2020






Avacta in ‘significant progress’ on Covid-19 test

Wetherby-based biotherapeutics company Avacta Group plc announced on Monday “significant progress” in the development of a “highly scalable manufacturing process for a lateral flow SARS-CoV-2 antigen test being…


McBride cautious amid lockdown, Brexit unknowns

Manchester-based household cleaning products firm McBride plc said on Monday it has a cautious outlook “in light of the potential for future operational challenges resulting from Covid-19,…






Grainger collects 97% of rents, ups dividend

Newcastle-headquartered Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord, said on Thursday its rent collection remained robust at 97% on average for the year to September 30,…







Dechra CEO Ian Page sells £10m of shares

Dechra Pharmaceuticals plc, the Northwich, Chesire-based veterinary drugs giant, said on Wednesday its CEO Ian Page sold 300,000 of his shares in the company at £34.502 per share…


Begbies Traynor first-half profit up 25%

Shares of Manchester-based corporate rescue giant Begbies Traynor Group plc rose about 7% on Wednesday after it published a trading update for the six months ended…





Hut Group hires corporate governance specialist

Manchester-based consumer brand and e-commerce giant The Hut Group (THG) — currently under fire for its chief executive’s pay package — said on Tuesday it appointed corporate…




Polypipe revenue ahead of expectations

Doncaster-based plastic piping and ventilation systems firm Polypipe Group said on Tuesday it has enjoyed a “sustained recovery” with revenue for the four months ended October…





Ireland to open Consulate in Manchester

Ireland announced on Monday that Manchester will be the location for a new Consulate General of Ireland for the North of England. “Opening a Consulate…




Tribunal quashes ban of JD Sports-Footasylum deal

Bury-based retail giant JD Sports Fashion Plc said late on Friday that the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal “has quashed” the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) decision to…













Blackburn’s EG Group expands further in US

Blackburn-based petrol station billionaires the Issa brothers have announced that their company, EG Group, is expanding further in the United States. The Issa brothers and…


On the Beach up 25% amid vaccine, trading news

Shares of Manchester-based online holiday retailer On the Beach Group plc (OTB) soared about 25% on Monday after Pfizer and German partner BioNTech announced their experimental COVID-19…













Manchester Airports CEO slams UK Government

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) chief executive Charlie Cornish has warned the UK Government that airports and airlines need urgent support to survive the “very bleak…






Stobart Group completes board changes – for now

Carlisle-based aviation and energy infrastructure firm Stobart Group on Monday announced the appointment of David Blackwood as senior independent director (SID) with effect from November 1,…






Macclesfield’s Franchise Brands recovers in Q3

Macclesfield-based Franchise Brands plc said on Wednesday it saw a steady recovery in trading in its third quarter “from the previous quarter’s lockdown-impacted performance, which…