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Thursday, November 21, 2013

KIND appeals for warehouse space for Christmas hampers LIVERPOOL children’s charity KIND is appealing for temporary warehouse space to store hampers intended for disadvantaged families.

KIND has kicked off this year’s Christmas appeal where it will aim to raise £50,000 for the hampers.

It was launched in the offices of Griffiths & Armour in Water Street with the help of Liverpool FC legend, John Barnes.

He delivered a speech to Griffiths & Armour staff.

He said: “As a father of seven I know how important Christmas is, and a lot of people take it for granted there will be turkey on the table and presents under the tree.

“But for thousands of families there will be nothing, no joy or celebration.

“This is why we should all get behind the appeal and

donate what we can.”

Carl Evans, partner at Griffiths & Armour, added: “We are delighted to host and help launch KIND’s Christmas Hamper Appeal.

“We have supported KIND for two years now and hope that everyone within the local business community can help the appeal at this special time of year.

KIND founder, Stephen Yip, says the charity needs tem-

porary storage space for the hampers before they are delivered and he is appealing for any business with spare warehouse space to help.

He said: “Please contact KIND if you can generously provide ample space to carry this out. The dates we require the space are from Friday, December 20 to Sunday, December 22.

If you can help call KIND on 0151 708 8273.

John Barnes

MSIF backs £500,000 MBO at Liverpool’s Forshaw Group

by Joshua Taylor

POST BUSINESS STAFF

joshua.taylor@trinitymirror.com

A BUILDING repair specialist in LIverpool has undergone a £500,000 management buy-out (MBO).

The Forshaw Group provides property restoration and full building repair services predominantly on behalf of insurance companies for damage to commercial and residential properties caused by fire or flood.

Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF) has provided a £500,000 mezzanine loan to fund the MBO led by existing directors Liam Hanlon and Jay Calvert.

The firm was originally set up in 1948 and was a second generation family business before the MBO. The company is based at Brunswick Business Park and employs 25 full-time staff and between 100 and 150 sub contractors.

Forshaw’s turnover this year is expected to reach more than £3.4m.

Mr Hanlon said: “We are delighted to have completed this transaction which will enable us to develop the Forshaw Group business.

“We believe that our experience and knowledge of the business and its customers means we are best placed to move the company forward and take advantage of opportunities for growth.

“The buyout process was quite intense but we had fantastic support from Malcolm Jones and MSIF which made all the difference.

“We are now very much looking forward to the future and continuing the good work and name built up by the Forshaw family.”

Malcolm Jones, investment director at MSIF, added: “We are delighted to support a long-established business which will remain under control of local management meaning the business stay in the area.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Forshaw Group through

HEALTH cash plan provider Medicash has been recognised for providing “exceptional customer service” and relationships in the latest independent assessment of its performance bya customer experience consultancy.

Investor in Customers (IIC) awarded the Liverpool firm the highest possible ranking of exceptional performance and three gold stars after it scored highly in a poll of corporate and individual customers and employees.

The business is the only health cash plan provider to have achieved this level of accreditation from IIC. Medicash improved upon its performance in the equivalent review of 2012 by IIC – when it was rated as providing an outstanding service to its customers and awarded two stars – by acting upon and implementing the findings and feedback.

Sue Weir, chief executive of Medicash, said: “While we’re always looking to improve our customer service and relationships and are in no way resting on our laurels, to achieve the highest possible ranking in the IIC assessment is fantastic testimony to the constant professionalism and caring nature of our staff.

“We would like to thank all of our corporate and individual customers.”

POST From left, Malcolm Jones of MSIF with Liam Hanlon and Jay Calvert of the Forshaw Group the next chapter of the business’s development.”

Advisors to MSIF were Richard Johnson at Mitchell Charlesworth who undertook the financial due diligence and Andrew O’Mahony at Brabners Chaffe Street.

John Spofforth of O’Connors

provided legal advice to the management team and Matt Noon at Hill Dickinson to the vendors. Andy McCall at Langtons gave financial guidance to the Forshaw family.

Andrew Moss, partner at Duncan Sheard Glass, the Liverpool-based accountants that advised on the MBO,

New guide to redundancy for firms A NEW guide to help small firms handle the redundancy process has been published by conciliation service Acas.

During the first half of this year more than

Medicash achieves highest ranking

34,000 people were made redundant in the North West.

Acas says there is sometimes confusion among both employers and employees about the rights and respons-

ibilities on both sides.

The organisation is urging small firms in Merseyside and Cheshire to make themselves fully aware of the issues.

Acas North West

area director, Peter Monaghan said aspects such as the consultations process caused confusion. To see the free guide log onto www.acas.org.uk/ smallredundancies

said: “For more than six-decades the company has built an exceptionally strong business in the city.

“We’re confident that with this move, the Forshaw Group is positioned well to continue to deliver and we hope it enjoys a prosperous future ahead.”

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Delivery of i3 WILLIAMS LIVERPOOL has taken delivery of the BMW i3, the first all electric car from the premium German marque.

The Williams dealership in Great Howard Street was selected by BMW to be sole agent in Liverpool to launch, sell and support the i3.

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

news

Taylor invests in global leadership programme TOP regeneration official Mike Taylor has become a major investor in global youth leadership programme World Merit.

Mr Taylor, a former executive director of the Liverpool LEP and deputy chief executive of Liverpool Vision, has become chief operating officer to help CEO and founder Chris Arnold grow

the organisation worldwide.

World Merit was created by Liverpool entrepreneur Mr Arnold to bring together more than 200,000 young people to work on social projects that bring” positive change” to the world.

Mr Arnold created World Merit after the success of the Your Big Year global enterprise contest.

World Merit also includes the Merit Next Generation Leadership Programme, which will give 120 young adults the opportunity to participate in a one month paid-for training programme, including visits to London, Liverpool, New York and Washington DC. Mr Arnold said: “World Merit has grown massively

over recent months and we are now ready to drive forward and ensure that World Merit becomes the world’s most prestigious and accessible leadership programme.

“It is imperative that we create a management structure of the right calibre to support this growth and I am delighted that Mike has invested in our global team.”

post business 3

St Helens steel firm Hi-Tech in MBO deal Mike Taylor

Export centre opens to boost city’s overseas trading links From left, Andy Snell, Clive Drinkwater, Nigel Cooper and Ian McCarthy

MORE than 30 jobs have been saved by the management buyout (MBO) of St Helens steel stockholder and manufacturer Hi Tech Steel Services.

The company, which also has an operation in County Durham, suffered cashflow problems after the postponement of a large construction project and consequent delay in payment from a major customer.

David Thornhill, partner at restructuring and recovery firm, FRP Advisory, was appointed as the administrator in October.

Now an MBO has been concluded after North West commercial law firm Taylors advised the management team.

Andrew Livesey, partner at Taylors, said: “We are delighted to have been able to assist the management team in restructuring the business through what was a complex deal to complete.

“We look forward to working with them in the future as they look to build a strong and successful business.”

Funding for the transaction was provided by Close Invoice Finance, Close Asset Finance and BCH Developments.

MBO team leader Ian Gorman said: “Taylors was recommended to us and we were impressed with the performance throughout the team.”

POST

by Joshua Taylor

POST BUSINESS STAFF

joshua.taylor@trinitymirror.com

NORTH West firms that begin trading overseas grow by a third within six months, bank research shows.

Simon Nicholson, head of international and trade customer networks at Barclays, described the figure as “astonishing” and urged more companies to begin trading overseas.

Mr Nicholson was speaking at the launch of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce’s new international trade centre in Old Hall Street.

Businesses can collect export certificates at the centre, receive tips from trade advisers and gather more information about new markets.

Mr Nicholson said: “If you take an SME (small or medium-sized enterprise) that doesn’t trade internationally and get them started, we see

growth in the first six months of a third. It’s astonishing.”

Barclays has sponsored the new export centre, which contains information stands, advisers and iPads packed with export information.

Mr Nicholson said exporters in the £1m to £5m annual turnover bracket had increased their volume of trade by 23% so far this year.

“We expect this to be even higher in the future,” he said.

Referring to the International Festival for Business due to be held in Liverpool in 2013, he added: “That rise has a lot to do with the focus that will be on Liverpool next year.

“The North West has become the UK’s second region. The only region doing better for growth is London, which you would expect.”

Clive Drinkwater, regional director of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) North West, who also attended the launch event, said the UK’s current trade deficit was “unsustainable” and

praised the new export centre as a way of encouraging overseas trade.

He said: “Clearly there is a lack of knowledge of export markets, so facilities like this are a good way to teach businesses more about the opportunities for their products and services.”

Mr Drinkwater said UK exports grew by 5% last year but predicted the rise would be down to 3% this year, before returning to 5% in 2013.

Discussing the barriers to entering overseas markets, he said: “Companies are afraid of the risks associated with exports, some are also fearful of foreign culture and languages. But it is all about learning.

“For some businesses, exporting is a lot of trouble and effort. It does take time and money, but the rewards are good.”

The international trade centre opened during UKTI’s export week and will be run in association with the British Chambers of Commerce Export Britain campaign.

Andy Snell, director of international trade at the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said: “Our overall objective is to encourage businesses in Liverpool to get exporting. Our aim is to provide a one-stop-shop for established exporters in need of support and to those looking to expand into new foreign markets.

“The new space provides a dedicated environment for existing and potential exporters to receive information on high growth markets, training and events and bespoke advice from international trade advisors.”

Upcoming events at the new export centre include: a web optimisation class on November 21, a business culture in the Middle East seminar on November 27 and a new exporter day on December 11. Barclays will be holding monthly “take your business to the world” clinics, focusing on different world regions each month.

Further information is available from export@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

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4 post business big feature

Bill Gleeson Wetherspoon plans to sell British pubs to Ireland’s drinkers WHAT does Ireland badly need? According to JD Wetherspoon, the answer is more pubs.

The pub chain, which already operates 800 venues in the UK, has bought its first two pubs in south Dublin. The purchases are the first in what could eventually become a chain of 30 around the country.

It’s not the first time Wetherspoon has attempted to enter the Irish market. However, when it first tried 10 years ago it found property prices too high. Things are very different today, with the price of buying a pub in Ireland down 80% on their pre-crash peak.

Now that Ireland’s economy is picking up, this might prove to be the optimum moment for investing there. Financial logic aside, however, you would wonder whether the Wetherspoon brand, or the brand of any British pub chain, will travel.

Ireland’s brands are very well established and it may prove very hard to break into the market.

In a separate development, Ireland’s government is talking about demolishing the ghost estates of unsold or half-built houses abandoned after the credit crunch set in.

In all, about 40 estates might be bulldozed, though this represents a small proportion of the 1,300 affected estates. The policy raises the obvious question why these homes couldn’t just be returned to the market as and when things pick up?

Britain’s residential market has not been blighted to the same extent by unsold or half-finished estates, but there has undoubtedly been a problem in the urban flats market, with many city centre apartments in Liverpool remaining empty for some years or let to students for half the rent they might previously have attracted. However, the problem of over-supply in the urban flat market appears to be gradually resolving itself with both West Tower and One Park West having cleared a large part of their backlogs in recent months.

Britain’s house building sector appears to be gearing up with various

construction groups reporting substantial increases in sales. The contrast with Ireland demonstrates the degree to which this country suffered relatively lightly with the recessions and credit crunch.

LIVERPOOL City Council’s decision to return to the annual property exhibition on the Cote d’Azur known as MIPIM marks a welcome change of heart.

For years, the world’s pre-eminent property exhibition was seen as an indispensable part of the task of marketing the city and Liverpool always had a stand there.

Once the credit crunch set in, however, the cost-benefit analysis became unfavourable.

What would be the point of attending a property fair when property investors were sitting firmly on their hands?

Now that Britain’s economy is picking up, it could be a good time to return. It will, of course, be expensive to attend and in this time of austerity it is essential to keep a close eye on the return from the venture.

MERSEY Maritime is celebrating its 10th birthday and gives the appearance of being in good condition.

The trade body, which represents 1,700 member firms in the shipping and port sectors, has appointed a new chairman and opened a new wing at its Birkenhead site.

One of the organisation’s central objectives is to train and educate the next generation of marine engineers. The anniversary happily coincides with news that Cammell Laird has recruited its largest ever intake of apprentices.

The Birkenhead-based shipyard has taken on 22 apprentices working across a range of skills which brings the total number within the business to 71. Around 50 apprentices have graduated into highly-skilled, qualified tradesmen over the past five years and are still actively employed there.

It goes to show what can be done with imaginative leadership.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Staving off an Alistair Houghton on how businesses are coming together to fight the threat of drug-resistant bugs

Dr Neil Murray says antibiotic resistance is a massive threat to global health Picture: GARETH JONES

T

HE global shortage of antibiotics could be as much of a threat to the world as climate change or global warming – that’s the stark message from public health experts who want pharmaceutical firms to crank up their drug development programmes.

Most of us take antibiotics for granted. But those drugs are permanently engaged in a war with bugs – and, at the moment, the bugs are winning.

Many strains of bacteria have developed resistance to existing drugs.

But there is a shortage of new drugs coming through as pharmaceutical firms have focused their attention on more profitable areas.

The problem has been made worse by the over-prescription of antibiotics in developing countries, as well as their increased use in animal healthcare.

Drug-resistant infections are killing thousands of people in Europe, alone, every year. And experts – including the UK’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies – warn that unless new drugs are developed, then we could fall back into a pre-antibiotic age where any injury could lead to fatal infections.

So Liverpool pharmaceutical firm Redx Pharma has teamed up with industry group BioNow and drugs giant AstraZeneca to organise the BioInfect 2013 conference in Cheshire next Tuesday to debate the issue, with Dame Sally as keynote speaker.

This month, the Post revealed that Redx was teaming up with the Royal Liverpool Hospital in a pioneering deal to develop drugs jointly to target MRSA. Rapidly growing Redx has also created an Anti-Infectives team, backed by a £4.7m grant from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, to develop new antibiotics treatments.

Antibiotic development may not be high-profile work, but Redx CEO Neil Murray says it could save many thousands of lives.

“There’s a massive threat to public health right now from bugs being resistant to drugs,” he said.

“The threat is growing to the point that the UK Government and Sally Davies are trying to get it on the UK Government risk register at the same level as international terrorism and climate change.

“25,000 people in the EU die each year from resistant antibiotic infections. 5,000 of them are children. And that’s in what is supposed to be one of the most developed economies in the world.

“That’s a football stadium full of people dying each year from something that’s supposed to be treatable. It’s a growing problem and a major threat.

“If we’re not careful we’ll end up in the pre-antibiotic era again, going back 150 years when you could die from a scratch that gets infected.”

Dr Geoff Davison, CEO of BioNow, said: “There is no doubt that the ability of bacteria to adapt to and outsmart existing medicines is already having ser-

ious public health consequences.

“And yet there’s an equally strong consensus that the public health response globally is at best disjointed and inadequate.

“A number of issues greatly exacerbate the problem, not least over-prescribing of antibiotics in human and animal health.

“It’s also evident that the commercial model for antibiotic development needs rethinking. If you are a drug company, it can make a lot of sense to focus your research efforts elsewhere.”

Dame Sally is pressing for co-ordinated international action on antibiotics through the EU, World Heath Organisation, Commonwealth, G8 and UN. She added: “Our proposals are far-reaching, including stimulating development of new drugs through some sort of public-private partnership, cutting down the antibiotics given to farm animals and used in medical practice, making infection surveillance go across borders, and getting countries to sign up to their own surveillance and education programmes.”

Dr Murray says a number of factors have combined to push antibiotic development down the pharmaceutical agenda.

“There are unique difficulties you don’t find in other therapeutic areas,” he

‘Could die from a scratch that gets infected’

said. “That’s not to say it’s far more difficult, but it is more difficult.

“We got to the very fortunate stage 15 or 20 years ago when we had a whole slew of different antibiotic drugs for treating all manner of infections, and we were very much on top of the problem.

“That, I think, led to a certain amount of complacency on the part of health authorities.

“It led to a drive towards lowest common denominator commercialisation. It led to the genericisation of products coming off patent, and their prices plummeted. The overall cost of antibiotics went down and down and down.

“That, combined with the general increase in regulatory requirements around drug developments, meant that the pharmaceutical industry looked to sectors like diabetes or cancer, where you’ll get a bigger return than if you spend research money on antibiotics.

The drugs are prescribed for a longer period of time.

“No company can be active in every single therapeutic area, and they will choose the ones that command more attractive rates of return.

“Pharmaceutical companies have to make a profit to survive. They have to look at commercially attractive products.”

In the West, the use of antibiotics is limited to reduce the likelihood of resistance developing. But in newly pros-

big feature post business 5

Thursday, November 21, 2013

antibiotic apocalypse

Redx has launched an Anti-Infectives arm to tackle bacteria such as MRSA, above

perous developing countries, the attitude towards them is somewhat different.

“If you go to a place like India,” said Dr Murray, “you can go to a corner shop and buy antibiotics over the counter.

Their use is not controlled.

“Also, we all know that the prime barrier against infection is good sanitation and hygiene.

“In the developed economies of the West, we’ve got decades and arguably centuries of infrastructure around sanitation and hygiene. Then we introduced antibiotics to control the infections that exist on top of that.

“In developing economies they don’t have that history and legacy of infrastructure development. What’s happening now is that there are expectations that antibiotics will do the heavy lifting that will replace sanitation and hygiene.”

Dr Murray praised the work of Dame Sally in promoting the need for new antibiotics.

The answer to the crisis, he says, lies in large part with getting the private sector researching again.

The BioInfect event will examine both early-stage research among SMEs and how research can be reinvigorated at big pharma companies.

That will involve looking again at the

business model of drug development.

Companies get paid for every dose of a drug that gets used. But antibiotics are designed to be seldom used, to maintain their effectiveness – so why, Dr Murray asks, would a company spend money developing drugs that then sit on a pharmacy shelf ?

He said: “There are discussions going on about de-linkage, and breaking the link between value and volume.

“It might be the same as with rare diseases. People recognise that with rare diseases, the cost of therapy is going to be higher because there isn’t the volume (of sales) to cover it.

“With cancer, it’s accepted that people will pay higher amounts for life-saving care. But there’s an anomaly there.

“People are prepared, and regulators and insurance companies are prepared, to pay $100,000 or $150,000 for a course of chemotherapy that will extend life by three to six months. But they’re not prepared to pay $10,000 for a course of antibiotic therapy that will extend life indefinitely by curing an infection.

“How do you put a price on life?

That’s very difficult. But these are some of the complex issues that have to be addressed if we have any chance of resolving the issue going forward.”

‘Expecting antibiotics to do the heavy lifting’

Redx pioneers joint working with the NHS to develop new generation of antibiotics REDX PHARMA is making its own contribution towards solving the antibiotics crisis with the launch of its Anti-Infectives arm.

And in Liverpool it is pioneering new ways to develop drugs through its new partnership with the Royal Liverpool Hospital.

Researchers from Redx will develop antibiotics to fight MRSA before researchers at the Royal carry out the first clinical trials.

If the trials are successful, a big pharmaceutical company will then come on board to take the drug to market – and all three partners will then share in the profits.

Redx CEO Dr Neil Murray said: “The whole point about this is that no-one in the NHS has done it before.

“It ties in with the conference, in that this whole issue highlights the challenges around how we develop drugs and bring them to the market in this modern world,

which is a very different one in terms of technology, regulations, and patient knowledge than it was 20 years ago.

“This is about how it should work going forward. There’s got to be more collaboration with the NHS, which has huge amounts of expertise and capability.

“There should be collaboration and commercial agreements between the private and public sectors such that the private and the public sectors benefit from the upside of what happens to the drugs produced as they get to market.

“There are all sorts of ways that could be achieved. It could be that the public sector gets a share of the revenues, or it could be that in exchange for contributing to research for new drugs, the NHS gets beneficial prices for those drugs when they come to the market.”

Dr Murray said Redx itself

was in discussions with the Royal and other healthcare bodies about potential future partnerships. He said: “There is a great clinical trials unit in Liverpool that we can ultimately tap in to. It’s not just about infections – we can look across the piece at issues such as cancer as we look to build on this relationship going forward.”

Redx was launched in Liverpool in 2010 after a £1.9m funding package from public and private investors was used to buy out existing company, Bradford Pharma.

In 2011, it won £5.9m from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund to create Redx Oncology, which is developing new cancer treatments. That business today employs 125 people in Liverpool.

Redx’s Anti-Infectives business was launched earlier this year at Alderley Park, Cheshire, after the company won a £4.7m grant from the Regional Growth Fund.

6 post business wealth management

Thursday, November 21, 2013

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Why ‘cost of capital’ can be such an important measure market analysis

by Derek Gawne

LIVERPOOL OFFICE OF CHARLES STANLEY

WE HAVE been asked on a regular basis how do we use measure the performance of one company against another.

One of many measures we consider is the “cost of capital”. It’s a term you may often see bandied about in the business pages.

It sounds important – but what does it actually mean?

Confusingly, cost of capital is often used to mean different things in different settings. There are three main ways in which it is used.

The first has to do with capital in the sense of physical capital – the land, buildings, and equipment that companies use in their business.

That physical capital costs money to acquire, and the cost is charged against profits – usually in several stages over several years, also known as depreciation.

For some types of business, it won’t be a significant influence. Think of an advertising agency, for instance, which can get away with renting an office and buying a few computers and office equipment. For others, though, it will be a big deal.

A car manufacturer, for example, will need a large factory and a lot of expensive machinery.

And if the cost of buying that capital fluctuates, it will make a notice-

Derek Gawne

able difference to profits.

The second meaning of the term has to do with financial capital, and in particular the cost of debt – interest rates, in everyday language.

Again, for companies with little in the way of borrowings, this won’t be a big factor.

But for those that rely heavily on borrowed money – utilities, for instance – it’s very important.

The third and final meaning of the term is the most complicated. It’s about capital in the sense of investment, and it’s a way of assessing a company’s profitability.

The basic idea is that a company must cover its cost of capital. That means that profits must hit a certain level relative to the firm’s “capital employed”, ie, the value of everything it has had to buy in order to operate.

In the main, that means the land, buildings and equipment that we talked about earlier.

So what is the magic level that profits must hit?

That varies from company to company, influenced by such things as country of operation, level of borrowings, and riskiness of business.

Interest rates also play a part.

However, as a general rule, cost of capital in this sense tends to lie between 5% and 10%.

That’s what companies have to aim for – profits that equal, and if possible exceed, 5-10% of their capital employed.

But why? Who says that they ought to do so?

It’s not just a theoretical question as it does have practical implications when considering company A to company B. If a company can’t consistently cover its cost of capital, then it will find itself unable to attract new investment capital.

Banks won’t want to lend to it, the stock market will be unwilling to put up new money for rights issues, and shareholders will insist that earnings are paid out as dividends, not reinvested in the business.

Over time, therefore, the company will not be as attractive when considering whether to include it within a portfolio especially if its peers have better coverage.

The company with poor cover of the cost of capital may shrink and unless it can find new things to do, it may ultimately disappear.

However, this only one tool to use in assessing companies and should not be use arbitrarily in isolation.

notes ■

MORE than one in four savers has raided their “rainy day” fund when there was no financial emergency, research by Treasury-backed NS&I has found.

Financial provider NS&I’s quarterly savings survey found that 27% of those who said they had some emergency cash put by had broken into it for no pressing reason.

One in 14 (7%) of those who hold some rainy day cash thought an appropriate reason to drain their emergency fund would be “to reward myself ”, and the same proportion said a valid reason was to make an “impulse purchase”.

One in five (18%) of those surveyed with an emergency fund said a holiday would be an appropriate reason to dip into their account.

Essential home maintenance, paying bills and becoming unemployed were the most common types of emergency people thought were good reasons for dipping into a fund.

■

‘Cost of capital’ can mean different things to different firms

THE weekly family budget available for discretionary, non-essential spending has stabilised after falling for three months, according to a survey from Asda.

It said the average UK household had £158 a week of discretionary income in October, unchanged on the same month the year before. It is the first time since June that this figure has not fallen year-on-year.

The Asda Income Tracker figure should provide a degree of hope for retailers, under pressure to deliver a bumper Christmas performance after a summer sales splurge was followed by a subdued autumn.

Ominous signs for household finances

Asking prices are rising

HOUSEHOLD finances have this month seen their biggest setback since April despite signs of improvement in the economy, a report has found.

Four times as many families (29%) said their finances worsened in November compared with those who saw an improvement (7%), according to financial information firm Markit.

In concerning signs for the high street as Christmas approaches, the survey indicated the weakest con-

HOUSE sellers’ asking prices have surged at their fastest annual rate since 2007 amid signs that the market recovery will push into next year, a major property website has reported.

Rightmove said sellers have been asking 4% more in November typically for their property than they were a year ago.

This marks the biggest annual rise in asking prices it has seen in six years.

On a month-on-month basis,

sumer appetite for major purchases recorded so far this year.

The overall reading measuring households’ financial wellbeing dropped to 38.8, from 41.0 the previous month and marking the lowest reading recorded since April.

A reading over 50 indicates the situation is improving and one below this that it is getting worse.

Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit, suggested that a recent string of price hikes announced by energy companies have dampened

household’s perceptions amid some more positive news about the labour market, with sentiment about job security reaching a new high this month.

More than two fifths (42%) of 1,500 households surveyed across Britain predict their finances will deteriorate in one year’s time and less than one quarter (24%) expect to see an improvement.

Markit said these forecasts are the most pessimistic it has seen since February.

prices edged down by 2.4% to reach £246,237 on average, marking only the third time in 2013 that there has been a monthly dip.

