Daily Post

Companies Urged to Pledge Support for Princes Park Anti-Racism Festival

COMPANIES in Merseyside are being urged to give their support to an anti-racism festival being held in Liverpool this weekend. Some firms in the region are already using their internal email systems to let their employees know about the Unity Festival taking place on Sunday in Princes Park in Toxteth It will feature more than 15 local bands on two stages. It starts at noon and runs through until 8pm.

Have Your Say: Steven Hunt, Managing Director of Steven Hunt & Associates

THE engineering industry is at crisis point because of an extreme skills shortage and it is time to stop waiting for someone else to sort out the problem. I am the managing director of a Liverpool-based mechanical and electrical engineering consultancy and there are simply not enough home-grown apprentices coming through for smaller companies to compete for major contracts.

M&S Director Steps Down

MARKS & Spencer has lost the services of one of the City's most respected businessman as a non-executive director. Anthony Habgood handed in his resignation yesterday after little more than a year at M&S, saying he could no longer juggle the role with his commitments as chairman of leisure giant Whitbread and packaging supplier Bunzl.

As I See It: Farmers and Small Food Producers See Their Hard Work Earn Pennies While Selling for Pounds

TESCO'S grand mission to conquer the world - or at least this country - continues apace. It is staggering to think that pounds 1 in every pounds 8 we spend goes into the tills of one company. Tesco is so far ahead of its business rivals it's out of sight. You've got to admit, they're good. It's a marvellous thing for a little town like, say, Mold to have a superstore on its doorstep, open 24 hours a day.

Industrial Sector Confidence Grows ; Most Firms Foresee Growth in Year Ahead

A BUSINESS survey of companies in the industrial sector in the four counties of North West Wales has revealed a majority are confident of growth over the coming year. The survey of firms with between 11 and 250 employees was carried out by the North Wales Chamber of Commerce.

Thriving Franchise Earns Recognition From Network

AN Anglesey franchise which helps other firms raise their profile is itself in the spotlight. Chris Kerry launched his Rhosneigr-based Recognition Express North Wales franchise three years ago and after a slow start has seen the business make good progress.

Company Plays Safe On the Internet with Help of Investment Fund

A RAINHILL software business is helping companies all over the world create a safer working environment with backing from Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF). Safety Software has developed AIRSWEB, an internet-based reporting system which processes, analyses and manages data relating to accidents and incidents at work.

Pounds 6m Bid for Laird Docks ; Owner Considering Northwestern Offer

NORTHWESTERN Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders has offered pounds 6m to buy the dry docks at the centre of its dispute with landlord Reddington Finance. News of the offer comes as the shipyard group prepares to vacate the former Cammell Laird docks in Birkenhead today unless a last minute deal can be agreed to keep them there.

City Report

TUESDAY INSURERS and oil stocks ensured the market regained its feelgood factor and buried the memories of two straight weeks of losses Aviva , Legal & General and Friends Provident all advanced after financial services group Old Mutual resolved to tackle issues in the way of a potential takeover of life insurer Skandia . The sector was also lifted by investors taking the view that UK insurers had limited exposure to claims in the US after Hurricane Katrina blazed a trail of destruction acros...

Wall Street

Unmanned Fliers to Boost Aerospace Firms

A MAJOR flying demonstration of unmanned aerial vehicles due to take place in West Wales next month could have significant spin-off for companies in North Wales. Up to five different UAVs will fly at the ParcAberporth Unmanned Systems 2005 event on September 7, making it the largest demonstration of its kind undertaken in the UK. ParcAberporth in west Wales is being developed as a centre of excellence for the development of unmanned systems.

Curbs Will Stoke Up Rural Prices ; Demand for Councils to Relax Rules On Country Homes

PROPERTY prices in rural areas could rise steeply over the next few years because of rules banning planning permission for new homes, it is claimed. Cheshire County Council and Chester City Council are being urged to relax a planning embargo amid fears that good quality country buildings may fall into ruin and become eyesores.

Business Ideas Blossom for It Security Experts ; Tony Mc Donough, Meets Sue Beesley, Managing Director of Network Defence

SUE BEESLEY hates being stuck behind a desk and would love to be working in the garden. Which is presumably why she runs an IT company. The 43-year-old is joint managing director of Newton-le- Willows-based Network Defence, which helps other firms ensure their computer systems are secure. Her business partner is also her husband, 41-year-old David, and together they have built-up a business that after almost seven years of operations now generates a turnover of just over pounds 3m.

Business Profile: Costner Inspiration for Supporting Cast ; Business Correspondent David Jones Talks to a Key Figure in North Wales' Burgeoning Knowledge Economy

NORTH Wales will soon have its own Field of Dreams. A place where, like Kevin Costner in the hit movie of that name, people can not just come up with hugely fascinating ideas but actually bring them to life.

Glass Firm's Shares Surge On Rumours of Takeover ; Trading Adds Pounds 90m to Value of Pilkington

MORE than pounds 90m was added to the value of Pilkington yesterday on speculation that the glassmaker was attracting takeover interest. Around 15m shares in St Helens-based Pilkington had changed hands by mid-afternoon after rumours that Japanese rival Nippon Sheet Glass was circling the group.

Anniversary Logo

NORTH-WEST law firm DWF yesterday launched a new corporate logo as it celebrates its 30th birthday. Senor partner Jim Davies said: "We have undergone significant growth, having doubled in size over the last five years and as we approach our 30th birthday we felt it was about time to take stockof where we were and how we had got there.

Bunzl Rides High On Buying Spree

PACKAGING supplier Bunzl kept its sights trained on potential acquisitions yesterday after a buying spree since January drove sales up by 22%. Bunzl has announced four deals so far this year that will add around pounds 175m to revenues, and told investors it hoped to make more purchases in North America, Europe and Australasia.

Merger Ditched

Property Deal

Spanish Ties