that is suitable for day-to-day life working from home, socialising, working out and more. This is in relation to everything from joggers and sweatshirts to socks and trainersor a lack thereof.

What the future holds

We’re aware that all business owners and managers aren’t going to take the same stance as Elon Musk, but clearly

Pay will inevitably be the first port of call for employees. Businesses may be tempted to offer staff an additional percentage on their annual salary in a bid to cover their cost of commuting, which may prove a rather appealing incentive. Fortune has suggested the possibility of a 20% pay rise for staff expected to attend the office everyday while a 10% rise for those looking at a hybrid structure.

Of course, there is also the office itself and what if offers. Why would staff want to leave the comfort of their own home to sit in traffic or on public transport for an hour before arriving in a bleak, dark room for a nine hour shift?

Well, there’s a lot to be said for creating a welcoming environment. We’re not suggesting that a couple of pot plants and a bowl of fruit on a Friday morning will be enough to lure in the masses, but by making positive changes to the workplace, you may find the office becomes ever so slightly more appealing. Think inclusivity and wellbeing.

Let’s face it, some staff will rejoice in returning to work. But, for many, now they’ve had the taste of freedom provided by the pandemic induced working conditions we were subjected to, getting them on board will require compromise. It’s up to businesses now to choose their stance.

wellbeing

Beware the pitfalls of working from home

Working from home can seem like a perfect scenario for both employers, employees and sole traders.

After all, it minimises overheads, reduces the need for office premises and allows for greater flexibility, with opportunities to work when busy and do other things when not.

But there are a few potential pitfalls it’s important to be aware of when working from home.

In this post-lockdown world some staff may still be apprehensive at the prospect of returning to work, are concerned at using public transport or may not have enough actual work to sustain them in a return to full-time employment.

Home working can accommodate them being available as needed, be able to work their hours to suit and then gradually regain their desire to return to some semblance of normality.

- Sole-traders may have had to cut back on their overheads, let go of support staff and may be trying to recover some of the ground lost during lockdown. They may have had to effectively start all over again, building their businesses from scratch. Working from home is a proactive step on the road to recovery, with many important support services able to be engaged virtually, as and when required.

- Serious logistical considerations need to be investigated at the outset. Is creating a designated work station viable? Trying to work on the kitchen table or in an area that’s busy, noisy or has several demands made on its usage does not contribute to a productive work environment.

Neither is sharing kit with children and their homework requirements. Assess the availability of space, software requirements, internet capacity, data security and any additional training

requirements. Many home working situations are hugely compromised due to unreliable connections and data security.

- Meetings, networking and team building are often a key component in a business’s success. Good relationships oil the wheels of commerce. Those with a reputation for being fair and treating their staff and customers well invariably do better. Check to see where there’s a convenient hot-desking space, hotel or venue that would be suitable for keeping in touch in person, to hold necessary briefings and meetings. Online offers important business connectivity, but in-person is crucial too.

- Working from home offers the option to work one’s own hours, to fit in around children and their school times and assorted demands, to be able to schedule personal appointments or deal with domestic matters more comfortably. But these non-work items can become an increasing distraction, where you find yourself all too frequently going to the gym, meeting friends for coffee, or doing chores rather than actual work.

- Set yourself clear times for starting work where, even if you’re not especially busy, you check-in both mentally and physically, do some emails, social media updates, make phone calls, network and engage in conversations with colleagues, problem-solving and building relationships.

- But also be clear about finishing work too. Clocking off can be a pitfall of working from home; it being tempting to keep on working until something’s finished or ‘just’ check in again out of fear of missing out (FOMO) or being perceived as not being productive enough.

- Distractions don’t only come from being in a formal office setting. Sometimes it can be tempting to dip in and out of several pieces of work, not finishing one piece before starting something new.

Unless a new urgent matter arises it’s far better to remain disciplined and focussed on one piece of work at a time.

