Manchester's week has been dominated by football, with City putting themselves right back in the running for fourth spot with a famous victory over Chelsea, United retaining the League Cup, and a consortium making noises about a possible takeover of the Old Trafford club. Life goes on though, and in the 'real' world East Manchester received a welcome financial boost for its regeneration plans and interest rates remained unchanged. TFI brings you news of this and more, whilst in our usual features DWF LLP is named as Business of the Week; Andrew Booth reveals all in 'Who Are Yer?' and, back on the football theme, Wayne Bridge is named as 'Man of the Week'. Read on, enjoy, have a great weekend and don't do anything Frank wouldn't do...

David Gill, United’s chief executive, this week re-iterated the Glazer family’s desire not to sell the Old Trafford club. Speaking at the Soccerex conference in Manchester this week Gill said “The owners are very long-term owners. They are not sellers, and that's not saying people like the Red Knights group can't come forward with some ideas. But the Glazers have no wish to sell, and from our perspective, they are running the club in the right way.”

The Mortgage Rescue Fast Track, a government scheme designed to help struggling homeowners, has selected Lewis Hymanson Small, to act for all owners who are selling under the Mortgage Rescue Scheme.

As a result of the recession, the Council of Mortgage Lenders suggests around 48,000 Britons will have their homes repossessed during 2009.
 
The Mortgage Rescue Fast Track Scheme is aimed at the most vulnerable households, those with dependent children, elderly, disabled or long-term ill members, who are at risk of having their home repossessed. The scheme allows homeowners to remain in their home by selling all or part of their house to a registered social landlord so they are able to reduce their mortgage payments.

The regeneration of east Manchester has received a boost after the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) said it would pump £4.4m into the New Islington area. The funding has been earmarked to help connect the area with neighbouring Ancoats through the construction of bridges, canal connections and walkways.

Rate-setters held fire on fresh aid for the economy this week after a year of record low interest rates and emergency stimulus measures.

The Bank of England marked the first anniversary of quantitative easing (QE) by leaving the programme unchanged at £200bn and holding borrowing costs at their 0.5 per cent all-time low.

The Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) “wait and see” stance comes after a month of mixed signals as the UK crawls out of recession.

DWF LLP is a leading, full service law firm, providing a full range of legal services to businesses and private clients across the UK.

Employing over 1000 people, including 124 Partners, DWF are able to serve clients on a national basis from offices in Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Preston. Their business continues to expand through a combination of organic growth, lateral hires and other consolidation activity.

They pride themselves on providing outstanding client service that combines excellent commercial advice with an approachable style.

Wayne Bridge, who inspired his Man City side to a 4-2 victory over John Terry's Chelsea, and for THIS.

An age old concept that has been given an internet makeover.

This is pure fun.

www.faceinhole.com/gb/

Cosmopolitan, chic, contemporary, these and more, perfectly describe the ambiance of the Living Room on Deansgate. By day it is the ideal place to do business over a leisurely lunch, or recharge your batteries after a hard day shopping. By night their stylish bar and restaurant is ideal for indulging from an outstanding range of exotic cocktails with friends or colleagues.

First open in 1999, the Living Room remains the favourite haunt of many. Excellent food, top class service and a great atmosphere to boot.

To make an online booking click here: http://www.thelivingroom.co.uk/venues/manchester/booking/

Venue: Epernay
Date: 11^th March 2010
Time: 8pm - Late

In true Downtown style, the launch party will continue late into the night at the superb Epernay.

Epernay is the first bar of its kind in the city and will play host for DMIB’s after show party. With a fine selection of drinks and entertainment provided on the evening, this is one event you don’t want to miss.

Name: Andrew Booth

Company: Turner Parkinson LLP

Position: Partner and head of corporate and commercial industries
 
Red or Blue: Blue (CTID)
 
Brown or Cameron: Clegg – to sort them out in a hung parliament
 
Favourite Bar/Restaurant: Cafe Istanbul and Mojo, both on Bridge Street, Manchester (very handy for the office)

What’s your Tipple: Glass of Shiraz please

Favourite Band: The Cassandra Complex, of course

Top Tune: “The Light Pours Out of Me” by Magazine (but I could put many others...)
 
Favourite Book: "All You Need to Know About the Music Business" by Donald Passman
 
Favourite Movie: This is Spinal Tap

Who would play you in a film: Tony Slattery
 
Favourite TV Programme: Bellamy’s People (currently)

Most visited website: www.bbc.co.uk/football
 
Celebrity Crush: Kimberley Walsh from Girls Aloud
 
Interesting Fact about you: I once had a beer with Screamin' Jay Hawkins in Sweden, of all places. I think he put a spell on me.