Archived Press Releases

Chair selected for new Pennine Lancashire regeneration company
23 December 2009
Leading businessman Dennis Mendoros has been appointed to head a new company tasked with transforming Pennine Lancashire.

Flood support one month on
18 December 2009
ONE MONTH ON - FLOOD SUPPORT STILL AVAILABLE. Support provided to over 500 companies. Over 300 engagements with affected businesses. First NWDA Flood Recovery Grants issued

North at the forefront for low carbon transformation
18 December 2009
As world leaders meet in Copenhagen, the Northern Way today publishes a comprehensive account of the contribution the North of England can make in securing a low carbon future.

First Flood Recovery Grant payment made
17 December 2009
The first Flood Recovery grant payment was made on Friday 11th December, just 14 days after the NWDA announced the grant scheme to support SMEs affected by the floods.

New arrival on the horizon at MediaCityUK
17 December 2009
Peel Media, Salford City Council, Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company and the NWDA have taken the first step towards creating a specialist innovation and business support facility (Media Enterprise Centre MEC) at the heart of MediaCityUK.

Funding for farmers and rural communities hit by flooding
16 December 2009
Funding of £500,000 is being made available today (December 16th, 2009) from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) to help Cumbrian farmers get their land back into use after the November floods.

Manchester and Liverpool enjoy success in World Cup bids
16 December 2009
All of England’s nine Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) have been working closely together to engage with the England 2018 bid team and to support the Applicant Host City bids in each of their regions

Work Begins At Brockholes
15 December 2009
Work is set to commence in December on the landmark floating visitors centre at Brockholes, off Junction 31 of the M6. The designs by Adam Khan, chosen through a RIBA competition, are set to provide Lancashire with a new landmark that will attract visitors from all over the UK.

NWDA to secure jobs across Greater Manchester with GBI award
14 December 2009
22 jobs have been saved and a further 19 secured at two locations in Greater Manchester after a £230,000 Grant for Business Investment (GBI) was awarded to Dresser Mouldings Ltd by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

Region to Build on Success of the Northwest Natural Economy
14 December 2009
Felicity Goodey CBE chaired an event recently to celebrate the achievements of Natural Economy Northwest - a unique regional partnership programme led and funded by Natural England, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the SITA Trust.

£100 Million Boost for Urban Regeneration in England's Northwest
11 December 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have today (11th December 2009) agreed to launch a new £100m fund to finance urban development projects across the Northwest of England. The NWDA expects these projects to create/safeguard several thousand jobs.

Museum makeover for Bolton
11 December 2009
Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive is to undergo a major refurbishment in order to highlight the importance of the town’s most famous invention.

Frank Robotham and Peter Nears to drive TMP’s development of the Liverpool SuperPort
10 December 2009
Two leading figures in the development and operations of the ports have been appointed as Chair and Deputy Chair of The Mersey Partnership’s Liverpool SuperPort Committee.

Taste of success for food and drink businesses
10 December 2009
An innovative programme to support the Northwest food and drink sector through closer links with tourism businesses will be developed following funding approval from the NWDA.

What will the Northwest be like in 20 years?
10 December 2009
There is just over a week left for young people (14 – 19 years old) from across the North West of England to take the opportunity to plan for a new long term vision for the region.

A global deal at Copenhagen is vital for Northwest businesses
09 December 2009
This weeks’ Copenhagen summit will be vital to ensure that the Northwest does not suffer the impacts of dangerous climate change. Most of the focus has been on the impacts on countries around the world, but as the recent unprecedented flooding in Cumbria’s shows, the Northwest is vulnerable to a extreme weather events that may become more common as a result of future climate change. There is a need for decisive action to be agreed at this month’s Copenhagen summit, as new evidence shows the depth of impact that a changing climate will have on the Northwest economy.

Manchester region to become Built Environment in Low Carbon Economic Area
09 December 2009
Greater Manchester has been designated the UK's first Low Carbon Economic Area (LCEA) for the Built Environment the Government announced today. Ministers have been working with environment and economic chiefs in the city region to be named as the UK's fourth LCEA.

Bolton braces itself for the return of Ironman
08 December 2009
The date of the next Ironman UK has been announced.

MOSI gets £7million revamp
07 December 2009
Construction work has just started on a £7 million refurbishment of the Main Building at MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry) in Manchester.

New £1.9million centre open for business
07 December 2009
A new £1.9million business centre in west Cumbria will officially open its doors this week.

Finalists for the Northwest Women in Business Awards 2010 announced
07 December 2009
The finalists for the Northwest Women in Business Awards 2010 have been announced. After receiving an unprecedented number of entries the judging panel praised the high calibre of entrants representing all business sectors and commented on the challenging task.

Nuclear power’s chain reaction for England’s Northwest
03 December 2009
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and Chancellor Alistair Darling have today outlined a package of announcements outlining how the Northwest is helping British businesses seize the opportunities that civil nuclear power represents for the UK economy.

NWDA spreads the word that Cumbria is open for business
03 December 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is investing £100,000 to push the message that Cumbria is ready to welcome visitors after the floods.

NWDA to invest in temporary business units in Cockermouth
02 December 2009
NWDAwill invest £100,000 into temporary trading units for SME’s affected by the flooding in Cockermouth.

Clear thinking for Energy Innovation in England’s Northwest
02 December 2009
An agreement has been signed by five organisations within England’s Northwest to work in partnership to increase energy innovation activity within the region.

