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FEBRUARY 2017

from pop stars to community work . . . mark palios on business of survival: P35-39

The right MIX ASSOCIATE PARTNER

WHO IS UP FOR ECHO RETAIL AWARDS? – P43

WHAT NEXT FOR EYE TO THE CITY – PAGES 24-25

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 3

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST

Contents 5 A COFFEE WITH: Paul Bibby, Managing Partner of MSB Solicitors

6-7 SPECIAL REPORT: What next for Liverpool Waters project – one decade on from launch?

9 in the news: How city region businesses can put something back into their local community 10-11 what happens inside: The Cotton Exchange

12 opinion: Cllr Gary Millar, Assistant Mayor and Mayoral Lead for Business & Enterprise

13 science & technology: How energy firm is turning up the heat

15 opinion: Bill Gleeson, Liverpool ECHO Comment & Analysis Writer

18 opinion: Alistair Houghton, Liverpool ECHO City

24-25

Editor

19 what’s new: What lies in store for the retail sector in 2017?

22-23 special report: Part two of our look at the business of tourism - and we all need to stay on ball

24-25 special report: Focus on the multi-million makeover for the gateway to city region

26 networking: Open organisers tee up a special event for city region businesses

29 opinion: Cllr Phil Davies, Leader of Wirral Council and Lead Member – Economic Development & Energy, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

31 commercial property: How city region can ride out the storm of Trump’s US victory

33 digital & creative: How new project will capture 300 years of history at Bluecoat

35-39 big interview: Mark Palios on the business of survival at Tranmere Rovers

40-42 business diary: What’s on where to help your business development

43 in the news: Nominations revealed for the ECHO Retail Awards

44-46 special report: Why leading Cheshire business figures are calling for a united front

6-7

44-46

CONTACT US

Do you have a story for Business Post?

Alistair Houghton City Editor 0151 472 2449 alistair.houghton @trinitymirror.com

Your advertising options Tom Belger City Centre beat blogger (Economy) 0151 472 2449 tom.belger@trinitymirror.com

For Agenda listings email: business@trinitymirror.com Published by Trinity Mirror Merseyside, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB.

Frank Notton Advertising Manager 0151 472 2759 frank.notton@trinitymirror.com Neil Johnson Business Partnership Manager 0151 472 2718 neil.johnson@trinitymirror.com

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LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 5

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

a coffee with . . .

I’m proud of fact that we’ve never made an employee of ours redundant What is your proudest achievement in business?

Earlier this year we took on our 100th employee having never in our history made a member of staff redundant. We believe very strongly in organic growth.

Following our new partner appointments in March four of our partners will have been trainees with the firm.

Do you dress up or down for business?

I am afraid I wear a boring blue suit four days of the week.

What is a tip that is invaluable in life or business?

Always play on the shoulder of the last defender. (Don’t stray offside ......)

Do you have a motto that guides the way you do business?

Avoid clichés.

Who has inspired you in your business life and why?

I’ve met Phil Redmond on several occasions. He has operated highly successfully in a totally different arena, but I have always been impressed by his down-to-earth attitude, ability to inspire others and he delivers when it counts.

How do you make contacts that are useful for business?

By keeping good relationships and being great at what we do. Build a network of loyal clients and strategic partners, in the end, they’ll make the contacts for you.

Also, your team are your keenest ambassadors. By making sure they’re in the picture and feel valued, they’ll always project a positive image.

What do you always carry with you?

My Everton season ticket and a sense of humour.

of Paul Bibby is Managing Partner rs, cito Soli MSB firm law t Wes th Nor holders of the Liverpool Law Society’s Law firm of the Year.

What is your firm’s They have three offices in Liverpool, including their new city biggest asset? centre headquarters at 4 St Paul’s Our client retention Square. record is something Paul is 55 and lives in to be proud of. It Calderstones with wife Joanne, who comes not from is Head of Legal and Business inspirational Affairs at Lime Pictures.

He has two children, Mark who is leadership but from an analyst with AJ Bell Investments the continuity of our and James, who is studying staff, which is journalism at university. is something I’m proud In his spare time Paul plays golf, of. an avid supporter of Everton FC and enjoys hunting for truffles in the s, What would you be Dordogne with his cocker spaniel Max and Paddy. He also enjoys in doing if you hadn’t Street and the Fly followed your current Rigbys on Dale dman Street.

Loaf on Har the career path?

I would have been a journalist.

What is your favourite film?

Where Eagles Dare. ... Broadsword to Danny Boy....

What is the most inspirational book you have ever read?

Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything.

When are you most creative or inspired?

When under pressure.

When do you take your coffee break?

Twenty past, twenty to, and occasionally on the hour.

Americano, latte, cappuccino - what’s your coffee break favourite?

Two spoons, splash of milk, no sugar.

●●Paul Bibby believes Phil Redmond (right) has demonstrated an ability to inspire others

6 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Liverpool Waters is the region’s single biggest regeneration scheme – so what’s happened in the decade since it was launched? ALISTAIR HOUGHTON looks at how plans are unfolding

T

he masterplan for the £5.5bn scheme to transform Liverpool’s northern docklands was launched by developer Peel in March 2007. The scheme would see the building of skyscrapers, housing, offices and even a waterfront cultural complex.

Liverpool council approved Peel’s plans in 2012. In early 2013 the Government decided it would not call them in for a public inquiry, effectively giving them the green light.

Peel warned then that the plans would take many years to come to fruition and development has, indeed, been a slow process.

Many people probably associate the name “Liverpool Waters” with the northern docklands off Regent Road, and could be forgiven for thinking that little has happened.

But Liverpool Waters, in fact, stretches almost as far as the Royal Liver Building, and there has been plenty of activity in and around Princes Dock, with more to come next year. There’s plenty of planning going on for the rest of the site – and that’s before we consider the potential for an Everton stadium at Bramley-Moore dock.

As Ian Pollitt, assistant project director at Liverpool Waters, said: “There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes. Things don’t just fall into place by accident.”

The masterplan is changing all the time. There were, for example, originally plans for a 55-storey “Shanghai tower” at Princes Dock, but instead there will now be a row of shorter towers.

And there is an ongoing debate over how the plans, particularly the towers proposed for the central docks, could affect Liverpool’s World Heritage status. Here, we take a look at what’s happening at the massive site.

handle turnaround cruises with up to 3,600 passengers. The exisiting plan is for a two-storey building to be erected on reclaimed land on the Mersey, while there would also need to be a new quay wall and changes to traffic flow in Princes Parade so coaches could drop off and pick up passengers.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “Liverpool’s cruise industry has blossomed over the past decade helping to transform the tourism appeal of Liverpool and give the Mersey a new lease of life. It has been one of the city’s great success stories, but we’re now at the stage where we need to relocate if we are to welcome the next generation of super liners.”

Meanwhile, the Isle of Man ferry terminal is set to move down river to the site Peel had originally earmarked for the cruise terminal.

The Manx Government in July agreed to spend £3.5m acquiring land at Princes Half Tide Dock for a new terminal to replace its facility, which Manx ministers had said was “nearing the end of its operational life”.

Addressing the Isle of Man’s parliament, when the plans were approved, the Isle of Man’s infrastructure minister, Phil Gawne, said: “It is very much my hope that the new facility will act as a gateway to the Isle of Man that provides a positive view of our national identity and economic success, as well as providing good facilities for all those using the ferry ●●How the Liverpool Waters project could transform the Liverpool waterfront and (inset left) the site under consideration

PRINCES DOCK

RIVER TERMINALS Two of the key projects at Liverpool Waters are the new Cruise Liner terminal and the new Isle of Man ferry terminal.

A cruise liner terminal has been part of Peel’s Liverpool Waters masterplan since day one, but its location has since moved.

Liverpool council has launched an international search for a designer for a potential new cruise terminal on the Mersey at the former Princes Jetty, off Princes Parade. The proposed new facility, some 300 metres away from the present terminal, would be able to

service.”

A new road will be needed to the new terminal – and that could benefit the rest of the Liverpool Waters site too.

Mr Gawne said: “Liverpool City Council has undertaken to provide an improved highway infrastructure to ensure that the site benefits from good access to the main roads network.”

Those two terminals would sit near to each other across the mouth of Princes Half Tide Dock, meaning passengers could easily transfer from a Manx ferry to a cruise ship or vice versa.

The wait on the cruise liner terminal means plans for the riverfront side of Princes Dock are still under discussion – but in recent months there have been some developments at other parts of Princes Dock.

In 2015, Peel won planning permission for an eight-storey office block, William Jessop House, on land next to the multi-storey car park on the land side of Princes Dock.

That block will only be built once Peel has secured a tenant.

But work could start much more quickly on the three residential towers Peel wants to see built on the remaining

land in William Jessop Way. In September, Moda Living won planning permission for a 34-storey tower, called The Lexington. Work on that £82m tower is set to start next year.

A few weeks later, Your Housing Group (YHG) said it wanted to build a 30-storey tower called The Hive - City Docks next door to The Lexington.

YHG said it wanted to start work on that £48m scheme by the end of 2017.

And plans for a third tower at the dock are understood to be well advanced.

The tower plans aren’t being developed in isolation.

Peel has held regular workshops bringing together the companies behind the development schemes to ensure that all the projects mesh together.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 7

years the best we were doing was a couple of heritage walking tours, two lots of 40 people a year.”

NORTH DOCKS Peel’s masterplan suggested that the northern part of the Liverpool Waters site – from Stanley and Collingwood Docks to Nelson and Bramley-Moore Docks – would be largely dedicated to housing.

But those plans could yet be subject to change if Everton decides it wants to build a stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. That stadium would transform the northern edge of Liverpool Waters.

As well as giving the development a new landmark, it would surely speed up the regeneration of the surrounding area as more businesses and developers could be attracted to the site.

Mr Pollitt was tight-lipped when asked about Peel’s negotiations with Everton recently. He said: “It would be good to see it in our development. But if it didn’t happen we’re quite confident we can do the development without them. It’s something we’d like to see there. So we’re working with Everton and the city on that. So watch this space.”

Which way are waters flowing?

CENTRAL DOCKS

Peel’s Salford Quays development. Peel says it has had interest from residential The Liverpool Waters masterplan developers in parts of the site, and would see another cluster of tall discussions are under way about buildings in the central docks area, infrastructure developments at the site. around the site of the old Clarence Dock Meanwhile, Peel and the council are in ongoing discussions about what that Power Station.

The masterplan also suggests that cultural building could be.

Major developments at the central there should be some sort of “cultural building” on the waterfront – something site could be some years off. But in the to attract visitors to the development in meantime, the area is being opened up the same way that the Lowry and the more often to public use. On the water, Imperial War Museum North do at Friends of Allonby canoe club in Liverpool keep things busy. Part of There’s a lot of work going on behind the the site is used as scenes. Things don’t just fall into place by Big Ed’s Drive-In Cinema, which accident boasts the UK’s IAN POLLITT, assistant project director at Liverpool Waters biggest outdoor

screen. And the dockland has also come into its own as an events space.

Liverpool Sound City was at BramleyMoore Dock for two years, welcoming acts including the Flaming Lips and Catfish and the Bottlemen, and will move to Clarence Dock for its tenth anniversary year in 2017. And in November, Creamfields put up its 10,000-capacity Steel Yard arena at the central docks for a sell-out show featuring electronic stars Axwell & Ingrosso.

Mr Pollitt says the port has always historically been closed to the public but Peel wants to start opening it up. He said: “By having events like Sound City where we had a stage built here on West Bramley-Moore we brought over 30,000 people onto the site. If you go back three

HERITAGE The proposed docklands develop-ments are part of the reason Liverpool’s World Heritage status is in danger.

The World Heritage Committee met in Istanbul in July and decided to keep the Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City World Heritage Site on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Unesco wants Peel “to reduce the urban density and height of the proposed development”, particularly the buildings planned for the central docks.

Speaking at the meeting in July, Isabelle Anatole-Gabriel of Unesco said the “outstanding universal value” of the site was under threat. She said: “Substantial reduction in the urban density and particularly height of new buildings is required to avert this threat.”

Unesco even suggested that all development in the “buffer zone” should be suspended for two years – a suggestion swiftly rubbished by Mayor Joe Anderson.

The heritage body expressed particular concern over plans for the 34-storey Moda tower, but that tower was granted planning permission in September after Heritage England said it would not have a “harmful impact” on the WHS. Peel works closely with the council and other WHS stakeholders over its plans, but the debate between heritage campaigners and development advocates is only going to continue as Liverpool Waters progresses

8 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

in the news

Email: tom.belger@trinitymirror.com

Take first step towards giving something back to community ●●Staff from South Liverpool Homes and the Liverpool ECHO (below) were among those spreading some Christmas cheer along with Andrew Cornish (below left) and Julie Fadden (below right)

C

hristmas is a time when we are reminded of the responsibility we all have to look after each other, but what does this mean for business leaders?

Quite simply, it means recognising that good businesses ought to do business for the good of absolutely everyone, not just shareholders.

And in Liverpool, so many of our companies led the way.

In December, Liverpool John Lennon Airport partnered with South Liverpool Homes to distribute more than 250 winter warmer packs.

Senior leaders – including Andrew Cornish, chief executive of LJLA and Julie Fadden, chief executive of SLH Group – went door to door in Speke delivering packs of cold weather essentials including blankets, gloves and food to help people stay warm and well-fed over the coming months.

Elsewhere in Liverpool, social enterprise Can Cook partnered with The Liverpool ECHO to raise more than £15,000 to cook and deliver a two-course Christmas meal to more than 1,500 families living in food poverty across the region.

This ensured that Christmas Day, which for many families can be a bitter reminder of what they don’t have, was something to be enjoyed in kinship and comfort by our city’s most vulnerable residents.

Acts like this are crucial in ensuring that businesses stay connected to the communities that they live and work in the midst of. As we all know, it’s vital that this kind of action takes place throughout the year, and not just during the festive season. If 2017 is going to be

brighter than 2016, then businesses must share the responsibility of making it happen. So what’s the first step?

Both Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Can Cook are members of The Big Trust, a new charity dedicated to bringing businesses in the Liverpool City Region together to conduct ethical enterprise. Our network, established last year, seeks to help businesses tackle social problems in a collaborative way

by volunteering to share skills, offer training and provide valuable opportunities and support to those who need it most across Liverpool City Region.

But our challenge now is to bring more businesses together to tackle more of the region’s problems throughout 2017, and provide farreaching opportunities in education, employment and enterprise.

And for that to happen, we need business leaders to come forward and join a big new citywide movement.

These may be challenging times, but together we can make them brighter, one step at a time.

Getting involved with The Big Trust this year is the first step in that direction.

For more information, please visit www.thebigtrust.org.

Supply chain strategy to support Liverpool’s economy Thousands of containers loaded with goods pass through the Port of Liverpool on a daily basis, supporting a huge variety of manufacturing, retail and other businesses across the North West and beyond.

The vast majority of consumers, picking goods from the supermarket shelves or taking delivery of a parcel on their doorstep, will be oblivious to the immense and complex supply chain that turned their desire into reality.

The £400 million investment, supported by a further £350 million on creating supporting infrastructure facilities, will reaffirm Liverpool’s status as one of the UK’s major trade gateways.

This can even be true of some companies that rely on logistics as part of their business, as once goods are in the hands of their courier, haulier or freight forwarder, the rest of the process may be far less important to them.

One of those other projects is the Port Salford warehousing and distribution centre.

With an all-water route via Liverpool and the Manchester Ship Canal, cargo owners will be able to ship their containers closer to the heart of the UK using a route that reduces costs, carbon emissions and congestion.

So, those in the supply chain sector can sometimes feel overlooked, despite its absolutely critical importance to the economy.

Indeed, the Liverpool City Region, with its long maritime and mercantile history, remains one of the UK’s logistics powerhouses. Led by Peel Ports, which operates the Port of Liverpool and Manchester Ship Canal, the local businesses that ship, store and distribute goods perform a vital function in the area’s economy.

On a simple level, the facilities and services offered by Peel Ports and others create jobs and incomes for Liverpool and its hinterland.

But what is arguably more significant for the longer-term prosperity of the area is that it is a strategic enabler, encouraging other investments to support growing trade.

