SCOTTISH-based textile and apparel group Dawson International has sold the former Joseph Dawson cashmere dehairing property in Birksland Street, Bradford to Whitaker Fibres of Keighley in Yorkshire.

The sale is the final part of a long-term restructuring programme of the Joseph Dawson business, which has involved the establishment of a new cashmere procurement and dehairing operation in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China, the source of the world's finest quality cashmere, in a joint venture with Dawson International's Chinese partner.

As part of the sale agreement, Joseph Dawson will lease back 30% of the Birksland Street site, focusing on processing Afghan/Iranian raw cashmere as the prime supplier to the weaving industry.

Influence wins

ENTREPRENEURIAL sisters Anne Campbell and Catriona Murray have won the Western Isles regional final of the 1997 Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust, sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland. The Stornoway-based sisters, who launched Influence - a ladies' fashion clothing shop aimed at the 14-25 age group - were judged to be the most dynamic and successful of the businesses in the Western Isles which received funding from the PSYBT between January 1995 and June 1996. They were presented with a cheque for #500 from David Currie, the Royal Bank of Scotland manager, at a ceremony in the Western Isles Council headquarters.

Brewing change

Brewery and pubs group Marston's is streamlining its management structure by setting up three distinct businesses - retail, brewing and trading, and corporate services.