- Good list keeping can ensure that there’s no danger of forgetting something new, important or that still requires attention. It can prevent timewasting and randomly hopping from one thing to another.

- Are some staff or sole traders still apprehensive about leaving home to meet others? Some people will have experienced personal tragedy, maybe first hand. The prospect of going into busy meetings or seminars may still be daunting and need to be managed with sensitivity.

- Also how to dress now? I daresay many of us have spent weeks in casual lounge gear, occasionally freshening up the top, visible part of our bodies for the next zoom or skype call. Dressing in more professional work attire can be a good discipline as it conveys a more businesslike impression and mindset.

Don’t forget the service providers near your place of work. Working from home was a disaster for many cafes, bars, hairdressers and shops regularly frequented before people were required to work from home. Try to support them, now that many of us are finding a different balance between home and office-based working.

Working from home requires a different set of a skills where you manage your own discipline, self-care and regime.

Commit to proper stress management, exercise, eat well and have fun.

Yes, you can do chores, attend the gym and parents’ events, have lunch with a friend or a game of golf but it’s also important to invest in the success of the business too.

As Oprah Winfrey once said, if you had a young child that you cared about and wanted to grow up healthy and well you’d check in with it every day to ensure its continued growth. The same applies to your business.

Susan Leigh MNCH (ACC)

South Manchester counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counsellor, writer and media contributor offers help with relationship issues, stress management, assertiveness and confidence. She works with individual clients, couples and provides corporate workshops and support.

She’s author of 3 books, ‘Dealing with Stress, Managing its Impact’, ‘101 Days of Inspiration #tipoftheday’ and ‘Dealing with Death, Coping with the Pain’, all on Amazon and with easy to read sections, tips and ideas to help you feel more positive about your life.

To order a copy or for more information, help and free articles please call 0161 928 7880 or visit www.lifestyletherapy.net

diary dates

BITA (British and Irish Trading Alliance)

BITA London Monthly Social Networking

9 Aug 6.00pm - 8.00pm, every 2nd Weds

Venue The Rising Sun, 61 Carter Lane, Fleet Street, London EC4V 5DY

Cost FREE

BITA Liverpool Monthly Social Networking

10 Aug 5.00pm - 7.00pm, every 2nd Thurs

Venue Gaucho, 7 Water Street, Liverpool L2 0RD

Cost FREE

BITA Leeds Monthly Social Networking

9 Aug 6.00pm - 8.00pm, every 2nd Weds

Venue Banyan Bar & Kitchen, Toronto Sq, 2 City Square, Leeds LS1 2ES

Cost FREE

BITA Manchester Monthly Social Networking

17 Aug 5.00pm - 7.00pm, every 3rd Thurs

Venue Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre, 55 Portland Street, Manchester M1 3HP

Cost FREE

BITA Liverpool Networking Lunch

13 Oct 11.30am - 4.00pm

Venue Anfield Stadium, Anfield Road, Liverpool, Merseyside L4 0TH

Cost £120+VAT (discounted tickets for BITA members)

BITA Construction Networking Lunch

13 Oct 11.30am - 5.00pm

Venue The Royal Horseguards Hotel, One Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2EJ

Cost £200+VAT (discounted tickets for BITA members)

Contact Paul Whitnell paulw@bita.ie Laura laura@bita.ie www.bita.ie

BNI Graphene Manchester

Weekly every Weds - includes hot lunch

10.00am - 12.30pm

Venue BOX Deansgate, 125 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BY

Cost FREE for visitors

Contact John Galloway 07971 161621

Business Fairs 2023

Annual business fairs across Northern venues. Free to visit, all sectors welcome to exhibit

Wirral & Chester Business Fair

20 Sep 10.30am - 3.00pm

Venue New Brighton Floral Pavillion, Marine Promenade, New Brighton, Wallasey CH45 2JS