Building on the city’s rich heritage being at the forefront of international shipping and trading, several current developments are on the cusp of taking the local economy to a new level and contributing to Liverpool’s ongoing renaissance.

The most obvious of these is the Liverpool2 deep-water container terminal. With its massive, bright red ship-to-shore cranes already in position, the Port of Liverpool is about to double its container capacity, with the scale to accommodate some of the world’s biggest ‘mega-ships’ and the technology to help cargo reach its destinations more efficiently than ever before.

The potential benefits of these and other investments go far beyond the North West.

The main goal, of course, is to create a new centre for UK logistics and supply chain infrastructure, which will retain, attract and support firms in the region. However, the fact is that the South East of the UK, where several of the largest ports are concentrated, is too congested and too expensive, in both people and property costs. The only way to create the real capacity for growth and development that the UK economy needs is by focussing on the North.

That’s why Peel Ports, and its parent company the Peel Group, has made such an extensive commitment to developments in the area with a wide portfolio of investments across property, transport and infrastructure.

The business plan for Liverpool2 assumes a doubling of volume over the next 10 years to increase its share of the container market in the UK to between 15% and 20%. This ambition complements and supports the vision of other businesses in the area, providing employment, other investment opportunities and the chance to rebalance the UK economy.

For a city that pioneered some of the earliest developments in international shipping and became one of the world’s most important trading posts, these are exciting times again for Liverpool.

To find out more please contact Peel Ports: info@peelports.com | www.peelports.com

10 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE . . .

Mark Thomas delves into eventful history of Liverpool’s famous Cotton Exchange

I

t was the new technology of the late 19th century that led to the creation of the Liverpool Cotton Exchange building.

The city had already been at the heart of the global cotton trade for well over 100 years, ever since new plantations in the West Indies, Brazil and America started to grow cotton.

Before that, cotton had come into Britain from the Middle East via London, but Liverpool’s traditional trade links with the Americas soon saw the cotton ships sailing up the Mersey.

Finished cotton goods from the Lancashire mills would then be exported via the city.

Brokers from the USA, India, Germany, Prussia, Russia and other nations around the world based themselves in Liverpool – and did their business in the open air, on Exchange Flags. The light was critical to their business, allowing the traders to carefully study the quality and colour of the cotton they were buying and selling.

An Exchange Building opened in 1808, but while the traders had offices there, they continued to do their business al fresco, meeting on The Flags to swap information about the world cotton market and strike bargains. Finally, it was developments in world communications like the telephone and the telegraph that persuaded the brokers to reluctantly head indoors.

And so The Liverpool Cotton Exchange building was commissioned by the Liverpool Cotton Association.

A design competition was held, and Architects Messrs Huon Matear and Frank Simon, of the Temple, Dale Street, produced the winning design.

The building cost almost £300,000 to construct and was completed by 2,000 workers in just 17 months.

The Liverpool Cotton Exchange was formally opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales on November 30, 1906, with trading beginning on January 2,1907. The building was at the cutting edge of the technology of its day, with telephone links and direct cables to the New York, Bremen in Germany and Bombay cotton exchanges.

But it was also designed and built with paramount attention given to good light, with open courtyards and large windows designed to flood the

How city cottoned on to a whole new way of working interiors with daylight as much as possible. And it was built with a majesty, and a sense of its own importance, that befitted its massive significance in the world of international trade.

The original catalogue for prospective tenants of the building, a copy of which is still held in the building, describes it succinctly: “The building is bounded by Old Hall Street, Edmund Street, Bixteth Street and Ormond Street, and occupies more than an acre of ground. It consists of a basement, ground floor, and six upper floors. The Exchange Hall is on the ground floor along with the Post and Telegraph Offices, Cable-Rooms, and Banks. The remainder of this floor, a large portion of the basement, and all the upper floors, will be let as Salerooms and Offices, and will be divided up to suit tenants. In the Basement there will be a Fully licensed Cafe Restaurant, also ample storage accommodation and Cotton Dressing Rooms.”

It goes on to describe the entrances from all four sides, the four ample

staircases and ten high-speed passenger lifts. That this was a bygone age is summed up by the next, eyeopening paragraph. “Lavatories for Principals and Clerks are provided on the top floor with hot and cold water.

The Women’s Lavatory is in the Basement.”

Whether the toilet arrangements had anything to do with suffragette Edith Rayner’s attempt to blow up the Cotton Exchange on July 5, 1913 is sadly lost to history. Happily the bomb she placed there failed to detonate. The prospectus also sums up the importance given to capturing natural daylight: “The Building has been designed to make it especially suitable for cotton sale rooms and offices. The light is mainly from the north-east and north-west, and all unnecessary obstructions to the windows have been avoided. The large internal courts for light have been lined with purposemade grey sand bricks, so that no sunlight may be reflected upon the windows opposite.”

You can view the building from its Edmund Street, Bixteth Street and

●●Traces of the Cotton Exchange’s historic past can still be found in the modern business centre MAIN PICTURE: Ben Blackall

Ormond Street aspects today, and see a building that would have been recognised by the thousands of people who gathered to watch the royal opening in 1906.

But sadly, the building’s most magnificent original aspect, from the Old Hall Street side, was destroyed by developers in one of the many acts of architectural vandalism visited on the city in the 1960s. In October 1906, the Liverpool Courier newspaper previewed the opening of the Cotton Exchange, describing this frontage as “an exceptionally fine piece of work”.

It added: “A well-proportioned tower at each end, a colonnade against a blank wall shielding the Exchange roof from view, and a loggia stretching low across the building are the principal features in a most striking front design.”

At the heart of the building was the trading floor itself, lined with 74 royal pearl granite columns quarried in Norway, surrounding the central “ring” around which the international brokers gathered to strike their deals. This ring can now be seen in the Museum of Liverpool.

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 11

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

THE COTTON EXCHANGE Association eventually sold it for £400,000 to the first of a series of new owners in 1963.

It has since seen service as a BT telephone exchange, and in more recent times, until 2012, as the city’s Registry Office, with wedding parties becoming a familiar site on Old Hall Street. Today the building is enjoying a new lease of life, having been acquired by property company Bruntwood, who have been sympathetically restoring and refurbishing it under the brand “The Cotton Quarter” for the last four years.

The company have done a great deal to restore some of the original internal features that tell the story of its history.

Suspended ceilings and plasterboard walls have been stripped away to reveal arches, granite columns, ornate details, and original fireplaces.

Touring the building with Bruntwood’s head of property Colin Forshaw, you cannot help but be impressed by his enthusiasm for the history of the building.

He said: “As we refurbished it we took down these old suspended ceilings and found all these ornate original ceilings you just want to show to people and restore. It has been such an exciting project, and the heritage details are everywhere.

“We get a lot of people coming to look around the building because they used to work here.

“We are creating a building that is traditional with a modern twist.

Because of BT’s involvement here and the way the internet cables were laid, British Telecom bought the building they run right into this building, and in 1967, and converted its frontage into we can offer some of the fastest broadband connections you will find the six-storey Cotton House office anywhere in the north west.” block, demolishing the classical The light that was so important to the frontage and dismantling the trading cotton traders now creates cool, floor in the process. Happily, plans contemporary work environments for were abandoned to demolish the rest digital and creative sector businesses of the building to replace it with a – and the restored historic details and 27-storey tower block which would have been Liverpool’s tallest building at exposed brickwork contribute to some appealing, character-filled workplaces. the time.

Bruntwood have created innovative Three statues that once adorned the workspace concepts, a new roof garden original facade have survived on the and a versatile events space in The Old site.

“Navigation” and “Commerce” sit in Hall, which also offers weekly Pilates classes. the courtyard of Morecrofts Solicitors, Those inclined to cycle to work have while “River Mersey” sits outside a dedicated bicycle storage area with Cotton House on Old Hall Street. This showers and changing rooms. A new demolition was the low point in the gymnasium is also being planned. eventful history of the Cotton Reminders of the building’s history Exchange, but it had had a turbulent are everywhere, but perhaps nowhere life almost from the outset. more than when you climb down to the World War Two had seen it closed basement levels of the building. down in 1941 and it was not reopened There you can still find a labyrinth of again until 1954. storage rooms and cotton dressing With the contraction of the global rooms, untouched since the brokers cotton industry continuing, the stowed their bails there a century ago, building was just too big for its back when cotton was king. purpose, and the Liverpool Cotton

TODAY’S TENANTS Some 80 businesses have bases in the Cotton Quarter, including:

training to help reduce stress, depression and anxiety

Morecrofts Solicitors

High Performance Consultancy

Two hundred-year-old Liverpool law firm Morecrofts moved its headquarters, with 57 staff and 13 partners, into the Cotton Yard in January 2015, occupying 15,000 square feet of purpose-built office space around a private courtyard.

Leaf Coming IN Spring to the Cotton House will be the latest venture from Natalie Haywood’s tea house and bar company.

As yet unnamed, the new venture will offer a large seating area facing onto Old Hall Street, and a space for networking events, tea dances and weddings.

Announcing the project in November, Natalie said: “We’re really excited about joining the community at the Cotton Exchange and look forward to launching our newest food and drink offer.”

Studio Mashbo

Provider of human resources services.

Redsun Developments Bespoke commercial property agency

Professional Liverpool Membership organisation aimed at promoting professional excellence in Liverpool city region.

Downtown in Business Frank McKenna’s business club has its Liverpool headquarters in a suite on the third floor of the Cotton Exchange.

Kaleidoscope Creative communications agency

●●The way it was .... the original 19th century building and the trading floor back in 1954

Leading digital agency and web and app design company.

Meet & Potato Events management business.

Thumbstar Games Publisher and distributor of mobile and tablet games.

Concept 22 Creative studio specialising in brand, design and advertising.

Bolland & Lowe Creative design company

Mindfit Company offering Mindfulness

12 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Opinion GARY MILLAR, Mayoral Lead for Business and International Trade

We may not like Brexit, but we must grab future

L

et me begin by saying Happy New Year and I hope, like me, that you have still kept to at least one of your 2017 resolutions.

My main one is to be positive and remain a passionate advocate for one of the very best regions in the UK. Another is to continue connecting, signposting and supporting local businesses and doing what I can for our international trade.

Some analysts expect 2017 to start in a more volatile way than 2016 ended.

In a climate of growing political and economic uncertainty, there has never been a better time for us all to be “trade ready” and to demonstrate our value to customers at home and, for some, also overseas.

We will soon be faced with the most major large-scale change a business could go through – Brexit.

It is important for our region’s businesses to plan ahead, mitigate risks, and take advantage of opportunities.

Some of the areas for us all to consider include:

Brexit before that word entered our vocabulary – not only by hosting the UK’s largest international-facing business festivals, in 2014 and in 2016, but back in 2013 by Joe Anderson’s Mayoral Commission on Europe to consider the significant impact Europe has had on our region.

In November 2015, Liverpool city councillors asked the Chief Executive to table a report building on that previous work and requesting an analysis of the social and economic costs to Liverpool and the Liverpool City Region of the UK leaving the EU. This month, the Council has asked that

face-to-face meeting with a senior government minister that some of the more obvious impacts don’t appear to have been discussed. Examples included the future loss of existing trade treaties (with even our Commonwealth partners) and the certification of some key products.

That lack of clarity is not good for businesses and could have an impact on many who trade overseas.

Rather than complain, let’s use this as an opportunity to strengthen Liverpool City Region as not only the front door to the Northern Powerhouse but to regain our position as Asia and the America’s transatlantic gateway to the UK and Europe.

Almost 50% of overseas trade that comes through Liverpool is from the US, so perhaps there’s an opportunity to grow that even further.

Our attributes include a rebirth in our maritime sector through our new deep water container terminal at Liverpool 2, increased river and canal cargo traffic and growing numbers at John Lennon Airport.

In return all six local boroughs – plus Cheshire, North Wales and Lancashire – are certain to benefit from increased investments, exports and imports.

The Liverpool area has again become a destination of choice and with the right planning and leadership we will take advantage of all possibilities.

I’m particularly excited by:

●●by the growth in our key business sectors ●●and by the welcome return of the International Festival for Business in 2018 (www.ifb2018.com)

So, we have an ever-growing international audience who love this city and region.

It is an audience eagerly wanting all we have to offer. It’s an audience which spends and which influences others to spend locally.

But, there is a backdrop of serious issues including national government budget cuts of more than £1 billion in the last six years with more to come, plus dramatically growing social and health care costs. In Liverpool we have much more to do with significantly less money.

Only 11% of our annual budget ●● influencing and comes from Council Tax and we get to finding alternative ●●Royal seal of approval for region’s business festival solutions to how a whole ●● the fact that the region hosted more keep a lower percentage from Business this report be updated to include Rate, so most of our funds are given to host of goods and services are either than 200 international delegations in us by government and when they given official accreditation, approval or information on how councillors, North 2016 West’s MEPs and Liverpool City Region ●●by the success of IFB2016 reduce our overdraft, it hits you and me certification. For example, in the areas MPs, as well as all public, private and very hard. We seriously need better of pharmaceuticals, electronics, ●●by the growth in international voluntary sector organisations in the funding from government and they automotive, aerospace, energy, conferences at the Arena, Convention city, can work together to minimise the and Exhibition Centres need to understand our local needs environment, business services problems caused by BREXIT and better. The question is “are they ●●replacement of the European ●●by the attraction to our universities maximise the potential opportunities. listening?” and I often don’t think they Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) of 9,500 international students who We have requested this report at the are! ●●access to the Single Market spend almost £250 million locally earliest possible opportunity so we all This year will see the sun set on our ●●trade treaties managed by the EU ●●by the rise in our university rankings exit from the EU, ●●rights of existing non-UK EU citizens better know where we stand.

I fully accept the country has voted to We seriously need better funding from but I’m also excited to remain in the UK leave the EU and we must move on. ●●workers’ rights government and they need to understand by the prospect of a Nothing will change this political sunrise It might be a long list, but it’s one that our local needs better. The question is democratically-made decision. across Liverpool will affect everyone in some fashion. whether they are listening - I think not.

But, I was surprised to discover in a City Region.

Liverpool has been preparing for

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 13

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Email: alistair.houghton@trinitymirror.co.uk

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Formby-based computer tech-nology company has been selected as one of the UK’s first Commonwealth Export Champions.

Extreme Low Energy (ELe) is one of just 25 UK SMEs hand-picked by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council for support in exporting their products or innovations.

Founded in 2014, ELe is a specialist manufacturer of energy storage solutions and alternative energy generation.

Its innovative direct current power solutions, including ICT systems, allow ELe customers to operate partially or fully off-grid.

This unique technology can offer schools and businesses a saving of at least 70% in energy costs, producing minimal heat and boasting a longer lifespan.

ELe has already established strong links with Africa, and the fact that it is one of just five north west businesses in the UK cohort of 25 Export Champions will give the company a great opportunity to win new business in the fast-growing Commonwealth markets.

Lord Marland of Odstock, chairman

Energy firm turn up the heat of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, said: “The companies have been selected on account of their ambition, impact and innovation credentials following a highly competitive selection process.

“We expect these companies to become ambassadors for Common-

●●Engineer Andy Morris (left) and Mark Buchanan, founder of Extreme Low Energy

-wealth trade and investment and through their success we hope thousands more companies will be inspired to expand internationally.”

The Commonwealth encompasses a potential market of 53 English-speaking countries and 2.2 billion people.

Mark Buchanan, founder of Extreme

Low Energy, said: “Being chosen as one of the country’s first Commonwealth Export Champions is a tremendous opportunity for ELe. “We’re an ambitious business and believe the platform this status offers will greatly assist our expansion into international markets.”

M AT C H D AY

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 15

Opinion BILL GLEESON, Liverpool ECHO Comment & Analysis Writer

Y

ou could be forgiven for thinking that an Office for National Statistics publication called ‘Subregional GVA per capita data for NUTS Areas 2’ might be suitable bedtime reading for insomniacs, but nobody else. However, you would be wrong.

The information contained within, tells the definitive story about the relative prosperity and well-being of Merseyside and is, therefore, very important to us all.

That’s because the publication offers a breakdown of the economic output of the 40 sub-regions of Britain, such as Merseyside, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, London and many others. The figures have been published annually for 20 years now and are the benchmark for economic performance.

When the ONS releases the data, it also issues an accompanying press release. The front page has traditionally shown two mini-tables highlighting the top-five most productive sub-regions of Britain and the bottom-five least productive.

For many years, this bottom-five table included Merseyside, which was usually shown as fourth from bottom. I always called this bottom-five table the ‘economic relegation zone’. The only sub-regions that had lower output per head than Merseyside were remote, rural places like West Wales, Cornwall and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

All the other major industrial conurbations, based around towns like Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester, consistently did better.

Then one day that began to change.

Gradually, the Merseyside area has crept up the league table. Today it is 31st out of 40, having overtaken areas based around towns such as Stoke, Hull, Middlesbrough, Belfast, Sheffield and even parts of Outer London.

This year’s figures have produced a factual nugget that takes me, and anybody else I have mentioned it to, by surprise. In 2015, Merseyside’s output per head grew at a rate of 3.1% per annum, faster than most other similar urban areas, including – wait for this – London.

That is partly due to the fact that London had a dreadful year. The capital grew by a sluggish 1.6%, down from the previous year’s boomtown rate of 6.2%.

BUSINESS POST PARTNER

Record year leads to expansion for MSB Solicitors’ plot sales team

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BOOM in the student and commercial property market in the north west has helped Liverpool law firm MSB Solicitors enjoy a record year in its plot sales department.

In 2016, the team completed more than 1,250 units in the Liverpool and Manchester city regions.

To cope with this growing demand MSB has taken on two new fee earners and additional support staff – taking the team from six to 11 since the beginning of October last year.

Developments the team has been The even better news is that involved with include a mix of student Merseyside is catching up with Greater housing and residential sites in Salford Manchester. Back in 1997, Merseyside’s Quays, Liverpool One and The Baltic GVA per capita represented 85% of Triangle, as well a number of other Greater Manchester’s. Today, the figure sites for a growing list of developers is just over 89%. and house builders across the north According to the ONS, the fastest west. MSB’s client portfolio includes growing sectors in Merseyside in 2015 prominent developers X1, Ascot and were administrative and support Stewart Milne. services (up by 15.7%), Among the new recruits is Leanne accommodation and food services McNally, who joins MSB from (12.5%), information and Weightmans and brings a wealth communication industries (9.3%) and of experience in plot sales and health and social work (8.9%). acquisition. Victoria Hughes, Danielle It means big contributions came Saunders, Thomas Stockton and David from call centres, government offices, Tarttelin will also bolster the firm’s restaurants, hotels and bars, among commercial department. others. Much of the improvement in In addition to unit and plot sales, Merseyside’s economic performance the team regularly deals with the traces back to the Objective 1 days, acquisition of residential and when Merseyside’s political and student development sites, planning economic leaders made judicious agreements and conditions, adoption decisions about how best to invest agreements and all aspects of Europe’s billions in developing the residential site set up. local economy. However, that era is Partner elect, Brad Armstrong, now behind us. Instead, we are at the who has taken on the running and beginning of a new era of devolved expansion of the plot sales team, said: powers for combined authorities and “It’s been a busy but fantastic year for Metro Mayors for many of Britain’s city the team and we predict the 12 months regions, including Liverpool. The ahead will be much the same. challenge for whoever wins May’s “Only a week into the new year and Metro Mayor election will be to we have received instructions from maintain this region’s progress in the a number of new clients and will be years ahead. They will have to do it without Europe’s money and they will acting on a range of developments across the city region – including have to do it in competition with rival five major city centre developments city regions and their own Metro and key developments in Liverpool’s Mayors.

Knowledge Quarter, which we’re very excited about.

“As such, we have invested not only in expanding the team, but also in improving our software and case management systems. We want to be sure we can offer all of our developer clients a completely bespoke and fully comprehensive service.”

Managing partner at MSB, Paul Bibby, added: “We’re incredibly pleased with the success of our plot sales team and delighted that Brad has taken the reigns in continuing to drive similar successes in the coming year.”

Brad Armstrong joined MSB in early 2015 and is experienced in a broad range of commercial property work. He acts for investors and developers on the acquisition and disposal of property, property finance transactions, joint ventures, option and overage agreements, easements and planning agreements.

For more information visit msbsolicitors.co.uk

● MSB’s partner elect Brad Armstrong

CAVERN CLUB HITS 60

On 16th January 2017, The Cavern Club will celebrate its 60th anniversary. Probably the most famous club in the world, The Cavern began its history as a jazz club before becoming the birthplace of pop music. With a year of events to celebrate the importance of the iconic venue, we look at what the business behind it means to the city.

The club on Mathew Street is operated by Cavern City Tours, and is at the heart of the city’s thriving Beatles tourism industry.

The revolution of music tourism in the city wouldn’t have happened without The Cavern – shaping Liverpool into the hugely successful music tourism destination that millions of visitors know and love.

As well as the club itself, Cavern City Tours is behind the Magical Mystery Tour, International Beatleweek and The Cavern Pub, employing 120 people as well as 50 freelance musicians and guides.

As the first business behind both music and Beatles-specific tourism in the city, the company has redefined Liverpool’s offer to visitors.

The Beatles brand is a fundamental part of the city’s economic success, and Cavern City Tours has played a leading role. Pioneers of music heritage and tourism not only in the UK but on a global scale, the business sees many other destinations around the world look to Liverpool for lessons in how to make a global phenomenon worth £81m to the city’s economy, just as The Beatles have year upon year.

Beatleweek, for example, sells itself as a musical celebration of the most famous pop group the world has ever known – welcoming bands from over 20 countries and fans from over 40.

These visitors from across the globe fill up the city’s hotels, bars and restaurants, spreading the word and brand of Liverpool in their global networks thanks to the work of Cavern City Tours.

Although it makes use of a number of venues around the city centre, Beatleweek primarily centres around the Cavern Club and Cavern Pub – the latter of which operates 7 days a week regardless of the time of year, with live music every night.

Another part of the company’s offering, the Magical Mystery Tour, is just as much a crowdpleaser for those in the city for a musical pilgrimage as a trip to the Cavern Club is.

Liverpool’s most popular guided Beatles tour carries over 65,000 passengers per year with tours beginning at the Albert Dock and terminating at Mathew Street, benefitting the businesses located in these areas.

Down at the Pier Head, the company also donated the Beatles Legacy statues to the city for the 50th anniversary of the band’s last show in Liverpool, as well as organising the Hillsborough Justice Concert in 1997 – raising £440,000 for the families.

For The Cavern Club’s 60th anniversary celebrations, the organisation will be celebrating the future with new artists just as much it will be celebrating the venue’s iconic past with tributes – as is the ethos of the Cavern. www.cavernclub.org

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 17

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

LIVERPOOL WELCOMES SYMLCONNECT Liverpool is rapidly becoming recognised as a place of transformation and innovation in all sectors. Businesses are looking for a location where they can ensure their future advancement and they increasingly seek out the city as the ideal space – something which is becoming more common particularly in the technology and healthcare industries.

SymlConnect, a Swansea-based information communication technology company specialising in healthcare, is a perfect example of this.

The company, which works in designing and developing cost effective smart mobile solutions to facilitate clinical monitoring for existing systems, is looking to Liverpool as a gateway to future success within their industries.

It addresses common healthcare concerns of important data availability at the point-ofcare, in a simple and cost effective way, whilst also improving integrated care delivery. The most recent project undertaken with Senior Midwives at Powys Health Board to digitise All Wales Maternity records was chosen as a Bevan Exemplar 2016 cohort.

Taking a hot-desk in Liverpool Science Park from this month, SymlConnect provides state-of-the-art technology as a way to enhance communication and efficiency in promoting smart sharing of information. Much of the work at the company gives the opportunity for paperless working which in turn is a major benefit to the NHS.

The success of the technology company in the few short years since its formation is a testimony to the kind of investment Liverpool is seeing in its most robust industries. The likes of SymlConnect looking to the city underlines the appeal of Liverpool as an investment location for healthcare and technology.

The company has looked to Liverpool Science Park as a base for enabling the business to expand in the city over the next few years.

Originally established in 2012 within the Swansea Institute of Life Sciences, the CEO of SymlConnect, Dr Sabarna Mukhopadhyay, was chosen for the highly prestigious High Growth Entrepreneur Potential programme from the Welsh government.

Formed by Dr Sushrut Mehta and Dr Dipen Mukhopadhyay along with Dr Sabarna Mukhopadhyay, CEO, the purpose of SymlConnect is to develop simple connections to existing clinical systems in an easy and smart way.

SymlConnect team Left to Right: Callum Issac, Chris James, Dr Sabarna Mukhopadhyay, Dr Bryan Griffiths, David Starkey, Humam Shbib.

“SymlConnect is a dynamic, innovative company and a perfect fit for Knowledge Quarter Liverpool. It was great working with them to help find the best site in the city. KQ Liverpool is home to the largest cluster of science, health, education, digital and cultural minds in the region and is therefore one of the best places in the UK to start or grow your business.

The company’s investment in Liverpool will further strengthen the city’s status as an exemplar in the use of digital technologies to improve healthcare.”

Matt Biagetti, Investment Manager for Invest Liverpool

18 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017 A DV E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

Opinion

N E W W E A LT H M A N AG E M E N T B U S I N E S S L AU N C H E S IN LIVERPOOL

Based in Exchange Flags at the heart of the city’s business district, Maven Wealth Management opened it’s doors earlier this month.

Founded by John Price, a Chartered Wealth Manager who until recently led a well-known wealth management business in the North-West, Maven will provide wealth management and financial advice to high net-worth individuals, families and businesses.

John is delighted that Maven has become a Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management, a move he firmly believes provides clients with the service benefits of dealing with a boutique firm backed by the financial security, expertise and institutional access of a FTSE 100 company. John comments: “Having worked in wealth management for over 16 years I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with some of the regions best; from successful entrepreneurs to senior professionals and corporate executives. What has struck me over this time is that many of these people meticulously strategise, plan and execute their business operations yet give relatively little time or thought to their personal wealth planning. Whether this be how to protect their family while their wealth is tied-up in a business, investing to protect and grow the real value of their capital or considering how to pass it on to the next generation in a tax-efficient manner, few have clear plans and strategies.

The team at Maven and I will work with these clients to address this, to develop a vision for their wealth coupled with a clear set of priorities and goals.We’ll then advise on suitable wealth planning strategies to meet these goals and keep them under review to ensure their ongoing suitability. I’m confident that Maven’s proposition, together with the experience of the team and the benefits of working with St. James’s Place will make a compelling proposition to clients.”

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

For more information please contact: J O H N P R I C E , Managing Director Maven Wealth Management Tel: 0151 244 5432 Mobile: 07786 992847 Email: jp.maven@sjpp.co.uk The Partner Practice represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title ‘Partner Practice’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

H2SJP24524 01/17

Talking can create right atmosphere ALISTAIR HOUGHTON, Liverpool ECHO City Editor

“

It’s good to talk” - that’s what Bob Hoskins kept telling us in those 1990s BT adverts. And it’s a lesson people in the Baltic Triangle are taking to heart as they cope with the area’s ongoing transformation.

Almost ten years ago I was assigned to cover Liverpool’s creative and digital sector.

And almost immediately, I was told the Triangle would become the city’s new creative quarter.

It seemed ambitious. There didn’t seem to be much going on in that web of semi-industrial streets leading up to Cains. But soon I learned about Elevator Studios, wandered around the warehouses that were to become Camp & Furnace, and met the folks behind Baltic Creative.

And it began to make sense.

Fast forward to 2017 and the area is such a hip hot-spot that it even made it into a Rough Guides’ list of places you should see before you die.

At night you can party in venues like Constellations, 24 Kitchen Street, and Baltic Social.

And in the daytime, you can see the creative and digital firms on Jamaica Street, see networking in cafes like Baltic Social and Unit 51, and see pupils walking to the Studio School.

And if you’re there by day, you won’t be able to miss the building work that’s changing the face of the area.

Because all that hip success has attracted the developers.

That was always the idea. All over the world, from New York to Dublin’s Temple Bar, there’s a regeneration template – artists and creatives come in, development follows.

It happened in the Ropewalks. And now it’s happening in the Baltic.

Unsurprisingly, that worries venues and creatives. They move to areas like the Baltic because they’re affordable, then rising land values put them under pressure.

There’s another fear too, as shown by 24 Kitchen Street’s opposition to a 200-flat development next door. What

if those new residents complain about noise at venues that were there before them, putting those venues out of business?

Change is inevitable in an area like the Baltic. The issue is how it can be managed.

The answer lies in talking. The owners of 24 Kitchen Street and Constellations are now looking at ways they can work together and talk to developers and the council about how the area should develop.

Meanwhile developers such as Iliad, the firm behind that Kitchen Street development, say they want the venues and creatives to stay. After all, it’s those attractions that make the area so attractive.

There will be more flats. Some creatives may move towards and beyond Cains, or even to the North Docks.

But if developers and Baltic creatives can work together, then the Baltic can keep at least some of its creative edge as it becomes an established part of the city centre.

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 19

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

WHAT’S NEW

Email: catherine.murphy@trinitymirror.com

What lies in store for retail sector in 2017?

CATHERINE MURPHY looks ahead to another big year as shops bonanza maintains momentum

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ast year was huge for the city region as a number of significant changes to Liverpool’s shops and restaurants took place.

Big brands just couldn’t keep away, as many chose Liverpool as their new home.

Victoria’s Secret, The White Company and Lindt all opened their doors to new stores which, in turn, extended the size of the city’s retail scene.

2016 also saw independent businesses take the reins in earnest and become some of the most popular outlets in the region.

This all begs the question – what will this year mean to the city’s retail sector?

Here’s our guide to the changes in the pipeline for the next 12 months.

Liverpool ONE Liverpool ONE has wasted no time in announcing changes for the shopping complex this year.

It revealed in the very first month that the Superdry store would be moving to allow JD Sports to expand its premises, making it a flagship store for the north west.

Liverpool ONE also confirmed JD Sports will be moving to a temporary location while work is carried out on the new store. However, where this will be is yet to be revealed.

Due to American Apparel closing its doors in October, its store has been empty along with Apple’s old premises.

While one of these spaces could house JD Sports, it would still leave one space vacant.

This could potentially mean a new brand could arrive.

Metquarter Last month, half of the centre became

closed off as boards were put up advising of ‘exciting changes’ to the centre.

Metquarter is yet to reveal what these changes are exactly, but judging by the amount of space which has been closed off, we can expect something big.

St Johns Shopping Centre It looks like 2017 is going to be another exciting year for St Johns Shopping Centre.

Robert Bradley, centre manager of St Johns, said: “We’re in talks with a number of retailers and leisure operators, and expect to make some exciting announcements in the coming months.

“2017 will see the recently renovated St Johns continue to offer its signature mix of fashion, food, and essentials for savvy Liverpool shoppers.

“We are also looking forward to watching shoppers enjoy the spring and summer offers of our most recent additions to the centre, in particular Yours, Fork It and The Entertainer, which opened in autumn 2016.”

●●Union 22 - ambitious plans are in place to make Victoria Street in Liverpool the next big leisure destination

Victoria Street

designed for high-profile clients and specialises in six-week transformations.

There is also a new health bar, Fit Union House, which houses Union Food Shack, opening on Old Hall Street 22, is undergoing a makeover which is soon. part of plans to transform the street into a leading leisure destination.

No further details have been revealed about when the work will be complete, but a revival of this area would further In just over a complement the retail offering in the year, it seems city.

Bold Street has completely changed.

It looks like Taking place on Thursday, March 23, 2017 is going Well it wouldn’t be a new year to be another the ECHO Retail Awards will recognise article without mentioning a exciting year outstanding retailers within the city gym would it? for this area of the city centre. Changes centre.

Absolute Body Solutions is opening have already begun.

Nominations have now closed with its new branch inside Silkhouse Court, A new Mexican restaurant has opened some of the biggest brands in the city up Tithebarn Street. and Independent department store, for an award. Judging will soon be The personal-training gym has been REX, has announced its closure, taking place.

For a full list of the nominations turn meaning its premises will to page 43.

2017 will see the recently renovated St Johns soon be vacant continue to offer its signature mix of fashion, with the tant- ●●Tickets for the event can be found at -alising question https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ food, and essentials for savvy Liverpool who will retail-awards-liverpool-ticketsshoppers. ROBERT BRADLEY, Centre Manager of St John’s of replace them?

26678139032?aff=eac2

Fitness Centres

Bold Street, Liverpool

ECHO Retail Awards

BUSINESS POST PARTNER

Ten ways apprentices can boost your business Many businesses across the Liverpool city region employ apprentices, they can offer huge benefits to firms of all sizes

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IVERPOOL & Sefton Chambers of Commerce, one of the biggest suppliers of apprentices in Merseyside, currently has more than 300 trainees placed with 180 businesses.

Paul Cherpeau, director of learning and skills at the chamber, is keen to grow this number beyond 400 over the next 12 months.

“It is going to take a lot of work, a lot of effort and a lot of co-operation with local employers, who we want to invest in young people,” said Paul.

Over the last few years, the chamber has partnered with many city region businesses to provide apprentices, with great results. Here, Paul offers eight reasons why taking on an apprentice can provide a boost to your business:

1. FILLING THE GAP

The UK is currently facing a chronic skills shortage.

Taking someone on and training them is a cost-effective way of making sure you have exactly the skills you need.

Steven Hesketh, general manager at Liverpool’s Richmond Hotel says that taking on an apprentice gave him access to invaluable multilingual skills.

Beata, 29, took on an apprenticeship role through the Chamber of Commerce and became responsible for the management of the hotel’s team of 15 housekeeping staff members.

Steven says: “Beata’s multilingualism has been a massive advantage to us. At the Richmond Hotel we are proud of our diverse workforce. With staff from across the globe all working under one roof this could often lead to communication barriers but Beata helps us to more effectively support all our staff.”

Hundreds of thousands of businesses across the UK offer apprenticeship placements because they recognise that they can have a massive impact on productivity, improving business performance and encouraging a more committed and competent workforce.

What many businesses don’t realise is that employing apprentices can also be hugely cost effective. Research from Learn Direct showed an apprentice can increase your productivity by around £214 a week.

5. REPUTATION

● Daniel Metcalfe from Great Homer Medical Practice completed his Business Admin Level 2 qualification

the apprenticeship system.

9. IDEAS

Customers are attracted to businesses with higher ethical standards. Taking on an apprentice demonstrates a commitment to benefiting local communities.

Young people can provide and fresh innovative way of looking at your business and helping you grow by developing new processes.

6. STAFF TURNOVER

Young people are adept at using and adapting new technology - a vital skill in an increasingly digital world.

Liverpool Chamber Training is preparing employers for the introduction of the apprenticeship levy and wider reforms to the recruitment and training of young people and employees on to apprenticeship qualifications.

A series of briefing sessions are scheduled for local businesses to attend and increase the knowledge and understanding about how they can benefit from the new reforms which commence in May.

Research from Skills Training UK showed that 80% of firms who took on apprentices reported a significant increase in employee retention.

7. FUTURE POTENTIAL

10. TECHNOLOGY

You could be taking someone on who could one day run your business. Stacey Seary joined Liverpoolbased Wild Thang as an apprentice 10 years ago and is now a key member of its management team.

Having started on reception, with the help of both the chamber and Wild Thang, Stacey has since successfully completed NVQs in business administration and business management to level 4. Book your place on the next session by contacting the Chamber on 0151 227 1234.

“The people who helped me were amazing and every single day I feel like I am learning something new,” she says.

The £2m-turnover business was founded 20 years ago by Andrew Dwerryhouse with a £1,500 grant 2. FLEXIBILITY A young trainee is far less likely to be set in his or her from the Princes Trust and it now employs 32 people.

Through Liverpool and Sefton Chambers, Wild ways or come to the job with bad habits. You have the Thang has taken on around 10 young trainees one the opportunity to mould them to make sure they fit past 10 years. Andrew says the input from those perfectly into your organisation. young people has been key to its success.

3. PRACTICAL

Most of the learning is done ‘on the job’ so disruption 8. ONGOING DEVELOPMENT during the training period is kept to a minimum.

Progress doesn’t stop after a young person has completed their initial period of training. Further training and qualifications can be provided through 4. COST EFFECTIVE

Support available for International Trade iS your business planning attendance at overseas trade shows, or business trips to negotiate new deals, sign new export contracts and increase export sales?

If yes, then the European structural and investment funds may be able to give you some financial support.

Funding is available for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Merseyside up to the value of £1500.

These funds can contribute towards the costs of; flights, accommodation and exhibition stands.

For more information on the support and eligibility contact Julie Sankey at Liverpool and Sefton Chambers of Commerce on 0151 227 1234.

● Staff from MD Insurance receiving their qualifications

BUSINESS POST PARTNER

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHAMBERS NEWS

New Enterprise Hub set to support startups in Wirral Hundreds of would-be entrepreneurs are set to benefit from the Wirral Enterprise Hub, a new startup initiative from Wirral Chamber of Commerce

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IRRAL Chamber is launching its Enterprise Hub with a free business startup workshop on Thursday 26 January. The Chamber of Commerce has announced the launch of Wirral Enterprise Hub, a new programme of support, mentoring and business advice for the area’s wouldbe entrepreneurs.

This exciting collaboration between Wirral Chamber of Commerce, The Johnson Foundation and Wirral Council is set to significantly increase new start-ups in Wirral, which regularly features in top ten lists for the levels of new business registrations.

Working as a delivery partner of The Women’s Organisation’s Liverpool City Region-wide programme, Wirral Chamber will provide fully funded support to enable hundreds of entrepreneurs of all ages to turn their ideas into viable businesses.

The Enterprise Hub will work with more than 325 local residents over the next two years, acting as a catalyst to support a diverse range of new businesses from micro and lifestyle through to innovative, high-growth businesses with the potential to develop in national and international markets.

FRESH, CREATIVE, COLLABORATIVE

This project aims to take a fresh, creative and

collaborative approach to business support.

Key to the programme are the team of in-house advisors and business coaches from across the chamber network who between them have a wealth of skills and commercial experience at senior levels, nationally and internationally across a diverse range of industry sectors.

These highly qualified business coaches and specialist mentors will provide aspiring business people with a mix of one-to-one coaching, on top of ongoing workshops and peer-to-peer support sessions.

The Enterprise Hub will be based in the Pacific Road Creative and Digital Enterprise Hub ‘The Sheds’ in Birkenhead - one of the Chamber’s three managed business workspaces in the town.

Speaking following the announcement, Paula Basnett, CEO of Wirral Chamber commented: “As the Local Growth Hub for the borough, Wirral Chamber is uniquely placed to deliver this project. For entrepreneurs to be based in a Chamber-managed hub with access to all of our added value services, is something very powerful.

“They’ll interact with our veteran business start-up and growth advisers while receiving support from independent business mentors, who will provide a solid network that Wirral’s start-ups can leverage as they evolve their business.”

● Wirral Chamber’s Pacific Road facility, home to the new Wirral Enterprise Hub

If you’re thinking of starting a business, or if you would like to volunteer to support Wirral-based startups, please contact Kate Eugeni: 0151 650 6940 kateeugeni@wirralchamber.co.uk

Free business startup workshop on Thursday 26 January This half-day workshop is aimed at those who have not yet started a business, but have an idea.

The Enterprise Hub team will provide a range of support to help entrepreneurs gain the knowledge and confidence to start a viable, sustainable business.

This informal and interactive session will cover market research, goal and vision setting, how to start selling and working towards your masterplan.

To book your free place call 0151 650 6940 or visit goo.gl/ac173P ● An Enterprise Hub peer-to-peer collaboration session

22 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Special report THE BUSINESS OF

Why whole region needs to stay on ball

●●Chris Brown (left) and Marcus Magee know the region needs to make the most of its unique selling points

In the second part of his special report on Liverpool’s business tourism boom, MARK THOMAS talks to Marketing Liverpool chief Chris Brown about the communications challenge, and hoteliers’ association chairman Marcus Magee on the part the hospitality industry has to play

I

t seems incredible to think that a convention attracting more than 3,000 delegates from 100 countries can come to Liverpool without most of the city being aware of its presence.

Yet that is exactly the phenomenon Liverpool is wrestling with as it seeks to encourage the city’s business community to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by business tourism.

Chris Brown, the director of Marketing Liverpool, recalls attending a Business Post launch event last year while the World Conference on Lung Health was at the ACC. Around 200 city business people were there and when ACC chief executive Bob Prattey asked them if they knew which international convention was in town, just two hands went up.

“When we have these events in Liverpool we have the opportunity of creating a long-lasting impression on them of the city,” said Chris. “We have to get these events into Liverpool’s bloodstream so that everyone is looking at the opportunities and doing their bit to welcome people.

“We score really highly on the welcome to the city, but if we can raise the profile of these events so everyone is welcoming the delegates and knows why they are here, we can do even better.

“We can’t take anything for granted – it’s massively competitive out there.

Every time we have the opportunity of welcoming one of these conferences we have to go the extra mile.

“That’s a Team-Liverpool approach.

The media have a massively important role in that, in terms of showcasing who is in town. Then it’s taxi drivers, it’s retail assistants, it’s bars, it’s everyone else. We spend an inordinate amount of time trying to make sure the dynamics are right in terms of the welcome dressing, making sure the hotel welcome is right, the flags and all the other things we have to put up.

“We sometimes forget that we have to tell everyone else as well. It’s our residents and everyone else in the city that we need to get that message to and that’s the journey we are on.”

Chris says the target is that in two years’ time awareness needs to be at a level where if the show-of-hands exercise is repeated to a business audience, 80% of the hands will go up.

“The fact that we welcomed all these conferences doesn’t mean that we have a divine right to welcome them in the future,” he warns. “That’s not how it works. We have to collectively understand that when we have our opportunity to interact with these conferences we do our bit, whether that is just saying hello or the service you give or the acknowledgement you give.

Talks are underway to forge a merger between Liverpool’s two big hospitality associations – in a bid to improve communications with the booming convention industry.

Hoteliers Association chairman Marcus Magee, general manager of the Hilton Hotel at Liverpool One, is discussing the idea with chef and restaurateur Paul Askew, from the city’s Restaurants and Bars Association.

“We believe that as one unit we could become a stronger voice in the

“Everyone has a role in that in some way or other. It is building up that overall momentum; we have the opportunity here to be the number one venue in the UK outside London for international conferences and conventions.”

Chris says that on a conservative estimate, delegates attending conventions spend around £160 a day in Liverpool, between the convention, the hotel, and going out to eat, drink and shop. He adds: “If you multiply that over three or four days, it’s worth a lot to the city. On international conventions the Every time we bid, we are having to bid at a spend tends to be high because higher level, to be sharper, to win against generally they are other cities who are on to the Liverpool story here for four or

city,” said Marcus. “From a visitor economy perspective, we have a major role to play.

“If Liverpool Vision or the LEP have one association to go to it’s far easier to cascade information a lot quicker and also they get feedback about specific subjects.

“A few years ago there was probably a relatively sound communication link. However the evolution of the numbers of bars and restaurants into this city is immense, so by its very nature you may have a

five days and, if they are travelling internationally, they often decide to stay on for a couple more days as a leisure visitor. That’s where the attractions of the city region come into play. It’s positive that delegates go away and say that the convention was great, the arena looked brilliant or whatever, but actually it’s that image they go away with of the city as a whole that is the most important thing.

“These events cover a wide variety of different sectors. There is an opportunity for them to say ‘I love that city. I might be interested in doing business there or I might want to come back as a leisure visitor because I’ve had a very powerful impression.’

“That is the consequence of making sure that the profile of these events

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 23

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

TOURISM Hospitality groups in new talks over presenting united front for business

communication tool in place but if it doesn’t evolve with numbers it will lose its way somewhere.

“I think that’s what’s happened, and that’s where the hotels, restaurants and bars as a collective association will be able to discuss future strategies far more constructively.”

Marcus has been in the city for eight years, in which time he has seen a massive boom in the number of hotels and beds available around the city: “In 2009 we had 2,600 rooms and we exited last year with almost 7,000, and

more in the pipeline.”

He said the addition of the four-star, 216-room Pullman hotel alongside the convention centre had been an excellent strategic move.

He added: “Bob Prattey and his team can now sell that as an HQ status hotel with a direct link into the convention centre, which is great. We now have 1,000 rooms round the exhibition centre and the arena and that is where they need to be.

“Because of the location of the arena, convention centre and the

when they come to Liverpool is recognised within the city.

“We can try to sell Liverpool, but it’s what people say about the city when they experience it that counts. If they are saying positive things it will multiply.

“We create all these ambassadors around the world and the whole thing starts to help the physical and economic regeneration” From a marketing perspective, making a success of an international conference takes years of preparation and planning. The Global Health Conference comes to Liverpool in 2018 and Chris had a team in Vancouver last month attending this year’s conference, explaining what the delegates can expect when they come to Liverpool.

“These events are six or seven years in the making from the bid right the way through to the delivery,” he said.

“They move around the world.”

Chris says Liverpool is as likely to be competing against Berlin, Montreal, Vancouver or Melbourne as it is against other British cities: “And Liverpool is holding its own in that marketplace. So we probably don’t recognise or realise the value this brings to us economically but also in terms of profile, brand and opportunity.

“Our competition is increasingly European or international cities. All those cities now know that if Liverpool is on the table they have got a challenge.

“A lot of that is because we’ve got brilliant facilities. The addition of the

exhibition centre we are very connected. You are only a five, ten, or 15-minute walk from the visitor attractions and any hotel, restaurant or bar, and that’s a major advantage.

“You go to many cities, and if you take Birmingham as an example, the actual exhibition centre is some way away which is very inconvenient.

“There is no doubt in my mind that when we bring a conference organiser to this city it sells itself.

“I think the important thing is that when the business visitor is here we

exhibition centre has been a massive boon for us.

“But we’ve also got 8,000 city centre bedrooms, good quality retail and a compact city centre which visitors can walk around.

“Every time we have an international convention, taxi usage on day one is massive. Taxi usage on day two is non-existent, because they all work out how easy it is to walk around.”

Chris says virtually every international event is brought to the city in association with an ambassador under the city’s Club Liverpool programme, many of them academics.

But he stresses that any business person can be an ambassador for the convention industry: “When you go to an event or conference in your industry

have the opportunity to engage them with what the city is all about.

“Bear in mind we only may have a window of two or three days to do that and some of these conventions start early in the morning and finish late at night so to be able to capture their interest can be a very difficult scenario.

“But I can say from my own experience and that of my fellow hoteliers that there is no doubt that when visitors come to the city and get a look and feel of what it is all about they want to come back.”

outside our city region, if you feel it is an event that could be held in Liverpool, you can become an ambassador, starting by giving us the contacts for that event.”

Chris says Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture year and the investment seen since, has created the infrastructure to allow Liverpool to become competitive.

But he warns: “We must not fall into the trap of thinking everything in the garden is rosy and that all our competitors are just rolling over. They are not. They are on our case all the time. So every time we are bidding, we are having to bid at a higher level, to be sharper, to find more things, to win against the other cities who are now on to the Liverpool story.”

24 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Painting a positive new look for the city gateway For years, Edge Lane gave the wrong first impression of Liverpool but, as MARK THOMAS discovers, that is all changing for the better

T

hey say you only get one chance to make a first impression, and for millions of visitors to Liverpool, that first impression is a drive down Edge Lane.

It is arguably Liverpool’s most important gateway, providing the direct road route to the city centre from the M62 motorway, for traffic from Manchester, the Midlands and the south of England.

Unfortunately, for many years, Edge Lane offered the worst possible welcome for first-time business and leisure visitors to the city.

Motorists battled with a slow, congested road, giving them plenty of time as they sat in long and frustrating queues of traffic to take in a landscape of boarded-up buildings, dereliction and decay. By the time the newcomer arrived in the resurgent city centre, too many of the worst negative stereotypes that have beset the city for generations had been firmly reinforced by this dismal journey.

Generations of politicians, planners and developers have been alive to the

problem, and have tried their best to make an impact on this depressing blot on the regeneration landscape of the city.

But at times it has almost felt as if a curse has hung over the route, as efforts to improve it were beset by seemingly intractable problems.

Who can forget the attempts by Liverpool council to demolish 500 largely derelict old houses along the Edge Lane corridor in time for our European Capital of Culture year in 2008, only to be thwarted for years by a stubborn legal campaign led by resident Elizabeth Pascoe, who actually had a compulsory purchase order by English Partnerships thrown out by the High Court?

Meanwhile, further east, the property entrepreneur Albert Gubay, who owned Edge Lane Retail Park, had acquired a large tract of land for expansion, but his ambitions to develop it were bogged down in an expensive and protracted legal struggle with the city council.

But after so many years of stalemate and frustration, Edge Lane is finally

●●An artist’s impression of how Edge Lane Retail Park will look after a £100m rebirth

●●Murals on the front of former Littlewoods buildings on Edge Lane ahead of its transformation

moving towards the final stages of a rebirth that will give the visitor a completely new, and entirely more pertinent, impression, and give the city a gateway to take pride in at last.

At the city centre end, the widened and improved road, sweeping down to the futuristic buildings of the new Royal Liverpool Hospital, tells a story of a modern city building a new future.

The derelict houses are, finally, gone, new and modern homes having been built in their place. Before this, the journey to the city centre takes you past such diverse and encouraging vistas as the Liverpool Innovation Park and the Wavertree Botanic Gardens. Then there is the impressive art deco Littlewoods building, a real city landmark, but empty and neglected since 2003. Soon it is to be reborn as the Littlewoods

Film and TV Studios. This project is being developed by Manchester company Capital and Centric, who bought the complex from the Homes and Communities Agency in 2012.

Opened in 1938, the building with its distinctive clock towers was the home of the football pools coupon arm of the Littlewoods organisation. It also played a vital role in World War Two, when parts of Halifax bombers were assembled there.

Despite its iconic status it is not a listed building, and when it was left empty for more than a decade, with its physical state declining with every passing year, there were serious concerns that the building could be lost. Then Capital and Centric stepped in, with plans to create a “Pinewood of the north”. Last year the Liverpool city

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 25

people to sign up in the wrong places.

After selling Kwiksave he turned his This will be a very significant and attention to acquiring and developing long-awaited piece of infrastructure. It property, through his company the has been described as the last piece of Derwent Group. He assembled and the jigsaw for Liverpool’s retail offer.” launched the Edge Lane Retail Park, It will provide a major boost for the with its popular multiplex cinema, local area, providing a real destination, McDonalds drive-thru, and retail a major economic boost and an giants like Comet and B&Q. A devout Catholic, he then set up the estimated 3,000 new jobs. But the Albert Gubay Charity Foundation, into catchment area goes far beyond Edge Lane, with around 1.8 million people which he put most of his wealth. The living within a 30-minute drive of the charity has donated many millions of pounds to the Roman Catholic church shopping park.

“About 65,000 cars pass this site and to local charities. every day, and a lot of them won’t just But he was as hard-nosed a go past any more,” said Mr Lyons. businessman as he was a generous Derwent are spending some £10m benefactor, and his plans to expand on road improvements. It is a complex and transform Edge Lane reached a stubborn and protracted stalemate in a process, involving widening lanes, narrowing the central reservation, and dispute with Liverpool council, until laying cables and pipes, with the new Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson intervened. Mayor Anderson recalled development requiring new electricity, last year: “When I was elected leader of gas, BT, water, and drainage systems.

The workforce are operating under Liverpool city council his company and an embargo, so the traffic cones do not the council were at loggerheads in a costly legal battle, so I flew to the Isle of appear before 9.30am, and are removed again by 3.30pm, to avoid the Man and said it was costing us both rush hours. But the delays are a money and we should iron things out significant, if not an unfamiliar – and we settled our differences. He was quite the philanthropist, and I had problem for Edge Lane drivers.

“It is with great regret that a great relationship with him.” interference has to happen,” said Mr Finally, plans to create the new Lyons. “But it will be short-lived £100m Liverpool Shopping Park disruption for great long-term were able to take shape. Mr reward. We are working Gubay died in January 2016 with the council and the at the age of 87, but contractor to minimise though he did not live to the disruption. It should see the project come to be finished in July or fruition, he was very August. much a part of seeing “People have been the plans move forward. quite understanding and “It has been a long I hope their patience will time in the making,” said continue.” projects like Sherlock Holmes, Captain Derwent Group CEO David region super-cabinet agreed to The first phase of the Lyons. “Mr Gubay and America and the recent JK Rowling contribute £4.95m towards the £25m his people have been project. The first phase was the Bunker blockbuster Fantastic Beasts and ●●Andrew Murray, left, (Caddick project, the Rathbone Where to Find them being filmed here, putting this together for Construction) and David Lyons site, finishes this Building, which has been converted month, offering a new many years. Sadly, he along with TV dramas like Peaky into space already being occupied by (The Derwent Group) home for seven didn’t live to see it but Blinders and Foyle’s War. businesses based in film, media and businesses who operated on the Binns he was very aware that it was taking It is hoped that the post-production technology.

Road trade park, together with an shape.”

“This speculative project was the first work for the films which is done outlet for Screwfix. Next up will be the The new Liverpool Shopping Park elsewhere can, in future, be carried out development that the area had seen in the new studios, with the creation of will be massive – stretching along three Lifestyle site, with a major DIY retailer since the recession,” said developer as the anchor tenant. By the end of quarters of a mile of Edge Lane, and John Moffat. “Capital and Centric were around 900 full-time jobs. Such a 2017, the major retail phase, with 20 spanning 727,000 square feet. The the first developer to put a spade in the glamorous presence will add new shops will be open. The leisure project, being built by Caddick significantly to the star appeal of the ground and create the confidence the Construction, consists of 41 retail units, phase will open next year. new-look Edge Lane. area needed to act as a catalyst for the The Binns Lane part has echoes of an a new multi-screen cinema, a bowling But perhaps the most striking subsequent development along Edge important name in Liverpool’s development of all will be the revival of alley and restaurants, and 1,500 Lane.” manufacturing history – the site where parking spaces. Derwent say talks are Albert Gubay’s retail dream for Edge Work is due to start on the main at an advanced stage with a number of Frank Hornby established his Meccano Lane. Rhyl-born Mr Gubay’s story is a Littlewoods Buildings this year. leading retailers, and they expect to be factory. Derwent plan to celebrate that remarkable one. As a business “These iconic structures have been history and have already acquired a derelict for over 15 years, but we’ve got entrepreneur he successfully launched announcing some mouth-watering bridge made entirely from Meccano, ambitious plans to save them,” said Mr the Kwiksave supermarket chain in the signings in the next few weeks. while site furniture is being designed to “It is very much fashion-orientated 1960s and then the Total Fitness Moffat. “Once complete, the and we will have a very exciting fashion look like they are made from the gymnasiums, amassing a fortune of development will provide a mix of famous construction sets. line-up,” said Mr Lyons. “There will be more than £1 billion. creative workspace, sound stages and It has been a long, painful, frustrating a very exciting ancillary space, which will assist the Capital and Centric were the first developer leisure line-up, journey, but it appears as if Liverpool is city in capitalising on the untapped demand for purpose-built filming to put a spade in the ground and create the too. The calibre of at last within reach of having a gateway from the M62 that will surprise and deals suggest we space and post-production facilities.” confidence the area needed to act as a encourage visitors, and provide a have chosen the The city region has become a catalyst for subsequent development source of pride instead of right site. You favoured location for film and TV Developer John Moffat don’t get these embarrassment for its citizens. drama makers, with major movie

26 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

NETWORKING

Email: neil.johnson@trinitymirror.com

THE world’s biggest golf event is back on Merseyside in July when the 146th Open Championship arrives at Royal Birkdale. Already though, the activity and excitement are in full swing.

B

USINESS leaders from across Merseyside attended a briefing evening at Liverpool Town Hall as anticpation begins to mount ahead of the Open at Royal Birkdale.

The event is one of the world’s most famous and large-scale sporting occasions and has huge potential to market the region to a massive global TV and visiting audience.

At the evening, hosted by Open organisers the Royal And Ancient, Max Steinberg, Chief Executive, Liverpool Vision told the audience: “The Open presents an exceptional opportunity to show our world-class assets to a worldwide audience.

“The Open will bring substantial benefits to our hugely successful visitor economy. Our hotels will be booked months in advance, restaurants and bars will be busier than ever. This is an opportunity for our business community to use one of the world’s biggest events to showcase this amazing place we live and work in. ‘’If there was ever a time to invite a special client from elsewhere in the UK or from abroad, July 2017 is the time to do it.”

More than 200,000 spectators are expected to flock to the region to watch the world’s best players compete to become Champion Golfer of the Year and lift the iconic Claret Jug trophy from July 16-23.

The Open brought £75 million to the local economy when it was held at Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, in 2014, and a similar impact is expected when Royal Birkdale hosts The Open for the tenth time this summer.

Andy Snell, Director, International Trade and Commercial Services, Liverpool and Sefton Chamber of Commerce, also spoke of the importance of The Open to the region, stating the chamber would “build upon our relationship with The R&A, to show a city that works together with its private sector and is proud to host The Open both this time and when it returns to ‘England’s Golf Coast’ over and over again in the future.”

●●Guests and speakers at the Liverpool Town Hall event ●●Pictures by Red Photographic

million unique visitors, with over 120 million impressions on social media.

“Fans from over 80 countries travel to The Open each year. Spectators visiting Scotland for The Open at Royal Troon spent over £5 million on accommodation and double that amount in bars, restaurants and shops during an average three-night stay. ‘’In the single week of the Championship, in 2016, total spending in the economy increased by £64 million and with millions watching on television around the world the benefit for future golf tourism is considerable.”

Chris Daykin, Hospitality Sales Manager at The Open, said hosting a corporate event at The Open “offers a level of prestige and grandeur which is so important when trying to make sure you attract the right level of clientele. ‘’Tailoring an event to your client is also key and with golf still one of the most common hobbies amongst CEOs and other senior-level executives, often being referred to as the ‘sport of business’, it means that The Open is likely to appeal to a good number of ●●Guests at the Liverpool Town Hall event took the opportunity to be pictured with the famous Claret Jug Speaking about his experience as a host, Andy said: “After the International Festival for Business 2014 held in Liverpool, VIP Delegates forged strong and profitable relationships as our guests at The Open.

‘Businesses from Saudi Arabia, Europe and USA spent quality time and built relationships with counterparts from Liverpool and Wirral that are bearing fruit now. One particular commercial partnership with an export licensing firm improved our revenues by 60% on that product line.”

Michael Wells, who is Director of Championship Staging at The R&A, revealed some impressive statistics: “The Open has a truly global appeal with a potential household reach of over 500 million homes worldwide. It is looked at online by more than seven

your most valued customers.

“When you bring your clients to The Open it provides the opportunity to spend a minimum of 10 hours with them in a relaxed and flexible environment whilst witnessing one of the greatest sporting events on earth, giving you plenty of time to develop those key relationships on a personal level.”

The R&A asks businesses looking to entertain clients and other guests to book through official channels on TheOpen.com/Hospitality.

Enhanced experiences available at Royal Birkdale from 19–23 July 2017 range from The Claret Jug Pavilion, the most exclusive experience for intimate gatherings on Royal Birkdale’s first tee, to the fun, festival atmosphere of The Champions Club, boasting a large private garden, outdoor LED screen and made-to-order British food.

A variety of other corporate and private dining experiences are also available including on-course suites offering a private space for larger groups to build their custom day at The 146th Open. ●●For further details about hosting corporate events at The Open contact the R&A team at Hospitality@TheOpen. com or +44 (0)844 371 0883

BUSINESS POST PARTNER

Keeping investments steady through 2017 political tremors Quilter Cheviot’s Head of Liverpool office, Simon Walker, looks ahead at the upcoming weeks and months and analyses the global political spectrum and its effect on the market.

A

S WE enter a new year, markets are bracing themselves for another prolonged period of volatility. Continuing the theme from 2016, politics are likely to be the major distraction/focus of attention throughout 2017. The calendar is littered with European national elections, set against a backdrop of rising populism and anti-establishment feeling. We’ll return to those later.

The year, of course, commences with the US presidential inauguration in January setting in place the foundation stone for the Trump era. As he assumes the presidential position, the hope is that Trump will have his eye on the potential dividend of improving the US economic position, rather than on raising barriers.

During the run-up to the election Trump made two points clear - that he would put America first and that he had big plans to boost infrastructure spending. The markets have reacted to his stance on infrastructure and the positive impact this could have for the US in terms of potential growth and increased fiscal spending.

When it comes to barriers, the Mexico/U.S border wall promise isn’t

the only thing Trump is known for. If he makes good on his protectionist rhetoric, his policies could have a major bearing on the economies of places like China, Korea and Mexico.

Trump does not need to secure congressional approval to act on his pledge of ripping up international trade deals including the North American Free Trade Agreement or to raise tariffs charged on imported goods from Mexico and China. Many commentators are predicting trade wars in the months ahead but how the situation will play out in reality remains to be seen.

Back in the UK, now that MPs have agreed to the Brexit timetable, Article 50 is still set to be triggered by the end of March. Towards the end of 2016, we saw EU member states reiterating their rigid stance on UK withdrawal – giving an indication of a bumpy road ahead.

The government will need to satisfy the demands of both the EU and UK parliament as negotiations advance, no doubt paving the way for delayed progress and protracted bargaining.

Elsewhere, on the European political scene, we have the Dutch election in March, coming as the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) leads the ruling liberal party in the polls. The French election

● 2017 is set to be a turbulent time for politics in the UK and all over the world

● Simon Walker, Head of Liverpool Office, Quilter Cheviot

follows in May, which might result in a win for hard talking reformist Francois Fillon who took the conservative ticket by a landslide or even Marine LePen, president of the far-right Front National party and self-proclaimed ‘anti-establishment’ candidate. Both outcomes would throw the EU into a new era of uncertainty, to differing extents.

We also have Germany going to the polls in the autumn, as ultranationalism continues to gain traction and, even at this early stage, fears of Russian interference and manipulation abound.

All of these developments are likely to impact upon currencies and bond markets, and we could see a further division of fortunes in dollar vs euro zones. Sterling is stuck in the middle meaning it may be vulnerable to bouts of weakness.

If the US economy does progress under Trump, the environment will likely be a good one for equity investors. Equities need some earnings growth to drive levels higher without stretching valuations, but we need to be mindful that this asset class is probably under-owned and valuations

could go higher near term as investors re-engage after a very long term bullrun in bond markets.

As ever, we remain poised to support clients through continuing market uncertainty and geo-political upheaval, as Brexit negotiations progress, Trump takes to office and the outcomes of the various European elections transpire.

In-depth market analysis plays an essential role here, ensuring that, no matter how the global economy shifts, opportunities can be identified and exploited.

By ensuring our clients have diversified and flexible portfolios in place and by always keeping our sights on their long-term investment goals, we will stand them in good stead for any twists and turns that may lieahead.

For more information, contact Simon Walker: simon.walker@ quiltercheviot.com 0151 243 2161.

Investors should remember that the value of investments, and the income from them, can go down as well as up. Investors may not recover what they invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 29

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Opinion CLLR PHIL DAVIES, Leader of Wirral Council and Lead Member – Economic Development & Energy, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Funding shake-up will mean change for us all

N

ow Christmas is over, it’s time to start thinking about paying the bills and saving to do it all again next year.

Against a backdrop of austerity-fuelled funding cuts and a corresponding rise in demand for services, especially for the elderly and vulnerable, councils across the country are preparing to submit their 2017/18 budgets, too.

Each year, local councils are forced

to make difficult decisions about spending cuts to balance the books for the coming 12 months.

Wirral will have to cut £45million from its spending in 2017/18 alone – cuts which impact on the services the council is able to offer its residents.

And to make matters worse, the future financing of local government services is about to go through a fundamental change in 2020.

Historically, local authorities received grants and funds from central

●●Areas like Chelsea won’t have a problem raising funds under the new Government guidelines thanks to the number of multi-million properties on their patch

government budgets to provide services based on need and demographic indices.

The Government collected business rates and other funds and then re-distributed them across the country based on an agreed formula, which meant poorer boroughs were supported by the wealthier ones.

For a borough like Wirral– with a higher elderly population and significant pockets of deprivation – we were a ‘Net Gainer’ from this system, as were most northern metropolitan authorities.

The proposed new system will mean rather than accessing funds from a central pot, each authority simply keeps what it raises in council tax and business rates.

Sounds fair enough at first glance, and it is great news if you are Westminster City Council or Kensington and Chelsea receiving business rates from the global HQ’s of multinational businesses and able to raise council tax on thousands of Band G and above million-pound homes.

Not such good news if you are a suburban borough like Wirral or a provincial town with a smaller business rates base and lower council tax receipts – but which still has the pressures to provide care and other services to residents.

While the new system is inherently unfair, short of a political tsunami it is going to happen and pragmatic politicians of all parties are preparing for that day.

It means as well as managing the spending cuts to minimise the impact on services, councils have to be commercial and innovative in growing their revenues.

Simply stated this means increasing the total take for Council Tax and fees and charges, and growing business rates.

In plain English: build more homes, raise the Council Tax by the cap of 1.99%, and attract more high-businessrate generating firms to relocate or grow in the borough.

Councils across the region are now in competition with each other to attract this investment into infrastructure, business expansion and job growth, and are looking at their available land and other assets to redevelop and build the new homes and offices required.

In Wirral, we are fast-tracking our approach by taking a leaf out of Liverpool’s book and putting ourselves in the shop window for investors and developers.

It will mean big changes for us.

As a borough where nearly 48% of our land is classified as Green Belt we will have to make difficult decisions about how we retain the character and amenities that make the borough such a great place to live, but also provide the land developers and businesses need.

Over the coming weeks and months, we will be talking to residents about how to provide services in different ways, listening to businesses to support their growth and promoting our towns, cities and boroughs to developers and fund managers While the new system is inherently unfair, looking to invest short of a political tsunami it is going to in building a sustainable and happen and pragmatic politicians of all future-proofed parties are preparing for that day City Region.

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 31

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Commercial property

by MARK THOMAS

City region can survive global Trump tremors L

iverpool’s property market can defy the global tremors that are ●●Incoming US likely to follow Donald Trump’s arrival as US President, according to a President Donald regional investment expert.

Trump should not Since Trump’s victory in November, have a major observers have watched with interest to impact on the city understand how his policies and region economy, character might impact investor believes Mark confidence.

Bousfield, Mark Bousfield, investment manager investment at The Chrysalis Fund, says the manager at The Liverpool city region’s property sector Chrysalis Fund is less sensitive to international (inset) fluctuations and may suffer less than cities like London.

He said: “We cannot yet say whether Donald Trump’s policies will boost a new breed of hungry US companies or if his protectionist approach will come to harm investment and growth.

“I suspect that troubles elsewhere – Brexit in Britain, low growth in Europe, still-stagnant Japan – will motivate investors to stick with the world’s most stalwart economy.

“Thankfully, this should matter little to the Liverpool city region, where a small movement in the investment market makes little difference to a prospective investor.

“To commit to this region, investors must buy a growth story; one that they can understand and explain who the Liver to their investment committees Building sale attracts. far away.

Compare this to London, “The investors that bought the where a small movement in Port of Liverpool Building or New the investment market Brighton promenade are eyeing fundamentally changes the value of the double-digit returns and we will see office blocks, luxury flats or retail units.

CEG DOUBLE UP Property and investment development company CEG has acquired two office buildings in Warrington from Aviva Investors.

The company has acquired Appleton House and Atlantic House on Birchwood Boulevard, Birchwood Point Business Park, for an undisclosed sum with the two three-story buildings totalling 41,342 square feet of office space.

Appleton House is the Europe, Middle East and Africa headquarters of global athletic footwear, apparel and accessories company New Balance.

Atlantic House has been vacant for more than 18 months and will be completely refurbished, ready for occupation in the spring.

Antonia Martin Wright, head of investment north at CEG, said:

●●New Balance are already based in Appleton House

In that environment, Trump’s actions could conceivably have a major effect.”

The Chrysalis Fund has invested £34m into seven Merseyside regeneration projects since 2012 and is committed to lending and investing until 2022.

“This scheme has all the hallmarks we look for in an investment opportunity.

“Appleton House has achieved an excellent covenant in New Balance and, by refurbishing Atlantic House, we are confident we can replicate the success that has been achieved at its sister building, helping to drive forward rental values and maximise the value of the asset.”

New piece in jigsaw for health group

●●The new headquarters office of clinical services company, Jigsaw Medical, in Ellesmere Port.

Cheshire-based clinical services company, Jigsaw Medical, has moved its head office to the Oaks office park, Ellesmere Port.

The multi-million pound company, founded in 2012, has taken over units three and four on the site at Junction 10 of the M53 near Cheshire Oaks, giving them a total of more than 7,500 square feet of accommodation.

The company, which provides frontline ambulance contracts, major event medical cover, education programmes and medical cover in hostile and austere environments, says it will retain its old headquarters building at Portal Business Park in Tarporley for further ventures.

CEO, Chris Percival, said the move would “enable the

company to progress with its exciting business plans for future growth and development.

“It also gives us the opportunity to provide new amenities for employees and a better service for our customers and clients, all whilst maintaining and furthering our reputation as the market leader in clinical services in the UK.”

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LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 33

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Digital, media and creative

Email: alistair.houghton@trinitymirror.co.uk

Bluecoat’s 300 year history to be captured in digital project A

new digital project has been launched to collate the history of Bluecoat, as the iconic Liverpool building celebrates its 300th birthday in 2017.

City-based marketing, design and digital agency Nonconform, and Runcorn IT services company Polymorph, have been commissioned to deliver the My Bluecoat project after joining forces to win the contract in a competitive tender process.

The scheme, which has Heritage Lottery Fund backing, will involve collating and digitising an estimated 10,000 historic materials and records about the Grade 1 listed building.

The two agencies will also develop the My Bluecoat website, which will make the digital archives accessible to the public.

The Bluecoat building has been in continuous use since 1717, and for almost 200 years was the original home of Liverpool Blue Coat School.

Since then it has been used for more than a century as a centre for the arts.

The historic files are held across three sites, at the Bluecoat itself, at the Liverpool Blue Coat School, and Liverpool Record Office.

Bluecoat will also commission around 30 ‘vignettes’, capturing the memories of a range of people with a special association to the building.

These are expected to be a mixture of oral histories and short, filmed interviews, with some animation.

Jonny Biggs, Nonconform’s digital director, said: “It’s an honour to be entrusted to work on such a significant project, one that is not just important for Bluecoat, but for the city of Liverpool and for all the artists, historians, researchers, academics and arts professionals around the world who will now be able to access this remarkable archive.”

Gavin Davenport, My Bluecoat project manager said: “My Bluecoat will identify and record the many layers of Bluecoat’s heritage: of the building itself, with its distinctive architecture, and its history as, first, a charity school

●●Jonny Biggs (Digital Director, Nonconform) and Gavin Davenport (My Bluecoat Project Manager) launching the new project to mark the 300th birthday of Bluecoat

for orphans in the 18th and 19th centuries, then as a nationally significant arts centre in the 20th century.

“As you can imagine, this is a complex

project and we’re determined to create something that will provide a genuinely engaging heritage experience.

“We also want this to live on and grow as a resource.”

Website launch gives charity new options

●●Ali Jackson-Rainger, innovations manager at Options, Steve Todd, technical director of Mashbo, and Liz Martin, marketing and cultural assistant at Options, at the launch of the charity’s new website

Digital agency Mashbo have developed a new website which has been launched by Liverpool-based supported living charity, Options.

The charity supports people with learning disabilities and acquired brain injuries, helping them to live an independent life and offering them support when needed.

The new website is aimed at reaching more people who need Options’ help and making the charity’s services more accessible. It claims a friendly design, clear navigation and a

range of key accessibility features. It also includes a secure staff login area to help with daily HR tasks.

Liz Martin, Marketing & Culture Assistant at Options, said: “We’ve loved working with Mashbo. They’re friendly, professional, fun, and you can see the whole team has a genuine passion and enthusiasm for what they do. We were really excited when we saw the final website – it was everything we had hoped for – brilliant design, strong brand, and easy to navigate.”

Gavin Sherratt, Managing Director at

Mashbo, said: “We love to work on projects that will make a real, tangible difference to people’s lives and the work we’ve done with Options is a prime example of this.

“We have delivered a website that has set them up to help even more people in future and this is the biggest reward for us. We hope this is the start of a great partnership with an amazing charity.”

The Options website is now live and can be viewed at optionsforsupportedliving.org

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Back to his roots

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 35

He’s been involved in football at all levels, from playing days as a no-nonsense midfielder to chief executive of the FA – and carved out a successful career as an accountant in between.

Now, as the owner of Tranmere Rovers, Mark Palios tells JOHN THOMPSON how he is digging out a strategy to get the club back into the Football League and ensure stability off the field.

– TURN TO PAGE 37 Picture: geoff davies

BUSINESS POST PARTNER 36 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Liverpool businesses to drive the Internet of things, transforming the UK’s digital economy Sensor City, a joint venture between Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool, has been selected by the government to spearhead the exciting new initiative.

L

OCAL SMEs and entrepreneurs in the Liverpool region will be at the forefront of creating a new generation of Internet of Things (IoT) enabled services and applications, as Sensor City has been selected as one of six partners to drive a new initiative to boost the range of products and services that will transform the UK’s digital economy.

Sensor City, a joint venture between Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool, has been chosen as a partner of IoTUK Boost – a programme of activities that seeks to advance the UK’s global leadership in the Internet of Things and increase the adoption of high quality IoT technologies and services throughout businesses and the public sector. As part of the IoTUK Boost programme, Sensor City will build experimentation test-beds for businesses and entrepreneurs to develop a wide variety of products and services which will drive forward innovation.

Working in partnership with Stream Technologies, Sensor City will implement a low power Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) within the Liverpool City Region to enable businesses and entrepreneurs to develop and test Internet of Things (IoT) products and services in a live environment.

The Internet of Things is about

● Sensor City has been chosen as a partner of IoTUK Boost

connecting devices over the internet, and having them communicate with us and other applications. For example, a heating system which will be able to turn its temperature down if it senses that no one is home or a fridge that can alert your mobile phone if milk is running low. The IoTUK Boost pilot forms part of the activity generated by the national

● The Internet of Things is the connecting of devices to collect and exchange data.

Digital Catapult Network and will enable Liverpool City Region businesses to work with Sensor City in the design and test of ‘IoT’ products and innovations.

IoTUK Boost will look to drive experimentation and innovation in areas including healthcare, traffic and transport services, energy management and environmental sensing. As an IoTUK Boost partner, Sensor City will hold meet ups, open calls and training workshops to stimulate engagement within the test network for a minimum of six months. The aim is to work with a minimum of 10 SMEs or entrepreneurs, to help them to bring early stage IoT products and services to a commercial prototype stage, or early market release.

Dr Joanne Phoenix, Business Development Manager at Sensor City, said: “This is a great opportunity for Liverpool’s thriving digital businesses and entrepreneurs to access the expertise housed at Sensor City to enable them to collaborate, explore and develop new IoT technologies which will help drive productivity in their own business, as well as establish the city region as a national

leader in digital innovation.

“We were selected due to the unique sensor development expertise of our academic partners - Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool – which will enable us to help companies with a particular interest in use of environmental monitors, pollution sensors and the ability to make social care devices, more widespread. We encourage any interested business to get in touch to benefit from this new initiative.”

Minister of State for Digital and Culture, Matt Hancock, said: “The Internet of Things stands to benefit a great number of people as well as the wider economy. Due to the strong interest shown so far in this initiative, we have doubled the amount of funding available to give more entrepreneurs the opportunity to test their products. Boost will help to provide local infrastructure and support for promising IoT businesses to innovate and bring exciting new IoT products and services to market.”

Companies interested in engaging with the project should email info@sensorcity.co.uk

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 37

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

I

F Tranmere Rovers needed a breath of fresh air to sweep through the entire club as it spiralled into decline and out of the football league for the first time in its history, it didn’t get one.

It got a Wirral whirlwind instead.

Mark Palios admits he can’t relax.

Because, for him, ‘better never sleeps’ – one of his many mantras.

And now the whirlwind that began to blow away the cobwebs when it arrived has become a true hurricane force, rattling Tranmere’s historic Prenton Park foundations to their core as he and wife Nicola replace complacency and decay with pride and rebirth. And much, much more.

The waves Mark Palios is creating reverberate not just round Tranmere, but around the entire Wirral peninsula and its business community. Its social and educational landscape, too.

When asked how important Tranmere are to the very identity of the peninsula, he of course agrees they are pivotal. But he prefers to quote the town’s long serving MP, Frank Field.

Palios, Tranmere chairman and owner, told Business Post: “Frank said something to me which I just reflected on and thought ‘Yeah, that’s right.’

“He said that at one stage there were two heartbeats on the Wirral. There was Cammell Laird’s shipyard and there was the football club. And he’s dead right.

“Of course, the yard has been re energised again and it is there as a vibrant part of the local community.

And I think the football club can do it too, and play its part.”

Palios, the Liverpool-born son of a Greek immigrant dock worker, moved to Wirral when he was six. A belated introduction to football – he attended of 2014 when he sensed Tranmere’s Birkenhead’s rugby-playing school St fate as they were beaten and relegated Anselm’s and only went to his first from League One. match, an FA Cup final, in 1967 at the He told her: ‘That’s it. We’ll go down, age of 15 – was followed by an emerging soccer talent that saw him go then we’ll go down again. Then we’ll go into administration and that’s the on to develop a 12-year professional end of the club….’ career with Tranmere and Crewe.

Said Palios: “Nicky turned to me and While still playing, he studied just said: ‘Well, do something about it’. accountancy and, after hanging up his “So I said: ‘I will if you will.’ boots as a hard-tackling midfield Persuading former chairman Peter dynamo, he forged a new, highly Johnson to write off £5m in debt, successful career in the City.

After time as a chartered accountant Palios, who played almost 250 games for Rovers, took over the reins in at Arthur Young, Palios became a August 2014. It proved too late to save senior partner at Price Waterhouse the club from further demise – they Cooper, developing an expertise over three decades as a specialist in turning dropped out of the Football League after a defeat at Plymouth Argyle in around failing businesses. Oh, and a April 2015 sealed their fate. But he’d colourful spell as Chief Executive Officer of the Football Association, working alongside then England When I took over, people’s reaction manager Sven Goran was more in their tone of voice.

Eriksson.

They’d say ‘You’ve done what?’

Palios, now 64, was retired and driving through France Mark Palios with Nicola in the late spring

●●Mark Palios in the club shop at Prenton Park PICTURE: geoff davies

‘Steve Coppell told me I was impossibly brave’ already begun a multi-faceted change process to transform affairs both on and off the pitch.

At the time of going to press, Tranmere sat third in the Vanarama National League, with high hopes of returning to the Football League come May. With gates holding up at 5,000 per home game on average, he sees a bright future emerging from the gloom and despondency of recent years.

Others think he is ‘nuts’.

Ex-team mate and TV sports presenter Ray Stubbs had told him to go for it. But many friends and associates were less enthusiastic.

Said Palios: “When I took over, people’s reaction was more in their tone of voice. They’d say, ‘You’ve done what?’

“Or for example Steve Coppell, (ex-team mate) who left a message for me that said ‘Just tell him he is impossibly brave’.

Ironically, after 30 years going in to save businesses that he didn’t know, Palios found himself volunteering his

services at one he did know. And loved.

But he hasn’t let that love blind him and has used a familiar business rescue formula. Creating ‘a breathing space’, and sorting out the balance sheet (he inherited a one million pound structural loss), he then set about extracting what he calls ‘the organic potential’.

Among it all now is an impressive list of achievements and ambitions.

Tranmere have launched their own, on-site vocational college; they have turned their recreation facility into a top-class facility for Futsal– a smallsided derivative of soccer with roots in South America. It’s a skill based game which he passionately believes can help develop UK talent. That player development is key to his longer term strategy.

Tranmere have bought a hotel – the River Hill in Oxton. They’ve forged genuinely close and fruitful links with TURN TO PAGE 38

38 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

FROM PAGE 37

their fans through the Supporters Trust and the Supporters Club. Highlyrespected Supporters Trust leader Ben Harrison now sits alongside Palios on the Prenton Park board.

Rovers have transformed their community and charity work and are completing an impressive new training ground and academy facility at Solar Campus in Wallasey.

Among all that, they have also become the first UK football club to secure a contract with the Chinese government, to co-operate with them in developing the game in China via an agreement with Inner Mongolia where the country’s first football city – Hohhot – is emerging.

Palios is hugely – and rightly – proud of that.

Add much more too, including an upgrading of the club’s suites and hospitality offerings, plus plans for a major, three-day pop and rock concert at Prenton Park in May this year, featuring big names like Little Mix and Madness. You can feel those warming winds of significant change. And growing revenue streams.

He adds: “This wasn’t an emotional decision to come back, save that I would never have done it at any other club.

“I’ve been going into businesses for 30 years and I’m an industry agnostic but a situation expert.

“I know the situation; how you go into a business that’s knackered and how you pick out the good guys, you pick out the good products, you pick out the good services.”

He adds: “I always knew when I came up here – and again it is local knowledge – that this was a local solution.

“The business community in Wirral has been fantastic and more and more of them now have the confidence to get involved with us.

“Like Finsa (one of Europe’s largest MDF and chipboard manufacturers, based at Wirral docklands), which is a subsidiary of a Spanish company. They are a family-orientated business and they have been great. They align themselves with the values of the club.

“Tranmere as a club is desperately friendly – everybody loves the club, not just on Merseyside but right around the country.

“Because we have developed the community side so much, there is now a community inventory. So for the bigger companies that have a CSR (corporate and social responsibility) element to their agenda, they can now get involved with us in a way they never could before. They can sponsor the college, or this or that.

“Those businesses do all exist in Wirral. You just go down the riverside,

●●Mark Palios and wife Nicola celebrate taking control of Tranmere Rovers on the Prenton Park pitch in August 2014 Picture: Martin Rickett/pa

and see how many big businesses there are there. And then you have the Vauxhalls and the Unilevers – we haven’t come anywhere near them or tapped into them yet.

“We have also launched an Ambassadors Club, which is about networking around the games. We have over the last couple of years built up a much more solid contacts base and we can introduce them to one another.

“We’ve got industry focuses. We started with the construction industry, partly because we wanted those people potentially to provide jobs for people from the college.

“We ourselves may not be a big business but we are now contributing to the Wirral massively.

“So it’s an opportunity for Wirral. It’s an opportunity for Wirral Borough Council. And it’s an opportunity for Liverpool city region.”

China in their hands

could come to the Solar campus, they could come over in the Chinese winter.

We’d send teachers over there and Just what ‘little’ Tranmere Rovers are they’d send teachers over here who we doing blazing a trail in helping China could use in local businesses and develop its high-profile football strategy – where global domination is schools.

“So it was maybe a bit oddball, I’d the ultimate, 50-year goal of its agree. But in Inner Mongolia they’d President – is curious at least. had to pitch against Beijing and Palios, who says Wirral is ‘hermetically sealed’ but is at the same Shanghai for the same quality time a hotbed of football passion, was teachers, but they always got the last pick. approached a year or so ago to get “They thought this was an angle for involved with a top educationalist them, so I said we’d do it. But I’ll only entrepreneur who sets up schools in do it if I could see money coming our China. The contact came via an way. ex-pupil of Mosslands School in “The upshot is that we now have a Wallasey.

Palios explained: “He’s an Anglophile 45 per cent stake in an international football school being set up by – and he likes football. probably the biggest educationalist “The idea was that Chinese kids would come over here for camps. They entrepreneur in Hohhot, which is the

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 39

Picture: geoff davies

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

●●Mark Palios aims to bring top-level League football back to Prenton Park

Putting Tranmere back on the League football map ●●Mark Palios, in his playing days for Tranmere, watches as Arsenal’s Alan Ball goes on a run during the 1973 League Cup tie at Highbury that Tranmere famously won 0-1 Picture: charlie ley/ Daily Mirror

capital of Inner Mongolia and the first football city in China – the biggest nation on the planet.

“On top of that, we also have links with Hainan which is an island in the south of China, and it’s their warm weather training camp.

“We have done the first month out there of a five-month programme, training 30 coaches a month, and 600 kids. So you are talking about 3,000 kids. Shaun Garnett, our ex-Head of Academy, has gone out ●●Shaun there, and he Garnett went on the day that Aaron

Cresswell (West Ham full back, ex-Tranmere) got his England call-up.

Aaron was one of Shaun’s pupils – so they think this is fantastic.

“Following on from that, in February, we will get 45 coaches from China, coming out here. They’ll stay in the River Hill Hotel in Oxton, which we bought. They’ll go to Solar Campus, we’ll train them and they’ll get an FA International certificate. We’ll make money on that.

“And if that goes well, they need 1,000 coaches a year trained.

“So the Inner Mongolian government has a contract with us, which is unusual – they normally only ever have contracts with joint ventures.

“But I like the Chinese guys a lot. I trust them. It’s a little bit chaotic – but it’s great fun.”

Tranmere were for years famously partnered with Wirral Borough Council in a deal which put the word ‘Wirral’ on their shirts – and which also put Wirral on the map, driving it into the nation’s consciousness.

Before then, few people outside the region really knew where Wirral actually was.

That deal ended some years ago. But the association with the local authority continues in new and different ways.

Said Palios: “We have a different relationship with the council now, in that if you were to ask the council for the money, they haven’t got it.

“The better thing is to work in partnership on a lot of things. Like planning, licensing, delivery of lots of social programmes, etc. That relationship has improved and increased over the years.

“We are a more effective local delivery vehicle. My job in turnaround was to make sure that we were effective deliverers. We would take strategic intent into daily actions.

“Lots of businesses fail to do that.

They talk strategic intent – then they carry on doing what they are doing back at the coalface.”

Part of Palios’ strategic intent is to continue the resurgence if, as and when Tranmere do regain their Football League status.

He’s anxious not to overstate or over-promise. But Palios ultimately sees Tranmere as a Championship club in exactly the same way that Peter Johnson and legendary team manager Johnny King did when they famously promised fans ‘a rocket ride to the moon’ through their investment and partnership in the 1980s after a similar

club crisis. It was a pledge that ended at Wembley – and also, briefly, put them on the brink of promotion to the Premier League.

If the day they do regain their League status comes, Palios will reflect on a certain matchday programme he keeps in his office. That day at Plymouth, as they dropped out of the Football League, Palios went across to the travelling Rovers fans to apologise to them. Instead, he found them wanting to take pictures and selfies with him, offering support in their – and his – darkest hour. And retaining their belief in what he was trying to do.

He says: “It’s not like a job where you are looking for a pay cheque.

“I’ve had fewer holidays doing this gratis than when I was at Price Waterhouse Cooper.

“But I don’t regret it at all. What would I be doing? Maybe writing a book. I was kidding myself – I can’t relax.

“But the Plymouth day – I have got to slay that one…..”

●●John Aldridge in action for Tranmere against Everton’s Dave Watson in a pre-1997-98 season friendly

40 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

BusinessDiary TALENT OF THE FUTURE The event will be of interest to LUNCH & LEARN - IMPROVING organisations from across the Liverpool City Region who are YOUR SALES STRATEGY engaged within the Back by popular demand, Wirral Chamber of Commerce Construction Sector. You will hear updates from Peel about is continuing with its Lunch significant regeneration and Learn sessions. The projects, including Wirral sessions provide you with Waters. informative updates over a Cost: Free working lunch. The sessions ●●Venue: Tower Road, are a great opportunity to network with other businesses Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 1FN ●●17:30 while learning useful tips to ●●To register for this event improve your business please go to https://www. processes. eventbrite.co.uk Cost: From £24 ●●Venue: The Lauries, 142 BEYOND BOLD: STRATEGIES Claughton Road, Birkenhead, FOR GROWTH - DELIVERED Wirral, CH41 6EY

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THE ART OF INFLUENCE Two-day event. Give your happiness a boost. Increase your income, get that ●●Fazenda’s promotion, get more out of Tomas Maunier your team, beat the competition, or generally get more out of life, by developing yourself and others in, and out of, the working environment.

January 24 Discover a modern approach BCC ACCREDITED - CUSTOMS to influencing with our course, PROCEDURES AND RULES OF and learn how improve yourself and others.

PREFERENCE Cost: Member: £399.00 Non This course will teach Member: £499.00 delegates how to comply with ●●Venue: Liverpool & Sefton customs regimes, the regimes Chamber of Commerce & available to help you save Industry, 1 Old Hall Street, money (IPR/OPR) and the Liverpool, L3 9HG rules determining preference rules of origin. These topics are ●●From: Tue, January 24th,

2017, 8:30 - To: Wed, January 25th, 2017, 16:30 ●●To find out more information on this course or to book, please visit the website at www. leonidasbusinessconsulting. co.uk, or email contact@ leonidasbusinessconsulting. co.uk IMPROVE YOUR TENDERING SKILLS Join us for a one-day training course designed to give delegates some practical advice to assist in the creation of compelling and highscoring tender responses, including classroom-style learning and practical exercises to apply the information. The course is run

by Stuart Reed, a highly experienced Tender Support Consultant, who has 14 years’ experience of writing and winning tenders, and whose largest win to date is a £40m contract over five years. Stuart has also been awarded an outstanding highest score on a tender of 96%.

Cost: members and nonmembers. £150 per person, first three delegates get training half price. ●●Venue: Liverpool & Sefton Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9HG ●●9:00 - 16:00 ●●Not sure whether this is for you? Call 07958 566 154 and speak to Stuart direct for more information.

TECH TUESDAY: FISHING FOR WHALES Fishing for Whales: How to get the major clients that can elevate your business to another level and how to deal with them once you’ve got them. Verb Marketing presents a session that discusses what marketing measures your business needs in place for capturing major clients.

Cost: Free ●●Venue: Ziferblat, 4 St Pauls Square, Liverpool, L3 9SJ ●●16:00 - 17:00 ●●To secure your place either book online, email events@ liverpoolchamber.org.uk or call us on 0151 227 1234.

Turn to page 41

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 41

Is there an event you think should be included on this page? Let us know by sending details to business@ trinitymirror.com. Please include the name of the event, a brief description, the time and date, the venue, and the contact information.

British Business Council) and Liverpool Vision, invites you to discuss HEALTH AND SAFETY business opportunities in China, to This course is a vocationally related understand One road One Belt and to qualification that is designed to give get a briefing on the Kunming Import you knowledge and understanding of and Export Trade Fair in June 2017. the basic principles of health and safety, hazards that can arise and some With traditional markets, such as the EU, at a relative standstill it is more of the protection available against those hazards. This course is nationally important than ever for UK businesses accredited and a certificate is included. to innovate their business plans, in order to move ahead of the market and Cost: Members £65 (excl. VAT), maximise new opportunities.

Non-members £130 (excl. VAT) Cost: Free ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber of ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of Commerce Commerce & Industry ●●9.30am-4.30pm ●●14:30-18:00 ●●Register via www.sthelenschamber. ●●To book visit http://www. com mychamber.co.uk/liverpool January 26 EXECUTIVE NETWORKING Join us for our first Executive LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SKILLS Networking event of 2017, held at This seminar has been designed to provide a well-rounded introduction to Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. We are delighted to welcome Liverpool John Leadership& Management.

Moores University Vice-Chancellor Cost: Members: £65.00 (excl. VAT), Professor Nigel Weatherill as our Non-members: £130.00 (excl. VAT) speaker. Professor Weatherill will talk ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber about the future vision of the ●●9:30am - 16:30pm ●●To register for this event visit https:// University, as well as its relationship with culture in the city and what www.sthelenschamber.com/booking impact this has had on their students and the region, demonstrating the January 27 benefits of business and culture working together.

MEET THE APPRENTICE Cost: Free Are you looking for extra help at your business? Have you considered taking ●●Venue: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, on an apprentice? St Helens Chamber Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BP ●●17:30-19:30 specialises in helping you recruit ●●To book on to this event, please young people through our Apprenticeship Programme and we are email events@liverpoolchamber.org.uk. always looking to increase the range of Places are exclusively available to those on Membership Plus and above and vacancies available. Cost: Free limited to two places per company. ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●8.30-11am ●●To register: Online registration is not February 2 available for this event - for more WELL CONNECTED - HOW TO GET THE information call 01744742028 MOST FROM YOUR WIRRAL CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP January 31 Stay Well Connected and learn all about the comprehensive range of MARKET YOUR BUSINESS benefits on offer as part of your This one-day workshop helps you Chamber membership. Meet the understand the importance of marketing within your overall business Wirral Chamber team and network strategy. Learn how to really appreciate with fellow members. Our first Well Connected for 2017 welcomes one of market demand, understand your our accredited partners Westfield customers’ needs and stimulate Health. Every day, Westfield Health is increasing sales for your product/ enabling more employees and their service. families to confidently take control of Cost: Members £65 (excluding VAT), their health.

Non-members: £130 (excluding VAT) Cost: Free ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●Venue: The Lauries, 142 Claughton ●●9.30am-4.30pm.

Road, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 6EY ●●To register: https://www. ●●07:45 – 09:30 sthelenschamber.com/booking ●●To register for this event please go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk TRADE FOCUS: CHINA Liverpool and Sefton Chamber of Turn to page 42 Commerce, along with CBBC (China

From page 40

BUSINESS POST PARTNER

The return of LEAP festival Merseyside’s multi-awardwinning dance organisation, MDI (Merseyside Dance Initiative) launches its most bold and ambitious programme of dance to date for LEAP 2017 (March 1 - 12)

● Gary Clarke’s award winning production of COAL will open the LEAP festival

IN its 25th year in Liverpool, MDI, the dance development organisation is working in partnership with The Unity Theatre and Make Liverpool to create the first of its kind two week popup dance house for LEAP festival in Liverpool.

Following the successful Kickstarter campaign which raised £5,175 to support the creation of the dedicated dance house, MDI is working with Make Liverpool to refit their versatile warehouse to create a fully accessible performance space and festival hub with full catering facilities, bar and exhibition spaces.

Karen Gallagher MBE, artistic director of MDI commented: “LEAP 2017 is a celebration of 25 years of dance in Liverpool and we are as passionate as ever about the ‘coming of age of dance’ in the city. We are seeing dance reach a wider audience then ever before, and LEAP as always will produce inspirational and challenging productions. We are excited to take over Make Liverpool, creating a pop-up dance house - a first for the city.”

The festival has already attracted an impressive line-up of national and internationally renowned dancers and

choreographers with performances from the award-winning dancer and choreographer Gary Clarke, Barrowland Ballet, and Hetain Patel.

PRO-MASTERCLASSES The festival will also offer a host of pro-masterclasses for aspiring dancers, workshops from national companies such as Stop Gap Dance Company and a community focused day. An installation exhibition from Rosemary Lee will run alongside the festival, entitled Without, with a seven screen video installation capturing a spectacular panoramic view and intimate portrait of Londonderry, commissioned by dancers from Echo Dance Theatre Company.

LEAP 2017 has also been made possible from the kind sponsorship and support of Morecrofts solicitors, Edgehill University, Liverpool John Moores University, Jayne Moore Media and Wired Aerial Theatre with some additional programme taking place in their Higher Space.

More information can be found at unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/leap2017

42 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

BusinessDiary From page 41

February 3

60RUM: PUBLIC SECTOR TENDERING What if you could remove the fear factor of the mysterious world of tenders and learn how to find and evaluate suitable opportunities, as well as create compelling submissions to give yourself the greatest possible chance of success? In this session, Courtney Tender Services’ resident expert, Stuart Reed, will take you through the whole process.

Cost: Members free, Nonmembers: £10 ●●Venue: Liverpool and Sefton Chambers of Commerce, Number 1, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9HG ●●9am-10am ●●To register book online via www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk, email events@ liverpoolchamber.org.uk or call 0151 227 1234.

liverpoolchamber.org.uk, email events@liverpoolchamber.org. uk or call us now on 0151 227 1234 February 8 GET INTO MARKETING CIM has announced that it will be running a series of careers events across the north of England as part of its ‘New Year, new you’ campaign.

Diane Earles, Network Manager for CIM, explained “Whether you are a would-be marketer, a graduate starting out or an experienced marketer looking for that next promotion then these events are for you.”

Cost: Free (open to members and non-members of CIM) ●●Venue: Liverpool John Moores University ●●6pm ●●For more information or to book go to http://www.cim. co.uk or call 01628 427340 during office hours.

February 13 LIVERPOOL JMU The Roscoe Lectures use research, humour and political insight to explore current, engaging topics.

The Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable, pictured, former Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills and President of the Board of Trade (20102015), will deliver a lecture entitled Brexit and the North-South Divide.

Bookings will be made direct with the Philharmonic. Further information is available from https://www.ljmu. ac.uk/about-us/events/ roscoe-lecture-vincecable. ●●Venue: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall ●●5pm ●●For further information email: roscoelectures@ljmu. ac.uk

February 7

February 9

GENERATE BUSINESS VIA ONLINE MARKETING Online marketing is becoming increasingly tricky continuous innovations between rival search engines, coupled with increased activity from your competitors, means that you have to identify the right strategy for your business to rank well. Cutting through the smoke and mirrors, the presenter will share success stories and give away industry tips and tricks.

Cost: Members £49 (excl. VAT), Non-members £99 (excl. VAT) ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber of Commerce ●●9.30am-1pm ●●To register go to www. sthelenschamber.com

DOING BUSINESS IN TURKEY Liverpool and Sefton Chamber of Commerce, along with Turkish Airlines, invites you to hear how to do business in Turkey.

Cost: Free to both members and non-members ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Number One Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9HG ●●10.30am-12.45pm ●●To register go to www. liverpoolchamber.org.uk or to find out more email the team at export@liverpoolchamber.org. uk or call Elena Enciso on 0151 227 1234

non-members 8am-9.30am ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of Commerce CIC, Number One Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9HG ●●To register go to www. liverpoolchamber.org.uk

February 10

February 15

PREPARING FOR CHANGE - APPRENTICESHIP AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT REFORM Major changes to the recruitment and training of apprentices are being introduced in May 2017.

Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce are inviting employers to join a breakfast event to discuss the implications of the changes.

Cost: Free to members and

LJMU MARITIME CENTRE CAN YOU GUIDE A VESSEL INTO PORT ON A SHIPHANDLING SIMULATOR? This will be a fantastic visual and practical experience for visitors who will see not only the marine training facilities, incorporating three advanced full mission ship bridge simulators, but also take part in guiding a vessel into port on the ship-handing simulators.

Cost: Free, Chamber members

MEET & EAT Our sell-out networking event will return in February. Join us as we arrange the introductions on your behalf while you relax, socialise and hopefully do deals.

Cost: Member £15, Nonmember: £25 ●●Venue: The Venue, Royal Liverpool Building, Pier Head, Liverpool, L3 1HU ●●To book go to www.

Is there an event you think should be included on this page? Let us know by sending details to business@ trinitymirror.com. Please include the name of the event, a brief description, the time and date, the venue, and the contact information.

only, maximum 20 attendees. ●●Venue: LJMU Maritime Centre, 3 Vanguard Way, Birkenhead, CH41 9HX ●●12noon-3pm approx

February 28

IN BUSINESS - DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGY Member-only event. The session is aimed at individuals ●●To register for this event who want to have a theoretical please go to https://www. understanding of digital eventbrite.co.uk marketing.

ROCKING THE 2017 SALES Cost: Free ●●Venue: The Lauries, 142 WITH LINKEDIN Claughton Road, Birkenhead, Discover Linkedin as a lead Wirral, CH41 6EY generator. ●●08.30 Cost: Member £48.50 Non ●●To register for this event Member: £97.00 ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of please go to https://www. eventbrite.co.uk Commerce, 1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 8AS March 7 ●●09:30-12:30 ●●To book visit https://www.

UNLOCK BUSINESS eventbrite.co.uk OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIA Cost: Free February 22 ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of WAVE - SPEED NETWORKING Commerce and Industry, Number One Old Hall Street, FROM WIRRAL CHAMBER Liverpool, L3 9HG During our speed networking ●●09:30-12:45 session, attendees have two ●●To book visit http://www. minutes to conduct mini meetings with every person at mychamber.co.uk/ the event.

Cost: Free to members, ●●Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Station in Mumbai £25+VAT non members. ●●Venue: The Lauries, 142 Claughton Road, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 6EY ●●17:30 ●●To register for this event please go to https://www. eventbrite.co.uk February 23

BCC ACCREDITED DOCUMENTARY LETTER OF CREDIT This course is a must for anyone in the export team who processes letters of credit. The course explains the process by showing examples and providing delegates the opportunity of putting into practice what they have learnt by completing practical tasks.

You also obtain one credit for the BCC Foundation in International Trade.

Cost: Member £200 Nonmember £250 ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Number One Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9HG ●●9am-5pm ●●To register go to www. liverpoolchamber.org.uk

March 9 PREPARING FOR CHANGE - APPRENTICESHIP AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT REFORM Cost: Free ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Number One Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9HG ●●12:00-12:30 ●●To book visit http://www. mychamber.co.uk/

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 43

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

in the news

Email: tom.belger@trinitymirror.com

Doors open on retail awards nominations

BY SUSAN LEE

T

HE full list of nominations for the ECHO Retail Awards 2017 has been announced with an impressive spread of retailers represented from across the city.

High street giants such as Boots, John Lewis, Miss Selfridge and Topshop take their place alongside fashion favourites including Hugo Boss, Radley and Victoria’s Secret while a range of independent stores will also now go forward to the judging process.

Jewellers, the beauty and travel industries and even the Museum of Liverpool are also represented across 12 categories including Best Independent Retailer, Social Impact Award and the Best Employer Award.

There are also two awards which will go to a public vote – The Customer Service and Retail Icon Awards.

The nominations for the Retail Icon Awards are The North Face, EE, Kuoni Travel, and Killian c/o Beauty Bazaar “We have been thrilled with the standard of entry for the nominations,” said Director of OCD Event

●●Liverpool Cathedral will host the awards event on March 23

Management Liz Dicastiglione. “We want to help make Liverpool the premier retail destination in the UK and the awards are the perfect way to show off exactly how exciting this city really is both to live and shop.”

The majority of the nominations will

now go before an independent panel of judges with the event itself taking place at Liverpool Cathedral on March 23. ●● More information and ticket details are available from www. retailawardsliverpool.co.uk.

THE NOMINATIONS best NATIONAL SHOP Topshop; Wilko; Boots UK; Hugo Boss; John Lewis; Ernest Jones; Bravissimo; Kuoni Travel best INDEPENDENT RETAILER Silverberg Opticians; Boudoir Boutique; Paw abella; Smiffy’s; Baby Melanie; Quarters; Kirsty Doyle; Utility BEST RETAIL TEAM Beauty Bazaar HN; Wilko; Bodyshop; Hugo Boss; Boots Opticians; Optical Express; Liverpool Football Club; Fragrance Shop; Dr Martens; Pretty Green; Silverberg Opticians; Radley; Utility; The North Face; EE; Kuoni Travel SOCIAL IMPACT Museum of Liverpool; Lush Spa; Utility BEST EMPLOYER John Lewis; H Samuels; Bravissimo; Utility RISING STAR Killian/ c/o Beauty Bazaar EXCELLENCE IN VISUAL MERCHANDISING Ann Summers; Topshop; David M Robinson; Wongs Jewellers; Utility; Liverpool Football Club INNOVATION AWARD Bravissimo; Utility BEST NEW STORE Sharky’s; Victoria’s Secret manager OF THE YEAR Ann Summers; Wilko; Hugo Boss; Ernest Jones; Virgin Holidays; Utility; Bravissimo CUSTOMER SERVICE Lush Spa; Miss Selfridge; Hugo Boss ;John Lewis; Jonny Goggles; Eurochange; Flannels; Silverberg Opticians; Links London; Bravissimo; Hotel Chocolat; Utility

New formula offers appeal to investors

●●John Downes, Chairman of Sci-Tech Daresbury joint venture

Investors are being offered the chance to earn tax relief as they help give a start to young science companies based at Sci-Tech Daresbury.

The science park, which is already home to more than 100 high-tech companies and enjoys Enterprise Zone status, has teamed up with Manchester-based Deepbridge Capital to launch a Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS).

The scheme will provide funding across a diversified portfolio of Daresbury companies, each of which can raise up to £150,000.

Tax breaks for investors include up

to 50% income tax relief, up to 50% capital gains tax write-off, inheritance tax exemption, capital gains free growth and loss relief.

John Downes, Managing Director of Langtree and Chairman of the Sci-Tech Daresbury joint venture company, said access to funding was a key element in helping high-growth technology SMEs to survive and thrive.

He added: “I believe this initiative will help some of our world-class, cutting-edge businesses which already see strong sales growth rates of 30% per year, to take the next step in their development and access the

investment they seek to achieve their ambitions.”

Ian Warwick, Managing Partner at Deepbridge Capital, said Daresbury had developed a reputation over decades of providing innovative technology businesses with the best possible start.

“Investors are crying out for credible SEIS investment opportunities,” he commented.

“By enabling invested companies to take advantage of the facilities and support at Sci-Tech Daresbury, we are seeking to provide investors with seed ●●Ian Warwick, Managing Partner at Deepbridge investments that stand the very best Capital chance of succeeding.”

44 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Special report

Cheshire business winners call for a united, single voice JOHN THOMPSON listens to concerns about the county falling behind its city neighbours

C

HESHIRE needs a new, strong and unified business voice to ensure it doesn’t lose ground to the neighbouring big cities of Liverpool and Manchester.

That was the conclusive theme of a round table debate involving winners of this year’s Cheshire Business Awards, staged recently by Trinity Mirror at Chester Cathedral.

A number of the award winners came together to celebrate their success at Oddfellows in Chester, along with senior representatives from leading law firm SAS Daniels – sponsors of the prestigious annual awards night.

The meeting was chaired by Trinity Mirror Regional Head of Editorial Partnerships, John Thompson.

And there was a resounding view that Cheshire – while rich in talents and business assets – is facing major challenges from its large metropolitan neighbours which can only be tackled by a new, single group to co-ordinate, communicate and win key business and government funding for projects.

The issue was raised by David Barlow, whose electrical company Barlows UK have won a string of awards over the years, the latest coming in the shape of Cheshire Employer of the Year.

Said the head of the Malpas-based company: “I have felt the power of Greater Manchester.

“Liverpool have now done a mini Manchester with skills and businesses.

“They’ve got their own hub, which is Wirral, Liverpool, Halton and a few other places – all gathered together.

“We are not together enough to apply for anything. So we need to get together to have our own Cheshire and Warrington hub.

“And we need to start applying for money and we need a central team that

●●David Barlow, of electrical company Barlows UK, has seen the pulling power of neighbouring areas and feels Cheshire needs to respond, a sentiment echoed by Colin Brew, the Chief Executive of the North Wales and East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce (inset)

businesses can contact.”

Colin Brew, the Chief Exec-utive of the North Wales and East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, which represents 600 businesses and who was recently declared Cheshire Business Person of the Year, agreed with those sentiments.

He said: “I know everything that you have just said is absolutely right, David.

We suffer from having three local authorities all doing three things very, very differently. And the cohesion just isn’t there.

“You have the Chester and District Business Club, the Chamber of

Commerce, the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses), the Cheshire Professionals. And we’ve tried on a couple of occasions this year to initiate a round-the-table discussion – a ‘Let’s leave our baggage outside the door, we come in here with a blank piece of paper and we invest in the future of Chester’.

“That has proved almost impossible.

We are getting left behind by Liverpool and Manchester… And I could scale

We are not together enough to apply for anything David Barlow

that out to our region. We have three local authorities not prepared to say ‘Look we are getting left behind by Liverpool and Manchester’.

“But we all say: ‘Look we need to act with one voice here’ no matter how much you like it or don’t like it, or however parochial your outlook is.

“I appreciate there is a parochial outlook to Chester and to certain towns and locations. But we have to be bigger and better than that.”

Jeremy Orrell, Partner and Head of SAS Daniels Corporate team, stressed Cheshire needs to use some of its own professional services more – instead of looking outside the county.

Turn to page 46

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46 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Special report From page 44

He said: “I worked 25 years in Manchester and you’ve got the big pull of Manchester.

“You didn’t have it to the same extent in Liverpool – but you do now and have had for a decade at least. That’s been transformed.

“But it’s this ‘What is Cheshire and Warrington?’ And we’ve had this conversation before.

“I was watching the Politics Show on TV the other Sunday and they were talking about the Mayor of Cheshire.

They were saying of Warrington, ‘Well do they go with the Mayor of Cheshire or the Mayor of Liverpool? And Warrington has always been a bit independent like that. hasn’t it?

“Personally if I was them I’d go with Cheshire because you could get lost with Liverpool, couldn’t you?

“We also had a bit of experience regarding professional firms. We try to engage with local authorities, because local authorities seem to be very keen to push their work out of Cheshire.

“When it came to legal services, accountancy services, other services, it was using firms in London, in Manchester or in Liverpool – when there’s a lot of good firms here.

“So it’s been difficult and I think getting together, you can show that as different types of business, we have all got something to offer in this locality.

“It is easy to lose that.”

His colleague Kaye Whitby, Partner and Head of SAS Daniels Chester office, added: “Chester has been the author of its own misfortune in many ways.

“Obviously I can only speak from the professional community. We’ve been in Chester now coming up ten years and it’s only about now that people will accept us as being part of Chester.

“We were in Chester – but not of Chester. Certain businesses were quite obstructive, because we were coming in and trying to do things differently.

“But I think there’s been a real shift, because some of the people I’m talking

●●The Cheshire business winners gather for their debate on the county’s future with John Thompson (centre back)

about were maybe getting towards the end of their career and they had perhaps always done it like that.

“Now I think there is a lot of new blood coming in. I think we have got a good mix. Certainly as a business, we see our young trainees coming in, do a training contract with us. But then they are attracted by the bright lights of Liverpool and Manchester. So there is a challenge to keep young people out of those areas.”

Carolyn Bruce, representing Innovation Award winner Chester

This is about creating a legacy for this city and its future, isn’t it?

Colin Brew

Cathedral, focused on the battle for tourism.

She said: “We don’t want to be like Manchester or Liverpool but at the same time we are competing with them.

“A big chunk of our activity is tourism and in Cheshire we have so much.

“But we are still losing out to Manchester and Liverpool.

“So there is just a lot of work that we have to do. So how do we go about getting that going?”

Said Colin Brew: “There’s a sense of confusion in terms of what Cheshire and Warrington is, as we have talked about.

“We’ve got five chambers of commerce in Cheshire and Warrington.

How confusing is that?

“There is one example of the level of confusion and complexity to what

actually should be quite a simplistic geography. And a fantastic geography in terms of potential.

“Maybe in the fullness of time we could create a Cheshire Chamber of Commerce – which is probably exactly what we need.

“I think in Chester, certainly from that tourism and hospitality element, we are only just waking up. At five o’clock in Chester we all go home. It gets dark, the students come out and then it starts again the next day.

“There are too many closed groups in Chester. You know, ‘This is us. And that’s you’ And you’re over there’. And we just need to drop all that nonsense.

“Forget our grounds, forget where we want to be – because this is about creating a legacy for this city and its future, isnt it?”

We should play to strengths – not try to be new Liverpool Peter Hartwell, Chief Executive of Everbody Sport and Recreation, who won the Apprenticeship Award, stressed Cheshire needed to confidently capitalise on its own identity and unique strengths.

He said: “It’s interesting to listen to this and that about the powerhouses of Liverpool and Manchester.

“I don’t think we perhaps ever could become a Liverpool or a Manchester.

They’ve been doing what they are

doing for a few hundred years and with that industrial might that sits behind them.

“What is special about this part of the world is Chester. And we should look at the opportunities which that brings with it, rather than trying to become a new Manchester or a mini Liverpool.

“We are where we are and there is a culture around this that isn’t Liverpool or Manchester. And actually we

should be looking to exploit that rather than trying to be something that we probably never will become.

“There’s a danger we will almost lose that distinctiveness, that uniqueness, that makes us Cheshire.

“Yes, let’s try and learn some of the lessons from Liverpool and Manchester and good practice and how they join it up. But I don’t think we should be trying to emulate them.

We are different.”

●●Peter Hartwell

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