Sir Tom makes the point, which may surprise many in Olympic year, that Manchester’s gross domestic product is 25% greater than that of Beijing. His review has identified the importance of building up the universities and colleges, the innovation structure, the pathways to finance and the ability to make Manchester competitive in global markets.

Another aspect of the forward thinking is that the city is being scoured for sites to house the £250 million northern Royal Opera House. One candidate is the 4.5 acre site of the BBC which will be moving to Salford Quays in 2011. Such a site would be part of a broader cultural area in the City Centre, a clear effort to counter the pull of the new BBC operation in Salford.

In itself, the BBC operation, with some activities relocating from London, will have a major impact on Manchester. So we have the concept of Manchester increasing its attractions as a city for the arts while expanding its attraction as a business centre, although this will not be as dynamic at the moment because of the economic stagnation.

Yet the City Centre market is active, said Chris Mulcahy of King Sturge as shown by the new scheme for the 4,647 sq.metres Vantage Point at Hardman Street, Spinningfields where there is a pre let of about a third of the space to Allied Irish Bank. “Hardman Estates has gone ahead with the scheme despite the general picture in the UK and has proved the point with a letting to the bank,” said Mulcahy, ”and elsewhere developers are cracking on.”

This is a view endorsed by Mark Canning of Canning O’Neill who said: “We have a decent level of enquiries and some significant inward investments.” Spinningfields continues to be a magnet and Jones Lang LaSalle has signed up the accountancy firm Baker Tilly for 1,580 sq.metres (17,000 sq.ft.) at 3 Hardman Street, joining another accountancy practice, BDO Stoy Hayward, which has taken 3,252 sq.metres (35,000) in the property.

Jones Lang’s Trevor Sloan said: ”Along with several larger City Centre transactions in the pipeline, this deal (Baker Tilly) also confirms our recent analysis that the current activity is being driven by the banking and finance sectors.”

Source: Commercial Property Register

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I have been on Radio Kent for a couple of their phone in programmes – one I phoned in when they were talking about aggressive dogs and the second time was when I gave advice to one of the presenters about getting a dog.

I am also an Educational Speaker for the Blue Cross to visit schools and give talks and my dog Teddy has been fully assessed by the Blue Cross and sometimes accompanies me on these talks.

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Paws In The Park - Hop Farm 13/14 September

Andrew Boakes, Southern Salads’ Operations Director, said: "We are entering an exciting time. The partnership with Spar will bring us to the forefront of the retail industry, at a time when consumers are appreciating the benefits of healthy eating more than ever. Our range of high quality salad solutions are as versatile as they are fresh and to take them to the retailer is an important step for us."

Kent-based Southern Salads has been supplying fresh produce and ready-made salads to the largest food service operators in the UK for 21 years.

The company, which prides itself on quality, freshness and choice, with excellent service levels, will supply Spar on a national level, sourcing fresh fruit and vegetables from suppliers in the UK and the world over, including its joint venture plants in Poland and Belgium. Southern Salads has the BRC Global Standard and all suppliers have either BRC or EurepGap Accreditation. Being a low cost operator enables Southern Salads to provide the highest quality services at competitive and affordable price all year round.

A family business, Southern Salads has entered a period of organic growth. It plans to more than double turnover by 2010, by expanding its plant in Tonbridge, Kent and increasing its retail presence. Thanks to continued investment the expansion plans will exceed 100,000 sq. ft; to include increased high risk, packing and dispatch areas, new development kitchens and on site testing laboratories that will meet the demands of increased product development calendars.

Boakes concluded: "The growth plans are ambitious as we expect the business to double its size in manufacturing capacity and turnover from £25m to £50m by 2010."

The Spar chain has some 2,600 stores across the UK, with an annual turnover of £2.7 billion.

For more information on this story please contact:
Suzanne Howe Communications
PO Box 325
Medway Valley
Kent
ME19 4WW
Email: info@suzannehowe.com
Tel: +44 (0)1732 875697
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Spar gives Southern Salads retail first