Member Article

2014 in the North: A year in review

2014 has been an eventful year in Northern business, as almost 15 million people eagerly await the announcement of Cameron’s ‘Northern Powerhouse’ with the inclusion of a multibillion pound high-speed rail project.

Meanwhile, The Guardian labelled the North East of England as Britain’s Detroit, and a report by the RSA City Growth Commission stated that chronic underinvestment in the infrastructure of northern cities in the in UK is hampering growth. It’s been a year of ups and downs for the North, with the real excitement coming with next year’s General Election (watch this space).

In the meantime, check out Bdaily’s most significant events affecting the Northern SME business world in 2014:

January - March

North East: The year started with a bang for the North East, as Newcastle’s restaurant week defied the January drought and found itself being extended due to increasing demand, with the take up of dinner offers skyrocketing 68% on the previous year.

Also in the North East, region-wide taxi firm Blueline launched its ‘cabbie academy’with the aim of creating 200 new jobs during 2014, following a £450k investment.

Yorkshire:

Yorkshire’s SME industry enjoyed a positive start to the year, as Wetherby IT services firm Deans Computer Services finalised its MBO, enabling its continued expansion.

Meanwhile in Ikley, former Marco Pierre White chef, Simon Miller, teamed up with Ben Riley and Oliver Renton opened a new Spanish tapas restaurant in Victorian Arcade. La Casita occupies the mezzanine floor of the arcade, bringing mediterranean cuisine to West Yorkshire.

North West:

In Liverpool, city leaders began considering the formal framework application for a £260 million Anfield expansion plan. In addition, planning permission was granted to relocate Liverpool’s Great Homer Street market to a new facility on Dryden Street. The market moved as part of the large-scale Project Jennifer regeneration scheme, with aimed to revitalise Great Homer Street and bring in much-needed major investment.

April - June

North East: April was a remarkable month for Washington entrepreneurs Elliott Perry and Mark Stephenson after their event communications startup EventSneaker was acquired by London firm evvnt. EventSneaker, which began life in the lads’ bedrooms, took up residency in a new London headquarters and the development process is still overseen by Elliot and Mark.

Yorkshire:

June’s big Yorkshire news was the planned development of Doncaster’s Thorne Park into a new 35,000 sq ft Tesco supermarket, and a Marston’s family pub. The development, which is being lead by Henry Boot, came thanks to a grants from the European Regional Development Fund.

North West:

In April, the Anfield regeneration project took another step forward as Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Football Club and Your Housing Group sign the Heads of Terms, paving the way for the proposed £260m scheme which could lead to the creation of an estimated 770 jobs. Meanwhile in Manchester, the former Manchester United footballers dubbed as ’Class of ‘92’ invest in a £23 million, 133-room hotel project, located close to Old Trafford. Hotel Football, which opened in November, features a five-a-side pitch on the rooftop of the 11-storey building, doubling up as an event space for dinners for up to 120 guests and barbecues on match-days.

July - September

North East: Newcastle restaurant week was only the tip of the iceberg for the North East’s food and drink industry, with dozens of new bars and restaurants popping up across the region throughout 2014. A notable candidate is Ladhar Leisure’s Hop and Cleaver, a smokehouse restaurant which opened on the Quayside back in July. Following a £750k investment, Ladhar transformed the 17th century Grade II listed building into a modern, relaxed bar and eatery.

Yorkshire:

Leeds’ food and drink industry also experienced a renaissance, with the likes of Red’s True Barbecue and cocktail bar group Mojo both experiencing significant expansion during the summer months. Red’s celebrated the opening of its third restaurant in Leeds, while Mojo secured £700k investment to expand in London.

North West:

In July, construction group Carillion was appointed as preferred bidder for Liverpool Football Club’s £75 million Anfield stadium revamp and in December, the contract was finally stamped and signed.

In August, Liverpool played host to the International Festival for Business, taking place in 139 difference venues across the city with 75,000 business delegates attending the events. Everton boss Roberto Martinez hosted an event at the IFB Hub, attracting large crowds.

October - December

North East: At the start of Autumn, entrepreneur Mike Ashley had Newcastle fans quaking in their boots (or jumping for joy) as he speculated on selling Newcastle United in favour of Rangers. Ashley eventually denied rumours, but as of December, he is continuing to increase resource in the Scottish club with the appointment of former Newcastle boss Derek Llambias to the Rangers board. Ashley continued to stir up trouble with his retail company Sports Direct, as it is reported that a £34 million scheme will affect just 10% of the firm’s workforce. No doubt Ashley will continue to surprise (and disappoint) us all in the new year.

Yorkshire:

In November, Yorkshire based nursing, social and homecare agency Local Care Force celebrated its 10th birthday in style by hitting the £10 million turnover mark. The firm has achieved year on year growth since its inception in 2004, after being founded by a Yorkshire entrepreneur and her business partner, Zimbabwean Samuel Rutsito.

North West:

Just this week, Abu Dhabi-based investment and development company, Mubadala Development Company, run by Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, has announced an investment of £175 million to develop the Owens Park site on the University of Manchester’s Fallowfield Campus Masdar is partially funding the development of the Manchester Graphene Engineering & Innovation Centre, and is establishing joint graphene application research and fellowship programmes with the University.

As for 2015, keep on eye on Bdaily to see the editorial teams’ predictions. But for now, we’d like to thank you for all of your support and interest in 2014 and we wish you a very merry Christmas and happy new year!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .