Liverpool BID Feb/Mar 2016

Inside...

TOURISM REPORT Record number of hotel rooms sold in 2015

BUSINESS NEWS IFB 2016 - main programme is complete

CULTURE NEWS Beatles and Biennial boost city economy

CITY NEWS Study to start on new cruise terminal

RENEWAL BALLOT Businesses asked to #backtheBID

BID UPDATE BID police success and sign up to Mystery Shop

FEB-MAR 2016

Vote YES! BID ballot open until 17 March

2

WELCOME TO ThIS PUBLICATION

Contents 3 CITY OF TOURISM 4 BUSINESS NEWS 6 CULTURE NEWS 7 CITY NEWS 8 RENEWAL BALLOT 10 DEVELOPMENT UPDATE 12 BID UPDATE 14 BULLETIN BOARD

ThIS Magazine produced by the Liverpool BID Company Editor: Michael Doran - Liverpool BID Designer: Álvaro Costela Sánchez - Liverpool BID No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the distributor.

The articles in this magazine are for information purposes only.

Liverpool BID Company assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information; nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

The information contained about each individual, event or organisation has been provided by such individual, event organiser or organisation with permission.

The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Liverpool BID Company.

If you would like to promote your company/product to more than 1,500 businesses, employing more than 75,000 people in Liverpool city centre, please contact the Liverpool BID Company at:

Chief Exec’s Welcome Since the turn of the New Year it seems like good news about Liverpool has been as constant as the rain!

Everywhere you look reports and surveys are being produced showing what a great city this is.

I’d like to pick up on just one example (there’s quite a few more covered in this issue) and that is the one in The Guardian which recently trumpeted that Liverpool was the UK’s 2nd happiest city to work in.

Matt Kennedy, centre manager at start-up incubator, Launch22, was quoted saying it was because of what ‘the city and its people are like: friendly, collaborative and supportive’.

It struck me that as we were putting the finishing touches to the 2016-2021 Commercial District Business Plan, Matt had also perfectly summed up what the BID Company aims to be. Every day.

Collaboration and being supportive runs through the core of this business plan (see page 8-9) as with all the projects we’ve done; be it the ThIS Liverpool App, defibrillators, Restaurant Week, Snowflake Trail, the BID police and Ambassador teams and the Mystery Shop programme (we’re assessing a record 200 businesses this year - see page 12).

These projects have grown in scale and ambition as we as an oganisation have become more experienced in delivering services on your behalf, as evidenced in the £1.6m public realm scheme.

That is why I am confident we can deliver all of the 24 action points outlined in the new business plan, not because we can do it on our own but because the BID Company has the partners and relationships to make change happen – be it a new cleansing regime to free Wi-Fi in the city centre.

As Spring slowly comes we will be launching two new campaigns – one is called Chang£ which aims to address how people can truly support the city’s homeless – and the other is the Mayoral accreditation scheme to reward businesses for their cleanliness and environmental work.

Both are about celebrating collaboration and support – and both will make a difference to our collective wellbeing.

I hope over the next five years we can all play our role to making Liverpool the happiest (and most productive) place to work.

With your support, we can.

That is why we ask you to #backtheBID. Bill Addy

T: 0151 233 2890 E: info@liverpoolbidcompany.com W: liverpoolBIDcompany.com Twitter: @LpoolBIDcompany LinkedIn: Liverpool BID Company Rate card available on liverpoolbidcompany.com/resources

working together for a better city centre

City of Tourism Liverpool has been named the fourth top destination in the UK for overseas travellers.

The city sits ahead of Glasgow, Belfast and Brighton in the list of top UK tourist cities, according to data from Hotels.com.

The tourism sector is now worth £2.5bn a year to Liverpool’s economy.

A new hotel report shows a record 1.8m hotel rooms were sold in 2015.

We take a quick look at those facts and some of the reasons visitors continue to come to the city…

£

H 62 hotels/apart-hotels/ guest houses (up from 37 in 2008)

6,323 bedrooms (up from 3,481 in 2008)

2,500 hotel-related jobs in the City Centre (1,000 of which created since 2008)

£336m invested in 25 new and refurbishing existing hotels since 2008

highlights to come...

7-9 APRIL

Crabbie’s Grand National

23-24 APRIL

St George’s Day Festival

28-29 MAY

Sound City

3-5 JUNE

Mersey River Festival

15-17 JULY

Brazilica

21-24 JULY

Don’t miss an event ever again.

Download the ThIS Liverpool app or check out thisliverpool.com

LIMF

1-30 MAY

13 JUNE 1 JULY

WoW - Write on the Wall Festival

IFB 2016

13 MAY

9 JULY 16 OCT

30-31 JULY

Liverpool Pride

LightNight

Biennial

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BUSINESS NEWS

I’m continuing to improve for you...

Moorfields station is being refurbished Improvement works continue at Moorfields station until Summer 2016.

For more information visit the Merseyrail website.

City to welcome world at IFB

More than 80 major events have now been confirmed for the International Festival for Business 2016.

Organisers say they also expect in excess of 30,000 delegates to attend during the three-week event in June.

Thousands of business people in the North West are expected to visit Liverpool to take advantage of the international networking opportunities which the festival will offer.

Many more will be attending to visit the GREAT British Showcase which will be showcasing the best of UK business innovation.

Confirmed events include the World Broadband Alliance’s Wi-Fi Global Congress 2016 (the world’s leading wi-fi event), TedX and ACCELERATE. IFB2016’s Meet Your Future Deal programme will be the world’s biggest ‘meet the

buyer’ event, with 6,000 faceto-face meetings.

There will also be 1,000 appointments with experts as part of the Meet Your Specialist Advisor programme with advice ranging from market research to tax, the tender process to logistics and banking to legal.

The festival’s three key themes are : •manufacturing •creative and digital •energy and environment Festival Director Ian McCarthy said: “The quality of the events and calibre of delegates attending means IFB 2016 will offer unrivalled opportunities for connecting with potential new customers and collaborators for UK businesses.’’

To register for IFB2016 go to www.ifb2016.com/ifbbusiness-club

How to get involved in IFB?

@merseyrail Keeping you connected. merseyrail.org/lovemoorfields

For more information, please speak to a member of Merseyrail staff.

Alternatively follow us on Twitter @merseyrail, download the Merseyrail app or call Traveline on

0151 236 7676

(Open 08:00 to 20:00 seven days a week)

For the first time, the IFB will have an official fringe festival called The Edge.

Designed to ensure that businesses in the City Region derive maximum tangible benefits from IFB, The Edge will incorporating three main event types: •conversations with •how to’s •provocations.

As a Liverpool business you can: •Attend events and enjoy networking opportunities

•Sponsor, host, deliver and/or speak at Edge events •Brand and include your event(s) within The Edge 2016 programme •Create your own event(s) for The Edge 2016 •Think creatively about how you can use The Edge to grow and develop your business To find out more please contact: Eamonn Smith, Festival Co-ordinator E: eamonn.smith@ liverpoollep.org M: (0)7495340845 T: +44 (0)151 237 3539 @TheEdge2016

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BUSINESS NEWS

Record office demand in city centre

For the first time in over a decade, office take up in Liverpool city centre totalled over 100,000 sq ft for the second consecutive quarter.

Bilfinger GVA’s Big Nine report into regional office occupier trends revealed that quarterly take up in Liverpool reached 113,216 sq ft – which was above the quarterly average of 76,760 sq ft for the city centre over the last five years.

Significant deals in Q4 included an 11,100 sq ft letting to Mann Island Finance at No 5 St. Paul’s Square and an 11,800 sq ft deal to Inenco at the Corn Exchange.

Ian Steele, director at Bilfinger GVA Liverpool, warned:“There is less than one year’s supply of Grade A stock in Liverpool city centre and with no new development schemes in the pipeline or due to start on site during 2016, without pre-commitment, occupiers will potentially be faced with limited options when it comes to relocation or expansion.”

However, a week after the report city councillors approved a £90m project on Pall Mall with an 18 storey development offering everything from apartments to rooftop gardens (see page 10).

Spark Up set for BID boost

Liverpool’s biggest business accelerator programme has attracted more than half a million pounds in investment, according to its 2nd annual report.

The latest impact report shows that since its pilot programme in 2014, Spark Up has supported 94 businesses, helped create 124 new jobs and generated investment totalling £534,300.

Spark Up is also bucking a national trend which suggests that 90% of new businesses fail within the first five years, with 98% of Spark Up businesses still

North Point is being developed

by PHD1 and includes plans for a restaurant, spa, as well as a gym, multi-storey car park, shops and 366 apartments.

