MCBAINS COOPER SIGNS BRAZIL DEAL.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

February 23, 2010.

MCBAINS COOPER SIGNS BRAZIL DEAL.

London-based international property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper is embarking upon a joint venture with Brazil’s second largest civil engineering company, Concremat, to support inward investment into the country and work on domestic Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.

Santiago Klein, managing director of McBains Cooper International, finalised the deal which means McBains Cooper’s next-generation inter-disciplinary bid and project management expertise becomes available to Concremat’s 18-office network.

“We’re well established as the gateway to Latin America for UK and European investors – this agreement throws that gate wide open in one of the world’s most important growing economies,” said Santiago Klein.

“In summary, the McBains Cooper and Concremat teams will work together to support the rising number of UK and European investors involved and showing interest in construction-related projects in Brazil.

“Furthermore, we are also able to bring to bear our wider international experience in managing and driving through PPP projects and initiatives in Brazil, a sector of development finance which is taking off.

“Crucially, we have vast experience across Latin America on both inward investment support and PPP bids and contracts – so, combining the high-regard with which UK construction and engineering professionals are held, our extensive experience in Latin America, the provenance of Concremat and an on-the-ground presence in Brazil itself, we now have a compelling proposition to businesses and organisations inside and outside of Brazil.

“But the influence of the relationship with Concremat works in other ways: in our operations across Latin America we come across many private and public sector projects that are challenging to the extent that they can only be driven through effectively with the input and involvement of a company like Concremat – 50 years involved in the forefront of construction and engineering.

“This is an extremely exciting development which will yield a number of benefits and beneficiaries across both Latin America and the UK, and into Europe.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley / Chris Fowler

07788 978800 / 07719 172225

im@pressrelations.co.uk / cf@pressrelations.co.uk www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Lima (Peru) and Mexico City, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

£16,000 WINDFALL FROM REFUNDS ON HIGH STREET LENDERS’ MIS-SOLD PAYMENT PROTECTION INSURANCE.

TOTAL-RECLAIM

PAYMENT PROTECTION INSURANCE

RECLAIM CASE STUDY

February 24, 2010.

COUPLE GET £16,000 WINDFALL FROM REFUNDS ON HIGH STREET LENDERS’ MIS-SOLD PAYMENT PROTECTION INSURANCE.

Total-Reclaim does not charge up-front fees.

IT Manager Wayne Brooker, 36, and his wife Vici Brooker, 30, a Personal Assistant from Maidstone, Kent, have received a refund of more than £16,000 in the past seven months due to mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI) on nine different policies.

The money has been refunded following action by Total-Reclaim, which has pursued twelve PPI claims – three are still pending - following mis-selling over the past ten years by an assortment of high street lenders.

Between them they have had access to £85,500 of credit and paid it back in full – but with £16,166 of PPI added onto that sum – which amounts to 19% more than necessary to pay back.

Over the past decade Wayne and Vici have used credit cards and loans to manage the large events in their lives; marriage, buying their first home and car together, and having two children.

“Although we were aware that PPI had been added to our loans and credit cards, the lenders didn’t go through the due process with us at the point of sale – and therefore the insurance probably wouldn’t have paid out in the event of any claim,” said Wayne Brooker.

“Total-Reclaim was recommended to us by a friend and we were quite pleasantly surprised when we got a refund on the first loan policy. I urge people to check their loan and credit card agreements and see if they are in the same position as we were.

“I approached Total-Reclaim, filled out one form and left the rest to them – we had the first refund within months – it was a totally painless exercise – and on a no win, no fee basis, there was no risk.

“The refund couldn’t have come at a better time – we’re thinking of moving house this year.”

Around 20 million UK households are paying for Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) policies, millions of which may well have been mis-sold.

The vast majority of people paying for mis-sold PPI do not realise they can reclaim their payments - the average refund and compensation is £1,800 - and many are still being sold PPI policies against which they could never make a successful claim.

Many have discovered the policy has been added to a loan arrangement without the customer’s agreement, and some have been told they cannot get a loan without taking out PPI.

Total-Reclaim is fully approved by The Ministry of Justice to handle legal reclaims on PPI debt refund, and does not charge up-front fees.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley/Megan Codling

im@pressrelations.co.uk/mc@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800/07795 848586

www.total-reclaim.net

SAGA MANIFESTO: MAIN PARTY LEADERS MOVE TO WOO ALIENATED 0VER-50S.

