LDP Business Magazine, April 2010 by Liverpool Post & Echo

M O N T H LY R E G I O N A L B U S I N E S S M A G A Z I N E

LDP BUSINESS w w w . l d p b u s i n e s s . c o . u k A p r i l 2 0 1 0

A warm welcome? Eight-page analysis of Merseyside’s visitor economy

Leading the way

Former ICI site transformed by man with a dynamic vision

● Capital idea: A London embassy for Liverpool? ● Way out West: Selling Skelmersdale ● Swashbucklers: JMU takes on the pirates

INSIDE 4

LDP BUSINESS

NEWS

London embassy for Liverpool?

EDITOR Bill Gleeson 0151 472 2319

7 BIG FEATURE

bill.gleeson@liverpool.com

Merseyside’s visitor economy

DEPUTY BUSINESS EDITOR Tony McDonough 0151 330 4918

18 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Cammell Laird secures new leases

tony.mcdonough @liverpool.com

19 Peter Cook of SOG

BUSINESS WRITERS Alistair Houghton

Peter Elson

BIG INTERVIEW

alistair.houghton @liverpool.com

Risks of a volatile currency

25 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Focus on West Lancs

peter.elson @liverpool.com

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Neil Hodgson neil.hodgson @liverpool.com

Alex Turner

alex.turner@liverpool.com

HEAD OF IMAGES Barrie Mills

barrie.mills@liverpool.com

HOW GREEN IS YOUR BUSINESS?

MARKETING EXECUTIVE Litza Gorman 0151 742 2352

Hotel cuts flood risk

ADVERTISEMENT DIRECTOR Debbie McGraw

TRANSPORT

Extra seats on key rail route

ADVERTISMENT SALES Jackie McMahon 0151 330 5077 Trudie Arlett 0151 472 2476

35 PROFESSIONAL SECTORS New networking opportunity

37 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

PHOTOGRAPHY Trinity Mirror

High-flying firm’s Newcastle deal

38 EDUCATION

Sinking the pirates

PUBLISHED BY Trinity Mirror NW2, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB.

41 RESTAURANT REVIEW Tate Liverpool Cafe

TELEPHONE 0151 227 2000

THE LIST

FAX 0151 330 4942

NETWORKER

‘Netwalking’ Liverpool

LDP Business is printed monthly and distributed with the Liverpool Daily Post. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

46 SOCIAL DIARY

Carolyn Hughes out on the town

I RECEIVED a disturbing election leaflet from the Liberal Democrats last week. Posted through my letter box, the Lib-Dems’ “Liverpool Today” glossy publication included an article that attacked the Labour candidate for Wavertree, “London Luciana”, for not being from around here. Luciana Berger’s London roots are mentioned 12 times in a single article. Examples include “educated in a London school”, “controversial London candidate” and “was standing as a councillor in London.” Colin Eldridge’s London-phobia contrasts with his article’s numerous references to his own “local” connections. But I can’t helping thinking he’s stretching the point when he makes something of the fact that his partner, Laura Gilmore, was

BUSINESS CLUB INQUIRIES 0151 472 2352

EDITOR’S LETTER head girl at Bishop Eton primary school. Whoop, whoop. The fact is, Mr Eldridge is thin on detail about his own origins. All that his leaflet reveals about himself is that he currently lives at 50 Rathbone Road. The implication is that you should vote for Mr Eldridge because he has better local connections and you should send London Luciana packing back down south because . . . well, she’s not from around here.

So does this parochialism mean only local people can stand for election in any given constituency? Such an approach would certainly have reshaped British political history. Yorkshire-born Harold Wilson would not have represented Huyton and didn’t Margaret Thatcher represent a north London constituency, even though she came from Lincolnshire? Mr Eldridge’s party leader, Nick Clegg, was born of Russian and Dutch stock in very leafy Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, yet he is MP for inner-city Sheffield Hallam. Not even Mr Clegg’s wife, a Spaniard, has a

Sheffield connection! The last Lib-Dem MP for the Wavertree area was “Essex David”, or Lord Alton of Liverpool, as he styles himself these days. Should he have been driven back south? If we are going to be prejudiced about outsiders, should Fernando Torres and Vasily Petrenko go home? As for “local” Colin, he was, it turns out, born and educated at St Bartholomew’s school in Newbury, Berkshire, and attended the University of the West of England, wherever that is, and was until a few years ago a councillor in Bristol. A woolly

back if ever there was one. If you want my vote, Colin, you should stop talking about your girlfriend’s achievements when she was aged 11 and instead tell me what you’re going to do about income tax, business taxes and the economy generally. Indeed, how are you and your party going to make inward investors, including those from London, feel welcome in this part of the world? Or would you prefer that anybody not hitched to a former Bishop Eton headgirl took the hint and kept their investment cash, their jobs and their funny London ways to themselves? Pots, kettles and the word black come to mind.

BILL GLEESON 3

NEWS

Morgan Ashurst delivers valuable safety lessons

Ryan Jones with Emma Parke, Jack Panteli, and Rees O'Neill

CONSTRUCTION firm Morgan Ashurst gave pupils at Wallasey’s Park Primary School lessons in health and safety. The Liverpool-based builder is developing a £4.3m eco-friendly replacement school on the Woodstock Road site. And with most of the work set to take place during term-time, the company felt it was right for students to don hard hats and hi-vis jackets for some schooling in safety. Morgan Ashurst project manager Ryan

Jones said: “We won the job to construct Park Primary School partly because we promised to keep children involved with the project. “We are building the new school just metres away from the pupils, and it’s our responsibility to keep them safe throughout construction.” Headteacher Hilary Ryan added: “The children greatly benefited from the opportunity to find out how building sites work and now recognise very clearly the dangers.”

Law firm founder calls for London ‘embassy’ NE of Liverpool’s leading corporate professionals says the city should set up a fully-staffed “embassy” in London to attract inward investment. Guy Wallis, one of the founding partners of corporate law firm DWF, said the city region needed a “radical shake-up” of its inward investment activity. His idea follows on from comments from Liverpool Vision chief executive Jim Gill acknowledging that the city needs to do more to attract new bluechip business into the city. Mr Wallis said: “It would not be an exaggeration to suggest that 90% of the decisions and judgments made in this country that impact on our economy are made in London. “Once upon a time, Merseyside maintained an office in Brussels to lobby for all-important European funding. Today it’s private investment that the city needs, and a very large part of that is still directed by people and institutions in London. “Whether it is investment advisers, corporate companies, senior civil servants, media opinion-formers or politicians, it’s clear that the perceptions of people in the capital are vital to Liverpool’s future. “It’s great that Liverpool is going to be at the Shanghai World Expo, but we also need to focus our efforts a lot closer to home.” Mr Wallis acknowledges that such a initiative would require re-prioritising existing marketing expenditure. The Mersey Partnership is the agency tasked with the role of attracting inward investment into the Liverpool city region. However, a spokeswoman told LDP Business the agency did not wish to comment on the idea at this time.

Guy Wallis – believes Liverpool should have an office in the capital

JLT managing director Mark Muslek

‘Rugged’ PC firm in sales surge RUNCORN-BASED “rugged” PC supplier JLT Mobile Computers is reporting a 50% surge in sales over the past 12 months. The firm, formerly called JLT UK, supplies tablet PCs and in-vehicle mounted PCs that are used in a wide range of demanding, harsh environments. Some of the recent applications of JLT devices include integrating touch screen PCs into non-destructive testing equipment used for testing oil and petrochemical storage tanks, and installation in minisubmarines to run the navigation and auto-pilot systems. Managing director Mark Muslek said: “It has been a phenomenal year for JLT in the UK. “Despite the general economic

downturn, we are very pleased with the level of interest in our rugged mobile computing products that are deployed in a wide range of groundbreaking end-user applications under extreme conditions. “As the companies benefit from our leading technology and word spreads about its successful deployment, we are expecting great things for 2010. “Our rugged products present an excellent return on investment for end users. All have been proven fit-for-purpose in the harshest environments and withstand extreme physical abuse. Since the early 1990s, JLT has been developing rugged PCs that are used by the military and emergency services.”

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Helping business sparkle Stepclever gives valuable support and start-up aid to Liverpool-based jewellery makers

STEPCLEVER is an initiative to generate an enterprise culture in North Liverpool and South Sefton, by offering free business advice and support, as well as grants and other financial assistance for existing enterprises, start-up companies and individuals. Here we look at an exciting venture which is being helped by Stepclever. ALL things that glitter don’t have to be gold, as Claire Smithwick has discovered. In 2009, the 28-year-old was made redundant from her job as a

florist and struggled to find another job in the industry. So, Claire took control of the situation and decided to turn her hobby – jewellery making – into a full-time job. Claire said: “I’d always wanted my own business and so, ironically, being made redundant was the best thing that could have happened to me – it gave me the kick I needed to make my business dream a reality. “I had some minor concerns about setting up a new company while we were in the middle of a recession, but I thought that if I

Stepclever gave funding to help Passion Jewellery’s start-up

bracelets, necklaces and earrings, all ranging from £10 to £45. The jewellery is sold through special parties hosted by Claire, as well as fashion and corporate events. A selection of the custommade items are also sold at shops throughout the city, art galleries, boutiques and beauty salons. With her diary filling up and fantastic feedback from customers, business is going well, and Claire is hoping for even more success throughout 2010. She said: “More and more people are recognising that I produce lovely jewellery which is of an excellent quality, and I’d like to get to the point where customers proactively come to me – and fingers crossed that will start to happen in the very near future.”

could make it work during these tough financial times, I would be able to make it work in the future.” After applying to Stepclever for a grant, Claire was awarded £1,500 funding which resulted in the creation of Passion Jewellery. With this money, she bought the essential materials used to create unique pieces and also invested in marketing which included a new website which is set to be launched soon. And it wasn’t just about the money. Stepclever gave essential advice and sent her on many courses to give her basic business skills such as marketing and book keeping. Claire added: “Stepclever have been invaluable and have helped me understand more about the business side of things. They’ve also given me fantastic contacts, which has really got my business off the ground.” Passion Jewellery’s headquarters are in Claire’s home, in Anfield, where she designs a gorgeous range of one-off

Support for Business

■ FOR more information about Passion Jewellery, contact Claire Smithwick on 07757 291 357, email jewellerypassion @yahoo.co.uk or search for Passion Jewellery by Claire on Facebook.

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LIVERPOOL FC

EVERTON LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE

You can call us, free of charge, on 0800 030 4376 Email: info@stepclever.co.uk

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Who to contact Stepclever has established ofﬁces in the heart of the communities serving the areas of Anﬁeld, Everton, Kirkdale, County in north Liverpool and Derby and Linacre in south Sefton.

TOTALLY

FRANK

Frank McKenna is the chairman of Downtown Liverpool In Business ICONIC brands have to modernise, too . . . IT WAS with sadness, if not necessarily surprise, that I heard the news of Lewis’s closure. The legendary Liverpool department store will be closing its doors after over 100 years of trading, with the loss of around 300 jobs. Every Scouser has a tale to tell about the grand old retail outfit. For my part, it was the first place where I visited Santa’s Grotto. Sir Paul McCartney once worked there, John Lennon is said to have met his first wife, Cynthia, outside Lewis’, for their first date, no doubt underneath the statue that is “exceedingly bare”. The Liverpool One development, along with the soon to be constructed Central Village scheme has, of course, contributed to Lewis’s demise. However, long before the modernisation of Liverpool city centre, Lewis’s was in difficulty, and has almost closed on at least two previous occasions during the recent past. As with traditional names such as Woolworths and Ethel Austin, Lewis’s has failed to renew and reinvent itself as a relevant retail offering for the 21st-century shopper. Discussing this with Aurora Media boss Jon Egan he amusingly – though, it has to be conceded, accurately – compared Lewis’s to Grace Brothers, the store from sit-com Are You Being Served? Historical? Yes. Quaint? Yes. Fit for purpose in 2010? As with all businesses, particularly in a sector as harsh as retail, you cannot survive on reputation and past glories alone. New ways of marketing have been the subject of several recent business publications, with an inevitable, though not exclusive, focus on the influence of the internet. Of course, it is increasingly important that businesses have a strong on-line presence, but

keeping a brand fresh, maintaining and making good contacts and ensuring that you have a quality offer are all important elements of an effective “sales” pitch. Bright Marketing, by entrepreneur guru Robert Craven, is well worth a read if you are looking to shake up your firm’s marketing strategy. Maybe there are lessons to be learnt in all this for our city’s two football clubs. Recent LDP reports suggested that the latest negotiations about the potential for a joint stadium, or perhaps an alternative plan that would see the redevelopment of Anfield and Goodison Park, alongside the creation of a “football quarter” have been quickly dismissed. Neither Liverpool nor Everton have anywhere near the resources required to build a stadium on their own. Why then such vehement opposition to even exploring the possibility of a shared home? And, for all of you dyed-inthe-wool Blues and Reds who say they would rather see Torres and Arteta in a Manchester City shirt than share a ground with their rivals, think on this. Figures revealed this month show that matchday revenues for Manchester United are £108.8m, compared to £42.5m at Liverpool. Everton will be some way below that again. It is now 20 years since either Merseyside club won a league title (Liverpool may yet win the Europa League this season, but does anyone care?). There is a very real possibility that Liverpool will fail to qualify for the Champions League for the first time. Everton’s hopes of any European competition next term look remote. I repeat. As with all businesses, you cannot survive on reputation and past glories alone.

‘As with all businesses, you cannot survive on reputation and on past glories alone’

From left, Nick Murphy, Dave Smith and Kes Earl, of Warrington-based Hydrotech Solutions

Water firm tapping into some expert advice AFTER working for an international water treatment company for 24 years, Dave Smith and his family realised that by combining their individual skills, they had the basis for a successful business. With Mr Smith and his son-in-law Nick Murphy at the helm, and with the support of daughter Joanna and wife Dianna, Hydrotech Solutions, a supplier of specialist water treatment equipment, has since grown beyond recognition. The company now supplies water cleaning equipment to the famous Gleneagles golf courses, in Scotland, and has also installed equipment at the

Royal Liverpool Golf Club. Hydrotech is aiming to expand into the public sector during 2010 by supplying its equipment to local authorities. Mr Smith first came into contact with Business Link Northwest in 2008, when he was looking for some support with a funding application to the bank to help with expansion plans. He was paired up with Business Link Northwest financial and professional services adviser Norman Denton and, while the application to the bank did not go ahead, it was the start of a very beneficial relationship. Mr Denton said: “I came into contact with Dave once

more at a Business Link event in November, 2009, and he thought it would be useful for the company if I came on board again. The company was going from strength-to-strength and expecting its turnover to triple in 2010, so Dave was keen to ensure the growth was sustainable.” Mr Denton met with Mr Smith and together they carried out a diagnostic of Hydrotech Solutions and put together an action plan. ■ TO CONTACT Business Link Northwest, call 0845 00 66 888 or email info@businesslinknw.co.uk For more information, visit Business Link website at www.business link. gov.uk/northwest

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

THE BIG FEATURE

Capital of tourism?

Giant spider La Princesse weaves her way through Liverpool, as part of 2008’s Capital of Culture celebrations

BY PETER ELSON

▲ ▲

Contrary to expectations, the real legacy of Liverpool Capital of Culture was not in buildings or events, but in an entirely revitalised attitude to the city which is now powering its tourism economy. But will it last?

