DQ 18: Indy Issue

DQ

uptown girl Victoria Brown considers the possibilities of what the outcome of the vote could mean to the future of work and how best organisations can prepare for it.

INDY ISSUE SUMMER 2016 // ISSUE 18

airport after dark Tom Woolley reviews the latest Downtown Exclusive event at Liverpool John Lennon Aiport.

totally frank Downtown chief executive Frank McKenna suggests why voting patterns were as inconsistent as they were across the region; and also bemoans the England football teams apparent desire to exit early from the Euros.

barnfield’s brum Stacey Barnfield hands over the keys to this issue’s Barnfield’s Brum to allow three of the region’s arts and creative leaders ask the question: ‘What could a Metro-mayor do for Birmingham’s creative economy?’

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editor’s welcome.

JACK HUNTER EDITOR OF DQ MAGAZINE

Independence Day may not have been what many of us (well 48% of us to be precise) wanted, but Independents day is something we can surely all support.

For in the cities of Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester; and in the county of Lancashire, there are some hugely successful independent businesses. This special digital edition of DQ focusses on and celebrates those Indy brands.

This Indy Issue also looks at the implications of the EU referendum vote, whilst also looking at some of the event highlights enjoyed by Downtown members during the past few months, including the BOOST conference in Lancashire; a barnstorming ‘Rise & Grind’ with Michael Finnigan in Birmingham and the Liverpool Women in Business Awards.

We also ask if Manchester is losing its edge, talk to barrister turned restauranteur Nisha Katona and, as always, list the coolest hospitality venues in planet Downtown – alongside our latest ‘Cool List’.

So, kick off your shoes, grab a coffee, pick up your Ipad and enjoy the latest edition of the business magazine with attitude!

Feedback, ideas, reviews and compliments, especially compliments, are most welcome and should be sent to me jack.hunter@downtowninbusiness.com Enjoy!

Jack

4 // EDITOR’S WELCOME

CONTRIBUTORS. THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE IT HAPPEN

Frank McKenna Chief Executive // Downtown In Business FIND OUT MORE

Stacey Barnfield Chairman // Downtown Birmingham In Business FIND OUT MORE

SPECIAL THANKS TO Paul Yates Christine Oxenburgh Laura Wolfe Steve Kuncewicz Michael Taylor David Johnstone Craig Sergeant

Jim Hancock Political Editor // Downtown In Business FIND OUT MORE

Victoria Brown Managing Director // oneHR FIND OUT MORE

Tom Woolley Head of Business Support Liverpool // Downtown In Business FIND OUT MORE

DESIGN & ARTWORK Jack Hunter photography Marmalade Toast Deana Kay Photography Jas Sansi Photography Unsplash

5 // CONTRIBUTORS

THIS MAGAZINE IS WRITTEN, DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY THE DOWNTOWN IN BUSINESS TEAM, AND PRINTED BY CALLPRINT © DOWNTOWN IN BUSINESS. Downtown in Business can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by the advertisers. The views expressed are not necessarily the views of the publisher (DIB).

CONTENTS. INDY ISSUE SUMMER 2016 // ISSUE 18

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T O TA L LY F R A N K

JUST JIM

BARNFIELD’S BRUM

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UPTOWN GIRL

WHERE’S WOOLLEY?

NEW FOUND GUIDE FOR INDEPENDENTS

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YORK SPILLS THE BEANS ON 150K EXPA N S I O N P R OJ E CT

HAVING A HUB FOR BUSINESS GROWTH

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N I S H A K AT O N A : F R O M DOWNTOWN EXCLUCOURT BARRISTER TO SIVE EVENT: AIRPORT CURRY QUEEN AFTER DARK

HAS THE MAKING OF THIS ‘NEW MANCHESTER’ I M PA CT E D O N T H E CITY’S PERSONALITY?

34 FINNIGAN INSPIRES A N D C A P T I VAT E S BIRMINGHAM AUDIENCE

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS 2016

LANCASHIRE BUSINESS BOOST CONFERENCE 2016

LANCASHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS 2016

42 COOL LIST

7 // CONTENTS

totally frank The decision to discontinue the UKs membership of the EU not only split the country, it split the Northwest too, with the cities of Manchester and Liverpool backing remain, whilst many surrounding boroughs and the county of Lancashire voted to leave. Downtown chief executive Frank McKenna suggests why voting patterns were as inconsistent as they were across the region; and also bemoans the England football teams apparent desire to exit early from the Euros.

WHY DID MANCHESTER & LIVERPOOL VOTE ‘REMAIN’?

Though there were comfortable majorities for the Remain campaign in Manchester and Liverpool in June’s EU referendum, the big Northwest cities found themselves out of step not only with the majority for the country, but the majority of the region too.

Whilst city dwellers delivered a big vote to support the Status Quo, Brexit was secured, albeit by a small margin, as surrounding towns and boroughs like St Helens, Halton, Knowsley, Wigan, Rochdale and Salford were joining the 52% of the country who believe that the UK is better outside of the EU. But why did the Remain campaign chime so successfully with the two major conurbations of the region? For me, there were three key reasons.

to the important part migrants had played in the city’s history, as well as a welcoming message for those who want to visit, or indeed, come and settle in the city.

Finally, the Labour Party in each city has effective campaigning machines that far outperform many of their counterparts in other areas of the country. Sir Richard Leese often comments that he is neither New Labour nor Old Labour. He is Manchester Labour. This consistent engagement with the electorate and local communities was an important aspect in Remain being able to get out the vote in Liverpool and Manchester; a lesson that needs to be learnt by Labour organisations across the country if the party has any realistic chance of a nationwide recovery any time soon.

Firstly, the economic growth that has been enjoyed and the physical regeneration of Manchester and Liverpool has provided Liverpudlians and Mancunians alike with a swagger and confidence in their future. It was easier for Remain to sell continued economic prosperity to those who witness it on a daily basis – even if some of them haven’t necessarily benefitted yet on a personal level. There was also a recognition among voters of the significant contribution European funding had played in the renaissance of both cities.

Second, immigration is never an easy card to play in Manchester or Liverpool. To places that have been built, developed and grown by migrants, multiculturalism and diversity is seen by most as a huge benefit, rather than the huge problem it was being portrayed as by ‘Leave’. Indeed, as recently as 2008, Liverpool boasted the strap line ‘A World in One City’ – a nod

8 / / TOTA L LY F R A N K

ENGLAND AND THE ‘ACADEMY’ GENERATION FAIL AGAIN Few of us expected England to win the European Championships. Nevertheless, once we had won through to the Round of sixteen, with the usual struggle and bluster that has become the English way in these competitions, it was at least assumed that Iceland would be comfortably overcome.

Before people start shouting about how great Iceland were, look at how France professionally dispatched them and then argue that England were beaten by a new European giant.

A post mortem of the latest failure will go on for months, before we appoint a number of high profile ex- players to the coaching staff (Gerrard, Shearer, Ferdinand et al) none of whom have any track record as coaches; and then likely appoint another foreign manager, because we haven’t tried that before have we?

The fact is that, as the former chief executive of the FA David Davies pointed out at a recent Downtown event, the national team is now hugely hampered by the Premier League, which is stuffed full of wonderful players – but few of them from England. No club or manager prioritises the national interest above self- interest – which is a little bit like our political leaders at the moment isn’t it?

a county of discontent I have no extensive polling evidence to confirm this, but my gut instinct tells me that though the majority of Lancashire’s people voted to exit the European Union in the recent referendum, the vast majority of business owners in the county voted to remain.

Immigration was allowed to become the bigger issue in voter’s heads, as Remain struggled to find a narrative to calm fears around migration policy, let alone articulate the many benefits immigrants bring to the UK.

Downtown’s member poll showed 73% in favour of maintaining a place within the EU; and in the many business forums I attended, the ‘show of hands’ ask was met with overwhelming support for the Status Quo.

Economic stagnation, lack of access to quality public services and a belief that, at least in part, this is due to an explosion of foreigners taking to our shores is what won it for ‘Leave’.

However, the decision of most Lancastrians was in step with the majority of the country, and politicians from across the mainstream political spectrum would do well to admit why folk voted the way they did in places like Blackpool, Blackburn and Preston.

To continue to ignore those real concerns, or dismiss them as simply an agenda peddled by racists, would be a bigger travesty than that of leaving the EU.

It is difficult to sell the message that continued economic prosperity is at stake to someone who feels anything but prosperous. For all our talk of job creation and growth, wages in the county are below the national average and far too many parts of Lancashire fall into the ‘deprived’ category.

The quality of our schools performance is patchy too, so even talk of denying opportunities to future generations was a hard sell for the Remain campaign.

Whereas the big neighbouring cities of Manchester and Liverpool can see and feel the physical regeneration of their city hubs, thus supporting Remains economic case, many parts of Lancashire believe that they have been disregarded and their concerns dismissed by the political establishment.

Instead, mainstream political leaders from all sides must begin to find a way of regaining credibility and then having a mature and level headed debate about immigration.

The fact that UKIP and their all-to-willing outriders leading the Brexit campaign were able to ‘soundbite’ their way to victory, convincing people that they are being denied access to quality public services and better jobs because of immigration rather than austerity was the con of the century. If Lancashire and the UK is not to turn this drama into a crisis, then a very different approach to politics and political messaging will have to be created – and quick.

But given the way in which our mainstream political parties are performing at the moment, I wouldn’t hold your breath!

9 / / TOTA L LY F R A N K

just jim

the age of the mavericks. mavericks. mavericks.

The cry of rage represented by the Brexit vote in the UK, and the anger that may propel Donald Trump to the American presidency this autumn are spectacular manifestations of the same political problem.

The gap between rulers and ruled is growing dangerously wide.

This is particularly the case in respect of the people left behind whether they live in Burnley or Baltimore.

Consider the time line of events that have shaped the lives of people, most over 60, who are now rising in revolt. Traditional industries like mining and textiles were swept away. Their communities were changed by immigration. They were told to re skill for the digital age, more easily said than done. Then came the recession in 2008 to some extent caused by the casino economy of Wall Street and London. The bankers largely got away with it but the poor in the North,East and Midlands of England as well as the rust belt of the United States, didn't. They faced austerity.

Through it all they were represented by leaders that were increasingly made in the same mould. People who made the short journey from university to political adviser to parliament and Congress. The parties increasingly fought it out on a narrow centre ground with issues like immigration not mentioned. That was the sort of thing the neo Nazi British National Party spoke about.

But the age of bland was about to come to an end. Nigel Farage cultivated his image as the bloke at the bar. Some of his opinions were close to the BNP but at least he wore a suit rather than a leather jacket.

Although discarded now, he was the catalyst for Brexit.

The man who made it happen was Boris Johnson. Poor on policy implementation, he nevertheless capitalised on that old saying

11 // JUST JIM

about working class people loving a toff. His clowning around gave him the profile first to be Tory mayor of an increasingly Labour voting London; then to rescue the Leave campaign from defeat.

Labour had had enough of bland too but made the fateful decision to turn to Jeremy Corbyn. He was a serial rebel against the Labour leadership which helped propel him into his disastrous leadership of the party.

In America this march of the mavericks has yet to run its course. The federal government attracts massive hostility from large numbers of voters worried about their jobs or Hispanic immigration. By some of the statements he has made, Donald Trump, should have been out of the Republican race before it started. Not only did he beat fifteen credible rivals, but he now faces a flawed Hillary Clinton for the most powerful job in the world.

There was general surprise about the result of last year's UK General Election. There was profound shock over the Brexit vote.

Please don't be even more shocked if The Donald gets to the White House.

just jim

PART 2

SECOND REFERENDUM: DEFIANCE OR SENSE? In normal circumstances one could argue that trying to defy the democratically expressed wishes of the British people and call for a second referendum would be an outrageous proposition.

But there are two types of democracy. The representative model invites people to vote for parliamentary representatives who then try and implement the promises on which they were elected.

For example Ted Heath's Conservative government in 1970 was elected with a promise to try and join the EU. Our membership of the EU rests on that democratic expression of the people and should only be taken away when a party wins a General Election on the basis of withdrawal.

UKIP only elected one MP at the General Election but fear of them in 2013 persuaded David Cameron to use the other form of democracy to subvert the decision of the British people in 1970.

They have used the plebiscite form of democracy. It is a useful tool for politicians too cowardly to use their own judgement or to sort out an internal party problem. In 1975 Harold Wilson's European referendum was held because he was having problems with left wing anti Marketeers. The 2016 referendum was held because David Cameron feared UKIP. In neither case was the calling of the referendum really motivated by a desire to give the people a say.

Despite my belief in representative democracy it is nevertheless quite something to seek a second referendum. My main reason for doing so is because of the revolt of the North, because I believe our regions will be worst affected by leaving the EU. In other words if you think it's bad now, just wait. That is not to dismiss the anger over immigration. Policy changes and massive investment are going to be needed to deal with that but coming out of the EU is emphatically not the answer.

Leaving aside the immediate volatility on the money markets, it seems inevitable that we are heading for a recession. This is likely because we are in for a protracted period of talks on our future economic relations with the EU. Uncertainty will mean a freeze on investment. At the end of the process our former partners are making it clear we will not be able to have a ban on free movement and access to the single market. At that point the economy is further damaged as trade becomes more difficult and some companies relocate to Europe.

We have seen nothing but division and anger since June 24th.

Normally economic cycles are out of our control, this is a self inflicted wound indeed. It could bring HS2 and the Northern Powerhouse to a standstill. We'll “have our country back� but will it be worth it.

The political instability, particularly in the Labour Party, gives the possibility of a grand alliance for a second referendum in a potential autumn General Election. Currently the vast majority of our MPs believe in Remain. If that could be confirmed in a General Election, our representative government would have affirmed the decision of the British people in 1970.

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BARNFIELD’S BRUM.

ARTS LEADERS ASK WHAT METRO MAYORS WILL BRING TO BIRMINGHAM’S CREATIVE ECONOMY?

It’s a widely-held view that a thriving, buzzing, arts, culture and creative sector is of critical importance to wider business and economic fortunes, with several surveys saying this features highly on a company’s reasons to relocate.

So I’ve handed over the keys to this week’s Barnfield’s Brum to allow three of the region’s arts and creative leaders ask the question: ‘What could a Metro-mayor do for Birmingham's creative economy?'

Gary Topp Director, Culture Central

Metro-mayors in waiting, you’d do well to read this. Here’s what they have to say:

Rob Elkington Director, Arts Connect I know your legal powers seem limited but your power to choose how you use the status and profile you have is up to you.

You’ll need some positive stories and areas of action that will define whether your position is useful and whether you can impact on the health and future of our region.

So here’s something that has the ear of the Chancellor, the PM (at least until the 23rd June) and matters to a vast number of the region’s population.

You can choose to find out and talk about the arts and culture of the region that makes it so distinctive; you can choose to focus on building the vitality of the creative industries, tackle the chronic skills gap and the barriers that prevent too much young talent making an economic contribution; and choose to be positive about the potential of the region’s young people to shape and lead through culture.

For a guide suggest you have a chat with Jonnie Turpie and his partner Marian to find out what they achieved in his year as High Sherriff, using the office to bring attention to the diversity and achievements of young people in the arts and creativity across the west midlands.

I think you can be a key ally in convening and growing the capacity of the region’s cultural leaders for innovative collective action and to keep whittling away at the historical divides. An early outcome might be promoting the region as a site of world-class cultural and creative production so we can retain and attract talent and new investment.

As our public sector structures shape shift again into the new combined authority it is important to refresh our ideas, narratives and advocacy for the cultural and creative sectors. I think it is helpful to think of the combined authority as a city region and to consider this in global terms. A population of four million, in a diversified economy, has every reason to think in terms of global competitiveness.

Anita Bhalla Chair, Creative City Partnership I want real commitment, acknowledgment and action to proper our Creative Economy even further.

We are the home to one of Europe’s largest digital and creative clusters with Greater Birmingham recognised as the most entrepreneurial city outside London with over 32,000 new startups registered in the past two years.

Our creative industries will contribute to further development over the next 20 years. We are a young, digital and diverse city, which offers us limitless opportunities but to capitalise on our unique selling points we need bold forward thinking leadership which is not afraid to try out new ideas and back entrepreneurship.

Birmingham has an integrated partnership across the public, private and education sector which is allowing an ambitious strategy to fuel the Creative Ecosystem of our area and to work with key partners in facilitating growth.

The Creative Economy has the capability and to add billions to the growth of our GVA using the innovation strengths of our creative industries to drive new solutions, inspire new opportunities and deliver new efficiencies.

We want to create noise to be part of the national dialogue around the creative economy; we want to be part of the international delegations and visits. We must position ourselves to become the come to region for inspiration, innovation and advice – a trusted source and one of the world’s most liveable cities by 2031.

Help us set the ambition higher and what we feel we can ask of ourselves and others. The Midlands Engine needs a cultural and creative spark. We’ll thrive together or we’ll just run along ok as we are at the moment.

13 // BARNFIELD’S BRUM

A strong cultural offer and a thriving creative industries sector is a non negotiable part of the mix. It can lead the identity and the employment of the region, define its authentic sense of place and engage communities in outstanding ways. All of the building blocks are in place.

The current combination of world class cultural organisations combined with a highly dynamic creative industries eco system is a strong place to start.

The first, and most important thing, that a Metro mayor can do is bring a clear and robust voice of advocacy to the sector; to make it a central driver in the decision making of the region and to understand that this must be delivered with the sector, not to the sector.

This is important because as it is currently defined ‘culture and creativity’ does not have a delegated responsibility under the new arrangements- this mirrors every other public sector shape shift of the past few decades. The sector needs an inside voice ‘shouting out’.

Additionally, of course, the new local powers invested in the Metro mayor covering transport, skills, young people, business development and planning can all have a powerful stimulus effect on the cultural and creative sectors. The task here is not to pursue a piece meal approach to delivery or simply to replicate the methodologies of the last twenty years. This step change requires the cultural and creative sector to reimagine its approach to collaboration and to create a bold and dynamic new way of leveraging these delegated powers.

We need to move from a ‘project’ approach to a ‘whole system’ approach that marries the ambitions of the sector with the city region’s global opportunity. A great place, for example, to create this new ‘system’ approach could be Digbeth. It has many of the ingredients already in place and/or emerging and would be a great laboratory for a more radical way of working to emerge.

It is our responsibility to create this new approach and make the Metro mayor our strongest advocate.

Since the outcome of the EU referendum was announced, there is still no clearer understanding of what an EU exit will look like, understandably employers and employees are worried about the potential impacts that this change will have on their organisation. I have considered the possibility of what the outcome of the vote means to the future of work and how best organisations can prepare for it.

However in the interim we would advise companies to review current policies, contracts of employments and other documentation to understand how employment law impacts on their current practices.

COMMUNICATION

One of the key drivers of the EU referendum surrounded immigration; with the Vote Leave campaign pledging to end the automatic right of all EU citizens to come to live and work in the UK. Companies may be fearful of the impact of any changes to immigration laws and regulations following the referendum outcome. Many employers rely on the support of both skilled and unskilled workers from outside the UK to aide their business growth and success. The Vote Leave campaign advocated the benefits of an Australian points-based system and that any changes to the immigration system could mean difficulties in the recruitment of key position as well as cost implications. However, it is unlikely that any major changes will be made to the immigration system in the short to medium-term in the UK, as some people are predicting it could take up to 2 years for the UK to leave the EU.

