Business

The Hut Group is creating 500 new jobs at its Manchester HQ before Christmas

The roles will be advertised as it heads towards its "peak trading period".

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 22nd October 2020
The Hut Group

The Hut Group has announced it intends to create 500 jobs at its Manchester HQ to prepare for the busy festive season.

The growing e-commerce company – which has a number of well-known health, wellness and beauty subsidiary companies and employs more than 8000 members of staff around the world, as well as adding more than 2000 in the last 12 months – stated that it would be advertising the roles as it heads towards its “busiest trading period” at Christmas time.

The Hut Group HQ is based at Manchester Airport and is the UK’s “biggest ever bespoke office project” outside of London.

Matthew Moulding – Founder, CEO and Chairman of THG – stated that majority of the jobs available to people across the North West will be in its technology services operation – known as THG Ingenuity – and added that the group will be working “with local partners” to create an in-house Skills Academy.

This is designed to help retrain people who are out of work as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Speaking on the 500-strong recruitment drive, Mr Moulding said: “It is an uncertain time for many people and businesses alike.

“This uncertainty has led to an unprecedented opportunity for THG to add to our exceptionally talented workforce. With our busiest trading period of the year approaching, we are excited to welcome 500 new starters ahead of Christmas,

“Our headquarters are in Manchester, and this recruitment drive will create sustainable and rewarding jobs for people across the North West, and will provide opportunities for all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

“There has never been a greater or more important time to invest in the people of Greater Manchester and the surrounding area.”

You can find more information about the roles available via The Hut Group website here.

Business

The Spirit of Manchester confirms bar closure as Manc hospitality takes another hit

Danny Jones Danny Jones The Bar at The Spirit of Manchester closed

Manchester has been hit by yet another gutting hospitality closure as The Bar at The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, formerly known as Three Little Words, has confirmed they have shut down effective immediately.

The stunning spot set up as The Spirit of Manchester Distillery’s dedicated, customer-facing city centre venue and second home under the arches, opened back in 2019, offering a cocktail, gin-making and tasting experience, as well as a restaurant.

But fast forward six years, and now the once-beloved Three Little Words bar has sadly closed, largely citing the same economic pressures everyone has faced post-pandemic.

Writing an emotional farewell post on LinkedIn, Spirit of Manchester co-founder and master distiller Seb Heeley said: “This is a post I never thought I’d have to write. 9 years ago, we set out with a dream to build something that would represent the spirit of Manchester from the humble beginning in our dining room.

“We were fortunate enough that people embraced our vision, and 6 years ago we embarked on an over million pound project to bring 6 forgotten, abandoned arches beneath the iconic Manchester Central back to life to show the best the city has to offer.

“Unfortunately, COVID changed the playing field 5 years ago, and over the last 2 years, running a city centre hospitality business, we have been hit with a perfect storm of rising costs, taxes and pressure on customer wallets that has ultimately led to an unsustainable business model.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we have to close our customer-facing operation on Watson Street today. It’s the amazing team that I feel most sorry for, as it’s their commitment over the last 6 years that has made this building feel like our forever home.”

Heeley goes on to say: “If anyone on my network is looking for new recruits, I couldn’t speak highly enough of our whole team. Please get in touch with me about any opening you may have.”

Writing a further statement on the bar’s Instagram page, they described the moment as ‘heartbreaking’, adding that they “couldn’t be prouder of [their] team” and the accolades achieved over the bar’s lifespan, both as Three Little Words and in its most recent iteration.

Landing themselves in the Top 50 Cocktail Bars of the year in the UK and even winning Bar Team of the Year back in 2022 was certainly a standout.

Seb and his wife, Jen Heeley-Wiggins, say they saw the stunning Watson Street site archway as the “forever home” for the business – it’s not hard to see why.

Having also housed local culinary offerings like Etana, too, it’s sad to see such an eye-catching part of the city’s dining scene fall victim to the ongoing industry pressures and cost-of-living crisis.

