Lytham St Annes-based business, Craft + Common, has received £50,000 of Start Up Loans across two separate loans to its two directors from the British Business Bank, delivered by GC Business Finance (GCBF).
Founded in 2023 by friends Lauren Rowland and Hannah Muir, Craft + Common is an all-in-one craft studio and bar, offering pottery painting and ‘paint and sip’ events, in a relaxing and social environment. Lauren and Hannah founded Craft + Common with the aim of creating a unique space in Lytham St Annes where people of all ages and artistic ability could socialise, have fun and get creative.
They have been friends for more than 13 years, initially meeting in secondary school. Both founders had careers working across a range of corporate roles, but always dreamt of starting their own business together, which they did after the pandemic.
Craft + Common has now expanded its team to five, hiring a manager and two part-time employees.The duo are already looking to open a second site in the North with Lauren and Hannah set to fund the next studio themselves.
Lauren Rowland said: “We never could have imagined how our little idea would have come to life, we are so proud of what we have achieved in our first year and we’re very grateful for the support we have received from our local community and beyond.”
Alex Mearns Head of Startup Lending at GC Business Finance, said: “Craft + Common is a brilliant example of how the funding we provide can allow entrepreneurs to take the initial leap into starting their own businesses, ultimately expanding and creating jobs in the local area. I look forward to seeing what is next for Lauren and Hannah as they prepare to open their second studio.”
::
New kit for John Sutch Cranes
North West-based John Sutch Cranes has expanded its fleet by welcoming an LTM 1110-5.2, a new five-axle crane.
John Sutch, Managing Director of John Sutch Cranes, said: “We are thrilled to add the Liebherr LTM 1110-5.2 to our fleet, marking a significant step forward in our capabilities.
“It’s already been put to work and is making a big impression. We teamed this with our Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1 on a job for a repeat client and it has delivered a brilliant result.
“This crane’s impressive specifications and versatile features make it a valuable addition, reflecting our commitment to staying at the forefront of crane technology.”
Family-run John Sutch Cranes was founded in 1990 and is based in Liverpool with an additional location in Manchester. The company runs a fleet of 35 All Terrain cranes, truck cranes and self-erecting tower cranes. It has a workforce of nearly 100 staff. John Sutch has invested more than £4m in his fleet in the past 12 months.
::
Property group Grosvenor, which owns retail centre Liverpool One, has announced that British fashion retailer, AllSaints, has returned to the city centre site, launching a pop-up on Peter’s Lane.
Since its launch in 1994, AllSaints has remained a national fashion favourite. The new pop-up takes a 4,000 sq ft unit, marking the return of its iconic cult collection of leather jackets, accessories and extensive fashion offer of womenswear and menswear.
Rob Deacon, Director of Asset Management at Grosvenor, said: “We are always listening to our dedicated customer base, connecting brands with people, and delivering meaningful short-term activations is the ideal way to ensure Liverpool One continues to be a place people want to visit.”
Frankie Mallinson, Global Retail Director of AllSaints, said: “AllSaints’ latest opening at Liverpool One is an exciting step in the brand’s evolution. Our new location on the fashion-focused Peter’s Lane is ideal to launch our latest pop-up, and AllSaints sits seamlessly amongst the curated line-up.
“The scheme has been the perfect home for AllSaints in the past, so we are delighted to reopen our doors and welcome our loyal base of customers and new fans alike.”
::
Passengers using the London Underground and UK train stations are among those to be targeted in a successful and ongoing national campaign highlighting Chester as the ideal city break.
The innovative ‘City With a Break’ campaign from the region’s tourism body, Marketing Cheshire, uses a range of stunning photography that showcases Chester’s boutique appeal.
Tapping into a new 1,000-plus bank of photos of Chester and Cheshire funded by VisitEngland and taken by Chester-based photographer Kat Hannon, the large eye-catching posters have directed those using the Tube to the visitchester.com website where they are offered a host of information and inspiring itineraries.
The London Underground posters have proved a huge hit, prompting a spike in website visitors and seen by an estimated 715,000 people during its two week ‘launch period’ at the start of June. Meanwhile, a mix of billboards have been secured across the UK including at mainline stations in London, Birmingham, Manchester, North Wales, Wrexham, Shrewsbury, and Cardiff and supported by targeted adverts and station advertising, displaying the city break creative.
Chair of Marketing Cheshire, Trevor Brocklebank, said: “We want to capture the imagination of potential visitors to our boutique city to make more of their visit and venture further with our world class attractions like Chester Zoo, Tatton Park, Jodrell Bank and BeWILDerwood, paired with our wonderful hotels, restaurants, pubs, green space and diverse retail offer ranging from McAurther Glens Designer Outlet Villages to Chesters13th Century Rows.”
::
Rugby Union club, Sale Sharks, and Carrier Solutions UK have agreed a four-year deal which will see air conditioning brand, Toshiba, become the Premiership club’s front of shirt partner from the 2024/25 season.
This agreement signifies a significant expansion of the existing partnership between Carrier and the club, further solidifying their commitment to the sport and the local community. Carrier Solutions UK (formerly Toshiba Carrier UK) is part of Carrier Global Corporation.
David Dunn, Sales Director for Northern Europe, Carrier RLC EMEA, said: “We are thrilled to elevate our partnership with Sale Sharks to a new level. Our brands are a natural fit. We’re excited to see the Toshiba brand take centre stage next season on the Sale Sharks new kit and look forward to the team’s continued success.”
The partnership extends beyond branding, as Carrier will also become the official player sponsor for Sale Sharks fly-half and England national team star George Ford.
Sharks CEO, Paul Smith, said: “This is a really exciting deal for the club and I’m confident that together we can drive both businesses forward in the coming years. It’s really important for us to build genuine partnerships with businesses that share our core values and I know from our existing relationship with David and his team that that’s what we’ve got here.”
::
Maria Hallows and Caroline Monk
Audit and accountancy firm, Beever and Struthers, has launched a rebrand and new website.
The firm, with 16 partners and more than 280 staff at offices in Manchester, Blackburn, Birmingham and London, described its refreshed image as ‘boldly embracing who we are and proudly sharing it with the world’.
Executive partners Maria Hallows and Caroline Monk said: ”Our rebrand isn’t about changing what we do – it’s about bravely showcasing our true identity. It’s about having an external face that genuinely reflects our internal spirit and our unwavering commitment to ‘achieving better.”
The new image and website follows the firm relocating its head office to the One Express Building in Ancoats, Manchester in November 2022. Maria and Caroline added: “We’ve always prided ourselves on blending top-notch quality advice and services with a warm, personal touch. Our new look and feel are designed to highlight this very essence.
“For our dedicated team, this rebrand is a celebration of what makes Beever and Struthers a fantastic place to work. It’s about acknowledging the passion, dedication, and unique personalities. It’s a promise that we’ll continue to value each team member as an individual, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.”
Previous Article
Next Article