THE SAGA GENERATION MANIFESTO

PRESS RELEASE

February 16, 2010.

SAGA MANIFESTO: MAIN PARTY LEADERS MOVE TO WOO ALIENATED 0VER-50S.

The three main party leaders have moved to win back potentially alienated “silver voters” by appearing together for the first time in Saga Magazine (today, Tuesday 16^th – copy available via email) to state their commitment to the wants and needs of the over-50s.

After a long weekend of rows over the collapsed cross-party talks on funding social care, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Tory leader David Cameron and Lib-Dem Nick Clegg set out their stall to the magazine’s readers, which number a significant two million of the demographic most likely to cast a vote.

The leaders were responding to The Saga Generation Manifesto: six demands for a fairer society for the over-50s. The Manifesto points – which included sorting out the care system – were gleaned from the concerns of thousands of older people responding to Saga’s unique over-50s Populus poll.

“The fact all three leaders have dropped everything to respond to Saga Magazine readers is significant  -because the older vote has suddenly been recognised by previously youth-obsessed politicians as having vast influence,” said Paul Green, head of communications for Saga.

“According to our survey and others, around 70% of over-50s will vote in the General Election. Over-55s are three times more likely to vote than under-25s.”

The company is resolute in not endorsing any political party, preferring to leave that choice to their “readership of grown-ups” - who will also be given the chance to grill each leader in an upcoming Saga webchat.

But while the magazine is even-handed in its praise and brickbats, it analyses the leaders’ articles and points out:

- Nick Clegg has some good and interesting ideas, promising a “flexible decade of retirement” and allowing those over 65 to work part-time while drawing some or all of their pension.   He also stated that as older people are the biggest users of the National Health Service, they should have a direct role in scrutinising the care provided by handing power to older people through directly elected local boards – to which health and social care services would be accountable. He says the LibDems want to see “thousands more police” on the streets.   But the magazine points out that on present poll evidence, he has little chance of becoming Prime Minister so can afford to be bold with his ideas.

- David Cameron has communicated well with the readers and promised much: keeping many benefits such as the Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance, rights to respite for carers, increased funds for dementia research, and reiterated his Home Protection Scheme. This is his plan for a one-off £8,000 payment at the age of 65 that would pay for residential care fees for life. He also states his wish to change attitudes towards senior citizens and “to stamp out the culture of incivility which makes life hell for many older people”. The magazine points out that though that might be a laudable aim, he has not spelled out how this could be achieved.

- Gordon Brown says that “government needs to change the way it supports older people” and promises to “bring forward plans for the National Care Service” - though he is not specific about dates. He also promises “radical reform” of the pensions system – something many experts have called for and a major plank of the Saga Manifesto. The magazine points out, however, that readers are likely to want to know why his proposals have not been introduced in the 13 years Labour has been in power.

All three leaders pledge to restore the link between pensions and earnings.

Magazine editor Katy Bravery said: “Clearly the three leaders are very keen to reach the part of the electorate most likely to vote. But it’s what they don’t say that is interesting. All three make pertinent points, but for me – and I would guess most of our readers - the question is, ‘how are you going to pay for all these promises?’   Each leader has agreed to face the Saga Generation and answer their questions with either a live webchat or meeting: so there will be an opportunity to flesh out their promises with proven costing and timings."

Paul Green said: "The Saga Generation takes its electoral duty seriously, and so the party leaders still have all to play for. By engaging in a mature, grown-up discussion with the older demographic we may yet see some sound policies that really improve the lives of older people. We are very happy to provide a platform for them.”

The Saga Manifesto demands fairer finances, the effective abolition of ageism, an age balance in Parliament, more support for carers, “intelligent” retirement processes and better, safer streets.  The manifesto was put to the three leaders in January; they respond to it in the March edition of Saga magazine (published Feb. 16). www.saga.co.uk/election

Ends

Further information

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.saga.co.uk

PAYMENT PROTECTION INSURANCE: SELF-EMPLOYED SITTING ON A BITTER-SWEET BONUS.

TOTAL-RECLAIM

PRESS RELEASE

February 15, 2010.

