Hello and welcome to the latest edition of TFI Friday. This week a report on the electrification of the rail link between Manchester & Liverpool stresses that the scheme must not be subject to budget cuts. RJW Solicitors are our ‘Business of the Week’, Adam Franklin is ‘Man of the Week’ and Kevin Lucas from BCR reveals all in ‘Who Are Yer?’ Read on, enjoy, have a great weekend, and don’t do anything Frank wouldn’t do...

THE electrification of the rail link between Manchester and Liverpool will play a vital role in boosting the cities' economies and must not be vulnerable to budget cuts.

That's according to the think tank Centre for Cities which has set out the economic case for such improvements in a report, On Track: Why Rail Matters.

The £100m Manchester to Liverpool upgrade promises to cut journey times to 30 minutes and allow more reliable, regular services.

The report - sponsored by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) - said 12,800 businesses in Manchester would potentially benefit from general rail investment, while 10,400 in Liverpool would stand to gain. Across both cities 324,000 people could see potential wage benefits.

Accountancy firm RSM Tenon expects to perform in line with expectations when it reports full-year figures in September.

The firm has undergone significant changes in the past year including a £76.3m merger with Bentley Jennison in December, a step up to the stock market's full list in May and the £6.8m acquisition of parts of the collapsed accountancy business Vantis last month.

In a pre-close trading update Tenon, which has offices in Manchester, Bolton, Chorley, Preston and Rochdale, and a network throughout the country, said the integration of these businesses was on target to complete in the second half of 2010-11.

Its recovery arm has continued to grow, increasing its market share, and the firm said it had generally seen "significant advances" against a challenging economic background. Tenon's rate of cash generation has beaten market expectations leaving more than 40% of its bank facilities unused at the year end.

Law firm Gorvins is to relocate to Dale House in Stockport.

The business has taken the fourth, fifth and sixth floors of the building from September. It will occupy a total of 15,000 sq ft of space.

Managing Partner Lorraine Lockie said the move demonstrates the firm's commitment to Stockport.

Lockie said: "We were attracted to Dale House by the opportunity to remain at the heart of the business community while providing an enhanced working environment for our staff and improved facilities for our clients."

King Sturge and WHR are joint agents for the landlord F&C Reit.

ASK Developments is pushing ahead with its plans for the second phase at Urmston shopping centre Eden Square.

The last parts of the old centre in Greater Manchester have been torn down and Ask is submitting a revised planning application for phase two.

In a statement Trafford Council said there have been "positive, on-going negotiations with major retailers" over taking space at the new scheme.

Leon Guyett, Senior Development Executive at Manchester-based Ask said: "We are delighted that the final demolition of the old shopping centre is now complete, preparing the site for the development of phase two of Eden Square.  We also look forward to pursuing the opportunities it will create for future development, with phase one retailers having established Eden Square as an important hub for the local community."

Who are the most influential men and woman in the North West at the moment? Insider have a stab at identifying the regions ‘movers & shakers’. CLICK HERE to see if you agree with their assessment.

Russell Jones & Walker is a leading national firm of solicitors dedicated to upholding the legal rights of individuals. From their foundation in the 1920s the firm's focus has and continues to be, people and those who represent them.

The firm has grown from trade union roots into a respected national organisation with nine offices across England and Wales and an associated office in Scotland.

Their reputation is built on the range of expertise offered by partners and staff and on the scope of their practical experience.

Adam Franklin, the founder of Franklins Hospitality is set to expand his business portfolio with the opening of two new outlets in Manchester. Adam, who opened the first Franklins Deli outlet in Liverpool’s St Paul’s Square last December, has taken 1,064 sq ft of space on York Street in Manchester city centre. A second 1,000 sq ft outlet will open in Spinningfields within the next month.

CBG Group plc is a corporate general insurance, risk management and financial services intermediary, offering a range of services principally in the area of Commercial Insurance and Business Risk Management. In addition, our specialist Financial Services division operates under two trading divisions, Private Clients and Benefit Solutions, offering advice and assistance on Wealth Management, Healthcare, Pension and Benefit Solutions.

They  are also able to provide premium finance facilities as well as offering bespoke solutions for sports professionals through CBG Sports.

This week sees the return of Manchester Jazz Festival. It is the 15th annual celebration of contemporary jazz from the North West and beyond. With over 80 bands playing day and night for the next seven days, it promises to be the biggest festival to date.
 
Most events are free and take place in a variety of venues throughout the city centre including The Bridgewater Hall, Matt & Phred’s Jazz Club and Band on the Wall as well as the festival pavilion situated outside the town hall in Albert Square.
 
It’s great that Manchester can play host to events like this, so get down there and support it. For more information on Manchester Jazz Festival, gigs and venues go to www.manchesterjazz.com.

Join Downtown Manchester in Business for our next Sexy Networking event on Thursday 29th July. Sponsored by Irwin Mitchell!

Date: Thursday 29th July
Time: 6.30pm - 9.00pm
Venue: Radisson Edwardian

Name: Kevin Lucas 

Company: BCR

Position: Partner

Red or Blue: I’m a Southerner, so the only choice is red.

Labour, Liberal or Tory: As the son of a former Tory councillor and mayor I am still a blue.

Favourite Bar/Restaurant: Too many, but Gaucho or The Turkish Delight in Chorlton

What’s your Tipple: Fresh Orange juice and Lemonade

Favourite Band: At the moment it’s Scouting For Girls

Top Tune: The feeling – I love it when you call

Favourite Book: Sealy & Milman’s annotated guide to the insolvency legislation!

Favourite Movie: Back To The Future

Who Would Play You In A Film: Simon Pegg

Favourite TV Programme: Life on Mars

Most Visited Website: www.itunes.com

Celebrity Crush: Julia Styles

Interesting Fact About You:  Passionate about Ultimate Frisbee – yes it is a sport, anyone wanting to play please get in touch!