BUSINESS
ECHO
★★★★
From ‘wage slave’ to plastering pioneer PAGES2&3
Start Survive Thrive
Recovered addict is now helping others PAGES4&5
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PENSIONS specialist Barnett Waddingham has announced a series of free seminars next month covering issues such as the life expectancy assumption that trustees and employers need to consider for their schemes. The Liverpool presentation will take place in the firm’s Port of Liverpool Building offices on the morning of October 28, starting at 8:45am. To book a place email seminars@barnettwaddingham.co,uk
Health on the menu at Bean INDEPENDENT Liverpool coffee shop and caterer Bean is serving up ultra healthy menus for city workers after linking with the charity Health@Work. Experts recommend that we should consume no more than 6g of salt each day, limit our fat consumption – 50g a day for women, 75g for men – and eat at least five pieces of fruit and vegetables each day. Liverpool-based Health@Work has now developed new menus for the Brunswick Business Park business aimed at maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. Bean director Jon Whyte said: “Knowing their area of expertise, I knew they would be the ideal partner for creating a health-focused menu.”
JOHN Chubb, 45, ● has been appointed UK and Ireland
managing director of engineering consultancy Grontmij and will be based in its Warrington office from this Friday. Current managing director Lawrence Hughes will retain his role as chairman of the UK and Ireland board, as well as taking up the international group director role that he was appointed to in January on a full time basis. COOKING: Jon Whyte, director of Brunswick Business Park-based Bean, with Health@Work health advisor Reena Sharma
COUNCIL TO LOBBY ON IMMIGRATION EXCLUSIVE
By NEIL HODGSON Industry Reporter
LIVERPOOL council has pledged its support to help integrate the city’s Chinese business community into the mainstream. Deputy council leader Paul Brant said he will take up the matter of immigration issues with Business Secretary Vince Cable and reassured Chinese business leaders that the council’s door will always be open to them. Speaking at the second Liverpool Chinese Business Network event in
Brant pledges support for Chinese firms
Berry Street’s China Palace restaurant Cllr Brant said: “Part of our deal on the council is to be a platform of support for the business sector and the Chinese business community, which we are quite proud of in the city.” He said he would take away two
messages from the event, first the issue of credit and terms of credit and secondly the issue of immigration.
He met Vince Cable during the Lib Dem conference last week and immigration was discussed.
Cllr Brant said: “I am conscious that many businesses working in the catering sector have a need for specialist chefs and staff outside the UK and we are taking that message back to ensure growing businesses can attract the right kind of staff. “We are conscious the private sector is important to pick up some of the slack as the public sector pulls back in the next couple of years. “We are here to listen and to play a part in the continued growth of the city.
The Chinese business community is one of the exemplars of the business community. My door and the council’s door is always open.” Network spokesman Colin Ling said the aim is to establish links between Chinese and non-Chinese firms: “The Chinese community are quite insular, we are not marginalised.”
He said since its launch in June the network has already helped create a new business website in Chinese for a Liverpool company, assisted in the importation of 500 tonnes of steel from China and identified a boat manufacturer in China for a UK boating holidays operator.
“In a very short space of time we have made positive steps,” he added.
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THE Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) North West is running its Autumn 2010 Business Growth Series of free breakfast events offering business solutions for small and medium-sized businesses in the current economic climate. They include a session on ‘Maximising Your Sales and Order Book’ at The Suites Hotel, Knowsley, on November 3 and ‘Skills for Success’, at The Village Hotel, Warrington, on December 14. Email laurence.carraz@masnw.co.uk or phone 0800 458 9585 quoting BGS.
BROMBOROUGHbased Builderscrap ● and Constructing
Excellence in Wales will launch a website in November to help minimise waste and improve recycling in construction. Welsh builders can visit www. builderscrap.com to sell surplus materials and divert waste from landfill to meet targets set by the Welsh Assembly.