Contact wirralbizfair.co.uk

Halton & Warrington Business Fair

9 Nov 10.30am - 3.00pm

Venue DCBL Stadium Halton, Lower House Lane, Widnes WA8 7DZ

Contact haltonbizfair.co.uk

Contact Tony Haines 0151 709 8932 tony@liverpoolba.com

Business Connect Magazine are media partners

Business Catalyst Club

Manchester and Leeds Networking Lunches

Invitation only. Contact host for details

Costs, Timings, Venues and booking details -

contact organisers below:

Contact Graham Shiers 07818 675 310 www.businesscatalystclub.co.uk

Cumbria Business Expo 2023

1 Day Business Expo from Shout Expo

22 Sep 2023 9.00am - 3.00pm

Venue Carlisle Racecourse, Durdar Road, Carlisle CA2 4TS

Cost FREE (pre-registration required).

Contact shoutexpo.com

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DTX Digital Transformation Expo

2 Day London Expo

4 Oct 2023 9.30am - 5.30pm

5 Oct 2023 9.30am - 4.30pm

Venue ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL

Cost FREE (pre-registration required).

Contact dtxevents.io/europe/en/ page/dtx-europe

FM North

Networking event for professionals in the FM, Cleaning and Construction Sector

4th Weds of each month

23 Aug 4.00pm - 9.00pm

Venue The Lawn Club, Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HG

Cost FREE

Contact danny.cross@tennantco.com Tickets through allevents.in

Forwarder Events

Freight and supply chain industry networking and conference

5 Oct 11.00am - late

Venue Delta Hotels by Marriott Heathrow Windsor, Ditton Road, Langley SL3 8PT

Cost £75

Contact www.forwarder.events

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GC Business Growth Hub

Events and Networking

BGH Match - networking

3 Oct 8.30am - 10.30am

Venue Fire Up Co-Working Space, Maclure Road, Rochdale OL11 1DN

BGH Match - networking

19 Oct 9.30am - 11.30am

Venue The Cornerstone 2 Edward Street, Stockport SK1 3NQ

Cost all events and networking FREE

Contact nick.shepherd@growthco.uk businessgrowthhub.com/match

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

Events, support, updates, revues, networking

Networking & Mini Expo - Bolton

20 Sep 10.00am - 12.30pm

Venue University of Bolton, Greater Manchester Business School, Great Moor Street, Bolton BL1 1SW

Cost FREE

Property and Construction Lunch

29 Sep 12noon - 2.30pm

Venue Emirates Old Trafford, Talbot Road, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 OPX

Cost £50 (£30 for members)

Q3 Economic Review

27 Sep 8.30am - 10.30am

Venue Elliot House, 151 Deansgate M3 3WD

Cost £15 (FREE for members)

Leaders Networking Lunch

27 Sep 12noon - 2.30pm

Venue Elliot House, 151 Deansgate M3 3WD

Cost £50 (£39 for members)

Contact Diane Elebert-Morgan 07740 196476

Diane.ElebertMorgan@gmchamber.co.uk gmchamber.co.uk

High Peak Business Club

Regular monthly breakfast networking

All meetings - Fridays 7.30am - 10.00am

Venue Chapel en le Frith Golf Club Manchester Road, Chapel en le Frith, High Peak SK23 9UH

Cost £25

15 Sep Nuclear Power Tom Greatrix

13 Oct Rail Connections Stephen Chaytow

10 Nov Transform your business Lucy Rennie and David Lowe

8 Dec Autumn Statement Adrian Young

Share Club meets monthly on Thursdays:

17 Aug, 17 Sep, 19 Oct, 16 Nov, 14 Dec

Contact edwinacurrie@sky.com highpeakbusinessclub.co.uk

K-Club Networking for Entrepreneurs

Venue Manchester based

Contact Amanda Manson 07754 069 829 k-club.co.uk

Lancashire Business Expo 2024

1 Day Business Expo from Shout Expo

22 Mar 2024 9.00am - 3.00pm

Venue Preston Guild Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston PR1 1HT

