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2007-05-18 - Call for Papers for the Journal of Place Management and Development Call for Papers for the Journal of Place Management and Development

The Journal of Place Management and Development, launching in 2008, aims to further knowledge and best practice of the management, marketing and development (ie the making) of places worldwide. Truly multi-disciplinary in scope, the journal will provide...

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Call for Papers for the Journal of Place Management and Development

Call for Papers for the Journal of Place Management and Development

2007-05-18

The Journal of Place Management and Development, launching in 2008, aims to further knowledge and best practice of the management, marketing and development (ie the making) of places worldwide. Truly multi-disciplinary in scope, the journal will provide...

Journal to ‘help make places better’ gets the go ahead

Journal to ‘help make places better’ gets the go ahead

2007-02-06

A proposal for the first ever journal dedicated to place management has been accepted by Emerald, a leading international publisher. The Journal of Place Management and Development will be launched in 2008 to publish articles on the management,...

AGORA pilots celebrate first birthday

AGORA pilots celebrate first birthday

2006-11-16

The AGORA pilot towns are celebrating their first birthday on Social Enterprise Day. Its exactly 12 months since the first workshop took place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham which also formed the final stage of the application process...

MMUBS welcomes @Base partners for 4th Transnational Workshop

MMUBS welcomes @Base partners for 4th Transnational Workshop

2006-10-16

EQUAL Community Initiative partners from across Europe will come together for the @Base transnational workshops at the Manchester Metropolitan University Business School (MMUBS) from the 16th to the 18th October 2006. The meetings, to be held across...

CIRM’s emphasis on place management stimulates worldwide interest

CIRM’s emphasis on place management stimulates worldwide interest

2006-10-03

How can you regenerate a troubled city such as Israel’s Holon using children as a focal point? What possibilities are there for turning a war torn Northern Ireland into a prosperous tourist destination? And can local sporting brands like Manchester...

‘Destinations and locations’ conference to showcase worldwide knowledge on place management

‘Destinations and locations’ conference to showcase worldwide knowledge on place management

2006-08-10

With nearly fifty papers bringing together perspectives on place management from over twenty countries, ‘Destinations and Locations: the Multiple Identities of Place’ is shaping up to be the most widely based CIRM conference to date. The event, which...

‘Rubbish’ paper voted the best by the Academy of Marketing

‘Rubbish’ paper voted the best by the Academy of Marketing

2006-07-20

A paper co-authored by Cathy Parker, Director of the Retail Enterprise Network, looking at the impact of branded litter on consumer perception won the best paper award at the annual Academy of Marketing Conference in London this month. The paper, ‘How...

No change on Sunday trading hours

No change on Sunday trading hours

2006-07-12

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Alistair Darling, made the following statement to the House of Commons last week: "In November 2005, my predecessor asked DTI officials to look at the impact of relaxing the current restrictions on Sunday...

CIRM 06 - “Destinations and Locations: Exploring the Multiple Identities of Place”

CIRM 06 - “Destinations and Locations: Exploring the Multiple Identities of Place”

2006-07-11

The CIRM 2006 Conference on “Destinations and Locations: Exploring the Multiple Identities of Place” will take place in Manchester on September 6th and 7th. An eclectic programme of nearly 50 papers from around the world has been put together,...

Day by day account of the Granollers Study Tour

Day by day account of the Granollers Study Tour

2006-07-03

Cancelled flights, lost luggage and last minute withdrawals were not enough to stop representatives from 8 Agoras experiencing the Granollers social entrepreneurship model of town centre management during a study tour. Beneficiaries of AGORA, the...

Agoras experience town centre management Catalan style

Agoras experience town centre management Catalan style

2006-06-26

Cancelled flights, lost luggage and last minute withdrawals were not enough to stop representatives from 8 Agoras experiencing the Granollers social model of town centre management during a study tour. John Fowler of Mexborough commented: “I have...

Granollers Study Tour and European Symposium – One Month to go!

Granollers Study Tour and European Symposium – One Month to go!

2006-05-25

On the 21st June, eight agoras will visit Granollers in Spain to attend a study tour and European symposium, where they will learn about different European models of town centre and place management. Representatives of Middlewich, Longsight & Rusholme,...

The Retail Academy picked as Opening Doors to Adult Learners National Award Winner 2006

The Retail Academy picked as Opening Doors to Adult Learners National Award Winner 2006

2006-05-22

Learning at Work Day is part of Adult Learners' Week, and this year, the Retail Academy have an extra reason to celebrate. We have been selected as the winners of this year's Opening Doors to Adult Learners award. The Retail Academy aims to...

REN expresses concern over the role of the OFT

REN expresses concern over the role of the OFT

2006-04-26

The Retail Enterprise Network (REN) has stated: ‘legitimate and serious questions should be raised about the role of the competition authorities’ following concern over views expressed by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in relation to the heavily...

CIRM 2006 - Destinations and Locations: Exploring the Multiple Identities of Place

CIRM 2006 - Destinations and Locations: Exploring the Multiple Identities of Place

2006-03-22

WEDNESDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER AND THURSDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2006 In recent years academics and practitioners have paid increasing attention to the marketing of places. Normally the purpose of this has been to attract people and organisations to visit or invest...

OFT calls for review of grocery market

OFT calls for review of grocery market

2006-03-09

The OFT has today signalled its intention to refer the market for the supply of groceries by retailers in the UK to the Competition Commission (CC) for more detailed investigation, and has published its analysis of the market for consultation prior to a...

HIGH STREET BRITAIN 2015

HIGH STREET BRITAIN 2015

2006-02-16

‘Many small shops across the UK will have ceased trading by 2015 with few independent businesses taking their place’ according to the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group Inquiry into the retail sector. ‘Their loss, largely the result of a heavily...

MPs set to Unveil Findings of High Street Britain 2015

MPs set to Unveil Findings of High Street Britain 2015

2006-02-14

High Street Britain 2015, the much anticipated report into the state of the UK retail sector, is set to be published by the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group at a press conference in Portcullis House, Westminster on the 15th of February 2006 at...

Reviving the High Street

Reviving the High Street

2006-02-01

Business School welcomes AGORA delegates MMU Business School today kicks off a unique bid to support eight High Streets and boost some of Britain’s 300,000 small, independent shops. On January 31-February 1, 2006 the School welcomes...

CIRM 2006

CIRM 2006

2006-01-11

CIRM 2006 -Destinations and Locations: Exploring the Multiple Identities of Place In recent years academics and practitioners have paid increasing attention to the marketing of places. Normally the purpose of this has been to attract people and...

Lack of Training is leading to a decline in profits!

Lack of Training is leading to a decline in profits!

2005-12-16

85% of shoppers would leave a store in favour of competition when sales staff were unable to meet their standards of product knowledge and customer service according to a new National Opinion Poll. The report reveals the huge impact that staff training...

REN Poses Questions for 'HIGH STREET BRITAIN 2015'

REN Poses Questions for 'HIGH STREET BRITAIN 2015'

2005-12-06

The investigation being conducted by the Retail Enterprise Network into the state of the high street in Britain continues following recent oral evidence sessions at the House of Commons. Members of the REN project team assisted the All Party Small Shops...

Retail Academy strengthen industry links through Showcase

Retail Academy strengthen industry links through Showcase

2005-12-02

Retailers, colleges, trade associations and the Retail Academy’s own partner’s gathered in Manchester on 3rd November to attend the Retail Academy’s Showcase, 2005 co-hosted by the Retail Enterprise Network in Manchester Metropolitan University’s...

AGORA areas announced!

AGORA areas announced!

2005-12-02

Eight towns were announced this week to become part of the £2.7m AGORA programme. Mexborough, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, South Shields, Middlewich, Ludlow, Stockport, Longsight and Rusholme, Havant, will all aim to implement community led TCM schemes in the...

REN and ATCM ponder AGORA pilot selection

REN and ATCM ponder AGORA pilot selection

2005-11-29

The Retail Enterprise Network entered the final stage of the selection process of the AGORA pilot towns last month in Birmingham by bringing 16 applicants together to discuss the issues which affect their local communities. The AGORA development day,...

CIRM 2005 strengthens links between international retail communities

CIRM 2005 strengthens links between international retail communities

2005-11-29

Practitioners and academics alike came together in Manchester to discuss the shape of retail across the globe during CIRM 2005. The November conference saw contributions from 8 different countries which took an in-depth look into innovation across the...