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

HEN globe-trotting Judith Chalmers tested a short-break in Liverpool for ITV’s Wish You Were Here? quite some time ago, even Liverpudlians thought it was a spoof. In the intervening 15 years or so, what was once a joke is now seriously regarded as the economic future. Because tourism is now hailed as one of the major saviours of Merseyside’s economy. The Beatle generation has now come of age, both directing the market and filling the hotels. That means Liverpool and, by association, Merseyside are the “coolest” they’ve been since the Fab Fours burst onto the world stage in the 1960s. The Liverpool City Region’s cultural and tourism appeal is now the strongest outside of London, claims The Mersey Partnership (TMP). It promotes this offering as a matchless combination of culture, music, heritage and sport. This means that tourism has the genuine potential to take the economy onto a new level during the next decade. Much hype has been made of influential magazine Conde Nast Traveller’s readers voting Liverpool best short-break city after London and Edinburgh for two years running, in 2008 and 2009. This was all thanks to Liverpool’s Capital of Culture 2008 title, but the momentum can’t be allowed to run down. Normal pre-2008 service can’t be allowed to resume. Reassuringly, in the post-Capital of Culture World, we are seeing the city’s economy hugely boosted by the Liverpool Arena & Convention Centre. A new annual national event, the Liverpool Boat Show, will be launched next year. On May 25, an F1 and highperformance car pageant will take place on The Strand, Liverpool. If a success, there are signs this could be expanded around the city and made an annual event. TMP has devised an action plan in consultation with local and regional partners, plus the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Currently, the tourism economy is valued at an annual visitor spend of £1.3bn. This is expected to grow by 60%, to £2bn by 2020. Over the next 10 years, visitor spending will grow to support 37,000 jobs, which is a 61% net increase of 14,000 jobs on the current 23,000 jobs. No other sector shows anything similar in its potential for growth, or to spearhead regeneration. Its effect spreads across the Liverpool City Region’s job opportunities in hotels, retail, restaurants, conference venues, visitor attractions, cultural institutions, transport, tours and creative industries. There were many who believed that Liverpool’s success in winning European Capital of Culture in 2008 would have no lasting effect. In fact, that in itself was the culmination of a decade of investment. There is no doubt that 2008 was the turning point for the city. This was when Liverpool went from being na ational basket case to being seriously re-appraised in a positive light by opinion-makers. Although the glossy new Liverpool One shopping centre, expanding Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s services, increasing the city’s

A Mersey ferry passing the Seven Seas Voyager cruise liner last year

bedstock and building Liverpool Cruise Liner Terminal caused some critics to dub 2008 “the culture of capital”, together they created a cradle for the visitor economy. These public realm improvements provide the infrastructure necessary to service the visitor market. These days, tourists also expect high-quality “recreational shopping” alongside the traditional attractions of art galleries and concert halls. The newly-unleashed visitor generating ability of the Liverpool Echo Arena & BT Convention Centre cannot be underestimated. It has all enabled the tourism sector to come of age. With the bulk of traditional industries gone, transformed or reduced, tourism provides for, or

improves, the quality of life for the City Region’s 1.5m population. The cascade effect for regeneration through the local economy is enormous. There is also the matter of pride a thriving region gives the population. However, there is a feeling that the surface has hardly been scratched. Liverpool Cruise Liner Terminal is delivering an outstanding satisfaction level from passengers. It is known that several leading cruise lines want to base ships here – including one world-famous four-star brand, should the cruise terminal be permitted to host turn-arounds. “Disney’s cruise operation is also interested in coming to Liverpool,” said Cllr Gary Millar, Liverpool City Council executive member for

tourism and regeneration. “Obviously, they do great business with young families who would not usually consider taking a cruise. “We tick all the boxes for them as a family-friendly city that is compact and walkable from the landing stage. “This is an example of strategic thinking nobody in Liverpool would have once dared dream about.” Liverpool John Lennon Airport is working with its main carriers to bring foreign tourists into Merseyside, besides flying locals out. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is increasing its flights from four to six daily, giving Europe unparalleled access to Liverpool via its Amsterdam Schipol hub. Merseytravel, through its Mersey Ferries subsidiary, is also moving

into family and day-out tourism, having acquired the Birkenhead tramway system and transport museum. Liverpool is also the only UK city to be represented at the Shanghai Expo, which runs from May until October this year. The theme is Better City – Better Life, and Liverpool was chosen to represent British civic design because of its regeneration. “The Liverpool Pavilion will be exhibiting to 200 nations and 70m visitors,” said Cllr Millar. “Our message will be about culture, health and sport, with an aim of bringing in more visitors, students and investment. “It’s taken 30 years to get to this point in the city’s regeneration, and

THE BIG FEATURE THE VISITOR ECONOMY

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

New museums are key to the future

Phil Redmond sees culture as an economic force

THE new Museum of Liverpool has not been without its critics or controversy, but there is no chance it can be ignored. Prof Phil Redmond, National Museums Liverpool chair of trustees, believes it is the premier example of how the city needs to think big. “The new Museum of Liverpool is not a ‘Museum of Scouseology’, but the only new national and international one outside a capital city. “The 2.8m visitors to NML in 2008 had an economic impact of £120m. “While 45% of our visitors are from Merseyside, that means 55% are not. “In terms of visitor spend, they are more valuable, especially as 10% of those are international. “To me, that’s a really good and interesting profile.” NML is practically the elephant in the city region tourism enclosure, so big and long-term is its presence. It spreads down William Brown Street with the Walker Gallery and World Museum, along the waterfront with the Mersey Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum and new Museum of Liverpool and into Wirral with the Lady Lever Gallery. He reckons there is even room for one more between the new Museum and the Albert Dock. “We have national museums in Liverpool and national museums outside Liverpool,” said Prof Redmond. “We do not celebrate that enough. The new museum encapsulates how this particular city played such a crucially interesting role in the modern world. “We have more to tell than just celebrating the Grand National or the Kop. “Going back to the first

tourism will take us further forward.” Ian Ayre is a classic case of someone who left Liverpool in the 1970s, later moving to the Far East. He is now back and not only Liverpool Football Club’s commercial director, but is also The Mersey Partnership chair of the city region tourist board. “I’ve seen the city transform in stages. When I came back permanently, the service and attitudes had much improved. “Liverpool has greater assets than most cities in the UK which can be harnessed for tourism. “If you bring anyone here, their perception of the place changes – always for the better.” There is no doubt that the city has

everything to play for and gain in the tourism market. But it is a tough world out there. Bob Prattey, Echo Arena Liverpool & BT Convention Centre chief executive, said: “You can bet if we’re sitting here thinking about how to attract more visitors, every other city is, too. But while it’s great having big ideas, we must keep in mind why we’re doing it.” Stephen Roberts, Liverpool Hotels Association chair and Crowne Plaza Hotel chief, is optimistic. “The transformation I’ve seen in the past 10 years is nothing short of remarkable, but we need a consistent level of demand to fill the hotels. “With more hotels coming on stream in the recession, that’s where the challenge is.”

We have to market ourselves in a different way – Phil Redmond, chair of National Museums Liverpool dock in 1707, we revolutionised sea trade and it’s about explaining this strange place we came to occupy in the world. “The decision to build the museum in that waterfront position reflects that history. “We went for a memorable shape, which was the brave and right thing to do. “This is called the ‘Bilbao effect’ as that Spanish city, which is very similar to Liverpool, was the first to revive itself with an iconic new museum. “My other focus as chairman is to make sure the International Slavery Museum is not only about social justice, but about he fact that slavery still exists.” When completed in 2011, the waterfront museums’

“cultural offer” will be equivalent to London’s South Kensington museum range, he believes. “The waterfront museums are linked to the adjacent hotels, Arena and Convention Centre,” said Prof Redmond. “We’ve got to work together to sell the brand, as we’re a cold-water, northern city. “We have to market ourselves in a different way. “People who come to see the football generally aren’t going to visit the museums. “But those who visit Aintree might do. It’s what I call ‘dwell time’. “If you come to shop, arrive four hours earlier and do something else. “By being smart, we convert £30-spend-a-head visitors into £45 ones.”

‘Edgy’ area right for new hotel concept LIVERPOOL’S time as a destination with a difference has arrived. So says Robert Nadler, who will open a new £14m hotel concept here in July. His hip base2stay brand was launched in London in 2006, and the Liverpool four-star 106-room property is in the 1855 former Seel

House Press, creating 60 jobs. There are no dining or bar facilities. Instead, guests explore the RopeWalks area’s amenities, lured by the pre-agreed discounts with the owners of local businesses. Mr Nadler, base2stay chief executive, said: “We want people to spend their

money in the area and see Liverpool. “We want to be an economic multiplier for local businesses and to be regarded by them as a partner. “My idea is based on what I want from a hotel. “Tourists don’t want hotel dining, so why have a restaurant in it?” The up-coming RopeWalks, with

its Bohemian air, music bars and old architecture is ideal for the hotel. “We don’t want to be yet another ordinary hotel in an unexciting part of town,” he said. “The RopeWalks has got that edgy feeling. This city is reinventing itself and you rarely get the chance to catch the wave as it grows.”

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

THE BIG FEATURE THE VISITOR ECONOMY

Cllr Gary Millar relaxes at his Studio 2 venue, which was converted from a recording studio, in Parr Street, Liverpool

Tourism will overtake all else Liners and maritime events will be the key to Liverpool city region’s economic revival in next decade IN TEN to 20 years, tourism will be the key industry for the North West, says Liverpool City Council’s tourism executive member. “For Liverpool and the city region, the vital economic tourism driver will be the cruise liner and related maritime industries,” said Cllr Gary Millar, responsible for tourism and regeneration. News that Peel Ports wants to temporarily transfer its Langton Dock turnaround cruises to the Pier Head’s Liverpool Cruise Terminal was warmly welcomed by him “If properly developed, this success will feed into the hotels, bars, restaurants and transport. “More people are realising a cruise is one of the best, safest and most relaxing holidays around. “As a city port, Liverpool is ideally placed for this fast-growing market. “New York and Majorca offer cruise and stay holidays, so can we. ” Traditional UK industry has shrunk and the new knowledge economy will be huge, but nothing

will match tourism, he believes: “Capital of Culture was a wonderful impetus and change for the hospitality industry,” said Cllr Millar. “A year later, and in the midst of a recession, we’ve seen only a 2% reduction in hotel bookings. “This is while a lot more beds have come on stream in the city. “Since 2008, the national press have been much kinder to us and changed their views dramatically. “This feeds into local perceptions of confidence levels which council research showed rose to 95% in 2008. “It is still at 89%, compared to 30-70% some years ago.” Liverpool has been rated twice in the top three UK city break destinations by the influential Condé Nast Traveller magazine’s readers. “But I don’t know how long this can continue,” warned Cllr Millar. “We need a flow of events, festivals and one-off occasions to keep ahead. “Liverpool One has put us in the UK’s top five retail cities. “Many visitors have not woken up

to the fact of our World Heritage Site. Once the waterfront building work is completed, we’ll work up another audience who want to see it. “People forget WHS stretches across the city in six zones to William Brown Street. “Being a gadget man, I’m looking at how we can harness new technology to impart information to tourists on walking tours. “WHS logo plaques with RFID transmitters could be activated and talk to mobile phones as you pass. “Heritage maps can be beamed from sat navs detailing our 1,678 listed buildings and 2,500 statues. These are the hidden gems of the city. “Much more could be done in feeding people from one attraction to another. “The Tate’s chief, Nicholas Serota, will open Tate Liverpool’s Picasso exhibition on April 19. “Hotels should sell combined room and tickets to this show. “The popularity of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s

chief conductor, Vasily Petrenko, should be used as a hook to get people on architectural tours. “Working in partnership is the way forward.” Judith Feather, Liverpool City Council’s head of events, has assessed 2008’s achievements and the lasting effect on 2009. “The momentum is being maintained with events like Mathew Street Festival and On the Waterfront,” said Ms Feather. The latter includes the Mersey Pirate Muster, Albert Dock, July 17, part of the Art & Maritime weekend with the Tate’s Picasso show. The Liverpool Boat Show, backed by the city, is run by a commercial company, National Boat Shows. “That will have a big impact and move us forward in a new direction,” said Ms Feather. This year, The Mersey Partnership started the Major Events Group with the City Council, North West Development Agency and other bodies like Merseyside Police. The

group has a major event planner schedule from 2010 - 2024. It is bidding for Liverpool to become Unesco City of World Music, and to host matches in the World Cup 2018 if at least one new football stadium is ready. More aspirational events are being built up like Brouhaha arts and music festival, Hope Street Feast and the Pageant of Power high performance motor parade in May. “Organisers now knock on our door with events like the Boat Show. “That is a perfect match for our waterfront and maritime heritage. “But we must ask what events we want and what will they do for us? For the 2008 legacy is the glueing of disparate groups together which didn’t happen before. “Our cultural offer is now better than anywhere else, but, as with martime events, we should play to our advantages. “The Tall Ships Races 2008 got massive TV coverage and generated £8m for the Liverpool economy.”

TASTE LIVERPOOL

Taste Liverpool is an accreditation scheme for restaurants that demonstrate excellence in customer service and food and drink preparation throughout Liverpool City Region, promoted by The Mersey Partnership, the official Tourist Board.

Awarded to those restaurants scoring 80% or above

There is a wealth of wonderful produce in the North West for visitors to sample, and restaurants who use and promote local suppliers can receive the ‘Made in the North West’ accreditation in addition to the two levels of Taste Liverpool.

Participating restaurants are assessed by an independent mystery inspector.

60 Hope Street 0151 707 6060

Il Forno 0151 709 4002

The Grove House Hotel 0151 639 3947

Exchange Restaurant at Hilton Liverpool 0151 708 4200

Julian’s Restaurant 0151 632 6241 Malmaison Brasserie 0151 229 5000

The London Carriage Works 0151 705 2222 The Noble House 0151 236 5346

Sheldrakes Restaurant 0151 342 1556

Ziba 0151 236 6676

Fairways Restaurant at Houghwood Golf Club 01744 894 754

Tate Liverpool Cafe 0151 702 7400 The James Monro 0151 236 9700

Filini 0151 966 1500 Alma de Cuba 0151 702 7394 Blackburne House 0151 709 4356

Awarded to businesses scoring between 60-79% in the mystery diner assessment

Blue Bar & Grill 0151 702 5831 Capitol Chinese Restaurant 0151 647 9212 Chilli Banana 0151 726 8641 Cromwells 0151 648 9898 Delifonseca 0151 255 0808 Ego Restaurant 0151 706 0707

Awarded to businesses actively using and promoting their use of local and regional ingredients

Gorge’Us 0151 644 8133 HOST 0151 708 5831 Leaf Tea Shop & Bar 0151 707 7747 Mayflower Restaurant 0151 709 6339 Mayur 0151 709 9955 Portico 0151 796 6400

Restaurants participating in the Taste Liverpool scheme can be found on

visitliverpool.com/eatingout

The Orchard 0151 709 3060 The Pan American Club 0151 702 5831 The Quarter 0151 707 1965 Treetops country House Hotel & Restaurant 01704 572 430 Valparaiso Restaurant 0151 708 6036

Etsu Japanese Restaurant 0151 236 7530

Roses Tea Rooms 0151 342 9912 Sapporo Teppanyaki 0151 705 3005

What’s Cooking Liverpool 0151 707 2023 Zeligs 0151 709 7097

60 Hope Street 0151 707 6060

Il Forno 0151 709 4002

Sheldrakes Restaurant 0151 342 1556

Blackburne House 0151 709 4356 Delifonseca 0151 255 0808

Julian’s Restaurant 0151 632 6241 Malmaison Brasserie 0151 229 5000

Tate Liverpool Cafe 0151 702 7400 The London Carriage Works 0151 705 2222

Exchange Restaurant at Hilton Liverpool 0151 708 4200

Roses Tea Rooms 0151 342 9912

Ziba 0151 236 6676

Want to be taste Liverpool accredited? Contact Elaine Nelson on 0151 237 3921

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

THE BIG FEATURE THE VISITOR ECONOMY

The Spanish armada helps boost JLA

Liverpool FC’s stars start a new trend in tourism which is aiding Liverpool Airport’s steady revival

THE Spanish are very keen on visiting Liverpool for one particular reason. It’s called the “Torres effect” as Spain’s answer to David Beckham brings planeloads of his countrymen to the city. Having decided to see a match starring their hero Fernando, the Spaniards often decide to make a weekend of it and book a short-break package. All music to the ears of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, England’s fourth-biggest regional airport, which has inbound plane seats to fill, as well as outbound. JLA has become one of the top 10 busiest airports in the UK for the first time in its history. This is a far cry from its position of 20th in 1995 and 14th just 10 years ago, in 2000. It was also one of two airports to experience growth in January, 2010, with an 8% year-on-year increase. This is the third consecutive month that Liverpool has seen year-on-year monthly passenger growth, with 8% and 7% increases in November and December respectively. However, the recession caused an 18month decline in passenger throughput prior to this. While Ireland remains the biggest overseas visitor market into JLA, France and Italy are both growing through cost-effective direct flights from around these countries. Although Liverpool’s main bait is The Beatles, it is serviced by a complete package of facilities for visitors. “We have an infrastructure to take care of visitors like never before,” said Neil Pakey, Peel Airports Liverpool deputy chief executive officer. “The boom in hotels means we can offer everything from budget to four-star accommodation. “Capital of Culture 2008 was the trigger for us. The city’s credibility changed overnight, and that positive image stayed. “What is not known is how much the Liverpool carriers backed the bid, as they knew it would be so valuable to them. “Glasgow is still talking about having been City of Culture 20 years ago – that’s how long the effect can last. “When we talk to new carriers, we sell the region as well as the airport. “Airlines are more internationally mobile, and national airlines no longer control their market. “Liverpool is an easy sell these days with the history, culture, music, sport, Arena and Liverpool One. “As the budget airlines have more bases in Europe, we can tap into more markets to bring visitors into Liverpool. “The Liverpool brand is very healthy

overseas. JLA is also becoming a gateway to the North West, whether it’s Chester, the golf coast or the Lake District.” After launching services to Liverpool services last year, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has increased daily flights to its Amsterdam Schipol hub from four to six. This link opens a vast array of European and international services to Liverpool. “We need to educate people that the connecting times via Amsterdam are better than Manchester,” said Mr Pakey. North American visitors are even arriving in Liverpool via Amsterdam. “There is a tremendous ‘leakage’ of passengers to us from KLM long-haul routes, ranging from the US to Hong Kong. “About 15%-20% of our passengers are international tourists. “The Scottish carrier FlyGlobeSpan proved that, if promoted, there was a strong US outbound and inbound market. “Unfortunately, the company had operational difficulties and things spiralled down and closed. “As KLM is showing, there are big markets for us in New York, Washington, Las Vegas, and California. “When the economy comes right, I’m sure someone will look at it again.” Last year, Eastern Airlines also introduced a Southampton – Liverpool – Aberdeen service, which is holding up well. JLA’s £12m expansion of its departure lounge, including a number of new shops, will be finished this autumn. The first phase is the opening of a new passenger security screening area in June, three times the size of the existing facility. The opening of the on-site airport hotel and new multi-storey car park has greatly improved the business traveller experience. Business travel accounts for about 15% of JLA traffic. However, Mr Pakey is much exercised by the Government’s Air Passenger Duty (APD) tax. Although other European countries have dropped the tax, Britain refuses to budge. “This is purely a revenue-raising tax, not an environmental one as originally stated,” said Mr Pakey. Passengers currently pay £10 APD on domestic flights or short-haul journeys leaving the UK and £40 for long-haul flights. This is set to rise greatly, and double for some long-haul flights. “If you’re travelling as a group of four into Liverpool from abroad, APD greatly increases your costs and will put people off coming,” said Mr Pakey. He hopes the tax will be dropped when the EU introduces a new system in 2011.

