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Press Releases

All the latest press releases issued by the NWDA and its partner organisations are listed below. Older press releases can be found by visiting the archive.

Press Releases are also published via RSS and as an (automated) podcast

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If you have any queries about any of our press releases, please visit our Press Centre.



July

Newton Heath gets a £1 million makeover
03 July 2009
Work has started on a £1 million pound makeover of the Newton Heath district centre in east Manchester.

Manchester benefits from Kellogg’s water polo legacy programme
02 July 2009
Building on the success of the 2007 Kellogg’s Legacy Programme, Manchester will be hosting a ‘Mini-polo’ Legacy Tournament.

Study into Solway Energy Gateway given the green light
02 July 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), together with Scottish Enterprise and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority have agreed to commission a £100,000 feasibility study to evaluate options for harnessing Tidal Energy on the Solway Firth.

NWDA plans for action with Department of Energy and Climate Change
01 July 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has today signed an agreement with the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) on behalf of England’s Regional Development Agency (RDA) Network.

Northwest businesses get set for Olympic opportunities
01 July 2009
Northwest businesses were able to see first-hand the business opportunities available as part of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, in a visit to the Olympic Park last week.

June

Second innovation centre launches at Liverpool Science Park
29 June 2009
The growth of Liverpool’s knowledge economy received a boost this week with the official opening of a second landmark building at Liverpool Science Park (LSP).

NW Food Awards 2009
29 June 2009
Food Northwest, food and drink industry awards 2009.

NWVM awards over £360k through the Regional Attraction Fund
29 June 2009
Northwest Vision and Media, has awarded over £360,000 to Nine Northwest companies through its Regional Attraction Fund (RAF).

Additional Financial support for business in the Northwest
29 June 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), with support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), has announced a £15m transitional venture capital (VC) & loan fund for businesses in the region, at the Business Finance 09 seminar in Manchester today (Monday 29th June).

NWDA welcomes Regional Economic Forecasting Panel Chairman
26 June 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew McLaughlin as the new Chair of the Regional Economic Forecasting Panel (REFP).

England’s Northwest in line for £172 million towards Further Education facilities
26 June 2009
Four Colleges in England’s Northwest have today learned they have been shortlisted by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to proceed to the next stage of development in the latest round of the FE Capital Building Programme.

The Northwest’s Green Heroes revealed
26 June 2009
The seventh Northwest Business Environment Awards has unmasked 14 of the region’s businesses that have demonstrated excellence in the fields of environmental practice, built environment, sustainable procurement, environmental innovation, communications and environmental leadership.

World Expo has global a-Peel
26 June 2009
Peel Holdings is to be the lead sponsor of the Liverpool Pavilion at the World Expo 2010.

Seb Coe views Merseyside’s sporting legacy
25 June 2009
Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) will be visiting Merseyside today (25th June 2009) to see how London 2012 is inspiring a generation of young people to take part in sport.

New Director of Tourism appointed
24 June 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Brooks-Sykes as its new Director of Tourism.

NWDA awards bursaries to post-grads studying in England’s Northwest
23 June 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), together with the North West Universities Association (NWUA) has today launched a unique region-wide project, offering post-graduate bursaries to students taking part in masters programmes at all 15 universities within England’s Northwest.

London 2012 Open Weekend celebrations across the Northwest
23 June 2009
Exciting events across the North West, from multi-sport festivals to dance celebrations, film screenings to rowing and vintage video carousels, are to be part of London 2012 Open Weekend (24 – 26 July 2009) – a series of events across the country enabling access to excellence in the arts, culture and sport and celebrating three years to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games.

NWDA employee selected as young Climate Advocate
22 June 2009
Business Manager for Inward Investment at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Sarah M Williams has been selected by the British Council as a Climate Advocate, part of its Challenge Europe initiative.

Big winners at the Big Chip awards
19 June 2009
A host of the hottest North West digital companies took the plaudits at the 2009 Big Chip Awards, the North West’s annual awards for digital excellence.

Top Honours for the Very Best In Liverpool City Region’s £1.3bn Visitor Economy
19 June 2009
The best businesses in Liverpool City Region’s £1.3bn a year visitor economy have been honoured at The Mersey Partnership’s Annual Tourism Awards.

National report helps England’s Northwest prepare for climate change
18 June 2009
Work to prepare the Northwest for the inevitable effects of climate change will be given a boost from today, as organisations working to tackle climate change in the region get access to a new set of ‘future climate scenarios’ produced by DEFRA.

Help at hand for region's dairy farmers
18 June 2009
Business Link Northwest and the NWDA have stepped in to support dairy farmers in the region affected by the collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFoB).

RDAs ready to take action on UK Climate Change Projections
18 June 2009
England’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) have today welcomed the UK Climate Change Projections report (UKCP09) launched by DEFRA.

Inward investment statistics 2009
17 June 2009
England’s Northwest is again the UK’s leading region for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) outside of London and the South East.

Pennine Lancashire - the most enterprising place in the Northwest
16 June 2009
Beating stiff competition from across the region, East Lancashire’s No Limits has today been named the most enterprising place in England’s Northwest in the Government’s Enterprising Britain competition.

Grant for Business Investment to benefit North West Aerospace company
16 June 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency’s (NWDA) Grant for Business Investment (GBI) programme has awarded £100,000 to Aerotech Design Consultants Ltd.

Millennium Greenway
16 June 2009
Work gets underway on June 29 on a project to extend Chester’s Millennium Greenway to Guilden Sutton and Mickle Trafford for everyday journeys for people travelling by foot and by bike.

London 2012 Inspire Mark granted to S2RNW
10 June 2009
SUPPORTER TO REPORTER North West has been granted the Inspire Mark – the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme - which recognises innovative and exceptional projects directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. S2R is the award-winning online sports channel, delivered through Radiowaves, aimed at schools and authorities. The scheme equips young people with real-life media skills by giving them access to great sporting events from which they can report alongside some of the UK’s top journalists.

LBTB Award Winners
10 June 2009
The 2009/10 Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards was a celebration of innovation and creativity, with winners and finalists sharing the limelight with broadcaster, writer and Lancashire champion, the brilliant and entertaining Stuart Maconie.

£8.4 million boost for North West coalfield communities
10 June 2009
The North West Coalfield Communities Regeneration Programme (NWCCRP) has received a £8.4m boost thanks to the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s (NWDA) approval of a second phase for the programme. The NWDA will fund £4.35 m towards the programme, with an additional £4m coming from a range of public and private funders.

Winning ideas announced for world’s first user-generated event
10 June 2009
On Saturday 20th June, 2009 the world’s first user-generated event will take place in Ancoats, east Manchester, where people are invited to come along and take part in a series of flash-mob style activities.

Improvements to Oxford Street underpass in Workington
09 June 2009
Improvement works have been completed on one of the main routes into Workington town centre for traffic and pedestrians.

Over 30 Northwest businesses shortlisted for Green Business Awards
09 June 2009
Tesco, ACC Liverpool, Lancashire County Council and United Utilities are amongst more than 30 businesses shortlisted for the 2009 Northwest Business Environment Awards being held on June 25th.

Material world exposed by £2.5m X-ray facility
08 June 2009
Dinosaur experts will rub shoulders with aircraft designers at a new x-ray imaging facility at The University of Manchester.

Cheshire Tourism Award Winners
08 June 2009
The achievements of Cheshire’s top-performing tourism businesses were celebrated in style during this year’s glittering Visit Chester & Cheshire Awards presentation evening.

Cumbria comes alive with a spectacular series of shows across the county
01 June 2009
Thousands of people have enjoyed a series of spectacular, free outdoor performances across the Lake District and Cumbria.

May

GreenUrban Technologies receive Grant for Research and Development
28 May 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) continues to lead England’s Northwest towards a low carbon economy, awarding a £77,149 Grant for Research and Development to Lancashire-based GreenUrban Technologies.

New Leadership Development Programme
28 May 2009
New £9.5m Leadership Development Programme for the Northwest. A significant new leadership development programme across the region, known as LEAD (Leading Enterprise and Development), is an integrated learning and development programme, which will be delivered by a network of providers to businesses in the region.

North West Regional Construction Awards 2009
28 May 2009
The North West Regional Construction Awards, organised by the Centre for Construction Innovation, celebrate the North West Construction Industry and showcase the best and most innovative construction projects and working practices in the region.

£3.6million for development in east Manchester
27 May 2009
The NWDA has awarded urban regeneration company New East Manchester £3.6million to acquire and remediate the Crossley Works site.

NWDA announces Transitional Loan for Lucy’s of Ambleside
27 May 2009
Lake District based company, Lucy’s of Ambleside Ltd, has been awarded £250,000 from the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s (NWDA) Transitional Loan Fund (TLF), which is part of the NWDA’s £200 million package of support to help businesses through the economic downturn.

Economic Impact of Manchester World Sport 08
27 May 2009
Recently completed research has confirmed that the biggest year of international sport ever in Manchester attracted over 317,000 visitors to the City and generated £23 million of net economic impact.

Irish company to develop new technologies in England’s Northwest
26 May 2009
Irish owned electrical engineering solutions company, Enersol have chosen England’s Northwest to set up their first international base, creating up to 30 jobs in the region over the next 3 years.

Z-Park visits the Northwest
26 May 2009
The NWDA has hosted a week long visit of two representatives of Zhongguancun Science Park (Z-Park), Beijing. The NWDA has entered into a lead-generation contract with an affiliate of Z-Park to capitalise on his links with major high tech companies in China.

£2million Fund for Action on Climate Change
22 May 2009
A £2million fund has been launched today, providing grants of between £100,000 and £500,000 to new projects that can demonstrate significant carbon savings - accelerating the Northwest region’s transition to a low carbon economy.

Jonathan Edwards launches Olympic Park tour competition for Northwest schools
22 May 2009
A unique competition enabling schools across the Northwest to win a tour of the Olympic Park is set to be launched today (22nd May 2009) by former triple jump star and world record holder Jonathan Edwards.

Manchester Tourism Award Winners
22 May 2009
The winners of the Manchester Tourism Awards 2009 were revealed last night in a glittering ceremony held at The Palace Hotel.

£250,000 Transitional Loan awarded to Qualité Kitchens
21 May 2009
A £250,000 Transitional Loan has been approved by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to Qualité Kitchens and Bedrooms (North West) Ltd, safeguarding 18 jobs in Greater Manchester.

Accrol Papers receive NWDA Grant for Business Investment
21 May 2009
Up to 40 new jobs will be created in Lancashire thanks to a £175,000 Grant for Business Investment (GBI) awarded to Accrol Papers by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

BAE Samelesbury investment
21 May 2009
BAE Systems held an event to mark the completion of the first phase of a multi-million pound investment at the Company’s Samlesbury site.

BERR Select Committee
21 May 2009
The NWDA provided evidence at a Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), Select Committee public meeting, held in Chorley. The Committee was hearing evidence from leading motor manufacturers as part of its inquiry into the motor industry.

Ideas flood in for world’s first user-generated event
21 May 2009
Just a week after Mancunians were invited to come up with inspirational ideas for the world’s first user-generated event, the newly launched website has been inundated with ideas.

New appointments to lead women’s enterprise in the Northwest
21 May 2009
The Northwest Women’s Enterprise Forum (NWWEF), the strategic advisory group established to help increase the number of women starting and growing their own businesses in the region, has appointed a new Chair and Vice-Chair.