2 NEWS
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
★★★★
BUSINESS LAUNCH OF FORWARD LADIES NETWORK
THE first Forward Ladies business networking event took place this week at Liverpool’s Radisson Hotel. Forward Ladies was founded by Etta Cohen in Leeds 10 years ago and now claims to be the biggest networking organisation of its kind in the north of England. Earlier this year it bought Wirral West Conservative MP Esther Mcvey’s Winning Women networking organisation and opened in Liverpool, Chester and the Wirral, headed by former hotels marketing and PR specialist Sue France. She said: “I started my career studying fashion design at Liverpool College of Art and I have also spent some time working at the Tate and it’s wonderful to be back in Liverpool again. ” Forward Ladies, which aims to “celebrate the engagement and participation of women in economic success”, runs about 300 events a year, including trade missions, workshops, training sessions and business breaks. It has events as far afield as Rotherham and Monaco. The group has visited the European Parliament, Latvia, Milan, Paris and Hong Kong. Etta Cohen spoke to the 34 attendees at the first Merseyside event on the benefits of belonging to the group. For information on events visit www. forwardladies.com
VENTURE HOUSING
IN THE Interview with Phil Warren last week, it stated that Warmer Heating had been contracted by Venture Housing. Venture Housing is in fact currently in a tendering process. No decision has been made and no contractor has yet been appointed.
SMALL
BUSINESS of the Week
F
ORMER wage slave’ Stephanie Kilshaw says the only thing she misses about her office job is dressing up for the Christmas parties. Since being made redundant last December she has swapped her formal wear for overalls to become, she believes, Merseyside’s only female plasterer. Stephanie, 34, from West Derby, had worked in an office environment since she left university. She was office manager at the Royal Naval training establishment HMS Eaglet on Sefton Street and then worked in the HR department at city solicitors Hill Dickinson for four years. It was open season on “suits” as the financial world went into meltdown and the cancellation or postponement of a raft of investments and projects required less professionals to deliver them. Stephanie said: “Hill Dickinson was getting rid of quite a lot of people. I never thought I would see my name down on the list, being in HR, but no-one is safe.” With a four-year-old daughter, Meg, her immediate concern was how she would cope. “When you have a little one, it is such a big shock and you think, ‘what am I going to do’,” she said.
Her redundancy package cushioned the blow, but she admitted that she soon had to take matters into her own hands with no prospects of a job in sight. “The package was quite good but when I was getting towards the end of the pot I thought it was time for reinvestment and not interview clothes,” she said. Stephanie decided to go “back to the future” and develop what had become a relaxing pastime plastering for friends and family into her own business. She started plastering to make ends meet when she put herself through university, studying software engineering in High Wycombe. “I had a vision of being in Reading’s ‘silicon valley’,” she joked. “I was always skint, but my then boyfriend was a plasterer and I used to labour for him. “He sent me off to do jobs on my own.” She said her first solo job was pretty daunting but, fortunately, the client was very understanding. “It should have taken me a day but it took three. But since then it has got easier,” said Stephanie. She and her boyfriend eventually split up, but Stephanie carried on
City’s only woman plasterer puts icing on the cake Neil Hodgson talks to female plasterer in a man’s world, Stephanie Kilshaw plastering. “It is like icing a cake. “If it starts going off you can use water to re-do it. The secret is not to panic because it all comes round in the end,” she said.
On her return from university Stephanie carried on plastering. “I used to do family and friends jobs at the weekend for a six pack,” she said. However, since setting up her venture, The Pink Plasterer, she has returned to college on a refresher
course to gain the certificates needed for insurance cover as a commercial entity, and has undertaken a training course with Liverpool women’s enterprise agency Train 2000, which she saw as invaluable for a start-up business. “Train 2000 give you a key business support person who takes you through starting up a business and then through bookkeeping. “All the business advice was really helpful and there are lots of
networking opportunities, too, where you can share tips.” Train 2000 also advised Stephanie on preparing a business plan. She said: “I am ahead of my business plan. “I started in April. Since then it feels like I have been doing it for years.
“I love ripping down old ceilings when they have water damage. “You have to be a counsellor at the same time because you get some horror stories. But to see people’s’ faces after it is all done is brilliant.” Stephanie currently employs two labourers and also calls on the skills of her former tutor when required. “He’s trying to push me to bigger jobs all the time because I am the only female from Merseyside the college have got. “In some ways I am still learning.” Stephanie’s target markets are at both ends of the age spectrum.
Atlantic Park begins fourth phase after £4.7m boost FUNDING of £4.7m has been confirmed to deliver the fourth phase of development at Sefton’s Atlantic Park. It will include about 75,000 square metres of office and industrial space which will create capacity for 1,500 jobs and could attract up to £40m of private sector investment for the complex situated on
Dunningsbridge Road. The project also includes the major refurbishment of an existing building, Caspian House, to provide Grade A office accommodation. Funding comprises £3.1m from the European Regional Development Fund and £1.6m from Warrington-based regeneration body The
Northwest Development Agency (NWDA). Steven Broomhead, NWDA chief executive, said: “The provision of high quality employment sites and office premises is crucial if the region is to continue its strong track record in attracting investment. “The development of the
Atlantic Park site, which is designated one of the region’s key strategic regional sites, will play a key role in supporting the growth of the local economy. “The site has the potential to generate significant new employment opportunities for the local community and attract new investment and
this investment will help to unlock this potential.” Gareth Dickinson, of site owner Royal London Asset Management, added: “Investment of this scale allows us to kick-start the next phase of our speculative development and is a vital step towards making Atlantic Park a key employment site.”
★★★★
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
NEWS 3
APPRENTICE PAUL IS AN INSPIRATION
Do you want to be our Business of the Week? Contact Neil Hodgson 0151 472 2451 or email neil.hodgson @liverpool.com
She explained: “Over-65s who don’t want a builder coming into the house and young men who live on their own say they think I am more diligent. “I don’t mind being stereotyped if it gets me work,” she said. Another lucrative market is the homeowner who tries their hand at plastering but eventually needs to bring in a professional to sort things out, and the home improvements sector due to the slump in housing sales. “When I started I was getting work from property companies on new-builds, but now there’s a lot of home improvements,” she said. Another area of recent activity is renovations of old buildings for sale, which can bring problems of their own.
“In old buildings there can be arsenic in the paint, so you have to know how to work with that, and also asbestos.
Inevitably Steph provokes a reaction from male peers, but she said: “Working with blokes is ok. I worked in a Navy environment and HR where there’s plenty of banter.” Stephanie is now keen to extend the feminine touch to other areas of the industry: “I am looking for female electricians and decorators to get together a female directory for a home improvements service. “I really think there is a call for this kind of service.”
DECORATING: Stephanie Kilshaw has started up her own business – The Pink Plasterer Pictures: JAMES MALONEY
PAUL Gavin, 21, has been named Wirral Metropolitan College’s Most Improved Apprentice of the Year. The college made the award, sponsored by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, in recognition of Paul’s “inspiration” to other young people, having battled cancer. Paul, who has just begun his final year of a four-year advanced apprenticeship, returned to work and studies and also embarked on charity work with the Ellen MacArthur Trust, which supports young people suffering from cancer by introducing them to the joys of sailing. Dawn Wilkinson, engineering curriculum leader at Wirral Met, said: ““This award is not only a great achievement for Paul, but also gives younger apprentices and students the inspiration to do something worthwhile and extraordinary.” Paul works as a trainee engineering technician for Urenco UK, the international energy and technology group, at its Capenhurst site. In his first year with the firm he was their Apprentice of the Year and later gained a triple distinction for the National Diploma in Operations and Maintenance Engineering.
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4 NEWS
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
★★★★
BUSINESS
BIG ‘I know how E dark it can be before the light’ INTERVIEW
Tony McDonough talks to Ben Donnelly, founder of Elixir Foundations
VEN in the darkest days of his alcohol and drug addictions, Ben Donnelly still showed glimpses of the dynamism and business acumen inherent within him. Donnelly, now chief executive of rapidly-growing social enterprise Elixir Foundations, first started taking drugs at the age of 14. The Knowsley-based outfit employs more than 200 people, many of them former addicts and offenders, and offers specialist recycling and housing management services. Growing up in the Wavertree area of Liverpool, the 32-year-old’s teenage years were something of a blur. “I started taking various drugs when I was 14, eventually moving through to Class A substances and alcohol,” he said.
“I’d had a difficult upbringing. I had a lot of anger during my teenage years and I was expelled from school and was always in trouble of some sort.
“However, I was always ambitious and even though I was kicked out of school without any qualifications, I was always pretty switched on. “So, going into my 20s, I was able to get some pretty good jobs – things like business development. “I was determined to get away from my upbringing. “But my addictions meant that I always ended up messing things up and losing every job I got.” By the time he was 28, Donnelly had hit rock bottom. “I know now just how dark it can be just before the light,” he added. “At that time, I was suicidal. I’d planned to take my own life and did not tell anyone. “I was still actually working as an area manager for a recruitment firm – but I was coming apart at the seams. “However, one particularly bad night, I texted my younger sister and told her how dark things were.” That text was the turning point. Realising the seriousness of the situation, his sister wasted little time in finding a 12-step programme that he could attend to finally deal with his addiction to alcohol and cocaine. “That programme was probably the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life,” he said. “I did have relapses, but now I have been clean of drugs and sober for more than three years.” During those three years, Donnelly has now probably achieved more than many people will in a lifetime – and he’s only just got going. He has the support of his partner and fellow director Jenny Kelly and of his 14-year-old daughter from a
BRINKMANSHIP: Ben Donnelly has fought his way back from the depths of despair to build a successful business
previous relationship, Demi-Lea, who he says has “helped me through the dark times”. During his rehabilitation, he would look around at others in a similar situation to himself. “When people come out of rehab or prison, there is often little or no support,” he said. “They end up going to live back in the same place, mixing with the same people and they slip back into
the cycle.” He believes that anyone, no matter how bad their start in life, could create something for themselves of real value.
