Midcheshire Independent Issue 182

AUGUST 2025 8 Independent BUSINESS A CHESHIRE bar- bershop business has been named the best in the country and has lifted a prestigious national award. Crat e Chesh i re, which operates in Mac- clesfield, Knutsford and Northwich, won the Barbershop of the Year title at this year’s Brit- ish Hairdressing Busi- ness Awards. The awards event, hosted by ITV This Morning presenter Ben Shephard, took place at the Royal Lancaster in London. It brought the UK professional hairdress- ing industry together to celebrate the best in the Showing the right identity Gusto rescue deal confirmed ALDERLEY PARK based med-tech busi- ness Centauri Thera- peutics has received a £3.8million in new funding for further development work. The company, which specialises in immu- notherapy, has been given the investment by CARB-X (Com- bating Antibiotic-Re- sistant Bacteria Bio pharmaceutical Accel- erator) a Boston-based drug development organisation. The latest funding brings CARB-X’s total support for Centauri from 2019 to date to £9.6m. The latest cash boost will help move Cen- tauri’s broad-spectrum antimicrobial into first- in-human clinical trials. It is specifically selected to combat clin- ically prevalent and multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. Dr Jennifer Schneider, Centauri Therapeutics chief executive, said: “We are thankful for CARB-X and their con- tinued engagement and confidence, which has allowed us to move a step closer to delivering amuch needed therapeu- tic for serious, drug-re- sistant Gram-negative infections, even in the most clinically vulner- able patients.” THE government has unveiled its Small Business Plan to support small and medium sized firms (SMEs) across the country. Its measures include tackling late payments with what it describes as “the most significant legislative reforms in 25 years”. Late payments is an issue that costs the UK economy £11billion a year and shuts down 38 busi- nesses every day. The government has also announced a £4bn finance boost, including 69,000 Start-Up Loans, designed to inspire the next generation of entre- preneurs and small busi- ness owners. Small and medium sized firms employ 60 per cent of the country’s workforce and generate £2.8 trillion in turnover. The new laws are set to give stronger pow- ers to the Small Busi- ness Commissioner to empower them to wield fines, worth potentially millions of pounds, Med-tech firm in new funding boost A CUT ABOVE! Winners: Charles Rose and the Crate Cheshire team (Photo credit: Crate Cheshire) KNUTSFORD head- quartered Italian res- taurant chain Gusto has been bought by Cherry Equity Part- ners in a pre-pack administration deal that has saved 300 of its 500 jobs. The acquisition fol- lowed an announcement by Gusto of its intention to appoint an administrator in the face of significant financial challenges and ongoing pressures in the hospitality industry. As part of the deal six of its locations will close, including the Gusto res- taurant in Alderley Edge. Seven restaurants will continue to trade under the new owner- ship following the deal, which was orchestrated by insolvency firm Inter- path Advisory. Paul Moran, chief executive of Gusto Res- taurants, said: “This investment marks an important step forward for Gusto, ensuring the future of the business and putting in place a strong and stable platform upon which we can start to grow the business again.” Edward Standring, chief executive and operating partner of Cherry Equity Partners, said: “This investment marks our third acquisition in six months, and underscores our deep commitment to the UK hospitality sector. “Cherry is an opera- tor-led sector specialist. This is an industry we’re incredibly passionate about and one we believe is full of opportunity.” The transaction was led by Will Wright and Richard Harrison from Interpath. Will said: “Although these continue to be challenging times for hospitality operators, we are pleased to advise on this transaction which will safeguard the future of a fantastic brand which has been serving custom- ers across cities and sub- urbs for over 20 years.” Cherry is now the owner of Bistrot Pierre, Cabana and Gusto Ital- ian and has revealed it is looking to making “fur- ther significant invest- ments” in the sector. Support plan unveiled to end late pay misery business. It is the second time Crate Cheshire has won the top award. An awards spokesper- son said: “The British Hairdressing Business Awards saw the indus- try’s biggest names and brands celebrate those who have excelled in the past year.” Celebrating the win on Facebook, Crate Cheshire said: “We are honoured to have been awarded the title of Bar- bershop/Grooming Salon of the Year. “ T h e B r i t i s h Hairdressing Business Awards brings together so many talented peo- ple and teams within the industry. “We won the same category back in 2020 and we have continued to strive for excellence in delivering beautiful haircuts, educating the next generation of talent and building our team. “Thank you to our clients who stand by us and to the team