Asking prices usually fall by around 3% in the month of November amid the pre-Christmas slowdown so the slower 2.4% decline seen this month suggests that the recent upturn in housing market activity has cushioned the seasonal drop, Rightmove said.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

news

Michelin star chef in apprenticeship link-up with college HUGH Baird College is teaming up with celebrity chef Nigel Haworth to launch an exclusive apprenticeship enabling students to gain employment in Michelin star restaurants.

The Bootle-based college launched its L20 Hotel School in August to ramp up training standards available to the UK’s hospitality sector.

Nigel Haworth is famous for reaching BBC2’s Great British Menu final with his Lancashire Hotpot. The Michelin Star chef has also appeared on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and has been involved in running the Northcote Group and Ribble Valley inns since 1989.

L20 Hotel School director Mike Mounfield said the new L20 Northcote Apprenticeship will go the extra mile to providing “on the job” training and field trips to regional food producers.

The partnership will also see Mr Haworth visiting the college each term to lead training sessions, devise seasonal menus and run the kitchen service.

Mr Haworth said: “A core objective of the L20 Northcote apprenticeship is to structure training to meet the job requirements rather than just the qualification standard.”

post business 7

College puts Sean on road to top career A GRADUATE of Bootle further education college Hugh Baird has secured a place on an apprenticeship programme with luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).

Sean Reece studied the NVQ Diploma Level 2 in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair, covering a broad range of skills for engine and vehicle maintenance.

He beat nearly 3,000 other applicants to be taken on to JLR’s fouryear apprenticeship programme.

Mr Reece, 23, is currently studying full

Chef apprentices Will Wilson and Joanne White with celebrity chef Nigel Howarth

Sean Reece

Last call for funding aimed at improving supply chain

by Neil Hodgson

POST BUSINESS STAFF

neil.hodgson@liverpool.com

ALMOST 40 firms, including several companies from the Liverpool city region, have applied for almost £20m of funding aimed at supporting small manufacturers.

The West Midlands and Liverpool City Regional (WMLCR) programme is a separate regional spin-off of the Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) which was set up to support small manufacturers through funding creative supply chain projects.

And less than eight months since its launch more than half of the regional fund has already been committed.

More than 34 companies within the

automotive and aerospace sectors have expressed interest in the fund since it was launched in March this year.

Applicants have secured £10.1m of funding, leveraging £12m of private sector investment, which created and safeguarded 422 jobs.

Additional applications totalling £4.1m are currently being considered and, if successful, will leverage a further £5.2m of private sector investment.

The WMLCR fund is available through Birmingham City Council via Finance Birmingham to businesses located within the four Local Enterprise Partnerships of Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Black Country, Coventry and Warwickshire and Liverpool city region.

The aim of the fund is to support smaller manufacturers and increase

the competitiveness of the UK’s manufacturing supply chains.

It does this by providing funding at a regional level for research and development, training and skills, capital expenditure and working capital provision.

Sue Summers, of Finance Birmingham, explained: “We have a thriving manufacturing industry here in the UK, and the AMSCI fund is making a significant contribution to its future, strengthening our supply chains and enabling the UK to continue competing on an international playing field.”

She added: “We’re not surprised by the high demand we’ve had for the regional WMLCR fund, which is a testament to the on-going innovation within the industry.

“Companies which would like to be considered for this fund should make

their applications as soon as possible, to avoid disappointment.”

There is one remaining deadline for Liverpool firms to apply for funding from the scheme before the programme closes.

Anyone wishing to submit a bid must do so before December 12, in time for the January 7 board meeting.

Either visit the www.finance birmingham.com/amsci/wmlcr website, or call the Finance Birmingham AMSCI helpdesk on 0121-233 4971.

One of the successful applications from the Liverpool area includes car components supplier Johnson Controls which has had an application for funding of £249,000 approved.

Three other Liverpool-based manufacturers have also applied for a funding package totalling more than £2m, which is currently being considered.

time for the first year of the programme and acknowledged the college’s help: “It’s no exaggeration to say I would not have been accepted onto this apprenticeship programme without my experience at Hugh Baird.

“We have been assured there will be jobs for us at the end of the programme and I could easily see myself being here for the rest of my working life.”

Mr Reece’s tutor, Lisa Morgan, said: “Our ongoing relationships with employers of all sizes, from small businesses to giants like Jaguar Land Rover, shows how studying here can help to open doors with employers.”

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Cheshire councils back FPB Small Business Saturday drive TWO Cheshire councils have backed a campaign to support small firms throughout the UK. The Cheshire-based Forum of Private Business is promoting ‘Small Business Sat-

urday’ on December 7, and is urging local authorities to waive car parking charges to encourage more people to shop local.

It has written to councils around the country and so

far 27 have agreed to help, including Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Forum chief executive Phil Orford said: “Free parking is a proven benefit to small

businesses. Parking charges discourage many consumers from shopping on the high street, diminishing small businesses’ customer base.

“The Forum believes removing these charges will

help generate the conditions needed to make Small Business Saturday UK a great success.”

He added: “The response from many councils has been really encouraging.”

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8 post business the bottom line

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Cost cuts help Heath owner SOG narrow trading losses

by Bill Gleeson

POST BUSINESS STAFF bill.gleeson@liverpool.com

RUNCORN-BASED SOG was created more than a decade ago by former ICI managers when the chemicals group decided to close its research and development operations and sell-off its production plants there.

The managers, who were part of ICI’s Special Operations Group, bought the land and buildings that housed the R&D labs and turned them into a science based business park, letting units to small firms in need of first class facilities.

The business park, close to Weston village, trades at The Heath Business and Technical Park.

In its own words, SOG provides “fully-serviced high-quality technical laboratory and office facilities with flexible occupancy arrangements together with the provision of specialist training, consultancy and scientific facilities management services.”

The idea of finding new users for unwanted but otherwise excellent science facilities has been very successful and the park houses numerous firms that give employment to thousands of people. It’s an idea that other large science businesses are seeking to replicate elsewhere in the world when they close down their labs and SOG, lead by managing director John Lewis, has created an income stream from offering such projects consultancy advice.

According to its latest accounts filed recently at Companies House, SOG had a turnover of £5.4m in the year to February 2013, up 2% from £5.3m in 2012.

The accounts show cost of sales of £4.2m, lower than the £4.7m costs recorded in 2012.

The biggest single source of savings came from a reduction in staff costs of approximately £400,000 as the average number of employees fell from 34 to 27.

As a result of the savings gross profit improved to £1.2m, compared to £546,652 in 2012.

Distribution costs were £128,325 versus £83,214 while administrative expenses were £1.1m, slightly higher than the £995,136 of 2012. This gave a total operating loss of £15,199 for 2013, an improvement on the £531,117 loss recorded in 2012.

The operating loss was offset by income from shares in group under-

■

FORD dealership Peoples has marked its 30th anniversary by doubling its profits for the last financial year.

The group, which has three Merseyside dealerships and is chaired by entrepreneur Brian Gilda, reported a rise in both profits and turnover.

The company’s annual report, published this week, shows pre-tax profits to the year ended July 31 doubled to £4.047m on turnover which grew by £39.16m to £185.9m, the company’s best performance since it was founded by Mr Gilda 30 years ago.

Over the last record-breaking year, Peoples sold 15,000 vehicles.

Mr Gilda said he is planning further acquisitions “if the right opportunities arise”.

■

John Lewis managing director and, left, site tenant Mark Worsfold with SOG sales and marketing manager Lesley Hunt

takings worth £150,000. This figure was nil in the previous year. Interest receivable and similar income also helped, boosting the credit side of the profit and loss account by £151,340 in 2013. The 2012 figure was £158,129.

With only limited interest payable, SOG recorded a profit on ordinary activities before taxation £255,514, a huge improvement on the £395,524 loss of the year before.

The 2013 tax rebate was £14,772

versus £106,398 charged for 2012.

That gave profit for the financial year of £240,742, compared to 2012’s £289,126. No dividend was paid during the year. However this gain is wiped out by an actuarial loss on the company’s pension scheme of £299,516.

This resulted in total recognised losses relating to 2013 of £58,774 versus a loss of £554,129 in 2012.

SOG’s balance sheet shows fixed assets of £5.7m (versus £5.5m in 2012).

Current assets include debtors of £3.7m, up from £3.2m, investments of £994,300, unchanged on last year, and cash at the bank of £5m, down from £5.9m in 2012.

Creditors falling due within one year were £1.9m compared to £2.1m at the previous balance sheet date.

Total net assets at the balance sheet date were £11m versus £11.1m.

The report and accounts show directors’ remuneration was £290,644 compared to £362,997.

The directors’ report says economic conditions remain challenging and adds: “The company continued with its strategy of seeking to increase shareholder value by focusing on the needs of customers and on maintaining control of costs through improvements in IT systems, procurement procedures and on reducing staffing levels.

“The plans to construct further new high quality accommodation on the site advanced significantly in the year.”

Huge reserves allow budget airline to pay special dividend BUDGET airline Easyjet unveiled record annual results this week and a special payback for shareholders as its cash reserves broke the £1bn mark.

The group, which is the biggest operator by passenger numbers at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, reported a 10.5% jump in total revenues for the year to September 30, of

notes

£4.26bn. Pre-tax profits soared by 50.9% to £478m.

The airline is benefiting from moves to target business travellers and said its share of the market had increased by 4%, with 10m corporate fliers a year.

The proposed dividend for shareholders increased by 55.8% to 33.5p per share.

But it said cash reserves of £1.237bn, a £354m improvement on the previous year, means it can pay a special dividend to shareholders worth £175m.

Total revenue per seat grew by 7% to £62.58, driven by a “benign capacity environment and positive management action including allocated seating, improvements to Easyjet.com

and the Europe by Easyjet campaign”.

Seats flown rose by 3.3% to 68m.

Following the acquisition of Flybe’s slots at Gatwick, the group has exercised six remaining aircraft options under its current generation agreement with Airbus, which employs more than 6,000 staff at its Broughton wing-making plant near Chester.

ITV pointed to signs of improvement in the advertising market this week after revenues grew 6% in the first nine months of the year.

Chief executive Adam Crozier also hailed the broadcaster’s “increasingly varied and high quality schedule” after its main channel’s viewing share rose from 15.6% to 16.1% in the year to October 31.

The popularity of shows such as The X-Factor and Downton Abbey have helped the performance, while Sunday’s launch of I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! drew a record audience of 12m.

ITV’s net advertising revenues are expected to be up by 2% this year, having risen 11% in the third quarter due to the marketing battle between BT and BSkyB and comparisons with last year’s Olympics.

■

A 39% jump in Prosecco sales lifted half-year profits at wine merchant Majestic after more Britons turned to the tipple to toast the good summer weather.

Profits before tax in the 26 weeks to 30 September rose 4.2% on last year to £9.5m, while total sales increased 3.3% to £130.2m.

Chief executive Steve Lewis said the barbecue summer also boosted sales of Rose from Provence by 50%, and Argentinian Malbec by 40%.

small business post business 9

Thursday, November 21, 2013

small

notes

business of theweek

■

by Neil Hodgson

POST BUSINESS STAFF

neil.hodgson@liverpool.com

A

SURPRISE Christmas present for her gran led to the perfect work/life balance for new mum Emma Morris.

Several years ago Ms Morris learnt crocheting, using hooks instead of needles, to make a scarf for her gran: “I thought she would appreciate that I took the time to make it myself.”

Her skills developed and when her little boy Rowan was born in March 2011 she went into overdrive, crocheting blankets and babywear: “When we were out people would say ‘where did you get that from, you should start selling them’.

“But I wouldn’t know where to start. I just took it as a compliment.”

Soon after, her sister and some friends asked her to make pram blankets for a baby shower, which gave her the idea to try her hand at selling items through Folksy.com, a website for hand-made items.

Ms Morris had been a manager with Liverpool restaurant Delifonseca and as the time approached to return to work she began to wonder whether crocheting could support her and, at the same time, give her precious time with her young son: “I couldn’t go back to such a physical job being on my feet all day,” she said.

So, in October 2011, she set up her own firm, Babooshka – “I loved Russian dolls” – making handmade crocheted baby/childrenswear and homeware.

By then she had set up a Facebook page and orders started coming in: “I didn’t have any money, so I took one order, which paid for the materials for the next job.”

She now has 3,500 Facebook followers and a waiting list until February.

Ms Morris said Facebook is a nice community: “People get to know you and send me pictures of their children. It’s nice to know what happens to your work.”

She added: “The best part is I don’t have to go out to work and I have all that time with my son. Once he goes to bed, that’s when I start working.”

When Rowan starts nursery next March she will have more time to work and expand the business: “It has been fantastic to have these first years with him. He’s my best little model for the stuff I make.”

Her range includes hand-made babywear, bunting and brooches, and even a crocheted baby hoody.

Although she is self-taught her designs are distinctive and in October 2012 Inside Crochet magazine asked her to design for them.

Her cardigans are a big seller and a popular line now is ‘foxy hats’. Cardigans cost about £20, blankets up to £30, but there are many items for just £10: “Everything is unique and I think that’s what people like. They can choose the colours, etc.”