Since Elixir Foundations was set up by Donnelly in 2008, it has already established itself as one of the fastest-growing social enterprises in the country. It has now spread across three sites – Knowsley, Bootle and
‘When people come out of jail there is little or no support’
Doncaster – and is split into two main divisions. In one, it recycles PVC doors and window frames as well as cardboard, polythene and metals. The other division deals with property services like maintenance, refurbishment and external improvements. It has worked with companies such as Connaught and One Vision Housing. Most of its 220 employees are young men who are either ex-offenders, drug addicts, alcoholics or long-term unemployed and who come to Elixir through the Future Jobs Fund (FJF). Not only has the firm proved
itself to be economically sustainable, but it is already being held up by the Ministry of Justice as a model of best practice in cutting reoffending rates.
Donnelly said: “I believe, given the chance, that people can create better lives for themselves.
“What we looked to do initially was to create unskilled or semiskilled jobs that anyone could come in and do. That process helps to build up their self-esteem. “We can then help them get the skills and training they need if they want to take up a trade. There are people we have had here who have gone on to get jobs elsewhere.”
★★★★
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
NEWS 5
BOSSES IN FEAR OF TRIBUNALS
SECOND CHANCE: Workers at Elixir are being given the opportunity to get their lives back on track
EMPLOYMENT tribunal cases against companies have soared 56% and a Liverpool employment lawyer has warned of the crippling costs that bosses could face. David Jones, head of employment law at Liverpool solicitors Kirwans, said: “The number of employment tribunal cases is increasing year on year and the fear of being taken to court is now the number one concern of the majority of business owners. “While access to justice is fundamental in the provision of legal services, in the employment arena it has been hugely detrimental to business owners with employees now more aware than ever about their rights. “This, combined with the fact that it does not cost anything for a claimant to fire off a claim against an employer, means that Britain’s bosses have never felt as under attack as they currently do.” The number of claims accepted for hearing by tribunals soared by 56% to 236,100 in the year to March and the service is braced for a further substantial rise as job cuts, particularly in the public sector, take effect.
TOP ACCOLADE FOR FUSION21
A big part of the process is coaching and mentoring, something which Donnelly himself does a lot of. He added: “There are always personal issues to deal with here on a daily basis. “But I love it when I see people progress. Most of our managers are people who have come to us through the FJF.” As the business expands and its reputation grows, Donnelly faces a dilemma. He relishes his hands-on role and the one-to-one work he does with the people who work there, but he acknowledges the increasing demands on his time
that planning is going to take. An accommodation centre is also now under construction to offer a safe and secure home which he insists is vital to rehabilitation.
He added: “Talking to the guys one-to-one is something I will always want to do, but as we expand I can see there are times I may have to step back. We definitely want to expand and add more depots, and we are also looking at the possibility of a franchise model. “Setting up any business is never easy. But when I was recovering I decided I really wanted to make a difference, and I love what we have achieved here.”
BIG PLANS: Ben has won widespread praise for the work and now plans to expand the concept to other locations
A SCHEME that has placed more than 600 trainees into work over the past eight years has been recognised with a national award. Fusion21, the Huyton-based umbrella group covering maintenance and procurement for social housing organisations, won the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) Awards’ “Investing in Skills” accolade. HCA spokeswoman Jayne Crosse said judges were impressed by Fusion21’s model: “What was impressive about the scheme was its transferability. “It is a model that does not depend on grants and could be replicated across the country.”