NorthernNet - connecting the North at warp speed
02 December 2009
NorthernNet project which will revolutionise collaboration, innovation and interaction between the Digital and Creative industries across the North.

European Union GRaBS Northwest experts for green project
01 December 2009
Northwest Climate Change Partnership members have joined forces with the European Union Interreg IVC-funded GRaBS project in a bid to make the region’s urban areas less vulnerable to increasingly damaging levels of carbon dioxide emissions.

Investment in Chester’s public areas
01 December 2009
The NWDA is investing £606,000 into improving two public places in Chester city centre.

Jonathan Edwards visits Cumbria
30 November 2009
Sport leaders, students and young sporting leaders in Cumbria showcased how they are being inspired by the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, in a visit on Friday (27th November) by London 2012 Board member Jonathan Edwards.

Nano ePrint secures major support
30 November 2009
Nano ePrint Ltd, a North West company pioneering planar nano-electronics, has announced the capture of two major new sources of financial support.

Woolston to get new ecology park
30 November 2009
Plans to undertake reclamation works to a section of the derelict Woolston New Cut canal and for the creation of an urban ecology park on adjacent land were recently given the green light by the council’s executive board.

Developers sought for Ancoats
26 November 2009
A new drive to attract further businesses and developers into Ancoats in east Manchester has been initiated by the NWDA.

Tulip announce 270 new jobs in Wirral
26 November 2009
Tulip Ltd, the UK’s leading producer of pork and bacon products has announced the creation of 270 new jobs at its production facility in Wirral.

Vauxhall jobs joy response
26 November 2009
In response to the news from GM/Vauxhall announcing ‘no job losses for Ellesmere Port’. Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA said: This is fantastic news for the region.

Ancoats public realm wins national urban design award
25 November 2009
The works done in the public areas of Ancoats, east Manchester, have won the Landscape Institute’s Urban Design and Master Planning 2009 Award.

Manchester submits its 2018 World Cup host city bid to FA at Wembley
25 November 2009
Football legends Mike Summerbee and Pat Crerand will form part of a delegation heading to Wembley on Thursday, November 26th to submit Manchester’s World Cup host city bid to the FA.

Southport's new £1.78m community woodland is launched
25 November 2009
Southport’s newest community woodland has been unveiled at Town Lane, off Bentham’s Way. The Forestry Commission transformed the two former landfill sites, and other neglected areas, with months of intensive reconditioning to bring it back to life and establish the new community woodland.

Sandyforth Farm – it’s back and it’s green!
25 November 2009
Five football pitches across and deep enough to stack a ten double decker buses on top of each other – that was just the hole left at the centre of the Sandyforth Farm open cast site in Winstanley.

NWDA visit Cumbria flood
24 November 2009
Ian Haythornthwaite, Executive Director of Resources for the NWDA, today visited businesses hit by the recent floods in Cumbria.

Jonathan Edwards names his Northwest 'Everyday Hero'
24 November 2009
Jonathan Edwards, London 2012 Board member and Olympic Triple Jump Gold medallist, has nominated Rob Young, Northwest Coordinator for the 2012 Games, as his “Everyday Hero” for London 2012.

NWDA provides details of £1million support package for small Cumbria businesses affected by floods
24 November 2009
The NWDA is today outlining the details of grants available for small businesses affected by the recent floods in Cumbria.

Regional Minister urges young people to take part in a survey to help plan the future of the Northwest
24 November 2009
Rt Hon Phil Woolas MP (Minister for the North West) has encouraged young people (14 – 19 years old) from across the North West to complete an important survey to give them the opportunity to have their say and help plan the 20 year strategy for the North West.

NWDA Flood response
23 November 2009
NWDA pledges £1 million support for small businesses affected by Cumbria floods

Cumbria flood response
20 November 2009
NWDA offers support for Cumbria following floods

National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering - Northwest response
20 November 2009
Andrew Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport, has announced the railway industry and Department for Transport (DfT) will work together to promote a National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering.

Funding boost for Liverpool’s Hall Lane Strategic Gateway
19 November 2009
A road corridor improvement scheme to improve linkages between Edge Lane and Liverpool city centre has been awarded a £1.5 million investment from the Northwest European Regional Development (ERDF) programme.

Penguins go Northwest
19 November 2009
Five penguins from across England’s Northwest gathered at Liverpool Innovation Park today (Thursday 18th November) in preparation for the city’s biggest public art event since Go Superlambananas.

MIDAS and NWDA secures 160 jobs for Manchester City Region
19 November 2009
MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) have secured approximately 160 jobs for the City Region.

TIC conference highlights best
19 November 2009
The second Northwest Tourist Information Centre Conference took place this month in Blackpool. Organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the region’s five tourist boards, the annual event provides an opportunity to celebrate successes and share best practice in visitor information provision across the region.

Cutting edge pharmaceutical firm invests millions in Wirral laboratories
18 November 2009
Bristol-Myers Squibb, the US headquartered biopharmaceutical giant, is investing $6million dollars (£3.5million pounds) in its research and development laboratory in Moreton, Wirral.

NWDA welcomes commitment to rail station improvements
17 November 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has today welcomed the Government’s commitment to improving standards at railway stations across the UK, following the Department for Transport today announcing the findings of an independent Stations Champions report.

GRAND designs for Image Solutions
16 November 2009
An offer of £100,000 Grant for Research & Development (GRAND) has been awarded to a Preston based company to design a ‘smart glass’ enclosure for microscopes for use in bioscience experiments, where a controlled environment is essential.