And she said she gets a buzz out of each order: “It’s the feeling of creating something and getting messages back from people saying, ‘that was for my son’s first birthday’ – you feel part of people’s lives.”

She is also proud of the handmade element of her business: “I would never do anything on a machine. It’s more relaxing doing things by hand.

On a machine it would be more like work.

Emma Morris, with some examples of her work on show at Land Babies, in Bluecoat Chambers

Hooked by unique style of crocheting “I like my little boy to wear things that are different. I can’t get these when they are mass produced.”

As the orders build and her waiting list gets longer she acknowledges she might have to seek assistance: “I could take someone on, but they’re all my designs and it would be a challenge to get someone else to do it.

“The only way to grow would be getting more time when Rowan goes to school. But people don’t mind waiting.

“It’s like when people queue up hours for things. It’s that bit more exclusive.”

She added: “One customer has a daughter in New Zealand and she has ordered so much from me for a baby that’s not even born yet.”

Another example of Emma Morris’s crocheting skills

BUSINESS startups can take part in four free live tax webinars run by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on December 7, as part of Small Business Saturday.

The webinar programme, between 10am and 5pm, is aimed at new and prospective businesses.

Each live webinar lasts an hour and gives the opportunity for questions.

The HMRC webinars are: Self-Employment and HMRC – what you need to know, from 10am to 11am Saturday, December 7.

This session concentrates on the information sole traders or partnerships need when they start. It covers registration, National Insurance, Self Assessment and record keeping.

To register, visit: https://www3.goto meeting.com/register/ 756965358 Company Directors – your responsibilities to HMRC, from 12pm to 1pm.

This webinar is aimed at businesses considering setting up as limited companies.

It provides the basics on incorporation and registration with Companies House and HMRC. It also looks at when companies become an employer, and the timetable for paying Corporation Tax online.

To register, visit: https://www3.goto meeting.com/register/ 540459990 Business expenses for self-employed, from 2pm to 4pm.

Sole traders or partnerships need to know which day-to-day expenses they are able to claim for tax relief.

They also need to start keeping records of these as soon as the business starts. This webinar provides an overview of the most common expenses, including motoring costs.

To register, visit: https://www3.goto meeting.com/register/ 212643390 VAT Awareness, 4pm to 5pm.

New businesses are often worried about VAT, what it is and when they need to register. This webinar answers these questions and explains in simple terms how VAT works.

To register visit: https://www3.goto meeting.com/register/ 431567550

10 post business creative & digital

comment

by MARIA MILLER

Broadband boost to economy ANYONE who has ever struggled with a slow or unreliable internet connection knows only too well the impact it can have on your ability to work from home, expand your small business or watch online TV content.

With more and more aspects of our working and personal lives now digital we are making sure that people around the country, especially in our rural communities get access to superfast broadband.

Over 10,000 homes and businesses a week are now seeing this happen.

Almost three quarters of the UK now have access to superfast broadband and more than £1bn of public money is being invested to make sure that this will rise to 95% by 2017.

Spending that money now will help us secure Britain’s economic future. We know for instance that for every £1 spent on Superfast Broadband, £20 will be returned to the UK economy by 2024.

It’s not just about money. One of the most important elements of the broadband rollout is that the greatest benefits happen outside London and the southeast with rural communities benefiting the most.

This is exactly what the Government wants.

We want rural businesses to have the same opportunities to expand.

We want children to be able to do their homework online. We want people to be able to work from home, shop or access public services online if they choose.

This is happening in Merseyside where we are investing £5.46m, which along with £4.374m of European money, will Bring Superfast Broadband to 42,095 homes and businesses.

■ MARIA MILLER is Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Broadband is vital to all businesses

Thursday, November 21, 2013 IN ASSOCIATION WITH

North West film industry is under Hollywood spotlight Liverpool film-maker Derek Murray tells the Post about a north west trade mission to California

SOME years ago, shortly after I completed an MA in writing and directing for film, I was approached by a friend of mine from Liverpool called Kathy Cook.

She had a dream to tie film and TV production in Liverpool and the wider North West of England directly in with Hollywood – and she needed me to help her do it.

KC as she was known to her many friends in Liverpool before she went to live in Los Angeles, was at the time making her way in the industry with her own, small, set design and construction company in LA. Her suggestion seemed somewhat fanciful to me and I declined the invitation.

Never one to take no for an answer KC eventually persuaded me over a period of years that it could happen.

Thus we began to send each other film and TV projects that might make it work. After many false dawns and near misses now, 12 years on, KC’s vision has become a reality thanks to UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and a clutch of trailblazing production companies from the North West.

These include Liverpool’s very own Hurricane Films, producers of Terrance Davis “Of Time and the City”, Liverpool’s flag ship European Capital of Culture film Exporting and inward investment is absolutely crucial to the UK film industry and as a nation we are very good at it. However, nearly all of the UK film industry is located within the M25 and, unlike TV, it only exists on a very small scale within the North West region.

So for the region to be spearheading a drive to get smaller companies and films into the international market is something of a coup to say the least. Yet that is exactly what went on in the heart of Hollywood this month as a mini trade mission sponsored by UKTI North West flew in for the American Film Market (AFM).

The UK film trade mission was led by Andrew Patrick from the Wirral, the highly regarded former head of the UK Film Commission who now works as a business advisor and film consultant to UKTI. He said: “If you are looking at it in commercial terms, having a global market is absolutely crucial to British film – not just large budget films but also small budget films.

International film markets like Cannes and the AFM are crucial for that purpose.

“You are talking about markets where everyone who is anyone from across the world is in one place at the same time for a whole week. So you are talking about AFM along with Cannes being the two most important markets in the annual film calendar.”

Mr Patrick said UK film production was doing very well in both the studio and indie sectors, but can do even

Carlo Cavagna, of UK Trade & Investment, bringing together UK and US producers Pictures: DEREK MURRAY better: “We stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world in terms of crew, studios and facilities, writers, directors, actors and in terms of the dynamism that is need to be successful in film”.

This success is underpinned by useful tax breaks which already cover film and have recently been extended to include high-end TV, video games and animation.

The message reverberating around the AFM industry conference day focusing on distribution was clear: the UK is currently the best place for US companies to be looking for international co-production partnerships.

If any given project can score enough points for the British contribution to the film then it qualifies for the tax credit. Often this makes the difference to the budget so the film can happen.

Uniquely in the UK, the North West office of UKTI provides financial support and mentoring for export activities to film producers from the region. Last year UKTI brought six companies to AFM and this year brought six more, who are doing very well indeed.

The mission is supported on the ground by UKTI’s man in Hollywood Carol Cavagna, vice consul and US sector lead for creative and media. Carlo’s job for the incoming mission was to mainline us into the heart of Hollywood. On the Friday morning he did just that with UKTI providing a very successful event introducing the NW writers and producers on the mission to independent film executives.

Companies on the current mission come in all shapes and sizes. There are some on their first film, others on their second and one on their third film, while another is embarking on a $40 project. They are generally looking for the final piece of finance to

Having a global market is crucial to UK film

Andrew Patrick, of UKTI, with producer Rachel Richardson-Jones complete their budget before going into production.

There are also talented writers here looking for and finding Hollywood agents and scripts to write.

Most companies have more than one string to their bow which is certainly the case for my own company, Inspiral Films. Our portfolio includes completed films to sell which were produced by other companies, notably the Scottish Documentary Institute.

There is also a spin off into a radical new production technology, PanoCAST 360 video – the chief production officer of which is none other than my old friend and co-production partner KC. Our local companies are helping each other by sharing contacts and resources rather than seeing each other as competition. As Andrew Patrick said: “This is very heartening to see because if there is a healthy film industry in the North West with more films being made, then that benefits everybody.”

Undoubtedly UKTI in the North

West is blazing a trail with its support of producers in the region and the word is starting to spread. One of my US partners introduced me to one of his US contacts who wanted to know if their contacts in the UK could join future missions. I hope so.

We all need to wake up to the fact that UK film and TV is a great success story for the British economy.

The UK film industry is regarded as the premier source and location of talent and facilities within Europe.

American and other filmmakers from around the world love to make films here with us.

If Britain is to trade its way out of its current economic problems it will be because of unsung heroes like the North West film producers and the admirable UKTI. You never know if a market has been successful until its over and the sales come in, the e-mails start flying and the follow up meetings happen. If one in five of the firm leads we got comes off it will have been a highly successful trip.

creative & digital post business 11

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Smash hit success just the start for city video games firm VIDEO GAME developer Playrise Digital says breaking the 2m download milestone with flagship game Table Top Racing is “just the beginning” of its success.

Earlier this month the Liverpool company won the Best Start-Up award at trade body TIGA’s annual awards.

Table Top Racing has been a Top 10 game in 50 countries and has more than 1m players on Apple’s Game Center.

The game has been nominated for several other awards this year and was highly commended in the Best Start-Up category at the Post-backed Big Chip Awards in June.

Playrise’s second game, Baby Nom Nom, was released in August. Charity SOS Children’s Villages will get 15% of net revenue from every download of the £1.99 game.

The company was founded by experienced developer Nick Burcombe, co-creator of Sony’s smash hit game Wipeout.

He said: “We’re hugely proud of what we’ve achieved with Table Top Racing this year. This is just the beginning for us and we’re very excited about the games in development.”

A scene from Playrise Digital game Table Top Racing

Serve your mobile audience

MaD world for digital agency as it rebrands and looks east

by Alistair Houghton POST BUSINESS STAFF

alistair.houghton@liverpool.com

DESIGN agency Printel has rebranded and opened an office in Salford’s MediaCity as it continues its digital push.

The award-winning Widnes agency is now called Media and Digital (MaD) after deciding the old name no longer reflected its business mix.

Husband and wife team Stuart and Gill Atherton founded the company in 1991 to focus on graphic design and print. But as the company is increasingly focused on digital work, they decided the 22-year-old name had to go.

Managing director Mr Atherton said: “The creative media world has changed massively in the last couple of decades. Although we are still asked to supply a large number of print items, such as brochures, prospectuses, signage and displays, the

digital market is now huge.

“People are accessing information in dozens of different ways in addition to the traditional medium of print.

“Our firm has wholeheartedly embraced the digital revolution and we’re now one of the North West’s leading agencies delivering augmented reality. We also provide cutting edge films, social media, apps and websites, as well as great scripts and copywriting to support the digital content.

“One of our specialisms is creating media hubs within schools so we think the name Media and Digital is a much better reflection of our current range of creative services.”

MaD has opened an office in MediaCity as part of the expansion of the film side of the business.

The agency won the Implementation of New Media title at this year’s Halton Chamber Business and Tourism Awards.

The team at rebranded Widnes agency, Media and Digital

Designers and makers taking part in seasonal showcase DESIGNERS and artists will be showcasing their wares at Merseyside’s largest arts and crafts fair next month.

The Winter Arts Market on December 7 and 8 will see St George’s Hall transformed into a market with

Ben Hatton

more than 200 stallholders exhibiting items from jewellery and screen-printed gig posters to paintings, knitwear and beauty products.

KECS Creative will hold a children’s arts workshop below the hall’s famous

pipe organ, while artists from Arena Studios will hold workshops for visitors.

Charlotte Corrie, director of organiser Open Culture, said: “To celebrate the fifth year of the market, we have worked with St George’s Hall to make it bigger and

better than ever. A new Vintage Fair will take place in the beautiful Concert Room and we are excited to open up the North Entrance to a festive food hall.”

Winter Arts Market exhibitor, Amy Lawrence, said: “The Winter Arts Mar-

ket is a fantastic platform for local and emerging designer/makers like myself to showcase our work. I love having the chance to talk to customers about my craft, and the stunning setting creates a great atmosphere.”

IT WOULD seem that many companies and agencies are missing out on a vital audience share for their and their clients’ websites and advertising campaigns due to a lack of cross-screen coverage.

Whilst more and more is being spent on making sure websites look slick and campaigns are engaging, a surprising amount aren’t factoring in the need for responsive web design to help sites keep up with the digital consumption of their audiences.

The next 12 months should see tablet sales overtake PC sales, which means a greater number of people are accessing websites on either tablets or smartphones. Yet up to 25% of marketers have yet to execute a cross-screen website or campaign, according to a survey by digital advertiser Undertone.

Marketers need to keep pace with digital evolution if they are to reach the optimum number of people.

The truth is that smartphones and tablets are the first screen and websites need to be able to load correctly onto these varying platforms.

Wise companies will already be starting to redevelop their websites so they can easily do this.

Even established websites are beginning to use responsive web design.

People will notice they appear wider when viewed on a PC, but will shrink to fit the browser when is minimised and will automatically show correctly on tablets and smartphones.

In this particular age of digital marketing, mobile web is key.

Companies need to be able to produce websites which can reach as wide an audience as possible and to go where the majority of the audience is – on tablets and smartphones.

■ INTERNET entrepreneur Ben Hatton is founder and managing director of digital agency Rippleffect. Follow Rippleffect on Twitter @rippleffected

12 post business big interview

Tony McDonough meets GEORGE DOWNING, founder of Mersey property developer Downing

T

HERE are probably many entrepreneurs who, if they had to walk away from a property asset worth tens of millions of pounds, would spend quite a long time licking their wounds.

So it is quite refreshing to meet a very upbeat George Downing just weeks after he was forced to do just that.

In August, Mr Downing handed back the keys to one of Liverpool’s biggest office buildings after failing to renogotiate the debt on the site.

His company, Downing, had bought The Capital in Old Hall Street, comprising 390,000 sq ft of space, for £51m in 2006 – a record for Liverpool city centre.

It had been bought with a mixture of the firm’s own equity and a loan from banking giant Lloyds.

Downing spent a further £15m refurbishing it.

After its capital value plummeted in the wake of the credit crunch, Downing attempted to renogotiate terms with Lloyds which would have involved a writedown, a fresh loan and a new equity injection by the developer.

However, Lloyds had put the loan into a £350m portfolio of debt and decided to sell that on to an American investment firm, Cerberus.

Mr Downing’s attempts to negotiate with the New York outfit also proved fruitless.

“We were a million miles apart,” he said.

However, Mr Downing is not bitter. He does not blame anyone and, as far as he is concerned, the episode is history.

Not that he has time to brood. He is embarking on commercial developments in Merseyside and across the UK worth more than £500m.

“We have probably bought and sold more than 1,000 properties over the years and we have only lost money on one – and that was The Capital,” said Downing “It is not losing the money, it is the principle of losing after putting all that effort into it. But we don’t have any issues with anyone. We are just part of a market place where bad things have happened.

“Lucky for us, we have been big enough to take it on the chin.

“What sets us apart is that we always mitigate risk. We can always afford what we do and we don’t take a risk unless we can afford it.”

Indeed, Downing takes a lot of pride from what was achieved at The Capital.

During its ownership of The Capital, Downing secured the biggest office letting in the history of Liverpool city centre – 220,000 sq ft to the UK Border Agency.

Mr Downing added: “We lost a lot of money on The Capital but we knew that in 2007 when the market crashed. The Capital was a huge asset.

“The gameplan worked and everything we set out to do we did.

“We took a 70s office building and brought it back into modern-day use without any grant assistance.

“What went against us was the market. It will be a number of years before you see big assets as big as The Capital recover their value in any regional town.”

However, for Downing it is now onwards and upwards.

With fellow director Paul

Thursday, November 21, 2013

£500m of property schemes – and not a penny in grants George Downing, right, with Downing director Paul Houghton at one of the firm’s latest Liverpool student schemes Picture: TONY McDONOUGH

Houghton, Mr Downing is masterminding a major expansion of the firm’s development portfolio.

Earlier this month the company announced plans for two student accommodation schemes in Liverpool worth a combined £21m – one in the former Scandinavian Hotel in Chinatown and another on a site behind Hope Street.

There is also the £70m regeneration of Islington reported earlier in today’s Liverpool Post.

But those projects are just the tip of the iceberg.

Downing is on site or in various stages of planning at locations in London, Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle, Cardiff and Exeter.

Many of the schemes will be a mixture of student accommodation and retail/leisure.

Student living has become a very popular class of development.

A report by consultants GVA said student living schemes were generating average returns on investment of 6.23% so banks are more willing to get involved.

Paul Houghton claims that next

Entrepreneur who started young GEORGE DOWNING attended the prestigious Merchant Taylors’ school in Crosby but left at 16 to pursue his business career.

Brought up in Hightown, his parents were in the rag trade. He initially worked in the family business but before his 17th birthday he was the owner of Crosby Snooker Club.

When Mr Downing was 21, his

father died. He said: “It was such a big thing because he was such a larger-than-life flamboyant character. I suddenly realised I would now have to stand on my own two feet.”

He then started his property empire – buying rundown houses in Kensington and Old Swan and transforming them into student homes.

year, Downing will create 3,000 student living units, making it the busiest student developer in the UK. “The student market is stable, it grows steadily and it is pretty much recession-proof,” he said “It is counter-cyclical because if kids can’t get jobs then many of them will go to university.

“A number of the big investment institutions are now getting very interested in that market.”

Mr Downing says the company has now established good relationships with universities across the country and he insists the quality of the developments it has delivered have been key to that.

He explained: “Paul has done a lot of work establishing good relationships with universities in Newcastle and Leeds.

“Following on from that it has enabled us to have an easier introduction to Cambridge University and those in London.

“They have already heard of our reputation and that opens doors for us. Student accommodation is now an international market place so the buildings have to be of such a quality that you beat your competitors.”

In London, the company is mak-

ing great strides and, again, Mr Downing insists its reputation and track record has been vital in gaining a foothold.

It has £130m worth of developments on site in the capital in the next 12 months.

Mr Downing added: “What has been good about the recession from our point of view is that we have been able to buy sites.

“We have been doing that since the back end of 2007.

“We weren’t sure at first, because of how the economy was, but fortune favours the brave and that decision to build up our landbank is now paying off.

“In London, for example, we bought a railway siding. Even the landowner said ‘I don’t think you will get planning permission on there’ but we got it because of the reputation of what we had delivered before.

“We were taken seriously by Lambeth Council.

“It was against all odds that we got planning permission for a 32-storey tower – our planning consultant told us we would only get consent for a 15-storey tower at best.

“We are in talks over sites in

Thursday, November 21, 2013

big interview

post business 13

Alex

George Downing says it is wrong to give grants for new office buildings

Turner Effort to rebalance is just a cliché THE recent decision by Pilkington to shut one of its remaining float lines in St Helens was a blow to the people involved and to the town.

It didn’t reflect particularly on the rate of improvement of the UK economy – the manufacture and supply of glass is a global concern and Pilkington has been cutting jobs regularly from Poland to the Philippines since the first rumblings of economic problems could be heard.

But it does show how difficult it is, and will continue to be, to rebalance the economy. It is an aim which is more talked about than acted upon, a cliché to be rolled out when there are no immediate or simple answers to the question “what are we going to do?”.

But there is little evidence that our economy is going to be any more balanced in 2017 than it was in 2007. It is likely to be more imbalanced. Financial services , and the capricious service sector, maintain their influence – one a casino and the other a money merry-go-round – while the magnetism of London continues to increase the performance of the South East, to the detriment of the rest.

It remains especially tough for manufacturers, who must battle on in an under-valued sector.

For Pilkington, it is a difficult time, which will continue until there is a sustained upturn in the global economy and there is a large-scale return to the building of new houses, offices and cars.

For St Helens, and its long-standing association with glass, it is hard to imagine a revival in the future. The challenge will be whether it can hold on to what it has locally in the long-term, both manufacturing and research.

For the UK, it needs to make a decision whether it is serious about rebalancing its economy, or happy to pay it lip service for a while longer yet, and then look concerned every time jobs go. The crisis in the shipyards is going to be a rare occurrence because there aren’t that many companies or sites which employ huge numbers of people like they did in previous generations. That change only serves to make the sector less visible and therefore less likely concerted efforts will be made to alter the downward trend.

‘It is now hard to imagine a revival in its future’

Cardiff and Exeter and more sites in London. We are doing bigger numbers than we have ever done before.

“We are looking at residential schemes as well. We are looking at a site in Knightsbridge in London and that would be super high-end residential.

“We get around the country. Only 50% of our time is spent in Liverpool. We have guys hot-desking and running up and down the motorway all the time.”

If there is one subject that does raise Mr Downing’s hackles it is grant funding for property development.

This is a particular issue in Liverpool where European gap funding has led to the construction of office schemes such as St Paul’s Square and 20 Chapel Street.

But Mr Downing claims this approach has failed in its main objective – to attract large occupiers from elsewhere.

Most of the space, he says, has been taken up by firms relocating from elsewhere in Liverpool, such as law firms Hill Dickinson and DWF. Mr Downing said: “Several years

ago I took part in a debate. There was someone from English Cities Fund, I think, who was in favour of subsidised development and I was against.

“He said it would create lots of new office stock and inward investment. I said the developer-led market place would provide what was required in the market.

“Consequently, I think I have been proven right.

“Of all the office buildings that have been built in Liverpool very few of them have attracted inward investment.

“All they have done is taken tenants from other buildings that weren’t subsidised.

“They may have pushed up the headline rental figure but that flatters. It is what you have to give away in rent-free periods and subsidies to get the tenants in.

“What I was all for was investment in the public realm and infrastructure of the city.

“That would have been better than providing assistance for new buildings.

“Look at Cunard Building – it is virtually empty. That building is magnificent.

“Merseyside Pension Fund has spent a fortune on that building and made it look fantastic but they are not competing on an even playing field. It is not right.

“What they should have used the money for is the creation of public realm and on other things to attract investors from across the world.

“Look at what Liverpool Vision is doing with the International Festival of Business – that is fantastic.

“The building of the arena and convention centre was also a great way of spending the money.

“But supporting new office space was a flawed idea.

“Create public realm and leave the rest to the developers. Leave it to supply and demand.”

Mr Houghton added: “We are not against new office buildings – we have built them in Leeds and Newcastle – but we have built them without grants.”

‘Playing field is not level and that is not right’

Downing is also busy in its Liverpool office portfolio and, in particular, its Flexi-Office product launched earlier this year.

Mr Downing said: “We have been reactive to the market position we have found ourselves in since 2007 and 2008.

“In an office portfolio where you have several buildings means you will always have empty space. If you have 85% tenancy then you are doing well. And that is how the flexible offer came about.

“Since the credit crunch and recession there have been more and more start-up companies.

“There are around 40 businesses in the Port of Liverpool Building now and a percentage of those will grow and become larger occupiers.”

Downing is also spending £2m on a revamp of the No 1 Old Hall Street office building in the city’s central business district.

“At No 1 Old Hall Street we have been working on plans for several months,” added Mr Downing.

“You have to take the space up to another level to attract investors.

“We are doing that here and we are doing it without any subsidy.”

■ Alex Turner is the general manager of financial training firm Ambitious Minds

14 post business legal

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Legal Aid high on agenda at city’s Law Society dinner

Alistair Fletcher and Lord Heseltine at the dinner

by Helen Davies

POST BUSINESS STAFF

helen.davies01@trinitymirror.com

EROSION of people’s access to justice through Legal Aid cuts is “a betrayal of the most vulnerable in our society”.

That was the message from Liverpool Law Society president Alistair Fletcher at the group’s annual dinner held at the city’s Britannia Adelphi hotel.

Mr Fletcher, from Liverpool law firm Brabners, said: “It’s all looking pretty bleak for criminal and other publicly-funded practitioners.

“It is all part of Mr Grayling’s (Justice Secretary Chris Grayling) Brave New World.

“As a local Law Society we believe everyone should have access to justice regardless of their means.

“Any erosion of that access is a

betrayal of the most vulnerable in our society.”

Mr Fletcher’s speech followed that of Lord Michael Heseltine, who was sent by Government to the city to encourage enterprise in the area after the Toxteth riots in 1981.

The Liverpool Law Society president added: “I qualified in 1981 the same year as the Toxteth riots.

“Lord Heseltine helped us look forward.

“Of course life is still tough in the Liverpool city jungle – but there is so much to be positive about.”

Mr Fletcher encouraged lawyers and professionals in the room to play a role in hosting events during the International Festival for Business being held in Liverpool next year and thanked Lord Heseltine for first suggesting the idea of such a festival.

During his speech, Lord Heseltine reflected on his time in Liverpool during the 1980s.

He said: “Above all else it was about a city which had lost faith.

“There was no one in charge.

“Everybody knew whose fault it was and it wasn’t theirs.”

He send spending time in Liverpool in 1981 taught him “a lot about how it’s leadership that matters”.

Looking at how the city has changed since then, Lord Heseltine spoke of the large increase in hotel rooms over the last few years and said: “It’s a city where no one questions it’s going up and up.

“You are the ones who will lead this great city on the up.

“There’s no need any more for politicians to come and stoke up the fire.”

The speeches by Lord Heseltine and Mr Fletcher were followed by a four-course meal before guests heard from vice-president of Liverpool Law Society Glenys Hunt who thanked the sponsors of the event, Baker Tilly, DX

and Wesleyan for Lawyers, as well as those who had attended.

Motivational speaker and communication expert Andy Bounds then took to the stage and encouraged everyone to work together to contribute to the future prosperity of the region.

He urged firms to discard “corporate blinkers” about the history of their companies when bidding for contracts and to instead tell potential clients what they could do to help them.

The evening concluded with music from live band Madison.

■ Post Business gave the Ministry of Justice the opportunity to respond to comments made during the dinner.

A spokesman said: “We agree Legal Aid is a vital part of our justice system and that's why we have to find efficiencies to ensure it remains sustainable and available to those most in need of a lawyer.”

Ministry of Justice responds on VHCC THE Ministry of Justice has responded to threats by barristers in the region to refuse to take on some serious cases in light of fee cuts.

From this month fees paid by Government for Very High Cost Criminal Cases (VHCC), which are the most serious and complex trials lasting over 60 days, will be cut by 30%.