Cost FREE (pre-registration required). Contact shoutexpo.com

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MBH Business Networking

Business networking

13 Sep + 15 Nov 2.00pm - 4.00pm

Venue Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Portland Street, Manchester M1 4PH

Cost FREE

Contact kyle@mpostcode.co.uk manchesterevents.mpostcode.co.uk

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Northwest Business Expo 2023

1 Day Business Expo from Shout Expo

6 Oct 2023 9.00am - 3.00pm

Venue Bolton Stadium Hotel, De Havilland Way, Bolton BL6 6SF

Cost FREE (pre-registration required). Contact shoutexpo.com Business Connect Magazine are media partners

pro-manchester

Hot topic breakfasts, Sector lunches, Economic updates, Panel debates

Full programme of events available online

Contact Nicola McCormick 07929 671755 nicola.mccormick@pro-manchester.co.uk pro-manchester.co.uk

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prosper2 Brunch Club

Networking

6 Sept 2023 10.00am - 12.00noon

Venue Department XYZ, 2 Hardman Boulevard, Manchester M3 3EB

Cost FREE

Contact Marc Edwards • 07518 869034 marc@prosper2.co.uk

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Shout Network

Fortnightly networking. Breakfast or lunch included. Venues across Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Liverpool.

Blackburn Friday at 8.00am

Blackburn Rovers Football Club BB2 4JF

Blackpool Friday at 12.00noon

Hampton by Hilton, Blackpool FY4 1NG

Bolton Tuesday at 9.30am

Dunscar Golf Club BL7 9QY

Bolton Wednesday at 8.00am

Bolton Stadium Hotel BL6 6SF

Burnley Thursday at 9.30am

Burnley Football Club BB10 4BX

Burnley Friday at 9.30am

Burnley Football Club BB10 4BX

Bury Tuesday 9.30am

Red Hall Hotel BL9 5NA

Chorley Thursday at 9.30am

Hartwood Hall PR6 7AX

Clitheroe Tuesday at 9:30am

Holmes Mill BB7 1EB

Leyland Thursday at 9.30am

Leyland Golf Club PR25 5UD

Liverpool Friday at 12.00noon

Delta Hotels by Marriott L1 1RH

Manchester Wednesday at 12.00noon

Worsley Park Marriott Hotel M28 2QT

Manchester Friday at 12:00noon

BizSpace M40 8WN

Preston Tuesday at 9.30am

Shout Connect HQ PR2 2YF

Preston Wednesday at 9.00am

Shout Connect HQ PR2 2YF

Preston Friday at 12.00noon

Shout Connect HQ PR2 2YF

South Ribble Tuesday at 9:30am

Civic Centre Leyland PR25 1NS

Southport Wednesday at 12.00noon

Waterfront Southport Hotel PR9 0DZ

Wigan Wednesday at 12.00noon

Gathurst Golf Club WN6 8EW

Wrea Green Friday at 8.00am

The Villa Wrea Green PR4 2PE

Fortnightly networking is on a sector lock-out basis. Please contact Shout Network for further information. Costs also vary.

Contact 01772 935930 info@shoutnetwork.co.uk shoutnetwork.co.uk

Small Business Sunday #SBS

Competition every Sunday for Small Businesses to raise their profiles on Twitter and Instagram 5.00pm - 7.30pm

Info www.theopaphitissbs.com/about/

The Business Network Manchester Business networking lunch - inc seminars.

31 Aug 11.50am - 2.00pm

(Optional seminar 10.00am start)

Venue Hyatt Regency, 55 Booth Street West, Manchester M15 6PQ

28 Sep + 22 Nov 11.50am - 2.00pm

(Optional seminar 10.00am start)

Venue Midland Hotel, 16 Peter Street, Manchester M60 2DS

26 Oct 11.50am - 2.00pm

(Optional seminar 10.00am start)

Venue Hyatt Regency, 55 Booth Street West, Manchester M15 6PQ

14 Dec 11.50am - 2.00pm

(Optional seminar 10.00am start)

Venue Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, Salford M3 5LH

Cost £49.95

Contact Helen Bennett 0161 823 1384 helen@business-network.co.uk business-network.co.uk

The Business Network South Manchester + Chester Business networking lunch - inc seminars (all optional 10.30am start).