Northwest Biomedical Awards winners announced
13 November 2009
Over 200 people from the Northwest’s biomedical sector gathered last night (Thursday 12th November) at the annual Northwest Biomedical Awards at Mere Golf and Country Club.

2010 Liverpool Biennial announced
12 November 2009
TOUCHED, the title of the International exhibition for the 6th Liverpool Biennial International Festival of Contemporary Art, 18 September – 28 November 2010, was announced today by Lewis Biggs, Artistic Director.

National Wildflower Centre “Inspire” receives NWDA funding
12 November 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) have confirmed £200,000 funding for the National Wildflower Centre “Inspire” project to enable the scheme design to be developed and submitted for planning permission by the end of March 2010.

Reaxa’s Grant is catalyst for growth
12 November 2009
A £146,191 Grant for Research and Development has been awarded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to Reaxa Limited based in Blackley, Manchester.

Equality & Diversity Conference 09
11 November 2009
The second Northwest Equality & Diversity Conference 11th November to raise awareness of equality & diversity challenges and opportunities in the Northwest.

It’s a cracker for Northwest Food and Drink
11 November 2009
Two companies from the Food and Drink sector in England’s Northwest have been given a combined £675,000 boost from the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s (NWDA) Grants for Business Investment (GBI) programme.

UK 'snapshot' shows Northwest firms going for gold
11 November 2009
A UK snapshot of London 2012 business contracts has revealed the details of more Northwest companies winning Games-related construction work.

Nuclear new build welcomed by NWDA
10 November 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has today welcomed the publication by Government of the draft Nuclear National Policy Statement, which incorporates potential sites for a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK.

Open Eye Gallery moves closer to Mann Island
10 November 2009
Plans to relocate one of the region’s leading visual arts venues to a new home on the Liverpool waterfront moved a step closer today with a £400K funding award from Northwest Regional Development Agency towards the construction and fit-out of new premises for the Open Eye Gallery at Mann Island.

7 million GBP world class programme for aerospace excellence announced
09 November 2009
NWDA and ERDF programme have today confirmed funding for the North West Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence Programme 2 (ASCE). The £7.1m programme, delivered and designed by the North West Aerospace Alliance has secured £3.6m from the NWDA and £3.5m from the ERDF programme.

Northwest Ethnic Minority Business Awards – entries now open
09 November 2009
The Ethnic Minority Business Forum Northwest (EMBF NW) is pleased to announce that entries are now open for the third Northwest Ethnic Minority Business Awards.

England’s Northwest at World Travel Market
09 November 2009
Opening on 9th November, 2009 the NWDA and its sub-regional tourism partners will be representing England’s Northwest at World Travel Market in London’s ExCeL.

Envirolink Northwest events shed light on renewable energy for businesses
09 November 2009
Businesses with green ambitions can get a helping hand from Envirolink Northwest at two free events dedicated to encouraging organisations to generate their own renewable energy.

Preston to host the UK Corporate Games 2012
09 November 2009
In association with the 800th Anniversary of its historic Guild, Preston has been declared Host City of the 19th UK Corporate Games, Europe’s largest corporate multisport festival.

Environmental experts explore climate change solutions for local authorities
05 November 2009
Local authorities in England’s Northwest are being urged to join three leading environmental organisations to discover more about funding practical solutions for tackling climate change at a dedicated conference on Thursday 19 November 2009.

£2.4m ERDF for tourism marketing
02 November 2009
The Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme is pleased to announce £2.4 million of funding to support a unique programme of marketing activity to boost the region’s visitor economy over the next three years.

Actions to Tackle Climate Change in Cheshire and Warrington
02 November 2009
A new Action Plan has been published that identifies 30 actions that that could create or safeguard over 1100 jobs and will help to move Cheshire and Warrington to a low carbon economy.

NWDA Grant is recipe for success
02 November 2009
A Cumbrian business has been awarded a £479,968 Grant for Research and Development from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to research a range of new recipes that will enhance their multi-million pound ‘Free From’ food range.

Multimillion boost to increase business efficiency
29 October 2009
ENWORKS, the Northwest environmental business support service, has received approval for a £9.9 million investment to extend its existing service and continue to offer specialist support to the region’s SMEs until 2013.

New nuclear power station for Cumbria - work to start in 2015
28 October 2009
THE ambition to establish Britain’s Energy Coast™ in Cumbria received a significant on Wednesday 28 October, with the announcement that a consortium including energy giants Iberdrola S.A, GDF SUEZ S.A and Scottish & Southern Energy plc has purchased land earmarked for a new nuclear power station near Sellafield.

Distinctly Cumbrian celebrates impact
28 October 2009
The final evaluation of a programme to deliver £3 million of grants to Cumbrian producers says Distinctly Cumbrian has been a success and has left a legacy for businesses to build on in future.

£8million for National Indoor BMX Centre
27 October 2009
The final £8million needed to build the National Indoor BMX Centre in Manchester has been invested by the NWDA.

Major high street names line-up to recognise the cream of Northwest female entrepreneurial talent
27 October 2009
The third annual Northwest Women in Business Awards were launched today (Tuesday 27th October). These awards give recognition to women in business throughout the Northwest and reward the huge contribution that they make to the regional economy.

Barrow revamp taking shape
23 October 2009
Major improvements to Barrow town centre will take shape over the next few weeks as the Dalton Road enhancement scheme continues apace.

Pennine Lancashire flying high
23 October 2009
Pennine Lancashire local authorities and the NWDA have agreed the key priorities and in principle, funding for the future economic development of the area.