Acton Bridge Garden Centre awarded £50,000 from the NWDA
20 May 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) continues to offer financial assistance to a range of regional businesses that are struggling to survive in the current financial crisis.

Multi million pound project will encourage business growth
20 May 2009
Work has begun on a multi-million pound project to bring world class facilities to Reaseheath College’s food manufacturing and processing department.

2009 BT Paralympic World Cup Commences
19 May 2009
Competing in their first international test since the Paralympic Games, over 400 athletes from 40 countries around the world are looking to continue the impressive form they showed in Beijing as they arrive in Manchester to compete at the 2009 BT Paralympic World Cup.

Research reveals that good design even more important during a recession
18 May 2009
Places Matter! the architecture centre for the Northwest has commissioned new research into the economic value of good design during the recession. Findings reveal that good design can still add value and help schemes to ‘weather’ the effects of recession.

Chemicals Northwest host first awards
15 May 2009
The region’s £10bn chemical industry celebrated its success last night with the first ever Chemicals Northwest awards.

Maconie to present Lancashire Tourism Awards
15 May 2009
Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board (LBTB) today announced that award-winning broadcaster and the UK’s best selling travel writer, Stuart Maconie, will present the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards, taking place on Wednesday 10 June 2009 at Ribby Hall.

An Eiffel of Blackpool on YouTube
14 May 2009
A charming continental side to Blackpool often missed by its 10m visitors a year, is revealed in a new promotional film made by the holiday town’s tourism chiefs.

British Gas women's water polo squad take first steps towards London 2012
14 May 2009
Manchester will host eight of Europe’s most promising water polo nations at the LEN European Nations Trophy, which will take place at the state-of-the-art Manchester Aquatics Centre from 7th – 12th July 2009.

IDEAS at Daresbury
14 May 2009
IDEAS (Innovation Design Entrepreneurship and Science) at Daresbury has been awarded £385,000 of funding ERDF and £100,000 from the NWDA to deliver a programme to drive innovation into 40 regional SMEs over a 16 month period.

Innovation Vouchers scheme hits half-way point
14 May 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Northwest ERDF Programme have today awarded the 500th Innovation Voucher to help support and grow the Northwest economy, marking the mid-point of the programme.

Ipsos MORI survey reveals optimism in the Northwest
14 May 2009
New research from Ipsos MORI, commissioned by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), has found that perceptions of England’s Northwest as a place live, visit and do business have shown a steady, and in some areas significant, improvement over the past 8 years.

Result! Football conference nets £8m for Manchester
14 May 2009
Manchester has been chosen as the host city for the first Soccerex European Forum – a new event organised by Soccerex as part of their networking events for the football industry.

BT and NWDA MOU agreement
13 May 2009
A PIONEERING agreement has been signed to boost the development of high tech information and communications technology in the North West.

Cash boost for Nelson town centre
13 May 2009
The NWDA has granted £911,000 to Pendle Council for improvements to Nelson town centre.

NWDA grant creates 22 jobs in Lancashire
13 May 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has awarded a £320,000 ‘Grants for Business Investment’ to the Thornton-Cleveleys based Kilgour Group.

Ideas wanted for world’s first user-generated event
11 May 2009
Mancunians are invited to come up with inspirational ideas for the world’s first user-generated day of events on Saturday 20th June in Ancoats in east Manchester.

Key Forensic Services receives NWDA Grant
11 May 2009
A Warrington-based forensic science service provider, Key Forensic Services Ltd, is set to become a major player in the UK’s forensic services market for the provision of DNA profiling thanks to a £65,000 ‘Grants for Business Investment’ from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

Manchester to host international water polo event
08 May 2009
Britain is set to welcome some of Europe’s strongest water polo nations when Manchester hosts the LEN Women’s European Nations Trophy this summer.

Cumbria Tourism Award winners
07 May 2009
The winners of the 2009 Cumbria Tourism Awards were revealed at a special ceremony in Kendal last night (Wednesday 6th May).

Business Link NW first Board
06 May 2009
Business Link Northwest has its first board of directors at its helm to ensure it delivers against its goal of driving prosperity and growth in the region.

£8.2 million facility launched to help aerospace companies win new contracts
06 May 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is to invest £4.7 million in a groundbreaking new facility to support companies in the aerospace supply chain.

Davis Cup debut for Liverpool
06 May 2009
International tennis will return to the Northwest with Great Britain’s tie against Poland in the Davis Cup being held in Liverpool for the first time.

Packaging firm to unwrap £218,500 NWDA Grant
06 May 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has awarded a £218,500 ‘Grants for Business Investment’ product to Kapak Foods Ltd to create 62 new jobs and a unique opportunity for growth.

Businesses asked to rise to the climate challenge at May Day Summit
05 May 2009
Over 200 of the region’s business leaders and environmental professionals attended the Prince’s May Day Summit at Manchester Airport to agree urgent and decisive action in the battle against climate change.

Low Carbon Economy pledge
01 May 2009
Speaking at HRH The Prince of Wales’s May Day Business Summit on Climate Change 2009, Bryan Gray, Chair of the NWDA announced a package of measures worth £30 million in a move to make England’s Northwest the leading region in tackling climate change.

Re-appointment to NWDA board
01 May 2009
Pat McFadden, Minister of State for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs, today announced the reappointment of Joe Dwek to the Board of the NWDA

April

Brockholes completes work to provide habitats
30 April 2009
Lancashire Wildlife Trust is celebrating completing its work to provide better habitat for the birds and invertebrates at Brockholes Nature Reserve, near Preston.

London commuters encouraged to visit Northwest in Digital Ad Campaign
30 April 2009
A groundbreaking new digital marketing campaign designed to cash-in on the increasing trend to holiday at home and encourage Londoners to visit England’s Northwest launches tomorrow (Friday 1st May.)

Residents share their thoughts on Moston Brook
30 April 2009
The Forestry Commission wants to know what local residents think about the valuable green spaces around Moston Brook, as they explore how they might help enhance the area as part of their Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) partnership programme, Newlands.

The ‘People’s Challenge’ comes to Warrington
30 April 2009
A new event, dubbed the ‘People’s Challenge’, is coming to Warrington this autumn, in the form of the New Balance English Half Marathon.

Full house at Food Technology Centre
29 April 2009
Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency (CREA) celebrated its first “full house” at the Food Technology Centre at Redhills near Penrith when every one of the six kitchens was in use.

Northwest acts to defuse demographic time bomb
24 April 2009
England’s Northwest has launched a bold new strategy to ‘age-proof’ its future – encouraging the abolition of the retirement age and positive action to retain more over-50s in the workforce.

Liverpool’s presence at Shanghai takes step forward
24 April 2009
The chief executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has urged businesses across the region to grasp the opportunity of trade in China.

Two tourism 'Oscars' for England's Northwest
24 April 2009
England’s top tourism businesses were named in a glittering ceremony in York last night (Thursday 23rd April), and England’s Northwest walked away with two Gold Awards, reflecting the increasing quality of the region’s tourism offer.

9.5 million investment in Manchester’s Biomedical Research Centre
23 April 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has today agreed further funding and support for Manchester’s pioneering Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) with an investment of £9.5m to support operating costs whilst sustaining and further developing the BRC’s business plan up to 2012.

Understanding the value of Minority Ethnic businesses
23 April 2009
On Tuesday 5th May, the Lancashire based business support organisation Enterprise4All will host the latest in a series of business support masterclasses funded and organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). The one day conference will be held at Preston North End’s Deepdale Stadium, and will bring together leading economic development specialists and regional funding bodies to examine how support agencies can best engage with black and minority ethnic (BME) businesses.

Former submarine boss to chair new Barrow regeneration board
23 April 2009
A high profile Chair with a distinguished career in the maritime industry has been appointed to oversee the delivery of Barrow’s multi-million pound regeneration programme.

Energy expert to lead West Cumbria's transformation
22 April 2009
An energy expert with vast experience in Government and the private sector has been appointed to oversee the multi-million pound regeneration programme which will transform West Cumbria into Britain’s Energy Coast™.

Manchester city region status
22 April 2009
The announcement by the Chancellor today is an exciting step forward for Greater Manchester and the Northwest as a whole. We all recognise that Manchester is the economic powerhouse of our region and will be a key driver in pulling, not just the Northwest, but the entire UK out of the recession.

Identifying the potential for Northwest landscape transformation
22 April 2009
Environmental and engineering consultancy URS has been appointed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to identify how best to adapt the landscape stretching from Liverpool to Manchester, for the future benefit of the region.

Record number of North West athletes confirmed for BT Paralympic World Cup
22 April 2009
The Northwest will be well represented in Manchester at the BT Paralympic World Cup this year, with a record number of 21 athletes across four sports confirmed to compete.

Manchester Airport Hosts Summit On Climate Change
21 April 2009
Manchester Airport is to host the third North West Prince’s May Day Summit on Climate Change, part of a national day of linked events taking place across the UK on 1 May 2009.

New head-turning artwork for England's Northwest
21 April 2009
The final piece of Dream, a landmark new sculpture, was lowered into place today on the site of a former coal mine in St.Helens.

NWDA welcomes role in delivering Government's industrial policy
20 April 2009
The NWDA has today welcomed the new industrial policy - outlined by Government on a visit to the East Midlands - about how the country can beat the recession and secure its economic future in a rapidly changing and highly competitive global economy.

Key redevelopment site in Warrington secured
20 April 2009
Time Square in Warrington town centre has been secured for redevelopment by Warrington Borough Council after the NWDA acquired the retail site.

NWDA supports e-Merlin telescope
20 April 2009
A super-powerful new radio telescope network - which will allow astronomers to carry out three years worth of observations in a single day - has received its first signals from space today (Monday 20 April) at the University of Manchester’s Jodrell Bank Observatory.

Multi-million pound fund launches to support local climate projects
16 April 2009
England’s Northwest is striking out to be a low carbon pioneer in the UK, today (16th April) with the launch of Foundation, a climate fund for the Northwest, which will deliver £1m per year for local, community based carbon-reducing projects.

Three local authorities join forces
16 April 2009
Leaders of three councils in Cheshire - Warrington, Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester have pledged to work closely together for the greater benefit of residents and business in the area.

Great North Swim Splashes into Record Books
15 April 2009
The UK’s biggest open water mass participation swimming event, the Great North Swim is full to the brim.

Ken Dodd to unveil Ulverston's Laurel and Hardy statue
15 April 2009
Legendary comedian Ken Dodd will unveil the bronze statue of Laurel and Hardy in Ulverston, Cumbria on Sunday 19th April 2009.

Work to Restart on New Frenchfield Football Stadium
14 April 2009
Construction of the new Football Stadium at the Frenchfield Sports Complex will recommence in the next few days after a legal agreement was signed, enabling Eden District Council to take control of the final phases of the new facility’s development.

Investing millions to meet the credit crunch challenge
09 April 2009
Lancashire County Council Leader, Hazel Harding, has cut the first piece of land at the Rising Bridge employment site project.

Grant scheme to grow heritage tourism
08 April 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) today announced a £500,000, 3 year extension to the highly successful Heritage Tourism Improvement Scheme (HTIS), a grant scheme which helps unlock the tourism potential of historic sites.