AGORA project makes Spanish headlines

AGORA project makes Spanish headlines

2005-11-29

November 2005 – Gran Centre Granollers, an AGORA supported project in Granollers (Spain), celebrated its 10th anniversary this week making Spanish prime time TV News. Located near Barcelona, Gran Centre Granollers, has become one of the most...

Legislation Hitting Small Rural Retailers Hard

Legislation Hitting Small Rural Retailers Hard

2005-11-15

November 2005 – Small shops in rural areas are hit hard by legislation coming from Whitehall according to research published this year by the Retail Enterprise Network (REN), the Countryside Agency and the Rural Shops Alliance. Results are based on...

                         Retail Enterprise Network set to Showcase Success!

Retail Enterprise Network set to Showcase Success!

2005-10-13

The Retail Enterprise Network (REN) brings its partners together to celebrate its major achievements in protecting & promoting the independent retail sector over the past four years. The Retail Showcase event will take place in the Manchester...

Retail Academy launches Retail Detail

Retail Academy launches Retail Detail

2005-09-21

The Retail Academy have launched Retail Detail – A complete online business support system for retailers. Retail Detail has been trialled by small retailers up and down the country, and has been enthusiastically received. “It is better than just...

Search is on for Retail Revival Towns

Search is on for Retail Revival Towns

2005-09-14

A recruitment drive to find six retail areas in decline and transform them into bustling marketplaces has now begun. The project, named AGORA calls on all community stakeholders including retailers, councils, local media and residents to make a...

REN thanks 'High Street Britain 2015' contributors

REN thanks 'High Street Britain 2015' contributors

2005-08-24

The Retail Enterprise Network (REN) has received a great number of submissions from individuals and organisations for the High Street Britain 2015 inquiry. REN would like to thank all those who have, so far, submitted valuable written evidence which...

Ground Breaking Research Reveals the State of the UK Market Industry in Serious Decline

Ground Breaking Research Reveals the State of the UK Market Industry in Serious Decline

2005-07-15

Retail markets in the UK face a crisis: the number of traditional, general markets is shrinking, market shoppers and stall occupancy rates decreasing, and there is a perceived decline in our markets’ turnover. These warning signs - that the industry is...

HIGH STREET BRITAIN 2015: MPs launch inquiry into the state of UK retail

HIGH STREET BRITAIN 2015: MPs launch inquiry into the state of UK retail

2005-06-09

The Parliamentary All Party Small Shops Group is to investigate trends in the UK retail market with a view to answering public concerns about creeping centralisation. The inquiry, launched at the Group’s meeting on June 8th, will invite evidence from...

Statement from the Retail Enterprise Network and the Retail Academy for Independents’ Day

Statement from the Retail Enterprise Network and the Retail Academy for Independents’ Day

2005-06-01

We have been taking our small shops for granted. The shops that have served local communities for many years, such as newsagents, corner shops, green-grocers, fish-mongers and off-licenses are in decline. Those that are still trading are threatened by...

New Challenges, New Solutions: ATCM Summer School 2005

New Challenges, New Solutions: ATCM Summer School 2005

2005-05-09

A quiet revolution is happening in the way we approach the management of town and city centres through the spread of partnership-led local area management to neighbourhoods. Today’s town and city centre management initiatives need to address both the...

Views on retail competition put to Westminster

Views on retail competition put to Westminster

2005-04-28

The retail market is consolidating, with fewer and larger players dominating the market. In the light of this, safeguards are required to limit the predatory pricing of superstores, and to help smaller retailers to compete on a more level playing field....

Improving Retail Productivity Through Training and Education: Invitation to Retail Employers

Improving Retail Productivity Through Training and Education: Invitation to Retail Employers

2005-04-12

The Retail Academy, with support from Foundation Degree Forward and Manchester Enterprises, is organising an event to inform retailers in Manchester about the range of existing retail training and qualifications on offer in the area as well as inviting...

Riet Vell organic rice proves a success in the UK and Spain

Riet Vell organic rice proves a success in the UK and Spain

2005-03-21

In 2001 SEO/BirdLife, the oldest nature conservation charity in Spain, created the company Riet Vell S.A. in order to promote bird-friendly organic farming production and marketing in the Ebro Delta (Spain), a Nature Reserve renown for its rare bird...