Meanwhile property company Bruntwood, which manages The Plaza and has recently revamped The Cotton Exchange and Queens Arcade, reported its net worth rose by 18% to £422m and total assets to £904m in 2015.

The group reported profits of £15.3m and currently have 400,000 sq ft of new schemes on site and in the pipeline worth a gross development value of over £1bn.

Professional Liverpool’s Property Group and Liverpool BID Company are to report on the highlights of Liverpool City Region’s office market over the last calendar year, with the launch of the Commercial Office Market Review 2015.

The 11th annual report will be revealed on Wednesday, 2 March at the new £6m office building, The Tempest, on Tithebarn Street.

If you would like to attend, please contact Alex Clark: alexclark@ professionaliverpool.com or 0151 224 1855.

Stage set for first 5-star hotel

in operation. Collectively they have now generated a turnover of more than £1million.

Work is to begin to transform one of Liverpool’s finest buildings into a stunning 227-room luxury hotel.

The hotel could be the city’s first ever 5 Star offering, opening early 2018, creating 200 long term jobs.

Bill Addy, CEO Liverpool BID Company, which has offered support for Spark Up since the start of its 2015 programme, said: “We are always looking at ways in which BID can support the development of new businesses in Liverpool and are already working with the Chamber on developing a new stage of business support.”

The historic Martins Bank building, which once secretly stored the nation’s gold reserves during WWII, has been bought by hotel and conference centre provider Principal Hayley Group.

Tony Troy, CEO of the Principal Hayley Group, said the city’s renaissance had made their investment possible, adding: “We’ll be working closely with experts to ensure our conversion is sympathetic to the building’s unique features.”

For more information please go to www.sparkup.org.uk

The company is to begin a £50m transformation later this year to convert the Grade II-listed property on Water Street into a stunning, luxury hotel with a spa, bar and fine dining restaurant.

Designed by Herbert James Rowse, completed in 1932, Martins Bank is one the finest classical buildings built during the interwar period.

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DOWN YOUR STREET CULTURE NEWS

From Beatles to Biennial – the capital value of culture A set of new reports have revealed that two of the city’s major cultural forces are worth more than £100m a year to the city’s economy.

The first major economic study into the impact of The Beatles legacy has shown that the fab four annually contributes £81.9m to Liverpool’s tourism sector, supporting 2,335 jobs.

Commissioned by Liverpool City Council the report also revealed that The Beatlesrelated economy is growing by up to 15% a year with further significant growth potential due to the rising popularity of the band in Brazilian and Chinese markets.

One of the main recommendations of the report is to establish an initial ‘Beatles Legacy’ group with representation from the main stakeholders, including the Liverpool BID Company, that will explore how to best develop this sector.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, added: “Everyone knows The Beatles have had a

big impact on the city’s past, but now we know exactly what that is and what we can do, together with other stakeholders, to ensure their impact on the city’s future.

“This now gives us a firm footing to make investment and creative decisions on how to improve the current offer of The Beatles. It will rely on all stakeholders taking ownership and driving change to unleash the full potential for our city.”

Meanwhile Liverpool Biennial 2016 is forecast to have an estimated economic impact of more than £21 million when it returns to the city between 9 July and 16 October this year.

The festival, which takes place in galleries, unused buildings and public spaces across Liverpool, attracted 875,000 visits in 2014.

Attracting more than 50% of its visitors from outside the region, it is expected to

be popular again when more than 40 international artists create work in the city this summer.

Following the 2014 Biennial, an independent report calculated that an economic impact of £20.8 million was generated by the festival in the preceding 15 weeks.

This is part of an overall figure of £119.6 million in the last 10 years.

The ‘Beatles heritage in Liverpool and its economic and cultural sector impact’ report is available to download at www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/ beatlesreport

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CITY NEWS

New cruise terminal on way?

A study into creating a permanent cruise liner building in Liverpool is to be progressed.

Liverpool City Council has identified the former Princes Jetty at Princes Parade, close to the landing stage, as its preferred location.

The site would include passport control, passenger lounge, café, toilets, taxi rank, vehicle pick up point, coach layover area and a car park.

The new terminal would be capable of handling 3,600 embarking and disembarking passengers with baggage – twice as many as the existing facility.

And the world famous Cunard line said the development could lead to the reintroduction of its transatlantic crossings from Liverpool, which last took place regularly in 1968.

It follows a doubling in the number of vessels since it became a turnaround facility in 2012 – up from 31 to 61.

