Business Diary: January 15

REST assured, anyone doubting the ability of Leeds and Partners to deliver on inward investment for Diary can reveal that the taxpayer-funded agency is starting to come up with the goods.

LAP, not to be confused with the LEP, has created a colourful desk calendar, reference LPI130113/SC. It arrived on Diary’s desk last week.

In an accompanying letter, Leanne Buchan, head of stakeholder communications, explained: “Over the course of the last six months, Leeds and Partners has made great strides towards our strategic objectives of driving inward investment, creating jobs, promoting the city and growing the tourism industry.”

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Diary won’t mention the resounding success that isn’t the Leeds enterprise zone.

Ms Buchan goes on: “As we move to become a stakeholder centric organisation, implementing anew approach to engagement and communication within the city, Leeds and Partners will also ensure that the city’s history is not forgotten in its future.

“The development of a new city proposition to be shared and implemented in 2013 will provide a clear narrative for stakeholders to celebrate the city’s past, present and future, telling its unique story with one voice.

“Leeds and Partners seek not only to communicate with our stakeholders, but to enable and facilitate their communication with each other, as a well-connected city is the key to our success.”

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Never mind that Yorkshire ranked 10th out of 12th in foreign direct investment projects in 2011, with LAP’s dynamic approach to enabling, facilitating and stakeholding, future prosperity is guaranteed!

A sweet and sour story

THE city of York will be transformed into a stage when play Blood and Chocolate is brought to life on its streets.

And businesses have the chance to back this unique production, which takes its inspiration from the success of York’s chocolate making industry during the First World War period.

Blood and Chocolate, written by Olivier award-winning writer Mike Kenny, will be co-produced by Pilot Theatre, York Theatre Royal and Leeds-based company Slung Low.

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It will involve a cast of 200 people and will take place in October, using York city centre as a backdrop. The play will tell the story of the employers and workers of the chocolate factories.

Every member of the audience will have their own set of headphones and audio visual projection will also feature, with landmark buildings being lit up to help tell the story.

Producer Liam Evans-Ford, who helped produce the York Mystery Plays, which took nearly £1m in the box office last year and attracted 33,000 spectators, is seeking businesses interested in backing the Blood and Chocolate project.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has already come on board as a financial supporter.

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Interested businesses can contact Mr Evans-Ford on 01904 635755 or 07850 005666, or by emailing [email protected] Visit www.pilot-theatre.com for more information on the production.

Busman’s holiday

What next for departing Persimmon chief executive Mike Farley?

Well, according to his replacement Jeff Fairburn, it will involve a well-earned break.

Mr Farley, who retires from the York-based housebuilder at its annual shareholder meeting in April, joined the group in 1983. According to Mr Fairburn, he plans to take time out at his holiday home in France – although that may actually involve more building work.

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“It’s a bit of busman’s holiday,” said group managing director Mr Fairburn. “I think he’s planning on doing a bit of work on that.”

Mr Farley, who is standing down after seven years at the helm, turns 60 in June.

“He’s been with Persimmon for almost 30 years and has had a great career and leaves the business in great shape,” said Mr Fairburn.

And how does Mr Fairburn plan to celebrate his promotion? “I’ve not thought about it to be honest. I will after today...”

Cold comfort

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Shoppers at Morrisons are leaving nothing to chance during the current cold spell, if its latest sales snap is anything to go by.

The Bradford-based chain reports via Twitter that flask sales are up 600 per cent, UHT milk is up 26 per cent, bread is up 15 per cent, stewing beef sales are 22 higher and carrots are up 10 per cent.

Beef pie and glass of hot milk anyone?

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