South Manchester

7 Sep + 2 Nov 11.30am - 2.00pm

Venue The Pinewood on Wilmslow, 180 Wilmslow Road, Handforth SK9 3LF

5 Oct + 7 Dec 11.30am - 2.00pm

Venue The Tytherington Club, 90 Dorchester Way, Tytherington, Macclesfield SK10 2JP

Chester

13 Sep + 8 Nov 11.30am - 2.00pm

Venue Rossett Hall, Chester Road, Rossett, Wrexham LL12 0DE

11 Oct 11.30am - 2.00pm

Venue Craxton Wood, Parkgate Road, Chester CH66 9PB

13 Dec 11.30am - 2.00pm

Venue DoubleTree by Hilton Warrington Road, Hoole, Chester CH2 3PD

Cost for all events £50.00

Contact Simon Edmondson 07766 493428

Simon.Edmondson@business-network.co.uk business-network.co.uk

places to meet

Chamber Space

Meeting and Conference Facilities, Hourly rates, 4-160 capacity, Full venue capacity 400, range of catering options, unlimited tea/coffee with room hire Elliot House, 151 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WD chamberspace@gmchamber.co.uk

0161 393 4321 gmchamber.co.uk/chamber-space

Cottons Hotel & Spa

10 minutes to Manchester Airport, 138 bedrooms, 13 meeting rooms capacity 200 delegates, 3 dining areas, AA Rosette awarded terrace restaurant Manchester Road, Knutsford WA16 0SU victoriaseddon@cottonshotel.co.uk

01565 600333 www.cottonshotel.co.uk

DoubleTree By Hilton Manchester Airport

230 bedrooms, 11 meeting rooms, restaurant and bar, 24Hr gym, On-site parking, airport shuttle Outwood Lane, Manchester M90 4WP

cheryl.garnett@dtmanchesterairport.com

0161 435 3000 www.hilton.com/manchesterairport

Go Serviced Offices

Meeting room, Free WiFi, Free parking, Free refreshments, Lounge and seated garden area, Capacity for 6 people Ground Floor, Prospect House, Columbus Quay, Liverpool L3 4DB charlotte@gogreenofficesolutions.com

07494 090 373 www.goservicedoffices.co.uk

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Hollinwood

Business Centre

Meeting rooms, Free hi-speed wifi, Free Parking, Café, Touch screen TV, 60 people capacity Albert Street, Hollinwood, Oldham OL8 3QL walter.urquhart@bizspace.co.uk

0161 511 9450 www.bizspace.co.uk

Hotel Brooklyn

Bed and breakfast, Cosy meeting rooms, Large banquet space, Accessible rooms, Designed for disabled guests 59 Portland Street, Manchester M1 3HP khealey@bespokehotels.com

0161 518 2936 www.hotelbrooklyn.co.uk

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Incspaces

Meeting rooms, Office space, Free Wi-Fi, Event space, Co-working, Capacity 1 - 50

2 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5WQ

joanna.pawlikowski@incspaces.co.uk 07717 191851 incspaces.co.uk

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Landmark Manchester Venues

Meeting Rooms (1-20 seats), Hourly, Half Day and Full Day rates, Free refreshments, Free Hi-Speed Wi-Fi, Co-working space available, Breakfast and Lunch can be ordered upon request Chancery Place, 50 Brown Street, Manchester M2 2JG

3 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3EB Enquiries@landmarkspace.co.uk

020 3993 7487 www.landmarkspace.co.uk

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Manchester Central Convention Centre