The ‘Torres effect’, named after Liverpool FC star Fernando Torres, above, has seen planeloads of his Spanish compatriots fly into Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Liverpool football museum’s winning streak shows no sign of going off side

An aerial view of Anfield, with Goodison Park beyond

EVER since winning the European Cup in 1977, Liverpool Football Club has deliberately courted supporters worldwide. As the most successful English club ever, Liverpool FC was the first to create a museum in 1997, knowing its support base was big enough to back the attraction. This is coupled with a stadium tour around Anfield, which was updated earlier this year.

"We'll always be looking at refreshing the tour and making it better,” said Tom Cassidy, LFC commercial tourism manager. “So, if you come back in again, you'll notice tweaks and improvements.” The museum was such a success, it was soon copied by Manchester United and Arsenal. It was the first club to launch an International Supporters Club, after winning two UEFA Cups in

1973 and 1976, and then the European Cup in 1977. “Our profile across the world was sky-high and LFC made an intelligent decision to get people abroad to support and see the team play,” said Stephen Done, Museum & Stadium Tour curator. In August, 2006, The Mersey Partnership gave a very special chairman’s award to LFC for an outstanding contribution to the visitor economy.

Pre-Capital of Culture data showed LFC’s visitor draw and spend in the city was so extraordinary it outranked all other attractions combined. The museum and stadium tour gives an insight into who visits the city. “There’s a significant increase in overseas visitors. We seem to be swimming in Spaniards, a race previously not known to travel,” said Mr Done.

In 2001, LFC won five trophies, and this brought a huge interest in the museum, followed by the Champions League Final in Istanbul, in 2005, which doubled visitor numbers. “Capital of Culture was astonishingly good for us. There are no signs of it tailing off,” said Mr Done. In 2008, the Museum and Stadium Tour had 156,000 visitors, and last year 1,320,000 people attended games at Anfield.

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ATLANTIC TOWER LIVERPOOL

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

THE BIG FEATURE THE VISITOR ECONOMY

A conventional solution to the long recession

The Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre is a vital factor in supporting the city’s big-name hotels

F FERRIS wheels are a sign of success, then Liverpool is riding high with another first. After the 55m-tall Liverpool One Wheel, in Chavasse Park, installed for Christmas, came the 60m Echo Arena Wheel. Now, appropriate to our Maritime City, rolls in the world’s first floating Ferris wheel. Situated in Salthouse Dock, by the Arena, it will be ready for the Liverpool Boat Show, in May, 2011. Visitors will take a boat out to the wheel, anchored in the Dock’s centre. Bob Prattey, Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre (ACC) chief executive, said: “The floating wheel will be the centre piece of a development for the Boat Show. “It’s based on oil-rig technology and encapsulates the importance to the city of doing innovative and imaginative things to attract people.” Whoever you discuss Liverpool’s tourism economy with, soon they will advise: “Talk to Bob Prattey.”

It is a mark of not only how quickly the Arena and Convention Centre’s became embedded, but of its highly crucial economic importance. Luckily, its success has been meteoric. Hoping for profit within five years, it might break even in its second year of 2009-10. “And our first year loss was negligible on a £12.5m turnover,” said Mr Prattey. Most convention centres (like this one) are local authority owned and not expected to be profitable per se, but act as economic drivers. “It took me 10 years to get into profit at the International Convention Centre, in Birmingham,” said Mr Prattey. Bookings are already being taken for conferences in 2015 and 2019. Before then, the Lib-Dem Conference will be here in autumn and the Labour Party Conference next year. The Tories should follow and repeat business is also growing.

Mr Prattey chuckles: “I meet hotel general managers who have to make their quotas, and they’ll say, ‘Robert, we’re having a quiet February’ or whenever. “Then there’s a pause, followed by the question: ‘What are you going to do about it?’!” Clearly, this is a downside to also chairing the Mersey Partnership’s Major Events Group. “TMP has set Liverpool City Region hugely ambitious visitor targets, and we’re not going to achieve those unless we use plenty of imagination. “We have a huge poster over the multi-storey car park advertising the musical Mama Mia!, in July. “It’s simple, but this is the only venue outside London and we could have 70,000 people seeing the show. “We also have an Arena database of 100,000 past customers who get instant information on new shows. “Sometimes, we can fill the Arena on just one electronic mailing. “Then you can ask the promoter

Bob Prattey onsite, as the Arena and Convention Centre was being built immediately for a second night. Many of the Mama Mia! audience, for example, will come from outside the area, and it’d be crazy if they only came to see the show. “Especially as we have the Tate Gallery, Albert Dock and Mersey Maritime Museum next door. “It’s imperative to convert day

visitors to overnight stays. That’s when the economic impact becomes realisable. “The hotel relationship is crucial; there’s not a cigarette paper between us, although we don’t have any preferred partners. “Obviously those like Jury’s, Hilton and Holiday Inn Express

THE BIG FEATURE THE VISITOR ECONOMY

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Liverpool must be a brand to sell itself

The city is now the complete conference destination

It’s imperative to convert day visitors to overnight stays – Bob Prattey, chief executive of Liverpool’s Arena and Convention Centre complex benefit by being close. When our sales teams are in Brussels or Frankfurt, they have got to be able to look clients in the eye and say ‘We’ve got 5,000 beds’. “Obviously, there is supply and demand, but hoteliers must be realistic about long-term rates and not damage the city’s reputation.” Liverpool’s amazing big name hotel boom is predicated on the Convention Centre; without it, they would not survive. The Capital of Culture got the ACC off to a flying start. Without Liverpool winning the title, there would have been no MTV Awards or BBC Sports Personality of the Year staged here. “We hit the ground running, but the recession affected corporate business,” said Mr Prattey. “We saw that coming and focused instead on associations, like AGMs. “These are more immune to economics and are longer events. “The corporations are returning,

and I’d say it was a 50-50 split.” Although 500 staff are on site for a major event, there are only 100 permanent staff employed by ACC. Mr Prattey brought key staff from convention centres ranging from Glasgow to Brighton. “Local character is a vital ingredient for Liverpool, but it’s equally important to bring in people who have experience elsewhere.” Liverpool as a convention centre destination sells itself, being a compact city buzzing with life. The waterfront site instantly impresses conference buyers. “Should we regard business tourism as ordinary tourism – is there a demarcation?” asked Mr Prattey. “Later this year, we host the first BT AGM in Liverpool, which is a huge conference. “Why not encourage delegates to bring their families either side of their five-day stay? “We must make sure Liverpool plc gets the most out of it.”

WHEN the convention centre is busy, Liverpool is busy. That’s the view of Marcus Magee, Liverpool Hilton general manager. This is the unquestionable force behind filling Liverpool’s 4,000 hotel bedrooms. The Hilton is the newest jewel in Liverpool’s tourism tiara, with the hotel company waiting many years for the right opportunity. Liverpool One provided the location it wanted and the £55m four-star, 215-bedroom Liverpool One hotel opened last month. Not only that, but the hotel is a few minutes’ walk from the Arena and Convention Centre. It is on target for 70% occupancy this year and aims for 90% in three years. “Business has been fantastic so far,” said Mr Magee. “Given its infrastructure now, Liverpool has a wonderful chance to be a key destination for business and leisure. “Liverpool now has everything that the convention and meetings market wants. “Its location, at just 2¼ hours by train from London, is far better than many UK destinations. It retains far greater character than many destinations, and has recognisable cultural roots. “The Beatles, music, sport and sightseeing are well-known everywhere. “It’s a compact, walkable city with an amazing array of architecture from cathedrals to small Georgian houses. “A fascinating new development is the number of North American passengers who get off a cruise liner here and stay a few days before flying to the ship up at the next port.” Leisure business is currently more important than corporate business as the rates are higher. “Liverpool has a very small corporate base,” said Mr Magee. “The government business is very rate-conscious, so leisure is vital.”

Business has been fantastic so far – Marcus Magee raises the flag at the Liverpool Hilton Hotel Between 2007 and 2008, the city’s bed stock increased by a third. “There is a question of reaching saturation point, so we must go on raising our profile. “We had a delegate at the Diabetes Association Conference here from Texas. “He was overwhelmed by the passion and friendliness of the people and the city’s historic links with the US. “I believe Liverpool will sell

itself, as long as we create the interest to bring people here. “About 90% of my team is local and they’re my biggest asset. “Our guests come for the Hilton standards, but also get traditional links with Liverpool. “Sport is huge for our European visitors. “We shouldn’t forget how big Everton is there. “Like the football clubs, Liverpool must itself become a recognisable worldwide brand.”

The only Beatles hotel in the world THE biggest surprise about the Hard Day’s Night Hotel is how long it took to happen. Surely, a Beatles-themed hotel was a long-term must for Liverpool, given the unstoppable fame of the Fab Four?

The 110-bedroom, four-star hotel was first announced by Cavern City Tours about 15 years ago. But, after US finance dried up following the 9/11 attack in 2001, local developer Bowdena took over. However, Beatles

fans alone are not enough to sustain the city centre hotel, so the decoration was crucial. “It’s a Beatlesinspired hotel, rather than a themed one,” said director Jonathan Davies. “We want the

corporate market and mainstream tourists, and these people must not be put off if they’re not Beatles fans. “This is the only Beatles hotel in the world, but it is not licensed by Apple Corp, which is fully aware of it.”

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

THE BIG FEATURE THE VISITOR ECONOMY

Crackin’ ferry boats, Gromit! Merseytravel boss gets his tramway at last with Victorian heritage line in Birkenhead

WHEN Neil Scales took charge of Merseytravel passenger transport executive 10 years ago, he could not have dreamed he would be curating animated model TV characters. However, as his expanding empire moves inexorably into the leisure sector, he is proud to welcome the Wallace & Gromit Exhibition to Seacombe from this week for a year. Also, the irony is not lost on the Merseytravel chief executive that, after fighting for years to bring modern trams to Liverpool, Merseytravel bought the recreated old Birkenhead Tramway and Wirral Transport Museum, in Taylor Street. The acquisition deal with Wirral Borough Council also includes Pacific Road Arts Centre. On assuming his post in 1999, commuter passenger figures on the Mersey Ferries subsidiary had rapidly declined from 33m in 1934 to 700,000. “And they wouldn’t go back up, due to the rise of the car, the road tunnels and the fact we’d fixed the railway service,” said Mr Scales. “So we either just ran the service until it died, or repositioned into the tourism economy. “With commuter loadings down to 1.5 people boarding each ferry at Birkenhead Woodside, there was no doubt about the answer. “To close the ferry service requires an Act of Parliament and would be unacceptable to the people of Merseyside. “They tried to do close them in 1976, but I took the opposite view and decided to invest in the ferries as a tourism asset and contributor to the city region. “We’ve completely refurbished the three ferry boats, including renaming them after their famous predecessors, Royal Iris, Royal Daffodil and Snowdrop. “We chose Snowdrop, as that was the first ferry boat on the Manchester Ship Canal. “The ferry now has big viewing panels and shows our commitment to building the ship canal summer cruises from six to 30 a year. “The demographic is 50-year-olds plus, with children. The six-hour cruises to Salford are booked solidly ahead.” Next he tackled the ferry terminals, with Seacombe getting a new pontoon and its listed buildings becoming home to Spaceport. Mersey Ferries’ new Pier Head

building not only contains a ticket office and cafe, but a satellite of Albert Dock’s Beatles Story. But the “big one” came with the collapse of Birkenhead’s Historic Warships in 2006. “We looked at helping and I came across U-534, which was preserved at Birkenhead after being raised from the Baltic following its sinking in May, 1945. “There is a link with the Daffodil and Iris, as the original ferries were in the Zeebrugge raid. “We cut U-534 into five sections (it would have been scrapped otherwise) and after partial restoration placed it at Woodside. “Not everyone was keen on my idea of getting involved, but as an attraction it’s far exceeded my expectations.” The U-Boat Story has now clocked up 50,000 visitors, 30% ahead of its target. He is highly supportive of the campaign to bring the last Battle of the Atlantic warship, HMS Whimbrel, back to her Liverpool home. This will create yet more ferry traffic as visitors cross the Mersey to view the hunter – Whimbrel – and the hunted – U-534. Mersey Tunnel tours centred on the magnificent art deco George’s Dock Vent building are booked four months in advance. “It’s been a long, hard journey with an investment of £70m,” said Mr Scales. “All this adds up to £34m annually being pumped into the city region economy and 742 jobs,” said Mr Scales. “It ties in with our tourism strategy of getting more people on public transport to reach these attractions.” Altogether, the Mersey Ferries and its associated venues had 343,000 visitors last year, with 16% from overseas. The Pier Head will receive a new £8m ferry landing stage in the next 18 months and the ferry attractions are expected to grow by 20% in 10 years with 300,000 extra visitors. Merseytravel has also embarked on public art strategy on its stations across the city region. Few passengers arriving at Liverpool Lime Street mainline station can have missed the double statues of Ken Dodd and Bessie Braddock. “About 26% of people visiting Liverpool arrive at Lime Street, and each time I pass they are being photographed by the public. “It makes me very pleased to see that.”

Neil Scales with U-Boat U-534, at the Woodside ferry terminal, in Birkenhead

More new hotels in Liverpool mean a greater struggle to expand business

Visitor numbers growing – Stephen Roberts

THE hotel boom in Liverpool was planned before the recession. As the new properties come on-stream, they face a tough birth. Hotel occupancy was 83% in 2008, 81% in 2009 and is expected to be lower in 2010. “I’m struggling to see where the next big lift for the industry could be,” said Stephen Roberts, Crowne Plaza Hotel general manager and chairman of Liverpool Hotels Association. “It could be resolved by opening Liverpool Cruise Liner

Terminal to turnarounds, with stay-cruises returning us to 2006/7 occupancy levels.” Turnarounds are cruises which begin and end in a port. Liverpool is unusual in being both suitable for cruise liner calls and geographically placed for turnarounds to service an area ranging from the north Midlands to southern Scotland. “We’re in the odd situation of visitor numbers growing while individual hotels see bookings reduce,” said Mr Roberts. “This is due to the increasing

supply of hotels and serviced apartments in Liverpool. “But I’m pleased to say there’s a real development of collaborative marketing of Liverpool as a destination. “This is a transformational force in the economic development of the city region. “The development of major events all increase visitor numbers, whether it’s the Golf Open, Liverpool International Tennis Tournament or the Queen Mary 2 calling for a day. “Irish visitors numbers, which

were very heavy, suffered with the collapse of its economy and the fluctuating fortunes of Liverpool Football Club affect demand for rooms. “When I came here 10 years ago, everyone thought I was mad – myself included. “The transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. “You shouldn’t overlook Liverpool One in the short-break market – he goes to football, she goes shopping. “We should have much more optimism than many places.”

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COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

The Cammell Laird Shipyard, in Birkenhead, has won a £50m contract to build the flight deck for the Royal Navy’s largest warship

Team secures shipyard deal Halliwells real estate lawyers represent Cammell Laird in agreement on Birkenhead site HALLIWELLS real estate team has helped secure 50 acres of land in Birkenhead, on behalf of Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders. The law firm’s team, led by Alex McCann, secured the property from owner Reddington Finance on two 25-year leases. The land is located within the shipyard in Birkenhead, and includes the modular construction hall. Mr McCann said: “Cammell Laird Shipyard is an historic and

impressive site that includes one of the largest dry docks of its kind in the world. It is of high strategic importance to the UK’s shipbuilding and ship repair industries. “We are thrilled to be involved in a transaction of this type, which secures the trading position of the famous Cammell Laird Shipyard for many years to come.” Earlier this year, LDP Business revealed that Cammell Laird had secured a £50m contract to build the

flight deck for the Royal Navy’s largest warship. The three-year deal is for the next-generation aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth. The deal will create jobs at the firm and among the region’s supply chain, as well as safeguarding jobs among the existing workforce. The yard directly employs almost 700 staff and provides work for a similar number of sub-contractors. The £4bn Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers – a two-ship class

that includes the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales – are to replace the ageing Invincible class aircraft carriers. The deal is the latest completed by Halliwells’ Liverpool real estate team, following on from the its success in securing the biggest office leasing deal in Liverpool’s history towards the end of 2009. This was an agreement to let out 220,000 sq ft in the Capital building for client Downing Property Group

to UK Borders Agency. Mr McCann added: “Despite the tough market conditions of the past couple of years, Liverpool’s business community has remained resilient and, as a result, we have been able to complete a number of significant deals for our clients. “Our ongoing work for Cammell Laird is yet another demonstration of how Liverpool has played to its strengths and is now looking forward to the next 25 years.”

Economic downturn hits North West shopping centres MANY UK shopping centres are at risk of defaulting on loans, with the North West the worst affected, a new report claims. BCSC, the representative body of the retail property industry, says centres with a total value of £10.1bn are at risk. Its report – Secondary Centres – claims 20% of

the at-risk centres are based in the North West. The research was carried out by commercial property agency DTZ. David Thompson, the firm’s retail director, said: “Secondary shopping centres make up a large sector of the retail market, and one that is affordable to a wide variety of owners ranging from property companies, wealthy

individuals, investment companies, speculators and developers. “This asset sector untypically demonstrated high levels of turnover prior to 2008, with some centres changing hands on several occasions within a few years. “In the current market, secondary shopping centres have presented opportunities to the

well-informed because of factors such as falling capital values, rising shop vacancies, tenant insolvencies and retailers re-negotiating lease terms. “In the north of England, there is a contrast between the North West, which has the greatest number of affected centres, and Yorkshire and the North East, where there are a lot fewer.”

Opportunities: David Thompson, retail director at DTZ

THE BIG INTERVIEW

Making knowledge economic BY ALEX TURNER

▲ ▲

In March, 2000, SOG took over the former ICI headquarters in Runcorn. Today, it is one of the region’s outstanding regeneration projects – and a driver of future growth. 19

THE BIG INTERVIEW DR PETER COOK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

‘I

T WASN’T obvious 10 years ago, but it sounds obvious now,” says Dr Peter Cook. He is infectiously enthusiastic, but when reflecting on the decision to take ownership of The Heath Business Park a decade ago, Dr Cook vividly recalls that very few other people thought that his idea would succeed. “Everyone thought we were crackers,” he said. The idea was simple enough – take over the former headquarters of ICI, which housed a mix of laboratory and office space, in an area with a heritage of a scientific workforce, and attract firms to create a hub of innovation and commerciality. But it was not a view that was widely shared, as plans for the 60-acre site were being developed in response to ICI’s decision to leave. Dr Cook, the managing director of SOG, said: “ICI wanted to exit the traditional chemicals business, so put the site up for sale. “They had no need for a site like The Heath. “Property consultants came in and they walked round the 1960s site in Runcorn. They said it was a development site – meaning the buildings should all be knocked down.” At that time, Dr Cook had reached 35 years’ service with ICI, having joined as a chemical engineer in 1964 after completing a PhD at University College London. “I was the first member of my family to go to university,” he said. “My father was a bank manager – he died when I was 13. I was reasonably bright at grammar school in Shrewsbury and I went to university at 17. “When I finished my first degree, I had a number of jobs lined up, including coming here with ICI doing general engineering. “But I liked the idea of doing research, so I decided to do that first rather than spend my life regretting not doing it. “I got a grant from Esso and I did three years’ research. I was studying the dissolution of solids in liquids in relation to the liquid solution, and what could influence the rate of dissolution. I learnt that, if you put detergent in your tea, you dissolve the sugar more quickly,” he quipped. His early years saw him involved in the design and commissioning of vinyl chloride plants, including VC3 in Runcorn, a plant commissioned in 1969, which he still passes every morning on the motorway. He later project-managed the design and build of multi-million pound herbicide and chlorinated solvent plants in the UK and Far East. After a period in a business support group, he was made responsible for a research engineering team and then for the management of three major ICI research locations in Cheshire, including The Heath. That was in ICI’s Site Operations Group – where SOG’s name comes from – and it is why he felt responsible for the futures of the staff at the site when ICI looked to withdraw. “When we realised the writing was on the wall for the site, we realised that the people we were responsible for would be joining the dole queue,” he said. “We felt we wanted to determine our own destiny. “We thought the site had a lot going for it. There were a lot of positives, such as the skills base that had been built up over generations in the Halton area.” “I was 59, I could have gone off

Dr Peter Cook, in a laboratory at The Heath Business and Technical Park, Runcorn with a not insignificant ICI pension and gone to play golf. I just felt it was a crying shame that the whole of this thing would be wasted. “I did believe we could retain the skill base that I was responsible for. I felt – and so did some of my colleagues – that we wanted the opportunity to do something. “Did we think we were entrepreneurs? No. “But we thought it was a shame,

and we thought we could turn it into a business.” They launched a management buyout bid, which was rebuffed by ICI. The team recognised it needed to bolster its line-up and bring in someone with experience of the world outside ICI. He said: “We had never run a business and we lived in the cosy environment of ICI, where there was always a department to look after

things. We decided we needed to bring someone in – but where were we going to find that person? “We realised that we needed someone who was used to running a small business. We needed a different culture. “That was one of the most important decisions we made. We found John Lewis, who was the managing director of RJ Lewis. John is a very go-ahead person and we

decided that was the skill we needed to bring in.” Mr Lewis, who is still SOG’s sales and marketing director, was able to provide it with the impetus the team needed. “With John on board, we re-bid, saying it was a consortium, not an MBO. They said fine, but there would be no favours, we would be in competition with others,” said Dr Cook.

THE BIG INTERVIEW DR PETER COOK

Dr Peter Cook, left, wins a Daily Post Regional Business Award, in 2007

They started it all: SOG’s founder members, from left: Bob Moore, Tony Banner, Peter Cook, John Lewis and Alan Houghton “We found funders and put in a bid against property developers and investors. And won. “We were the only bidder that took on the 50 ICI staff under their terms and conditions and the final salary scheme – and everyone thought we were crackers. “ If the clock were turned backwards, I would do it again, definitely. It’s the most exciting thing I have ever done.”

Not that the transformation was an overnight success. The site, which had employed 1,600 people in its heyday, had 1,200 people there when SOG took ownership. But that included hundreds of ICI staff who were to leave The Heath, and within 18 months there were only half the number of people there. “The fall was from the ICI people and the ICI businesses, such as Ineos Chlor, who were exiting in their

busloads,” he said. “It was like trying to fill the bath with the plug out. By the summer of 2002, eighteen months in, you can imagine what our bank manager thought.” But Dr Cook and his team remained confident that the upturn in numbers would come because they were convinced that the business model could succeed. He said: “If nobody was coming in, we would have been very worried but

they were staying and they liked being here. “That gave us the confidence that we had the right product and it was just a matter of hanging on in there. “We sold the computer centre and sold some land to Persimmon. That kept us afloat from a cashflow point of view. We didn’t seek public funds, we sorted it out as any business would. “People stopped flowing out at that

rate and it started to build.” The occupancy levels rebounded from spring 2003, passing the confidenceboosting 1,200 figure by September, 2004, and reaching 1,500 people a year later. “After about three years, we started to have confidence,” he said. “We filled the laboratory side up quicker than the office side. “The site did have a reputation, so people who were looking for laboratory facilities did engage with us and we demonstrated how flexible we could be in modifying space, and the message started to get out.” A short period of consolidation and slight regression followed, before another year of growth saw another 300 people arrive on site, taking the total above ICI’s peak and towards 1,800 by mid-2007. Today, The Heath has 1,900 people working in 180 businesses across more than 20 sectors. Its firms are split equally into three groups – early-stage businesses less than five years old, those that have been trading for between five and 10 years, and mature businesses. The diversity in sectors and age helps act as a buffer against any problems within specific companies or areas. He said: “We took a big hit when ICI got taken over by Ineos Chlor. The fact that we now have 180 businesses, if one leaves it won’t be as disastrous. The largest employer here, LGC, have got about 160 people.” Part of the attraction of SOG’s offer is the support infrastructure it has in place. One division is its safety, health and environment consultancy, SHE Group. One of its training products, a behavioural safety programme called Deal With It, has been used by 25,000 people in about 30 countries. SOG also has laboratory services and scientific facilities management expertise which enables it to easily modify its laboratories to cater for the individual needs of companies – whether prospective or existing tenants. A key aspect of catering for the companies on site is being able to accommodate their ambitions and future plans. The Heath has begun a programme of expansion that plans to add 180,000 sq ft of new accommodation and will potentially increase the total workforce on site by more than 1,000. The first new building, Progressive House, was opened by former government minister Stephen Norris last July. The 7,500 sq ft of office space was built for the information technology firm, Progressive Solutions, which was expanding from their previous base on the site, and is one of the few building projects to have been designed, started and completed during the credit crunch in the region. It was the first of eight separate plots available at The Heath which offers companies the opportunity to create bespoke accommodation. Mr Norris, who has visited The Heath on several occasions, is one of a series of senior political and business figures to visit the site in recent years. The then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, came with his Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, in 2005, while former Chancellor Ken Clarke, science and innovation minister Ian Pearson, Lord Heseltine, Alistair Campbell and the late Sir John Harvey-Jones have also visited the site.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

THE BIG INTERVIEW DR PETER COOK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 21 Their interest isn’t just about the success of The Heath, but about how its success could be replicated across the country. SOG already operates a former ICI research, development and production centre, Hexagon Tower, in Blackley, north Manchester. The 11-storey building had been the headquarters of Avecia. It was taken over by SOG in 2006, has 100,000 sq ft offices and 85,000 sq ft laboratories and employs 450 people. Dr Cook said: “The VC exited five years ago, so they were needing an organisation to run multi-occupancy science facilities. So we took on 14 staff and we now run that place. It’s not dissimilar to The Heath. “What we have done is retain the skills. The traditional view is to get rid of the people and look at the buildings, but by then you have thrown the gold dust away. The gold dust is in the people.” SOG had developed its Fusion Project, which is a blueprint to demonstrate how ailing sites can be regenerated or large organisations can downsize into a smaller footprint. The key to the model is the protection of skilled workforces, keeping the often highly-specialist expertise before it is dissipated and lost. Dr Cook said: “Science and technology is vital to the future prosperity of the UK economy, and it is essential that we protect this unique skill base, which is precisely what the Fusion Project sets out to do. “Replicating The Heath’s success could create a new UK scientific platform, which would be a magnet for other research and development specialists from across the world.” The Fusion Project is gathering momentum. Talks are ongoing with drug firm Sanofi-Aventis about its site in Dagenham, which is due to shut in 2013, while other unidentified sites are also being looked at. He said: “We are talking to five different sites across the UK – Dagenham, and four others. “We think the current climate is ready for this. “We have got skills, but we need to refocus them. The fact that we are talking to five means that other people are now agreeing. “There’s a need to promote innovation, enterprise, knowledge economy. We don’t need to build any more science facilities – they are already there. “Corporate organisations are downsizing, they are superb facilities.” “You can get a positive out of what could be a negative from closing the site. All without a pound of public money.” Although The Heath is very firmly focused on science and technology, Dr Cook also sees it as an important enterprise hub. Halton Council’s business development team are on site alongside Halton Chamber of Commerce. There are also businesses providing support services, including a restaurant, gym, newsagents, opticians and printers, and some small enterprises, such as clothes designers Love Frocks. He said: “I think the country has got to get back to inventing things and making things and starting up businesses. There’s growth in people setting up businesses. “If it’s in the knowledge economy, then great. It’s important, but it’s not the only thing. “Businesses can be successful and innovative without being in the

Dr Peter Cook, right, with Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, in 2005

The Heath has become a magnet for politicians. Visitors have included, clockwise, from top left, former deputy prime minister Michael (now Lord) Heseltine, science minister Lord Sainsbury, minister for science and innovation Ian Pearson, shadow business secretary Ken Clarke, former minister Stephen Norris and legendary spin doctor Alastair Campbell knowledge economy.” The entrepreneurial activity which The Heath is looking to assist and develop does have a wider impact on the Halton community. “We have had a significant effect on the area,” he said. “It’s likely to keep any wealth in the area, unlike in the ICI days where the majority went to the City of London. Retaining the wealth must have a huge effect on the region. “I believe we have made a difference in Halton, compared with what might have happened. We are an enterprise hub for Halton.” Dr Cook is enthusiastic about the

work being done to develop the borough, which is one of the smallest in the region. He said: “Halton is getting a very good improvement in the rate of new start-up businesses and they last more than two years as well. The statistics are quite impressive. “Halton is a very go-ahead borough for the size of it. It has an enterprise board and an education business partnership – I sit on both boards. “The Halton Enterprise Game is played in schools. That’s where we have got to get in. “In the old days, there was the expectation that people would get a

job at ICI, so there’s not the enterprise culture. The game addresses that.” An enterprising spirit is clearly something that Dr Cook cherishes – it is easy to believe that, within ICI, he was an intrapreneur, before the management jargon was invented to describe such a person – which fits in with his carpe diem outlook. “If you feel you want to do it, then go and do it, or you might regret it for the rest of your life,” he said. “If I hadn’t have done SOG, I would have lived in regret.” This also acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy that means a question about his regrets is met by a look

approaching bemusement. “I am not one for regrets,” he said, then, after a long pause, he added almost apologetically, as if wanting to provide a better answer, “it’s a pity the opportunity hadn’t arisen earlier.” It is clear that Dr Cook is immensely proud of the success of SOG, and he is excited by its potential development. “I will carry on working for as long as I am able to and my health holds out,” he said. “It’s hugely exciting. The potential is huge, not just here at The Heath. “Would I pack that in and go and play golf ? You must be joking.”

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Sterling without its sheen Exporting can be costly if firms get their currency calculations wrong

Exporters are warned to ‘avoid volatile movements’, as confidence remains uncertain EXPORTERS are now “exposed to greater currency risk” because they are trading with a wider range of countries – at a time when market confidence in the pound remains uncertain. In the 10 years between 1999 and 2009, the value of UK exports to China increased by more than 400%, the highest increase of any of the UK’s main trading partners. Between December, 2008, and December, 2009, the value of exports to China increased by 43%.