Post Business reported last week on criminal barristers saying they would not be continuing with VHCC because of this.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: "At around £2bn a year we have one of the most expensive legal aid systems in the world and even after our changes would still have one of the most generous.

"In the current financial climate everyone has to tighten their belts and sadly lawyers can’t be immune if we want to ensure the legal aid system is sustainable.

“We have tried to ensure our proposals have more impact on the higher earners than the juniors, which is the reason we proposed a 30% fee cut in the longest running and most expensive cases only."

He added that the ministry had “engaged constructively and consistently with lawyers, including revising our proposals in response to their comments”.

POST BUSINESS DAILY A revolution in the way business people get their news

Crown Silk of Year busy with hacking trial A LIVERPOOL barrister is busy back at work after being crowned Crime Silk of the Year in the 2013 Chambers and Partners UK Bar Awards.

Andrew Edis QC, a barrister at Liverpool’s Atlantic Chambers, was awarded the title at a ceremony last

month with a citation which read: “At the very top of the list for serious crime, Senior Treasury Counsel Andrew Edis QC advises upon and prosecutes high-profile matters, mostly of exceptional gravity.

“Terrorism and national

security work is a staple of his practice.”

This week Mr Ellis has been in court as the lead prosecutor for the phone hacking trial, which is ongoing.

Last year he prosecuted at the so-called honour killing trial of the parents of Shafilea

Ahmed, both sentenced to life for her murder at the family home in Warrington.

In the past he has also prosecuting former energy minister Chris Huhne, and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce.

Award: Andrew Edis

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women in business post business 15

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Law Society president hosts Chester event for members THE president of Chester & North Wales incorporated Law Society, Darlene Storrar, has hosted an event to celebrate her year in office The cocktail evening took place at Oddfellows, Bridge Street, Chester.

Ms Storrar of Storrar Cowdry Solicitors welcomed an “eclectic gathering” of guests, from the Chester and North Wales legal fraternity.

The Chester and North Wales Law Society formed in 1859, and incorporated in 1881, making Ms Storrar its 152nd president.

She said: “It is a great honour to be elected president and I am really enjoying my year.

“It is also incredible to think I am following in the footsteps of so many others.”

Ms Storrar and her husband Chris Storrar formed Storrar Cowdry Solicitors 30 years ago.

It has two premises in Chester – one in Castle Street and the other in White Friars.

It is regarded as one of the fastest-growing law firms in the area.

Ms Storrar recently helped to raise £34,000 for the Red Cross. She is also a former chairman of The Chester and North Wales Lady Taverners.

Darlene Storrar, President of The Chester Incorporated Law Society, with Stuart Cartwright and Ryan Lewis

Blackburne House makes a Handy contribution to city

by Tony McDonough POST BUSINESS STAFF

tony.mcdonough@liverpool.com

LIVERPOOL’S Handy Persons scheme is being given the female touch, thanks to a new partnership with a leading social enterprise.

The service has teamed-up with Blackburne House to provide local vulnerable people with access to female DIY experts.

Two-thirds of the pensioners and disabled residents who are currently taking advantage of the scheme – which aims to make people safer, healthier and more secure in their homes – are women.

The new partnership with Blackburne House means people can now choose a female operative if they wish, when using the service.

The Liverpool Handy Person’s scheme is run by Liverpool City Council, in partnership with Riverside Housing and Housing Maintenance Solutions (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liverpool Mutual Homes).

It has a team of DIY professionals ready to help the over 65s and those with a disability.

The city council awarded Riverside and HMS a grant of £250,000 to deliver the pilot scheme.

It means residents can call a dedicated hotline and request a visit from a handyperson to carry out

tasks – at a subsidised rate of £15 per hour, plus materials - such as: ■ Fitting locks, spyholes and door chains ■ Replacing light bulbs, electric fuses and plugs ■ Installing grab rails ■ Fitting doorbells and smoke alarms ■ Assembling flat pack furniture ■ Unblocking sinks ■ One-off garden clean-ups Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for housing, Councillor Ann O’Byrne, said: “We know what a lifeline our Handy Persons scheme could prove to be for our most vulnerable residents.”

Blackburne House has grown from a centre of education for women to being one of the UK’s leading and pioneering social enterprises.

The work carried out by the organisation is enabling thousands of individuals, organisations and businesses to impact positively on the local economy.

The newly-added Handy Persons Services will be provided by Blackburne House Maintenance, a female-staffed maintenance business.

Andrea Rushton, head of maintenance and construction at Blackburne House, said: “We have been educating and providing services for women for 30 years and we wanted to extend our offer to the women of Liverpool by providing practical solutions.”

Christine puts her skills to good use A PARTNER at the John Lewis store in Liverpool One swapped managing the shop floor for managing a team of handymen when they participated in a charity secondment as part of the company’s Golden Jubilee Trust scheme.

Christine Clark spent five days a week for four months at The Brink, a social enterprise and non-alcohol serving cafe and bar dedicated to supporting recovering alcoholics.

Christine and her handymen – a group of willing John Lewis Liverpool colleagues – transformed The Brink’s back room into a light and airy meeting room that is now a safe haven for meetings and counselling sessions attended by the local community.

The Golden Jubilee Trust was set up by the John Lewis Partnership to offer practical help to UK-registered charities through continuing partners’ usual pay during the placement.

Christine, menswear department section manager at John Lewis,, said: “I was able to make a significant impact working at The Brink full-time for four months, and I am very proud to have put the leadership, teamwork and organisational skills I normally use for my John Lewis role towards helping this charity.”

POST BUSINESS DAILY A revolution in the way business people get their news

Andrea Rushton, head of maintenance and construction at Blackburne House with members of her team

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16 post business location

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Private developers are a growing presence in the student living market

view point

by Jonathan Stanlake of property consultants GVA FURTHER to the announcement earlier this month that three major student accommodation schemes are to be built by private investors in Liverpool city centre, our unique research into the ownership of stu-

Colliers markets facility THE North West office of commercial property agency Colliers International has been instructed to let The Quadrant, a 74,388 sq ft warehouse in Bromborough, Wirral.

The steel frame premises on a 3.71 acre site in Pool Lane on Wirral International Business Park, features 7,400 one-tonne pallet spaces, large and secure yards and two storey offices.

Julien Kenny-Levick, director, logistics and industrial at the North West office of Colliers International in Manchester, is marketing the site jointly with Stephen Wade, a director of Chester-based commercial property specialist Legat Owen.

Mr Kenny-Levick said The Quadrant would be an ideal location for a business seeking a fully-fitted and “fully-racked facility” in a strategic location.

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dent housing has revealed that in the UK, 47% of student housing schemes are now privately owned.

Covering almost 325,000 beds in approximately 1,000 schemes across the UK, the research has found that 172,076 beds or 53% of total purpose built stock is owned by universities ensuring they remain the main key player within the student accommodation sector.

However, over the past 20 years, the privately owned market share has seen major growth, now standing at 47%, accounting for 150,000 beds.

Our first-of-its-kind research demonstrates the extent of the

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Brandeaux remains the third largest with 10%. These three players remain the market leaders in this field.

In the North West, the top 10 providers have a market share within the private bed sector of 70%.

The providers behind the schemes on London Road, Seel Street, Hope Street, and China Town, Knight Knox International, Portside House, X1 Developments, and Downing respectively, will all undoubtedly be hoping to take a portion of this mar- The X1 Developments scheme ket share. near London Road, Liverpool

‘Others will be looking to grab a share’

TV screenwriting legend attends Exchange Station launch

TV and stage writer, Alan Bleasdale, addresses the audience at Exchange Station

Picture: ANT CLAUSEN

DOZENS of Liverpool business people gathered for the official launch of Ashtenne Space Northwest’s £5m Exchange Station development in Liverpool.

The office complex was formerly known as Mercury Court.

Last week it was reported that there had been strong interest in the 23,000 sq ft of space that had been refurbished.

Styles&Wood delivered the building’s transformation, which included retaining the original archways to create a new atrium entrance, refurbishing all office accommodation and common areas.

Chief executive Tony Lenehan said: “Thanks to excellent project management and team work the refurbishment was completed smoothly.”

Legendary Liverpool playwright and TV screenwriter Alan Bleasdale was also there as a patron of Liverpool children’s charity, KIND. Exchange Station will be supporting KIND, which helps disadvantaged Merseyside children and their families.

Albert Dock owner unveils flexible office space product

LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE Shop unit £115pw

private sector market share in student accommodation, and one that continues to grow.

With the influx of overseas investment into this sector, particularly from the US, we expect the extent of privately-owned student housing to grow beyond 50% of total market share well before 2016.

The largest private owner in the UK is Unite, with 34,000 beds accounting for 22% of the private market.

Its closest competitor is UPP, which boasts a 13% market share.

by Tony McDonough

POST BUSINESS STAFF

tony.mcdonough@liverpool.com

ARROWCROFT is to become the latest property firm in Liverpool to offer a flexible office space product.

The owner of the Albert Dock complex is offering “restyled” space in The Colonnades at the Dock, with suites available from 480-6,400sq ft.

The accommodation offers many original features of the Grade I-listed building, including vaulted ceilings, exposed brick walls and cast iron

columns and the offices come with their own front door.

Arrowcroft is offering flexible, easy-in easy-out terms, similar to that already offered by rival Downing elsewhere in the city centre.

Simon Jones, director at Arrowcroft, said: “Dockside is another example of our continued evolution at Albert Dock.

“We have invested heavily in the refurbishment of these suites and are now willing to consider flexible leases which reflect recent changes in the marketplace.

“Many smaller occupiers now require suites within the city centre

on a flexible, all-inclusive, easy-in and easy-out basis, and we have created a product that should satisfy this demand.

“Furthermore, Arrowcroft believes that the offices at Dockside provide the best quality accommodation of this nature – modern, full of character and boasting views over the beautiful Albert Dock.”

Paul Thorne from agents Mason Owen added: “We are delighted to bring Dockside to market, providing businesses a uniquely flexible offer within a prestigious location. These offices are irresistible to those seeking stylish contemporary space.”

Simon Jones

location post business 17

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Smiths to hold final auction of the year CHANGES in the social housing sector are being reflected in the demand and sale of homes in the latest Wirral property auction, according to Smith and Sons.

The firm’s final auction of 2013, to be held on December 4, at the Village Hotel in Bromborough, includes the Carlton Pub in Borough Road, Birkenhead and 12 self-contained flats in the centre of Oxton Village.

A number of potential buyers have viewed the former pub with a view to convert and lease as single bed living units while the Oxton flats are also one-bed units.

Both sites meet a wider demand for single-bed occupancy living following recent changes in welfare reform, claims Smiths.

Chris Johnson, auctioneer at Smith and Sons, said: “The auction can often act as a barometer of the wider changes taking shape within the property sector.

“Welfare reform changes, which limits the number of bedroom to one per occupier, is now being felt and a shortage in this type of accommodation is being looked at keenly by developers and investors, as well as social landlords.

“These two properties have already attracted a lot of interest.”

Liverpool’s return to MIPIM is essential, says Bruntwood Liverpool’s stand at MIPIM in 2009 and, inset, Colin Sinclair from Bruntwood

by Tony McDonough

POST BUSINESS STAFF

tony.mcdonough@liverpool.com

POST BUSINESS DAILY A revolution in the way business people get their news

GOING to MIPIM is essential if Liverpool is to have a chance of winning the same level of foreign investment that Manchester Airport recently secured, according to a leading property executive.

Colin Sinclair, director of property marketing at Bruntwood, told Post Business the city had to raise its international profile.

In October Manchester Airport won £650m of Chinese investment and Mr Sinclair said Liverpool’s return to the Cannes event next year would

increase its chances of following suit.

Last week, the Liverpool Post revealed that Liverpool would send an official delegation to MIPIM, the world's biggest commercial property conference, for the first time since 2011.

The city had attended the event in the South of France for several years before switching its focus to the Shanghai Expo and to its Liverpool in London base.

However, following pressure from Merseyside business people, Liverpool will return to MIPIM in March next year with the trip being led and funded by the private sector. Mr Sinclair said: “MIPIM is vital to Liverpool's positioning as a global city.

“We are already seeing the importance of Chinese investment into places like Manchester Airport, as well as continuing European investment into the region, so it’s crucial that Liverpool stakes its own claim to be a part of that picture.

“The Liverpool brand is well-known around the world, especially in the US and Asia, but rather than live on the glories of what’s gone before, Liverpool must be seen to update its offer in front of a global property industry audience.”

Manchester-based Bruntwood is one of Liverpool's biggest commercial property owners and its sites include The Plaza and the Cotton Exchange complex.

Warrington Odeon part of £80m deal

Download today for your free 30-day trial www.liverpool dailypost.co.uk/ businessdaily

INVESTOR LondonMetric Property has exchanged contracts to acquire a portfolio of 10-out-of-town Odeon multiplex cinemas, one of which is in Warrington, from Odeon Property Group for £80.6m.

The acquisitions will be funded by a £43.5m loan provided by Lloyds Bank.

The portfolio totals 384,220 sq ft and is let to Odeon Cinema for

a remaining term of 24.9 years subject to annual rental increases of between 1% and 5% linked to the annual RPI index.

The total initial rental income is £5.9m per year.

The cinemas are located in Warrington, Chelmsford, Derby, Huddersfield, Lee Valley (London), Merryhill (Dudley), Preston, Tamworth, Taunton and Telford.

They either adjoin or are in close proximity to a retail park or shopping centre, and in 2012 attracted a combined attendance of 3.8m visits.

Andrew Jones, chief executive of LondonMetric, said: “This is a very attractive acquisition of a well-let portfolio within our out-of-town sector.

The transaction offers us long and strong income.”

It will join the delegation along with other companies including Deloitte and Grosvenor Mr Sinclair added: “Bruntwood strongly supports all of the cities in which we invest.

“Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds have all had a significant presence at MIPIM in recent years and we are delighted to see Liverpool rejoining that confident group of cities which complement London’s international position.

“As the economic recovery continues to drive up property values in the capital, inward investors will look for the strongest regional alternatives and MIPIM gives Liverpool a much greater chance of being considered.”

Wirral contract THE northern public sector team at Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has been chosen to act as property advisor to Wirral Council.

The appointment sees LSH reviewing the council’s surplus assets and identifying options for their future use.

The appointment is for a three-year period. Wirral Council is the third largest metropolitan authority in the North West of England, and the single largest employer in the area.

18 post business economic development

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Self-employment could focus on

growth

by Joshua Taylor

POST BUSINESS STAFF

joshua.taylor@trinitymirror.com

Y

OUTH unemployment has been described by many as a scourge of our times, and there has been criticism from some quarters that not enough is being done to get young people off the dole and into work.

With perceptions of the job market almost at an all-time low, many young people are considering the alternatives to looking for employment, such as starting their own business.

Figures released last week showed there are more than 12,000 people aged between 18 and 24 claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Merseyside.

In a bid to overcome some of the barriers that stop today’s youth setting up in business, the Prince’s Trust charity organised a workshop in Liverpool, attended by business leaders and young people alike.

The meeting addressed the following discussion points: whether self-employment is a good option for young people struggling with unemployment in Liverpool, whether enough is being done to encourage young people to start enterprises, the practical and financial support young people should be receiving to set up their own business, and the key issues stopping the city’s young jobseekers from finding work.

Graham Wray, who co-founded janitorial and cleaning supply firm Wray Brothers in the 1980s shortly after the Toxteth Riots with a £3,000 loan from the Prince’s Trust, said: “Young people have to take ownership of themselves.

“The barriers stopping young people are the same now as they were in 1982 or 1983, but there was a lot less help around back then.

“I left school at 16 with a severe stammer, no-one was going to give me a leg-up. It was the Prince’s Trust that gave me the self-belief and confidence to have a go in business.”

Asked whether the British education system was doing enough to encourage entrepreneurialism, Mr Wray said: “There are a lot more opportunities now for young people to grasp.”

Anthony Nelson, who founded Trafalgar Community Care in Huyton after struggling to find a job when he left university, said: “A lot of people have the idea to start a business, but they don’t know where to go or what to do.”

Mr Nelson, whose domiciliary care company now employs 55 people, said it was necessary to change the education system so budding entrepreneurs are better nurtured from a young age.

He said: “I’m not saying we should change the national curriculum, but schools could run simple workshops with people from the world of business.

Attendees of the Prince’s Trust youth unemployment seminar discussing the barriers to starting a business “Kids needs to be taught the principles at school so they can take them into later life.”

Jonathan Townsend, the North of England director for the Prince’s Trust, agreed with Mr Nelson’s claim that the key lies in education.

“It’s often not the obvious things that cause obstructions for people when setting up businesses,” he said. “We have to make young people aware of the opportunities to establish a business. I think there is always more we can do to give funding and support, but we have made good progress.

“Lots of people have business ideas, but they don’t do anything because they either don’t know what to do, are not confident enough or don’t have the resources.

“If we can provide these three things then we will create a great platform.”

Other entrepreneurs at the Prince’s Trust event discussed the barriers they had faced while trying to succeed in business.

Katie Walker, who is in the process of opening the Bella Mode hair and beauty salon in

‘Kids need to be taught the principles at school’

Walton, said: “I always thought it was funding that was my main issue.

“Not knowing where to go for funding was a problem for me.

“I have had a lot of bad experiences in business because of not knowing enough, but organisations like the Prince’s Trust can help with that.”

Maureen Fazal, who founded social enterprise Exsel CIC at the age of 64 seven years ago, agreed.

She said: “At the age of 64 I found myself redundant and that’s how Exsel CIC got started.

“Since then we have trained more than 200 volunteers.

“Starting in business is all about

education. A lot of schools now develop entrepreneurship and children come up with some very good ideas, but these need to be nurtured.

“Children from a very young age need to be taught to believe in themselves.”

The overwhelming message from the Prince’s Trust event was one of optimism: business talent is out there, it just needs to be nurtured.

While attendees said many barriers still existed to prevent young people from entering the world of business, these obstacles are not too deep-rooted and can, according to many, be overcome through improvements in education and raising awareness.

economic development post business 19

Thursday, November 21, 2013

be the answer

Graham Wray, co-founder of janitorial and cleaning supply firm Wray Brothers

diary of an entrepreneur I HAVE always dreamt of having my own restaurant ever since I was a young boy.

When I was 13, I began cooking Italian food and my passion for creating culinary delights began from there.

At the age of 15, I moved from my hometown in Lecce in south east Italy to Paris in the hope of pursuing my career in the food industry.

I was fortunate enough to be offered a job in the prestigious restaurant Bas Breau, where I gained the approval from the Japanese royal family after cooking for Emperor Hirohito.

This is a personal highlight of mine as it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that not many people will have the privilege to undertake.

After living in Paris for several years I then went on to travel around Europe and Australia, where I worked in some of the world’s finest eateries.

Fast forwarding a few years, I moved to Southport with the intention of setting up my own business.

In 2003 I launched Fifty One the Promenade, a specialist fish restaurant based in Southport. The response from the public was astounding.

However, one of the biggest decisions in my career so far was when the team and I came up with the plan to convert the former seafood restaurant into an authentic Italian bistro that would be suitable for all of the family.

In Italy, a meal is an opportunity for family and friends to come together to eat, to chat and to laugh. That’s what really inspired us to create the new restaurant.

That was when Trattoria 51 was established.

Trattoria 51 was originally loc-

ated in only one venue, until earlier this year.

Due to the popularity and appraisal we received since the Southport opening, we have recently launched a new venture based on Old Hall Street in the heart of Liverpool’s business district.

The Liverpool venue has attracted many new customers as well as being visited by familiar faces, which really does mean the world to me. It is because of such devoted customers that the restaurant was able to expand and become what it is today.

There are some very exciting times for me and the team at the moment as the reception from guests at Trattoria 51 in Liverpool has been brilliant. We hope to maintain a prominent reputation amongst the North West throughout the foreseeable future.

I am so happy with the brand that I have created with the help of my dedicated team members.

The initial idea was to give people a great value alternative to restaurant chains, as well as allowing them to feel right at home with us, night or day.

The most enjoyable factor of my career was watching my vision become a reality. As a result of hard work and sheer determination, a school boy hobby evolved into a dream job.

For anyone thinking of starting up their own restaurant, you must have a real culinary desire and give it your all.

It is a very competitive market so there is no room for error and you must always try to be ahead of the game.

I believe that if you feel so passionately about something, eventually you will get it.

Attilio Sergi is managing director of Trattoria 51

Anthony Nelson, founder of Trafalgar Community Care

Case study: How the Prince’s Trust helped me AFTER leaving university, Anthony Nelson struggled to find a job and as time went on his dejection became worse, but he didn’t give up.

Mr Nelson decided to contact the Prince’s Trust for support.

He signed up to the trust's enterprise programme, which gives young people inter-

ested in self-employment a chance to start their own business. He had always been interested in being a care worker, but didn’t have the business knowledge to become his own boss.

Thanks to support from the trust, he went on to set up his own limited company providing home care to

elderly and disabled adults across Liverpool.

The trust provided a business mentor who worked with Mr Nelson to help him with aspects of his business, as well as giving him a grant of £750 to purchase essential equipment.

His company, Trafalgar Community Care, based in Huyton, is act-

ively employing people and currently has a team of 55 staff.

His customer base has grown rapidly and the business is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide domiciliary care. It has successfully tendered to provide care for Knowsley Council.

Mr Nelson is now 26.

Attilio Sergi, managing director of Trattoria 51

20 post business professional

Thursday, November 21, 2013

‘Hesitant, uneven’ recovery warning

Simon Walker, executive director of Quilter Cheviot in Liverpool

Investment business breaks £15bn management barrier

by Joshua Taylor

POST BUSINESS STAFF

joshua.taylor@trinitymirror.com

A LIVERPOOL investment company has revealed it now has funds under its management of more than £15bn for the first time.

Quilter Cheviot Investment Management, which has offices in St Paul’s Square, made the announcement after winning an industry award.

The business was formed in January following the merger of Cheviot Asset Management and Quilter.

The award – the best overall large firm at the Citywire Wealth Manager Investment Performance Awards – was given in recognition of the success of this merger.

The business now employs 22 people at its Liverpool office.

Quilter Cheviot chief executive Martin Baines collected the award.

He said: “Everyone has worked extremely hard to make the merger of the two businesses a success.

“At the same time, we have continued to deliver for our clients and are delighted to celebrate this award as the value of our funds exceeds £15bn.”

Liverpool office executive director Simon Walker added: “The award is industry recognition of the quality and consistency of our performance, which is a key element of what we offer alongside the delivery of outstanding service to our clients.

“Each of those elements is undoubtedly enhanced by our independent ownership structure – enabling us to focus on what we do best.

“It is also recognition the manner in which we have brought two busi-

nesses together and continued to deliver outstanding service to our clients.”

The firm recently announced the appointment of Matthieu Duncan to the new role of chief operating officer.

He joins from Newton Investment Management, where he was head of business strategy.

Prior to working at Newton, Mr Duncan held the position of chief investment officer for equities at Cambridge Place Investment Management.

He spent the bulk of his earlier career at Goldman Sachs, where he latterly held the position of managing director.

Mr Duncan said: “I am delighted to be joining Quilter Cheviot at such an exciting time and look forward to being part of the future success of the business.”

Cheviot opened a Liverpool office

in 2011 and racked up some £280m of assets in two years.

The merger took the amount of wealth under management in the North West above the symbolic £1bn mark.

Staff from Quilter’s Liverpool office in Princes Parade were relocated to Cheviot’s base in St Paul’s Square.

At the time of the merger, it was announced the Liverpool operation would be jointly run by the former head of the Quilter Liverpool office, Richard Thorn, and former head of the Cheviot Liverpool office, Mr Walker.

Liverpool is a recognised UK centre of excellence for wealth management and Quilter Cheviot competes against some very strong and well-established brands in the city.

They include Investec and Rathbone Brothers as well as stockbrokerage firms, such as Charles Stanley.

SMALL businesses need to take full advantage of the tax incentives and government support available, a senior North West accountant said.

The claim, from accountancy firm Baker Tilly’s North West regional managing partner Jill Jones, came after a survey found a quarter (26%) of small businesses in the region plan to take on new staff in the next year.

The poll, organised

by Baker Tilly, questioned 750 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

It found 39% of businesses in the region plan to increase their capital expenditure, with 35% planning to increase their sales and marketing budgets over the next 12 months.

Just over half (55%) of SMEs in the region expect to increase turnover by 5% or more in the next 12 months.

However, 74% of respondents said they were content with their current levels of success and 71% were not prepared to take on more debt to expand.

Ms Jones said: “Understandably, many businesses in the region remain cautious about investing in resources to deliver growth, but SMEs now need to explore other opportunities for expansion.

“We’re coming out of a long period of economic downturn so businesses need to make more strategic decisions and make the best use of tax incentives and Government assistance available.”

She said failure to do so would cause a “hesitant and uneven” recovery.

on the move ■

A NEW lawyer has joined the ranks of a Liverpool practice to help increase its caseload.

Serious injury specialist Mark Ellis has joined the management team of SGI Legal and has pledged to “challenge the status quo” in the personal injury legal sector.

He previously worked for Prescot-based Duncan Gibbins Solicitors, where he dealt with

road traffic accident, employers’ liability and public liability cases.

■

HAMPSON Hughes Solicitors, specialists in no-win no-fee personal injury compensation, has promoted one of its former paralegals to a director within the business.

The firm says that Claudia Curcillo, who is 28 and from Southport, has been promoted after

demonstrating continued commitment and dedication.

It added Ms Curcillo rose quickly through the ranks after joining the company in 2010. She was later awarded Hampson Hughes Solicitors’ first training contract in 2011 and qualified as a solicitor in 2013.