Large and small scale conferences, Meeting rooms, Event spaces, Central location

Petersfield, Manchester M2 3GX sales@manchestercentral.co.uk

0161 834 2700

www.manchestercentral.co.uk

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Marriott Hotel

Manchester Airport

Brasserie Blanc Bar & Restaurant, San Carlo Bar & Restaurant, Executive lounge, 2 Function spaces (140 and 50 capacities), Courtyard (private outdoor dining) Hale Road, Hale Barns, Manchester WA15 8XW

chris.pilling@marriott.com 07881 312158 manchesterairportmarriott.co.uk

Marriott Manchester

Victoria and Albert Hotel

148 bedrooms and suites, 9 meeting and event rooms with capacity for 240 people theatre style, Restaurant and bar, South facing terrace, Private dining, Business centre Water Street, St John’s, Manchester M3 4AW askus@thevanda.co.uk

0161 832 1188

www.marriott.com/manva

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Marriott Hotel

Liverpool City Centre

Brew Bar (food and drinks), Oliviers breakfast restaurant, Merchant Bar (private bar/event space), 2 Function spaces (240 and 50 capacities)

One Queen Square, Liverpool L1 1RH chris.pilling@marriott.com 07881 312158 liverpoolmarriott.co.uk

Orega Arkwright House

Crompton (seats 10) and Hargreaves (seats 8) meeting rooms, both come with Free WiFi, Clevertouch screens, Video Conferencing, Catering (extra cost) Parsonage Gardens, Manchester M3 2LF reception.arkwright@orega.com 0161 667 8100 orega.com/manchester-arkwright-house

Regus Digital World

Meeting rooms of various sizes, Free hi-speed WiFi, Central location, Beautiful roof terrace

1 Lowry Plaza, The Quays, Salford M50 3UB uk.meetingrooms@regus.com 0161 601 7700 www.regus.com

Regus King Street

Meeting rooms for 4, 10 and 12 people, Free wifi, Kitchen amenities, City centre location, 24 hour access

82 King Street, Manchester M2 4WQ manchester.kingstreet@regus.com 0161 935 8000 www.myregus.com

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Regus Spinningfields

Fully serviced, private meeting rooms, Free high-speed broadband, whiteboards, TV/projector, refreshments, Meeting rooms of varying sizes

10th Floor, 3 Hardman Street, Manchester M3 3HF uk.meetingrooms@regus.com 0800 279 7131 www.regus.com

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Regus St James Tower

Meeting rooms of various sizes, Hi-speed WiFi, Central location and good traffic links

7 Charlotte Street, Manchester M1 4DZ uk.meetingrooms@regus.com 0161 521 9800 www.regus.com

Regus Trafford Park

10 person, 6 person and 4 person meeting rooms, Free WiFi, Free Parking, Close to Motorway 4th Floor, Centenary House, 1 Centenary Way, Manchester M5O 1RF manchester.traffpark@regus.com 0161 504 2500 www.regus.com

SPACES Deansgate

Boardroom style meeting rooms, Presentation style training room, On-site Deli, Parking (chargeable), Hi-speed WiFi, Cycle store 125 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BY uk.meetingrooms@regus.com 0161 519 2000 www.spacesworks.com

Leeds Marriott Hotel

Events space, Executive Lounge, Bar & Grill, Executive Rooms and Suites, 17 Meeting and Event Spaces

4 Trevelyan Square, Boar Lane Leeds LS1 6ET zoe.hands@marriott.com 01132 366366 www.leedsmarriott.com

Worsley Park Marriott Hotel

Restaurant and Bar, 9 Meeting rooms, Leisure club & Gym, 18 Hole Golf Course Walkden Road, Manchester M28 2QT

libby.blackwell@marriotthotels.com 0161 975 2000 www.marriottworsleypark.co.uk

If you currently have the printed edition of Business Connect Magazine available at your venue and you’d like to feature in our Places to Meet section please contact Paul Mirage at paul@businessconnectpublishing.co.uk

If you’d like to host our magazine at your site and feature on this page please contact Paul.