Wirral Higher Education Centre plans move ahead
23 October 2009
Plans to create a £20 million Centre of Higher Education at the heart of a new Wirral Learning Zone have moved a step closer, after a proposal submitted by the University of Chester was given the green light to move onto the second stage in the process.

£5.2m investment establishes business hub for growing sector
22 October 2009
Liverpool’s emerging Creative Quarter is to have its own dedicated business hub to help ensure the future prosperity of the digital and creative sector, thanks to a £5.2 million investment from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (£3 million) and Northwest European Regional Development Fund (£2.2 million).

Blackpool viral wins PR Week Award
22 October 2009
A film created to encourage people to take a fresh look at Blackpool has scooped a gold at the prestigious PR Week awards.

Creating Great Destinations in England’s Northwest
21 October 2009
The NWDA has unveiled a new best practice guide which aims to help shape great destinations across the Northwest.

Infrastructure works start at Bickershaw South
21 October 2009
Major civil engineering work started at Bickershaw South, near Leigh, this week after the NWDA appointed Birse Civils to prepare the former colliery site for redevelopment.

Positive Action Awards 2009
21 October 2009
The Positive Action Awards are presented to businesses, organisations and individuals from the Northwest that are providing exemplar services to disabled people.

Cumbria Conference Group launched
20 October 2009
Business leaders from across Cumbria are gathering for a summit meeting this week (Thursday October 22nd) to launch a fresh push to get the county on the UK’s £7 billion pound a year conference calendar.

Envirolink Northwest is the Proud Sponsor of BWEA31
20 October 2009
Envirolink Northwest is proud to be the main sponsor for BWEA31. As the organisation responsible for delivering the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s (NWDA) cluster development strategy for the region’s energy and environmental technologies and services (ETS) sector, Envirolink Northwest supports the development of the renewable energy sector in England’s Northwest.

VisitBlackpool launches viral follow-up
20 October 2009
Blackpool tourism chiefs are to launch a Gold Blend style sequel to J’aime La Tour – the award winning hit viral watched by millions of TV and YouTube viewers about a Lancashire lad and a chic French girl who fell in love in a Blackpool which cleverly stood in for Paris.

FIS Information Systems moves in to One Central Park
16 October 2009
German based FIS has opened a UK subsidiary– FIS Information Systems UK Ltd – based at East Manchester’s One Central Park, with support from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

Major events contribute £150million in 5 years
16 October 2009
Major events supported by the NWDA have contributed £150 million to the Northwest economy in the last 5 years.

New Northwest Manufacturing Strategy and Action Plan launched
15 October 2009
NWDA launch the new Manufacturing Strategy and Action Plan for the Northwest. At the same time the NWDA and the Northwest European Regional Development Fund programme has also confirmed £20m of new funding for the enhanced Northwest Manufacturing Advisory Service.

NWDA Annual Conference and AGM
15 October 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) will today (15th October) host its 10th Annual Conference and AGM at Liverpool’s BT Convention Centre.

Northwest celebrates the best in Training
14 October 2009
Companies and individuals in the Northwest gathered last night at The National Training Awards to celebrate those who have achieved really outstanding business and personal success through an investment in training.

Northwest schools get sneak preview of Olympic Park
14 October 2009
Ten lucky students from schools and colleges in Cheshire and Merseyside had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see first-hand the progress being made in preparing for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Derwent Forest marketing takes giant leap forward
13 October 2009
Allerdale Borough Council and Cumbria County Council have announced a major step forward in the process to develop Derwent Forest, the former armaments depot in West Cumbria.

Mintfest generates £1.5m
13 October 2009
The Mintfest International Street Arts Festival in Kendal at the end of August gave a significant boost to the local economy.

On top of the industrial world
13 October 2009
Repair work is underway on one of England’s most significant collection of Victorian weaving mills, the Weavers’ Triangle in Burnley.

Daresbury grow on building confirmed
12 October 2009
NWDA has today given the go-ahead for a grow-on building at Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus (Daresbury SIC) called Vanguard House.

Government Youth Tsar to launch groundbreaking project for 10,000 – 15,000 young people in the North West
12 October 2009
On Monday 12 October 2009, Anne Weinstock CBE (Head of the Youth Task Force) and Ranvir Singh (BBC North West Tonight) will launch a groundbreaking project that aims, over the next year, to involve 10,000 to 15,000 14–19 year-olds in the North West in producing policies and ideas to help solve the 21st century challenges that will affect their futures.

US company confirms new base at Kingsway Business Park
09 October 2009
Los Angeles based company C.R. Laurence today announced it is set to expand its Europe operation with new premises at Rochdale’s Kingsway Business Park.

£2.3m boost for renewable energy technologies in England’s Northwest
08 October 2009
Businesses in England’s Northwest have been given a further boost with £2.3 million approved for the Low Carbon Market Development Programme.

GRAND boost for Biotech firm
08 October 2009
A £100,000 Grant for Research and Development (GRAND) has been awarded to Manchester based biotechnology company Ai2, to research a new use for their peptide-based product for contact lenses, using it in a hydrogel for wound dressings.

Latest Economic Review From The Mersey Partnership Reveals Growth and Future Challenges for City Region
08 October 2009
The Mersey Partnership’s latest Economic Review reveals a decade of economic growth and rise in employment across Liverpool City Region.

Northwest Design Review Panel announces affiliation with CABE
08 October 2009
The Places Matter! Northwest Design Review Panel has joined with seven other regional design review services to affiliate with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE). This will create a national network of design review panels, providing all local planning authorities with access to independent practical design advice. The network (including CABE) will collectively review more than 800 schemes a year.