There were similar large increases in the value of British exports to India, Brazil and Russia, where the value of goods sold to these countries increased by 150%, 250% and 380% respectively in the decade between 1999 and 2009. Mark Taylor, head of foreign exchange at Close Brothers, said: “The world has opened up and there are now more sales opportunities for UK businesses. “However, although this is good news, it also means that UK

businesses are exposed to greater currency risk. The currency markets are very volatile at the moment, and exporters need to take steps to make savings on their currency purchases and avoid volatile price movements.” In the year to the end of February, 2010, sterling fell 6% against the US dollar and the Chinese RMB, but strengthened 23% against the Brazilian Real. Unemployment falling in February provided a welcome boost to sterling when the data was released last

week, but market confidence in the pound remained uncertain. Phil McHugh, senior executive dealer at foreign exchange firm Currencies Direct, said: “The currency markets are not getting carried away. “There is still an acute awareness of the risk of a stuttering recovery as the threat of sharp public sector cuts, and of increased job losses as a result, remains. “Though the pound has welcomed the news, the markets have an eye for

the small print, which shows the number of longer-term unemployed rising. “Sterling has been on the ropes since the beginning of March and this relief for the pound is welcome, but the markets will not simply forget the rising trend of those who are economically inactive. “The realities facing the UK economy mean the rally will inevitably run out of steam. Meanwhile, a double dip recession remains a real threat in 2010.”

Californian dreams and Texan triumphs

MERSEY creative and digital firms have been living the American dream by promoting themselves in the US. Entrepreneurs from eight North West companies joined a Liverpool Software City mission to Silicon Valley to pitch to potential investors and meet key players from companies including Sun and Google.

Among the companies who went to California was Liverpool’s Kisky Netmedia, which developed the Little World Gifts application for people to buy “virtual gifts” on their phones. Kisky also attended the South by Southwest music, digital and film conference in Austin, Texas. A delegation from the North West, backed by UK

Trade and Investment (UKTI) and Northwest Vision and Media, attended the event to promote the region’s music industry. Other Liverpool companies attending included royalties specialist Sentric Music, while city bands attending included Hot Club de Paris. ■ CREATIVE Focus: Business Lunch with Kevin McManus, P 41

San Jose, in Silicon Valley, California

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For further information or to arrange a viewing please call 01695 712600 or for virtual tours log on to: www.westlancashireinvestmentcentre.com West Lancashire Investment Centre, White Moss Business Park, Junction 4 M58, Skelmersdale, West Lancashire, WN8 9TG

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Swings and roundabouts ‘Skelmersdale: world class for business’ is written on stone, but the message can get lost between the clamour of three city regions

Skelmersdale has had ‘more visions than St Bernadette’ – but might the latest plan actually happen? RAVEL writers from Bill Bryson to Paul Theroux have based their literary successes on being able to capture the spirit of a place despite not living there or, in some cases, not even spending much time there. Capturing the je ne sais quoi can be done in a phrase, a description or an enlightening anecdote that illustrates far more than the immediate subject matter. But, other times it takes an insider to give a pull-no-punches assessment. West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper, in seeking to urge the Minister for the Regions, Phil Woolas, to support her efforts to win additional investment for Skelmersdale – which she described as “one of the region’s forgotten towns” – captured some of

the problems the town has. She said: “Ever since its birth as a new town, Skelmersdale has suffered from fly-by-night employers who took the grants and ran in the seventies, through to some appalling architecture and bad planning. “Sub-standard housing; a road network that would leave even the most proficient Krypton Factor contestant baffled; high levels of unemployment, much of this long term, and the lack of a real town centre, means that Skelmersdale has failed the ambitions that past decision makers promised. “As a location, the town can boast superb access to the motorway network, via the M58. It is possible to get to any major North West destination in 30-40 minutes from Skelmersdale.

“Unfortunately, the location for business investment loses part of its attraction due to the absence of a railway station/link – despite plans being put in place for such a facility over 30 years ago.” As well as fiendish roundabouts, the problem for Skelmersdale – and the borough of West Lancashire – has not been a lack of ambition. As Miss Cooper put it: “A constituent once told me that Skelmersdale has had more visions than Saint Bernadette.” The latest vision has been largely gathering dust for a couple of years. A £300m plan to redevelop Skelmersdale town centre stalled on the global recession and the very local problem of the potential competition from plans to transform Kirkby town centre.

The decision by the Government to reject the plans for Kirkby, which included a 50,000-seat stadium for Everton FC and retail space of 38,000 sq m – a huge Tesco Extra store and 40 other stores – was greeted with no little relief in West Lancashire. It meant that the plans to do something about the town which has no town centre could be moved forward once more. The current provision is the Concourse Centre and a supermarket, which are isolated from each other. The masterplan for the town centre is to develop a high street linking the two, which will include shops, a cinema, bars and restaurants, and apartments. There would also be a new library, a new Skelmersdale College and a new

sports centre and swimming pool. Jayne Traverse, West Lancashire Borough Council’s executive manager for regeneration and estates, said: “We have known for a while we have needed to redevelop Skelmersdale town centre. “We tried to look at it differently with some commercial realism. “It’s about wholesale change of the town centre itself – changing the retail offer while retaining the Concourse, alongside the commercial offer, getting the footfall increased in there. “Looking at the night-time economy which Skelmersdale doesn’t really have, and also the need for a quality leisure offer day and night, and quality housing.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEST LANCASHIRE

The Concourse Centre is the closest Skelmersdale comes to a town centre, although there are plans to create a high street and a new heart for the town CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 “If you want people to live and work here, you need to have the right housing mix. All these issues are interlinking.” The plans are now back on the table, with the parties looking at the best way to move it forward. She said: “In terms of Skelmersdale, the Kirkby inquiry was part of our considerations. Everything was on hold for a while. “Now we are looking at how we can take it forward given the economic conditions. We are still working very hard on it. “We are still looking at how we can take it forward and maybe do it in a different sequence – but we are

still very committed to it.” A report by consultants GVA Grimley, West Lancashire Economic Study, published in October, stresses the importance of the plan to the whole borough. It said: “The redevelopment of Skelmersdale town centre is the biggest element of economic potential in the short term for West Lancashire and is critical for the economic future of Skelmersdale, if not as vital for the rest of West Lancashire. “The scale of development proposed at Skelmersdale means that even taking into account leakage and displacement effects, it could generate more than 1,500 net additional jobs, not including

employment in construction. The re-development of the town centre is the key to unlocking the potential of Skelmersdale to deliver this additional development.” West Lancashire sits between the city regions of Liverpool, Manchester and Preston – “the golden triangle”, according to Cllr Adrian Owen, West Lancashire Borough Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration and estates. “We are in the golden triangle,” he said. “We are none of the city regions – Liverpool, Manchester and Preston – but we have close links with all three. “We shouldn’t see, for example, Liverpool’s gain as West Lancashire’s loss.

“West Lancashire needs strong cities, it needs Liverpool, Manchester and Preston to thrive, so we will thrive.” He argues that the diverse sectors operating within the borough can all benefit from its location, which broadly covers the area west of the M6 to just before the Formby by-pass, which is in Sefton, and from the M58 in the south stretching to the Ribble estuary in the North. It has 110,000 residents spread across its 350 sq km, making its population density of 315 people per sq km just one-quarter that of neighbouring Sefton. Its rural nature – more than 90% of West Lancashire is greenbelt – makes it an area completely different to any of the

Merseyside authorities. And within West Lancs there is also the dichotomy of Ormskirk, the historic market town, and Skelmersdale which, despite its Old Norse name and presence in the Domesday Book, is largely a creation of 1960s town planning. Cllr Owen said: “If you go to Ormskirk and Skelmersdale, they are very different, but what links them is the location in this golden triangle. “We are close to all the three city regions. “We have space, we have a skilled workforce, we are very diverse – from traditional manufacturing to rural economy.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEST LANCASHIRE

REGIONAL OUTLOOK with Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA STEVEN BROOMHEAD, Chief Executive for the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), talks about the success of Manufacturing Week within the North West.

The view down Church Street gives a sense of Ormskirk’s market town atmosphere

ONE COMPANY EXTOLS THE VIRTUES OF BEING BASED IN SKELMERSDALE LOAF CREATIVE is a design agency based in Skelmersdale, which has a second site in Liverpool city centre. Despite the attractions of the city, they are committed to their West Lancashire origins. The firm started off in the proverbial back bedroom in Orrell, before moving into the West Lancashire Investment Centre. Expansion meant they sought more space, but they have stayed on Whitemoss Business Park, finding the view out of the window as important as its location on Junction Four of the M58. It eulogises its location on its website, saying they are “smitten” with their surroundings.

They said:“How many agencies are visited by partridge, kestrel, owl and badger? The skies are amazing, especially in the morning, so we thought we’d make the most of a very good thing and bring the outside in. There are good reasons for that, too. “Design is all about inspiration, about change and about sustainability. Only through these processes can you drive results. “The environment we work in is a constant source of inspiration. “Every day it reminds us to factor change and sustainability in to our thinking.” The creative benefits are matched by the practical benefits of

The directors of design agency Loaf Creative location. The M6 is four miles away and the M57 eight miles, allowing for easy access to the region. They added: “Skelmersdale is our oasis space, but don’t be deceived, there’s no feetup mentality here. We’re

here because we are perfectly placed between all of the major northern conurbations. “We are right on the edge of the motorway network and we’ve got two international airports on our doorstep.”

LAST month, the UK celebrated Manufacturing Week 2010 and the NWDA worked with EEF – the manufacturers’ organisation to bring the main event to the North West. The manufacturing debate, “Is manufacturing our future?” was launched in Halewood’s Jaguar Land Rover Visitor Centre, with over 100 guests from manufacturing organisations across the UK. The manufacturing sector within the North West is the biggest of any English region. It contributes £19.6bn to the regional economy, employs approximately 400,000 people and is a strong exporter, bringing £23.7bn from exported goods in 2009. Manufacturing Week was an excellent opportunity to discuss the sector and how it has evolved. At the Agency, we’re striving to improve the image of manufacturing. We’ve extended the Make It campaign to change the perceptions of manufacturing, so younger people consider a career in the industry. We’ve also launched the website thisismanufacturing.co.uk – a website which provides an online centre for reviewing some of the latest trends in business improvement. Our Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), funded by the Agency and delivered by the Manufacturing Institute, has continued to support the industry. Since 2002, it has created or safeguarded 9,200 jobs, provided training to almost 7,500 adults and achieved savings of £781m for North West manufacturers. The NWDA has also committed to putting an additional £20m into the service over the next four years. The Agency is leading the Manufacturing Strategy and Action Plan for the region, which was launched in October, in partnership with businesses, trade bodies and universities. It provides a ten-year framework for the development of manufacturing in the North West,

with a three-year, annually assessed action plan. This month, we announced the Northwest Manufacturing Forum, which will steer the Northwest Manufacturing Strategy, with private industry members who will act as ambassadors for this vital North West sector. The NWDA will work with the Forum (which will be the voice for North West manufacturing, helping to promote the diverse strength of our manufacturing sector) and partners across the North West to create a modern manufacturing sector in the region that will be innovative, enterprising, highly skilled, and well led. Many leading and innovative manufacturing companies are based in Merseyside. As well as Jaguar Land Rover, the 55-acre Getrag Ford facility is based within the Halewood corridor and is a division of the world’s largest independent manufacturer of auto/manual transmission systems. ColorMatrix, a modern manufacturing business based in Liverpool, is an employer of skilled workers in research and development, IT, chemicals and marketing. Furthermore, Brainboxes, which has been with MAS since 2002, manufactures communications devices which are used in science, retail, industry and banking. These are just a few excellent examples in a long list that demonstrate the variety the manufacturing sector offers to employees within Merseyside and the North West as a whole. The North West’s manufacturing sector is in an excellent position. During Manufacturing Week, BioNow and the North West Aerospace Alliance were awarded the new Northwest Cluster Mark award – an independent and prestigious endorsement of the quality of the sector and sector cluster organisation. Manufacturing Week also highlighted manufacturers’ positive outlook for the next year, with 37% expecting the economic climate to improve, and 41% believing it will remain stable. We’re confident at the Agency that, if we continue to maintain our strong position and capitalise on opportunities, the sector will continue to grow from strength to strength.

‘The sector will continue to grow from strength to strength’

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEST LANCASHIRE

Working age population West Lancs................................................................ Merseyside ................................................................ Lancashire................................................................. North West ................................................................ Great Britain ..............................................................

59.6% 61.7% 60.8% 61.6% 62.0%

Economically active of working age population West Lancs............................................................... Merseyside ............................................................... Lancashire................................................................ North West ............................................................... Great Britain .............................................................

81.0% 72.9% 77.4% 76.8% 78.9%

Gross weekly pay (full-time workers) West Lancs.............................. Merseyside .............................. Lancashire............................... North West .............................. Great Britain ............................

by residence £480.60 £452.60 £460.00 £460.20 £491.00

by workplace £462.10 £460.60 £454.30 £460.00 £490.20

Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) claimants rate West Lancs............................................................... Merseyside ............................................................... Lancashire................................................................ North West ............................................................... Great Britain .............................................................

4.5% 6.4% 3.6% 4.9% 4.3%

Jobs density (ratio of jobs to working-age) West Lancs............................................................... Merseyside ............................................................... Lancashire................................................................ North West ............................................................... Great Britain .............................................................

0.78 0.72 0.79 0.80 0.83

JSA claimants per unfilled jobcentre vacancy West Lancs............................................................... Merseyside ............................................................... Lancashire................................................................ North West ............................................................... Great Britain .............................................................

16.6 11.8 7.3 8.9 8.5

A sketch of how Skelmersdale High Street might look if the masterplan comes to fruition CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26 As a relatively small borough, one of its challenges is finding a way to have an impact within each city region when it is on the edge of the fringes of each. The GVA Grimley report argued for a change in emphasis for the borough, acknowledging that, although the borough sits within Lancashire’s local government structure, it actually has “much stronger links” with Liverpool city region and Wigan, in Greater Manchester. The report’s authors recommend “that West Lancashire seek to primarily engage with and participate with the structures and networks within the Liverpool city region, and the balance of resources, policy and energy should be oriented towards this.” It said: “This is not to say that the Preston-led Central Lancashire city region, or the rest of Lancashire, should not be engaged with: it should.

“However, West Lancashire has little in common with East Lancashire or Lancaster, and relatively weak links with the Central Lancashire city region. “West Lancashire must ensure that it is seen as a major partner in the Liverpool city region . . . it is important that city region issues are considered across all areas of West Lancashire’s local strategic partnership agenda. “Equally, for this to occur, Liverpool city region partners must fully consider West Lancashire in their city region-wide working.” Ms Traverse acknowledges that working with its sub-regional partners is an important focus. She said: “We are in Lancashire, but we have more in common with Greater Manchester and Merseyside, so we need to build on that. “In Merseyside, for example, there may be a demand for a particular type of accommodation space – can we deliver that?” West Lancashire has struggled in business development – between 2001

and 2007, it grew its business base by just 4%, compared to growth of 11% across the North West and Great Britain. This compared badly with growth of as much as 23% in Knowsley and 18% in St Helens, and was lower than all eight of its neighbours, with the exception of Preston. It responded to its sluggish growth with a £5.5m project which resulted in the West Lancashire Investment Centre, at Whitemoss Business Park, next to Junction Four. She added: “The purpose was to provide incubation space and a range of space, from tiny incubation to larger space as well. “The idea was that we would grow and nurture the businesses, and as they grew we would move them on. “It was very successful and we were fully occupied within weeks and we had a waiting list. “It’s very high-quality space, we get fantastic feedback from the tenants. “We do have space here now – the investment centre is 80-85% full.

“We have used the investment centre as a focus for a lot of the economic development work and business support we have done – to support people wanting to start in business.” A second major project aims to stimulate growth. It is the five-year Inspire Project, which has just finished. It provided £820,787 grant assistance to 78 companies and claimed to have helped to create 388 jobs, safeguard 1,158 jobs and create 11 businesses. It offered grants to improve business premises and to help with better security measures, as well as funding environmental schemes that have been carried out to improve the attractiveness of the borough. Cllr Adrian Owens said: "The economic outputs achieved by Inspire are fantastic in terms of job creation and safeguarding jobs, and it is brilliant to see the extent of improvements made to such a wide range of commercial premises. “The project has made a real

difference to many businesses, both small and large, throughout West Lancashire. “The economic benefits have been further strengthened by the quality of environmental improvements undertaken on important sites across the borough’s focal points of economic activity.” Inspire Project covered 2005-2010, but what now for the five years to 2015? “We want to be well on the way with Skelmersdale, high up on the agenda for investment funding for better transport funding in Skelmersdale – to be recognised nationally for that,” said Jayne Traverse. “We want to be working in partnership with other local authorities, to have regional thinking to the benefit of West Lancashire and the region.” The next five years will be critical in seeing whether the plans for Skelmersdale can give the town a major boost. Alternatively, they risk becoming just another of Saint Bernadette’s many visions.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

HOW GREEN IS YOUR BUSINESS?