Spanish fresh fruit and vegetables are 10% cheaper in small specialist shops than in supermarkets

Spanish fresh fruit and vegetables are 10% cheaper in small specialist shops than in supermarkets

2005-03-21

Fresh fruit and vegetables are 10% cheaper in small specialist shops than in large supermarkets, while fresh fish is 14% more expensive in indoor markets and small shops than in large and medium retail outlets. These are the results of a nation-wide...

Britvic’s new Right Choice Academy: Improve your business skills & win £5,000 to spend on your store

Britvic’s new Right Choice Academy: Improve your business skills & win £5,000 to spend on your store

2005-03-09

Leading soft drinks company, Britvic Soft Drinks, in collaboration with the Retail Academy, has set up Right Choice Academy to offer independent retailers with vision and determination the chance to benefit from the advice of leading retail experts...

London retailers suffer from congestion charge

London retailers suffer from congestion charge

2005-03-02

Retail businesses in the congestion charge zone have hardened their opposition to the scheme and increasingly blame it for commercial problems which have hit the centre of the capital. This is according to a report from the London Chamber of Commerce,...

Sudan 1 dye triggers largest ever product recall

2005-03-02

Traces of the potentially cancer-causing red food dye Sudan 1 in a batch of Crosse and Blackwell Worcester Sauce has triggered the Food Standards Agency to launch the largest ever recall of food products. The time limit for retailers to remove all...

The Small Shops (Protection) Bill introduced by Brian Cotter MP

2005-03-02

On Tuesday, February 8th 2005, the Liberal Democrats Small Business Spokesman, Brian Cotter MP introduced a ten minute rule bill in the House of Commons to protect the future of small local shops. A ten minute rule bill is the chance for a backbench...

Tesco expanding neighbourhood stores

2005-03-02

Tesco which has 29 per cent of the total grocery markets is attempting to navigate competition policy to pursue an expansion plan that may make it the leader in the convenience store sector. To the anger of some rival convenience store operators, the...

Prime Minister confirms increase in Minimum Wage

Prime Minister confirms increase in Minimum Wage

2005-03-02

The Prime Minister has confirmed rumours that the national minimum wage will rise above £5 for the first time from October 2005. The adult rate of the minimum wage will increase from £4.85 to £5.05 in October 2005 with a further 6% increase to £5.35 in...

Scottish Executive pleased with pilot of healthy food in convenience stores

Scottish Executive pleased with pilot of healthy food in convenience stores

2005-03-02

A six-month pilot study to introduce healthy food ranges to local convenience stores has been a great success, according to Scottish Executive Health Minister Andy Kerr. “I am delighted that this pilot study has proven so successful. It demonstrates...

Shops in north-west show greatest optimism about trading prospects

Shops in north-west show greatest optimism about trading prospects

2005-03-02

The north-west is riding on a retail boom, with retailers in Liverpool and Manchester expressing strong optimism about their trading performances, a study by Gerald Eve, the property consultants showed. In Liverpool more than 80% of retailers...

Independent retailers will not open day and night according to Grocer Survey

2005-03-01

A Grocer survey, published in their 29th January 2005 edition found that leading independent retailers have no plans to extend their opening hours when 24 hour drinking is legislated for later this year. In addition, three quarters of retailers said...

CIRM goes 'Back to the Future' at MMUBS

CIRM goes 'Back to the Future' at MMUBS

2005-02-25

Retailing is known as a fast-moving and dynamic sector. With innovations in store formats, supply chains, and delivery channels, today’s retailer can be anywhere, at any time with anything. Out-of-town, in-town, edge-of-town, on-line, off-line and...

Small businesses learn E-Retail lessons from the lingerie sector

Small businesses learn E-Retail lessons from the lingerie sector

2005-02-25

“Engaging customer creativity aids stickiness” is one of the key factors to success in E-Retail small businesses learned during a presentation themed around the lingerie sector on Thursday 24th February. How to enhance channel dynamics and how to...

E-Retail for Small Businesses

E-Retail for Small Businesses

2005-02-21

We have been taking our small shops for granted. The shops that have served local communities for many years and add diversity to the retailing landscape are disappearing in part due consolidation in the retail sector and the power of chain stores....