Business start up support for Cumbria
07 October 2009
A new initiative has been launched providing support for people starting their own businesses in Cumbria. The Cumbria Intensive Startup Support Programme (ISUS)

Exploring professional opportunities for the over 50s
06 October 2009
Older professionals and executives in the region will be able to find out how they can return to a working environment thanks to a pioneering initiative involving the University of Chester.

TMP visitor economy strategy launches
06 October 2009
Liverpool City Region’s Visitor Economy has the potential to support 37,000 jobs and generate 60% growth in visitor spend to top £2bn a year by 2020, according to a major new strategy published today (Monday 5th October, 2009) by The Mersey Partnership (TMP)

Support for Eco-innovation goes live
05 October 2009
Funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) (£1.5m) and the Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (£1.7m) the Northwest Eco-innovation Programme will help hundreds of businesses exploit new market opportunities for more environmentally sound products and services.

NWDA wins at Fresh Awards
02 October 2009
A groundbreaking digital marketing campaign designed to cash-in on the increasing trend to holiday at home and encourage Londoners to visit England’s Northwest has been honoured at the 2009 Fresh Digital & Media Awards.

Big Wood open
01 October 2009
A half million pound revamp of derelict woods in Chorley is set to be officially unveiled to the public.

Preston Guild Director appointed
01 October 2009
Guild celebrations in Preston have moved a step closer with the appointment of Stella Hall as Guild festival director.

Liverpool appoints tourism chief
30 September 2009
Liverpool City Council has appointed a leading Scottish tourism entrepreneur to lead its Tourism service.

£16 million Greggs bakery officially opens
29 September 2009
he UK's leading bakery retailer has officially opened its new factory in Openshaw, east Manchester.

Lever Prize 2010 - Shortlist announced
29 September 2009
Four of the Northwest’s most outstanding arts organisations have been shortlisted for the Lever Prize 2010.

Northwest tourism stars honoured
29 September 2009
The region’s top tourism businesses and professionals gathered in Blackpool’s famous Tower Ballroom for the sixth annual England’s Northwest Tourism Awards last night (Monday 28th September, 2009).

Top riders confirmed for Manchester's track events
28 September 2009
Victoria Pendleton, Sir Chris Hoy and Sarah Storey are just some of Britain’s best cyclists who will compete in a series of thrilling track events staged by British Cycling at the Manchester Velodrome this autumn.

UCLan contributes £6.47 million to North West regeneration
28 September 2009
The latest figures from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) reveal that the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) last year supported regional regeneration projects to the tune of £6.47 million. It also indirectly contributed close to £250 million to the North West economy as a whole.

New Fusilier Museum opened by Royal appointment
25 September 2009
The new £4.3 million Fusilier Museum in Bury was officially opened on September 25, 2009, by Field Marshal His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent KG.

New report highlights the important role of faith communities in the Northwest
23 September 2009
A new report highlighting the contribution that faith communities make to the social and economic wellbeing of the Northwest is to be launched by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

£1.2 million to secure future of 227 jobs in Lancashire
23 September 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) continues to ensure regional businesses have access to finance throughout the credit crunch, offering TRM Packaging Ltd (TRM) £1.2 million from the Grants for Business Investment programme.

Power from the Mersey
22 September 2009
England’s Northwest has reached an important milestone in its quest to determine the feasibility of harnessing the tidal power of the Mersey.

FE Enterprise Hubs nurture talent in England’s Northwest
21 September 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is investing £2.5 million in 13 Further Education Enterprise Hubs to create an "enterprise journey" that will introduce young people to the concept of enterprise in schools, offering a clear entrepreneurial route that can be followed through to university.

Keswick Commonwealth event a huge success
21 September 2009
he Commonwealth Mountain and Ultra Distance Championships held 17-20 September in Keswick proved to be a huge success.

NW Tourism Awards finalists
21 September 2009
On Monday 28th September the region’s top tourism businesses will be vying to be named the best in the Northwest at the sixth annual England’s Northwest Tourism Awards.

Queen's Awards 2010
18 September 2009
Outstanding firms of all sizes from across the North West are being urged to apply for the 2010 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise

Blackpool photo comp shortlist
16 September 2009
A shortlist of 12 photos has now been selected for Blackpool’s Take a Fresh Photo Competition.

Lancashire and Cumbria pioneer new technology
16 September 2009
Two communities in the North West – one in Cumbria and one in Lancashire - will be among the first in the UK to pilot new technology for tackling broadband not-spots.

New Commonwealth Championship event held in Keswick
16 September 2009
Mountain running is returning to its spiritual home in Cumbria.

Regional support for High Speed Rail
16 September 2009
NWDA calling on the Government to implement a comprehensive High Speed Rail network to drive economic growth in the Northwest

Multimillion pound investment into Northwest Construction industry
15 September 2009
Construction businesses across England’s Northwest will benefit from a new £6 million ‘knowledge hub’ aimed at honing the regions’ competitiveness, increasing productivity and helping them respond to the threats and opportunities posed by climate change.

Route to new business at Liverpool Innovation Park
15 September 2009
A new road at a key gateway into Liverpool will bring further economic benefit to the city, according to the city’s economic development company, Liverpool Vision.

Liverpool City Region working in partnership with Government towards a stronger future
15 September 2009
Local residents and businesses stand to benefit from a long-term plan for sustainable economic growth as the second and final phase of the Liverpool City Region Multi Area Agreement (MAA) is signed.