Tickets now available for Northern Rail Cup Final and Northern Rail 9s
08 April 2009
Rugby League will rock Blackpool on July 11 and 12 with the seaside resort hosting the inaugural Northern Rail 9s tournament as well as the Northern Rail Cup Final and supporters can now purchase their tickets for the action packed weekend.

£4.7million to support rural businesses in Cheshire
07 April 2009
A grant of £4.7million has been awarded to Reaseheath College in Nantwich by the NWDA.

Funding go-ahead for Barrow link road
07 April 2009
Funding of £3 million has been granted by the NWDA for new road infrastructure to support the development of key employment sites in Barrow-in-Furness.

Medlock Valley gets two regeneration awards
07 April 2009
A £2 million project to transform the Medlock Valley in east Manchester has won two regeneration awards.

TICs get a new look for a new season
07 April 2009
Just in time for the mass influx of Easter visitors two of the Lake District’s most popular information centres have re-opened their doors after an extensive refurbishment aimed at making the centres even more attractive and enjoyable for customers.

£4.9 million for groundbreaking new e-health project
06 April 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has approved an investment of almost £5 million for the development of a groundbreaking new project to support the Northwest’s biohealth sector and the public’s health.

Early years skills investment vital for Manchester city-region
06 April 2009
The Manchester Independent Economic Review (MIER) concludes that investment in skills is vital from an early age to raise productivity in the city-region and ensure that Manchester realises its long-term economic potential.

£4.9million boost for Burnley Weavers’ Triangle
03 April 2009
The NWDA has awarded Burnley Borough Council up to £4.9million to bring forward a key development opportunity in the historic Weaver’s Triangle.

Northwest Vision & Media role
02 April 2009
Northwest Vision and Media (NWVM) has officially been announced as the single organisation that will lead, support and promote the creative and digital industries in the region.

Help for employers to prepare for upturn
01 April 2009
A new service providing employers in the North West with easy access to free advice and support has been launched as part of the Government’s commitment to provide ‘real help now’ for business.

Regional support for Shanghai Expo
01 April 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has confirmed its support for Liverpool’s presence at Shanghai Expo 2010, with funding of £1.25m.

March

RDAs make £23bn impact on economy
31 March 2009
England’s nine Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) have made a significant impact on the country’s economy over the past five years, according to an independent report published today by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).

£30 million boost for new materials chemistry centre
27 March 2009
The Northwest is set to become an international hub for materials chemistry research following the launch of a new £30 million ‘virtual’ Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry (KCMC).

Track Cycling World Cup returns to Manchester
27 March 2009
British Cycling has confirmed that it is to host the first round of the 2009/2010 UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics at the Manchester Velodrome from 30 October to 1 November.

Joule Centre Conference: Investing in Energy Research in England’s Northwest
25 March 2009
The Joule Centre for Energy Research & Development will host its 2009 Annual Conference on 25 March – a free event in Liverpool for stakeholders within the energy industry.

Laurel and Hardy statue arrives in Ulverston
25 March 2009
The bronze statue of Laurel and Hardy will be installed in Ulverston, Cumbria, on 1st April 2009.

New canal brings prosperity to Liverpool
25 March 2009
A brand new stretch of canal is today (Wednesday 25 March) being officially unveiled in Liverpool.

North West Tidal Barrages could provide 5% of UK’s electricity
25 March 2009
Engineers at the University of Liverpool claim that building estuary barrages in the North West could provide more than 5% of the UK’s electricity.

Business Angels booming in England’s Northwest
24 March 2009
The entrepreneurial spirit that shines in England’s Northwest remains as powerful as ever, with a surge in popularity for Northwest Business Angels.

reater Manchester to benefit from investment in super-fast broadband
23 March 2009
The North West will be among the first regions to benefit from the largest investment in super-fast broadband ever seen in the UK.

England's NW at BoBI 09
23 March 2009
England’s Northwest will be at the Best of Britain & Ireland 2009 at London’s ExCeL Centre this week (26th – 29th March), promoting the region’s travel and tourism offering to national and international trade and consumer audiences.

Time is running out to find champions of learning
23 March 2009
With just a few days left to nominate, learndirect needs help to celebrate the 241,041 exceptional people across the country who are developing their skills by taking learndirect courses.

Improvements to Peel Park Proposed by Masterplan
23 March 2009
Proposals for a range of improvements have been drawn up to help secure funding for investment into Accrington's Peel Park.

NWDA announce Transitional Loan for North West Engineering Ltd
23 March 2009
In light of the current economic climate, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) continues to increase the support it offers to Northwest businesses with North West Engineering Ltd benefiting from the recently launched Transitional Loan Fund.

Appeal to put the Glebe onto a world setting
20 March 2009
Lake District businesses, residents and visitors have been challenged to get involved in providing ideas for the improvement of Bowness Bay including The Glebe.

£8million investment to create Northwest wildlife visitor attraction
19 March 2009
£8million of regeneration funding has been announced by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), to create a major new natural visitor attraction on a former gravel extraction site near Preston, Lancashire.

Mersey Tourism Awards launch
19 March 2009
Entries Open for City Region’s Biggest Tourism Awards after Destination’s Most Successful Year.

Laila’s Fine Foods receive approval on Transitional Loan
17 March 2009
Producers of Award winning Indian, Far Eastern and European frozen and chilled products, Laila’s Fine Foods has been granted £250,000 from the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s (NWDA) Transitional Loan Fund (TLF), one of the first companies in the region to benefit from the Agency’s recently launched package of assistance to business.

£1.5m Training funding for auto sector
16 March 2009
The NWDA has approved £1.5m of new funding for training (in 2009) to extend the existing Coaching and Leadership Solutions Project and help secure the long term future of automotive manufacturing in the Northwest.

Ethnic Minority Business Forum Northwest Awards 2009 – winners announced
16 March 2009
The Ethnic Minority Business Forum Northwest (EMBF NW) set up by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Northwest Ethnic Minority Business Awards.

North West launches WE PLAY programme for 2012
16 March 2009
WE PLAY, the north west cultural legacy programme for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, will be launched at a special event taking place on 24 March at the Manchester Velodrome.

The Ironman UK Triathlon comes to Bolton
16 March 2009
It has been described as one of the most gruelling challenges on the planet and for the first time in its history, is taking place in the North of England.

NWDA investment to secure international cricket in the Northwest
11 March 2009
Lancashire County Cricket Club has secured a £2.65 million investment from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to upgrade its facilities and help to secure the future of international cricket in the region.

Northwest advises Government on the region's top priorities
10 March 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and 4NW, working in partnership, have submitted the Northwest Regional Funding Advice (RFA) for 2008/9 – 2010/11 and up to 2018/19, to Government on behalf of the region. The report builds on and reinforces the first round of regional funding allocations in 2006. It provides advice to the Government on the region’s transport, housing and regeneration, economic development and skills priorities and outlines how funding can be most effectively spent in the region over the next 3 years and beyond.

Entries flooding in for Great North Swim
09 March 2009
More than 3,000 entries have been received for the second staging of the second Great North Swim within a week of entries opening.

Schools amazed by Read to Succeed results
05 March 2009
A campaign to fund over £300,000 of additional Teaching Assistant’s time in classrooms across the North West has finished its first 10 week period – with excellent results.

Plan approval marks new chapter in Carlisle Renaissance
04 March 2009
Carlisle Renaissance’s Action Plan has now been approved by Carlisle City Council. The Carlisle Renaissance Action Plan 2009-12 sets out four transformational priorities for the city, as well as what the partnership – made up of Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Cumbria Vision – plans to do this year to get them delivered.

In Kind Direct receives funding for England's Northwest
04 March 2009
In Kind Direct, one of The Prince’s Charities, has been awarded a £112,500 three-year grant from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). The grant will mean many more charities and not-for-profit organisations in the Northwest region will benefit from In Kind Direct’s resource stretching service, and more businesses in the region will start taking part.

Envirolink Northwest Supports Biomass Applications
03 March 2009
Help is at hand for businesses and organisations struggling with applications for the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme from Envirolink Northwest’s Biomass Project.

Britain's biggest open water swim returns
02 March 2009
The Great North Swim, the biggest open water mass participation swimming event in Britain will return to the shores of Windermere at Low Wood on the weekend of 12th and 13th September.

February

NWDA and CCNW Lobby For Availability of Credit Support
26 February 2009
NWDA and Chambers of Commerce North West are joining forces to highlight the issues surrounding the price and availability of trade credit insurance cover.

Derwent Forest marketing consultants chosen
26 February 2009
An internationally-renowned marketing company has been chosen to promote the Derwent Forest site in West Cumbria to potential developers.

NWDA welcome investment decision from leading Chinese manufacturer
26 February 2009
NWDA and UKTI have welcomed the announcement today by Chinese company, Galanz, to set up their UK head quarters in Manchester.

UK's women entrepreneurs can lead us out of recession
26 February 2009
Prowess releases new research evidence of the recessionary impact on the UK’s 1 million female-led firms.

G-T-P Group Ltd land NWDA grant
25 February 2009
Lancaster-based G-T-P Group Ltd has been presented with an £185,000 Grants for Business Investment Award from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), to grow within the financial services sector, creating 25 jobs.

Programme helps Cumbria's farmers build a sustainable future
25 February 2009
Programme helps Cumbria's farmers build a sustainable future

Rural development team comes to Wigton
25 February 2009
A rural development programme office is to officially open in Wigton's Market Hall next week as the base for a team working across rural north Cumbria.

£2m for business tourism
24 February 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) today announced a £2 million investment to help secure the region’s appeal as a business tourism destination.

Seven NW finalists up for tourism 'Oscars'
23 February 2009
Seven businesses from England’s Northwest have been shortlisted for some of the tourism industry’s highest accolades. Organised annually by Visit Britain, the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence recognise the best of the country’s tourism businesses and professionals.

Rural development programme launches in mid and south Cumbria
23 February 2009
A new rural development programme which will be delivering £8m worth of grant aid, training and advice for farmers, foresters, small rural businesses and rural communities in mid and south Cumbria launches today.

£3.2million for higher education in Blackburn
19 February 2009
A grant of £3.2million will be invested by The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) in a new University Centre at Blackburn College.

Disney trainers’ Northwest visit
19 February 2009
Northwest business professionals are being offered a rare opportunity to learn about sustainable, recession-beating business practices direct from one of the world’s most innovative and successful organisations.

World Netball Series heading Manchester's way
19 February 2009
The top six netball nations will play by new netball rules announced today by the International Federation Netball Association (IFNA) for the World Netball Series. Supported by the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA), the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Manchester City Council, England Netball and UK Sport, a launch event in Manchester’s Arndale Centre saw the unveiling of the rules and logo for the new fast-pasted and compelling Series, to be played in Manchester in October.

Pendle has a thriving future
18 February 2009
Pendle is a great place to live, work and play - that’s the message from the borough’s key business leaders.

Preston Vision looks for top talent to drive transformation
18 February 2009
The search is underway to find the team that will boost Preston’s ambitions to become one of the Northwest’s top three cities.

Minerva: A new concept in healthcare
17 February 2009
The ground-breaking Minerva Health Centre is set to open its doors, offering a state-of-the-art facility for treating long-term conditions at the heart of the community.