DEFRA to fund innovation in environmentally friendly packaging

DEFRA to fund innovation in environmentally friendly packaging

2005-02-16

An £8 million Innovation Fund has been launched by the Environment Minister, Elliot Morley MP, to stimulate environmentally friendly packaging design, the first of its kind for the retail industry. The fund will be managed by WRAP (the Waste & Resources...

Dr Stoate discusses food desserts in Westminster Hall debate on obesity

2005-02-16

Dr Howard Stoate highlighted the problems of food deserts as a contributing factor to the increase in obesity rates during a debate at Westminster Hall on the 25th January. The Labour MP for Dartford pointed to inner city areas where people could...

Farmers' markets are "no threat" to rural retailers

2005-02-16

Local retailers have nothing to fear from the recent and sudden growth of farmers’ markets, according to the National Association of Farmers Markets (NAFM). On Thursday, January 20th NAFM said that farmers’ markets help to stimulate economic...

On-the-spot fines for shop lifters

2005-02-16

From Monday, 1st November, police have had the power to use on-the-spot fines of £200 to crack down on low value shop-lifters. Police will continue to arrest in more serious cases such as repeating offenders, high value crime or wherever drug addiction...

Retail Business Champion announced for new regulatory enforcement pilot

2005-02-16

Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt has announced an appointment to help tackle red tape in the retail sector. Gerry Murphy, CEO of the Kingfisher Group, will become the 'Retail Champion' for a new cross-agency pilot being established by the DTI. The...

Rise in business rates may hurt small shopkeepers most

2005-02-16

It is expected that the £1.6 billion rise in business rates being imposed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will impact disproportionately on small businesses. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has said that the increase, estimated at up...

Independents to retain control of 50% of stores by 2010

2005-02-16

Non-affiliated independent store operators are set to resist the pressures of consolidation and will still control nearly 50% of UK convenience stores, at the end of the decade, according to new research from IGD published on Thursday, January 20th...

Research suggests shoppers prefer smaller stores and specialist shops

Research suggests shoppers prefer smaller stores and specialist shops

2005-02-16

Researchers for Kwik Save have found that supermarkets are a disappointment for almost half of shoppers, who want a return to the days of smaller stores and specialist shops. Only 27% of people preferred out-of-town superstores with everything under one...

Survey shows decline in popularity of American convenience stores

2005-02-16

Americans made fewer trips to traditional grocery stores in 2004, seeking savings, variety or convenience in other outlets. An AC Nielsen study showed that the average shopper made 69 visits to grocery stores last year, down from 72 in 2003, and 92...

ATCM announce ‘Good Practice Guide’ for BIDS

ATCM announce ‘Good Practice Guide’ for BIDS

2005-02-15

Jacquie Reilly, Director of the ATCM's National BIDs Pilot has announced the launch of the 'Good Practice Guide' for BIDs. The online resource of practical advice and guidance has been created to provide support to all those interested in BIDs and...

Louise Hunt reflects on this year's Student Symposium

Louise Hunt reflects on this year's Student Symposium

2005-02-14

Life is hectic for Louise Hunt who has the task juggling life as an undergraduate Retail Marketing student with life as a Sales Assistant at Miss Selfridge. Being a final year student is hard enough, especially when the work is as challenging as it is...

Can retail competitors work together to improve our shopping experience?

Can retail competitors work together to improve our shopping experience?

2005-01-25

Can diverse independent traders work together? Can they successfully promote their area to improve our shopping experience? These are questions being put forward to students investigating ways of improving shopping districts in the Manchester City...

Report warns of 'regulation creep'

Report warns of 'regulation creep'

2004-12-21

The government has been warned that "regulation creep" is hampering attempts to reduce red tape on businesses. A report from the Better Regulation Task Force found that policy makers are not controlling the level of bureaucracy imposed on business...

Modern trends put towns at risk

Modern trends put towns at risk

2004-12-21

More than 1,000 market towns throughout Britain face an uncertain future due to a shift in modern lifestyles, new research claims. A Newcastle University study said businesses should not take the loyalty of local customers for granted. It found more...

Call for £6 national minimum wage

Call for £6 national minimum wage

2004-12-21

The national minimum wage is too low to eradicate poverty pay and should increase by around £2 an hour, an independent think tank has said. An hourly rate of between £6 and £7 was needed, rather than the present £4.85, if workers are to escape...

