Author: Scott Dylan

Proposals for a flagship building for the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology (GMIoT) in Salford have received approval.The new learning centre will focus on higher-level, real-world technical education and training across the construction, engineering, computing, creative media, business, and health sciences sectors. The £14.3m building is scheduled to commence construction in autumn this year at the heart of the University of Salford’s Peel Park Campus, just 1.5 miles from the city centre of Manchester.Part of the university’s Campus Connectivity Plan, the building will be low carbon and will feature a state-of-the-art green roof with photovoltaic panels to generate renewable energy,…

A global technology giant has unveiled ambitious plans to expand its operations in Leeds and potentially other Northern cities. The company aims to enhance its presence by doubling down on investments and establishing advanced facilities.Leeds, which houses one of the firm’s major UK offices, has been identified as a strategic location to harness local talent. This expansion is part of broader efforts to decentralise operations from the capital and leverage regional expertise.Expansion Plans in LeedsThe global tech company has announced its intentions to significantly enhance its operations in Leeds. The firm initially opened its office in the city in 2018,…

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has dismissed 179 employees for gross misconduct this year, marking a 43% increase since 2020. This represents the highest number of such dismissals in at least five years.This significant rise in dismissals reflects a firmer stance on disciplinary matters within the department, which employs over 65,000 staff. Gross misconduct encompasses serious breaches of conduct, such as bullying, theft, intoxication, damage to company property, gross negligence, or other actions that could harm the organisation. Specific to HMRC, it can include unlawful disclosure of sensitive taxpayer information or fraud using government systems.In one notable case, a tax…

Manchester’s retail landscape is witnessing a remarkable transformation. The latest report by Avison Young reveals a resurgence in physical retail stores.Following a decade of uncertainty, there’s a notable shift back to bricks-and-mortar establishments, driven by escalated foot traffic and strategic investments.Resurgence in Physical RetailAccording to the report, Manchester’s retail sector is experiencing an upturn in its bricks-and-mortar presence. This recovery is marked by increased activity in high streets, prime retail parks, and food stores, underpinned by growing footfall. This revival comes after years of struggle influenced by changing consumer habits and the pandemic’s impact.Demand from retailers seeking new locations in…

John Lewis Partnership has released its latest half-year financial report, demonstrating significant progress in reducing losses and increasing sales.The iconic UK retailer recorded sales surpassing £5.9 billion for the first half of the year, marking a 2% rise compared to the previous year. Their pre-tax losses also reduced drastically from £59 million down to £30 million.Solid Sales Growth Amid Economic ChallengesThe performance of John Lewis Partnership amidst ongoing economic pressures is particularly commendable. The company’s total revenue reached £5.2 billion, reflecting a 2% growth year-on-year. Waitrose, the partnership’s grocery arm, exceeded expectations by outperforming the market with a 5% increase…

The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) is expanding its Tech4Youth programme to the Solway Coast in Cumbria, coinciding with End Digital Poverty Day.This expansion will support 275 young people, aged 11-to-19, in the Solway Coast and surrounding areas including Silloth, Wigton, Maryport, and Aspatria. The initiative focuses on providing laptops, free internet access, and digital literacy workshops to address the challenges of digital access in these regions.Research by the DPA reveals that 86% of parents of digitally excluded children cite cost as the primary barrier preventing access to laptops. The programme, backed by £78,000 from the Macquarie Foundation and broadband provider…

Something foreboding stirs at CULTPLEX as the annual STAB Film Season, the city’s major horror event, resurrects itself once more, presenting a month-long agenda of chilling cinema.This year’s STAB is set to be the largest yet, offering a month’s worth of horror treasures that will culminate in a Halloween night double-feature of nail-biting classics The Exorcist (1973) and Alien (1979). Prior to that, Manchester will be on edge with a series of macabre marathons, classic horror screenings, and unique events all leading to the eeriest night of the year.The event kicks off with the annual screening of the locally-shot, underappreciated…

Mountain Warehouse, a prominent UK outdoor retailer, is poised to make a significant entry into Greater Manchester with the opening of a new 20,710 sq ft store in Altrincham’s Stamford Quarter. This move, scheduled for autumn, will bring 13 new retail jobs to the area.The new store will offer a comprehensive range of outdoor clothing, footwear, equipment, and kidswear, including essential items such as rain jackets, walking boots, and ski wear. Positioned in a prime location within Altrincham, this store represents Mountain Warehouse’s first major foray into the Greater Manchester market. This development is expected to enhance the retail options…

Bury & Bolton based law firm has retained its membership to the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) for the twelfth consecutive year. This achievement underscores the firm’s consistent commitment to excellence in residential conveyancing.The Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) is a recognised quality standard for firms regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and operating in the residential conveyancing sector. It sets stringent standards for competence and risk management, ensuring that firms provide residential conveyancing advice that meets the high expectations of clients, lenders, and the wider conveyancing community.Membership in the CQS enhances a firm’s access to lender panels, with…

The UK’s innovative Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, designed to bolster security, is set to roll out next year, impacting all visa-exempt passengers. The scheme mandates a £10 fee and a three-day processing period for travel permits.ETA Scheme Set for ExpansionThe British government plans to extend the contentious Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme to encompass all non-European visitors by January 2025. The EU nationals will be required to apply from April 2025. The scheme was initially focused on a small number of Middle Eastern countries but now covers all international travellers excluding those from the EU, until the latter date.…