While arguably better than 2020, this year has no doubt remained a challenge for businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire as the 海角视频 and the rest of the world continues to fight the ongoing pandemic.
Organisations of all shapes and sizes have yet again been forced to adapt to the ever-changing 'new normal' leading to some firms having to make difficult decisions.
But it is clear that many businesses chose to look forward in 2021, pushing on with growth plans and committing to investing in the future.
Here we take a look back on some of the biggest business stories from the past 12 months.
The Stoke-on-Trent BusinessLive Awards
The Stoke-on-Trent BusinessLive Awards in association with The Sentinel and Stoke-on-Trent Live 2022 are back and .
Businesses and individuals from across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are being encouraged to enter across 14 categories including the coveted Business of the Year award.
You can find more information about all of the categories .
The deadline for entries is Monday, January 10 and the ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 28.
To enquire about sponsorship please email paige.jackson@reachplc.com or nikki.kandola@reachplc.com.
New £20m Marriott Hotel opens in North Staffordshire
Around 20 jobs were created when a brand new £20 million Marriott hotel officially opened in North Staffordshire.
Courtyard by Marriott opened at the Keele University Science and Innovation Park in February.
The new hotel boasts 150 bedrooms, the Scholars Restaurant and Bar, a coffee shop, meeting rooms and a fitness suite.
St Modwen confirms plans to sell huge visitor attraction in Staffordshire
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Also in February, the news broke that developer St Modwen was planning to sell-off the Trentham Estate after 30 years of owning the attraction.
The company confirmed that it is looking to sell the Stone Road facility as part of a strategy to offload up to £200 million worth of assets by 2023.
Just months later, St Modwen was sold to US private equity and investment firm Blackstone in a deal worth £1.2 billion, and the Trentham Estate underwent a major rebrand which saw it change its name to just 'Trentham'.
JCB lands biggest ever 海角视频 order for 2,100 machines
In March, digger giant JCB secured a record £65 million order for 2,100 machines.
The Rocester-based manufacturer won its biggest ever order from a 海角视频 customer – from Sunbelt Rentals 海角视频.
The equipment rental company invested in JCB Loadall telescopic handlers, mini and midi excavators, site dumpers, tracked excavators and rough terrain fork lifts – all manufactured at JCB's Staffordshire factories - as well as 350 JCB access platforms.
Two Staffordshire accountancy firms join forces
Accountancy firm Mitten Clarke joined forces with fellow accountancy practice DJH in March.
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The merger saw the two firms become DJH Mitten Clarke making it one of the 海角视频's top accountancy firms.
The deal was the start of a busy year for the firm which went on to join forces with Chester-based Morris & Co and acquire Lloyd Piggott, in Manchester, in April and July respectively.
Beswicks Legal marks centenary with move to new office
Law firm Beswicks Legal marked 100 years in business with a move to new offices right off the A500.
The firm moved out of its former base at Festival Park to new offices in Campbell Road, Stoke, in April.
Managing partner Nick Phillips described it as a "really exciting move" for the company.
New McArthurGlen West Midlands Designer Outlet opens in Staffordshire
The £160 million as the country re-emerged from months of lockdown.
The shopping village, based near Cannock, attracted huge queues on its opening day in April.
The attraction, which boasts big-name brands including Kurt Geiger, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, has been likened to Cheshire Oaks.
Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP announces new CEO
The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) appointed Anne Boyd as its new CEO in April.
Since taking up the role, Anne – who joined the organisation from the Manchester Growth Hub – has been focusing on economic growth and has been supporting the LEP with its post-covid objectives.
Anne has significant experience of working in and with Government at a national and local level and has a wealth of experience in LEPs.
Huge Stoke-on-Trent industrial estate snapped up by new owners in £6.7m deal
Also in April, Network Space snapped up a huge industrial estate in Stoke-on-Trent in a £6.7 million deal.
The commercial property developer acquired Newfield Industrial Estate from Hanley-based Sandyford Properties as part of a hat-trick of acquisitions.
The Tunstall estate is home to more than a dozen businesses including Grenville Engineering, Alsager Roofing (Cheshire) and live music venue Eleven.
IAE to create 50 new jobs with £15 million HQ expansion
In May, IAE started work to expand its 38-acre headquarters in a move which will create up to 50 new jobs.
The company – which manufactures livestock handling equipment, equestrian stabling, steel fencing and shelters – embarked on £15 million plans to build two new warehouses and a visitor centre at its Adderley Green base.
When the project is complete early next year, all of IAE's 450 staff will be brought onto on site at Mossfield Road.
500 Home Office jobs to be created in Stoke-on-Trent
Home Secretary Priti Patel made a huge announcement in May revealing how more than 500 government jobs will be created in Stoke-on-Trent over the next five years.
The announcement detailed how the Home Office will open an Immigration Caseworking Innovation Centre in the city, initially creating 50 new case worker jobs and 200 jobs within an asylum co-ordination hub.