Hotel keeping guests’ feet dry Paving helps cut risk of flooding and protects the environment A NEW hotel in Wirral has installed a set of paving outside that will help the environment and keep guests’ feet dry even when it rains. The recently-completed Travelodge Hotel, in Bromborough, has been built in an area that has a history of flood risk. So a permeable paving system has been installed called Hydropave, produced by Irish firm Tobermore, which has its North West base in Preston. Hydropave allows any water to escape below the paving to a gravel bed where it is stored and released in a controlled manner, either back into the ground or into the existing storm water system. The water is filtered as it goes through the system and harmful pollutants are also removed. The firm also claims Hydropave can remove more than 90% of hydrocarbons and heavy metal pollutants which are dangerous to flora and fauna if they are allowed to enter the streams and waterways. The architect in charge of the design of the £2.3m hotel, Simon Halliwell, of Paddock Johnson Partnership, recommended the installation of the paving. Tobermore’s specification sales executive for the area, Robert Davenhall, said: “We are delighted that Simon Halliwell and the Travelodge decided to use our Hydropave permeable paving system in this major scheme, and that it was able to solve a problem for them “It is still a relatively new system. However, more and more architects, engineers and contractors across Britain and Ireland are seeing both the environmental benefits and also the cost effectiveness of this type of drainage system. “In addition to its immense practical advantages, the Hydropave blocks used at the Travelodge look fantastic and complement the attractive look of the hotel, to give visitors an excellent first impression which is now so important in the hospitality industry. “The fact that it is also environmentally friendly was an added bonus for the area and its residents.” Tobermore says this type of paving is increasingly being used across the UK in areas where there is a high risk of flooding. It can be found in large commercial projects including schools, car parks, retail parks,

Travelodge manager Ksenija Solovjova and Simon Halliwell, front, with Carl Pagel (Paddock Johnson Partnership) and Robert Davenhall, back housing developments, commercial buildings and other hotels. The 60-room Bromborough Travelodge, in Pool Lane, opened its doors in February and saw 10 new jobs being created. It was built by Parklodge Developments and is situated at the entrance to Wirral International Business Park. Funding for the project was provided by NatWest.

■ COMPANIES across the North West have just a few weeks until they need to start complying with the Government’s new Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), or face penalties that will hit their bottom line, warns accountancy firm KPMG. From April 1, organisations with annual electricity bills of £1m or more must start measuring and accurately reporting their energy usage to Government auditors.

Those that submit late or inaccurate data could be penalised and publicly chastised for those failures. KPMG’s work with organisations across the North West who are preparing for the CRC has found that compliance failures – such as incorrect reporting – pose the greatest immediate risk to both reputation and the bottom line. The firm claims two-thirds of businesses in the region are

currently mis-stating their carbon numbers by a margin that will incur fines. From April, 2011, the Government will publish league tables ranking participants on their success at managing and reducing their carbon emissions. This will inform a bonus and penalty system which will see money from the worst performers given to those nearer the top.

Airbus displays biodiversity logo on A380 superjumbo AIRCRAFT manufacturer Airbus has agreed to show support for the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity by featuring the official logo on its A380 superjumbo. The A380 is the world’s largest passenger plane in service, and the wings for each model are manufactured at the company’s huge plant at

Broughton, near Chester. Airbus is using its global reach to back the UN Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) Green Wave initiative, designed to educate young people about the importance of biodiversity. Spokesman Rainer Ohler said: “The aviation sector remains committed to

tackling the 2% it contributes to man-made carbon dioxide emissions, having already reduced aircraft emissions by 70% and noise by 75% in the last 40 years. “However, as a global company, Airbus is also committed to using its global outreach to support those tackling the other 98% of emissions.”

The A380 will carry the logo throughout 2010 during its scheduled activities. Airbus claims the A380 is one of the most fuel efficient passenger aircraft ever made. Its fuel consumption is less than three litres per 100 seat kilometres (km), corresponding to less than 75g of CO² per passenger per km.

An Airbus A380 with the green logo displayed

HOW GREEN IS YOUR BUSINESS?

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

New climate change officer Sarah Jolly – her mission is to help Merseyside slash its carbon emissions by 31% by 2022

Leading drive to cut transport emissions Merseyside Transport Partnership appoints new climate change officer

A NEW climate change officer has been appointed by the Merseyside Transport Partnership (MTP) to help companies and organisations cut their emissions. Sarah Jolly’s mission is to help Merseyside reach its goal of cutting carbon emissions by 31% by 2022. Transport has long been identified as an area where businesses and organisations can make a real difference to the environment. Ms Jolly, who lives in Halewood, has a masters degree in environmental management and comes to MTP after spending two years at Envirolink Northwest. She will support existing work taking place across the region to address climate change by helping reduce the impact of transport on

carbon emissions. Her particular focus will be the preparation of the climate change strategy for the next Local Transport Plan (LTP), which will run from 2011. Working in partnership with local, regional, national and European bodies, she will develop integrated, low-carbon transport solutions for the region. She will help Merseyside to meet national climate change targets and further the city region’s ambition to become the UK’s biggest low-carbon goods and services city region economy. She said: “Climate change is a very topical issue and an exciting area to be involved in. “MTP is already placing climate change at the heart of its work to

support the continuing regeneration of the city region, which is fantastic news. “My focus is on preparing a strategy for the submission of the next draft LTP, in March, 2011 – it’s really satisfying to know that my work will have a clear influence of the future direction of climate change policy for Merseyside.” Neil Scales, chairman of MTP and chief executive of Merseytravel, said: “The need for climate change action overall, and from the transport sector in particular, has been growing in recent years. “Work taking place at a local level across the region is helping Merseyside work towards its targets for climate change and carbon reduction and is already playing an

important part in shaping national and regional policies.” MTP’s TravelWise Merseyside initiative has been instrumental in helping companies devise more energy efficient ways of using transport. ■ THE Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) has addressed a major UK conference on its efforts to make the North West a national leader for waste management practice. The NWDA made a presentation to the Environment Agency’s Wasting Opportunities conference. The updated Regional Waste Strategy provides a framework that will deliver the necessary waste infrastructure and skills to meet the region’s short, medium and long-

term needs, and support sustainable consumption and production. It will form part of a much wider programme of activity including the Northwest Sustainable Consumption and Production Action Plan, which identifies actions to transform resource use, inspire sustainable production and using waste as a resource. Building on the previous Regional Waste Strategy, which was published in 2004, the new strategy will focus on preventing and avoiding the growth in waste, minimising resource use and reducing the hazardous content of waste. A key element of the strategy is to find waste management solutions that do not impact on economic growth.

Liverpool One converts used fat into biofuel for vehicles WASTE cooking oil from the restaurants at Liverpool One is being turned into biodiesel to run the retail and leisure complex’s fleet of vehicles. A purpose-built biofuels room underneath the site will convert the oils in less than 24 hours. The benefits are two-fold: the process uses cooking oil that would have otherwise ended up in landfill sites and also saves on the energy used up transporting them there.

And by using biodiesel in the fleet rather than ordinary diesel, Liverpool One will save an estimated 54 tonnes of CO²in the first year of activity. Used cooking oil is fed into the fuelpod via a series of filtered pumps and is heated over night to 65°C. The warm oil is then mixed with methanol and potassium hydroxide (the potassium uses the methanol as a carrier and binds the fats within the oil) the products of which are

biodiesel and glycerine laden oil, which can be safely used to accelerate compost. One hundred litres of used cooking oil yields 100 litres of biodiesel and Liverpool One hopes to produce 200 litres of biodiesel a week. The biofuels initiative is part of Liverpool One’s ongoing commitment to lower its carbon footprint. It forms another strand of an extensive recycling programme that involves

paper, card and plastics. Estate director Chris Bliss said: “As a vital part of Liverpool’s economy, we feel that Liverpool One should play a role preserving the environment. “The biofuels initiative will help lower the carbon footprint of Liverpool One and individual retailers. “It also forms another element of Liverpool One’s overall environmental strategy.”

Biofuels initiative – Chris Bliss, estate director for Liverpool One

TRANSPORT

in association with

NEIL SCALES THE first moves to shape our region’s public transport over the next two decades are under way. Public consultations to establish the challenges and opportunities have begun. This is the first step in producing our next five-year Local Transport Plan (LTP), drawn up by the Mersey Transport Partnership which comprises the five districts of Merseyside and Merseytravel. Our previous Local Transport Plans were recognised as among the best in the country and described as “excellent” by the Department for Transport. The new LTP, which runs from 2011, will not be judged by the same criteria, and another “excellent” rating will not influence the amount of money we receive. The Government has yet to announce how funding will be allocated, but we are determined that our new LTP will remain among the best, even without a financial incentive. Over the past ten years, we have made great steps towards providing a modern and extensive transport network. It is now time to build on these successes and prepare for the future. The world will change a great deal in the next two decades and we must adapt to make the most of the opportunities that will be available to us. Transport has an important role to play in supporting the growth of the economy, helping tackle climate and encouraging people to lead healthier lifestyles. Our new LTP will play a key role in helping Merseyside achieve its vision of becoming a thriving international city region by 2030. Transport affects us all and it is absolutely crucial that as many people as possible are involved in the process of planning for the region’s changing transport needs. At this stage in the consultation, people are being given the opportunity to comment on four key

themes – the work that the Transport Partnership is already doing to provide a safe and efficient transport system; goals for the future; the concept of creating a new “mobility culture” and the challenges and opportunities that transport in Merseyside faces. Creating a “new mobility culture” will be high on the agenda in a bid to close the gap between the “mobility rich” and the “mobility poor”. The “mobility rich” are defined as people who have access to a car to get from A to B, while the “mobility poor” do not always have the same opportunities and the cost of travel can be a real burden. We have carried out in-depth research, which revealed that Merseyside’s transport network compares well with other cities around the world but, in common with many other places, Merseyside has its problems. Some areas are relatively poor and many teenagers leave school with few qualifications. In comparison to the rest of the UK, a high number of people suffer from ill health. By encouraging more people to cycle, walk or choose public transport, we can help improve health, create a lowcarbon economy and provide cheap and convenient access to jobs and services. This, combined with our strategy to keep goods moving around our region, will help attract employers and additional investment to the region. The initial public consultation on our next LTP ends on April 12 with a second consultation stage later this summer before we draw up a final strategy. Government funding is likely to be restricted going forward, and there will be no rating for the new plan from the Department for Transport but, as chair of the Mersey Transport Partnership, I guarantee that we will endeavour to deliver an excellent LTP for the people of our region.

‘Transport supports the growth of the economy’

Safety milestone

Vauxhall staff celebrate their accident-free achievement at the Ellesmere Port Astra manufacturing plant

Ellesmere Port plant sets European accident-free record ELLESMERE Port’s Astra car plant has confirmed its status as one of the safest in the European Vauxhall/ Opel network. The General Motors-owned site celebrated the milestone of achieving 20m hours without a “lost work day case”, at the factory, which employs around 2,000 staff building the new Astra model. A lost work day case relates to when an employee has been injured while at work and is unable to work their next shift. It has taken nearly five years to accrue the 20m working hours

without a serious incident resulting in a lost work-day and Ellesmere Port is the first plant within Vauxhall/ Opel to achieve this. Bob Holmes, the company’s UK and Ireland health and safety manager, said: “This achievement highlights the commitment, hard work and dedication of employees at the plant. “Safety is and must continue to be our first priority. “Good safety is no accident.” The company said that Ellesmere Port takes great pride in this achievement, and puts it down to the

continuous effort of its employees to “build high-quality vehicles at the lowest cost by working together” in the safest environment. Since Vauxhall’s US parent company General Motors decided against selling its European Vauxhall/Opel network to Canadian car parts maker Magna last November and retain the business, it has backed the Ellesmere Port site’s future by confirming the addition of a third production shift. The plant is also in the running to build the company’s new Ampera electric vehicle.

TRANSPORT

Capacity boost for key route

Government funding allows East Midlands Trains to add 1,500 extra seats a day on Liverpool link EXTRA capacity of up to 1,500 seats will be added to the key LiverpoolNorwich rail route after a government funding boost. Route operator East Midlands Trains announced the increase, from May, 2011, after agreeing terms with the Department for Transport which will enable the company to lease four additional Class 156 trains from May, 2011. These extra trains will be used on services between Nottingham and Skegness and from Lincoln to Leicester. This will then allow a number of refurbished Class 158 trains to be cascaded to strengthen services on the busiest section of East Midlands Trains’ Liverpool to Norwich route. So, from May next year, an additional 10 services every weekday will be strengthened between Nottingham and Liverpool from two-car to four-car trains, providing an additional 1,500 seats a day. And, after passenger and stakeholder feedback, the 13.52 Liverpool to Nottingham service will be extended through to Norwich, while the 05.50 Norwich to Liverpool service will operate as a four-car train throughout, providing more capacity on this busy commuter service. East Midlands Trains commercial director David Horne said: “This is fantastic news for our passengers and brings a successful conclusion to almost two years of partnership working with stakeholder groups along the route to secure these improvements. “We have been determined to increase capacity on our busy Liverpool to Norwich route, a route which covers some 250 miles and serves cities with a combined population of more than 7m people. “The additional funding secured will allow us to provide over 1,500 extra seats on the route every day from 2011, and will go a long way to alleviating the current overcrowding on many services. “The extra capacity will also enable us to increase the number of discounted tickets we offer on off-peak trains on the route.” He added: “We would like to thank our passengers and stakeholders for their steadfast support in helping us to bring about these improvements.” From December, 2012, all of the services between Nottingham and Liverpool should operate as four-car trains.

One of the East Midlands Class 158 trains which will be used on the enhanced Liverpool-Norwich route, from May next year

Remploy helps HGV driver get back to work LORRY driver John Davies, 54, is set to return to work through a partnership funded by Wirral council. The former HGV driver, from Birkenhead, had to give up work due to lower back problems. With 16 years’ experience and more

than a million miles under his belt, he wanted to retrain as a Class 1 HGV instructor. But he was unable to obtain enough cash to pay for his training until he approached the Birkenhead office of Remploy which helps people facing complex

barriers to work. Under the umbrella of the council scheme, he was awarded a training grant from “Linking People into Employment”. The initiative is being delivered by Remploy, The Social Partnership and Voluntary and Community Action Wirral

and John is now training with P&G LGV Driver Training in Flintshire which will employ Mr Davies when he qualifies. He said: “I still wanted to be part of the industry I know and love. Training others to drive would seem to be the ideal solution.”

HGV driver John Davies – back in the driving seat

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

City networking venture attracts new members

More than 100 business people attend inaugural Liverpool event ORE than 100 business people and professionals from across Merseyside attended the inaugural meeting of the new Business Network Liverpool, at the city’s Atlantic Tower Hotel. And almost a third of those present have now applied for membership of the concept in networking which organisers claim has generated tens of millions of pounds’ worth of business for entrepreneurs in other parts of the country. Len Rainford, the man who brought the concept to Liverpool, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the attendance figures and I am very happy to see membership building so healthily at the launch.” Directors, partners and owners from law firms, accountancy practices, retail businesses, manufacturers and service providers attended the lunchtime event and heard how membership had helped the enterprises of existing members from the Manchester Network. Media consultant Alistair Macdonald said: “The Network has given me a vitally important support group, many of whom are valued suppliers, clients and friends. Membership has helped my business significantly. That’s why I have stayed with this organisation for 13 years.” Mr Rainford, who is also managing director of Newton-le-Willows based parcel delivery company Sameday UK, added: “The Business Network Liverpool’s monthly luncheon meetings will now become regular events on the Liverpool business scene and I am looking forward to welcoming many more businesses in the coming months.” He also presented a cheque to Marie Curie Cancer Care, to mark the adoption of the organisation as the Business Network Liverpool’s chosen charity.

SPEAKING

By Rob Coward, partner in employment practice group at Hill Dickinson

I HAVE read in the newspapers that the Government is bringing in a law that will allow employers to positively discriminate in order to increase the diversity of their workforces. A minister stated that one of the reasons they wanted to bring in the change was because only 12% of board directors in the UK’s top 100 companies are women. What does the change mean for business?