6 NEWS
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
★★★★
BUSINESS
MYSHELLFISH
Neil Hodgson meets a Southport seafood boss with expansion plans
SHRIMPERS: Husband-and-wife team Christian and Tuk Peet pictured off the Southport coast Picture: Colin McPherson
FOCUS M . . . on food
ERSEYSIDE was built on a trading and industrial heritage that propelled it to the status of second city in the
Empire. Its docks and manufacturing base were the foundations for its wealth. But the harsh economic realities of globalisation have re-shaped our region. And while the motor, chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries play a major role in the region’s future, newer sectors have emerged as key revenue earners for the 21st century. Although seemingly “off the radar” compared with car plants and container terminals, the food and drink industry is worth hundreds of millions to Merseyside annually, providing 10,000 jobs. Companies such as Typhoo, United Biscuits and Princes Foods are established players in the region. But there are scores of much smaller operations vital to the industry and the area’s burgeoning restaurants and hotels sector that is emerging as an economic driver in its own right.
One such firm is Peet's Southport Seafoods, run by Christian Peet who learned shrimping alongside his part-time fisherman father as an eager five-year-old, braving the elements of Southport’s coastline more than 35 years ago.
He said: “I began learning the trade proper on a part-time basis after my dad had nurtured me as a very young boy, when I probably just got in the way.” Christian, one of four children, added: “I realised very quickly growing up at home and in school that my life was kind of set out for me. “I was keen on cricket, but that’s about it. “Once I had left school, and as soon as it was legal, I was driving a tractor to catch shrimps. “Life was about shrimps, beer and girls back then when I was a teenager – and in that order.” In 1995 Christian established his own independent business which, he said, provided the impetus he needed: “Not only did shrimping support the family, but it gave me the direction I needed in my teenage years to focus on both a career and a business.” The business element of
shrimping has changed very little since Christian helped his father and still remains something of a cottage industry employing the same methods practised almost 40 years ago, although on a slightly larger scale for his venture. He said: “The notion of watching shrimpers ply their trade standing around a kitchen table peeling brown shrimps is far from outdated, although of course, with our business, the focus has moved from the kitchen to an industrial unit nearby.” The expansion of his business in the 15 years since formation is on the back of a string of impressive contracts around the region, including the Manning family behind established Liverpool eateries 60 Hope Street, Host and Quarter, plus the Everyman Bistro, Southport’s five star Vincent Hotel and the Royal Birkdale Golf Club. Garry Manning said: “Christian Peet and Southport Seafoods have been supplying 60
Hope Street for many years and the quality of their brown shrimps is second to none.
“We’re fortunate to have an award-winning UK market leader on our doorstep because our focus has always been on using local ingredients.”
“They tick every box, both for us and our customers, in terms of food miles, seasonality, sustainability and environmental issues. “Plus, in terms of taste, brown shrimps with warm soda bread, in a
risotto or served warm on home made crumpets have become a customer favourite at 60.” The 60 Hope Street restaurant has become a favourite haunt of minor royals, such as Zara Phillips, but Christian said one of the proudest moments of his personal and professional life was serving Prince Charles at a recent event and seeing the look of satisfaction on his face. He explained: “We attended an evening to celebrate ‘Start,’ which is a national initiative by the Prince’s Charities Foundation to promote and celebrate sustainable living. “Our potted brown shrimps were served as part of the menu, plus there was a two minute video highlighting our work.” He plans to expand the business nationally, while at the same time maintaining his Southport base, infrastructure and standards that he says Southport Seafoods sets for its customers. “We need to get more recognition on a wider scale and increase our audience.”
Hunger for success LANCASHIRE Tea has survived administration to bounce back even stronger. The Newton-le-Willows firm was the victim of cash flow problems, but financial support from developer Greshams has reinvigorated the company founded by Paul Needham. Now, free of financial worries, the company can confidently plan for future growth. Mr Needham said before administration Lancashire Tea was selling 36,000 boxes of tea a month. Now, production has risen to 55,000 boxes, with a 105,000 target in sight. Mr Needham praised his supermarket customers, such as Tesco, Morrisons, Asda and Home Bargains who all renewed contracts after the administration. Another firm gearing up
NEWS 7
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
★★★★
AMBITIONS BUSINESS BOOMING: Aintree nut company Big D has revived the idea of the Big D Babe – Malene is pictured on her visit to the Liverpool factory in 2007
SURVIVOR: Paul Needham of Lancashire Tea
for expansion is Aintreebased Trigon Foods, maker of the Big D, Planters and Passion Shed nut brands, as well as own brands for clients such as Asda, Waitrose and
Sainsbury. The firm normally employs 130 staff, but this will increase to 150 to feed seasonal demand on the run-up to Christmas. Brian Cardy, who owns a
third of the business, said: “The last 18 months have been a serious economic situation, but luckily we’re at the quality end of the market.”
