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SALES GROWTH AT LIVERPOOL’S METQUARTER
LIVERPOOL’S exclusive Metquarter has welcomed a new
independent lingerie boutique to its Whitechapel premises.
Secret Drawer, owned by local entrepreneur Leona Nicholas, opens for
trading at the Metquarter in September.
Jennina O’Neill, Head of Marketing at the Metquarter, says:-
“It is fantastic that Leona has chosen to expand her business into
Metquarter; offering luxurious lingerie and corsetry will only
enhance our customer experience and product mix.
The opening of Secret Drawer reflects our ambition to support
Liverpool’s thriving fashion and design industry.”
Leona told us:- “I’m really pleased to be launching a new
store in such a prestigious location and surrounded by so many great
retailers.”
The opening of Secret Drawer comes as the Metquarter, which houses
brands such as DKNY Jeans, Flannels, Hugo Boss and MAC, has
witnessed an average footfall increase of almost 20% over the first
two quarters, significantly out-performing the national average.
This has led to like for like sales growth of 15% at a time when
many are tightening their purse strings.
Jennina believes this is down to the brand mix and excellent
customer shopping experience.
She said:- “We have a really diverse product mix on offer at
the Metquarter which is one of our strengths and is certainly
helping maintain the growth we have seen.”
Despite being virtually fully let, interest from new tenants has
also increased. Secret Drawer comes on the back of three recent
lettings completed to Hamiltons, Azendi and DKNY Jeans.
Aspecto have also recently created a shop-in-shop G Star Raw
concept, which opened at the start of this month.
In a final show of resilience against the UK’s economic downturn,
customer demand has led to all stores now opening at 9.30am.
“We have had a great year. I look forward to continued growth over
the next six months.” said Jennina.
Increase in fuel
surcharge due to World fuel cost increases
AFTER absorbing all the rising costs of fuel for several
months, the Isle of Man Steam Packet regrets that it must now pass
on a proportion of the additional costs to customers with effect
from 1 September 2008.
The freight fuel surcharge will increase by £6.00 per metre, to
£8.00 per metre – or £40.00 per trade/unaccompanied car and low van.
The passenger surcharge will increase by £2.50 to £5 per single
journey.
These fuel surcharges are regulated by the Department of Transport
by reference to the weighted average cost of marine fuel oil
incurred over the previous six months and are determined by an
agreed formula contained in the Fuel Surcharge Agreement between the
Department and the Company. The September 1st increase will be
reviewed in February 2009.
Chief Executive Mark Woodward explained:- “World fuel prices
have reached record levels in recent months, and in the marine
transport sector the scale of the increase this year has been quite
exceptional.
Over the last decade, marine fuel costs rose from around $100 per
metric tonne to around $600/mt by last year. This year has seen that
price rise dramatically and it can now exceed $1,200/mt.”
Mr Woodward added:- “The Steam Packet Company has absorbed
much of the increased cost over the last few years, and since March
this year has already absorbed several million pounds in extra
costs, which it essentially cannot recover.
We have made reference several times this year to the fact that
surcharge increases would be inevitable, but we have not increased
fares this summer even though fuel now costs as much as £15,000 per
return trip to Liverpool. Other UK shipping companies increased
their fares in the spring - we did not, even though marine fuel
costs have almost doubled. Airlines have increased their fares and,
regrettably, some have ceased trading.”
Captain Michael Brew, Director of Harbours for the Department of
Transport, said a fuel surcharge agreement was signed by the Isle of
Man Steam Packet Company and the Department in August 2005.
Captain Michael Brew told the media that:- “This agreement
sets surcharges on passengers and freight and tries to be fair and
reasonable in their application. The level of surcharge is linked to
the variable costs of fuel actually incurred. The agreement will
ensure that any sustained reduction in fuel costs will lead to
reduced surcharges at the next review.
The Company is not charging its full entitlement under the agreement
as the Company is not charging a number of categories of passenger
and freight traffic, effectively absorbing the extra costs incurred.
Based on the information regarding increased fuel costs supplied by
the Isle of Man Steam Packet, information gathered from other
sources and the formula contained in the Fuel Surcharge Agreement,
the Department concurs with the surcharges for freight and
passengers outlined by the Company.” |
Merseyside Community Games 2008
ON the
Wednesday, 13 August 2008, the third Merseyside Community Youth
Games was held. The Games are designed to encourage those young
people within the community who are seen as socially excluded to
engage in sport and cultural activities.
Competitive team games that took place
included:- Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Netball,
Rounders and Table Tennis. There where sports taster sessions for 8
to 16 year olds as well in:- Athletics, Boxing, Hockey, Rugby,
Street Dance, Tri Golf and Water Polo.
Boxer Courtney Fry provided tips to
those attending the taster sessions, taking part in a question and a
question and answer session was held in the afternoon.
Katie Crozier, Marketing and Research
Officer for Merseyside Sports Partnership said that:- "The
Games are designed to promote sporting opportunities, to encourage
children, regardless of social and environmental constraints, to get
involved with sport so that they become fitter, and feel better
about themselves both physically and socially and to offer pathways
to enable young people to improve their sporting performance and
express themselves through the arts. We also aim to promote a sense
of identity between participants and the community they represent,
to develop sporting and social links for young people outside of
their own community and to develop and encourage participation,
training and coaching."
To see the results - click
here.
Cheshire M6 overnight
closure
THE M6 in Cheshire will be closed
in both directions for one night next month to remove a damaged
bridge. The Hollowood Farm footbridge over the M6 between
Knutsford and Lymm was struck by a lorry in July and now has to be
removed from the area. The bridge is about one mile north of
junction 19 and the motorway will need to be shut overnight from
10pm on Saturday, 6 September 2008, to carry out the work. Highways
Agency contractors say the closure could last until 9am on Sunday, 7
September 2008, but the work could be completed earlier.
Northbound M6 traffic will leave at junction 19 and follow the A556
joining the M56 at junction 8 and travelling west to rejoin the M6
at junction 20. Southbound M6 traffic will leave the M6 at
junction 20 and join the M56 eastbound leaving at junction 7 and
following the A556 south to rejoin the M6 at junction 19. The
diversion route for traffic on the M56 eastbound wanting to join the
M6 south will be to continue on the M56 to junction 7 and then take
the A556 south and join the M6 at junction 19 instead. The
work will be signed in advance to warn drivers. Diversions will be
signed on the night. |