POSITIVE action in employment law has traditionally been viewed as a range of measures which employers can lawfully take to encourage and train people from under-represented (for example, racial and ethnic groups) in order to help them overcome disadvantages in competing with other applicants for a job. This limited exception to the prohibition on discrimination in employment does not allow any positive discrimination in the actual recruitment of employees under current law. For instance, employment law does not currently allow an employer to take underrepresentation of women, for example, into account when it comes to choosing between two equally-qualified candidates.

takes, evaluates one candidate as having scored, say, 95% and another 61%, those candidates cannot be considered as being as qualified as each other to undertake the job. “It is immaterial whether the pass mark was set at 60%, 50% or 40%; the clearly superior candidate must always be offered the job.” Positive action The Equality Bill will allow employers to take positive action, not positive discrimination, if they choose to do so. The Government stated that: “Positive action will be entirely optional, and absolutely not about quotas (permissive rather than compulsory). “It will help organisations that want to increase the number of employees from a certain under-represented group, so that they better reflect their local community or customer base.” How this will work in practice is still to be decided. The Bill is subject to amendment in Parliament; however, the following example may be useful in discerning how it may work. An employer is recruiting a worker and he is concerned that most of his workforce is white. He is aware that the ethnicity of his workforce does not reflect the population, in the region he is in or nationally, because there are no employees from ethnic minorities. The employer initiates a recruitment process and, after interviewing the short-listed candidates, he is left with two applicants who are equally qualified for the post. The main difference is that one is white and the other is from an Asian background. Considering the under-representation of Asian employees, and the equal merit of both candidates, the employer will be allowed, when the Bill becomes the Equality Act, to make the decision based on that underrepresentation. The employer will not be in breach of discrimination laws if he chooses to employ the applicant from an Asian background, because of his Asian identity, over a person who is white.

‘Positive action will be entirely optional and not about quotas’

Len Rainford at the launch of Business Network Liverpool

NW confidence up – but ‘sluggish’ recovery expected CONFIDENCE among business professionals in the North West has continued to improve, but the region’s economic recovery may be more sluggish than originally expected, according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). The ICAEW surveyed 99 business professionals from across the region in its latest Confidence Monitor (BCM).

LEGALLY

The respondents recorded a confidence index score of 24.3 points, up 2.4 points from the last quarter and 1.5 points behind the UK average. In line with a rise in confidence, North West firms expect a significant improvement in the main indicators of business health over the next 12 months. Robust growth is expected across key

financial indicators including turnover (3.3%), gross profits (3.6%) and sales volumes (4%). However, companies’ turnover, profits and sales growth expectations have all moderated slightly since the last BCM which suggests the region’s economic recovery may be slower that originally envisaged. Melanie Christie, ICAEW North West

regional director, said: “Firms may have revised their forecasts downwards after data showed UK economic output growth was significantly below expectations during the last two quarters. “That said, confidence continues to improve, suggesting the North West is moving in the right direction and is firmly on the road to recovery.”

Positive action, not positive discrimination, is to become lawful Positive discrimination remains unlawful under the Bill. For instance, if an employer were to favour an Asian candidate who was poorly qualified in comparison with a white applicant who was better qualified, that would be positive discrimination. An example of positive discrimination was provided in the House of Lords debates on the Bill, where it was stated the new law will: “. . . not permit an employer to recruit or promote a candidate who is less qualified than another just because the employer wants to address disadvantage or underrepresentation – in any event, this would make no business sense. “Where the assessment process, in whatever form it

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ADVERTISEMENT

Biometric ID firm goes with the flow

The MFlow system was designed by Human Recognition Systems to help airports monitor passenger movements

Merseyside company puts airport passengers in the fast lane A TOP Liverpool-based biometric and identity management consultancy will supply a leading UK airport with equipment to automatically manage passenger movements. Human Recognition Systems has won a contract with Newcastle International Airport to deliver MFlow – an automated exit lanes system to manage passenger flow. The scheme will monitor the exit routes from the international and domestic baggage collection areas. This means it will significantly enhance service, security and efficiency at the airport. Newcastle Airport was used by more than 5m people last year.

The new system will increase passenger through-put and improve reliability, while lessening the reliance on security officers. The MFlow system combines human behavioural analysis technology with “smart surveillance” CCTV and systemcontrolled doors to manage passenger flow. It also identifies people moving in the wrong direction or standing still in the vicinity of exit lanes. The technology also identifies and alerts security staff to unattended objects and objects being passed from landside to airside. Jim Slevin, Human Recognition Systems business development

consultant, said: “We have been working with the aviation industry for the last five years. “This is to understand how biometrics and video analytics can improve security. “We’re also involved in how it can streamline processes and enhance passenger experience whilst returning on the airport’s investment.” MFlow Exit Lanes is the latest complete solution designed and deployed by HRS to meet and exceed EU and Department for Transport’s (DfT) rigorous airport security regulations. Mr Slevin added: “MFlow Exit Lanes has been designed and delivered to customers to provide return on investment measured in months.”

Student’s savings at top chemical plant fit the bill

BOSSES at a Runcorn chemical company praised the Year IN Industry (YINI) scheme, after a student on placement identified savings of more than £27,000 in energy bills. Claire Dillon, 19, from Chorlton, Manchester, evaluated cooling tower cost reduction, for chemical company INEOS

ChlorVinyls as part of her year-long student placement. She identified options for combining cooling tower units, isolating pumping capacity no longer required and reducing pump-impeller sizes to reduce power consumption. Claire, who was once told by her chemistry

teacher that a career in Chemical Engineering would be too difficult for a woman, personally re-designed the system to reduce its energy usage by more than 25%. As part of a wide range of projects, Claire also re-designed a critical safety fire deluge system. Aspects of her final proposals are now to be

implemented at the Runcorn site. INEOS ChlorVinyls’ bosses were so impressed with Claire’s work that they are sponsoring her through her chemical engineering degree at Leeds University. “It was really rewarding that my recommendations were accepted by the company,” she said.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Canadian hi-tech firm moves to Science Park

Liverpool Science Park – focused on attracting international companies to its new building

LIVERPOOL Science Park’s soft landing centre has welcomed its latest international resident. Canadian-based ComponentXS visited a number of locations and office solutions before settling on Liverpool Science Park. The company, which provides innovative solutions for the electronics market, provides expertise ranging from the aerospace, military and medical sectors. Gary O'Hare, ComponentXS managing director, said: “The strength of the academic research base and concentration of relevant companies made Liverpool an obvious choice for us. “As soon as we were

aware of the benefits of Liverpool Science Park’s soft landing centre, in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter, we knew it was the right location and facility in which to grow our business”. Chloe Young, LSP business development director, said: “We are delighted to welcome another international company to our growing community. We have an excellent offer which allows companies to test out the market in a lowrisk, cost-free way. As awareness increases, we expect the facility to attract more commercial knowledge-based businesses to the city”. LSP is a Liverpool City Council, John Moores University and Liverpool University joint-venture.

Eco-house steps up for award National prize-winning heating technology will be installed in 75 houses on North East estate

A MERSEYSIDE renewable heating company has won a national carbon footprint award for a North East housing project. Warmer Heating is part of a winning team which won the National Energy Action’s Footprint award for the project. This was initially to transform a three-bedroom house into an eco-show home. The presentation was made by Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. The Renewable Energy Show House was officially launched in South Tyneside last week, after being named as the regional winner. The competition is to highlight excellence by organisations working to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon. In partnership with South Tyneside Homes, Warmer Heating has installed green technology into a house in Hebburn. Work included an air source heat pump, solar panels to power the water heating system, cavity wall and loft insulation to preserve heat within the house – all to cut energy bills by up to a third. The project is being rolled out in 75 houses at Lukes Lane estate, with Warmer Heating leading on installation. The show house is now being used as a respite facility for tenants while contractors install the heat pumps and solar thermal panels in their homes. Once the scheme has been completed, the house will be available for let. Warmer Heating, with a base on Merseyside as well as the North

East, is an industry leader in ecoinitiatives and is a major contractor for Community Energy Solutions. Community Energy Solutions, a non-profit distribution organisation, is run to help bring affordable warmth to those in off-gas communities. The aim is to assist such off-gas network householders by helping with funding for renewable technologies, with Warmer Heating doing installations. Warmer Heating also operate in partnership with Eaga Plc, the organisation which manages the Warm Front grant Scheme for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) for those receiving income or disability benefit payments. Bryan Glendinning, of Warmer Heating, said: “Coming at the end of a week when the Government has announced grants to help pay to make your home greener, it has never been easier to show how you can reduce your home’s carbon footprint. “We are delighted to be part of this award-winning project and to be continuing our commitment to leading the way in making the heating industry a green industry.” National Energy Action’s Footprint Award aims to award and congratulate excellence by organisations working to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon. Entries are received from all not-for profit organisations undertaking work to tackle fuel poverty and promote affordable warmth to vulnerable households in England.

From left: Nick Huston and Leon Cowley, of South Tyneside Homes; Bryan Glendinning, of Warmer Heating; Environment Secretary Ed Miliband; National Energy Action chief executive Jenny Saunders; and Phil Warren, of Warmer Heating

EDUCATION

JMU looks for swashbuckling

Liverpool John Moores University’s Maritime Academy bosses explain to Neil Hodgson how they

Dr Stephen Bonsall, left, and Prof Ian Jenkinson, who are at the helm of Liverpool John Moores University’s world-renowned Liverpool Maritime Academy IRACY on the high seas is a problem currently occupying the minds of specialists at Liverpool Maritime Academy. Established by Liverpool John Moores University in 2008, the academy provides a myriad of services to the nautical industry, including risk assessment. And Dr Stephen Bonsall, head of maritime, transport and management, revealed: “We have just started to look at piracy as a risk assessment. We need to lessen the risk.” The threat of piracy in the Indian Ocean has risen in the past five years after the Somali civil war. In 2008, it was estimated pirates extorted more than £70m in ransoms from shipping lines, and last April four Somali pirates seized the Maersk Alabama off the Somalia port city of Eyl. A British couple, the Chandlers,

are still being held by pirates after being seized last year. Dr Bonsall added: “It’s not an area that has been researched very heavily before, so it’s still in the early stages, and we’re struggling with what specifically we have to look at. “We know the problem is taking the ships, but it’s how you combat that problem. “That’s what people are struggling with at the moment.” The academy boasts a simulator in Birkenhead which is the only one in the UK to offer 360 degree bridge visibility. Dr Bonsall said this could be used to plan against piracy, adding: “We need to bring in other partners to develop an effective scenario for managing piracy. You need an expert for that side.” He cautioned: “We could only do research into it if there’s an area where we can gain a grant to be able to do it, or sponsorship, and it is this

kind of thing we are looking for.” This May, a large port operators conference will convene in Liverpool, and Dr Bonsall said it could be the ideal opportunity to float the idea of a specialist study of the piracy risk. The first nautical college in Liverpool was established in 1892, but its values and traditions are now in the more-than-capable hands of Liverpool JMU’s Byrom Street academy, headed by Prof Ian Jenkinson, director of the school of engineering, technology and maritime operations, and Dr Bonsall, who was at sea for 10 years, in port management for 12 and has been with JMU for 20 years. The academy offers JMU’s internationally-recognised research in maritime technology and risk and safety management, undergraduate, postgraduate and professional training courses, and its advanced simulation facilities at the Lairdside centre provides training for pilots

and captains of the future. About 300 students – 60% of whom are overseas learners who can combine their nautical studies with English language studies – are currently at the academy, and for the majority it is the first step on the rung to not only a nautical career, but also a route into the boardroom. Prof Jenkinson said their vast alumni would show a wealth of senior managers and directors in shipping lines throughout the world, such as former Mersey Docks and Harbour Company chief executive Buddha Majumdar, who has worked in various international roles and is now a consultant. “People have taken their sea-going examinations here, and as time moves on they have moved into management positions of the maritime sector and across the whole sector. “Liverpool has a great name for sea-going courses, and the reputation

for Liverpool still lingers. There are quite a few ex-students in senior management positions around the world in shipping and ports management, such as Buddha and Ian Mathison (marine and safety director at Liverpool’s Bibby Ship Management).” Dr Bonsall added: “We are longstanding within the maritime business, so in Liverpool, if you go to the big companies here like Bibby Line, Meridian, CMA or Maersk, you will find ex-students from JMU at all the main lines. The roots are incredible. “The John Moores name is highly regarded around the world. We have, for 10 years, distance taught our masters courses over in Greece and Iran.” Academy resources are in demand throughout global shipping quarters, as well as other shipping-related fields, as Prof Jenkinson explained: “We do research and as part of the

EDUCATION

answer to 21st-century piracy can offer management training to the nautical industry, from boardroom to sea-going captains

The ‘bridge’ of the Lairdside simulator, showing a vessel steering a course up the River Mersey Lairdside Maritime Centre we offer training to industry. “It’s been a problem for industry to access the combination of training and education that is needed for seafarers and we have managed to produce a package that is a lot more accessible to commercial clients. “As a result of that, we have contracts with a number of major overseas organisations, such as Saudi Arabia.” Dr Bonsall explained Saudi sends students to study for their piloting diploma, supported by the Lairdside simulator, which exclusively offers eight Saudi ports in its programme, enabling students to learn local pilotage for their own ports on the banks of the Mersey. Prof Jenkinson said: “The 360 degrees vision is essential for pilot training and a unique offering with training and education.” A masters degree in port management also proved a draw for

the Saudis. Dr Bonsall said: “Ports are a business, the same as any business, whose speciality is working with ships and the management of the land. Port management is looking into how those assets can be used, taking in personnel management and financial management. “It is an operational management course for ports which could also go into the civil engineering side. “The Saudis were looking for an officer of the watch course at a degree level, which is not offered everywhere, and operations management and language qualifications. So we were able to offer the four strands they were looking for.” Prof Jenkinson added: “We have experience with a variety of nations, including Kuwaiti business training, landside. “This year we went to the Middle East with Peel Ports and a number of

other civil engineering companies. We’re quite keen to collaborate with partners and put courses together, and there’s opportunities in Saudi Arabia for courses that are allinclusive that include education and training aspects.” The academy’s links with Port of Liverpool owner Peel Ports are a vital element in the training of shipping and port management of the future, said Dr Bonsall. “The Port Management MSc we have was drawn up in collaboration with them, and we do harbour master courses with them.” He said: “We have used them for placements and because they are a functional port it is very useful and is an ideal collaboration.” Liverpool JMU has had contacts with Peel Ports and formerly Mersey Docks and Harbour Company for more than 20 years. “It’s a long-standing collaboration arrangement. But we hope in the

future to work closer with them.” Dr Bonsall added: “I would say we are unique in the UK, because you would be hard-pressed to find another university that has the scope we have here under one roof.” One of its specialities is risk assessment, such as the piracy project. But it also extends to wider issues in the maritime industry. Dr Bonsall said: “The team here have developed special ways of looking at risk. “Risk is involved in everything, and we do risk assessments for offshore industries like the oil and gas industries.” Prof Jenkinson said: “Any offshore installation would require a risk assessment – for the safety of its personnel and also for insurance purposes, as well as engineering risk.” Another area of expertise could provide welcome income for the academy through the automation of

small ports for container and ro-ro (roll-on roll-off) cargo shipping. Prof Jenkinson explained that a £6.4m European Union (EU) grant is available to improve port efficiency for short sea shipping and moving goods by sea between EU countries to make it more attractive for operators to use ports for short sea shipping. Currently 40% of European trade is handled by waterways. Dr Bonsall said: “The grant is worth £6.4m in total, but our bit would be worth £900,000 working with the technical university of Lille, Dublin, le Havre, Rouen and Ostend. “We’re the only UK university included on this four-year project.” He said it was all part of a comprehensive offer the academy can boast that has established it as a key player in the industry. He explained: “The make-up of maritime here at Liverpool John Moores is stronger now than it’s ever been, because it is multi-functional.”

