Suits, colleges & emergency kit
5 things we learned yesterday
1 A NORTHUMBERLAND manufacturer responsible for making safety equipment used by doctors, firefighters and the police has edged its profits closer to the £10m mark.
Draeger Safety UK increased its profits before tax from £9.4m to £9.9m for the year ending December 31 2016.
The Blyth-based firm, which designs gas masks, hazmat suits and drug detection kits, managed to increase its profit figures, despite turnover falling by £6m to £88.1m.
Draeger Safety UK’s revenue fell by nearly £5m in the UK and £3m across the UK, but the firm managed to increase its sales by nearly £2m across the rest of the world.
2 MEN’S suit retailer Moss Bros has said it is preparing for a tough year ahead as the collapse of the pound adds to “significant” cost pressures.
It said the national living wage increase and the apprenticeship levy, as well as the “combined effects of a devalued pound”, would weigh on the sector, which already faced “one of the most highly competitive” trading environments in recent history last year.
The group said: “The retail landscape in 2017 will undoubtedly be tough, with an uncertain consumer environment set against the wider political backdrop and alongside rising costs of operation and a weaker pound. We continue to anticipate and prepare for a more competitive trading environment.”
3 A FORMER manager of The Cluny has bought the popular music venue from Camerons Brewery, it has emerged.
The Hartlepool brewery had acquired The Cluny in Ouseburn back in 2013 as part of the acquisition of the Head of Steam business from Tony Brookes.
However, Camerons has now announced the sale of their Cluny venue to local business Mi Viejo Fruta Limited, owned by former manager Julian Ive, who was at the Cluny from 2005 to 2016.
Camerons will maintain a drinks supply deal with the venue but the site will be operated independently by Mr Ive.
4 MAJOR North East employer BT has announced plans to recruit 90 new staff members in Newcastle as part of a UK-wide drive aimed at transforming customer service.
The firm is looking to fill 90 new customer service jobs, with recruiters keen to attract applicants from across the city and the wider region.
The new roles are the latest in a major initiative by BT to answer 90% of calls in the UK and Ireland, and will take the total number of people enrolled into its contact centre to 200 since April last year.
5 GATESHEAD College principal and chief executive Judith Doyle has been appointed to a new role at the North East LEP.
Ms Doyle will now work to represent the further education sector on the LEP’s business growth board. She took over the college four years ago, turning the institution from one described by Ofsted as “requiring improvement” to one rated as “outstanding”.