PAYMENT PROTECTION INSURANCE: SELF-EMPLOYED SITTING ON A BITTER-SWEET BONUS.

Total-Reclaim does not charge up-front fees.

Thousands of self-employed who ducked out of working for a business to work for themselves could be sitting on a bitter-sweet bonus.

Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) reclaim specialist Total-Reclaim says it is seeing an increase in the number of people who haven’t just been mis-sold PPI policies when they’ve taken out loans or credit cards, but have also been left completely unawares that their policy becomes invalid when they become self-employed.

“Anyone who is, or becomes, self-employed, retired, a student, works less than 16 hours a week, has certain medical conditions, a dangerous job or is in the armed forces should not be sold PPI or continue payments if their employment status changes and meets any of those criteria – they are unable to make any claim. And yet the banks and lenders continue to mis-sell PPIs, but also misinform, or fail to inform, people who have ongoing PPI policies,” said Daryl Vickers of Total-Reclaim, which does not take up-front fees.

“When somebody moves out of full-time employment and becomes self-employed – as many people have during the boom and bust of the past few years – they will inevitably advise their bank because there will be a distinct change in their finances.

“The problem is that the lenders have not been telling those people that their PPI becomes invalid, but have nevertheless continued taking PPI policy payments against insurance that would never be paid out so long as they are self-employed.

“People who become self-employed may believe that their loan payments are covered by PPI should they lose their income, but in fact they’re not. But they’re still paying the premiums.”

One case involves self-employed search engine marketer Andy Donaldson, 30, from Liverpool, who trades as Hit Search, who took out a £10,000 loan while employed, but when he informed his bank he was going self-employed in April 2007 they failed to advise him that the PPI on his loan would become invalid.

The premiums have been refunded in full following action by Ellesmere Port and Warrington-based Total-Reclaim – and Andy received £1,700 as a result.

Around 20 million UK households are paying for Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) policies, millions of which may well have been mis-sold.

The vast majority of people paying for mis-sold PPI do not realise they can reclaim their payments - the average refund and compensation is £1,800 - and many are still being sold PPI policies against which they could never make a successful claim.

Many have discovered the policy has been added to a loan arrangement without the customer’s agreement, and some have been told they cannot get a loan without taking out PPI.

Total-Reclaim is fully approved by The Ministry of Justice to handle legal reclaims on PPI debt refund. Total-Reclaim does not charge up-front fees, but takes a commission on the premiums recovered following reimbursement from the lender to the borrower.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley/Megan Codling

im@pressrelations.co.uk/mc@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800/07795 848586

www.total-reclaim.net

MCBAINS COOPER GROWS IN MEXICO.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

February 11, 2010.

MCBAINS COOPER GROWS IN MEXICO.

Property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper has opened a third office in Mexico as the business continues to grow ahead of forecast.

London-based McBains Cooper is capitalising on Latin American demand for UK inter-disciplinary infrastructure and property consultancy expertise having been appointed, amongst other projects, as advisers to the Mexican Ministry of Security for the development under a PPP (Public Private Partnership) scheme of 12 prisons.

Monterrey joins Mexico City and Chihuahua as McBains Cooper offices in what is becoming one of the most important developing economies.

Santiago Klein, managing director of McBains Cooper International, says there’s a steady but growing flow of demand for UK construction consultancy expertise in Latin America for both public and private sector related projects with an especially positive forecast for Public Private Partnerships.

However, a growing niche of UK and Europe-based investors are switching interest to Latin America where McBains Cooper’s status as the gateway to the region is proving fruitful for developers and their European sponsors.

“Every region of the world has a different way of going about doing business, and Latin America’s way is a complex mix of who you know, what language you speak and the pedigree of professional expertise. Latin America is dominated by two languages and a deep-seated enthusiasm for UK professionals,” said Santiago Klein.

“We’re a long-established UK company, with on-the-ground presence and local business experience in several Latin American countries – and that makes us of great interest to the decision-makers.

“But crucial to the whole process is the who-you-know: in Latin America the deals are done between businesses and organisations who know and trust one-another, which is fundamental to protecting the integrity of the contract - and a general rule of thumb is that it’s necessary to have an in-depth understanding and business intelligence of the local markets to be successful in the region.

