Business in brief (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Business in brief
9:20am Monday 18th March 2013 in Business
By Chris Holland, Business Reporter
Firm wins award
Skipton-based Mott MacDonald Bentley has won the Institution of Civil Engineers Yorkshire and Humber centenary award. The trophy, awarded annually to the best regional project, was presented to representatives of Mott MacDonald Bentley and Yorkshire Water by ICE president Professor Barry Clarke for their work on the £7 million Rivelin water treatment works in Sheffield. A bridge upgrading scheme in Bradford was among projects recognised with certificates of excellence after being shortlisted for the main award.
Rockers’ brew
Rock veterans Iron Maiden have launched their own beer. The band teamed up with Stockport brewer Robinsons to create real ale Trooper, named after one of their most popular songs. Lead singer Bruce Dickinson helped develop the flavour of the 4.8 per cent strength beer with several visits to the firm. He said: “I’m a life-long fan of traditional English ale. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when we were asked to create our own beer.”
Extra flights
Fans of the TT motorbike racing festival will be able to take advantage of an increased flight schedule from Leeds Bradford Airport to the Isle of Man. Extra Citywing flights will operate between May 30 and June 9 and tickets have gone on sale.
Pub recognition
Amber Taverns, which owns and operates 82 freehold, community pubs across the North of England, the Midlands and North Wales, gained industry recognition for its innovative approach to running wet-led, community pubs, winning the Best Community Pub Operator at The Publican Awards 2013. The company’s portfolio includes Last Orders (Vanilla Lounge) in North Street, Keighley.
Profits increase
Rising costs offset a big jump in sales at JD Wetherspoon as the pub chain continues to rail against its tax disparity with supermarkets. Revenues for the six months to January 27 were ten per cent higher at £626.4 million, with like-for-like sales up 6.9 per cent, but Wetherspoon’s profits still fell 2.7 per cent to £34.8 million on an underlying basis. It faced further increases in wage costs, utility bills and bar and food costs, while its total tax bill was £273.5 million, an increase of £23.4 million and representing 43.7 per cent of its sales. Post-tax profits were £25.2 million, up slightly on the year earlier.