Employees will be unsettled about the change and could be worried about job security and changes to their rights. As an employer you should try and reassure your employees that any significant changes in the UK are unlikely to happen in the short to medium term. If you intend to make any changes, then communication is key and you should ensure that managers are aware of what the organisation plans are, so that they can support their staff and keep people updated. This is particularly important if your organisation is international and if there are any plans to relocate following the results. Failure to engage in early and meaningful consultation will not only unsettle your employees but also put you at risk of ET claims as all employment law still remains in place.

Companies should provide managers with the tools to deal with managing change and encourage clear communication to all its employees.

CHANGES TO EMPLOYMENT LAW/WORKERS’ RIGHTS One of the concerns raised by the Remain campaign was a vote to leave the EU would mean the reduction of workers’ rights and whilst a significant body of employment law in the UK derives from the EU, in reality it may not be as simple as that. In theory, the Government could change employment law but it would need support from Parliament and it will be a complex piece of work to dismantle the UK law from EU-derived employment law.

However, it is worth noting that a significant amount of employment law is embedded into employee’s contracts of employment. To make significant changes to the contracts of employment would mean full scale consultation would have to take place.

Although it is difficult to predict what changes a government will make to employment laws as the UK manages its relationship with Europe, it is doubtful that it would result in a complete dismantlement of workers’ rights. We are confident that there will be significant lobbying from relevant interested parties to resist the reduction of employment rights. The CIPD, the body representing HR professionals, has already stated they will be making the case for maintaining the status quo on employment law.

CHANGES TO IMMIGRATION

Companies that currently employ EEA nationals should reassure your existing EU workers that they don’t face risks to their job security as there is no significant threat to the rights of EEA workers already in the UK to live and work. It is predicted that there will be some sort of worker registration scheme introduced in the future for EEA nationals that are already in the UK to protect their right to continue to live and work in the UK. Whilst there is clearly uncertainty around what will happen with people from the EEA who enter the UK, it is an area the Government will tread cautiously as they will not want to have tit-for-tat measures put in place by other countries.

Shockingly, what has become come clear following the referendum is sadly a rise in hate crimes towards foreign nationals being reported both in the wider community and in the workplace. Companies need to take a responsible approach to the fallout following the vote and this includes making it clear of the expected standards of behaviour including the use of ‘banter’, taking seriously any kind of allegations of harassment due to race/nationality, and clearly follow the organisation’s equality policy.

What is important in the interim is not to panic and to look forward to how you manage any changes that will no doubt come. High Performance Consultancy will continue to consult, research and inform our clients of changes as the picture becomes clearer. In the meantime do not hesitate to contact High Performance Consultancy for support.

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where’s woolley? everton hospitality

Research shows that corporate hospitality is outstripping telephone calls, advertising, online and print as the most popular means of improving business relations and driving brand metrics.

On the face of it, the benefits of corporate hospitality are obvious, however in these times of austerity, corporate hospitality can pose a significant cost for businesses, so how does a business ensure it is receiving a strong ROI in allocating an entertaining budget?

To answer this question, I’ve come to experience one of the top corporate hospitality offerings on offer, the 1878 suite at Goodison Park, home to Everton Football Club.

It’s a lounge I’ve attended previously, having hosted the Liverpool ECHO’s sponsorship of the Merseyside Derby six years ago, and clients who attended that day still recall it to this for the unforgettable experience they received.

My experience is no less impressive today, with every aspect surpassing the Club’s “Nil Satis Nisi Optimum” motto: nothing but the best is good enough when it comes to hospitality at Everton.

16 // WHERE’S WOOLLEY

From the moment that I’m welcomed to the contemporary suite by the Club’s exceptional hosting staff (with a glass of champagne of course), I lose count of the amount of legends wandering by and stopping to chat, including the Club’s leading post war goalscorer Graeme Sharp and most successful ever captain Kevin Ratcliffe.

World champion boxer Tony Bellew is seated nearby, catered for by another champion: Everton trainee chef Bethan Disley-Jones, who we learn has been crowned the winner of the 2016 Springboard FutureChef Award before 8,500 entrants from across the country, prepares Tony’s meal under the watchful eye of Everton’s Executive Head Chef Gareth Billington.

This commitment to supporting young people runs through the fabric of Everton Football Club, and all adds to the fantastic atmosphere within the lounge. Facilitated

by MCs Pete Emmett and Jamie Sutherland, there’s a relaxed and positive buzz within the lounge, perfect to relax and chat with invited guests.

Complimentary drinks are served throughout the day alongside an award-winning three-course meal, and it’s easy to see why the Club’s catering team have received quite so many accolades, my main of ravioloni pasta centred with pumpkin and goats cheese with basil cream sauce was the best meal I’ve eaten in a very long time and is certainly an improvement on the usual pie I’m used to receiving at a football match!

“Hospitality gives you time with your clients outside of the office which you don’t get through the week and allows companies and individuals time with their key customers to build valuable business relationships.

“You can do anything with that time, either allowing guests to bring their families and keep it very personal, or use the time and your captivated audience to introduce a sales message. It’s all about time and you can have this at Everton with an incredible hospitality experience to boot.”

It’s a great point, as so often speaking to Downtown members I’m told that the choice to work with a supplier is based on a partnership built over time, it’s so often the establishment of a personal relationship rather than a procurement process that such decisions are built upon. The Club’s drinks package approach is also a masterstroke, as it allows members to budget for all of the costs associated with entertaining, rather than booking a table at an event and receiving a hefty drinks bill as so often happens.

The “Incredible hospitality experience” Oliver mentions shows no sign of slowing down as we approach kick off, watching all the action from highly sought-after Directors’ Box seats, the experience enhanced further by a resounding 3-0 victory!

At half time and full time drinks are waiting at our private table, with the Man of the Match himself popping in after the match to share his thoughts on the game.

I’m hosted by Everton’s new head of corporate hospitality Oliver Wright, who has joined the Blues from shock Premier League champions Leicester City, where his transformation of the Foxes’ matchday hospitality offer was as astounding as the team’s metamorphosis on the pitch; taking them from a relegation form 28 paying hospitality customers to a top of the table 825 in just two and a half seasons at the King Power Stadium.

As our afternoon draws to a close it’s clear that it’s hospitality at Everton is so much more than a game of football; the exceptional cuisine, service, entertainment and executive seating I received to watch Premier League made it impossible not to be impressed, and with a choice of eight executive suites to choose from there’s an option for every company to ensure a strong return on investment, with the offerings intentionally priced to be the best value for money hospitality in the North West.

A career spanning Manchester United, UEFA in Geneva, and top bars, restaurants and night clubs across the North West of England will hopefully make Oliver the perfect person to answer my corporate hospitality queries.

The research is clearly right; corporate hospitality is the “Optimum” way to build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing customers and today, just like my experience six years ago, will live long in the memory.

“Corporate hospitality offers businesses lots of benefits, with time being the most important.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE 0151 530 5300

HOSPITALITY@EVERTONFC.COM 17 // WHERE’S WOOLLEY

@EFCHOSPITALITY

THE FOUND DIRECTORY FRONT COVER

18 // NEW FOUND GUIDE FOR INDEPENDENTS

BIRMINGHAM

NEW FOUND GUIDE FOR INDEPENDENTS. BID WORKS WITH BRANDING A G E N C Y FO R N E W D I R E CTO R Y.

Birmingham’s brilliant independent businesses are being promoted through a new bumper directory called Found.

The A5 guide is a joint project between Retail BID Birmingham and leading city centre branding agency ORB. More than 20 illustrators, artists and photographers were commissioned to take part in the Found project; each capturing the city’s independent retailers in their own unique way.

The foreword says: “Welcome to your guide to Birmingham city centre’s independents.

“Found 2016 highlights some of the most interesting and diverse independent retailers in our beloved city.

PHIL INNES OF LOKI WINES

“Whether you’re new to Birmingham, or a seasoned local, Found helps you discover Birmingham city centre’s booming independent scene. Created as part of the Retail Birmingham BID, Found brings together city centre independent business and the very best local artistic talent to give them both a platform to shine.”

Writing for the guide, Phil Hazel, of Great Western Arcade based Liquor store and board member of the Retail BID, said: “Our brands need to have a story to tell, the ethos of a brand is of huge importance when we’re handpicking them to create a unique environment for our customers.”

The A5 guide has been supported by Independent Birmingham and its founder Joe Schuppler said: “From the quirky bars to the quaint cafés and epic eateries, to cinemas, theatres and even barbers, we are a one-stop guide to all things independent in Birmingham - with the website helping, and encouraging you to explore

19 // NEW FOUND GUIDE FOR INDEPENDENTS

the lesser known aspects of Birmingham and rediscover your city.

“From unearthing hidden gems to writing about the best beer gardens in Brum, Independent Birmingham is all about inspiring the people of Birmingham to explore their city in new and exciting ways.”

ORB Creative Manager Naeem Alvi said: “Working on the Found 2016 directory with Retail Birmingham and so many talented creatives around Birmingham has been an amazing experience.

“Birmingham’s booming independent scene is what makes the city such a cool and diverse place to live and work.

“We invited a range of Birmingham’s artists, photographers, designers and illustrators to get involved and each capture one of Birmingham’s independent retailers from their perspective. The end result is an amazing guide to Birmingham’s independent retailers for tourists and locals, and a promotional platform celebrating some of the city’s best creative talents and their amazing work.

Retail BID Deputy Manager Assia Sohaib added: “We are very proud to have over 100 independent businesses in the city centre, supporting and promoting these businesses is a key area for Retail BID and hence the reason Found came about.

