#edit issue1 june 2013

STYLISH BUSINESS 06/13

COPE & CO

THE CHANGING FACE OF LEGAL SERVICES

LIVERPOOL ONE

RETAIL ICON

Style Interview…

Dan Rookwood talks Fashion v Style

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Contents

WELCOME to the 1st Edition of #EDiT ‘the’ digital stylish business publication for

the Northwest. With a long-held belief that style and business should not be mutually exclusive we have combined the two and curated a magazine that represents the best of both worlds.

In this issue of #EDiT FEATURES: ZeroTHR EE #teambaltic: The cutting edge destination for pioneering creatives ZeroFIV E

Retail Icon: The retail space with a blueprint for success

E leVE N

In Pursuit of happiness: The commercial lawyer with change in mind

Sev enTEE N

View from behind the wall: Insight into the intricacies of business in China

FASHION: T wentyO N E Fashion Editeur: Which fashion pieces are worth investing in?

T wenty FIVE

Dan Rookwood Editor of Men’s Health talks Fashion v. Style

OTHER: T wenty THR E E Travel: Petit St Vincent: The escape holiday T wentyE IG HT

T wenty NIN E

Style: In the Frame: Tips for finding the frame trend for you Social Butterfly: Our monthly round up of events

Send your news stories to: newsroom@hashtagedit.com Tel: 0151 550 4520 #EDiT is published by LittleBird Agency Limited.

Designed by Mako Creative www.makocreative.co.uk Photography by Adam Kenrick www.adamkenrick.com

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#teambaltic

Described as a cutting edge destination where pioneering creatives work and play Debbie Edwards pays a visit to Baltic Creative, at the heart of the Baltic Triangle, to meet the visionaries behind the development and hears what the talented tenants have to say.

You don’t need to spend too much time at Baltic Creative to realise that this is no ordinary business hub, and that their objective to be landlords with a commercial and social conscience is more than just rhetoric. Speaking to Mark Lawler, Centre Manager, he describes the success behind the vision ‘We have a real mix of digital and creative businesses here such as music management companies, festival and events businesses, web and app developers, which may sound like an eclectic mix to the outside world but behind the scenes it has proven to be a dynamic and vibrant collective.’

I certainly couldn’t disagree. Access to the business hub is through the edgy, boho chic café that creates a gentle buzz of activity, flowing with a mix of creative types, smart suited workers grabbing a coffee and even local residents popping in for a bite to eat. It creates an instant vibe that I imagine is like no other business hub and Mark is keen to stress that this is key to their success. He elaborates ‘We are not landlords in the traditional sense, although good housekeeping and maintenance is still essential, however, we had a vision for creating a space that connects people through more than a shared postcode. It is a business neighbourhood that encourages learning, engagement and connectivity across all of the business disciplines. Tenants don’t

@teambaltic @ReallyNowTalk retreat into their pods and get on with the daily grind – they seek out shared opportunities and generate growth through partnerships and in many ways are breaking new ground in the emerging shared economy.’

With ninety five percent occupancy this is obviously a winning formulae and I am keen to speak to one of their creative tenants to find out what it is like to put down business roots in this pioneering space. Becky pope and Nick Baskerville, Directors of Really Now tell me why, for them, it has been a savvy business decision. Becky elaborates ‘We spent eight months working out of cafés and bars within the

Baltic Triangle waiting for that tipping point when the business had grown and we could look for a more established base.

There were no other options for us. Baltic Creative was our only choice as its values and vision resonated with our own.’

The wider Baltic Triangle is an interesting mix of old and new business and somehow, by not trying too hard, they have managed to create something really special where the possibilities for business and social inclusion are endless . It is social destination architecture at its best.

Baltic Creative is a talent incubator, creating knowledge partnerships that have their roots firmly in the sharing economy. They are designing a new blue print for collaborative business growth and it is one that will

Really Now made their start in business managing events on behalf of eclectic space Camp & Furnace, in addition to working with Liverpool City Council on innovative projects such as Ping Liverpool, a street ping pong project that took place across the city of Liverpool last summer creating a social legacy across the region with lasting results.

‘Our events and projects create impact within the community because we focus on bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together.

We entice people out of their natural habitat and subsequently break down barriers that may have previously existed. Ping Liverpool is a showcase of what can be achieved by extending an inclusive invitation to engage and have fun – it takes on a life of its own and in essence it is this spontaneity that inspires us.’ Nick continues ‘the environment at #teambaltic, as we like to call it, is purely based on collaboration – we recognise we can achieve so much more by working together and the advice and support we have received regarding our own business growth has also been invaluable.’

have a more sustainable impact on the economy and the wider community than most business hubs.