Congestion charge likely to increase

Congestion charge likely to increase

2004-12-13

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone has said the London congestion charge is to rise to at least £6. Livingstone said that he had always maintained that the charge would increase, but ruled out doubling the charge at this early point. The mayor...

CBI call for delay in minimum wage rises

CBI call for delay in minimum wage rises

2004-12-01

The CBI has told the Low Pay Commission that business is ready to accept a minimum wage of a little over £5 an hour, but not until 2006. "Because it is not yet clear whether the latest rise has been successful, we need to take extreme care from...

Reform of England’s planning system

Reform of England’s planning system

2004-12-01

Reform of England's planning system continued on Tuesday November 2nd with a series of announcements by Planning Minister Keith Hill. Speaking at the Retail Development BCSC annual conference in Manchester, he outlined key changes to the system of...

Research marks out role for small business in urban regeneration

Research marks out role for small business in urban regeneration

2004-12-01

The New Economics Foundation has published research suggesting policy measures that would encourage social enterprise and small business to play a greater role in urban regeneration. The NEF is a vocal protagonist of business and market based...

The Food Standards Agency releases signposting research

The Food Standards Agency releases signposting research

2004-11-29

The Food Standards Agency released new research suggesting that people would like simple labelling signposts to help them make informed and healthier food choices. Both the FSA's Action Plan on Food Promotions and Children's Diet, published on 6 July...

Views on retail crime put to Westminster

Views on retail crime put to Westminster

2004-11-26

Small shopkeepers are one of the largest victims of business crime, including shop theft and violence. The Home Office’s Business Crime consultation aimed to offer some hope for the sector, but the underlying problems of slow police response times and...

REN develops political links for small shops

2004-11-22

The Retail Enterprise Network is developing its political links in order to give independent shops a voice at government level. The move will eventually see small retailers actively influencing policy. This will be made possible through an on-line...

Government looks to double entrepreneurship in the UK by 2008

Government looks to double entrepreneurship in the UK by 2008

2004-11-19

On Monday 15th November 2004 the first ever national enterprise week was launched to encourage young people to start their own businesses. The idea saw more than 1000 events take place with around 420 organisations participating in a bid to double...

Retail Academy invests in the next generation

Retail Academy invests in the next generation

2004-11-09

Year 10s from across Greater London jumped at the chance to participate in a three day retailing awareness programme in Elephant & Castle supported by the Retail Academy (RA). Kids were provided with a range of materials including the RA’s own pricing...

REN is 'ambitious', 'challenging' but 'very rewarding'

REN is 'ambitious', 'challenging' but 'very rewarding'

2004-10-01

The aims of the Retail Enterprise Network (REN) are 'ambitious', 'challenging' but ultimately 'very rewarding' according to Karl Held, a senior member of the Equal Support Unit. His comments came when ECOTEC visited the REN offices at the...

REN to welcome ECOTEC for annual visit

REN to welcome ECOTEC for annual visit

2004-09-29

The main funding body of the Retail Enterprise Network is set to visit the project team and its beneficiaries on 30th September 2004. The European Social Fund (ESF), who will review the progress of REN through the Birmingham based agency ECOTEC, will...

Is the independent retail sector ready for change in legislation?

2004-09-28

Businesses have to provide full access to disabled people from 1st October 2004 or face possible court action. The change in legislation is due to the introduction of the third and final phase of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. This is...

CIRM 2004: Retailing in town and city centres: current issues, future prospects

CIRM 2004: Retailing in town and city centres: current issues, future prospects

2004-08-09

CIRM 2004 is set to take place on Friday 10th September at the Manchester Metropolitan University’s Geoffrey Manton building and will concentrate on the current issues and future prospects of retailing in towns and cities. The conference will be...

Town-centre retailers under threat from escalating car park charges

Town-centre retailers under threat from escalating car park charges

2004-07-20

A number of small retailers have recently got in touch with REN and our sister, the Retail Academy, to complain about ‘out-of-control’ car-parking charges that are affecting trade in their town centres. In one town, hourly car parking charges have gone...

ECOTEC audit postponed due to train strike

2004-06-24

ECOTEC’s audit of the Retail Enterprise Network scheduled for the 30th June 2004 has been postponed due to an imminent strike by rail staff. The strike which is being co-ordinated by the RMT Union is due to take place for the 24 hours between 18.30...

