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Wirral company helps beat greenhouse gas emissions
A well-established Wirral company is breaking into new markets with a revolutionary new aerator product that could create energy savings equivalent to the output of a small nuclear power station. As well as being highly effective in introducing oxygen into fish farms and treating water from disused mines, the innovative 'Gravity Aerator' has a major application in sewage plants and is currently being trialled by United Utilities at its Skelmersdale works.
But, Newton Industrial Group's innovative Gravity Aerator could still have been just an idea hidden in someone's desk drawer without the help of Business Link for Greater Merseyside. "It was Business Link's help in securing the funding to research and develop this exciting new product that has allowed us to turn it into a marketable
product. They helped us to create the business plan and business case to secure substantial grant aid and then provided consultants to help us identify the most potentially lucrative markets. Our system could have a very positive environmental impact. I estimate that if every UK sewage works used it, the energy saving would equal that of 60 modern wind turbines or a small nuclear power station. It would also stop 600,000 tonnes of unwanted carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere - a vital statistic as the world struggles to stop 'greenhouse' gas build-up."
said Newton's managing director John Haworth.
Business Link adviser Samantha McCoy said:- "This demonstrates the kind of help we can provide for local companies and is a great example of how innovation can be supported by Business Link and then carried through by identifying the route to market. Newton has also seen a wider application for another of its products - a carton testing instrument for the packaging industry - and we are providing a marketing consultant to help define the market's needs."
The Gravity Aerator recently won the North West Business Environmental Award for Technology 2005 and is spearheading the company's diversification into the environmental market alongside its original role as a maker of precision instruments.
Based in Hoylake, the Newton Industrial Group can trace its origins back to the 19th century, when the Melling family started a precision engineering company, to manufacture time-pieces and navigational instruments.
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Children's centre set for green light
A new state-of-the art children's centre in north Liverpool is set to be approved by the city council. The new £700,000 facility will bring together a wide range of different services. In future, child care, advice and support with parenting skills and employment and training advice will be available on their doorstep.
Councillor Jan Clein, assistant executive member for children's services, said:-
"The new Children's Centre in Walton will provide the best possible start in life for youngsters and their families. It will provide a firm foundation during their formative years and ensure that they have a great future ahead of them, as well as providing help and assistance to parents and carers."
The centre, an extension to SCOPE's Early Years Centre on Cavendish Drive, will cater for children up to 5 years old and their families, and include a 60 place nursery. Part of the facility will also be based at nearby Northcote Primary School.
It will build upon the existing partnership between the city council and SCOPE in providing a range of services to support disabled children and their families. It is part of a network of 17 Children's Centres opening across the city by 2007, serving almost 16,000 youngsters. By 2010, there will be 24 centres serving 24,000 children, using £12 million of funding through the Sure Start programme.
Liverpool City Council's Executive Board is being recommended to approve the plans on 19 August.
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