CPL HOSTS LICENSING SEMINAR
TRAINING firm CPL has hosted a seminar at its Wirral-based headquarters, attended by key retail figures from across the North West, to discuss the Government’s proposals for alcohol licensing reform. The event kick-started the debate as to what the changes could mean to the industry if implemented in the future. Consultation on the Government’s plans for “Rebalancing the Licensing Act” closed earlier this month after just six weeks. If they become law they will give licensing authorities the power to make their own objections to licence applications, and require them to accept police recommendations. Pubs and other licensed premises could also be closed down before they are able to appeal against the decision. Nick Bish from the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers gave a presentation at the event.
MONEY MATTERS MORE THAN 100 debt management firms face losing their licence after the trading watchdog uncovered widespread problems in the sector. The Office of Fair Trading uncovered a catalogue of poor practices among firms that offer advice to people struggling with debts, with companies often more focused on boosting their profits than helping their customers. It said misleading advertising was one of the main problems in the sector, with many firms claiming their service was free when it was not. It said advisers also often lacked competence and provided poor advice, without collecting enough information on customers’ circumstances. Nearly all of the firms looked at during a mystery shopping exercise failed to give information on all of the debt solutions that were available, while companies tended to suggest the solution that was most profitable for them, rather than the one that was best
for the consumer. The group, which carried out an 11-month review of the sector, said in some cases it appeared that business models had been set up to take the maximum amount of money from consumers, regardless of their circumstances. Three quarters of firms front-loaded their fees,
with Nicky Burridge, personal finance correspondent
reducing the amount of consumers’ money that initially went towards repaying their debts, while some businesses appeared to deliberately “recycle” customers from one debt solution to another, in order to earn more fees and extract the maximum profit from them. The OFT said there was also a lack of transparency for consumers, with many firms’ websites not making the commercial nature of their business clear, or setting out the fees they charged. It said this made it difficult for consumers to distinguish between fee-charging firms and charitable bodies that offered their services for free, while in the worst cases, groups were using misleading trading names to make it appear that they were charities or Government bodies. In other cases, firms sought to mis-represent or discredit the services provided by charitable debt advice groups.
8 NEWS
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
★★★★
ECHO Business to Business
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Industry Reporter NATWEST bank has administered some financial relief to Wirral physiotherapy business Joints & Points Healthcare by supporting the opening of the firm’s newest clinic. The purpose-built £160,000 facility in Bromborough offers six treatment rooms, a training suite and office facilities. And the three storey development has also become the company’s new head office, replacing an older clinic that was also located in Bromborough. The official opening was performed by Wirral South MP Alison McGovern. Joints & Points was established 14 years ago by chartered physiotherapist Adrian Mercer.
The company now operates five other clinics throughout Merseyside, including two locations in Liverpool city centre and three on the Wirral at Port Claughton, Ellesmere Port and Birkenhead.
Each clinic provides a comprehensive range of services, from physiotherapy to massage, chiropody, acupuncture, a sports injury clinic and dietetics. The company provides its services to both private
NatWest helps Joints & Points development customers as well as NHS-funded clients.
Joints & Points founder Adrian Mercer said: “The demand for services has increased across all our sites as people become more aware of the wide range of benefits that physiotherapy clinics can offer.”
He added: “The Wirral has been home to the business for more than a decade and we are delighted to have opened our new treatment centre in this location.” NatWest provided Joints & Points with a loan to cover the building costs of its latest new clinic. The bank’s relationship manager Dave Jones said: “Adrian has established a successful chain of clinics due to the quality and expert nature of the services they provide. “We are delighted to provide the funding for this new facility.” Wirral South MP Alison McGovern said: “It is always a pleasure to see new and innovative companies doing well.”