Floating moorings set to welcome boaters to Liverpool
17 February 2009
22 new floating pontoons have been installed at Salthouse Dock in readiness for the opening of the Liverpool Canal Link in Spring 2009.

Economy boosting action plan to be unveiled at Cumbria Economic Summit
17 February 2009
A new action plan designed to boost the economy of Cumbria will be presented to keynote speaker Lord Mandelson and delegates at the Cumbria Economic Summit 2009 on Friday (February 20).

Destination Liverpool on Sale to the World
16 February 2009
Liverpool City Region’s drive to attract even more tourists steps up a gear today with the publication of a brand new Visitor Guide to the destination.

£6.4 million investment in Liverpool’s public transport network
16 February 2009
Liverpool’s public transport network is set to benefit from an investment of over £6 million from the Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

£1 million welcome for Warrington Bank Quay
13 February 2009
Improvements worth more than £1 million have been formally completed at Warrington Bank Quay station.

Emeritus College launched today
12 February 2009
he Emeritus College, the brainchild of Professor Harry Gray has been launched today, Thursday 12th February. The college, with funding from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and assistance from the University of Chester and SOG Ltd. at The Heath, will facilitate knowledge transfer, enterprise and innovation by linking mature / senior people to the projects and organisations which can benefit from their expertise.

World leading Biomedical Research Centre opens in Liverpool
10 February 2009
An international centre for research into the diagnosis and treatment of some of the world’s most serious infections, is to be launched in Liverpool.

£3.8 million of regeneration investment boosts Bury’s green space
10 February 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is to invest £3.8million of regeneration funding into Bury to transform 73 hectares of brownfield land into community woodland.

NWDA meet with high street banks
10 February 2009
The NWDA hosted a second event with senior regional representatives from the major banks operating in the Northwest today. This second meeting was the start of regular meetings to review the current state of the economy and progress on supporting businesses, a key action from the first meeting in December.

First Transitional Loan helps Norlec Engineering
10 February 2009
In a bid to improve the finance options available to new and existing businesses in England’s Northwest during the current economic downturn, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has approved the first round of companies to benefit from the recently launched Transitional Loan Fund (TLF).

CREA celebrates planning service success
09 February 2009
A business service delivered by Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency (CREA) has won a national planning award.

Clark Door come in from the cold with NWDA Grant
09 February 2009
Clark Door Ltd, the Carlisle-based industrial doors company has been awarded a £100,300 Grant for Research and Development (GRAND) from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to develop an innovative coldstore / freezer environment door which will use a horizontal air curtain.

New programme for Manchester museums
09 February 2009
Manchester’s museums and galleries set their sights high – and roll out a startling new exhibition and events programme.

Local businesses support marketing initiative for Ellesmere Port
06 February 2009
An initiative has been set up to promote the quality commercial space available within Ellesmere Port as well as the variety of leading companies already located there.

Manchester well-placed for the future
06 February 2009
The first of seven reports that will influence Manchester’s economic strategy for the next decade has been published as part of the Manchester Independent Economic Review (MIER).

Umbro International Confirms South Manchester Office Space Expansion
06 February 2009
Umbro International Confirms South Manchester Office Space Expansion Umbro, a wholly owned subsidiary of NIKE, Inc. has signed a 10 year lease for a new building for its headquarters. The move increases its space by 5,000 square feet to 37,000 square feet.

EC Contract Division awarded NWDA Grant for Research and Development
05 February 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has awarded a £250,000 Grant for Research and Development (GRAND) to EC Contract Division for the delivery of an innovative impact protection clothing system to protect ‘at risk’ workers against blunt trauma and ballistic impact damage.

Banks launch GBP250m Regional Fund to support SMEs in the region
05 February 2009
NatWest and RBS have today announced that they are to make an additional £250 million funding available to SMEs in the North West in 2009.

Releasing the innovative potential of rural economies: ‘the northern way’
05 February 2009
Following a report last year from the Rural Advocate to the Prime Minister on releasing the potential of England’s rural economies, a summit on innovation has been held.

Northwest businesses offered practical help and support
05 February 2009
For local businesses that are worried about shrinking sales, restricted cash flow and rising costs, or want to diversify to boost competitiveness, help is at hand.

Funding secured for job creation in Rossendale
04 February 2009
The NWDA has announced funding of £820,000 to help develop a new employment site in Rossendale.

New look Pier Head generates jobs and attracts massive investment
04 February 2009
Liverpool Vision, the city’s economic development company, has released figures highlighting the impact of regeneration work at Pier Head and Mann Island.

Reclamation project to create a greenway along former Padiham Railway
04 February 2009
Work has started on the £1.22 million scheme to transform Padiham’s derelict railway line into the town’s long-awaited linear park.

World famous shipping line to base UK & Ireland headquarters in Liverpool
04 February 2009
Liverpool is to become the headquarters for international shipping business Maersk Line UK & Ireland, part of the Global Fortune 500 A.P. Moller – Maersk Group which employs more than 117,000 people across the globe.

Jessica Holding Fund for urban regeneration in the Northwest
03 February 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is planning to set up a EUR 50 million (GBP 46 million) JESSICA holding fund in cooperation with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support projects that will help regenerate sustainable development in the North West’s urban areas.

Employment tops Joint Economic Commission's agenda
03 February 2009
The Joint Economic Commission (JEC) for the North West has identified a package of measures to help the unemployed get back to work and to support people facing redundancy.

Land Reclamation project at Bewsey Tip, Warrington
03 February 2009
Work is underway on a land reclamation project at the old Bewsey tip site in Warrington. The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) in partnership with Cheshire County Council and Warrington Borough Council is providing £543,000 towards a three-quarter million pound scheme to transform this piece of derelict, brownfield land into a new public open greenspace.