Northwest businesses urged to step up and pay fair
14 September 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) Chairman Robert Hough and Regional Minister for the Northwest Phil Woolas have urged local businesses in England’s Northwest to pay fair and sign up to the Government’s Prompt Payment Code.

Tour of Britain comes to Blackpool
11 September 2009
The UK’s biggest cycle race is coming to Blackpool on Tuesday 15 September, thanks to sponsorship from Blackpool Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

AGM of the British Association for Supported Employment is held in the Northwest
10 September 2009
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) provided the opening address at a 2-day annual conference for BASE, the British Association for Supported Employment today.

Blackburn College opens its doors to student aspirations
10 September 2009
On 11th September 2009, the ‘missing link’ in Pennine Lancashire’s educational offering will finally be filled with the opening of the new, iconic University Centre at Blackburn College.

New brochure supports regions renewables revolution
10 September 2009
Potential developers will have information on the region’s ports at their fingertips thanks to a new publication from Envirolink Northwest’s Biomass Project.

Within Grove REMADE
10 September 2009
A former derelict site in Hyndburn has been transformed through a project led by the REMADE in Lancashire programme, creating a new area of open space with landscaping and a greenway.

Leading Rock Climber to Launch £6m Grizedale Project
09 September 2009
World rock climbing prodigy and Lake District lad, Leo Houlding, is to unveil the new £6 million visitor facilities on the Forestry Commission estate at Grizedale Forest, near Ambleside in Cumbria on Friday 18 September

Manchester needs you
09 September 2009
Manchester City Council is encouraging as many people as possible to participate in a Guinness World Record attempt

Northwest companies already winning 2012 gold
09 September 2009
Forty-two companies or organisations from the Northwest have already won contracts with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), and many more have won work supplying the ODA’s contractors through the supply chain.

NWDA invests £4.9 m to increase SME skills
07 September 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has launched a £4.9 million three-year Mentoring Programme that will offer leaders and senior managers of small and micro-businesses the chance to access free mentoring, to guide and support them to grow their business.

Liverpool Expo Pavilion Unveiled
04 September 2009
The organisers of Liverpool’s presence at the World Expo 2010 have unveiled the Pavilion which will showcase the city during the six-month event in Shanghai.

First Monitor Farm open days in Cumbria
03 September 2009
A new and exciting undertaking was launched this week by two Cumbrian farming families, with the first open days of the Monitor Farms at Hesket Farm, Dacre and Fellside House Farm, Caldbeck.

Liverpool Named in Top Three UK Cities for Second Successive Year
03 September 2009
Liverpool has been named in the top three UK city break destinations for the second successive year by readers of travel bible, Conde Nast Traveller Magazine.

Managers put aside rivalries to back Manchester's World Cup bid
03 September 2009
Sir Alex Ferguson and Mark Hughes have put aside their managerial rivalry to back Manchester’s bid to become a World Cup host city.

Northwest clubs back Liverpool's 2018 World Cup bid
03 September 2009
Liverpool's aim to be a Host City for England’s 2018 World Cup bid has been given a huge boost with the support of four major football clubs.

Heart of Blackpool set to shine
01 September 2009
Blackpool will celebrate with street theatre and cabaret on Saturday (September 5, 2009) as a huge party is held to celebrate the completion of St John’s square.

West Coast high speed rail link
26 August 2009
Steven Broomhead, NWDA Chief Executive, said: “The growth of the Northwest economy relies on fast and reliable connections to London and other UK cities, so this report is a major step forward in realising this aim."

First phase of International Garden Festival site to be returned to glory
25 August 2009
Langtree and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) have come to agreement on a £2.1m grant which will see the formal gardens at the former International Garden Festival site in Liverpool restored to their former glory and reopened to the public.

Energy research partnership awards call for ‘seed corn’ grant proposals
24 August 2009
The Joule Centre, a partnership of Northwest Universities, commercial organisations and other stakeholders associated with the energy industry, has announced grants for energy research projects from eligible organisations that are located within England’s Northwest.

Innovation Vouchers scheme boosted
20 August 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Northwest ERDF Programme have today announced the launch of the latest round of Innovation Vouchers with the news that 50 additional larger Vouchers will now be available to Northwest businesses.

Businesses receive £650,000 in latest round of Transitional Loans
19 August 2009
£650,000 has been awarded in the latest round of the Northwest Transitional Loan Fund (TLF); helping businesses from across the region obtain business finance in the absence of conventional commercial sources.

University of Liverpool to lead new knowledge exchange project
19 August 2009
A new project to speed up the transfer of groundbreaking research and development from the North West Laser Engineering Consortium (NWLEC) to Northwest businesses has been given the go ahead following the confirmation of an £882,000 investment from the Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Major Japanese company announces Northwest research collaboration
19 August 2009
Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd, a Japan based manufacturer, has selected Professor Paul O’Brien and his research team in the School of Chemistry at the University of Manchester to form a research collaboration, with help from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

artists take the lead in race for twelve London 2012 commissions
17 August 2009
Arts Council England and London 2012 today announced the shortlist for Artists taking the lead, one of the most ambitious and wide ranging art commissions in the UK, part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Barrow link road work gets underway
17 August 2009
Work is starting on a new multi-million pound road aimed at revitalising business and employment opportunities in Barrow.

NWDA and ERDF to invest £8.8m in St Paul's Square
17 August 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) are to invest £8.8 million to enable developers English Cities Fund (ECf), with support from Liverpool Vision, to take forward the development of the third and final phase of St Paul’s Square in Liverpool.