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1865
• Established 9 Years • W/T£6,500 • Rent Income From Nail Bars • Large Detached Freehold Property • Scope To Increase The Turnover • Viewing A Must • Bus & Prop £369,000 SAV
NIGHT COLLARS available call Stuart Taxifix 0151 482 5101
Well Established • Wt £1500 (Payzone £700) • Huge Potential • Excellent Freehold Proposition • Well Equipped • Well Respected • Bus & Prop £110,000 SAV
WARRINGTON - Sandwich Bar
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
1869
• Well respected • W/T £1800 - £2000 • Huge Potential • Low Rent • Well Equipped • First Class Proposition • Business £50,000 SAV
1781
• Well Established • W/T £5000 - £6000 • Well Equipped • Extensive Living Accommodation • Residential Rental Opportunity • Sought After Location • Bus & Prop £949,995 SAV
T J THOMAS 0151 708 6544 ERSKINE ST close to City centre Business units, 850 − 950 sqft. With or without int Office Space £106 − £125pw + vat
LADIES FASHION SHOP Crosby. Low rent. Good position. For a quick sale £15000 plus Stock evaluation. 07809 405 308
1877
WARRINGTON- Convenience Store/Counter News 1860
• Established Over 40 Years • W/T £4500 N/S £1500 Lottery £3500 • 1 Bedroom Studio Apartment • Huge Potential • Excellent Location - Close To Schools/Free Parking • Densely Populated Area • Bus & Prop £189,995 SAV
EXCELLENT LOCATION, 500 CAPACITY WITH 250 MORE AVAILABLE ON SEPARATE FLOOR. 3AM LICENSE.
WIDNES
PRIVATE HIRE Delta Cabs available. New shape focus & mondeo’s. Call 07776 222288
ST HELENS - Sandwich Bar/Convenience Store 1868
MERSEYSIDE - Hair Salon
WIRRAL - Restaurant
BLUE LINE TAXISNew drivers wanted urgently. Earn £500 − £800pw. Tel 0151 709 0101
NIGHT COLLAR TX1 c/o W/ Derby £180pw 07771 616615
LIVERPOOL - Newsagents
1763
NIGHT COLLAR Or Wkend Collar. C/O Aintree. 35+. 0776 7085020
• Prime Location Within A Busy Shopping Centre • W/T £6,000, N/S £563.75 At Retail, Lotto £700, Payzone £6,000 Paypoint £14,000 • Recently Refurbished To The Highest Standard • Attractive Opening Hours • Potential Scope For Expansion • Business £65,000 SAV
• Established 40 Years • W/T £8,500 • Main Road Location Corner Plot • Limited Opening Hours • Scope To Increase Turnover • Large Residential Area • Business £85,000 SAV
1795
LONG COLLAR TX2 Bronze 06 plate. 1 Driver, long collar £310 pw, £10 excess inc. Call Dave 07757591836
• Established 60 Years • W/T £2,500 • Located In Affluent Area • Scope To Increase T/O • Loyal Large Cliental Base • Viewing A Must • Bus & Prop £115,000 SAV
• Adjacent Multiples • Audited Turnover, Gp 22% • Counter News • Vast Scope • Opposite Railway Station • Bus £150,000 SAV, Prop £385,000 Or Rent
Commercial Premises
07970 007505
1873
• Well Established • WT £11,500 N/S £2,500, Lott £7,000 Pay Point £22,000 • Huge Potential • Prime Trading Position • Development Project • Planning Permission Granted • Will Split Premises • Bus & Prop £264,995 SAV
NIGHTCLUB LEASE FOR SALE
BIRKENHEAD - Newsagents
• Affluent Area • Close Proximity To Beach • Excellent Family Home • Scope To Increase Turnover • 90% Occupancy Rate • Viewing A Must • Bus & Prop £870,000 SAV
• Busy Precinct Location • Thriving Business • Established 22 Years • Sale Due To Retirement • WT £2,000, Investment Yield Of 9% • Freehold Available • Bus £24,950 SAV, Prop £252,050
• Excellent Location • Wt £2,700 • Gross Profit 60% and Rising • Scope To Increase T/o • Refurbished To High Standard • Viewing A Must • Business £64,995 SAV
LIVERPOOL - Newsagents & ESP 1797
• Excellent City Centre Location • Annual T/o £2 Million • Well Established • World Heritage Site • Scope To Increase T/o • Viewing A Must • Business £1,800,000 SAV
by NEIL HODGSON
DAVY LIVER TAXIS Require more full/part time private hire owner drivers. Some company cars still available. Call Alan 07795 471333
The Business Sales Specialists
NESTON - Florist