You may have picked up on our office envy – although we love our work space there is a certain appeal to the warehouse feel, sheds, barn doors and indoor garden areas that brings out the creativity in us and we are already planning our first collaboration.

Google HQ has nothing on this!

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Retail ICON After storming into the retail space with a savvy commercial proposition, Liverpool ONE has become a blueprint for success. Here we speak to Donna Howitt, Director of Marketing, about how they continue to reinvent the Liverpool ONE experience and what the future has in store.

Words by Debbie Edwards

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remember vividly sitting amidst the sharp suited guests attending the Tourism Awards in 2006 at the Crown Plaza. Half way through an announcement was made. They were going to show exclusive footage of an artist’s impression of Liverpool ONE, the long awaited development that promised to disrupt the market and significantly change the face of retail and leisure for the city of Liverpool. As I watched there were four words that popped into my head. It.Will.

Never.Work. How wrong I was.

Perhaps I had my recession goggles on. Whatever it was, Liverpool ONE has certainly silenced its critics, defying economic predictions and now seen as the one to watch as it continues to push the boundaries that keep consumers wanting more. ‘We have delivered an extensive range of events over the past five years with the enlivenment of public spaces at the heart of our thinking’ explains Donna. ‘We knew people had their doubts but we knew that if we maintained our focus on making this a place where people wanted to return then we would always stay true to our customers.’

Part of that strategy was to entice some of the most sought after brands with 54% of stores being completely new to Liverpool

when they opened five years ago.

Donna elaborates ‘We have many leading brands including Reiss, Hugo Boss, and The Kooples which cater well for our varied target market and provide a strong brand mix that inspires customers to continually seek us out.

From local corporate customers who enjoy the flexibility of extended shopping and events,

such as the recent Mulberry pop-up at Beauty Bazaar Harvey Nichols, to families who are looking for a fun day out there is no doubt that Liverpool ONE delivers an experience on all levels. ‘And it’s not just about shopping, it’s a social experience for many; a day shopping is often broken up with lunch, coffee or even a visit to another cultural venue in the city such as the Tate or the Museum and might be topped off with a cocktail or dinner and a trip to the cinema with friends. It’s about so much more than shopping. It’s about enjoying the city and all it has to offer.’

In a world where customer loyalty is becoming the Holy Grail for retailers with a high street presence we are curious to know how they lure visitors and shoppers back so regularly. What brings families out for the day at the same time as the gaggles of teenagers laden down with bags? Donna laughs at the image ‘If there is one thing we know about it is providing exactly what our customers want, quality shopping, variety, value for money and fun. We have installed artificial beaches, pop up restaurants, the most recent being the Asparagus Patch, a highly successful collaboration with Wirral based Claremont Farm, and have placed piano’s across our streetscape as part of our ‘ Tickle The Ivories’ project that is returning on July 5th. It may sound like an eclectic mix of events and certainly unusual to find within a leisure and retail environment, but for us it works, and the visitor feedback has been overwhelming.’

With 99% of visitors stating that they would return there is certainly no doubt that Liverpool ONE is creating more than a destination or experience but has had a much wider impact across the city both architecturally and economically. Donna recognises the importance of this legacy, ’Since inception Liverpool ONE has worked with partners to improve the entire visitor offer and push Liverpool as a destination.

Since opening in 2008 the whole city has seen growth with footfall increasing in other Retail areas as well as the waterfront and Albert Dock. As a result the city’s retail offer is now ranked number 5 in the UK.’

As we review the achievements of the past five years I ask Donna to look ahead and tell us what we can expect for the next five ‘Our aim is never to be complacent and to continually innovate.

There is no doubt that financially we compete with online retailers for market share, but they cannot compete with us on experience, as a visit to Liverpool ONE is so much more than shopping. We will continue to concentrate on the customer, enhancing their personal experience each time they visit and staying fresh and relevant to all of our consumer groups.’

I have to confess that I have a fondness for Liverpool ONE. The recent advertising campaigns featuring Liv and Liz, Liverpool ONE’s own Liver Birds, are fun but also relevant, and demonstrate an insightful understanding of what defines Liverpool as a city with a bright future. Now, which way is it to the ice rink? www.liverpool-one.com Twitter: @Liverpool_ONE

She continues ‘Liverpool ONE was created so that the streets link seamlessly with the rest of the city. It makes sense that we work closely with other partners for the cause of making Liverpool a great place to visit. A good example of our collaborative work is the joint campaigns we run at Christmas alongside partners including City Central BID, The Met Quarter and Mersey Rail.’