Even if you’ve never been, you’ll have passed a bottle of Manchester Gin countless times. (Credit: The Manc Eats)

The pair signed off by saying: “While this is the end for our experience centre site, Manchester Gin will continue to be made in the city and hopefully enjoyed for years to come.

“Obviously, this is a difficult time for all of us, so please bear with us while we go through this transition. Thank you.” Online orders have also been briefly paused as they look to lay out clearer plans for the future, and we can only hope they come through the other side more stable.

In what has been a heartbreaking start to the week, this marks the third high-profile food and drink casualty in central Manchester alone in the space of just the last two days, with the news of Salvi’s shutting their Deansgate Square location being followed up by another NQ closure barely hours later.

Safe to say it’s more apparent than ever that our hospitality sector needs better support and fast.

Award-winning Northern Quarter cafe and brunch spot announces shock closure

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Featured Images — The Manc Group/LinkedIn

Business

Salford City FC confirm former Manchester United shirt sponsor as latest commercial partner

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man United old sponsor AIG now partnered with Salford City FC

Salford City FC have announced a former Manchester United financial partner and well-known shirt sponsor as their latest commercial partner.

The local League Two, helmed by the consortium consisting of ex-Man United players most commonly known as the ‘Class of ’92’, now share even more in common with the Red Devils beyond just the colour of their shirt and some old personnel.

Salford’s ownership was somewhat restructured early this year, with United legends David Beckham and former CEO Gary Neville leading a new investment group as they bought out Peter Lim’s shares in the club – the same man who helped them take over the one-time non-league team back in 2014.

However, the Greater Manchester side has struggled to progress in recent years, so the owners have continued to look to generate further revenue when it comes to the business off the pitch; cue the return of a familiar logo and, arguably, one of the most recognisable sponsors to ever feature on a footy kit.

While it may not be featuring pride of place on the front of their shirt – that position still belongs to Fireball Whisky following their July 2024 deal – as it once did for Manchester United, Salford City have welcomed the American International Group (AIG) as a new minority equity investor.

Announcing the collaboration on social media, the ambitious Ammies wrote: “AIG’s investment in the Club is a powerful endorsement of the model we’re building, aligning world-class partners with a football-first vision grounded in ambition and long-term commitment.

“Together, we’re accelerating Salford’s next chapter and laying the foundation for lasting success, on and off the pitch.” AIG were paired up with MUFC from the 2006/07 campaign to the end of the 2009/10.

AIG are the first Fortune 500 company to back a League Two outfit in EFL history.

Beyond already being a multi-national insurance group, they were famously partnered with one of the most decorated Man United teams of all-time and therefore share part of the visual legacy by serving as the front-of-shirt sponsor for one of the most iconic shirts of all time.

We’re of course referring to the 2007 home jersey, which was worn by the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez, Paul Scholes and more as they won the 2008 UEFA Champions League final, before the kit was kept for 08/09 as well.

man united aig kit
rooney skinhead
tevez united black away kit 08/09
Credit: Gordon Flood/Tsutomu Takasu/wonker (via Flickr)

Of course, the firm itself is no stranger to sporting crossovers; as well as sponsoring Manchester United at the peak of their powers, they also sponsor the likes of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, the AIG Women’s Open and lots more golf in Ireland.

Speaking on the new deal, SCFC co-chair Declan Kelly, added: “Partnering with AIG, a world-class organisation under the outstanding vision and leadership of Chairman and CEO Peter Zaffino, represents another major step forward in the evolution of Salford City FC.

“It proves what’s possible when global investment aligns with a football-first approach. AIG is committed to helping Salford achieve its vision of becoming the best small club in the world, and their investment, both financially and strategically, will help accelerate our next phase of progress.”

With Salford having called for new investors in February 2024, this is the kind of backing they were no doubt hoping for, with AIG also expected to help fund key upgrades to the Peninsula Stadium and more.

As for on the pitch, there’s been plenty of movement in the transfer market already this summer window, with the return of a highly-rated young goalkeeper being one that has delighted fans in particular.

Matty Young returns to Salford City FC for a second season following successful loan spell

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Featured Images — Salford City (via club website/via X)

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