Brockholes site gets planning permission
14 August 2009
Planning permission has been granted for the development on the Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Reserve near Preston in Lancashire. Building work is expected to start in October on the landmark floating visitors’ centre, designed by Adam Khan Architects.

Olympic Hero takes the LEAD
14 August 2009
Britain’s Olympic high jump hero Steve Smith is taking the LEAD in a new £9.5 million plan to boost small businesses in the North West.

Peel Park Access and Monument Project
14 August 2009
Work has started on a project to improve important access routes at Peel Park, Accrington and restore the historic Peel Monument.

Securing commercial funding ‘positive news’ for Jaguar Land Rover
13 August 2009
In response to the announcement that Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover have secured commercial funding, Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said: “Jaguar Land Rover is a major employer in the Northwest, and this announcement is very positive news for the company and a strong demonstration of confidence in its future."

New business units fill gap in the market
13 August 2009
Two new business units have been completed on the Lillyhall East Industrial Estate near Workington, Cumbria, the NWDA is pleased to announce.

Northwest Monitor Farms launched
13 August 2009
Five livestock farms will become focal points for Northwest farmers wanting to work together to improve productivity.

£1.4million funding rolls into Chester station
11 August 2009
Chester Station will receive £1.4million for improvements from the NWDA.

Bolstered Board strengthens links between ambition and results
11 August 2009
Cumbria Vision’s Board of Directors has been bolstered with high profile expertise as the County gears up its efforts to become one of the fastest growing economies in Britain.

BSA Recycling receive NWDA Grant for sustainable energy project
11 August 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has awarded a £100,000 Grant for Research and Development (GRAND) to BSA Recycling Ltd to design and manufacture a new product that would enable waste transfer stations to become self sufficient in electrical energy.

Gerry scores again for Liverpool 2018 bid
11 August 2009
Legendary musician Gerry Marsden, MBE, today (August 11th, 2009 helped launch Liverpool’s 2018 World Cup bid slogan: One City: One Goal.

£7 million boost to for Northwest Waste Technology Virtual Centre of Excellence II
10 August 2009
Waste Management, Recycling and Technology Industries in the Northwest are set to benefit from the expansion of a highly successful project that will coordinate and deliver a range of activities to promote sustainable production and consumption in business.

new promotional campaign to target cyclists receives funding boost
10 August 2009
New cycle routes and improved cycling facilities into Liverpool city centre are set to get underway in a bid to encourage more people to consider travelling by bike, thanks to a £640,000 investment from the Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Developing Daresbury
07 August 2009
Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus has commenced procurement a private sector partner in a joint venture to develop the Campus over the next 30 years.

FIVB World Junior Beach Volleyball Championships come to Blackpool
05 August 2009
The world’s top young volleyball players will be showcasing their talent at the beach volleyball SWATCH FIVB Junior World Championships in Blackpool from the 16-20 September 2009.

Bickershaw – Work can start on transformation of derelict coalmine
03 August 2009
The Government's Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has given the green light for all funding to be released from a £19.14million pot to enable major regeneration work at the former Bickershaw Colliery site.

New recycling site set to boost business in Manchester
03 August 2009
Howarth Metals are delighted to announce the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art, metal recycling site in the heart of Manchester city centre.

Liverpool 08 - it's a wrap
03 August 2009
The Liverpool Culture Company today (3rd August) released its final report, charting the story of Liverpool 08 from inception through to delivery and its long-term legacy. The report marks the final chapter in the four-year history of the Liverpool Culture Company, which was formally wound up on Friday.

Ormskirk's eco-friendly station opens
03 August 2009
Ormskirk’s eco-friendly station has been officially opened by The Hon Sir William McAlpine, chairman of the Railway Heritage Trust, following a comprehensive £1.8m refurbishment.

NWDA welcomes Rugby League World Cup announcement
29 July 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has welcomed the decision by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) to hold the 2013 Rugby League World Cup in the United Kingdom.

Games bring £3million boost to Liverpool
27 July 2009
Liverpool has been revealed as the host city for the 17th UK Corporate Games in 2010.

Mintfest line up announced
27 July 2009
The world’s leading street entertainers are preparing to unleash their talents on the Lakeland town of Kendal for this year’s Mintfest street arts festival over the August Bank holiday weekend (27-30 August).

NWDA concludes review into Strategic Regional Sites
27 July 2009
In close consultation with 4NW, GONW, sub-regional and local partners, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has completed a fundamental review of strategic regional sites, to strengthen private sector confidence and give a clear sense of direction to the region.

‘Everyone’s 2012’ - the Annual Northwest 2012 Conference
24 July 2009
The Northwest’s success in capitalising on the benefits of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is set to be highlighted at the 3rd annual Northwest 2012 conference, held today to coincide with Open Weekend, the 3 year countdown to the world’s biggest sporting event.

Arts Council funding for Everyman
24 July 2009
Arts Council England today announced a £12.8 million investment in Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust towards a major new capital development of the Everyman theatre.

TMP launches new campaign
23 July 2009
Liverpool’s rich cultural offer headlines a new destination advertising campaign launched nationally this weekend (Sunday, 26th July) by The Mersey Partnership (TMP), the City Region’s Official Tourist Board.

UCLan named most entrepreneurial university in North West
23 July 2009
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is the top University in the North West and among the top five across England for producing student start-up businesses, according to the Higher Education – Business and Community Interaction Survey (HEBCIS). The study recognised that businesses set up by UCLan students contribute more than £17 million to the local economy.