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NEW BUSINESS DISTRICT

Business district will present strong commercial opportunities says firm

City law firm, Hillyer McKeown, are calling for the Chester business scene to fully embrace a groundbreaking £100m Central Business Quarter development after it was announced that work will start on the new project early next year.

As one of the most critical phases of the Chester One City Plan the central business quarter will be of huge importance to the Chester business sector and will ensure the retention of existing businesses and the promotion of business growth in the city. “ The main objective is to create a new, vibrant, sustainable commercial quarter of the city” says Lindsey Kidd, Partner at Hillyer McKeown. “Quality office space will sit alongside residential property, leisure facilities and new public spaces. Being located in the immediate vicinity of Chester Railway Station will provide strong sustainable connections with

all major national cities, and will help to attract inward investment to Chester.” “ This is an exciting time for Chester businesses and marks a positive leap forward that will help to secure the city’s commercial future. As a firm we are going to be working with our own clients to make sure they can maximise the opportunities this development presents, whether that is investing in new property, taking on new staff or diversifying their commercial interests, we need to ensure that they are positioned competitively and are ready to be part of such a positive regeneration.”

CHESHIRE New owner secures future for city venue

The doors to Chester’s new bar and restaurant may not have been open all that long, yet within just a few weeks local entrepreneur Jamie Kimpton has been overwhelmed by the show of support for his newest business venture, Linenhall Bar and restaurant, on Watergate Street.

Jamie, who secured a future for the popular city venue after purchasing the lease on the former Fat Cat cafe bar in early May, is excited about putting Linenhall on the map.

“I was thrilled to secure a future for the venue” said Jamie. “For some time this has been a popular city venue and I have a vision to create something great here, delivered under the careful management of

Barry Ferns. Chester has a strong offering of established bars and restaurants but for me, Linenhall is about offering something more intimate, aimed at the professional market. A relaxed and sophisticated bar, where attentive service and great food and drink contribute to a wonderful experience for our customers.”

Linenhall have recently launched their new menu, offering a tempting array of dishes from breakfast and lunch through to an extensive evening menu and our favourite menu of all... their signature platters! (Make sure you try ‘ The Manhattan’ you won’t be disappointed). www.facebook.com/linenhallchester

The ‘Big Data’ debate

We know what you did last summer. No we’re not reviewing the movie.

This a reference to the level of detail that is now captured, tracked, viewed and used to inform multi million pound businesses of your every move, sometimes even pre-empting your next thought. In fact, the collection and management of personal data is so sophisticated that the movie could have been called ‘We know what you’re doing next summer.’ We’re not entirely comfortable with it, but most consumers now see it as a necessary evil. Used properly however, it can personalise the entire marketing process and enhance customer experience in a way that is enormously valuable to even the smallest business.

Danny Parker, Director of ATTAIN explains ‘In the past ten years data has increased in value and in the past three we have seen an upsurge in businesses seeking a less complex more centralised solution. Many have not previously linked their IT systems to their databases or their website and social media to their sales infrastructure and as a direct result have created multiple points of data capture opportunities with little or no communication between each channel.

Some people refer to it as Big Data. Some think of it as Big Brother.

As data capture increases we review how businesses can turn information overload into a valuable commodity to inform strategy and growth. Danny Parker, Director of Attain a multi channel data management platform, discusses the need for businesses to take a leap of faith into the data debate and make it work to their advantage.

Words by Debbie Edwards

‘We designed and developed Attain with simplicity in mind. As a data driven multi-channel communications platform it was important that it provided our customers with a solution that would enable them to gain a greater understanding of their customers, allowing them to interact with them in a more meaningful way. Integrating with current systems, Attain combines together multiple databases into one easy to view location. Unlike a lot of other platforms, Attain connects with any data driven product on the market. Consolidating data in this way makes it easy for businesses to manage, segment and target their customer communications more effectively and efficiently, delivering huge time and cost saving benefits to businesses.’

Danny continued: ‘A centralised approach to data may sound simple but so many businesses are still missing the fact that it can help them to understand the preferences, habits and behaviour of individual customers, enabling them to engage on a new level, resulting in stronger customer relationships and providing statistics that further informs marketing decisions, interactions, communication and financial investment. There is obviously more to the ongoing management of data, in essence it needs to be integrated into daily operations with both employees and systems ready to make a cultural shift.

