Stephen Palfrey is a businessman who helped breathe life back into a St Helens landmark.

He is part of the Oxford Partnership which bought the former cinema and nightclub on Duke Street, where the Beatles once played.

It has since been converted into five units, housing Larkins restaurant, Galaxy Blinds, Julie Waterhouse hairdressers, a chemist and Cinema bar.

The development has helped regenerate part of the town centre.

Stephen, who in his younger days worked as graphic artist with the Star, is also design director with PalfreyGreer and a director of Ruskinvest, which runs the Ruskin Drive sports complex.

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GPW is recognised for its growth from a relatively small company in the 70s, which provided design solutions to local engineering and manufacturing companies, to its position today as a recruitment powerhouse.

Its ability to stand the test of time and adapt to change in a tough industry makes it an outstanding fixture in the business community.
Graham Worsley, the present chairman, joined the company in 1990 and recognised the need to emphasise the quality and professionalism of GPW’s services.

Year on year since then, staff numbers and annual turnover has increased to its present levels of more than 40 staff and an annual turnover of £24 million.

In response to changing markets and client needs, GPW has evolved and developed over the years, working within many industries, including manufacturing, construction, engineering, design and secretarial.

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