Archive for July, 2009

« Older Entries

THE BEST YET

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

At Downtown Liverpool in Business we pride ourselves on hosting what are widely recognised as the best business networking events in the region. From the barmy and informal ‘Sexy’ networking through to our business-to-business dinners, we strive to create a quality, friendly environment with an edge.

However, it is the two annual gala dinners that we organise, the ‘Livercool’ awards and the Liverpool Business Awards, dubbed the ‘Oscars’, that really allow Downtown’s creativity and unique approach to business events to shine through.

After last November’s ‘Livercool’ do, when we themed the event around Liverpool number 1’s, produced an amazing set, and were treated to a virtuoso performance from the comic genius that is John Bishop, I thought we had delivered the best we could possibly deliver.

However, last Thursday, the DLIB team, led by Roger Jonas, provided an occasion that would have graced any audience, and surpassed all that had gone before it.

The 2009 ‘Oscars’ was an absolute triumph, and the feedback I have had has been more positive than ever before.

I was delighted for all the ‘Oscar’ winners, but particularly pleased for Live’ Smart and David Wade Smith, who were deservedly crowned ‘Business of the Year’.

David’s dedication and commitment to Liverpool is only matched by his business acumen. Live’ Smart will be a significant business legacy to 2008, and I know that the concept and the brand will be rolled out and developed successfully in the coming months and years by him, and the strong team he has put in place.

The ‘Oscars’ also heralded the formal launch of DLIB’s latest campaign ‘Trams-form Liverpool’. The chances of the project getting ‘back on track’ will only improve with strong private sector backing, alongside wider community support. With that in mind, it’s great to see both the Chamber and the Civic Society get behind the scheme this week.

Finally, for those of you who didn’t make the ‘Oscars’, or for those of you who want to see it again, the introductory video that was so well received on the night can be viewed if you visit http://www.downtownliverpool.com/

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Business | No Comments »

BUCKING THE TREND

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

They say that when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and certainly in the current economic climate, businesses that survive and thrive will be the ones that come from sterner stuff than their peers.

So, it is no surprise to me that Preston entrepreneur Steve Jackson, and his ‘Recycling Lives’ team, are making some impressive strides with their new business venture, despite the overall gloomy economic picture.

His social enterprise (Jackson will not allow the ‘not for profit’ term to be used) is a unique project that enables individuals who have fallen on hard times for a variety of reasons to get back on their own two feet, by helping themselves.

It is an innovative and dynamic, some may say risky, approach to the social exclusion agenda that many have tried, and failed, to address.

I noted this week that he is starting to attract support from a number of public agencies from across the region. I hope the local public sector follows suit sooner rather than later.

Jackson’s track record is excellent, from PNE through to his scrap businesses. I back him to make this latest venture equally successful.

Go to http://www.recyclinglives.org/ for further information. Or better still, arrange to go down and see the fantastic training facilities and business incubators on Essex Street.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Business | No Comments »

TRAMSFORM LIVERPOOL

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

I have had the pleasure of meeting the Conservative Shadow Home Secretary and Shadow Minister for Merseyside, Chris Grayling, on numerous occasions during the past two years.

On a range of issues, elected mayors; bringing more civil servants jobs to Liverpool and protecting businesses from additional tax burdens; Chris and I have been at one.

However, his recent comments about the prospects of a Tram for Liverpool were extremely disappointing to the city’s business leaders.

His view that public expenditure will be squeezed from 2011 onwards is indisputable. However, his assertion that the Tram project was not delivered here because the wrong route was chosen (Liverpool – Kirkby) is highly contentious.

Not only were there good social and economic reasons for this route to be prioritised, but it was always seen as the first of THREE lines that would be constructed to offer the Liverpool city region a modern transport system fit for the 21st century.

For the business community, this is a crucial issue on a number of levels. Getting in, out and around the city region would be so much easier; such a project would provide Liverpool with a truly modern European feel; and it would demonstrate to all that Liverpool can deliver on major infrastructure schemes.

A significant amount of investment has already been made in respect of the Tram project, and although it may be fair for a future Tory Government to cry poverty as they battle to get public borrowing under control, it is disingenuous for them to pretend that the scheme will not go ahead as a result of a local decision on which route should be given the green light first.

Liverpool needs all three lines. The debate should be about how we raise the cash to pay for that – not about which route should be completed first.

Downtown Liverpool in Business will be at the forefront of any campaign to get the Liverpool Tram scheme up and running.

Look out for further details in the coming weeks.

Tags: ,
Posted in Business | No Comments »

DPIB MARCHES ON…

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Following a comprehensive programme of summer events that included the Lancashire Business Week, the Lancashire Business Awards and an audience with Bank of England Agent John Young, the Downtown Preston in Business (DPIB) events team is taking a well earned break.

However, autumn, sadly, will soon be here, and we are already planning a series of exciting occasions for your enjoyment.

The new Chief Executive of the Preston Vision Board, Eliot Lewis Ward, along with the Chief Executive of the Northwest Development Agency Steven Broomhead, will address our Property & Enterprise Forum on the afternoon of October 8th.

In September, we will be hosting a ‘No Ties Networking’ evening, and a Members Reception.

And in November, the third annual ‘Six in the City’ awards evening will be held. Look out for nomination forms that will be circulated throughout August.

For all of you who have beat the ‘credit crunch’ and are off on holiday, have a great time. For the rest of you…at least you have a great programme of Downtown events to look forward to!

Tags: ,
Posted in Business | No Comments »

TMP FUTURE IN DOUBT?

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Has Liverpool City Council finally run out of patience with The Mersey Partnership? It certainly seems so, with its decision to appoint a Tourism Guru a very public vote of ‘no confidence’ in the city region wide agency whose remit it is to promote tourism and attract inward investment.

The Mersey Partnership (TMP) itself has been without a Director of Tourism since the excellent Martin King vacated the post in November 2008. Now, Liverpool is establishing the job of ‘Destination Liverpool director’ who will earn a healthy £75,000 a year for his or her services.

Despite the appointment of Lorraine Rogers to the position of Chief Executive two years ago and the astute Rod Holmes as Chairman earlier this year, TMP has proved a difficult organisation to turn around.

The turnover of staff is concerning, the agencies focus sometimes confused, and the co-operation among the local authority partners who now dominate the TMP board more window dressing than real in my opinion.

The fact that Liverpool is still not accepted as THE brand across the city region; the failure to appoint a new Tourism Director and the undermining of TMP by Liverpool City Council’s latest initiative, and indeed it’s earlier decision to establish a new Liverpool Vision, means an uncertain future for the organisation.

A meeting has been organised by TMP to bring public and private sector partners together next week. It should be an interesting occasion!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Business | No Comments »

« Older Entries