“For the businesses we work with insight is priceless. The bottom line is that if a customer has found you, likes what you do and continues to stick around, then you don’t want for one of your competitors to catch their eye. My advice is simple - get to know your customers better, speak to them regularly and offer them incentives that they actually want. This really is as close to a digital Little Black Book as you will get – and we all remember how valuable they used to be!’

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IFB explanation

COME TOGETHER TRADE TOGETHER FIFTY EVENTS TWO MONTHS UNITING GLOBAL BUSINESS Next summer, if you’re looking for a place to do business, make it The International Festival for Business. For two months, the world’s most inspiring business minds will come together for a festival like no other. It will be the largest business event of the year. And it’s happening in Britain, in Liverpool.

The smartest entrepreneurial minds, the best business opportunities, global expos, conferences and unrivalled networking opportunities.

“I am absolutely delighted to give my full support to the International Festival for Business. I think it’s an excellent idea and the government is behind it every step of the way.”

Prime Minister Rt Hon David Cameron MP

MEET YOUR GLOBAL NETWORK

36

do it like the Italians ...join us at PANORAMIC34 Tues-Thurs 5pm-7pm for traditional Aperitivo This deeply rooted ritual from Northern Italy involves relaxing after work with an aperitif and delicious nibbles, and what better place to unwind than PANORAMIC

For Reservations call 0151 236 5534 West Tower, 34th Floor, Brook Street, Liverpool L3 9PJ Email: info@panoramic34.com www.panoramic34.com

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EleVEN

In Pursuit of Happiness Interview by Debbie Edwards

The legal landscape is rapidly evolving and as change is thrust upon this sometimes unsuspecting institution we talk to one commercial lawyer who designed his business with change in mind. Paul Cope, of Cope&Co, tells us how he is redefining the delivery of legal services and what it takes to stay agile in a developing market.

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here certainly isn’t a shortage of lawyers to interview but I was looking for something different. An entrepreneur, for want of a better description. Someone who was challenging the norm in a world of tradition and structure dating back hundreds of years. A world that has recently been rocked but is still resistant to change. At first glance Paul Cope looks like any other lawyer. Sharp suit, tick. Steel like gaze, tick. Regulatory (classic) tie, tick, and whilst I am not usually one for stereotypes it is not until he starts to speak that I realise this is no ordinary lawyer.

“I always knew that I would set up my own business but the timing, and the concept of what I had to offer, had to be right.” The recession proved to be the catalyst and whilst many larger firms struggled under the weight of change Paul had other ideas on how to compete. ‘I didn’t look to other law firms for inspiration. I looked at brands like Apple and Google who had a unique proposition in their sector. They were constantly developing new ways of doing things, executing it properly and never settling for just doing ok - I knew instinctively that commercial clients were also looking at these brands and wanted a piece of the same ethos.’ In 2009 Paul launched Cope&Co from the back

bedroom of his home armed with a pen, a blank piece of paper, a list of contacts and a new offering fixed fee quality legal services for commercial clients.

The legal landscape has changed radically since then.

Many established firms have disappeared, downsized or merged and clients are less inclined to be loyal, more inclined to shop around and are ultimately looking to cut costs. ‘Launching into the market with the same services and the same offering as everyone else would have been commercial suicide’ explains Paul, ‘and quite honestly I wanted my business to be different.’ He

influencing his eventual leap into running his own business. ‘Right from an early age I was creating a blue print for my future. I questioned everything, constantly.’ This questioning didn’t matter so much at law school but it became much more pronounced as he entered the strict infrastructure in more established law firms. ‘Suddenly my questioning didn’t go down so well’ laughs Paul, and it wasn’t anything to do with them, as the experience I got was great. It just didn’t fit and I needed to have the guts to back myself.’ He continues ‘ In a large law firm there is a strong focus on time recording and on the clock delivery, but after every completed job there was always a difficult conversation with the client over fees. We have eradicated this entirely and we can therefore concentrate on the most important aspects of a completed deal - how we can help our clients with their next opportunity.’

“Clients shouldn’t have to feel that the only guarantee of high level expertise is by paying top prices by the hour”

continues ‘It is quite simple. We offer quality commercial legal support for a fixed price and we use this to build long term relationships with our clients.’ Its refreshing to hear his opinions ‘Clients shouldn’t have to feel that the only guarantee of high level expertise is by paying top prices by the hour. We are proof that there is another way and it in no way involves a compromise.’

