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Crime-busting tips for stores SAFER Knowsley Partnership is advising businesses on how to avoid being a victim of robbery. PAGE 4

Peel's Pounds 100m Port Plan Is Halted by Recession ; Post-Panamax Terminal On Hold - but Port Salford Project Gets Go- Ahead: Peel 'Still Committed' to Post-Panamax Terminal Despite Delay

PEEL Holdings' ambitious pounds 100m plan to turn Liverpool into a world superport has been put on hold - even though the group has given the go-ahead for a new pounds 400m dock and multi-modal exchange in Greater Manchester. Mersey Docks had drawn up proposals for creating a facility to accommodate the biggest container ships afloat, but after months of speculation has finally admitted the dream has stalled, due to the recession.

Aluminium Firm Shows Its Mettle As Security Door Opens New Route to Success

A FAMILY firm that was set up in the wake of the demise of Greenberg Glass has developed a security system to stop UPVC doors from being kicked in. Eros Aluminium Systems, based at Knowsley Industrial Park North, started in August last year and soon took on some of the unfinished contracts after Greenberg collapsed.

Bibby Transforms Barge Into Massive Floating Hotel ; Hulk Turned Into 336-Bed Attraction

LIVERPOOL shipping firm Bibby has created a spectacular multimillion pound floating hotel. The Bibby Renaissance has 336 en-suite cabins, restaurant, bar, gym and sports facilities. It is being offered as accommodation for workers on major projects or as a hotel.

Mcvey Tops Northern Successes

WINNING Women founder Esther McVey won the North of England Excellence award after graduating with a distinction in her MSc in Corporate Governance. Ms McVey, who is the prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Wirral West, graduated from the European Centre for Corporate Governance at Liverpool John Moores University.

'People Want to Buy Solutions to Problems, Not Just Software' ; Alex Turner Meets Arthur Duffy, Managing Director of Runcorn- Baseprogressive Solutions

THE move into a new building at The Heath Business Park, in Runcorn, marks the beginning of the next phase for technology firm Progressive Solutions. The company currently has a turnover of pounds 3.4m and employs 30 people - but plans to treble sales while doubling staff in the next three years.

Latitude Search for Digital Staff

DIGITAL marketing agency Latitude is to increase its workforce by 12% before the end of the year as it continues to grow. Warrington-based Latitude, which had a turnover of pounds 58.5m in 2008, is to increase the number of staff at its Cheshire base to more than 100, while also adding to its London office.

Engineering Company Sold As Yorkshire Firm Clinches Deal

AN ELLESMERE Por t engineering company has been bought for an undisclosed sum by Yorkshire-based Ardeth Group Gage Engineering, established in 1988 by business partners Tony Roylance and Ray Evans, employs around 40 staff and provides pipework and structural steelwork for the food, chemical and petrochemical industries. Clients include divisions of Anglo-Dutch consortium Unilever and oil giant Shell, who outsource parts of their internal pipework r equirements.

Extra Help for Retailers in Drive to Tackle Robberies ; Aid Packs Offer Valuable Tips On Crime-Busting

THE roll-out of a new aid for Knowsley businesses has begun with the launch of "robbery packs" packed with advice on how to react in the unlikely event of becoming a crime statistic. It is the latest initiative from The Safer Knowsley Partnership, a collection of organisations and agencies such as Merseyside Police, Knowsley Council, and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, aimed at reducing crime and disorder throughout the borough.

Bankers Back New Loan Deal for Ineos

CHEMICALS group Ineos has successfully restructured its banking arrangements. The package of amendments include a resetting of the company"s financial covenants.

Kitemark Award

A New Tax Amnesty for Offshore Investors

THE North West could be one of the most affected areas under the latest offshore accounts tax amnesty announced by HM Revenues and Customs today. According to Liverpoolbased accountants Grant Thornton, there are tens of thousands of offshore investors in the region who could face prosecution if they fail to declare funds.

Mersey Firm Hails Pounds 700k R-R Steel Deal ; Managers Chased Contract in Us

A BOOTLE engineering firm has won a contract with industrial giant Rolls -Royce, worth more t h a n pounds 700,000. Liverpool Fabrication Co, which manufactures specialist steel products, has won an order to produce 13 stainless steel lube oil r eservoirs.

Barclays' Pounds 20m Funding Backs Expanding Charity

A NURSING and specialist care home charity has won pounds 20m of funding from Barclays Commercial Bank. MHA operates 70 care homes around the country, including 12 across Merseyside and Cheshire, providing a mix of residential, nursing and specialist dementia care for residents.

Science Park has New Man at Helm

THE Merseyside director of the Objective 1 programme in Merseyside has been appointed chief executive of Liverpool Science Park (LSP). Chris Musson will move from Government Office North West to oversee the third phase of the science park's development.

City 'Offers the Best Value'

LIVERPOOL city centre now has one of the lowest occupancy costs in the UK, according to a new report. The study, by CB Richard Ellis (CBRE), reveals that total occupancy cost, which includes office rental, has fallen by 3.1% over the past year to pounds 31.50 per sq ft.

Register Shake-Up Advice for Landlords

RESIDENTIAL landlords are being urged to attend the next meeting of the Merseyside and Wirral Landlord Action Group next week to hear vital information. Chairman Richard Globe will inform those attending about plans for the national register for landlords and about FSA plans to regulate sale and rentback firms.

Give the Banks a Break - Financier

THE head of Liverpoolbased Bibby Financial Services has backed big banks' lending policies, despite claims small firms are still starved of vital funding. Edward Rimmer said the call by Chancellor Alistair Darling for banks to increase lending is a classic "catch-22" situation.

Grand Designs for Smes Win Pounds 2m Nwda Funding ; Cash Backing for Commercial Innovation

MORE than pounds 2m is being provided to help companies test the commercial potential of an idea. The North West Development Agency (NWDA) has earmarked the funds from its Grant for Research and Development (GRAND) programme.

The Gym Flexes Its Muscles in One Park West in Key Expansion Strategy

ONE Park West, in Liverpool One, is to be the first expansion for a London fitness chain outside the capital. The Gym will open within the stylish residential waterfront block in the autumn.