Wednesday, 27 March 2013

The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……


1,200 new jobs as BT Sport launched

BT Group is recruiting 800 new employees for the launch of its Sport TV channel in summer 2013. Jobs will be created at call centres in Accrington, Canterbury, Doncaster, Truro, Warrington, Newcastle, Glasgow and Dundee.  400 temporary jobs will also be created. The BT Sport channels will be based in Stratford, London.

Recruitment at Bluewater

Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent recorded a 6.7% rise in sales across its retailers in February 2012. Strong demand for menswear contributed to growth. Retailers at the centre are recruiting to fill a variety of roles at all levels.

Castle View Day Nursery refurbished creating 13 new jobs

Castle View Day Nursery has opened in Leicestershire in premises purchased and refurbished with funding from Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking. The nursery currently provides care for 12 children but has space for 45.  It plans to increase its team from two employees to 15 as the number of children increases.

£35m investment in County Durham shopping centre expansion brings 500 new jobs

County Durham shopping centre Dalton Park is to be expanded in a £35m investment, which will create 500 jobs. The development will include a food store, cinema, restaurants, petrol station, hotel and pub. Work will begin on site within a year and take 12 months to complete.

West Glamorgan-based food supplement manufacturer targets European sales

Cultech, a West Glamorgan-based food supplement manufacturer, has secured a £3m export invoice finance facility with HSBC, to help expand its international sales to 50% of turnover, from its current level of 40%. Following several years of business growth Cultech plans to increase sales in Europe.  £17m turnover, 170 employees.

£25m bank funding secured by Discount retailer for international expansion

Discount retailer B&M Bargains has secured a £25m revolving credit facility with Barclays Bank.  The retailer has sales of over 1bn from 320 stores and is expected to launch an international expansion strategy. In December 2012 US private equity firm Clayton Dubilier and Rice acquired a significant stake in the company.

Investment pledge for Malmaison after acquisition by US VC

Hotel operator Malmaison has pledged to invest up to £10 million in its properties, after an American venture capital firm acquired it for an estimated £180m.  KSL Capital Partners, based in Colorado, will invest in the 27-strong Malmaison and Hotel du Vin chains and will continue its brand development plans including an extensive renovation programme and expansion within the UK, European and international markets.

Upgrading of Birmingham office space means potential new jobs in global insurance broker

Marsh, the global insurance broker and risk management company, has signed a ten-year lease for 11,500 sq. ft. of space at Birmingham office development Colmore Plaza. It will relocate from Tricorn House in Birmingham.  Marsh has 26,000 employees operating in 100 countries.  The move could create employment opportunities.

£258m European loan secured for on-going R&D projects by Netherlands-based EADS

Netherlands-based EADS, the owner of Airbus, is to receive a £257.7m loan from the European Investment Bank to support its innovation and R&D programmes. The funding will help EADS develop projects aimed at reducing the impact of aviation on the environment.  EADS UK has a turnover of £28.7m and 170 employees.

50 Apprenticeships created by London Apprenticeship Company

The London Apprenticeship Company is launching a new project to create 50 Apprenticeships in 5 weeks.  The East End Apprenticeship Project aims to create these apprenticeships by engaging with employers in and around the City and East End of London and facilitating the recruitment of local talented young people into jobs. The project is jointly run by Hackney Council, Hackney Community Centre, the London Apprenticeship Company and the National Apprenticeship service.

Kent wind farm opens creating 100 jobs

The London Array has started generating power, becoming the largest working offshore wind farm in the world. The project has created 100 jobs and more than £14m investment in the east Kent economy. It will generate power to fuel 500,000 homes.  The array is a joint venture between DONG, E.ON and Masdar.

Expansion in London Boroughs with 145 hotels planned and 80 jobs expected in Merton

Travelodge is to open four new hotels in the London Borough of Merton, as part of a wider plan to open 145 hotels across London Boroughs.  The Merton hotels would create 80 jobs and bring £8m to the borough. Travelodge is seeking development sites in Mitcham, Morden, Wimbledon town centre and Wimbledon Village.

Tyne & Wear based Vertu Motors secures bank funding for expansion

Tyne & Wear based Vertu Motors has secured a refinance package with Barclays to help fund further acquisitions, following the takeover of several dealers in recent months. Its objective is to develop a scaled business in the automotive retail sector. 2013 turnover is expected to exceed £1.2bn.  3,300 employees.

Funding secured by Newport Unlimited

Urban regeneration business Newport Unlimited has secured additional funding of £606,000.  The sum is set to unlock capital funding of up to £3.5m and help Newport Unlimited and Newport Council develop a new approach to economic development and regeneration. 

WRP strategic investment in partnership with SFX Entertainment Inc.

WPP has announced strategic investment in digital media company that specialises in electronic dance music events, SFX Entertainment Inc.  The deal is part of the communications services groups strategy of developing digital media beyond traditional advertising.
Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group

www.theukknackgroup.co.uk