I naively ask why, if it makes such commercial sense, are other firms not responding to this brave new world? For Paul it is simple, they either can’t or won’t, and in a sector that potentially will be unrecognisable in the next five years this is short sighted at best. Paul is keen to elaborate on the bigger picture ‘Our goal has always been to be a full service boutique commercial law firm, small enough to evolve but agile enough to stay ahead of the competition.’

He mentions the word ‘our’ instead of ‘my’ in relation to goals and vision which I find intriguing. Many larger law firms heavily promote their shared vision and company values but scratch beneath the surface and it is little more than a hollow mission statement that is better placed in the nineties. So, I ask, in a brave new world, what does this inclusive approach require? A new management approach? Better rewards for staff? As I pose this question to Paul he surprises me with his response.

‘Its simply about happiness. Happy staff and happy clients as one feeds the other.’

It wasn’t an answer I was expecting but it was welcomed, not least because I caught a glimpse of the personal drive behind Paul’s vision, but more so because it will resonate with other businesses who themselves are rewriting the rules. I left our meeting feeling wistful, but not for the past, for the future. A future where happiness and success are not mutually exclusive.

Trained at DLA Piper and with subsequent moves to established practices such as Addleshaw Goddard, there can be no questioning Paul’s pedigree. It is also no surprise to find that his career path played a big part in Paul Cope

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WIRRAL WATERS ENTERPRISE ZONE TO RECEIVE £5.5M The Wirral Waters Enterprise Zone is to receive £5.5m from Government to help prepare the infrastructure of the site so that it is ready to welcome new investment and jobs.

Wirral, is one of thirteen Enterprise Zones that have been awarded funding by the Local Infrastructure Fund to help transform ‘shovel ready sites into job ready sites’ and the money will be spent at three areas within the zone; Northbank East, Tower Road South, Poulton Bridge Road and Beaufort Road.

The funding allocated to Tower Road South will help to prepare and remediate the site for a planned mixed use quarter including a further education facility linked to the renewable offshore energy sector and the built environment.

WIRRAL

INCREASE REPORTED AS INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURERS INVEST IN RENEWABLE ENERGY

Wirral based renewable energies specialist, Kimpton Limited, have reported a sharp increase in projects being delivered to the Industrial manufacturing sector.

Kimpton, who built their reputation working with many leading industrial and food manufacturing companies, have reported a 15% increase in energy reduction projects as industrial firms look to improve energy efficiency and strive to make significant reductions in their CO2 emissions.

Speaking about the increase, Chris Livesley Business Development Manager at Kimpton said: “Our renewables division have delivered efficiencies into

the Industrial sector for a number of years and in doing so has become a trusted partner for the global businesses that we work with. Many companies within the Industrial sector have seen global players invest heavily in renewables and have set themselves ambitious targets to reduce their carbon footprint.

As a direct result of their investment in micro regeneration or renewable energy systems these same firms are recognising measurable growth.”

Chris added “ The government has set clear targets to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 15% by 2020 making it even more important for companies to focus on this.”

Claremont Farm Pop Up Restaurant Success Claremont Farm, nestled in the heart of the Wirral Peninsula, recently decamped to Liverpool ONE to set up a Pop Up restaurant showcasing the delights of their seasonal asparagus crop.

Aptly named The Asparagus Patch, the store and café, which was open until 21st June, has been a runaway success with visitors, and with rumours and requests for a second Pop Up venture. We couldn’t be more delighted for them!

Renowned for the quality of their produce Claremont continue to look for new ways to diversify and bring fresh, local goods that remind us of how fruit and vegetables should taste.

We would be delighted to see a Pop Up Strawberry Patch throughout the summer....now if someone could just set up a Pop Up Pimms bar next door.

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Bar in full bloom as pop-up concept opens

For those looking for a natural oasis in the middle of the city, look no further. The latest and most exciting new pop-up bar has arrived at The Lawns, Spinningfields. BLOOM is a celebration of greenery, nature, escapism, seasonality and living beauty.

Located in the heart of Spinningfields, on the edge of the newly redeveloped square that is The Lawns, BLOOM is the only bar of its kind in Manchester, creating a blend between the natural world and urban jungle. From herbs grown on-site, to its own living wall and cocktail gardeners, BLOOM is set to provide an organic, understated yet cool haven amidst its concrete neighbours.

Designed by James Darwent Architecture Ltd, BLOOM has been designed to fit seamlessly alongside The Lawns.

