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Due to coronavirus-related employee absences and to ensure that Metrolink can offer its customers a more reliable and consistent service, a temporarily reduced schedule will apply from this Friday (August 6).

KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) employees continue to work hard in very difficult circumstances to keep people moving. However, there were daily delays across the network as employees are either out with the coronavirus or self-isolating.

The temporary change will allow trams to run across the network every 12 minutes, using all available vehicles to provide as much capacity as possible, and “double” trams to run on the busiest lines. Whenever possible and subject to staff availability, additional services will be offered during the busiest times.

The reduced service is expected to remain in effect through August, and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and KAM are working to reintroduce more frequent services before returning to school and work in early September.

Metrolink’s TfGM chief Danny Vaughan said, “I think everyone is aware that ‘pingdemics’ has a significant impact on several sectors, including transportation. We worked really hard to keep people moving but the reality is that the absence of staff affects the services.

“Moving to a temporary 12-minute frequency will ensure that we can provide a more reliable service and relieve some of the pressured employees, which is extremely important to their own wellbeing.”

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A mock-up of the billboard

LullaBellz, the Manchester-based online hair extension retailer, has announced its first poster campaign in support of its latest product launch, the 34-inch Extra AF Braid.

The 17-meter advertisement will appear on Europe’s second largest billboard in the Victoria Warehouse, one of the most famous and unmistakable places in Manchester. The iconic Manchester Screen overlooks a major transportation hub for commuters, public transport users and visitors to Manchester city center, Salford Quays and Media City.

The advertising is primarily focused on digital advertising, social media marketing and influencer collaborations and will be a first attempt at traditional advertising for the £ 10 million company. After a record year in 2020, Marketing Director Steph Linton hopes the poster campaign will keep the brand moving, increase brand awareness and open up LullaBellz to new markets.

She said, “Braid will be one of the biggest product launches of the year for us. It’s a product that got a lot of attention on Instagram and we’re thrilled to be the first to bring this length of braid to market so our customers can get the look right away. This is the first time OOH has been used at LullaBellz as a channel that we’d like to test out to further bolster the launch. It is special for us because it is in Manchester, where our headquarters are located. “

LullaBellz saw a huge surge in demand for synthetic looks during the lockdown period. While the retailer has grown year-over-year, it recorded its first month of £ 1 million in April 2020, the first full month of UK lockdown.

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Wayne Gales, left, and Sean Stafford, who runs the framework

A social housing consortium in the Northwest has appointed contractors and consultants for its £ 560 million housing framework. JV Nord with 13 members from housing associations and municipalities announced the four-year framework in April. The framework will help JV North build around 4,000 homes between 2021 and 2025.

A total of 24 contractors have been appointed for bands valued at £ 1m to £ 4m, £ 4 to 10m and £ 10m and more. ENGIE Regeneration, United Living (North), Lovell Partnerships, Rowlinson, Seddon Construction, Anwyl Partnerships and Vistry Partnerships were selected for the £ 10m and above category. The £ 4 to 10 million band has named United Living (North), ENGIE Regeneration, Crossfield Group, The Casey Group, Seddon Construction, Whitfield & Brown (Developments), Terrim Construction and Penny Lane Builders. J Greenwood (Builders), John Southworth Builders, The Casey Group, Crossfield Group, Whitfield & Brown (Developments), RP Tyson Construction, Terrim Construction, HMS and Wiggett Construction Group were selected for the £ 1 to £ 4 million range.

Professional service companies have been appointed on nine different lots to help JV North members design, build, rent and sell homes. John McCall Architects, Halsall Lloyd, BTB Architects, Levitt Bernstein Associates, LJ Architects, PRP, BYA, Paddock Johnson Partnership, Pozzoni Architecture and Jennings Design Associates were selected for the architectural lot. Eight employer representatives have been appointed: AA Projects, Neo Projects, Wilkinson Cowan Partnership, Poole Dick Associates, Identity Consult, Markhams, Anderton Gables and Simon Fenton Partnership. AA Projects, Simon Fenton Partnership, Markhams, Neo Projects and Arcus Consulting were selected as buyers.

Key designers include Poole Dick Associates, RJD Associates (North West), WhiteleyEaves, Markhams, AA Projects, Arcus Consulting, Sutcliffe Projects, and BYA. Four civil engineers were selected: Shape Consulting Engineers, Curtins Consulting, Sutcliffe Projects and Dice Consulting Engineers. Davies Partnership, Troup Bywaters + Anders, ECS Consultants and Hulley & Kirkwood Consulting Engineers have been appointed as mechanical and electrical engineers. Aspin and Company was selected for the appraisal lot, while planning consultants DPP One, Iceni Projects, Pegasus Planning Group and Tetra Tech were appointed. Six case officers were selected: Wilkinson Cowan Partnership, Arcus Consulting, Capita Property and Infrastructure, LB Partners, Rider Levett Bucknall and Waldeck Associates.

Wayne Gales, Chairman and Chief Executive of JV North at Weaver Vale Housing Trust, said, “Previous frameworks have been very successful and the consortium would like to thank the companies involved, many of whom have been reappointed to build even more homes.”

The framework is managed by Saffer Cooper Consultancy and Director Sean Stafford said, “The framework was heavily oversubscribed with more than 180 offers of excellent quality and we would like to thank everyone who applied.”

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British technology company G2O Water Technologies has received its first commercial order to improve water filtration membranes with graphene oxide. This is of particular importance for both the technology company and the water sector worldwide, as it is the first commercially successful application of the newly developed “wonder material” for water treatment.

The benefits of using graphene oxide are in improving membrane performance as it mitigates the effects of fouling – one of the greatest challenges faced by operators of membrane-based water filtration systems. With a graphene oxide coating, successfully developed and tested by the Daresbury-based company in collaboration with Hydrasyst, operators can improve operational efficiency, reduce energy consumption and reduce chemical consumption. It is expected that this will extend the life of the membranes and significantly reduce the cost and environmental impact of water treatment.

Hydrasyst, the first to adopt this technology, is a UK provider of turnkey solutions for advanced membrane technology systems, especially in industrial processes. Managing Director Kyle Wolff said: “We are very pleased to have been closely involved in the piloting and application of G2O Water Technology’s graphene oxide coatings for some time. Ultimately, they have proven their worth in some of the toughest water treatment challenges our customers face. “

Chris Wyres, CEO of G20 Technologies, said, “This is a significant milestone for the company and the entire water sector. It is the first commercially successful application of graphene oxide for water treatment.

“The results of industrial tests with Hydrasyst confirm the real advantages that the solution offers. We will be working closely with Hydrasyst to introduce Nanopulse systems for a range of water treatment applications. We believe that widespread use of this transformative solution can help address the challenges of water scarcity and climate change. “

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Jaydee Davis

Lancashire entrepreneurs and managers were urged not to miss an important deadline for access to a funded mentoring program. Companies have until September 3 to register for the final round of the Boost Growth Mentoring Program 2021.

The growth mentoring service is funded and part of Boost, Lancashire’s business growth hub. It places an experienced mentor in a company who will work with its owners and executives to help them overcome the challenges they face in developing and growing their business. The service is provided by business support organizations Community and Business Partners and Orvia, both of whom have urged Lancashire corporate leaders to act now so as not to miss this year.

Jaydee Davis, Operations Director, Community and Business Partners, said, “We have used Boost to help more than 1,000 Lancashire executives grow their businesses, solve key challenges, improve their leadership skills and recover from COVID-19. We have more than 300 experienced boost mentors available, so that we can help you to solve any challenge regardless of your business area and size. “

Boost is Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub and is managed by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council and supported by funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). One of 38 growth hubs in the UK, it helps Lancashire business owners and executives navigate the local, regional and national public and private sector business promotion landscape to find the right support. It also offers a number of funded business support programs, including growth mentoring.

Entrepreneurs and managers who participate in the Growth Mentoring program are matched with a successful entrepreneur who shares their knowledge, experience and skills. All Boost mentors have either founded and built a successful company or held managerial positions at board level. The mentor and the company will work together to develop a growth action plan, and the mentor will then work with the business owner or manager to put the plan into action and remove any obstacles that may arise. Business leaders often develop a long-term bond that continues as they develop and grow.