Cheshire Independent Issue 219

15 OCTOBER 2026 Visit our website: www.independentnewspapers.co.uk Independent BUSINESS AN Altrincham business is creating 16 new jobs as part of a major expan- sion that will see it take over the remaining office space at Foundation on George Street. Pensions reclaim specialist AskRose has grown rapidly since moving into the town centre building, increasing its workforce from five people in September 2025 to 17 by May this year. It is now recruiting a further 16 members of staff, who are due to start over the next month and will take the company’s Altrincham head- count to 33. The expansion means AskRose will occupy the remaining available office space at Foundation, the Bruntwood and Trafford Coun- cil workspace in the former Rackhams building, taking the property to full occupancy. A new 2,910 sq ft bespoke workspace is currently being fitted out for the company. The 16 new roles will be in customer service, supporting AskRose’s growing client base, which the company says now numbers around 100,000 people. AskRose specialises in help- ing people who may have been underpaid their state pension as a result of historic problems relating to Home Responsibil- ities Protection (HRP). HRP was introduced in 1978 to protect the state pension entitlement of peo- ple who were not paying National Insurance because they were caring for children or other dependants. Errors in historic records meant some people – pre- dominantly women – did not receive the HRP credits to which they were entitled, potentially leaving themwith lower state pension payments. Elaine Walker, director of AskRose, said the growth in the business reflected the number of people seek- ing help with potential pen- sion underpayments. She said: “We are very proud of this phenomenal growth, which means that we will be able to do an even bet- ter job helping the most impor- tant people – our customers. “We are also pleased to be creating more jobs in Altrin- cham and Greater Manches- ter with our latest expansion.” A spokesperson for Brunt- wood and Trafford Council said: “AskRose’s expansion demonstrates the value of providing a flexible workspace that can adapt as businesses grow. Their growth also reflects the continued demand for high-quality workspace in Altrincham, with Foundation now at full occupancy.” AN Altrincham-based law firm has celebrated its 25th anniversary by recording fee income of more than £10 million for the first time. McHale Group, which employs 152 people across five offices, passed the mile- stone in the year to May 31 and has now outlined plans for further expansion. The group is planning to open new offices in Manches- ter city centre and Cheshire over the next 12months, while discussions over the acquisi- tion of two other firms are said to be at an advanced stage. It is also expanding its Altrincham headquarters at Warrant House, where it has taken an additional 4,500 sq ft to accommodate the growth of its real estate team. Plans are already under way to take further space in the building. McHale & Co was founded by Andrew McHale in Leven- shulme in 2001, initially spe- cialising in criminal law before expanding into conveyancing. Over the subsequent 25 years, it has grown both organically and through acquisitions into a full-service legal group, with offices in Altrincham, Stockport, Hey- wood, London and Solihull. Andrewmoved into the role of group chairman earlier this year, with Adam Horner and Kamil Tomaszewski taking over as joint chief executives. The group now provides legal services spanning areas including family law, residen- tial property, employment, personal injury and medical negligence, as well as corpo- rate, commercial litigation, real estate and intellectual property work. It also has a specialist sports practice advising professional sportspeople and teams on contracts, transfers and com- mercial opportunities, and is looking to add immigration advice to its business services. McHale Group marked its anniversary with a celebra- tion at Bowdon Cricket Club attended by almost 400 staff, family members, friends of the firm and other guests. THE British Business Bank has invested $20m in Cheshire-based biotech Redx Pharma as part of a funding round aimed at accelerating development of a potential new treat- ment for Crohn’s disease. The investment will also help keep Redx’s research, intellectual property and highly skilled jobs rooted at Alderley Park, strengthening the North West’s growing life sciences cluster. Founded in 2010 and pre- viously based in Liverpool, Redx is a clinical-stage bio- technology company develop- ing small-molecule medicines for fibrotic diseases. It is now headquartered at Alderley Park, the major life sciences campus near Manchester. The British Business Bank investment forms part of a Series A financing round led by Abingworth alongside existing major shareholder Redmile. The new funding will allow Redx to move its lead drug candidate, RXC008, into a Phase 2 clinical study. RXC008 is being developed to treat fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease, a complication in which fibrosis causes narrow- ing of the intestine. According to Redx, there are currently no approved therapies specifi- cally addressing the condition. The financing will also sup- port the company’s continued presence at Alderley Park and its future research and devel- opment work there. Charlotte Lawrence, Man- aging Director and Head of Direct Equity at the British Business Bank, said: “Redx is an example of the pioneering science emerging from North West England. With RXC008, the company has the poten- tial to develop an entirely new category of treatment for a patient population that today has limited options. This investment will support Redx as it advances a potentially transformative treatment, while helping ensure that the company’s innovation, talent and intellectual property remain rooted in the UK.” Redx’s portfolio also includes zelasudil, also known as RXC007, which is being investigated for its potential in interstitial lung diseases and other fibrotic conditions, as well as a programme targeting chronic kidney disease. Lisa Anson, Chief Executive Officer at Redx Pharma plc, said: “We are thrilled to have completed this Series A financ- ing and to welcome new inves- tors including Abingworth and British Business Bank as shareholders and appreciate the continued strong support fromRedmile. This financing is an important catalyst for the Company and will allow us to commence our Phase 2 program for our lead asset, RXC008, for patients suffering with fibrostenotic Crohn’s dis- ease, enabling us to progress the next phase of the Compa- ny’s growth.” The financing round was completed before Redx entered into its reverse merger agree- ment with Skye Bioscience. CHESHIRE East Council visited Need Golf Cen- tre as part of its Made in Cheshire East campaign, highlighting the busi- nesses and organisations helping to drive economic growth, attract visitors and strengthen the bor- ough’s reputation as a place to live, work, invest and do business. Council leaders met with founders James and Sophie Need to learn more about the remarkable growth of the fam- ily-owned business, which has transformed a former agricul- tural field near Nantwich into an award-winning destination attracting more than 50,000 visitors each year. Founded in 2019, Need Golf was created with the vision of making golf more accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for people of all ages and abili- ties. Combining modern tech- nology, professional coaching, hospitality and family-friendly experiences, the centre has established itself as one of the UK’s leading golf facilities. The business has received national and international recognition for its innovative approach, including being named England Golf Facil- ity of the Year 2026 and Toptracer Range of the Year across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Beyond its success within the sport, Need Golf has become an important visi- tor attraction for Cheshire East, drawing customers from across the region and beyond. Its growing profile helps generate spending for local hospitality, accommoda- tion and tourism businesses while showcasing the borough to new audiences. Councillor Nick Mannion, leader of Cheshire East Coun- cil, said: “Made in Cheshire East is about celebrating the businesses that help make our borough such a successful and vibrant place. “Need Golf is a fantastic Milestone as local law firm marks 25 years 16 new jobs in expansion Mark Bayley-Smith (Circle Leadership), James Need (Need Golf Founder and Director), Sophie Need (Need Golf Co- founder and Director), Cllr Nick Mannion, Cllr Michael Gorman (Image: Cheshire East Council) Highlighting business success example of how ambition, innovation and a clear vision can create something gen- uinely special. From its beginnings as an agricul- tural field to becoming an award-winning destination attracting visitors from across the country, the busi- ness demonstrates the entre- preneurial spirit that exists throughout Cheshire East.” The Redx site at Alderley Park (Image: Redx) British Business Bank backs Alderley Park biotech with $20m