■

SACHA Balachandran is to

replace Alan Rigby as HSBC’s North West head of corporate banking on his retirement after 39 years’ service with the bank.

Mr Rigby will leave HSBC at the end of March next year.

Mr Balachandran has been with HSBC since 2004 and is currently the head of corporate distribution management in the corporate and structured banking team.

Mark Ellis – on SGI Legal’s top team

Claudia Curcillo – Hampson Hughes

Sacha Balachandran – HSBC promotion

networker post business 21

Thursday, November 21, 2013

The fashion perils of trying to tackle the cycle commute

Helen Davies investigates how to look presentable at the office after cycling to work

■

GRANTS of up to £2,500 are available through Liverpool Chamber of Commerce for businesses wanting to support their staff to use sustainable transport.

The money can be used for projects such as providing pool bikes or showers.

■

JAMES DUNNINGHAM, operations director at Liverpool-based Health@Work, said: “I think in terms of a business, shower facilities and a secure bike shed are a major plus.

“We do understand for a lot of small micro businesses this is logistically and financially not possible but for many organisations we’ve found providing showers and lockers does stimulate a lot more people to come to work by bike.”

T

HERE are obvious benefits to cycling to work in terms of health, the environment and saving money.

But after thinking through the practicalities of arriving at work with crumpled clothes and in need of a shower we could be forgiven for being put off.

Heather Summers started work as a lawyer at DTM Legal last week and has already encountered problems cycling from Sefton Park to the firm’s city centre office in The Plaza on Old Hall Street.

She said: “On my first day of cycling to work I was wearing a Jaeger wraparound dress with cycling shorts underneath.

“The dress belt got caught in the chain and I ended up falling off my bike.”

Ms Summers has not been deterred though and has found organisation is key to a successful cycling commute.

“On the evening of my first day, following the cycle mishap, I returned to the office in my car with a week’s worth of corporate clothing which I have stored in the office for fear of another wardrobe malfunction,” she said.

“I will do at least one car trip per week with enough clothes to last Monday to Friday.”

Jon Brown, director at Liverpool-based PR agency Paver Smith, also finds keeping clothes at the

Helping staff cycle

■

Heather Summers cycles from Sefton Park to her job at DTM Legal, based on Old Hall Street office works best. He said: “I have a suit in the office and two pairs of shoes. I carefully fold a shirt into a rucksack and use the showers at work.

“I dress casually quite often anyway so it’s no problem to stick some

jeans in the rucksack.”

Cathy Skelly, sector development manager for creative industries at Liverpool Vision, has to dress more formally for her job but still manages to cycle from her house in Prescot to the station before getting the train

and then cycling from Lime Street to her office on Old Hall Street.

She said: “You have to be quite selective when you’re buying clothes for work.

“I look at them in terms of creasability.”

LIVERPOOL architects Falconer Chester Hall (FCH) are considering installing showers at their office because they have seen such an increase in the popularity of cycling.

Alastair Shepherd, director at the firm, said: “We try to remember that not every journey needs to be a race, so travelling in is about enjoying Liverpool’s parks or waterfront for instance and should be treated leisurely.

“This ensures you don’t arrive at work a mess.

“Six of us from FCH rode from London to Paris last summer and commuting was very much part of the training, with longer, faster rides reserved for journeys home.”

past business – nostalgia

Owen Owen and the ever-changing face of Liverpool’s retail core

In 1993, Hilda Rogers shopped at Owen Owen in Liverpool for the last time before it closed

WITH the demise of yet more high street names and the ongoing move towards online shopping, it can feel like the high street is in turmoil.

But the truth is, ‘twas ever thus.

In June 1993, the Post mourned the closure of Liverpool retail stalwart, Owen Owen.

Shoppers, we reported, were wandering the almost empty Clayton Square store “saying silent goodbyes to an old friend”.

Margaret Carolan, of Huyton, said: “It’s very sad – another chunk of the old Liverpool gone. Shopping will never be the same again”.

And Catherine Kirkham, from Netherton, said: “What’s going to happen now? Are they going to close Liverpool altogether?”

The Post noted that in recent times, Liverpool had been stripped of many of its landmark shops. It added: “Alongside Owen Owen is a list which includes some well-known names such as Blacklers, Binns, Coopers and Woolworths.”

Woolworths, of course, shut its

flagship Church Street store in 1983 – but had in fact returned to the St John’s Shopping Centre in 1990.

That comeback was itself shortlived, as Woolworths collapsed in late 2008.

Back in 1993, Owen Owen was directing disappointed shoppers to its sister store, Lewis’s. Even that grand retail icon has long gone, and its building sits gutted amid its conversion into part of the Central Village retail and leisure complex.

The recent collapse into administration of shoe chain Barratt and video chain Blockbuster caused unsurprising alarm. But then, the city centre has also seen the recent multi million-pound revamp of its River Island and McDonald’s stores, as well as the opening of the £25m Forever 21 store in Church Street.

The Owen Owen store in Clayton Square, meanwhile, is a busy Tesco.

Liverpool, it seems, can always find a way to bounce back.

ALISTAIR HOUGHTON

Owen Owen was a Liverpool retail icon

22 post business networker

trading gossip ■

WE’VE all come across, and tried very hard to avoid, those rather annoying people who insist on telling everyone they meet: “I’m, mad, me.”

So we do hope a rebranding exercise by Widnes creative design agency, Printel, won’t backfire.

The firm now has a new name – Media and Digital – or “MaD to their friends”.

The firm was founded by husband and wife, Stuart and Gill Atherton.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Rob’s musical therapy class is hitting all the right notes Keen guitarist Rob Bruce believes in the healing qualities of music

Stuart, above, said: “Hopefully people won’t think we’re bonkers for changing our name and will appreciate why we’ve gone a bit MaD. “The creative media world has changed massively in the last couple of decades.

Although we are still asked to supply a large number of print items, such as brochures, prospectuses, signage and displays, the digital market is now huge.”

Gill, who manages the firm’s two offices, added that they’ll still be offering their clients “commonsense solutions event when there is a full moon”.

Nurse!

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myday off Rob Bruce is a support worker with PSS and is using his passion for music to help his clients

A

S a support work with social enterprise PSS my job involves helping people with mental, physical and learning disabilities to deal with everyday situations such as shopping, going to the bank and meeting people.

I happened to be in a music shop with a man I was working with when I picked up a guitar and played a bit of the song ‘Light My Fire.’

He told me it was his favourite tune and I saw a real spark in him as I played.

As a keen guitarist who has played in many Merseyside bands over the years, I thought that there could be something in this and it would be a great way of helping the people I work with to express themselves.

It was also a good way to combine my job with my passion for music.

I decided to start a music club and did a sponsored walk to raise money to buy a drum kit and a couple of guitars.

We have since raised hundreds more pounds to buy a variety of instruments and now have a thriving music club at PSS with 15 people of varying ages and disabilities coming along to sing their hearts out, play instruments and make music.

We have one young man who is blind, playing keyboards, whilst we have several keen tambourine players

and a drummer from Senegal.

There is nothing formal about what we do, we just make music and have lots of fun, and it is terrific.

I started working for PSS seven years ago after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which forced me to give up my nursing career.

I thought my working days were over but was delighted to be given an opportunity to work at PSS. PSS is a social enterprise that is based in Liverpool but works across the UK. It has one key purpose, to help people get the most from life, whether this is at home, in their families, in their health and wellbeing or within their wider support networks.

We celebrate our 100th birthday in 2019 and I hope the music club can play a role in the celebrations.

I work within PSS’s Enable Project that helps people with difficulties to build relationships in their communities, have new experiences and live as independent a life as possible.

As an arthritis sufferer I know what it is like to feel excluded from society

‘We make music and have a lot of fun’

due to a disability and the project works to improve people’s quality of life by helping them to feel like a valued member of society.

I have recently begun giving guitar lessons to my colleagues at PSS at lunchtime, in return for a donation that goes back into the music club.

I have a lot of takers and I think we could be shaping up into being a very musical social enterprise.

I am also currently learning how to operate a friend’s recording studio with the aim being to produce a DVD and CD from our music club.

I am a firm believer in music therapy; you can see it on the faces of the people we work with, and their families.

Music therapy has been proved to release endorphins in the brain that improves people’s happiness and wellbeing, which ties in perfectly with the ethos of PSS. Our sessions enable people to be themselves and express themselves and it is a great talking point that encourages them to open up and make decisions about what they want to do next. You only have to come along to one of our sessions to see the enormous benefits it brings.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

networker post business

23

networking

Lawyers’ dinner LIVERPOOL Law Society held its annual dinner this week.

Pictured, above, were Thomas Denash, Kelley Hargreaves and Richard Parry from

Knowsley’s Parry and Company Solicitors.

Also at the event, held at the Adelphi Hotel, was Vida Wilson, Susannah Healy and Marie McNulty, left.

trade group gathered for the event at its headquarters in Birkenhead.

Pictured at the anniversary event were, right, John Syvret, Ian Higby, Ed Rimmer, Gary Hodgson, and John Hulmes.

Q What is your favourite lunch venue?

A Wright Brothers Oyster and Porter house in Borough Market, London Q Why is this your favourite venue?

A It serves up an amazing selection of the finest freshest seafood. There can be at least ten different types of oysters on the list at any one time. Also its fun to sit at the bar, watch the chefs and even share a platter with a friend.

Firm sponsors golfer LAW firmCassell Moore is to sponsor 22-year-old rising star of golf, Dominic Barnes.

The Liverpool law firm, which has a sports department, will support Dominic from Wirral in competing in

business diary FRIDAY, NOV 22

PROFESSIONAL Liverpool is holding its AGM at Liverpool Town Hall, starting at 11.30am, followed by a lunch for members and guests in the town hall’s large ballroom, commencing at 12.15pm. Please contact Marjorie Barrow at marjoriebarrow@ professionaliverpool.com for further details.

MONDAY, NOV 25

THE Employability and

Skills Group of companies is holding a series of open days at its Liverpool operation, which is situated in the city centre’s Bold Street. It invites schools and pupils, parents, teachers, heads of departments and careers advisors, training providers, job centres, community agencies, and employers to its informal events which run from 10am to 4pm, on the second floor of Link 19 in

my favourite lunch Oonagh Halferty, chef at Frederiks on Hope Street

Maritime milestone MERSEY MARITIME celebrated its landmark 10th anniversary with a special summit featuring presentations by business leaders from across the region’s maritime sector.

Close to 100 members of the

Leaf is one of Oonagh’s Liverpool favourites

Bold Street’s Central Village. Refreshments are included. The organisation says the open days provide a chance to find out how ESG staff can help individuals obtain full time jobs via the apprenticeship programme. For further details contact Jules Westbrook or Pauline O’Brien on 0151-702 6111.

WEDNESDAY, NOV 27

LIVERPOOL charity Health@ Work is hosting an event to raise awareness of

a host of events in 2014.

Pictured, Left, Gareth Farrelly, Cassell Moore, Stephen Morris, Cassell Moore managing partner, Dominic Barnes and former Liverpool FC star Mark Wright

issues surrounding alcohol and the workplace. The event will see Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the Liverpool Health Partners, discussing alcohol culture within the workplace, before finishing with an expert witness panel. The event will be held at the Liverpool Maritime Museum beginning at 11am and finishing at 1.30pm. Health@Work is currently working with a number of partners across Europe to develop effective methods of engaging with workplaces and their workforce, to raise aware-

Q What is your favourite dish and why?

A Simply a whole Cornish crab served with bread and butter.

Q What is the best bit of business you have done over lunch?

A Probably recruited an amazing member for my team.

Q Who would you most like to have lunch with?

ness and influence changes that lead to safer alcohol consumption. The results and findings of this research will be discussed at the event by James Dunningham, Operations Director at Health@Work.

THURSDAY, NOV 28

Oonagh Halferty

SOUTH Liverpool Business network invites you to its next business breakfast, starting at 8am for 8.30am, at The Partnership for Learning building, South Road, Speke. One of the guest speakers, Liverpool Lord Mayor, Cllr Gary

A Joanna Lumley (not as Patsy though) Q Where else do you like to go?

A Hawksmoor, The Albion Cafe, Polpo, Dish, Ottoleghi, St John Bread & Wine to name a few in London. In Liverpool I like to go to Delifonseca, Neighbourhood and Leaf.

Millar, will lead discussions around business resilience and how prepared we are should the unexpected happen.

FRIDAY, NOV 29

PRODUCTS from some of Merseyside’s leading creative small businesses run by women will be showcased at a new event, a two-day Arts Craft and Gift Fair at the Women’s Organisation building, 54 James Street, on November 29-30. The fair has been organised by business support and events company SMC2020

Management Consultancy with the aim of putting the spotlight on the creativity of independent businesses. The fair will run from 3-7pm on Friday November, and from 11am-3pm on Saturday.

Some stalls are still available. For more information contact SMC2020 Management Consultancy by emailing smc consultancy1@gmail.com ■ Send your diary events to neil.hodgson @liverpool.com