“Many visitors to the city would not know how to find the unique independent stores, the Found guide alleviates this problem and acts as a directory and map to navigate around the city.

“The guide will be supported with a digital and online campaign.”

LA GALLERIA BY JOHN PATTERSON

20 // NEW FOUND GUIDE FOR INDEPENDENTS

BIRMINGHAM

HUSH HAIR BY ADELE GERRY

21 // NEW FOUND GUIDE FOR INDEPENDENTS

INSIDE YARKS ON STEPHENSON STREET

YORK SPILLS THE BEANS ON £150K EXPANSION PROJECT. POPULAR CAFÉ ANNOUNCES PLAN TO DOUBLE SIZE OF STEPHENSON STREET PREMISES.

22 // YORK SPILLS THE BEANS ON £150K EXPANSION PROJECT

BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham city centre’s Retail BID area will boast its first coffee roastery when the £150,000 expansion of a popular café completes in April.

Yorks is doubling the capacity of its Stephenson Street premises by extending into the former Polo Grill House, and will vastly increase its food offering.

Owner Simon Ford is investing over £30,000 in coffee roasting equipment, including a world-class 12kg Probat roaster from Germany, to produce and sell freshly roasted beans on site.

Other key features of the new-look café include outside seating – embracing Birmingham City Council’s bid to create an outdoor café culture – downstairs seating and toilets.

The three-month expansion project will be complete when the revamped Yorks launches on April 14.

Solihull-born Simon said: “It’s proved a challenging building to convert but we’ve really embraced its character and are excited about what our new café will offer.

“Despite the work going on behind the scenes, there’s been no disruption to customers, whose feedback we listened to before pressing ahead with the improvements.

“We’ll need to close a week before the opening to remove the middle wall and rebuild the bar, but we’re

on schedule.”

A new state-of-the-art kitchen will enable Yorks to build on its celebrated menu, having been named by the Sunday Times as one of the best places in Britain to eat brunch.

An afternoon/evening menu, plus a selection of craft beers and wine, will be introduced to complement the trademark range of coffee, loose leaf teas and cakes.

“Brunch has become huge for us,” added Simon. “It creates 35 per cent of our revenue – even more than coffee.

“But everything grinds to a halt food wise in the afternoon when we still have lots of customers coming in, so we’re going to place a much bigger focus on food.

“We’ve looked at the coffee culture Down Under, where cafes are open until late. Going to a café has become the social thing to do. We want to jump into that space and plan to open until 10pm Monday-Saturday and 7pm on Sundays, serving food all afternoon and evening.

“We want to turn our casual eatery into our customers’ second home and give them food they not only want to eat, but how they want to eat it, so there’ll be an emphasis on sharing dishes.

“To this end, our kitchen team have been researching nutritional content and looking into the Peruvian and Lebanese cuisines and the new resurgence in Greek food.

“Our customers are food savvy and don’t want just one thing. They want everything all at once. For example, we’ll offer a selection of brunch dishes with a huge emphasis on ‘trying a little of everything’.”

The beans to be roasted at Stephenson Street will be sourced from a small part of South America that Yorks can call its own.

“We’ve worked really closely with London-based Caravan Coffee, who are integral to the quality coffee we serve,” added Simon.

“They’ve secured a micro-lot in Columbia that’s exclusive to Yorks and will source and import our green beans.”

The growth of Yorks, which also boasts an espresso bar in the Retail BID area in Great Western Arcade fronting Colmore Row, won’t stop, in April.

The original Yorks Bakery Café in Newhall Street, which closed last year as essential development work began on Phoenix House, will double in size when it reopens early 2017.

“With the need to temporarily close Newhall Street and relocate elsewhere, it’s been a turbulent 12 months but also a great learning experience,” Simon added. “We want Yorks to remain a social space that attracts a real mix of people, including families.”

Keep in touch with Yorks via @yorksbakerycafe on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

OWNER SIMON FORD

23 // YORK SPILLS THE BEANS ON £150K EXPANSION PROJECT

Having a Hub for business growth .

The Local Growth Hub website, launched in May, is a new way for companies to get the support they need to grow. Featuring a host of specialist advisors from a variety of sectors it has already welcomed more than 3,300 visitors in its first six weeks.

Wanting to know more we asked Mark Basnett, executive director with the Liverpool City Region LEP, about how the site is performing and what it offers.

Mark, who has worked with businesses for over 20 years, explains: “The business support landscape is highly complex,” he says. “localgrowthhub.com simplifies it by allowing businesses to search for the support they need. The growth hub idea has been pushed across the country by the government. This is our own version for the Liverpool City Region, which has been built with their help.”

With so much support around the region already on offer, the site

24 // HAVING A HUB FOR BUSINESS GROWTH

is a clear place where people can quickly go to get the help they need, he explains. The “Hub” is designed to be exactly that, a single point of entry, easy to navigate, that will allow people to get the local contact they need to grow.

Mark added: “The site gives details of the specialist advisors which are the right fit to help your business grow.

Everything from people who can help with marketing through, to complicated legal issues and accountancy can be found. People looking for help can also check out reviews of advisors to find the ones that best suit their needs.

“To find help, you can either use the search bar at the top of the page, or use our advice finder search tool which allows you to pick the specific skills you need dependent on sector, what you need to find, and the specialism you are after.”

He went on to add that the site is growing to offer even more than just a route to advisors. Contact details for local support brokers are also provided giving businesses the opportunity to meet with someone face to face to work out their support needs. It is designed to offer tips and tricks for aspiring entrepreneurs. There are blogs from advisors offering help, events for networking and training listed and a weekly update of tenders for new work. So far the website has proved successful.

"Since we found that many businesses just don’t know about the help on offer it isn’t surprising that we’ve seen a rush of activity on the site." He said. "Already we’ve found that the Local Growth Hub has showcased the contact details of more than 1,000 advisors in the first month. In addition, it has also given more than 1,000 business people the contact details for a broker in their area who can put them in the right direction."

As well as offering information Local Growth Hub is asking for more people to come forward as advisors to join the strong team offering their services online.

Mark added; "If you want to become an advisor, then you can contact the LEP through the site. It’s a quick process and you can be added to the relevant listings, ready to be discovered by people looking for help. Once you’re an advisor you can also drum up interest in your profile and business by writing a blog to offer some advice and become a star advisor, highlighted on the homepage."

The website is helping businesses grow, Alan Woods, of business growth accountants Woods Squared, who works with SMEs, said: “We acquired a marketing strategy, a review and update to our website design and brochures for us to use at the various networking events that we attend. The people that we worked with all the way through the process were excellent and we’d highly recommend the program to others.

“The service that we received was via The Profitable Firm who then worked in conjunction with Kizzi Can Do based in Liverpool and Partnership Design in Chester for the various aspects of our project. Since the completion of this project we have continued to work with both Kizzi Can Do (for web design) and Partnership Design (for creative design services) and the service received as part of the New Markets program since has been of the highest standards.”

For more information, to find help, or to submit yourself as an advisor go to www.localgrowthhub.com

25 // HAVING A HUB FOR BUSINESS GROWTH

find out how we can help.

PAUL YATES owner, ONLINE VENTURES GROUP For a long time Manchester has been known as the cool kid on the block. There’s a certain swagger that we carry around with us (and I’m not just talking about the walk) that instills a sense of character and belief. It’s this mentality that I feel sets us apart from the rest of the country and dismisses any thought that we could possibly lose our identity.

I may be a little biased, but this city has shown time and time again that we are leaders from both a business and cultural standpoint, often taking the first step where others might not. We have built a history on standing out from the crowd and doing things a little differently, so the thought of a ‘new Manchester’ is a tag that I welcome.

Back in 2014 when George Osborne announced the country’s need for a “Northern Powerhouse” there was a sense of unification in the North, with the idea that collectively we could rival London and the South East. Of course some might point to the idea that this could mean we’re diluting our individuality, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

When we created our Manchester Business Predictions guide, we set out to dispel these apparent issues and highlight how it actually benefits us instead and I feel that’s exactly what we achieved.

As Manchester continues to build on its reputation and strength as the UK’s second city, our identity has and will remain as resilient as ever.

Christine Oxenburgh Partner at Freeths LLP A few Easters ago I was driving past a church with a big sign outside “You can’t keep a good man down”.

“How crass”, I thought. When Frank asked “Has the Mancunian edginess, ‘cool’ and attitude been compromised by its own success?” I remembered it. No way, I thought. Then I thought again. If the question was posed, someone must seriously have thought it might happen so I resorted to deeper analysis. I came to the same conclusion. No way.

This is a city founded on and grounded in innovation, rebelliousness and future thinking. There is a thriving connection between our civic leaders and business that promotes imaginative development of commercial activity. The Northern Powerhouse devolves to Manchester to right and obligation to manage a big budget and services not previously run by a devolved region. I cannot imagine why that would promote a personality change. The only likely outcome is that the city and business together will rise to the challenge.

We have our past glories. Think of Peterloo, the Pankhursts, the Co-operative movement. Think of what has been and is being achieved despite austerity; new tram system, regeneration of the city. I could go on all day. None of that has made us vanilla.

Will we have to change to “fit in” with the innate culture of our neighbouring cities? When someone joins a new business, do they become a mirror image of the existing team? Of course not.

This is my city; our city, with its own unique character that is far too deeply embedded to be watered down by joining up with its neighbours to create a unit that will be recognised worldwide. Bigger is better. Strength together. Leeds, Liverpool, Hull, Manchester and Newcastle. We will all be ourselves and all benefit from each other.

laura wolfe managing director, wolfe I’m a Manchester girl. I was born here, grew up here, raved here, studied here and returned here after ten years of living and working in London. The city I returned to in 2003 bore little or no resemblance to the city I left in 1993. Manchester had begun to boom – new districts were being created, the city centre had been reborn and the outskirts that were historically no-go areas were becoming desirable for the Yuppies and the Dinkies of the time. Spinningfields was the first of the new business districts and the restaurant and bar revolution, spear-headed by the late, great Tim Bacon, had begun. Manchester was becoming unrecognisable and the rest of the UK and the world was starting to take notice of us for more than just football.

Manchester came out of the 1996 IRA bomb stronger and better than it was before. Manchester is made of stronger stuff. As someone much better qualified than me once said, “This is Manchester. We do things differently here.”

Just because now we sit here in 2016, as corporate investments continue to pour in, the property sector continues its resurgence and brand new mixed-use schemes for business, retail and residential are in planning and building stages, doesn’t mean we have lost our coolness. Manchester is still different.

We still create the best music, the best football teams, have some of the brightest business brains, and the country’s most inventive and crazy creatives. We embrace our multi-cultural and growing population with open arms.

As I write this, the country, in its highly questionable wisdom, has just voted for the UK to leave the EU. What changes this will bring to our great City are as yet uncertain. I’m proud to say however that Manchester voted to Remain. I’m hoping we will keep true to our roots and do what is right. Time will tell.

26 // HAS THE MAKING OF THIS ‘NEW MANCHESTER’ IMPACTED ON THE CITY’S PERSONALITY?

MANCHESTER

Steve Kuncewicz head of ip and media, bermans I’m at a bit of a disadvantage when answering that question in that when Madchester ruled the charts I was listening to Metallica and attending school in deepest darkest Bury, meaning that the City’s underdog heyday largely passed me by whilst my taste in popular culture got steadily worse.

That said, I’ve spent the majority of my professional career in Manchester and I’m not sure that it’s lost its soul so much as found a new one, and a whole new sense of self. The City and its people still have a unique sense of their own identity, but the focus is now on competing globally rather than with London.

This has involved growing up in public, but I don't think it’s done us any harm – Manchester is still cool and has attitude to spare.

Nostalgia’s a wonderful thing, but it shouldn’t blind us to the opportunities we can now take advantage of.

More than ever after Brexit, Manchester is uniquely placed, thanks in large part to its status as a world leader in science, tech, culture and creativity, to take its rightful place alongside New York, Tokyo and any other global leader. New Manchester seems to me to be cooler than ever, and personally I can’t wait to see what comes next and who leads us there. We owe a responsibility to live up to our reputation and show the rest of a presently- divided country how business really should be done, and I fully expect us to face the challenge head-on, just like we did in 1996. Here’s to the next 20 years.

michael taylor, Founder of Discuss Manchester To mark Manchester’s renewal, 20 years since the IRA bomb, we had a debate at Manchester Metropolitan University with my good friends Dave Haslam and Jonathan Schofield.

At the core of our conversation was the identity of the city, where we have safe and clean Spinningfields, though widely derided as dull, contrasted with edgy Piccadilly Gardens, which no-one likes except the hundreds of people who use it.

For me, being edgy is too often used an excuse for things that are a bit rubbish. Hulme in the 80s was "edgy". I remember a student inviting us to a party that would be full of "Hulme people". She didn't mean brewery workers or the unemployed and certainly not the criminal gangs. I'm sure a lot of good music and art got created there, but it was uninhabitable.

I don't look around at people sleeping in doorways in the city centre and think that's "edgy". I think it's bloody awful that anyone should have a life reduced to that. I hate seeing it because it offends my sense of humanity.

I don't walk through Piccadilly Gardens and think "this is good". To celebrate it as "edgy" is a cop out.

It's scruffy, a magnet for criminality and it's ugly. It's one of those things you start to see everywhere once you start to think about it more. Is it really edgy, or actually just a by-word for awful?

It brings to mind that Pulp song about the Common People, where the art school ponce is slumming because she thinks that poor is cool.

DAVID JOHNSTONE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF WE ARE AD This question presents quite an oxymoron.

Success should breed an aspirational reputation and character and yet its very presence in Manchester’s regeneration has prompted the community to question whether the city’s infamous grit and attitude have been watered down.

Personally - and conscious of the fact that I am a newcomer to Manchester - I don’t think it has.

Yes, the character of this fine city has changed, but we all change as we age, learn and evolve. Yet it is still regarded as the best city to live in within the UK (according to the 2014 and 2015 Global Liveability Surveys) for numerous enviable qualities, including its culture and people.

As the city continues to prosper there will be some who perceive that the ‘cool’ factor is diminishing. But, to me, this mirrors the highschool attitude around smart kids in school being geeks. We should be proud of the things that the people and companies of Manchester have achieved, created, built and launched.

There’s ample activity in this city that screams ‘cool’, from the research and development into graphene to the flourishing Media City, daring design and work spaces embodied by the likes of Hotel Gotham, incredible start-ups and a collaborative business community, through to strong support of diversity in all its forms.

As Guns n’ Roses’ Steven Adler once said; “nothing is cooler and more attractive than a big comeback” and Manchester has achieved one of the most notable comebacks of any UK city in recent years.

So, perhaps the question is not about the compromise of the city’s edginess and coolness but rather the changing perception of what really constitutes cool. And yes, I’m more than happy to admit that I’m a major geek.

27 // HAS THE MAKING OF THIS ‘NEW MANCHESTER’ IMPACTED ON THE CITY’S PERSONALITY?

nisha katona

28 // FROM COURT BARRISTER TO CURRY QUEEN

From Court Barrister to

CURRY QUEEN WORDS BY CRAIG SERGEANT

A

s the crowd’s applause fades, a lone figure shields her eyes from the spotlight’s piercing glare.

menu’s ‘(v)’ “is not an apologetic second best.” It’s just the diet favoured back in her parents’ homeland.

Nisha Katona, mastermind of the Mowgli eateries in Liverpool and Manchester, is the keynote speaker holding court at Downtown’s Women in Business Awards 2016.

She’s confident, animated and effervescent. And equally, she admits, she’s terrified. There’s a room full of five hundred seasoned business pros watching and listening. They ironed out their naivety many years ago. And here addressing them, is a still-wet-behind-the-ears entrepreneur. But she’s no reason to worry.

The food is simple healthy fare, and uses only the highestquality ingredients. One of Mowgli’s trademarks is the tiffin tin; tiered containers stashed with secret-till-served meals.

Meanwhile, there are ‘street meat’ dishes with names like ‘Angry Bird’ (tikka-spiced chicken thighs) and the tasteexplosion-titled Gunpowder Chicken. There are unfamiliar dishes like Fenugreek-kissed Fries, Calcutta Cabbage Tangle… and not a lamb jalfrezi in sight.

It takes just over two minutes of her speech to find out why.

Katona reveals she’s been in business for a mere two years.

Yet she predicts a company “turnover of £5 million by August 2016, creating 140 jobs in the process.” The crowd erupts in approval. These movers and shakers present need to know her story.

And it’s a story of talent, dedication, and a labour of love.

Most of all, it’s one of an outstanding product: Mowgli.

IN WITH THE OLD The chances are you’ve been for an Indian before. So you think you know what Mowgli’s like, right? Well, what’s in your mind may be way off the mark. A mere westernised fantasy of what Indian cuisine actually is. As Katona says, it’s a myth that “every dish starts with garlic and onions” and “comes cloaked in a thick homogenised sauce.”

Let’s face it; you were thinking it. And Nisha Katona is out to change that.

Despite its short lifespan so far, Mowgli is already famous for its cosy atmosphere, rustic décor and, above all, its authentic Indian street food. The menu is stocked with Katona family specialities and some of her favourite dishes. But it might also come as a surprise that the majority of Mowgli’s meals are vegetarian-based. Katona asserts that the Mowgli

So how did Mowgli come into being? We have Katona’s mother to thank for that.

BACK TO THE ROOTS You may find the surname Katona striking and with a somewhat familiar ring to it. So if you’re thinking it, let’s make it clear now that there are no family ties to that Ms Katona.

Around fifty years ago, Katona’s parents—both GPs— emigrated from India to Skelmersdale, with Nisha later born and raised in Ormskirk. Katona admits with understatement that growing up in an insular and white British-dominated area of the North West during the ‘70s wasn’t easy as the “only Asians in the village”.

Spat at in the street; firebombed whilst in nursery; bricks flung at the family home’s windows… this was their everyday life. Recent shocking events in our so-called multicultural country only highlight how tough those years must have been.

Despite this, Katona somehow remains “fond of Skelmersdale [and Ormskirk].” Much like many of the second-generation immigrants of the era, she attributes the turbulent climate as the inspiration she needed to develop the grit and determination to succeed.

29 // FROM COURT BARRISTER TO CURRY QUEEN

RAISING THE BAR Katona’s mother (or ‘maa’) Meena, worked full time and raised the whole family, so the young Nisha inherited both her parents’ work ethic as she later entered the cutthroat legal industry. At the time, just being female was a big enough hurdle in gaining admission to the bar. Being female and of Indian descent was as easy and common as crossing the Atlantic in a canoe. Yet Katona was relentless, passed the bar, and began working as a child protection barrister.

At the same time, Katona lectured in forensic psychology and was the Ambassador for Diversity in Public Appointments. This in turn led to a similar advisory role for the Guardian newspaper. Unbeknownst to her back then, this tireless energy would prepare her for entrepreneurship.

But one passion inherited from ‘maa’ stayed with her throughout her legal career: cooking authentic Indian food.

Her hectic work schedule demanded quick-yet-healthy meals for her family (Katona is married with two children), and her personal forte was—and is—20minute meals using a three-spice formula.

Not just for her family though, because she somehow found the time to hold Curry Confidence Classes on the Wirral—the place she then called home.

A legal career brings many benefits. Some of you won’t be happy to hear it, but we’ll always need lawyers, so it’s a job-for-life. It’s well paid; gets a certain respect from society, and offers the chance to give loved ones a better life. But what do you do when your one true passion isn’t law? Is it madness to walk away from such a strong career to follow a dream?

And how on earth does one become a success at it? Nisha Katona has the answers. Because it’s exactly what she did.

MODERN MEDIA MASTERY The Internet is a wonder of the modern age.

Since the baby boomer dream died and left the present and future generations’ social mobility a near-impossibility, it’s the one place where everyone has a fair and equal chance of ‘making it’—in any field.

You just have to figure out your niche and find out if there’s an audience for it. And with access to so many people, you can be sure that there’s one out there. It sounds absurd, but it’s made ordinary people into millionaires without them having to leave their bedroom.

Most Facebook and Instagram users will already know the appeal of food on social media. People like and share photos of beautiful delicacies like wildfire (and irritate some others in equal measure). That’s the power of the Internet.

The trick is to give away knowledge (or content) free to people who feel it will make their life better. And that’s where Katona excelled. Her YouTube videos (co-starring her mother) generated thousands of views and helped her find online fame. Whether starting ‘content marketing’ was a conscious move or just a natural step remains unclear, but it’s a textbook example of a digital marketing case study.

30 // FROM COURT BARRISTER TO CURRY QUEEN

Boasting over 23k Twitter followers, Katona’s social presence helped her land a variety of mainstream media spots on radio, in print and online with titans like the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, the Telegraph and the Guardian.

It’s remarkable to think that she once worked in law—an industry that guards its secrets at all (expensive) costs.

EVER-EXPANDING EMPIRE There were further frontiers to conquer, and the audacity Katona showed to prevail is somewhat astounding. Holding an arsenal of delectable dishes, she decided to write a cookbook. With no idea of where to start, Katona kept things as simple as her recipes.

She scoured every acknowledgement in a Jamie Oliver cookbook, hunted down their contact details, and pitched her book to them one-by-one. Like something out of a movie, Oliver’s literary agent responded.

Signed to Nourish Books in 2012, Katona’s first book, Pimp My Rice was later published in 2015 and received stunning topmark reviews. People commented on its “beautifully written” prose and how it had them “chuckling along” as they read. In it, Katona lays her amiable personality bare on the page, all in the name of great food. Not your average cookbook.

That would be enough for most people, but an indefatigable Katona set her sights on her next project: The restaurant world.

Mowgli opened on Bold Street, Liverpool in October 2014. The restaurant’s moniker means ‘feral child’, a pet name Katona uses for her children. Quite the compliment. Its success soon snowballed. The food’s quality surpassed customer expectations of what Indian food could be, and Katona was finally able to leave law behind to concentrate on business full-time. Not content to rest, she opened the second Mowgli a year later in Manchester’s Corn Exchange, near her former legal stomping ground.

Which, after a whirlwind 24 months (and more), leads us back to Downtown’s Women in Business Awards.

DOWNTOWN DOMINANCE Katona remains centre stage bathed in spotlight. She reveals her grand plan. She wants to venture into new areas like London and Leeds. She wants to go national. She wants to go international.

Her openness welcomes the crowd into her dreams; shows them how anyone can soon learn the basics and become a success in business. In a world filled with posturing, ego-driven know-it-alls, Katona’s honesty and self-deprecation is refreshing. But you can’t be a success based on personality alone. It takes work. She put in the hours. And you can’t help but support her journey.

This ambitious woman’s desire to give real Indian cuisine to the world beams from the stage. Her speech ends. The crowd rises. The raucous applause is deafening. These pillars of the business world present are now her peers.

And tonight, just two years into her venture, Nisha Katona has taught them something about business.

SERVIciNG THE DISTRICT A multi-functional space servicing the needs of the local district. Whether a bite to eat, fine dining or a 500 seater wedding, District House is the perfect space for any occasion: night or day.

hello@districthouse.co.uk +44 (0)151 236 6141 18 Water St, Liverpool L2 8TD

www.districthouse.co.uk

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airport after

dark WORDS BY TOM WOOLLEY

32 // AIRPORT AFTER DARK

LIVERPOOL

AN EXCLUSIVE DOWNTOWN EVENT

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA)?

The region’s gateway to the world, voted Downtown Liverpool’s Business of the Year 2015, has certainly made a “flying” (sorry) start to 2016, with the latest figures for May showing 10% more passengers choosing to fly through LJLA compared to May 2015; that’s over 40,000 more passengers, boosting total passenger numbers for the year to date to almost 1.9 million and over 250,000 more than during the first 5 months of 2015.

Clearly great things are happening to facilitate this growth, so to achieve an exclusive insight into the innermost workings and successes of the facility, Downtown were delighted to team up with LJLA and Vueling, one of the newest operators from the Airport, as we went behind the scenes for an exclusive invitation only tour.

Following a networking buffet with fellow guests, our delegation received an update presentation and overview from Barbara Melinska of Vueling and Robin Tudor Head of PR at Liverpool John Lennon Airport who commented, “The great start to the year that we had with increased passenger numbers has continued with passenger volumes at their highest in 5 years and we remain confident that this growth will continue throughout 2016.”

Impressively, Vueling were the fourth new airline to commence operations from Liverpool in just over a year, and, as the largest airline serving the main Barcelona El Prat Airport, operating more than 410 routes to 162 cities in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, represent a major coup for LJLA. During our tour of the facility, it becomes increasingly apparent that the success achieved by LJLA is no accident. Our visit “airside” takes us through security, which on average passengers clear much quicker than they would at other UK airports, and we also see first-hand the extensive improvements to the departure lounge, including developments to the toilets and removal of the “infamous” ‘08 carpet!

Our tour includes a bus excursion around the main apron and concludes with a visit to the Airport Fire Station, which instantly transforms our group of business leaders to awe-struck children, and is one of the real highlights of our time at LJLA. Aside from gaining a strong sense of safety in flying with LJLA from the sheer scale of equipment at the disposal of the highly trained staff we meet in the event of any incidents, we gain a strong sense of community impact from this part of the tour in particular.

The airport management have underlined their commitment to the local community in their recruitment of three youngsters onto the airport’s firefighting cadet programme, who spend 12 months training, before passing out as fully-qualified airport firefighters.

We meet one cadet, Delle Kadiri, who has recently completed her initial 10-week training and perfectly showcases her skills during an emergency drill demonstration. It is initiatives like this that shows just why LJLA is Liverpool’s “People’s Airport” and we leave our tour with no doubt that the airport’s “Faster, easier, friendlier” tag is very much deserved.

We’d come to the end of our visit but what a fascinating insight it was!

If you’d like to experience a similar tour, make sure to contact me via tom.woolley@downtowninbusiness.com

33 // AIRPORT AFTER DARK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAS SANSI

34 // RISE & GRIND WITH MICHAEL FINNIGAN

BIRMINGHAM

Finnigan inspires and captivates Birmingham audience WORDS BY STACEY BARNFIELD The man who helped inspire some of the UK’s biggest names in sport and business to achieve their goals wowed Birmingham’s business community with an inspirational breakfast talk.

Michael Finnigan has worked with the likes of Open golf champion Darren Clarke, FA Cupwinning side Wigan Athletic and promotionwinning Bolton Wanderers FC, to motivate and inspire their sporting successes.

His company, i2i, has also worked with some of the world’s largest corporate names, helping them perform better in sales, bottomline effectiveness and customer service.

Michael, from Chorley, who once worked in Birmingham for the then Midland Bank at Five Ways, spoke at Downtown’s Rise & Grind breakfast at Opus on Cornwall Street.

It was a pleasure to introduce the father of four to the 50-plus guests keen to take a slice of motivational magic for their working day.

And Michael didn’t disappoint, with one guest saying he had the room ‘in the palm of his hands’.

Michael told the audience how inspiration can be found in all areas of life and can, in turn then inspire all areas of life, be it in the board room, factory floor, or at home and play.

He explained how a golden opportunity can always be found during times of adversity.

35 // RISE & GRIND WITH MICHAEL FINNIGAN

It was fascinating to hear some of the Opus guests share their own experiences from this perspective during coffee.

And Michael talked about his work with golfer Darren Clarke to explain how addressing a list of ten topics reaped its rewards in the 2011 Open at Royal St George’s.

Michael and Darren’s working relationship goes back to the late 1990s, when Michael helped the golfer climb the world rankings and win several tournaments.

They then stopped working together, at which point Darren’s rankings and trophy successes began to slip, until his and Michael’s working relationship resumed and with it, the Open golf glory, his first major win at the age of 42.

When asked by the audience what exactly he did to motivate golfer Darren to the historic win, Michael said simply revisiting that list of ten topics was all it needed.

I’m sure there was much more to it than that and here’s hoping we’ll be given more insights at a future Downtown talk with such a great speaker.

#WIBA16

WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS 2016 Over 300 of the city’s leading business women and men gathered at the Crowne Plaza for the fourth annual ‘Women in Business Awards’.

Organised by Downtown Liverpool in Business, in association with The Women’s Organisation, the awards recognised the achievements of women who have created successful ventures and contributed to economic growth, throughout the city region.

One of the big winners on the day was Lesley Dixon from PSS, who walked away with the ‘Chief Executive’s Award’.

Downtown chief executive Frank McKenna commented: “It was great to see so many female entrepreneurs and business leaders nominated at this awards dinner. This is testament to the hotbed of female talent and entrepreneurship in the city region. I would like to extend my congratulations to all of the winners at WIBA, their hard work and dedication is fully deserving of the recognition that winning a WIBA brings. Each year more and more business women are nominated, which is a great indication of how talented women are establishing themselves at the forefront of the regional economy.

THE WINNERS. Best Newcomer 2016 sponsored by First4Skills: Lauren Greene, Chic PR & Events Employer of the Year 2016 sponsored by Health@Work: Wilson Henry Best Marketer of the Year 2016 sponsored by MSB Solicitors: Jayne Moore, Jayne Moore Media Recruiter of the Year 2016 sponsored by B&B Hygiene Ltd: Christine Gilfoyle, PIP Legal Financial Advisor of the Year 2016 sponsored by Geason: Yvonne Halliday, BDO LLP Professional of the Year 2016 sponsored by oneHR: Alison Lobb, Morecrofts Social Enterprise of the Year 2016 sponsored by The Women’s Organisation: Angie Walker and Rosie Wilkinson, Impropriety CIC Innovator of the Year 2016 sponsored by Downtown Liverpool in Business: Sharon Hillditch, Crystal Clear Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 sponsored by Mowgli: Amy Clutterbuck, Vintage Styler Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 sponsored by High Performance Consultancy: Alissa Kopal, Izzy Melody Decade of Excellence 2016 sponsored by Claire House Children’s Hospice: Tracey Gore, Steve Biko Housing Association Business Enabler of the Year 2016 sponsored by The City of Liverpool College: Annie O’Toole, Juxdit Female Leader of the Year 20016 sponsored by Bruntwood: Gill Kelly, M&Y Maintenance and Construction Female Leader in the Commercial District 2016 sponsored by The Liverpool BID Company: Sue Weir, Medicash Business of the Year 2016 sponsored by Downtown Liverpool in Business: Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Cheese Company Chief Executive’s Award 2016 sponsored by Downtown Liverpool in Business: Lesley Dixon, PSS

36 // WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS 2016

LIVERPOOL

37 // WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS 2016

Photography by Marmalade Toast marmaladetoast.com

38 // LANCASHIRE BUSINESS BOOST CONFERENCE 2016

LANCASHIRE

lancashire boost conference 2016 A delegation of more than 80 business people from across Lancashire gathered on Friday 11th March 2016 to hear from leading figureheads on how the county can achieve its growth ambitions.

Authority, Sir Leese gave advice on what Lancashire can learn from the experience.

Hosted by Downtown Lancashire in Business at Brockholes Nature Reserve, the Lancashire Business Boost Conference explored how the county can maximise on the Northern Powerhouse initiative and access the many support functions available through schemes including Boost Business Lancashire and the Rosebud Fund.

“What we have done didn’t happen overnight and no doubt there will be plenty of disagreements along the way, but the key to successful collaboration is taking time to get things right.”

Following opening comments from Jennifer Mein, leader of Lancashire County Council and a panel discussion around Boost Business Lancashire, the audience heard from Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council.

Discussing the Northern Powerhouse, Devo Manc and the Greater Manchester Combined

“From what I can see Lancashire is going down the right route,” he said.

A session on transport and connectivity, which included Louise Ellman MP, preceded a discussion around the opportunities available through The Rosebud Fund, which marks its 30th anniversary this year.

Then new chairman of Marketing Lancashire, Tony Attard, addressed delegates on the organisation’s plans for promoting the county on a national and worldwide scale.

“IF LANCASHIRE IS TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE THROUGH INITIATIVES INCLUDING THE NORTHERN POWERHOUSE, WE NEED TO STOP BEING SO HUMBLE AND SHOUT ABOUT THE COUNTY IS A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS. IF WE DON’T DO THAT, THEN WE’RE NEVER GOING TO ACHIEVE THE GROWTH AMBITIONS WHICH WE NEED TO IN ORDER TO BETTER COMPETE WITH OTHER AREAS.” - Chief executive of Downtown in Business, Frank McKenna reiterates some of the event’s pertinent points in his closing message from the third Lancashire Business Growth Conference.

39 // LANCASHIRE BUSINESS BOOST CONFERENCE 2016

On Thursday 16th June 2016, Downtown Lancashire in Business celebrated the best in the business at the annual Lancashire Business Awards.

The awards, which took place at the magnificent Dunkenhalgh hotel, saw over 200 business leaders celebrate and party with some of the leading businesses in the county.

Awards given away on the night ranged from ‘Networker of the year’ to ‘Business Personality of the Year’.

Frank McKenna, chief executive at Downtown in Business, said: “Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for this year’s awards. It is always fantastic to celebrate the hard working companies in Lancashire each year and see the level of support they are able to gain from their peers and their customers.”

nge h, Barton Gra te ic R l ie n a D – ar , The Wri rker of the Ye atie Beckham K – r Male Netwo a Ye e th orker of Female Netw Angle - Denwa r of the Year ye lo Kay p m E t s e B ar – Rebecca Ye e th f o e o Best Employe of the Year – Eat My Log te Angle r me ar – The Wri Ye e th f o Best Newco y c n arketing Age Digital Best PR & M Year – Blush e th f o ting y c n e g A Year – Marke e th f o Best Digital e c n e edia Pres Best Social M orbes Lancashire ers f the Year - F o y n a p r and Struth m o ve C e l e a B g – e L r a t s Be f the Ye tancy Firm o - NatWest Best Accoun struction k of the Year n a B s s e arnfield Con in B s – r a Ye e Best Bu th f ra Hartley y Business o e Year – Lau th f Best Propert o y n a p m ment Co Best Recruit urnley FC f the Year – B o s s e in s Recruitment u B porium er Focussed ar – The Em Ye Best Custom e th f o e u lity Ven d Trout Best Hospita Year – Tickle e th f o l te o H e Chorley Best bler – Choos a n E s s e in s a Digital Best Bu Year – Magm e th f o s s e Toast Best Busin Marmalade – rd a w A ve el Conlon Chief Executi Year – Micha e th f o ty li a n OBE rso Tony Attard Business Pe – e ir h s a c n to La Contribution

#LBA

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40 // WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS 2016

LANCASHIRE

Photography by Marmalade Toast marmaladetoast.com

41 // WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS 2016

THE COOL LIST. 3.

1.

The architecture of the ‘King of King Street’ provided natural inspiration for the nostalgic yet decadent design direction. The layout of the bedrooms feature wonderful travel trunk-style cocktail cabinets and wardrobes.

Burnished metals, teamed with dark polished woods and luxurious leathers, are coupled with feminine notes of plum and raspberry; while soft velvet and faux fur are used liberally. Subtle references are made to the building’s banking past with moneybag style laundry bags and ingot toiletry displays.

Gotham spreads over seven floors and features 55 bedrooms alongside 5 decadent inner-sanctum suites.

The property also features ‘Honey’, an atmospheric Two AA Rosette Awarded restaurant, as well as ‘Club Brass’, a spectacular private rooftop bar and member’s club overlooking Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

4.

The city centre’s first-stop for a fresh space, thestudiobirmingham is a meeting, training and event venue with a difference. Known for its colourful take on the typically monochrome corporate world, thestudio’s signature style originated from its flagship venue here in Brum.

hotel gotham

Hotel Gotham is an award-winning luxury property in central Manchester, which opened in April 2015 under the management of Bespoke Hotels and has been met with both public and critical acclaim. Located at 100 King Street, within the site of the former Midlands Bank, it now stands as a famed art deco fortress at the heart of Manchester’s designer shopping district, occupying a grade II listed Lutyens building surrounded on all sides by a vibrant sea of commuters and shoppers.

GUSTO LEEDS

Step inside Gusto Leeds and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve walked into an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel.

Greek Street’s restaurant hotspot has a beautiful parquet floor, plush leather booths and soft lighting that shimmers off the backdrop of copper and bronze.

Our staff are smart, engaging and knowledgeable about the food on offer which is unmistakably Italian at heart.

While the menu features all the traditional classics, there's also abundance of contemporary dishes. The bruschettas are mini masterpieces too, and the pizzas are beautifully crisp.

thestudiobirmingham

2.

the palazzo

The Palazzo is located in the centre of Burnley on Grimshaw Street. The restaurant offers authentic Italian cuisine and Mediterranean dishes within a prestigious destination catering for your needs throughout the day.

Whether that be a light lunch, a pizza from their ‘in house’ wood fired oven, a cake & a cappuccino, an evening dinner or a drink with ‘Il Cichetti’, (served until 6.00pm) in their fantastic lounge bar.

Over the past eight years the Palazzo team have strove to build a successful Italian restaurant in The Villa, Clitheroe. Using locally sourced produce, based on the principles of family values, friendship & good food, they have created a unique setting in which to enjoy the latter. Now they are delighted to bring that same ethos to Burnley.

5.

MALMAISON BIRMINGHAM

Super-shoppers, foodie-fanatics, high-flyers - this one’s for you. Malmaison Birmingham is a converted Royal Mail sorting office right at the heart of The Mailbox, an upmarket shopping and dining destination in the city centre. We’ve put our own unique stamp on the building, which has 192 super slinky bedrooms and suites, so you can enjoy all the joys this city has to offer whilst staying very conveniently in the middle of it all.

After a hard day’s retail therapy, sit back and sip a superbly mixed classic cocktail in our fabulous Chez Mal Bar. Then head to your table in the Chez Mal Brasserie, where you’ll find British and French-inspired dishes, blackboard specials, and Malmaison classics including succulent steak frites and the mouth-watering Malburger. Whether you’re staying for business or leisure, emmerse yourself in our vibrant atmosphere and let the good times roll.

Its 19 state-of-the-art meeting rooms are decked out with wireless internet connection, HDMI data projectors, Apple TV and integrated sound systems, making them the ideal place to meet, train, and entertain. thestudio’s ever-present playful side also shines through in its magnetic whiteboard walls: guests are encouraged to put away the pen and paper in favour of scribbling away on the walls around them, making for an interactive meeting where everyone pitches in. thestudiobirmingham’s versatile spaces vary in size and can accommodate as few as 2 and as many as 220 guests; what’s more is that besides the meeting rooms, the venue also has a business lounge, a break-out atrium, and a roof garden to boot. The rooms branch off from these communal areas, meaning that networking in your lunch hour is even easier to do.

The on-site chefs also know how to cook up a storm, with seasonal menus to rival the city’s best restaurants.

Centred around getting the creative juices flowing, the lunches are healthy and wholesome, without compromising on that all-important taste.

A stone’s throw away from New Street station, thestudiobirmingham is directly accessible by train, tram, and bus. It is a business haven at the heart of the city; a hidden Birmingham gem.

To find out more about thestudiobirmingham, as well as its sister venues nationwide, visit http://studiovenues. co.uk/.

6.

district house

District House has expansive event space for up to 600 guests plus a unique cocktail bar concept, the restaurant offers breakfast & brunch from 8am-3pm, an express lunch menu from 12 noon-5pm and dinner from 5pm til close.

Highlights from the menu include avocado with cherry tomato crostini and teriyaki chicken from the small bites menu, smoked salmon ballotine stuffed with crab & cream cheese with caviar & dill oil, seared tuna Nicoise salad, sesame beef with Asian veg & noodles and quinoa with shitake mushroom, crispy kale & goat’s cheese croquette.

Directors of Know Restaurants Water St, Steven Hesketh and Andrew Duckworth are the joint management team behind the project which has created 60 jobs and seen a total of £1m invested in the brand.

42 // COOL LIST

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2.

3.

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6.

4.

43 // COOL LIST

DOWNTIME. ABode Manchester T: 0161 247 7744 E: reservationsma nchester@abodehotels.co.uk W: www.abodehotels.co.uk

Everyman Cinema Birmingham T: 0871 906 9060 E: richard.linford@everymangroup.com W: www.everymancinema.com

ACC Liverpool T: 0151 703 7268 E: kate.nolan@accliverpool.com W: www.accliverpool.com

Fazenda Liverpool T: 0151 227 2733 E: dayleohara@fazenda.co.uk W: www.fazenda.eo.uk/liverpool/

Aloft Hotel T: 0151 294 3970 E: dan ielle.ga rriga n@aloftliverpool.com W: www.aloftliverpool.com

Fazenda Manchester T: 0161 834 1219 W: www.fazenda.eo.uk/manchester/

Artisan Manchester T: 0161 832 4181 E: manchester@artisan.uk.com W: artisan.uk.com Bank T: 0121 633 4466 E: Samantha.Edmonds@individualrestaurants.com W: www.individualrestaurants.com/bank/birmingham/ Barton Grange T: 01772 867070 E: stay@bartongrangehotel.com W: www.bartongrangehotel.co.uk Bar Opus, Birmingham T: 0121 200 2323 E: ireneallan@opusrestaurant.co.uk W: wwwbaropus.co.uk Baluga Bar Preston T: 01772 886 311 W: www.balugabar.co.uk Bierkeller T: 0845 533 3000 E: jademorris@burningnightgroup.com W: www.liverpool.thebierkeller.com Chaophraya Manchester T: 0161 832 8342 E: manchester@chaophraya.co.uk W: www.chaophraya.co.uk Chaophraya Liverpool T: 01517076323 E: Rachael.clarke@chaophraya.co.uk Chaophraya Leeds T: 0113 244 9339 E: leeds@chaophraya.co.uk W: www.chaophraya.co.uk Crowne Plaza Liverpool T: 0151 243 8000 W: www.cpliverpool.com Cote Liverpool T: 0151 709 8487 E: josie@cote-restaurants.co.uk W: www.cote-restaurants.co.uk Dunkenhalgh T: 01254426800 E: H6617@accor.com W: www.mercure.com District House T: 0151 236 6141 E: hello@districthouse.co.uk W: districthouse.com Everyman Playhouse T: 0151 706 9115 E: development@everymanplayhouse.com W: www.everymanplayhouse.com

Fazenda Leeds T: 0113 247 1182 W: www.fazenda.eo.uk/leeds/ Gino D’acampo My Restaurant T: 0161 827 4200 E: manchester@ginodacamporestaurants.com W: ginodacamporestaurants.com Glovers Bar T: 01772 561410 W: www.gloversbar.com Grill on the Alley T: 0161 833 3465 W: www.blackhouse.uk.com Gusto T: 0151 708 6969 W: www.gustorestaurants.uk.com Gusto Manchester T: 0161 832 2866 E: manchesterbdm@gustorestaurants.uk.com W: gustorestaurants.uk.com/restaurants/manchester/ Hard Days Night Hotel T: 0151 236 1964 E: enquiries@harddaysnighthotel.com W: www.harddaysnighthotel.com Hawksmoor Manchester T: 0161 836 6980 E: manchester@thehawksmoor.com W: thehawksmoor.com Hilton Liverpool T: 0151 708 4200 E: lauren.leonard@hilton.com W: www.hilton.eo.uk/liverpool Hotel Du Vin, Birmingham T: 0844 736 4250 E: Zara.Goodwin@hotelduvin.com W: www.hotelduvin.com Hotel Indigo Liverpool T: 0151 559 0111 E: info@hotelindigoliverpool.com W: www.ihg.com Huntley’s Country Stores T: 01772 872 820 E: katherinesmith@huntleys.co.uk W: www.huntleys.co.uk IL Forno T: 0151 709 4002 E: info@ilforno.co.uk W: www.ilforno.co.uk James Martin Restaurant/Casino235 T: 0161 828 0345 W: www.jamesmartinrestaurant.co.uk

DOWNTIME.

John Street Liverpool T: 0161 831 3211 E: GMaitland@eclectichotels.com W: www.eclectichotels.com/great-john-street-hotel

Piccolinos Birmingham T: 0121 634 3055 E: lauren.beech@individualrestaurants.com W: www.individualrestaurants.com/piccolino/

Hotel Gotham T: 0161 413 0000 E: reception@hotelgotham.co.uk W: www.hotelgotham.co.uk

Piccolinos Manchester T: 0161 835 9860 E: piccolino.manchester@piccolinorestaurants.co.uk W: www.piccolinorestaurants.co.uk

Liverpool Empire Theatre T: 0151 708 3200 E: jaynelloyd@theambassadors.com W: www.liverpoolempire.org.uk

Piccolinos Clitheroe T: 01200 423111 E: enquiries@individualrestaurants.com W: http://www.individualrestaurants.com/piccolino/clitheroe/

Sapporo Teppanyaki T: 0161 831 9888 E: manchester@sapporo.co.uk W: www.sapporo.co.uk

Pullman Hotel Liverpool T: 0151 945 1000 E: H9227-SL@accor.com W: http://www.pullmanhotels.com/gb/hotel-9227-pullman-liverpool/index.shtml

Manchester House T: 0161 835 2557 W: www.manchesterhouse.uk.com

Radisson BLU Leeds T: 0113 236 6000 E: natalie.boyne@radissonblu.com

Malmaison Liverpool T: 0151 229 5000 E: ssimons@malmaison.com W: www.malmaison-liverpool.com

Radisson BLU Liverpool T: 0151 966 1500 E: info.liverpool@radissonblu.com W: www.radissonblu.eo.uk/hotel-liverpool

Marco Pierre White Liverpool T: 0151 559 0555 E: info@mpwsteakhouseliverpool.com W: www.mpwsteakhouseliverpool.co.uk

Restaurant Bar & Grill Leeds T: 0113 244 9625 E: rbg.leeds@therestaurantbarandgrill.co.uk W: www.individualrestaurants.com

Mercure Hotel T: 0871 376 9025 E: smontgomery@thehotelcollection.co.uk W: www.thehotelcollection.eo.uk/hotels/liverpool-atlantic­tower-hotel/

Restaurant Bar & Grill Liverpool T: 0151 236 6703 E: rbg.liverpool@therestaurantbarandgrill.co.uk W: www.therestaurantbarandgrill.co.uk

Neighbourhood T: 0161 832 6334 W: www.neighbourhoodrestaurant.co.uk

Restaurant Bar & Grill Manchester T: 0161 832 0082 E: cherryl.pinnington@ircplc.co.uk W: www.therestaurantbarandgrill.co.uk

Northcote Manor Blackburn T: 01254 240 555 E: reception@northcote.com W: www.northcote.com Novotel Liverpool T: 0151 702 5100 E: h6495-sl@accor.com W: www.novotel.com

The Alchemisl Leeds T: 0113 246 0540 E: trinitybdm@thealchemist.uk.com W: www.thealchemist.uk.com/trinity-leeds The Grill on New York Street T: 0161 228 1444 W: www.blackhouse.uk.com

Opus Restaurant Birmingham T: 0121 200 2323 E: ireneallan@opusrestaurant.co.uk W: www.opusrestaurant.co.uk

The Milton Club T: 0161 850 2353 E: info@themiltonclub.co.uk W: www.themiltonclub.co.uk

Palm Sugar Lounge T: 0151 707 6654 E: rachael.clarke@chaophraya.co.uk W: http://chaophraya.co.uk/palm-sugar/

The Richmond T: 0151 702 5820 E: info@therichmondliverpool.com W: www.therichmondliverpool.com

Park Regis Hotel T: 0121 369 5555 E: bdmprbi@parkregishotels.com W: ww.parkregisbirmingham.co.uk

thestudio T: 0121 634 2800 E: adam@studiovenues.co.uk W: studiovenues.co.uk Tickled Trout T: 0844 879 9053 W: www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/macdonald-tickled-trout-hotel/