Passenger numbers are up from 38,656 four years ago to an expected 86,365 this year.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “There is still lots of work to do before we can give any scheme the green light, but this study shows the importance we attach to the cruise market.”

City flying the flag at night

Liverpool’s night-time economy has again received a national Purple Flag award.

Similar to the Blue Flag for beaches – Purple Flag aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres.

Liverpool was praised for its vibrant mix of entertainment while promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and local residents.

The city demonstrated it had a well-managed night-time

Liverpool a hit with UNESCO

UNESCO, which awarded Liverpool ‘World Heritage Site’ status in 2004, have now awarded it a City of Music status.

In other musical related news, the BID Company has recently reinstalled the Pop Wall of Fame on Mathew Street.

The accolade was awarded due to music’s place in Liverpool’s culture, education and the economy from the live music scene to tourism, music courses and digital businesses.

The Wall of Fame now faces directly opposite The Cavern who recently paid for the new Beatles statue on the Pier Head.

The judges highlighted that festivals like LIMF and Sound City not only cemented the city as a haven for music, but also helped to develop young industry professionals.

UNESCO also noted the contribution of established names such as the RLPO, Creamfields and LIPA.

Media reports say the bronze statue, which has the blessing of Cilla’s family, could be located near to Mathew Street.

Liverpool LightNight returns

economy with a great offer including clubs, cinemas, theatres, restaurants and an events programme.

The 2016 event will take place on Friday, May 13 at dozens of venues across Liverpool city centre.

Councillor Emily Spurrell, Mayoral Lead for Community Safety, said: “We’re very pleased to fly the Purple Flag for the 7th year running.

Thousands of people descend on the city centre for an evening of events, many of them free, as cultural venues throw open their doors late into the evening each May.

“A lot of organisations such as the BID Company, as well as numerous businesses, are working together to achieve this and our nighttime economy is going from strength to strength.”

This attraction may soon be joined by another new sculpture, this time in honour of the late Merseybeat and TV legend Cilla Black.

This year’s theme is Experiment and visitors can expect interactive light projections, live music, hands-on art and science workshops, exhibition

openings and heritage walking tours.

The full programme will be announced on 4 April but the BID Company can exclusively reveal that a key highlight will take place in the Commercial District for the first time.

Open Culture director Charlotte Corrie said: “LightNight is a wonderful showcase of Liverpool’s yearround arts offer, and with more than 100 events it gets better every year!’’

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RENEWAL BALLOT

BID Ballot opens...

Voting has begun to renew the Commercial District BID until 2021.

More than 550 businesses have until 17 March to vote on a five year business plan to develop one of Britain’s best business districts.

The Liverpool BID Company recently unveiled the 20162021 plan with a pledge to build on the successes of the first five years of the Commercial District BID. Set out in a 32-page document, the plan sets out 24 key actions across four key themes to nurture an environment that supports and encourages business growth.

The plan, which features baseline agreements with the city council and Merseyside police on cleansing and safety issues, can also be viewed online at www. liverpoolbidcompany.com/ renewalballot Jim Gill, Chairman of the Commercial District BID, said: “We want to create a Commercial District fit for businesses now and in the future, with enhanced connectivity, a clean, safe, animated environment and the support to help every business thrive.

“It’s an ambitious plan for an ambitious city and with the backing of our partners and businesses we can make the Commercial District a beacon for business excellence.”

Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, said: “This plan is rooted in reflecting the needs of our businesses, identifying opportunities for them to grow and tackling the issues they want addressing in the Commercial District.

“Over the past five years the BID has developed a track record of delivering improvements in the city centre which have increasingly grown in scope and scale as we’ve grown to understand its needs.

“We now have a platform, the confidence and the support of partners to be much bolder in the vision for the next five years and position the Commercial District as a major centre for greater investment and growth.”

• If you have not received a Pink ballot paper please alert the BID Company on 0151 233 2890 or email renewalballot@ liverpoolbidcompany.com

2016-2021 BID Busines Plug it in… a connected District

• For updates on Twitter follow @Lplcommdistrict and the hashtag #backtheBID

Vote YES for:

• The 2016 renewal ballot result will be announced on Friday, 18 March.

Superfast broadband Free city centre Wi-Fi

The Commercial District BID will renew if...

Travel forum

• A majority of those voting in the ballot vote YES.

Green transport plan

• Those voting YES must also represent a majority of the rateable value of the rateable properties.