A joint venture between Allied London and Fluid Bars, BLOOM will be operated by James Wrigley of Fluid. James said: “We put a lot of time and energy into proposing a range of concepts for the area, and our ideas were well received. The team are really excited about Bloom and are looking forward to bringing something different to the city.” Twitter @BloomBarMcr

MANCHESTER STRIPPING for SUMMER

TO BE BROADCAST LIVE FROM MEDIACITYUK Manchester’s MediaCityUK is set to play host to ‘Gok Live: Stripping For Summer’, a new show commissioned by Channel 4. The three hour-long programmes will broadcast live from the Piazza at MediaCityUK this summer and will see Gok Wan do what he does best and help women solve their dressing dilemmas for the summer holiday season.

Endemol are working with MediaCityUK, who are overseeing the organisation of the live shows whilst dock10 are managing the productions by utilising the site-wide connectivity and studio galleries which link directly to the piazza.

Stephen Wild, managing director MediaCityUK said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Gok Wan and the Endemol team to MediaCityUK. The Piazza is an impressive outdoor space that is perfect for activities of this nature.

The Gok live fashion show is just one of many exciting happenings that we have planned over the summer period.”

Jonathan Harley from dock10 added: “ They will benefit from dock10’s many fibre connection points around the Piazza and spread throughout MediaCityUK. It will enable them to get broadcast quality cameras cabled back to fully spec’d production control rooms, the big outdoor screen (controllable from the studios) and from our connection to the SIS satellite farm to get live pictures back to Channel 4 –all without the need for an outside broadcast truck.”

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View from behind the wall Liverpool has long had trade links with the Far East, so the city was well-placed to benefit from emerging opportunities as China began opening up to Western trade and accelerated their economic growth. However, this article provides an insight from within the walls and discusses the day to day intricacies of doing business in China and advice from someone who has established a successful life and a career in the Far East.

Interview by Debbie Edwards

A

rguably, the Liverpool and Wirral Waters Development, envisioned by Peel and championed by many both locally and globally, presents those who live and work here with a unique opportunity to potentially witness the region returning to its Halcyon days, with endless possibilities across retail, property, tourism, manufacturing and inward investment. The impact of this ambitious development has had immediate effect and there are great expectations for the next phase.

For many, the sheer scale and time span (the Liverpool and Wirral Waters development is a 30-50 year plan) means that it is hard to visualise where the opportunities lie for individuals and businesses across the region, with many still harbouring entrenched ideas about the cultural differences that exist in the far east and remaining reticent about taking the next step to export. We wanted to interview someone who had made the leap into this unknown territory. Not a business, but a graduate who innocently looked to China for an adventure and who has now carved out a career and a life for herself despite a series of challenges and a steep learning curve on the way.

Nikki Aaron, TV News anchor with China View moved to China six years ago to pursue a new life and quickly realised that there were, at times, complexities to the Chinese way of life that were significantly different to what she had previously known. Determined to fully immerse herself

Nikki Aaron, TV News anchor with China View

in the culture she describes her first few months as ‘an innocent abroad’ and what it took to finally call China her home.

‘Like most people, my ideas of China were all very outdated and, dare I say, ignorant. So the culture shock within those first few months of working and living here was unrelenting. I felt like my entire life had been turned upside down and inside out. All that was familiar or comforting to me had been taken away.

From the change in food, the attention, and a constant fear of not knowing the ‘correct’ way to behave, it was overwhelming.

Maybe things would have been easier if I had been presented with the opportunity to live the luxury life of most expatriates, with a luxury apartment, a maid

(or ‘ayi’), drivers, and a bulging salary. Unfortunately I was earning very little, and living in a one room flat with cockroaches as flat mates. The fact that there were bars on the windows, a strict 11pm curfew, and I wasn’t allowed any visitors to my room, didn’t offer any feelings of a home away from home.’

for me came in the summer of 2007. Some of my best friends from back home were going backpacking for a few weeks around Thailand, and I decided to take some time out from China and join them. I returned to China feeling a thousand times more confident, enthused, and determined not to give up on this country until I had it cracked. It was definitely my stubborn nature that kept me in China that first year. I couldn’t think of anything worse than returning home early. Of course once I had broken through the pain barrier of around six months, my body had adjusted, my mandarin was improving, and my eyes had been opened to the immense opportunities on offer.’

Nikki continues ‘I could have easily quit and returned home

Whilst this is an individual perspective of creating a career in China, Nikki is also convinced of the business opportunities that China presents ‘China is absolutely geared towards creating a climate suitable for foreign businesses to invest and grow. Over the past few years, as China has undergone rapid economic development and it’s people are earning more than ever before, foreign luxury brands have poured into the country’s major cities, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, in order to meet the demand of the Chinese people’s obsession with luxury brands and status.

“Keeping it simple and building a connection are crucial in any business scenario but what if your biggest fears lie in knowing how to behave or even just simply understanding the rules of socialising”

at least a dozen times within those first months in China. I was constantly suffering with an upset stomach due to the extreme change in diet, and my language skills were very basic. I think the turning point

It’s interesting to hear that there is still such a vast array of opportunities but with developments accelerating so fast I wanted to know what advice Nikki would give to Northwest businesses thinking of launching their ventures abroad.

Nikki continues ‘I know a lot of businesses that have been set up by foreigners in China and are doing very well. The ones that have probably been the most successful use what I consider to be a fail-proof formula - that is, developing a business idea that enables two countries to connect. A couple of examples that spring to mind would be CRCC Asia, which offers internship programs for young people wanting to explore China. http://www.crccasia.com/internships/ Another example is a football coaching club, called ClubFootball, which employs young Brit football coaches to train Chinese and expat kids in football skills. This continued overleaf

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business model has gone from strength to strength, partly because it has taken advantage of the Chinese people’s (still blossoming) fascination in western culture, but also because it provides them with a platform to expose their children to a ‘foreign’ style of socializing’ ‘I think it’s integral to know your market well. It’s not just a case of making minor amendments to your product and expecting it to do well like it has in another country. China is a very complex place to do business, but the rewards can be worth the effort. You need to understand how the Chinese people like to do business, and what attracts them to certain products. There are cultural beliefs, superstitions, customs, and habits that any business needs to familiarize themselves with before it even gets started.’

Keeping it simple and building a connection are crucial in any business scenario but what if your biggest fears lie in knowing how to behave or even just simply understanding the rules of socialising?

‘Most business deals are sealed with an official dinner, and your Chinese host will pull out all the stops and order far too much, as well as some dishes that will turn your stomach just to look at.’ How do you handle this situation? ‘First of all, don’t force yourself to eat anything that you don’t want to. I went through months of forcefeeding myself food that I didn’t want to eat for fear of insulting my dinner hosts. It was hell. Do make an effort to eat what you can, and be open to trying foods that you wouldn’t usually consider putting anywhere near your mouth. Turtle, tongue, chicken feet, snake - you will score brownie points for giving any of them a shot, I promise.

But if you’ve had enough, or there’s something you’d rather not try, you can simply say, “no, thankyou”. It’s not a big deal as long as you’re polite.’

‘You’ll also be expected to drink - especially if you’re male. There will be lots of “ganbei’s”, which means “down in one”, which may seem odd if you’re drinking a fine red wine, or shots of Chinese Baijiu. You can expect the entire meal to be punctuated with these calls to ‘down your drinks’, and all eyes will be on you to make sure you drink up.’

Nikki seems to have made the transition from West to East easily, although not without its challenges, and there has been much hilarity as she has recalled stories for us about social scenarios that would challenge even the most well researched and prepared interlopers.

Keeping it simple, getting good advice, knowing your market and looking for partners with good local knowledge and contacts would seem to be the best advice – and unless they are a particular favourite of yours, keep away from the fish eyes!

City Restaurant awarded for excellence Liverpool restaurant, Panoramic34, has announced that it is been awarded the prestigious TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award. The award, which honours hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding reviews on TripAdvisor.

Only the top-performing 10 per cent of businesses listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious accolade.

LIVERPOOL For a business to qualify for the Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four (or higher) out of a possible five as reviewed by travellers on TripAdvisor, and must have been listed for at least 12 months.

Other additional criteria includes the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months.

Speaking about the award, Chief Executive of Panoramic34, Cathy Frost, said: “Panoramic34 are delighted to receive the Certificate of Excellence award. As a business we strive to deliver world class dining and exceptional customer service and this award, based upon our guests feedback, demonstrates this. This award is recognition for the hard work and commitment shown by our team and I’m overjoyed that the restaurant has been recognised in this way.” www.panoramic34.com Twitter: @Panoramic34

Acceleration of Growth EDiT launches during the much anticipated Accelerate 2013, a festival dedicated to the celebration of enterprise and high growth companies across the UK. Following on from the success of last years Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) this years event promises to bring together some of the worlds brightest business minds, economists and inspirational speakers. With plenty of fringe events to suit all interests and as a platform for next years International Festival of Business Liverpool is quickly becoming a commercial hotbed of enterprise. www.accelerate2013.co.uk www.ifb2014.com

Twitter: @Accelerate2013 and @IFB2014

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FASHION EDITEUR Every season fashion and styles come and go, so how as consumers are we to recognise the wearable items worth investing in? #EDiT sat down with boutique owner and fashion buyer of The Editeur, Annabel Mount-Kirk, to get her insight into trends, pitfalls and choosing wisely.

