The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

Retailer Morrison’s secures lease on new Fareham store with potential new jobs Retailer Morrison’s has signed a pre-lease agreement with NewRiver Retail for a 71,000 sq. ft. food store at Locks Heath Shopping Centre in Fareham, Hampshire. Jobs could be created at the new store. Morrison’s has a turnover of £17.66bn and employs 131,200 staff.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: U.S firm purchased by Aberdeen Asset Management Aberdeen Asset Management has continued its expansion with the purchase of U.S firm Artio Global Investors in a £118.3m deal. The company has £7bn assets under management and a turnover of £1.04bn.

Rapid business growth for Yorkshire-based digital agency creates jobs Ascensor, the Yorkshire-based digital agency, recorded 70% growth in annual turnover in 2012, with a similar performance expected in 2013 after strong first quarter results. Staff numbers have grown from 2 to 20 and further recruitment is planned. It has created a new strategic marketing plan and re-branded and relaunched its website.

Management Moves: VIP Computers appoint Business Development Manager Cheshire-based VIP Computers has appointed Graham Herschell a Business Development Manager. The company, an independent distributor of PC components and peripherals, plans to expand its customer base and increase its market share. Turnover £180.1m, 215 employees.

Property team recruitment at Co-operative Food Co-operative Food is recruiting new members of staff, including managers, for their property team after a successful acquisitions strategy and a record-breaking year, having opened 83 stores since 2012. The new staff will enable the company to expand.

Debenhams Lichfield store brings 70 jobs Debenhams has opened a new store in Lichfield, and 70 jobs have been created, and there has also been a boost in trade in the town as a result. The company has a turnover £1.8bn and employs over 30,000 people.

Uniform Communications’ new Liverpool premises move brings new jobs Design agency Uniform Communications has taken 5,600 sq. ft. of space at the Merepark Central Village scheme in Liverpool as part of its long-term expansion strategy.  The new offices provide additional meeting rooms, a prototyping workshop and improved facilities for staff. The expansion of the company could create employment opportunities.

Wind farm development plans near Belford, Northumberland mean potential new jobs Energiekonton, a Leeds-based wind farm developer, is finalising plans for a nine-turbine development near Belford, Northumberland. The development could create employment and business opportunities. Energiekontor is a subsidiary of the Germany-based Energiekontor group.

South Yorkshire glass recycler creating new jobs GB Cullet, a South Yorkshire glass recycler, increased turnover by 50% to £1.5m in 2011-2012, exceeding growth targets. With support from Enterprising Barnsley it has invested £500,000 to move to larger premises and develop an on-site processing plant.  7 new employees have taken headcount to 20, and further recruitment is planned.

Venture Capita: GovToday stake sold to Osprey Capital GovToday, the public-sector social media platform committed to communicating government initiatives and policies to the public, have sold a stake in the company to Osprey Capital. The company is based in Salford.

Management Moves: Digital Sales Manager appointed by Apex Digital Graphics Hertfordshire-based Apex Digital Graphics, which supplies and services printing equipment, has appointed Mike Ryan as digital sales manager following its expansion into the digital equipment market. Turnover £6.9m.

Bluewater expansion means 2,300 new jobs expected in Kent Lend Lease is to expand Bluewater shopping centre in Kent by a fifth and create 2,300 jobs. Outline plans, approved by Gravesham Council, involve demolishing part of the West Village and building 30,500 sq. m of extra floor space.

40 new jobs as Liverpool based retailer Home Bargains opens new store in Ellesmere Port Liverpool based retailer Home Bargains has invested £500,000 in a new store in Ellesmere Port.  The store will create 40 jobs when it opens on Saturday 25 June 2013.  The company now has 300 stores across the UK.

Leeds business park development brings potential new jobs Muse Developments has started work on the Logic Leeds Business Park. It is working with Leeds City Council on the project. Eric Wright Civil Engineering is to carry out the £500,000 first phase of infrastructure works, due to be complete in August 2013.  The project could create business and employment opportunities.

90 new jobs at Nottingham Regeneration Ltd Nottinghamshire based, Nottingham Regeneration Ltd have been given an extra £2.758m to extend the Southgate Food Park.  The extension will create 90 new jobs plus construction jobs.  The whole project will cost approximately £6m.

Potential new jobs for online retailer Capital Stores in Manchester Online retailer Capital Stores has taken a lease on a 25,990 sq. ft. unit at Centenary Park, Trafford Park, Manchester.  The online retailer sells equipment for caravans such as televisions, marine electronics, fishing equipment and products for home and garden, sport and leisure and offices. Jobs could be created at the new premises.

Management Moves: Design Director appointed at Powell Dobson Urbanists Powell Dobson Urbanists, the Cardiff-based planning, regeneration and urban design company, has recruited a new design director. Wendy Richards joins the company from the Design Commission for Wales. She will support the development of the landscape and urban design business.

London site opened Longley Concrete and jobs created Precast concrete supplier Longley Concrete is investing in its West Yorkshire and London sites after securing new finance with Barclays.  The investment is part of long-term growth plans. Longley recently opened the London site to keep pace with its strong order book.  The continued expansion should lead to employment opportunities.

Management Moves: Head of Merchandising appointed by LK Bennett Premium womenswear retailer LK Bennett has appointed Sarah Thornley, a former Burberry director, to lead its merchandising team. Ms Thornley will be based at headquarters in London. LK Bennett is undergoing UK and International expansion in stores and online. Turnover 79.3m, 550 employees.

Opening of Bradford care home creates 20 jobs Yorkshire-based Horizon Healthcare Homes is building a £750,000 specialist care home in Bradford after securing funding from the Royal Bank of Scotland.  20 jobs will be created.  Beckside Lodge is expected to open in October 2013.  It will be the fifth care home owned and run by Horizon. Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk