Manchester pub showcases local artists’ work

Manchester pub ‘Mr Thomas’s Chop House’ has joined forces with advertising agency, The Raft, to create a competition and an exhibition to showcase some of the region’s finest new illustration talents.

The gastropub in Manchester city centre will play host to ‘Mr Thomas’s Art Fair’ and will display 25 pieces of illustration work from the art schools around Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Yorkshire regions.

There were around 160 entries to the competition and an impressive panel of judges selected the 25 best pieces of work to go on display in the pub. The judging panel included illustrator Ian Pollock and also the youngest [Read more]

Flyers help prevent crime in Altrincham

Companies offering flyer printing in Altrincham could help in the fight against crime by getting involved with Trafford Police’s scheme to tackle crime in the Trafford area with their Crime Prevention Panel.

Trafford Police’s Crime Prevention Panel recently celebrated its 18th birthday and on the back of this, the police are looking for further volunteers in the area to help them with reducing crime.

The panel is responsible for running many successful projects, such as a Fixlox campaign where panel members go to the homes of the most vulnerable in the community and supply them with security products and fit them at no cost.

Panel members also distribute flyers with details regarding crime prevention [Read more]

Graffiti POS attracts attention

A Manchester book store has put a novel twist on the idea of point of sale advertising to grab attention and create a buzz around their store. Magma, a book store based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter on Oldham Street has briefed Sicocreative to spray paint new designs directly on to the front hoardings of their shop – the live artwork is sure to make them stand out on the high street and draw customers in.

More traditional point of sale advertising can work in the same way for other city centre retail outlets in Manchester such as printed posters or A-boards or directional signs. There are local companies who can help with businesses offering pos printing in Altrincham or other areas close by to Manchester city centre. Pos displays work with other forms of [Read more]

New Altrincham business offers potential print work

Local print companies are always interested to learn when new businesses move to the area because of the potential for forging new business relationships and winning print contracts. Print companies in Altrincham will be interested to learn that one of the best know names on the high street, Ethel Austin, looks set to move into the area after leaving their native Liverpool behind.

Only last week, Ethel Austin came out of administration and now looks set to make the move from Liverpool to Altrincham. The news comes from workers at the Ethel Austin warehouse in Knowsley, who have apparently been told about the proposed move.

Ethel Austin was formed 76 years ago by a housewife from Anfield. The company only recently came out of administration and it looks set to be rebranded as Life & Style Retail, which will alert print companies in Altrincham even more. Life & Style Retail has been [Read more]

Altrincham town centre Cultural Quarter good for business

Altrincham printing companies, like brochure printers and stationery printers, may well pick up some new work from new businesses that will take premises in the newly refurbished Goose Green area. An old building in Back Grafton Street had lain empty for two years and has now been sympathetically restored, offering new potential for shops, restaurants and other businesses.

The building, of some historical interest, was set for complete demolition after falling into disrepair after being empty for so long. It had also become a hangout for antisocial behaviour. The original idea was to replace it with a five story commercial development. However, a design studio, Planit-ie Ltd, stepped in and bought the building in November 2008 with the intention of redeveloping it.

Planit-ie Ltd, specialists in master planning and urban design, had very different plans. After successfully completing the purchase the company managed to [Read more]

Design service choices near Altrincham in Cheshire

Some printing companies, usually the larger ones, have their own in-house design studio. Others, for example the typical business card printer in Altrincham, may need the services of an independent design company from time to time.

There is a design company which is not far from Altrincham which could be quite convenient for local print firms. The interestingly named Chilli Cactus company is based in Wilmslow, in South Manchester. They describe themselves as an ‘innovative and exciting’ design agency which can handle corporate identity development, design for print, website solutions or even a complete marketing overhaul.

Another good example of a Cheshire based design agency is TR Creative, which offers design for print and new media. They describe themselves as a friendly and imaginative studio. They too can offer a similar service to the above and say their main aim is [Read more]

North West has good creative facility in Altrincham

The North West region, particularly the Greater Manchester area, has an extensive selection of creative agencies. This is good for local print firms who do not operate their own in-house creative facility or who regularly receive print work from agencies. Some printing companies in Altrincham, for example, may find it beneficial to have a good creative agency in town.

Acrobat creative consultants have been in business since 1994 and operate out of premises at the Atlantic Business Centre in Altrincham. They describe themselves as “One of the North West’s most creative studios”. Agency partners Nik and Carole Say:

“We are not ashamed to offer a down to earth, friendly service to all our clients and know [Read more]

Unusual shareholder for Altrincham FC

Altrincham is a very keen sporting town. Although the local Altrincham Football Club is a non league club it has a loyal following from its supporters. You will find supporters amongst many local businesses, ranging from small printing companies in Altrincham to large distribution companies in Alrincham. The club gained a new shareholder earlier this year, which came as something of a surprise to many fans.

Australia’s Cricket captain Ricky Ponting, who was somewhat controversial in the 2009 test series, now holds 500 shares in Altrincham FC. During the 2009 test series the Australians were driven around by Mr. Geoff Godwin, owner of the [Read more]

Heidelberg shows how to improve performance

Heidelberg’s managing director, George Clarke, hosted a two day industry event on the 18th and 19th of November. The event focused on how to maximise profits by improving press performance. Heidelberg’s marketing manager said:

‘’We have very important messages for participating printers at this event’’

Visitors attending the event were able to see demonstrations of several different Heidelberg presses, always good for printers who tend to like a more hands on approach.

Heidelberg identified the main issues as being [Read more]