CREA hoping to celebrate planning service success
03 February 2009
A business service delivered by Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency (CREA) since 2002 has been shortlisted for a national planning award and delegates from Cumbria will be attending a ceremony in London on Thursday, 5th February.

Old Trafford to host England against Argentina rugby Test
03 February 2009
England will play Argentina at Old Trafford in the first Test of this summer’s two-game series.

January

Neston Community and Youth Centre (NC&YC) is officially opened
30 January 2009
Neston's new £1million youth and community centre has been officially opened.

Website aids recruitment drive
30 January 2009
BAE Systems Submarine Solutions is looking to recruit and attract major talent in 2009 with the launch of a new website.

2009 Northern Rail Cup and Northern Rail 9s launched
29 January 2009
The launch of the 2009 Northern Rail Cup and the inaugural Northern Rail 9s competition was held today (Thursday 29) at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road Stadium - the venue for the finals of both competitions on 12 July.

Lord Mandelson to speak at Cumbria Economic Summit 2009
29 January 2009
Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Lord Mandelson is to be the keynote speaker at the Cumbria Economic Summit 2009.

Design Review Panel 100th scheme
28 January 2009
A £225 million redevelopment of Chester Zoo is the 100th development scheme to be reviewed by the Northwest Design Review Panel.

New £6.5m Creative & Performing Arts Centre for Liverpool
28 January 2009
The long-awaited £6.5m Centre for Music, Performance and Innovation officially gets underway this week at Liverpool Hope University’s award-winning Cornerstone Campus in north Liverpool as Sir Jeremy Isaacs, award-winning TV producer and former Chief Executive of Channel 4, turns the first bolt on the final phase of the campus redevelopment.

Bryan Gray to headline launch of new Manchester digital communications firm
28 January 2009
Bryan Gray, chairman of Media City UK developers Peel Media and also current chairman of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) will be one of the speakers at the official launch of MadeWith, a new dedicated digital communications company backed by Manchester advertising agency AWA.

£225 million plan for Chester Zoo
27 January 2009
CHESTER Zoo today unveiled an ambitious £225 million plan that will see it transformed into the largest conservation, animal and leisure attraction of its kind in Europe.

Northwest Women in Business Awards 2009
26 January 2009
The winners of the 2nd Northwest Women in Business Awards, which showcased some of the region’s best entrepreneurial talent, were revealed at a glittering awards ceremony in Warrington on 23rd January.

£3.1m sponsorship for MIF
26 January 2009
Manchester International Festival today announces sponsorship for the ‘09 event of £3.1 million, representing a third of the entire operating costs of the Festival.

26 million pound funding for Cumbrian Higher Education
23 January 2009
Further investment to Britain’s newest academic centre for learning, the University of Cumbria, of £26m over the next 8 years, is announced today.

In the swim as Australia choose Manchester
23 January 2009
Manchester has been chosen as the training camp for the Australian Olympic Swimming Team, in the run up to the London Olympic Games in 2012.

Biomass boost for Northwest businesses
22 January 2009
Envirolink Northwest is hosting a £750,000 project funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to increase the uptake of biomass energy systems by the region’s industries.

Shortlist announced - National Wildflower Centre Competition
22 January 2009
The RIBA is delighted to announce the shortlist in the international competition to design a new innovative, architecturally striking educational, conference and seed production complex at the National Wildflower Centre in Knowsley, part of the Liverpool City Region.

Work To Begin This Summer Extending Chester’s Millennium Greenway
21 January 2009
Work is scheduled to begin early summer on the £1.6 million extension of the Millennium Greenway in Chester.

£2million boost for culture in Cumbria
20 January 2009
Cumbria is set to stage one of the UK’s most ambitious programmes of world-class outdoor performance and arts events over the next four years.

River valley revival project up for top award
16 January 2009
The success of a £2 million project to transform the Medlock Valley in east Manchester has been recognised by being short listed for the prestigious British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA) Waterways Renaissance Award.

BT announced as new title sponsor of the Paralympic World Cup
15 January 2009
BT has announced its new, four-year title sponsorship of the BT Paralympic World Cup.

New guide to strengthening rural communities launched
15 January 2009
A guide to how rural communities can use social enterprise to meet the challenges of the current economic crisis has been launched by the Plunkett Foundation.

£20m funding package for Northwest tourism industry
14 January 2009
The NWDA today announced a £20.6 million funding package for the region’s tourism industry, which will ensure that the region’s five sub-regional tourist boards are in a strong position to support tourism businesses during the current economic climate.

NWDA welcomes Real Help for Business
14 January 2009
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson today unveiled a package of measures designed to address the cash flow, credit and investment needs of small and medium businesses.

Work to start on new business centre for Maryport
14 January 2009
Work is to start on a new £1.9 million business centre in Maryport which it is hoped will create up to 40 new jobs and provide much-needed space for small to medium enterprises.

Netball as never seen before
09 January 2009
The World Netball Series will take place at the MEN Arena in October after development over 12 months to create a netball competition with the ‘wow’ factor.

Mandelson gives £35m Business Start-Up programme the green light
08 January 2009
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson gave the go-ahead for a new £35m Business Start Up programme for the Northwest, during a visit to the region today.

Sulzer Pumps up Merseyside economy
08 January 2009
45 jobs have already been saved in Bootle thanks to a ‘Grants for Business Investment’ award recently approved by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) for £550,000.

Entries open for the Ethnic Minority Business Forum Awards
07 January 2009
The Ethnic Minority Business Forum North West (EMBF NW) set up by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is pleased to announce that entries are now open for the second Northwest Ethnic Minority Business Awards.

Wirral hosts major national conference
07 January 2009
After two years of intense preparation, Wirral Council will next month play host to up to 400 national leading figures in Children’s Services when it stages the 105th NEEC (formerly North of England Education Conference).

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