THE NETWORKER

BUSINESS LUNCH Alistair Houghton meets Kevin McManus, director of creative industries support agency Merseyside ACME T’S based in one of the city’s key cultural institutions, and its walls are works of art in themselves – so where better to meet the man charged with promoting Merseyside’s creative industries than the Tate Gallery Café? The café is a striking space, with its multi-coloured banners and slogan-splashed walls. Its decor is the work of German artist Tobias Rehberger, who transformed the room into an art installation called Get a New Liver. And, through its floor-to-ceiling windows, diners get a glorious view of an engineering work of art – Jesse Hartley’s Albert Dock – and the city skyline beyond. It was a view I shared with Kevin McManus, the director of Merseyside ACME, who works with the region’s creative and digital businesses to help them grow. Kevin wrote for the NME and penned books on Liverpool’s music history before joining ACME in 1997. Since then, he has seen the city’s creative sector, which encompasses sectors from advertising to fashion and web design to video gaming, grow steadily. The recession hit some firms hard, but Kevin said companies he worked with were generally upbeat about their prospects. “Creative firms are more resistant than those in a lot of other sectors because they tend to be small and fairly flexible,” he said. “We did see some marketing and advertising companies who had a lot of clients in the financial sector who struggled, but the reaction of most companies was to look for steadiness. “If they had planned for expansion, people settled for maintaining where they were. “People now are starting to expand again. They seem more positive.” The Tate Café is an informal eaterie rather than a formal restaurant, but makes for an unusual and relaxing lunch venue. Diners grab a table and order at the counter, where they are given a number to identify their table. We were, appropriately, given our imminent music-themed conversation, allotted number one. As we waited for our food, Kevin talked about how small creative firms in Merseyside needed to work together to win big contracts that could otherwise go to larger firms from London or Manchester. He said: “If you’re a television company looking to win work at MediaCity, you may need to work with somebody who does gaming applications or mobile applications. “The relationships could be one-off projects or more sustainable. It’s about finding the right kind of people for the right jobs.

“Lots of PR companies, for example, will have digital companies they work with regularly. That’s what BBC commissioners, for example, are looking for – people who can bring in other elements and other revenues. “Do you build a digital department yourselves, with all the overheads that go with that, or do you work with the good people around that you have a relationship with?” MediaCity UK, the £500m development in Salford Quays, opens its first phase next year. It will house five BBC departments currently based in London – Sport, Radio Five Live, Children’s, Learning and parts of its Future Media and Technology team. Some fear the complex will take such creative and digital investment away from Liverpool, but McManus says Merseyside creative firms must instead be positive and try to win business from the BBC. “I can only see MediaCity as an opportunity,” he said. “It’s only a few miles away. But for it to be an opportunity, we need to work with companies to make sure they’re ready for it. “Good companies will take advantage of it. I don’t think there’s any use moaning about it.” Next, our food arrived. I had chosen the “smoked un-dyed haddock and salmon fishcake” – which, despite its modest name, was several times larger than your street corner chippie fishcake. It was served on tartare sauce and a sweet pea puree – high-class mushy peas, essentially – and, despite its intimidating size, boasted a delicate smoky taste. One warning – the fishcake doesn’t come with chips or potatoes, but it does need a side dish. I can recommend doing as I did and buying a side order of the Tate’s tasty chips to make a great meal. Kevin relished his open steak sandwich, saying the meat was perfectly cooked and the dish beautifully presented. He also praised the café’s “lovely” service. We moved on to discuss Baltic Creative, the £5.2m plan to transform empty buildings in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle into a creative quarter. Kevin and ACME spearheaded the project, which is now in the hands of an independent management board. “There’s been a lot of curiosity and interest from prospective tenants,” he said. “There’s a lot of interest nationally in how this is going to work. Hopefully, the space will be

The café at the Tate in Liverpool is a work of art itself, as well as a relaxing lunch venue used for many and varied things. My ambition has always been to try to create something with Baltic Creative that people will look at as a model for similar projects elsewhere.” Bootle boy Kevin fell into the music industry at a young age. He started writing for the NME at 18, after becoming a regular visitor to legendary Mathew Street club Eric’s. He said: “I saw everyone from The Clash to Iggy Pop and Joy Division to Big In Japan – they were legends. The NME was a dream job because it combined music with writing. I did the first national reviews for people such as Frankie Goes to Hollywood.” Kevin wrote on music throughout the 80s for the NME and other publications, including The Face and MixMag. He said: “I met a lot of interesting people, got lots of free records and went to lots of gigs.” He moved into band management,

Kevin McManus

working with Liverpool bands including The Tambourines, and became a researcher at Liverpool’s Institute of Popular Music. There he wrote or co-authored four books, including one about Liverpool’s country music scene, called Nashville of the North. Kevin joined ACME when it launched in 1997. Its projects have included the launch of the Kin network (kin2kin.co.uk ), the online community for creative companies. ACME was initially funded by local authorities and European grants. Last year, it became part of regeneration body Liverpool Vision. At the same time, Kevin became head of music at regional agency Northwest Vision and Media. Events such as Liverpool Music Week, Liverpool Sound City and Creamfields already attract many thousands of visitors to the region – and Kevin says the North West needs to make more noise about the success of its music industry. We met for lunch shortly before Kevin headed for the South by Southwest (SxSW) music festival and conference in Austin, Texas, with the rest of a North West delegation. “It’s probably the most important music industry event and showcase in the world, certainly for guitar-based music,” he said. “It’s a key gateway to the North American market. “We support businesses going there to help them break into that

market. That could mean them getting a record deal, a publishing deal or a US agent. “As with any industry convention, it’s hard work. It’s not just a series of glamorous events and gigs.” Kevin is still a regular gig-goer, despite the demands of his job. And while he never harboured any ambitions to be a rock star himself, instead preferring to stay behind the scenes, he made the charts last year. He was one of the team behind last year’s Hillsborough tribute single The Fields of Anfield Road, working with the likes of The Farm frontman Peter Hooton, Cast singer John Power and then Lord Mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotheram. “Twenty years too late, I was involved in a Top 20 hit,” he said. “But the serious point is that we raised a lot of money for the Hillsborough Family Support Group.”

DETAILS Tate Liverpool Café Albert Dock Liverpool L3 4BB Tel: 0151 702 7400 www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/ Cost: £21.45

THE NETWORKER

THE BUSINESS LIST Friday, March 26

The Daresbury business breakfast brings together around 100 people working for hi-tech companies and their supply and support communities. The breakfast is at Daresbury Innovation Centre, starting from 8am. For more details, see www. daresburysic.co.uk/events

FRIDAY, APRIL 16 / SIXTY REALLY USEFUL MINUTES TO AVOID FAMILY BUSINESS MELTDOWN

Friday, March 26 A briefing at St Helens Chamber on the opportunities at the World Expo in Shanghai, which runs from May to October. Guest speakers from Liverpool Vision, the China-Britain Business Council and the Head of Asia Pacific Development from UK Trade & Investment North West will be attending to provide further information about the opportunities available for St Helens businesses to get involved and promote themselves on an international scale. It is from 8.30am-10am. For details, call 01744 742000.

Friday, March 26 The 60 Really Useful Minutes series continues at Liverpool Chamber of Commerce with an entrepreneurial bootcamp. Business Doctors Matt Levington and Rod Davies will focus on the key to success – how companies re-engineer their businesses for optimal performance, laying the foundations for future growth. It is from 9am-10am, and is free for members and £5 for non-members. To book, call 0151 227 1234.

Wednesday, March 31

Wirral’s Digital and Media Business Forum is holding its latest event at Riverside Park, Bromborough, from 8am-9.45am. The guest speakers include IP specialist Joanne Shelley of Hillyer Mckeown Solicitors and Alistair Houghton, LDP Creative reporter. Daniel Clutterbuck and Carl Lewis will also discuss the plans for Riverside Park Digital Business Centre. For more information, contact Sharon Stanton at

Husband and wife team Gaynor and Steve Lyth, from lifestyle financial planners Alchemy Advisory Services FAMILY businesses who want to learn how to successfully manage the multi-generational transfer of their business empire are invited to a one-hour seminar at Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. It is estimated that only events@businesswirral.com or telephone 07742 442503.

five in 100 family businesses survive beyond the third generation and even fewer the fourth generation. In many cases, it is not only the business that disappears, but the personal wealth of the

family, too. Sixty Really Useful Minutes To Avoid Family Business Meltdown is being presented by Gaynor and Steve Lyth, from lifestyle financial planners Alchemy Advisory Services, and Ian Hodgkinson ,from Mace

& Jones, Solicitors. It will cover issues from the relationship between family and business and how this changes with time, the benefits of implementing structured governance in the family business, how to protect family businesses

Nicola Holland on 01928 516142, or email nicolah@haltonchamber.com.

Tuesday, April 6 The next 1stuesday breakfast event is at 7.45am at The Heath Restaurant, The Heath Business and Technical Park. It is £5 for Halton Chamber members and £10 for non-members. To book, contact Nicola Holland on 01928 516142 or email nicolah@haltonchamber.com.

Thursday, April 22

Tuesday, April 20 The West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber is holding a business breakfast at Mollington Banastre. It is from 7.30am-9am and costs £15 for members and £23 for non-members. To book, call 01244 669988.

Plans – Riverside Park, Bromborough

Tuesday, April 20 The Halton Women in Business

beyond the third generation, and how to foster financial responsibility in future generations. ■ IT IS from 9am-10am and is free for members and £5 for non-members. To book, call 0151 227 1234.

Rod Davies – speaking at Liverpool Chamber of Commerce on Friday, March 26 Network’s next monthly event is at The Heath Business Park, Runcorn, from 12pm to 2pm. It is £5 for Halton Chamber members and £10 for non-members. To book, contact

Knowsley Women in Business Network is hosting a seminar on marketing your business successfully. Presented by Eileen Baines-Sutton, of Pure Change, she will give advice on how to market your business and also share with you the challenges she has experienced and how she stayed motivated. It is at Suites Hotel, Knowsley, from 11am-2pm and costs £17.50 for members and £20.56 for non-members. For more details, visit www.knowsleychamber.org ■ TO GET details of your forthcoming diary events included on this page, please email alex.turner@liverpool.com

THE NETWORKER

ALISTAIR HOUGHTON . . . in which we ‘netwalk’ past stone Titans and broken cashpoints, while taking on all-comers in a networking treasure hunt ARK TWAIN once said golf was a good walk ruined. So what, one has to ask, would he

have made of netwalking? Netwalking, for the uninitiated, is networking while taking a walk around the sights of your neighbourhood. If you work on a business park on the outskirts of Swindon, where the only sights to be seen are Brenda’s Caravan of Sausages and the faint outline of another big shed call centre on the horizon, then it may not be an appealing prospect. But – and we can brag here – if you work in central Liverpool, there’s a lot of potential. When you work in or around the city centre, it’s easy to take this concentration of great architecture and stunning vistas for granted. It’s easy to hurry from your windowless, air-conditioned office to the Sainsco Express-Metro and back, so familiar with the streets where you work that you no longer even

need to look where you’re going. And, yes, the incessant drone from our quango regiment about “Liverpool’s World Heritage waterfront” has made many people so bored with that skyline that they sometimes feel they’d rather glue two of Brenda’s sausage baps to their eyeballs than look at it again. Yet, whenever I do actually bother to take a proper lunch break and take a fresh look at this corner of the city, it always fills me with something terribly close to joy. Raise your eyes above the sandwich shops to peer at the glory of Oriel Chambers. Look with wonder at the immense bulk of Martins Bank, and ponder at how early 20th-century bankers could raise such massive monuments to commerce while modern bankers just raise hackles. Imagine what it must be like to work in the Royal Liver Building – the Scouse equivalent, surely, of looking out of the eyes of the Statue of Liberty? Or – a particular favourite of mine – ignore the big ticket history stuff, and go and have a look at the battered, tiny old Williams and Glyn’s cash machine, surely one of

Dave Lee Travis, the ‘Hairy Cornflake’, in his 1979 pomp

the earliest of its kind still in situ. It’s got 10 chunky buttons, a slot for your card, and that’s it. The forlorn machine bears about as much resemblance to the modern videoscreen cashpoints as my 1992 vintage cheap plastic Radio One radio (shaped like a number one, Hairy Cornflake fans) has to my iPhone. And it’s generally covered in rubbish – this is 21st-century Britain, after all. Yet it is, in its own way, a little snapshot of history. No, I’m not telling you where it is – go and find it yourself. Get some fresh air, explore your city, and remember what lunchbreaks were made for. ND now I’ve given you all a health tip and a dose of culture, it’s back to the beer. Because all that talk of netwalking has reminded me of another Chamber-related networking event a couple of years ago – the eagerly-contested Business Crime Direct pub quiz treasure hunt. It saw groups of business types – including my team from the Daily Post – scrambling round the city hunting for clues in pubs from the Philharmonic to the waterfront. The format was simple. The Chamber told you at which pub you should begin your quest. On arrival, your cheery landlord gave you a question sheet. Teams first had to answer questions to reveal the identity of the other pubs to which they would have to trudge that night. Then, as they went along, they had to answer trivia questions about each individual hostelry. Sometimes you needed to peer at the pictures of old Liverpool on the wall to see, for example, how much a trio of electric corsets cost at Bobbins & Balderdash in 1897. Or they might be about the pub itself – just how many dusty bottles of Old Cobbler’s Bottom were suspended from that glass aardvark? Teams of largely besuited business folk always stood out in some of the more out-of-the-way establishments, so all attempts at subtlety were doomed to failure. Plus, of course, if you saw another team at all, then you knew you’d found the right pub. Yes, we were – ahem – forced to drink beer as we went along. It would have been rude not to. But that wasn’t the main point of the exercise. Instead, the quiz saw teams explore different parts of the city, visiting pubs whose thresholds they would never otherwise have crossed. Plus, of course, we could always chat to our rivals as we went along. Netwalking, some might say, par excellence.

SOCIAL DIARY THE NETWORKER

Phillip Ramsey (Clarity Creation), Helen Raghu (Roy Castle Lung Foundation), and Marius McGovern (Liverpool Dental Spa), at the products launch

Nikki Comber (producer, Channel 4), Claire Smithwick (Passion Jewellery), and Katie Powell (researcher, Channel 4), at the Forward Ladies event

CAROLYN HUGHES DOWNTOWN Liverpool in Business held its second Chairman's Dinner of 2010 at the fabulous Noble House in the heart of the business district. Guests were treated to a superb menu and a selection of fine wines, which delightfully complemented the calibre of guests. ■ FORWARD Ladies, who have recently acquired Wirral West PPC Esther McVey’s Winning Women networking organisation, held their first event at the Adelphi Hotel last week. Forward Ladies membership embraces women from all sectors and stages of professional life and offers a community for

women to learn, share and encourage one another in a supportive environment. ■ LUCKY Numbers, the latest hilarious comedy to take to the stage at the Royal Court Theatre, tells the tale of a granny who wins the Lottery. Written by Mike Yeaman and Directed by Ken Alexander, the comical tale runs until April 10. ■ LIVERPOOL Dental Spa recently launched a range of products designed to straighten teeth at their new flagship practice in Brunswick Street. Guests at the Spa were treated to Champagne and canapés. New products include the Inman Aligner and Simpli5 clear aligner system.

Paul Burgess, with Katherine Atkinson (Patient Care co-ordinator, Liverpool Dental Spa), and Mark Castle, at the Dental Spa products launch

Michael Starke, right, as Ronnie, with the rest of the cast of Lucky Numbers, on stage at the Royal Court, Liverpool

Etta Cohen (Forward Ladies) and Esther McVey (Conservative PPC, Wirral West) at the Forward Ladies event

Frank McKenna (Chairman, DLiB) and Mike Askew (CBG Group), at the DLiB Chairman’s Dinner

Kilted Ken Alexander, director of Lucky Numbers, with writer Mike Yeaman, at the launch of the new comedy play at the Royal Court

Lawrence Gregory (Saturn Security) and Kurt Kershaw (Panorama Kitchens), at the Downtown Liverpool in Business dinner

Connectivity, Catchment, Cost. Lake District Preston M6

M65 M6

M61

Southport

M66

Bolton

Wigan

M61

M60

M58

Manchester

Salford

M57

St.Helens Liverpool

M62

M62 M6

M60

M62

Warrington M56

Wirral

Runcorn

M53

M56 Glasgow

M56 M56

Leeds

M53

North Wales

Chester

Birmingham Cardiff

London

• Direct access to the arterial M6 & M62 • The most car-friendly place in the whole region* • Within 45 minutes of two, expanding, international airports and the UK's largest Freeport zone • Within an hour's drive of 4.3 million prospective employees & 6.8 million potential customers • A relatively low cost & cost-effective location in terms of premises, house prices, & labour *2009 Virgin Money Survey

For more information about investing in St.Helens please contact the St.Helens Business Location Team. Tel: +44 (0)1744 742 041 Email: enquiries@investinsthelens.com

www.investinsthelens.com 47

DAILY POST Thursday, March 25, 2010

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