Liverpool bids to be England 2018 World Cup Player
22 July 2009
Liverpool officially launched its bid to be part of England’s 2018 World Cup plans on July 22, 2009.

NWDA secures 44 jobs in Lancashire
22 July 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has awarded a £130,000 Grant for Business Investment to a Lancashire yarn processing and weaving company, WM Lawrence Ltd, securing 44 jobs.

Vauxhall visit response
22 July 2009
response to the visit of The Business Secretary Lord Mandelson to General Motors / Vauxhall, Ellesmere Port, reiterating the Government’s commitment to continued Vauxhall production in the UK

Oceania Olympic swimming squad splashdown in Liverpool
21 July 2009
Liverpool has welcomed the first wave of potential London 2012 athletes. Swimmers from the countries of Fiji and Palau have made a 7,500 mile journey to use the city's Olympic-size 50m pool in Wavertree to prepare for the forthcoming World Championships in Rome this week.

Volunteers needed for Ironman
21 July 2009
An army of volunteers is needed to help at the Ironman triathlon being held in Bolton next month.

13 Priority Employment Sites Identified in Cheshire and Warrington
20 July 2009
A new study has identified 13 priority employment sites across Cheshire and Warrington that could help to create jobs in the future.

Manchester hosts UK’s first 2012 training camp
17 July 2009
Preparation has begun for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, with the very first training camps getting underway in Manchester.

BAE supply event marks success for supply chain excellence programme
16 July 2009
Four Northwest aerospace companies have been selected by BAE Systems to play a key role in the production of the F-35 (Joint Strike Fighter) aircraft.

ERDF supports Tate major exhibitions
16 July 2009
The Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme is pleased to announce £880,000 of funding to support an exciting programme of major exhibitions at Tate Liverpool over the next three years.

Funding secured to drive growth in the region's medical technology sector
16 July 2009
SMEs in the Northwest’s medical technology sector are set to benefit from a £816,000 investment that will enable Medilink North West to increase its resources and support for the sector.

Small Loans for Business milestone
16 July 2009
NWDA Small Loans for Business programme has reached the end of its second year and the outputs are exceeding expectations and helping more businesses in the region to start-up and expand, despite the current difficult economic conditions.

Blackpool launches weather webcast
15 July 2009
Weather survey prompts creation of Youtube weather channel.

North West at forefront of low carbon
15 July 2009
The North West is at the forefront of the UK’s shift to low carbon, with more renewable energy sites than any other part of the country, Energy Minister Lord Hunt said today.

Regional Development Agencies welcome UK Low Carbon Transition Plan
15 July 2009
England’s nine Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) will play a key role in the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan, which was announced today. This ‘route map’ sets out how the Government will achieve its legally binding carbon budgets that will demand 34% less emissions by 2020 and 80% less by 2050.

X Type Jaguar response
15 July 2009
response to the announcement by Jaguar today to cease production of the Jaguar X-Type at Halewood and the loss of up to 300 jobs by voluntary means at the plant

New era for Lakes visitor centres
14 July 2009
A £150,000 refurbishment package for three Lake District information centres has seen the first new look, high spec, low energy building unveiled.

Australian Delegation Visit Daresbury
13 July 2009
Directors from eight Australian hi-tech companies visited Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus as part of the New South Wales Department of State and Regional Development’s G’day UK programme

NWDA response to BT’s super-fast-fibre plans
13 July 2009
BT has revealed the next Northwest locations where it will make super-fast fibre broadband available

Overseas interest soars for NWAA
13 July 2009
Paris International Air Show helped the North West attract more attention from potential overseas investors than any show before.

£3.7 million in rural grants available
10 July 2009
The NWDA is pleased to announce that rural businesses, farms and community ventures based in Greater Manchester and Cheshire can apply for £3.7 million in grants.

Award-winning support service to continue
09 July 2009
Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency’s award-winning Rural Planning Facilitation Service is to continue for another three years.

NWDA welcomes Robert Hough as new Chair
09 July 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is pleased to welcome the appointment of Robert Hough as the new Chair of the NWDA. Having been an NWDA board member since December 2007, Robert will take over from current Chairman Bryan Gray on August 17th 2009.

Allerdale wins top market town award in Northwest
08 July 2009
A Partnership not prepared to end exciting developments initiated through the Market Towns Initiative has been named winner of the North West Market Town Awards.

RDA Co-ordinator appointed for England 2018 World Cup bid
08 July 2009
The NWDA is pleased to announce that Roger McLaughlin has been appointed as RDA Co-ordinator for England’s 2018 World Cup bid.

Ethnic Minority Business Forum North West – new leaders revealed
07 July 2009
The Ethnic Minority Business Forum North West (EMBF NW) set up by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has appointed a number of new board members to drive forward the vision and activity of the group, which will support and add significant value to the Regional Economic Strategy.

Disability Awareness Day 2009 Sunday 12th July
06 July 2009
This year’s event is the 18th annual show and will be held on Sunday 12th July at Walton Hall Gardens (Off A56) Warrington. It is Europe’s largest voluntary led pan disability exhibition supported by a wide range of Arts, Sports, children’s and family entertainments. Attracting nearly 300 exhibitors (including one from Spain and another from Cyprus) the event attracts over 100 charities covering physical, sensory and learning disabilities, mental health and carers, young and not so young, the event has something for every one of the expected 25,000 visitors from across the UK.

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.

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.

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

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.

£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.

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.

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.

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).