for work- ing so hard and making Crate Cheshire what it is today.” ANEW service that allows individ- uals to verify their identity directly with Companies House is now up and running. More than sixmillion people will need to comply in the 12months after identity verification becomes a legal requirement later this year. Anyone setting up, running, owning or controlling a company in the UKwill need to prove they are who they claim to be. The introduction of identity verifi- cation is one of the key changes to UK company law under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The landmark legislation gave Com- panies House new and enhanced pow- ers to help disrupt economic crime and support economic growth. The government says identity verifica- tion will provide more assurance about who is setting up, running, owning and controlling companies in the UK. People can verify their identity directly with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). The voluntary period for iden- tity verification opened at the end of April. The government says taking a phased approach reduces the burden on companies. Companies House chief executive Louise Smyth said: “Identity verifica- tion will play a key role in improving the quality and reliability of our data and tackling misuse of the compa- nies register. “To save time later, we encourage directors, people with significant con- trol of companies (PSCs) and those fil- ing information with Companies House to verify their identity during the vol- untary window. “We expect identity verification to become mandatory from autumn 2025. To reduce the burden on business, the identity verification requirement for existing directors will be integrated into the annual confirmation statement update process.” AI and digital government minister Feryal Clark added: “Ensuring trust and transparency in the digital age is vital. “Identity verification at Companies House through our GOV.UK One Login service will make it easier to do business with confidence – protecting entrepreneurs, consumers, and the UK economy from fraud and finan- cial crime. “By embracing digital identity checks, we’re reducing red tape while strength- ening our defences against abuse of the system.” The verification process will need to be carried out if you are: • A director • The equivalent of a director – this includes members, general partners, and managing officers • A Person with Significant Control • An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – also known as a Companies House authorised agent • Someone who files for a company, for example a company secretary against the biggest firms who persistently choose to pay their suppliers late. The commissioner will be given new powers to carry out spot checks and enforce a 30-day invoice verification period to speed up resolutions to disputes. The upcoming legislation will also intro- duce maximum payment terms of 60 days, reduc- ing to 45 days, giving firms certainty they’ll be paid on time. Audit committees, under the proposals, will also be legally required to scrutinise payment practices at board level, placing greater pressure on large firms to show they’re treating small suppliers fairly backed by mandatory interest charges for those who pay late. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “From builders and electricians to freelance designers and manufacturers – too many hardwork- ing people are being forced to spend precious hours chasing payments instead of doing what they do best – growing their businesses. “ It’s unfair, it’s exhausting, and it’s hold- ing Britain back. So, our message is clear: it’s time to pay up. “Through our Small Business Plan, we’re not only tackling the scourge of late payments once and for all, but we’re giving small business owners the backing and stability they need for their busi- ness to thrive, driving growth across the coun- try through our Plan for Change.” Policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Tina McKenzie, said: “Mak- ing sure businesses are paid on time, that our high streets thrive, and creating conditions in which everyone can start and succeed in business are crucial priorities for small businesses, commu- nities and the economy. It’s very welcome that the Prime Minister has today made them his gov- ernment’s priorities. “I’m pleased that FSB and the government have been able to work in lock- step on the bold and ambi- tious measures needed to tackle the scourge of late payment through legislation, and other pro-growth, pro-small business measures.” As part of the plan, the government is also tack- ling another major bar- rier for small businesses – access to finance. It is launching a new £4bn wave of financial support aimed at boosting growth and supporting more small businesses to start up and grow. This includes a £1bn boost for new businesses, with 69,000 Start-Up Loans and mentoring support to inspire the next generation of entre- preneurs and small busi- ness owners. Accelerating SME growth by just one per- centage point per year, could deliver £320bn to the UK economy by 2030.