BONING UP: Adrian Mercer, founder of Joints & Points (left), making a point on back care to David Jones from NatWest bank
ACORN PRIVATE HIRE Knowsley Badge Drivers required by Acorn Private Hire, for new taxi offices opening soon in Kirkby Town Centre. Also required, new applicants for private hire badges. Help given in obtaining badge. Tel 0151 546 2701
FOR RENT Industrial Unit off Derby Rd, Bootle. Lofty Workshop/electrical overhead crane. Elec roller shutter doors 5mtr. Offices and toilet. 2708sq ft approx. £1000pcm. 0151 9220706 or 0788 7764088
L4 GARAGE UNIT fully equip 2 sets of ramps, comp, 3 phase £160pw. 0792O 461551 L4/L21 UNITS−OFFICES from £45pw alarm, Secure yard s/c elec inc 0792O 461551 OFFICE TO LET fr £40pw fully inc. 07785 562496
Impeccably Presented • W/T £4,250 • Enviable Reputation • High Gross Profit • Huge Scope • Extensive Building • Bus & Prop £299,995 SAV
FORMER HAIRDRESSERS To Let. South Road, Waterloo. L22. Prime location. £700pcm. Call: 0 1 5 1 9 2 0 9 9 9 9 / 07900424441 LIGHT INDUSTRIAL UNITS To let. Peel Rd. Skelmersdale. WN8. From £550pcm Call: 0 1 5 1 9 2 0 9 9 9 9 / 07900424441
SHOP TO LET Would ideally suit Barber shop. Bridge Road. Blundellsands L23. £600pcm Call: 0151 9209999/ 07900424441
T O L E T N E T H E R L E Y Industrial/Workshop Units 506− 1,023 sq ft Rents from £62pw Wheathills Ind Estate. Whittle Jones 01257 238666
I N V E S T O R / P A R T N E R Innovative new product line. 07947 561455
BEAUTY ROOM TO LET Good size, in a busy West Derby Salon £100pw. Call Mel or Claire on 0151 220 1022 or 07738 436110 £200 FEE NO BOND Run your own hairdressers from £435pcm For more information call Bentley Residential on 01253 699959
DOUBLE FRONTED Office/ shop to let. Blundellsands L23. Would suit variety of business. £550pcm. 07799043982
from
SHOP/FLAT TO LET St Johns Rd. Waterloo. L22. Large shop with 2 bed flat. Suitable for various of uses. £900pcm Call: 0 1 5 1 9 2 0 9 9 9 9 / 07900424441
Commercial Property
EAT IN & TAKEAWAY SHOP L7 Fully equipped, plus seperate access to 3 bed flat with dg & gch, recently decorated 07930 369048
A-F TEL: 0151 472 2746 G-M TEL: 0151 472 2573 N-Z TEL: 0151 472 2377
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY For Heat/Fuel Merchants. Agents wanted nationwide to market quality heating product in all areas. For more details. email: aidan@hartepeat.com
WORKSHOP UNIT To let. Very secure. 07785 562496
Business For Rent
LIVERPOOL - Convenience Store 1872 • Well established • W/T £2,500 - £3,500 N/S £250 At Retail • Huge Scope & Potential • Bespoke Building • Large Sales Area • Densely Populated Area • Bus & Prop OFFERS INVITED
Business Opportunities
SHOP TO LET St Johns Rd. Waterloo. L22. Large shop various uses. £600pcm Call: 0 1 5 1 9 2 0 9 9 9 9 / 07900424441
SHOPS TO LET Very secure 07785 562496
Appears every day in your
Building Trade FRAMELINE TRADE SUPPLY UPVC
WINDOWS, DOORS, CONSERVATORIES. 70MM X 70MM Duraflex Sculptured Suite 5 Day Turnaround Tel 0151 546 5577 Fax 0151 546 5588 ACCREDITED WITH BS7412 & BS7950
KITCHEN & BEDROOM FITTINGS from a hinge to a full kitchen/bedroom. 3D plans now available. Showroom & Trade Counter at 3 Rockley Street, Kirkdale, L4 0151−207 0008. www.brosna.co.uk
It pays to advertise in
Classified
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ight
Ken Dodd Show Blackpool Overnight Special 7 November 2010
See the ‘King of Comedy’ live at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool and enjoy an overnight half board stay at the award-winning Elgin Hotel. Price includes: • Return coach travel • 1 night’s half board accommodation at the Elgin Hotel • Top price stalls ticket for Ken Dodd Sunday evening show • Return Hotel/Grand Theatre transfers •MondayvisittoFleetwoodFreeportShoppingandLeisureComplex For a FREE brochure call:
0151 227 5987 01253 351433 To make a booking call:
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