“We have vast experience across Latin America on both inward investment support and PPP bids and contracts – we have a compelling proposition to businesses and organisations inside and outside of Mexico.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley / Chris Fowler

07788 978800 / 07719 172225

im@pressrelations.co.uk / cf@pressrelations.co.uk www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Lima (Peru) and Mexico City, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

GREEN PROCESSES CLOSE TO MATCHING CHEAP-BUT-NON-GREEN MANUFACTURING.

SHIRLEY TECHNOLOGIES

TEXTILE TESTING

PRESS RELEASE

February 8, 2010.

GREEN PROCESSES CLOSE TO MATCHING CHEAP-BUT-NON-GREEN MANUFACTURING.

Manufacturers and retailers buying cheaper-to-make non-green products to sell on to consumers and businesses alike are embracing a false economy.

Shirley Technologies (STL), one of the world’s leading textile testing laboratories, says that while the up-front cost of buying cheaper raw materials and specifying they be treated with cost-saving but less-than-environmentally ideal process chemicals is helping shave up-front costs, the ultimate price is higher.

“It sounds like a cue for a reference to products that ‘cost the earth’, but this is a financial message: cheaper products cost more in tax and corporate penalties, and yield lower green-aware financial rewards, incentives and benefits through being less environmentally-friendly,” said Asif Shah of Shirley Technologies.

“The less green the manufacturing and packaging process, the higher the taxes and costs to the originating company – this is inevitably passed on the retailer as an incurred cost.”

STL says businesses unsure of the green potential of their sourcing or manufacturing processes should be consulting Made in Green www.madeingreen.com, a not-for-profit organisation which certifies that the product, throughout its traceability chain, has been manufactured in factories which respect the environment and the universal rights of workers.

“It’s not just the sourcing, it’s the disposal processes: the waste-disposal industry now varies between charging for removing waste, or paying for the privilege depending upon the quality of that waste,” said Asif Shah.

“The least environmentally-friendly waste – that can be packaging, by-products and so on – yields lower revenues from waste disposal companies, while the ‘best’ waste can be sold to the highest bidders.

“We estimate that with current manufacturing technology, the green manufacturing process is on a level with the non-green manufacturing process, but the trend is moving such that green manufacturing will very soon become cheaper than environmentally-insensitive processes.

“Green manufacturing processes are developing and progressing so quickly that retailers have a duty to stay on top of progress, and, in some cases, may find they are close or at the point at which green makes more business sense than cheap.

“Green and organic food production and processing has moved from being viewed as somewhat oddball to now being accepted mainstream – textiles are a few years behind, but moving in the same direction.”

Shirley Technologies Ltd (STL) is a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited laboratory providing competitive, independent, expert textile testing, certification, advisory and investigation services across the traditional and specialist textile industries.

STL is an independent subsidiary of BTTG Ltd, formerly the British Textile Technology Group. With more than 80 years experience, Shirley Technologies Ltd provides unrivalled and expert reassurance through its technical services to a global network of clients which include manufacturers, retailers, the legal profession, police, consumers and related interest groups including Trading Standards. Highly qualified and experienced technical staff work directly with clients to ensure that they receive the best advice and service in a wide range of technical areas.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley/Megan Codling

im@pressrelations.co.uk / mc@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800/07795 848586

www.shirleytech.co.uk

iPhone-envy drives upgrade-replacement insurance fraud

SUPERCOVER INSURANCE

PRESS RELEASE

February 08, 2010.

iPhone-envy drives upgrade-replacement insurance fraud.

iPhone-envy is driving mobile phone insurance fraud “through the roof” according to a high-value-gadget insurer.

Carmi Korine, director of Supercover Insurance, says that as fast as new- generation iPhones come on to the market via retailers, older models are being lost, stolen or damaged in the knowledge that customers receiving replacements will be upgraded to the later version.

“iPhone insurance is the fastest-growing type of cover in the gadgets sector – no other product drives such demand for insurance; iPhone owners are 60% more likely to take out insurance than other mobile phone users, and, for the unscrupulous, £8.99 a month insurance is cheaper than £500 to buy the latest iPhone,” said Carmi Korine.

“While most customers take out insurance because they value their iPhone, we started to notice increases in claims as new and upgraded iPhones were launched – for short periods around new model or upgrade launches, claims for lost, stolen or damaged iPhones go through the roof.