Healthy work programme Click and collect service

Helping hand… a working district Vote YES for: Business Service Directory Welcome package for new businesses Seminar and networking programme Relationships with education institutes Mystery shop programme On street Ambassador service

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RENEWAL BALLOT

Why we #backtheBID

Joe Anderson

Alison Lobb

David Wareing

The city centre needs the BID to ensure our business community operates with the right support and in the right conditions to compete, develop and thrive. That’s why I urge all businesses to back the BID.

We’ve seen a marked improvement in our working environment since the BID began and the benefits are tangible for our people and our clients.

The new plan should continue to be a key element of our growth.

The BID is making real progress in improving how the District functions which is to the advantage of all who work in it. It makes sense to us to vote yes to ensure this success continues.

Jenny Stewart

Bryan Adams

Natalie Haywood

We really value our partnership with the Liverpool BID Company, and the role that they play in supporting and promoting the city centre economy.

The BID has proved we are stronger together with the improvements we’ve already enjoyed. The plans for the next 5 years will maintain that momentum.

We back the Commercial District BID for the next five years as the public realm investments, marketing and event support is vital to our business and the area.

Nick Peel

Sue Weir

Matt Lee

The ongoing work of the BID Company is delivering real competitive advantages for the Liverpool business community. That’s why we’re backing the new BID.

The BID has been a fantastic partner for our CardiACT project, so now in the District you’re no more than two minutes from a defibrillator – making it a safer place to work, visit and live.

The Liverpool BID Company’s activities help business thrive.

We have seen over 50 companies relocating to our developments in the Commercial District in the last 12 months alone.

Mayor of Liverpool

ss Plan key actions: Turn on the lights… a managed district

Managing Partner Morecrofts

Senior Partner Hill Dickinson

Vote YES for: Street washing programme Dedicated police presence Security and counter-terrorism alerts Street lighting programme Green audit Revenue opportunities

CEO Liverpool & Sefton Chamber of Commerce

CEO and founder Ph. Creative

Owner OH ME OH MY

Let it shine… a promoted district Vote YES for: Public art programme High impact events programme Footfall and business opportunities A celebrated dining destination Free advertising platforms Seasonal marketing campaigns

Liverpool Regional Office Head Weightmans LLP

CEO Medicash

Head of Sales Bruntwood

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DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

City centre transformation continues apace Work is underway on a series of major projects set to transform Liverpool city centre.

From new shops and clubs to the overhaul of roads, walkways and lighting, this year has already seen builders start work on a host of projects (as illustrated on these pages).

Some will be finished in the coming months, others will take longer such as the Clayton Square upgrade, but the projects are another sign of Liverpool’s increasing attraction to investors.

Another sign of the growing confidence in the market is the conversion of long term vacant units such as the former Cabin Club, in the

Havelock Building at the top of Bold Street.

It is about to undergo a £700,000 refit as a new restaurant, called Electric Liverpool.

Led by the team behind popular restaurants Salt House Tapas, Bacaro and Hanover Street Social, the two storey establishment will employ about 60 staff.

While further down Bold Street, Rex – The Concept store, which the BID Company helped launch, is showcasing the demand for a bespoke retail experience, by adding to its operation in Metquarter with a new outlet in the old HMV unit next to Mi Vida in April.

Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, said: “The city centre is going from strength-to-strength.

“The developments and investments - from the sale of the India Buildings and Martins Bank to the rise in the leisure and tourism sector in the city centre and the consecutive record quarters of office take up, plus new hotels like the Pullman, show all sectors of the city economy are in rude health.”

The BID Company has outlined a project to create a website that promotes investment opportunities in city centre buildings.

It is one of 24 key actions outlined in the new 20162021 Commercial District Business Plan (see page 9).

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5 4 3

Pall Mall

1

City councillors have approved a £90m project for an 18 storey development and 50,000 sq ft of commercial, retail and office space.

60 Old Hall Street

2

Bought by hotel developer Signature Living for £1.8m, plans include a rooftop gym, residential space, serviced apartments, office space and a ground floor retail unit.

India Building Sold for £17m to Shelborn Asset Management, the 500,000sq ft building is reportedly earmarked for development to attract retail and commercial tenants.

3

Martins Bank Sale to Principal Hayley Group, part of Starwood Capital, has been announced.

They will be bringing forward a £50m hotel conversion. (See page 5)

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DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

9

Royal Court Has announced Act 3 of their £11m renovation scheme will cost £2.9m and will include the building of a brand new 150 seat studio space in the basement of the venue.

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7 8

Lime Street

10

£35m scheme, overseen by Neptune, is scheduled to begin in Spring. Scheme includes a new hotel, shops and student accommodation.

10

Metquarter Columbus UK Real Estate Fund has pledged to make the Metquarter one the city’s premier retail and dining destinations after its £21m purchase.

Eberle Street The ‘Wizard of Oz’ inspired makeover, funded by Liverpool BID Company and Liverpool City Council is the final element in a £1.6m public realm scheme in the Commercial District.

7 8

Clayton Square This £3m paving upgrade to Parker Street, Houghton Street and Elliot Street will run until October. The steps which link Elliot Street to Great Charlotte Street to include “double height” steps for seating.

5

Queen Square Closed for a half a million pound resurfacing scheme, temporary bus stops are sited for 10 weeks at St Johns Lane, Lime Street and Victoria Street. Second phase to begin first week of March.

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BID UPDATE

Record Mystery Shop survey

A record 200 businesses are to be assessed in this year’s Mystery Shop Programme.

And for the first time, the 2016 survey will also assess the online customer experience in the city centre’s hospitality sector.

LIVERPOOL GRAND NATIONAL IS COMING!

Businesses which score a 90% or better rating will be invited to an awards ceremony in May with 1-2-1 feedback sessions provided at the BID office in June.

PROMOTE YOUR PRODUCT IN THE CITY CENTRE

In 2015 170 businesses – from independent cafes to national chains – scored a record 90.4% approval rating, with a further record 33 businesses achieving 100%.

on busiest weekend of the year

assessed, an average 91% rating was achieved with a record 8 eateries attaining 100%.

Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, said:“Last year was a truly exceptional achievement but we cannot rest on our laurels.

“The BID Company recognises the value of an excellent customer experience – and that has to include the whole service. That is why we’re hosting our most ambitious survey to date, assessing a record number of businesses both instore and online.”

To participate register at www.liverpoolbidcompany. com/opportunities Deadline is Thu, 10 March.

to 150,000 visitors per day

In the dining section, in which 59 eateries were

at one of our 6 prime sites

Ambassadors at your service!

at super competitive rates and get free PR support

VISIT PROMOTEINLIVERPOOL.COM A team of ‘unmissable BID ambassadors’ have been appointed to assist businesses in the Commercial District.

FORREBEID

F MEMBERS

Distinctively attired in long coat and bowler hat, the team are Nathan Marsh, 38, of Waterloo, Sarah Heron, 32, of the Wirral, and Anthony Thompson, 60, of Wavertree.

PROMOTE

in

LIVERPOOL

in

FOREVER 21

LIVERPOOL

PROMOTE

PRIMARK

PROMOTE in

LIVERPOOL

PROMOTE in

LIVERPOOL

PROMOTE in

LIVE RPO OL

PROMOTE in

LIVERPOOL

On patrol Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, the team are briefed to identify and report any issues raised by or affecting businesses and

to communicate the latest BID projects, events and opportunities.

Jim Gill, Chairman of the Commercial District BID, added: “This part of the city centre is extremely busy so having these extra pairs of eyes and ears is very useful.

“We have much to communicate to our BID businesses so I am sure our ambassadors will find themselves in great demand as they become better known across the District.”

13

BID UPDATE

BID Police hit the right beat

A scheme which saw the introduction of two police officers dedicated to working in the BID district within Liverpool city centre has had a successful start.

Six months ago the Liverpool BID Company provided funding for two Merseyside officers in order to create a dedicated BID Police team that could address city centre issues such as antisocial behaviour and retail crime.

Since they started in September 2015, the officers have made a number of arrests, dealt with dangerous traffic related issues, worked with partners to address antisocial behaviour as well as provided businesses a dedicated point of contact.

They have also been instrumental in an 82% reduction in bike thefts during the period of October – January around the Old Hall St/ St Pauls Square area.

In addition they’ve also responded to incidents such

as theft from pay meters and worked to eradicate drug users frequenting a city centre park.

Superintendent Mark Wiggins said: “It is pleasing to see that the BID Police team is having a positive effect dealing with the issues that most affect the business community and retailers.”

A commitment to keep the BID Police team is one of the key safety pledges in the new 2016-21 Commercial District Business Plan.

Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, said: “Our BID Police officers have had a great impact in the city centre and we are delighted with their willingness to go the extra mile and help businesses to train staff.”

• The BID Company and Merseyside Police are to launch a new safety alert service for businesses in both BID districts in March.

Farewell Ian The Chairman of City Central BID is leaving Liverpool.

Ian began his time at St Johns in 2011 and has acted as chairman of City Central BID since 2012.

He said: “It has been a pleasure to work so closely with the BID team and the business community, as well as with the team at St Johns and all of our customers.”

Tony Willson Chair of Liverpool BID Company, said: “Ian has been a tremendous

Liverpool city centre should feel brighter and lighter, thanks to the BID Company.

Building on from new lights introduced for the Christmas season, every tree in the City Central area will be illuminated and the scheme will be extended further into the Commercial District BID. The BID Company has commissioned Liverpool based lighting experts The Christmas Decorators who recently decorated Bethelem’s Manger Square and Steven Spielberg’s home in Aspen.

The team have lit all the trees on Church and Lord Street and will next do the trees in the Commercial District. Each tree holds an average of 2,000 LEDs which were specially designed for the city.

Ian Ward, Director of St Johns Shopping Centre, is relocating to the newly opened Westfield ‘The Broadway’ in Bradford.

Robert Bradley, who has 20 years of experience managing shopping centres around the UK, succeeds Ian on 1 March.

Lighting up Liverpool

chairman and has made a huge contribution to the way the city centre is managed and promoted, especially at Christmas.

“We wish him all the success for the future and look forward to working with Robert to continue to build on the improvements that have been achieved in recent years.”

A new City Central BID Chairman is to be appointed in April.

“They are 2 chip lights, something that no other city in the UK has”, explains Ged Comerford, Operations Director. “Each of the bulbs has 2 LED chips inside it, one in traditional yellowy white and the other the frosty looking ice white. At the moment the trees are all set to warm white and come Christmas, at the press of a button, they will all change to ice white.”

The trees are lit using the branch wrapping technique of painstakingly covering each

branch of the tree in lights weaving in and out of the tree and highlighting it’s shape.

Tracey Crosbie, Events and Promotions Manager for Liverpool BID Company, said: “Businesses have, quite rightly, been asking for a lighting scheme that is not just for Christmas so we wanted to do a scheme that had real impact and can link routes between both the City Central and Commercial Districts.

“The Christmas Decorators are world leaders in their field and we’re delighted they’ve given the city a design unique in the UK, that not only enhances the beauty of the city centre but are also cost efficient and good for the environment.”

Nick Bolton, MD of Christmas Decorators, said: “It’s always nice for friends and family to see what we’ve achieved in our city especially after decorating such iconic locations around the world.”

14

BULLETIN BOARD

BID BULLETIN BOARD Want to run St Luke’s ‘bombed-out’ Church?

Apply at www.liverpool.gov.uk/bombedoutchurch Deadline Friday, 27 May

Parish Church – Lent Talks Wednesday, 2 March - 6:15pm.

Listen to award winning writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce reflect on his career.

Dot-art has opened a new gallery, at Queen Avenue, with an ex hibition entitled “D ea r Liverpool” showca sing 18 city artists.

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CM

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LIVERPOOL JOHN LENN ON AIRPORT (LJLA) HAD ’S ITS BUSIEST YE AR SINCE 20 OVER 4.3 M 12.

ILLION PASS ENGERS CHO TO USE THE SE AIRPORT - A N INCREASE 8% COMPA OF RED TO 2014 .

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Organised by Morecrofts Held at the Hilton on Thursday, 21 April.

Book tickets on 0151 236 8871 or email amch@morecrofts.co.uk

Special Recognition to

Liverpool BID Company for

The Snowflake Trail

Night Hotel Hard Day’s awarded nd ‘Luxury Gra Year’ Hotel of the at

ENTRIES NOW OPEN DEADLINE FRIDAY, 11 MARCH

15

T A S R E F F O E V I S EXCLU T S E N I F ’S L O O P R LIVE

E E R F E H T D A O L DOWN P P A L O O P R E V I THIS L M O .C L O O P R E V I THISL

Monday

29 February th

Use your extra day Take a leap…

Vote YES on 29th February to continue the success: 2016-2021 With our partners we are creating a District which is: – – – –

Connected Managed Working Promoted

Ballot closes – 17th March 2016 #takealeap @LpoolBIDcompany

liverpoolbidcompany.com