@FSBManchester profile picture
Robert Downes @FSBManchester

Development Manager representing over 4,000 SMEs in Greater Manchester. Tweeting business info, events, and news in the area. #FSBMCR @fsb_policy @FSB_voice

Joined October 2011
  • Tweets 11,029
  • Following 3,856
  • Followers 4,008
2,068 Photos and videos
📢Looking forward to being at @TamesideMnsBiz event this Thursday, both on our trade stand and on the stage for a panel session to talk about #procurement with @STARProcurement and others. Tickets are free 👇eventbrite.co.uk/e/tameside-…

Tameside Means Business Expo

Promote your brand! Accelerate your growth! Attend the Tameside Means Business Expo!

eventbrite.co.uk
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Robert Downes retweeted
Liverpool BA
@LiverpoolBA
Jun 8
FSB members warmly welcomed to catch up with the @FSBManchester team and take advantage of great networking opportunities at #ManchesterBizFair Weds 15 July Mercure Bolton Georgian House Hotel Free to visit - lots of great features - Exhibit from £275 VAT manchesterbizfair.co.uk/
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Chancellor considering a freeze on rents within the private sector for a limited period as higher prices caused by the Iran war continue to put household budgets under significant pressure. Who would want to be a landlord right now? #Landlords thisismoney.co.uk/money/buyt…

220,000 rental properties to disappear across England by end of 2026

Buy-to-let has ballooned over the last 15 years, but this is now sliding into reverse as landlords fear increased regulation.

thisismoney.co.uk
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High street retailers are on the brink. Why do our decision makers in high office keep pulling all the wrong policy leavers?😒
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📢 Small business owners! If you're sales & marketing efforts need a pit-stop...👇 central-Manchester, May 15! #AI events.fsb.org.uk/en/8d2bI2X…
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Great news that #Adlington new town housing estate in #Cheshire has been kicked in to touch. #Stockport, #Poynton, #Woodford #Macclesfield collective sighs of relief all around.
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I knew it wouldn't be long before we got the 'top driving tips' to save on rocketing fuel costs: the AA has said (seriously) drivers should drive less; while the RAC advices its members to avoid harsh accelerating & braking. Crisis avoided. 😔 🤡
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March is a busy month for trade shows in GM, not least the #BuryMeansBusiness annual shebang! We're exhibiting this year! 👇 eventbrite.co.uk/e/bury-mean… @burymeansbiz
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The Spring Statement, which sums up you best? 1) A must watch 2) Nothing to see here 3) Irrelevent after the weekend's black swan event
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Fascinating development today with ministers considering slowing down plans to pay adults of all ages the same minimum wage, with the policy being blamed for spiralling unemployment in 18-24 year olds. It goes deeper than that, but it would be a start. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y6…

Plan to increase youth minimum wage could be delayed

Government sources tell BBC News they could slow down plans to make minimum wage equal across age groups.

bbc.co.uk
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Cheap/no town centre car parking = great footfall/all is good. Expensive parking = the polar opposite. This is just not fair or right in the current economic climate @StockportMBC #Stockport news.google.com/read/CBMiWkF… @BBCRadioManc
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Congrats to all involved in the #Rochdale in Bloom project, the town making the shortlist for the 2026 finals. A huge community effort to make the town a nicer place to visit - and which means a lot to so many high street businesses there👏🏻 @RochdaleCouncil
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Might we at last be getting some meaningful news on east-west rail connectivity improvements with a revived Norther Powerhouse Rail plan at some point this week? High speed between #Liverpool to #Manchester via Ringway - yes please CX!! @FSBMerseyside
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Britain’s high streets are set for a challenging year, no one would dispute that. High streets need some love. At what point will local councils wake up and pull some of their own levers to help? #Tameside & #Rochdale are leading the way!
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. @sister_mcr I am trying to make a room hire enquiry on your online booking system , but the system is not working and won't let me submit the form. Could somebody give me a shout please? robert.downes@fsb.org.uk
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Very wet and stormy weather forecast for tonight and tomorrow. If the A555 floods again that will be four floodings (and closure) in less than 12 months. 🌊
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📢Great news for shoppers but more importantly businesses in this most important trading period, that the planned Metrolink strikes over Dec 5, 6, 7 have been called off as Unite ballot their members on an offer. 🤞🏻
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📢 Huge news on the Employment Rights Bill yesterday evening around day one rights. If you ever wonder what business groups like FSB do behind the scenes for our members, this is a great example. 👍🏻
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Well done #Middleton for scooping double gold at the Britain in Bloom comp for their town centre flower displays. Loads of people contributed to this, well done everyone involved. More pride in all our town centres like this please, it does make a difference! @RochdaleCouncil
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Always good to meet MPs on patch to talk through some of the issues affecting small businesses. Really enjoyed a coffee and chat with Heywood & Middleton North MP @elsieblundell this afternoon who was all ears re. our procurement pilot and how it's benefitting #Rochdale firms.
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