Delegates express their thanks and praise for the 2nd Transnational Retail District Twinning Event

2004-05-19

Feedback from delegates of the transnational event held last month in Manchester and York has been overwhelmingly positive. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis has shown that the retailers and town centre managers involved were extremely...

Retail Academy at the Convenience Store Scotland Show

Retail Academy at the Convenience Store Scotland Show

2004-03-17

The Retail Academy recently took its newly designed exhibition stand to the Convenience Store Scotland show in Glasgow. Margaret McNab and Anne Henderson, our representatives for Scotland had a great couple of days speaking to a whole variety of...

NFRN will now participate in the LSC programme to their business

NFRN will now participate in the LSC programme to their business

2004-02-16

The National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN), representing over 21,000 newsagents, have now joined the Retail Academy “Building your business” programme. The NFRN will join forces with The National Federation of Subpostmasters (NFSP) who have...

MP’s Take Stock of Small Shops

MP’s Take Stock of Small Shops

2003-11-07

The All Party Small Shops Group got off to a flying start last week as MP’s gathered to discuss the vital role small shops play in the UK economy and local communities. The inaugural meeting included presentations from Sir Bill Conner, General...

Europe's first retail district twins announced

Europe's first retail district twins announced

2003-10-28

Fourteen pairs of UK and Spanish towns/cities were announced yesterday as part of a European twinning project that aims to protect and promote small shops. Places as far apart as Perth, Worcester, Seville and Granada have been chosen to take part in...

Retail Academy Website goes live

Retail Academy Website goes live

2003-10-20

The Retail Academy, one of Europe's newest, innovative providers of learning for retailers is putting their flagship site online this week, providing a one-stop-shop for retailers all over the country. Hailed as a "one stop portal for all your retail...

Subpostmasters build business with Retail Academy

Subpostmasters build business with Retail Academy

2003-10-17

A new pilot programme “Building your Business” specifically targeted at helping subpostmasters to build a better business begins next month in the South East. Subpostmasters, like other small retailers, are facing challenging times, and...

Persefones Twins Unite! (ENGLISH VERSION)

Persefones Twins Unite! (ENGLISH VERSION)

2003-09-29

The First Transnational Retail District Twinning Workshops, part of the Persefones project, held in Seville and Malaga last week (25th - 28th September) have been voted a resounding success by the majority of participants. A total of eighty delegates...

Transnational Deli Will Open For Business

Transnational Deli Will Open For Business

2003-09-16

The North East of England has a reputation for ale, and Guisborough, one of the North East's most ancient towns, is keeping this tradition alive through its very own micro-brewery at Pinchinthorpe Hall. The most popular brew is Flying Herbert, at 4...

CIRM 2003 - Neighbourhood Retailing

CIRM 2003 - Neighbourhood Retailing

2003-08-07

The CIRM conference organised by the Manchester Metropolitan University Business School will take place on Friday 12th September 2003. The annual one-day event this year will focus on ‘Neighbourhood Retailing (policy, people and partnerships)’ and is...

Farm to Local Shop - Meet the Suppliers

2003-08-06

The Yorkshire Independent Grocers Association (YIGA) has announced a new style tradeshow which aims to connect independent retailers with their suppliers. The event titled ‘Farm to Local Shop – Meet the Suppliers’ will be held on the 14th and 15th...

Nine Year High For Bankruptcies

2003-08-05

The number of people going bankrupt has hit a nine-year high according to the Department of Trade and Industry. The level of individuals and sole traders declared insolvent for the second quarter reached 8,662 in England and Wales revealed the DTI in...

Warrington the Next Stop for the Review Panel

2003-07-24

The next local retail review panel will be based at the Warrington Town Hall on the 29th July 2003. It is the second local review panel to be held by the Retail Enterprise Network (REN) and will give traders in Warrington the opportunity to guide the...

Retail Enterprise Network’s Transnational Research Programme Begins

Retail Enterprise Network’s Transnational Research Programme Begins

2003-07-14

The transnational research survey aiming to uncover the strategic issues affecting the success of small retailers in Britain and Spain has begun in fourteen towns and cities across Britain. The survey, which is being undertaken by the Retail...