It added that around 560 new jobs would be created by 2025 as the centre expanded, with roles to include operational IT, policy and corporate functions positions.
The move is part of a Government drive to move civil service posts outside London and to the Midlands.
Woolcool boss recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours
The managing director of eco-packaging firm Woolcool was awarded an MBE for services to manufacturing and the environment in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June.
Josie Morris leads a 50-strong team at the Stone-based firm, which produces sustainable temperature-controlled packaging used in the food, pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
She is also a member of the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Council, an Export Champion for the Midlands Engine and a board member for the Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association.
250 new jobs as Novus reveals ambitious growth plan
Also in June, Novus Property Solutions revealed plans to create 250 new jobs in the next five years as part of an ambitious growth plan.
National maintenance and construction contractor, whose headquarters are based in Stoke-on-Trent, told how it wants to have a 1,000-strong workforce and a turnover of more than £250 million by 2026.
And the business – which appointed a new CEO in July – is well on track to achieve its target after winning £23 million of new business in August and September and securing its biggest contract of the year in November.
Alpha Manufacturing breaks ground on new £4m site
Sheet metal manufacturer Alpha Manufacturing broke ground on a new site as part of a £4 million investment.
Work officially started on the company's new 35,000 sq ft facility at Beacon Park, in Stafford, in June.
The new warehouse – which is expected to created 30 new jobs – will be home to Alpha Manufacturing Chemical Technologies.
£18.2m investment puts Midlands firmly on the map for advanced ceramics
The Midlands Industrial Ceramics Group (MICG) secured £18.27 million in government funding in July as part of its bid to put the region on the map as the world leader in advanced ceramics.
The MICG was awarded the cash from the 海角视频 Research and Innovation's flagship Strength in Places Fund which will be used to create a world-leading industrial and academic research and development programme over the next four years.
Following on from that, MICG member Lucideon, which is based in Penkhull, signed a lease on the former Renishaw factory, in Stone, to help kickstart the collaborative project.
550 jobs at risk as 2 Sisters Food Group plans to close biscuit factory
More than 550 jobs were put at risk at Staffordshire's biggest biscuit factory in September when 2 Sisters Food Group revealed it is considering closing it down.
The company launched a consultation with staff at Elkes Biscuits – formerly Fox's Biscuits – in Uttoxeter over its plans to close the "significantly loss-making" factory.
Birmingham-based 2 Sisters said the site – which produces own-label biscuits for major retailers – was "no longer commercially viable".
The consultation is ongoing until March 2022.
Genr8 unveils plans for new co-working space at Smithfield development
Developer Genr8 revealed plans for a new co-working facility in the city centre in September.
Smithfield Works is being developed in Hanley as part of the wider Smithfield scheme.
The facility, which is scheduled for completion in February 2022, will boast hot desks, meeting rooms, private suites, 'Zoom booths' and presentation areas, for growing businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs.
海角视频 manufacturer opens EU base to help it overcome Brexit complications
海角视频 manufacturer and distributor Easy Composites Group opened a new European subsidiary to help it overcome Brexit complications.
The company, which manufacturers and distributes materials and equipment for advanced composites, launched a base in Rijen in the Netherlands in October.
The Park Hall Business Village-based firm says the move will help to overcome delays and complications following Brexit and enable it to serve European customers "better than ever".
Staffordshire pub company's newest venue finally opens
More than 65 new jobs were created as the Parogon Group's long-awaited new restaurant finally opened.
The pub company welcomed the first customers to The Broughton, near Betley, in October, after various delays including the Covid-19 pandemic.
The venue joins Parogon's growing list of venues which already include The Orange Tree, in Newcastle, The Wayfarer in Stone and Willow in Trentham.
More than 700 jobs created as new £90m ASOS fulfilment centre opens
Online fashion brand ASOS officially opened its brand new Staffordshire warehouse in November.
The company announced it was opening a new £90 million fulfilment centre, on Fradley Park in Lichfield, at the start of the year.
More than 700 jobs were created with the opening but that number is expected to rise to 2,000 over the next three years.
Browns Distribution unveils £8m plans to build brand new HQ
And later that month, Browns Distribution unveiled £8 million plans to build a brand new headquarters just 300m away from its existing base.
The haulage firm says it has grown considerably over the past few years and now needs to construct a huge new distribution centre, and a 100 space car park, on a huge piece of land in Tunstall.
Work has already started on the new building and is expected to be finished by August 2022.
Wrights Pies sold in huge deal ending 96 years of history
And in December, pastry giant Wrights was taken over by The Compleat Food Group in an undisclosed deal.
The company, which has more than 600 employees, had been family owned for almost 100 years after being launched by Jack and Lizzie Wright in 1926.
But the acquisition means it is now part of The Compleat Food Group’s pastry division in a move which it says "builds on the legacy which the Wrights family has worked so hard to create over 96 years".
It is not known what – if any – effect the acquisition will have on the future of the company’s Crewe headquarters and its 15 shops.