From Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies: British inventors are set to benefit from the successful outcome of a 40 year EU battle on patent laws. Businesses applying for patents currently need to have their application translated into 23 different languages to protect their rights in 25 EU countries. But Euro-MPs this week gave their backing […]

Congratulations to Boutinot Wines, a major international wine business based in Brook House, Northenden Road, Gatley – featured as a success story on today’s ‘You and Yours’ programme on BBC Radio 4. Boutinot produce and import good quality French wine and re-package it for restaurants and consumers – famous wine critic Oz Clarke has even […]

This is the first in a series of updates from me on Stockport’s Portas Pilot bid. I’ve also published this on the unofficial Stockport Portas Pilot website. “But isn’t £100,000 just a drop in the ocean?” I’ve heard it more than a few times since Stockport became one of the twelve towns to be selected […]

Christy, the multi-million pound company best known as the supplier of towels to Wimbledon, is moving its HQ from Hyde to Cheadle. Fifty staff will move to the Park Square office development on Bird Hall Lane. It’s great to see another international business choosing to base itself locally. Under the Lib Dems, Stockport Council has […]

Research commissioned by the BBC says that Stockport is top for new business start-ups across not only the whole of the North West, but the whole country! Over the last two years, 2,335 new firms have been established across the Borough – a 10.8% increase. Lib Dem-led Stockport Council has put a lot of focus […]

From Stockport Council: New International Trade Forum established Businesses looking to expand or learn more about overseas trade are encouraged to attend the newly-established South Manchester International Trade Forum. The Council and UKTI, in conjunction with RBS Corporate Banking, set up the Forum to help businesses find out more about how they can develop and […]

From Stockport Council: Stockport Council is re-launching its successful 50:50 Apprenticeship Scheme, to encourage employers to offer employment opportunities for 16-18 year olds. The scheme will be launched with an event at the Town Hall on Monday 6th February during Apprenticeship Week (6th to 12th February), from 10.00am to 2.00pm. The event is for both […]

Stockport’s economic strategy for the next five years seeks to build on our success as a borough in having a high-skilled population with lower unemployment than the Greater Manchester or UK averages. 34.7% of working age residents have a degree or higher qualification, well above the national average. Our residents are highly productive and have […]

BAE Systems today announced that it had sold its Woodford Site, in Cheshire to Avro Heritage Limited, a company jointly owned by JCB heir Jo Bamford and Harry Harvey. The sale is effective immediately. Avro Heritage Limited has vowed to ensure that Woodford’s proud association with the aviation industry is reflected in the future development […]

Stockport’s ruling Lib Dem group have brought forward proposals to help businesses in the Borough during the current challenging times. The Council has taken a lead role in supporting local businesses in recent years: for example, through the Boost campaign and the LABGI (Local Authority Business Growth Incentive) resources. Although there’s now less money available […]