“While some are genuine, we do get some bizarre claims – and some massively obvious scams. For instance, we ask claimants to send in their damaged iPhones for inspection – one we received was alleged to have been dropped, and then driven over by a car, but when our technical team pieced it back together they identified what appear to have been signs of at least six hammer blows.

“We’ve also been able to identify the patterns of shoe heels – again, multiple impacts – water damage including, rather alarmingly, the scent of toilet bleach drifting out of the packaging, and claims of fire damage which the claimant found very difficult to explain.

“The issue appears to be that most iPhone owners can only go for so long realising that they’re a generation behind the latest must-have spec before they resort to extreme measures; they can’t upgrade before their contract ends, so those who can’t wait will try practically anything to get back on level fashion terms with their friends.”

Supercover is a 15-years-established provider of insurance for consumer portable high-intrinsic-value products such as mobile phones, laptops and other gadgets, as well as spectacles.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

www.supercoverinsurance.com

£1-A-DAY LABOUR CAN BE ELIMINATED IF RETAILERS ADOPT EXISTING BUT IGNORED AUDIT PROCESS.

SHIRLEY TECHNOLOGIES

TEXTILE TESTING

PRESS RELEASE

February 4, 2010.

£1-A-DAY LABOUR CAN BE ELIMINATED IF RETAILERS ADOPT EXISTING BUT IGNORED AUDIT PROCESS.

The abuse and exploitation of workers highlighted in reports that a high street sports goods retailer is employing £1-a-day labourers in a clothing factory in Laos could be virtually eliminated if a voluntary international textile testing certification process was adopted in the UK and across Europe.

Manchester, UK, based Shirley Technologies (STL), one of the world’s leading textile testing laboratories, is a member of the ‘Made in Green’ Group which tests and audits textiles and production processes for dangerous substances, and evidence of human rights abuse in the production chain.

Those products passing the tests and audit are awarded a “Made in Green” www.madeingreen.com label which can be stitched into clothing or textiles and indicates the product has been produced in respect of social responsibility, ecological and environmental guidelines.

“The report was interesting in that it showed up the problems in auditing and tracking supplier chains in the textile industry. The advantage of ‘Made in Green’ is that it tests the product range, audits the processing in the factory, audits the environmental impact and ensures compliance with social responsibility guidelines all at once,” said Phil Whitaker of STL.

“Obviously, we are not party to all the detail, but we would offer the cautious observations that no social responsibility audit had been carried out on the factory shown on the BBC’s ‘Inside Out’ in the North East.”

The “Made in Green” testing and audit process involves three elements: Oeko-Tex 100 certification which guarantees products do not contain substances harmful to health, Oeko-Tex 1000 which confirms current environmental legislation compliance, and CCRS-AITEX, which ensures compliance with corporate social responsibility guidelines including child labour.

However STL recently asked 2,000 UK shoppers did they recognise Oeko-Tex labelling (which can also be a stand-alone certification), and only 6% said they knew what it was.

STL has been testing textiles for harmful substances for more than 80 years, but no more than a handful of UK manufacturers and retailers submit their products for audit of the production process which would confirm compliance or contravention of human rights of workers.

Made in Green is a mark which certifies that the product, throughout its traceability chain, has been manufactured in factories which respect the environment and the universal rights of workers.

Shirley Technologies Ltd (STL) is a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited laboratory providing competitive, independent, expert textile testing, certification, advisory and investigation services across the traditional and specialist textile industries.

STL is an independent subsidiary of BTTG Ltd, formerly the British Textile Technology Group. With more than 80 years experience, Shirley Technologies Ltd provides unrivalled and expert reassurance through its technical services to a global network of clients which include manufacturers, retailers, the legal profession, police, consumers and related interest groups including Trading Standards. Highly qualified and experienced technical staff work directly with clients to ensure that they receive the best advice and service in a wide range of technical areas.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley/Megan Codling

im@pressrelations.co.uk / mc@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800/07795 848586

www.shirleytech.co.uk

PPI RECLAIM WINDFALL FOR HOUSE-HUNTER VICKY.

TOTAL-RECLAIM

PPI CASE STUDY

February 3, 2010.

PPI RECLAIM WINDFALL FOR HOUSE-HUNTER VICKY.