Local Retail Review Panels Kick-off in Ashton

2003-07-07

The Retail Enterprise Network (REN) held its first local retail review panel in the last week of June with the Tameside Traders Link to listen to the opinions of shopkeepers who are the main beneficiaries of the initiative. The review panel takes the...

Where Does the Money Go?

Where Does the Money Go?

2003-07-07

A seminar aimed at ‘Understanding the Economic Base of Market Towns’ is being held on July 9th in Harwich, Essex. The seminar which is part of an on-going research programme will focus on identifying how money circulates around a local economy, what...

Sub-postmasters to Branch Out Into Mainstream Bank Services

Sub-postmasters to Branch Out Into Mainstream Bank Services

2003-06-26

Services you would associate with a bank will soon be on offer at sub-regional post offices. Financial products ranging from personal loans to motor insurance could be offered to customers under the Post Office brand as early as September this year. ...

REN Moves to New Home

REN Moves to New Home

2003-06-12

The Retail Enterprise Network has relocated to new premises within the Manchester Metropolitan University Business School. The project staff can now be found protecting the diversity of the small retail sector on the 11th floor of the Aytoun building...

An Insight Into Spanish Urban Markets by Marta Rivera de la Cruz

An Insight Into Spanish Urban Markets by Marta Rivera de la Cruz

2003-05-14

The historical origin of markets is almost as ancient as that of towns and cities themselves. As the first civilised settlements grew, so did the problem of delivering supplies from surrounding farms to the population of those cities. In Spain,...

Small Retailers In Andalucia (Southern Spain) Are Losing Out To Multiples

Small Retailers In Andalucia (Southern Spain) Are Losing Out To Multiples

2003-05-02

According to a recent study by the ‘Federacion Nacional de Trabajadores Autonomos’ (National Federation of Self-Employed Workers of Spain), the market share lost by small retailers in Andalucia to large multiples from 1997 to 2002 has reached 45.9%...

Persefones Begins Recruitment Drive For Twinning Programme

2003-04-17

A recruitment drive has begun to find fourteen suitable urban retail districts in the UK to be paired with fourteen retail districts in southern Spain as part of a European initiative to support small retailers. This transnational twining programme...

Finalised Agenda for Retail Review Panel and the Communications Event

Finalised Agenda for Retail Review Panel and the Communications Event

2003-03-31

The Retail Enterprise Network has announced the agenda for the retail review panel and the communications event on 3rd April 2003. The agenda is as follows: RETAIL REVIEW PANEL 11.00 - Registration + tea/coffee 11.30 - Welcome 11...

A network 1st announced for the 3rd April 2003

A network 1st announced for the 3rd April 2003

2003-03-13

The Retail Enterprise Network is set to enter new territory with its first small retailers review panel to be held at a central London location. The review panel will bring a group of retailers into a workshop environment to undertake and discuss...

Network Progress Up-date Event Announced For The 3rd April 2003

2003-03-13

Partners of the Retail Enterprise Network will meet on Davies Street in London on the 3rd of April to receive a progress up-date. The network itself is an umbrella for four separate project areas; the Research & Policy Unit, the Retail Academy,...

January/February Newsroom Round up

January/February Newsroom Round up

2003-03-01

04/01/03 From The Grocer: Eoin McGettigan, Executive Chairman of Budgens argues that grocers are uniquely placed to halt the march of cloned shopping centres. "A recent report from the New Economic Foundation warned against the demise of the high...

The convenience store landscape is rapidly changing. Can independents keep up?

The convenience store landscape is rapidly changing. Can independents keep up?

2003-02-24

The former chief executive of T&S Stores Jim McCarthy is adamant that the landscape for convenience stores is set to change. The catalyst for this he believes is the acquisition of T&S Stores by Tesco which officially took place on January 13th...

Is Britain Transforming Into a Ghost Town?

Is Britain Transforming Into a Ghost Town?

2002-12-17

If the research is accurate then Britain is fast deteriorating into a giant ghost town. The closure of small businesses and the threat of globalisation will lead to unprecedented amounts of social exclusion according to a report recently published by...

Retail Enterprise Network Transnational Workshop A Success

Retail Enterprise Network Transnational Workshop A Success

2002-11-11

The transnational workshop hosted by the Retail Enterprise Network has been favourably received by those who participated. The workshop brought together delegates from both the Retail Enterprise Network and Tiyara (its Spanish partner project) as well...

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