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Black Puddings, Bury Market

Visit Manchester shows GrEATer Manchester's Local Food Offering

Visit Manchester, the tourist board for Greater Manchester, aims to get taste buds tingling with a new programme to highlight the fabulous food that is produced and bought within the region.

Together with a whole host of producers from organic farmers and meat producers, to cheese makers and chocolatiers, Visit Manchester is calling for tourists and locals alike to ‘buy local’ in its hotels and restaurants.

Date published: 11/03/2012

Business Meeting

Chamber News: Manchester Gets Taste of The Caribbean

Ten companies from Trinidad and Tobago visited Manchester on Monday (March 5th) to explore trade opportunities.

The delegates, who ranged from the makers of Angostura bitters to...

Date published: 11/03/2012

Chamber of Commerce Logo

Chamber Views: Skills Boost

Chamber Chief Executive Clive Memmott took part in a briefing on the Employer Ownership of Skills Pilot yesterday.

The scheme will give businesses direct access to up to £250 million of...

Date published: 10/03/2012

One month to go until the end of tobacco displays

On 6 April 2012, all large shops in England will have to hide tobacco products from view in a drive to cut the number of smokers and protect young people who are often the target of tobacco promotion.

Some supermarkets have already been trialling hiding tobacco displays. Other shops have just one month to find out if they are classified as a large shop, to plan how they...

Date published: 10/03/2012

Tutors and coaches have less than a month to pay the tax they owe

Tutors and coaches have less than a month left to tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about tax that they owe and arrange to pay the tax, interest and any penalties due.

Under the terms of the Tax Catch Up Plan, launched in October 2011, tutors and coaches had until 6 January 2012 to come forward and tell HMRC of any irregularities in their tax affairs. Those who notified...

Date published: 10/03/2012

Euro MP Calls for More Women on Top!

On International Women’s Day Local Labour Euro MP, Arlene McCarthy, Vice Chair of the European Parliament’s powerful Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee has joined growing calls for EU wide quotas for women on company boards.

Arlene, whose amendments to the European law on corporate governance last year called for a 40% quota, but were voted down to 30% by Conservative...

Date published: 10/03/2012

Bury firm reach North West Challenge final as top ten export ideas announced

The ten best new export ideas from North West companies were announced this week as the regional finalists yesterday attended a prize workshop at UK Trade & Investment’s North West offices in Daresbury.

And John Caunt Scientific Ltd from Bury is one of the top contenders with the Spectral Gamma Logger, developed in partnership with two other specialist consultants.

The...

Date published: 10/03/2012

Takeaway landlord fined over fire safety breaches

A takeaway landlord has been fined after he breached fire safety rules and potentially put the lives of workers in danger.

Abdul Mannan, aged 53, of Stafford Road, Ellesmere Park, was convicted of six offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in relation to the Shabna Tandoori, Monton Road, Eccles.

He was fined £400 for each of the six offences...

Date published: 10/03/2012

Chris Fletcher

The Great Rate Debate

"Last week I was fortunate enough to speak at an excellent event in London, put on by the Westminster Social Policy Forum on the subject of the new rules and opportunities arising from the...

Date published: 04/03/2012

Chamber Views - Localism Act

This week’s Chamber Views asked for your thoughts on aspects of the recent Localism Act, including whether businesses should be able to vote in local referenda, and on what local authorities should spend business rates income when, from next year, they’ll be allowed to retain and spend the growth in these receipts.

Just under a fifth of you (18%) highlighted your cynicism...

Date published: 03/03/2012

Bury College Logo

New £1500 Apprentice available for employers

Bury College is encouraging local businesses to contact them to apply for a new £1500 Apprentice grant.

Priority will be given to businesses with fewer than 50 staff, but those with...

Date published: 02/03/2012

Chamber Calls On Chancellor For Business Boost

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has written to the Chancellor ahead of next month’s Budget setting out its ideas for boosting the economy.

The Chamber says its proposals are cost-effective, achievable and will support growth in the country’s regions.

Date published: 01/03/2012

Euro MP helps local business out of a jam!

Bury Labour Euro MP, Arlene McCarthy has taken up the case of a local jam making business, Clippy’s based in Sale, to put an end to their labelling rules dilemma with Trading Standards.

Arlene said: “This local business through no fault of their own has found themselves in a real jam. In my view they are a victim of an overzealous interpretation of the EU jam law. I have...

Date published: 01/03/2012

David Mills and Emily Cooper

Local business invests in staff

David Mills at Emersons Café on the Rock in Bury has been investing in his staff through the Bury College Apprenticeship scheme for over three years.

David has supported many staff...

Date published: 29/02/2012

Tax authority pulls plug on electricians who don’t pay up

Electricians will start receiving letters this month from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) warning them to pay any undisclosed taxes.

Under a special, time-limited tax opportunity, electricians can pay the tax they owe, with lower penalties. Normally, up to 100 per cent of the tax owed can be charged to those who fall outside of such opportunities.

Date published: 28/02/2012

Gas fitter prosecuted over Irlam gas explosion

A gas fitter is to be prosecuted following a major gas explosion in Irlam which injured ten adults and five children, and left one woman with severe burns.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is taking legal action against Paul Kay as a result of an investigation into the blast on Merlin Road on 2 November 2010, when three properties were completely destroyed and others...

Date published: 28/02/2012

Chamber News: Employment and Skills Update

The Chamber’s Employment and Skills Committee met last week and discussed a number of topics in detail. Initially focusing on new employment legislation which is due to be introduced this year (a summary of which is available on the Chamber blog) concluded with a lengthy discussion about the upcoming introduction of auto-enrolment of pensions and HMRC’s plans for Real Time...

Date published: 23/02/2012

Pay Those Pension Contributions Now

Recent press reports have indicated that the Government is considering making further amendments to tax relief on pension contributions. Whilst this is only speculation, any changes are likely to be one (or both) of the following:

1. Removal of higher rate tax relief for pension contributions paid by individuals, meaning tax relief would reduce to the basic rate of 20%....

Date published: 21/02/2012

Neil Jamieson, HSE Principal Inspector for Construction

Clampdown tackles death and injury on Greater Manchester construction sites

Construction sites in Greater Manchester are being put under the safety spotlight as part of an intensive inspection initiative aimed at reducing death, injury and ill health....

Date published: 20/02/2012

Rail in the North Campaign

Rail in the North Campaign

Businesses of all sizes need reliable connectivity in order to succeed and prosper. Throughout 2012, as part of our Action For Business plan, the Chamber will be supporting and campaigning...

Date published: 18/02/2012

Southdale’s North West Regional Director Stuart Allison

Housing framework can boost jobs and education

North West construction and development specialist Southdale believes its appointment to a £500 million housing framework can help boost training and educational opportunities in the...

Date published: 18/02/2012

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