Vicky Griffiths, a 37-year-old quality assurance manager from Padgate, Warrington, has received a £1,823 windfall in time to consider a down-payment on a new home thanks to a refund of mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) premiums.

The premiums have been refunded in full following action by PPI recovery specialist Total-Reclaim, based in Ellesmere Port and Warrington, which took action on Vicky’s behalf against a high street bank for mis-selling the PPI on top of two loans which totalled £9,500 - £1,823 of which was PPI.

“I wasn’t aware at the time I took out the loans in 2005 that the PPI had been added to the loan amounts – it wasn’t pointed out to me. You trust a high street bank to explain everything to you,” said Vicky Griffiths.

The Financial Ombudsman ruled that Vicky was mis-sold the PPI on top of her loan amounts, resulting in a refund.

“I seemed to be paying a lot of money every month and the loan amount was taking longer than I’d anticipated to pay off – of course I now realise that I was paying more than I needed to every month due to the added PPI amount,” said Vicky.

“I urge people to check their loan and credit card agreements and see if they are in the same position as I was.

“I approached Total-Reclaim, filled out one form and left the rest to them – I had my refund within months – it was a totally painless exercise – and on a no win, no fee basis, there was no risk.

“The refund couldn’t have come at a better time – we’re thinking of moving house and now we have some of the down-payment.”

Around 20 million UK households are paying for Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) policies, millions of which may well have been mis-sold.

The vast majority of people paying for mis-sold PPI do not realise they can reclaim their payments - the average refund and compensation is £1,800 - and many are still being sold PPI policies against which they could never make a successful claim.

Many have discovered the policy has been added to a loan arrangement without the customer’s agreement, and some have been told they cannot get a loan without taking out PPI.

Total-Reclaim is fully approved by The Ministry of Justice to handle legal reclaims on PPI debt refund.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley/Megan Codling

im@pressrelations.co.uk/mc@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800/07795 848586

www.total-reclaim.net

MAYOR OF BEDFORD RE-LAUNCHES AFTERNOON TEA IN FAILSWORTH

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

February 03, 2010.

MAYOR OF BEDFORD RE-LAUNCHES AFTERNOON TEA IN FAILSWORTH.

11am for 1130am, Thursday, February 4, 2010.

The Mayor of Bedford, Dave Hodgson, will be in Failsworth, Manchester, on Thursday, February 4, to help give the inventor of the traditional afternoon tea her rightful place in history.

The Wickentree restaurant at leading home furnishings store Housing Units’ retail park is to rename its afternoon tea “The Bedford” after Anna, 7^th Duchess of Bedford, who in the 1840s created the idea of the mid-afternoon snack to ward off hunger pangs between lunch and dinner.

Mayor Hodgson will unveil the new Housing Units afternoon tea at 1130am on Thursday, February 4, 2010.

But there’s growth in the “afternoon tea economy” – Housing Units is currently serving up six times as many afternoon teas as it was in the middle of 2009, with bookings being taken for parties of up to 25. The 2010 afternoon tea, to the recipes of Wickentree chef Rick Dunkley, has several modern-cuisine twists to it.

“The Earl of Sandwich created what became known as ‘the sandwich’ after demanding some of his meals be delivered between two slices of bread, but the Duchess of Bedford was never afforded the same honour after her invention, so we’re re-naming our afternoon teas accordingly,” said Nick Fox of Housing Units.

“We’ve invited the Mayor of Bedford to come along to the store to officially rename and launch ‘The Bedford’ which will take its place on our menu and he will be welcomed and joined by the Leader of Oldham Council, Howard Sykes.

“The traditional afternoon tea has grown massively in popularity since we introduced it, and the Champagne Afternoon Tea is proving particularly popular.”

The traditional afternoon tea consists of sandwiches, cakes, tea, coffee or champagne.

Having conceived the idea of having tea in the afternoon to ward off the hunger pangs between lunch and dinner, the Duchess started having a tray of tea with bread and butter served to her in the mid-afternoon.

It became a regular occurrence and she began to invite other high society ladies to join her. Along with tea, there would be small pastries with clotted cream or preserves, delicate sandwiches and scones. 

These habits soon became a good reason for social gatherings and started a trend that is still very much a part of British life.

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk