Car firm in flood relief

AN Oldham car retailer is aiming to provide some charity festive cheer this Christmas by helping those unable to spend the season at home.

The Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund will benefit to the tune of £25 for every car sold during Smith Knight Fay Volkswagen’s annual January sale, which runs from December 29 to January 10, 2010.

Cumbria Community Foundation’s appeal has already raised more than £1 million to help the victims of the floods that have left hundreds of residents in temporary accommodation and without possessions.

The retailer is hoping to raise more than £1,000 for the fund during the 12-day event.

Smith Knight Fay brand manager Jason Chisnall said: “It’s important we help others at Christmas and this fund is very appropriate, as many flood victims will be spending the festive period away from their homes.

“Members of staff have family and friends directly affected by the floods, so we’re pleased to help in a small way.”

Deb Muscat, the appeal’s acting director, said: “Smith Knight Fay’s innovative idea shows the different ways businesses can help raise money. The fund strives to improve the quality of life for those who have had their lives affected by floods.”


‘Good’ rating for care service

Saddleworth business Home Instead Senior Care received a maximum two-star “Good” rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Home Instead Senior Care is the only registered service providing personal care such as assistance with washing, dressing and other personal needs, operating out of Saddleworth.

Speaking from the Uppermill office, owner Mick Sheehan said: “CQC said that our clients receive ‘a consistent and flexible care service from reliable and dependable staff’ and ‘people using this service experience good quality outcomes.’”

The full report will be available soon and can be viewed online at www.cqc.org.uk then searching for domiciliary care services (home care) in Oldham.

The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England and is similar to Ofsted, which inspects standards at schools. It aims to ensure the best care is provided in hospitals, in care homes or elsewhere. Home Instead’s inspection was unannounced.


Report praises region
THREE Oldham companies — brewers JW Lees, bakers Warburtons and home shopping giant N Brown Group — have taken part in an extensive consultation process by the Business Leadership Council (BLC).

The report concludes that Greater Manchester is a good place in which to operate and is generally better than other national or international equivalents.

The report’s authors interviewed the leaders of 26 large domestic businesses in the Manchester city region to help identify how the 10 local authorities that make up the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) can further improve the business environment.

The report finds that businesses think that the area benefits from being well located with a good infrastructure and a strong critical mass of talent and people.