Interview by Nic Spindler How do you choose the collections that make ‘The Editeurs’ cut each season?

For me it’s about focusing on buying pieces that are classic and timeless, pieces that our customers can invest in. However there are some pieces which we see in the designer collections that have a certain ‘wow’ factor and we can’t resist in buying these! We like to focus on pieces that are subtly on trend, making them pieces that will be worn for years to come.

Which brands never let you down?

Classic designers such as Joseph and Diane Von Furstenberg, never fail to produce great collections each season.

We notice you fly the flag for British brands. How do you think British brands have changed in recent years?

My favourite British designers include Alice by Temperley, Nicole Farhi and Issa. These brands have their own signature designs and styles, yet they are always updating each season. British brands are expanding and starting to collaborate with other heritage brands. For example the Barbour Gold Label collection was designed by Alice Temperley. As a British independent retailer we understand the difficulties of starting a business, which is why we always champion upcoming British designers such as scarf designer, Laura Orchant and hat designer Laura Apsit Livens who has worked for Philip Treacy and Louis Vuitton.

What are the common mistakes we make as consumers when we shop for clothes?

Many consumers tend to buy quantity over quality, for example buying lots of low quality pieces that you only wear a few times, pieces that don’t wash well after a few wears. Consumers should focus on buying pieces that are good quality and versatile. For example instead of buying lots of summer clothes, invest in pieces that will take you through from summer to winter, for example layering pieces, as we all know that the British weather doesn’t bring us much warmth! As a buyer I try to provide items that have a focus on luxury craftsmanship, which will still be as treasured in years to come.

FASHION EDITEUR Some of Annabel’s favourite investment pieces... ...Rebecca Minkoff Mini Luscious Studded Hobo Bag £350.00

...Day Birger et Mikkelsen Modish Blazer £220.00 So which pieces help to build a strong foundation wardrobe?

Here’s Annabel’s list of items worth investing in: • A pair of great fitting jeans – “my favourite jeans are JBrand” • Little Black Dress- having a ‘go to’ black dress is a worthwhile investment – “I love Issa’s LBD collection” • A silk blouse – to take you from the desk to the bar!

• A smart blazer- team it with everything; skirts, trousers, dresses • The Trench coat – the perfect item to see you through the change in seasons • A pair of ankle boots - Acne pistol boots are the iconic within the fashion industry • A classic handbag – “Rebecca Minkoff is a timeless collection”

...Diane Von Furstenberg Zarita Dress £275.00 Twe n t yT W O

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Close to home If you long for peace and quiet, a night away from it all, a place that will cater for your every whim.. then you need to acquaint yourself with Edgar House, Chester’s newest boutique hotel. Nestled atop of the ancient Chester walls and overlooking the River Dee, this Georgian style house offers true escapism. From the sweeping spiral staircase to the luxury boutique bedrooms with their ‘squidgy sofas’ and ‘dreamy beds’ there is something undeniably different about Edgar House.

Lovingly restored and refurbished by business partners Tim Mills and Michael Stephen , Edgar House offers the perfect place to take time out… trust us you’ll leave feeling refreshed and a little bit spoiled. Riverview Balcony rooms from £185 per night. www.edgarhouse.co.uk

TRAVEL

See you in a week...

Petit St Vincent is barefoot luxury, with a relaxed, natural ambience that is so rare to find. With excellent cuisine, a stunning setting, beautiful beaches and lovely, genuine staff, this is a high quality accommodation that will beguile you. For a Robinson Crusoe-style Caribbean escape from the pressure of everyday modern life there is nowhere better than Petit St Vincent. Located in St Vincent & The Grenadines; things are so relaxed here there isn’t even a check-in, you just step onto the jetty and head for one of the 22 secluded villas. The villas have no keys, no TVs and there are no phones. You simply raise a little yellow flag for service and a red one for privacy. The best thing is there are so few guests you often feel as though the island is your very own private playground.

Petit St Vincent has its own private charter plane with Mustique Airways and can now pick up guests as soon as they arrive into Barbados offering a seamless transfer.

For reservations www.itcclassics.co.uk

Wear it your way If you want to work this versatile look then you need to stay away from a clippers cut and opt for a stylist who’ll use classic techniques like scissor over comb to give a more tailored look. To create this style at home, you need great products. A volume liquid mist works as a great foundation and amplifies the roots without leaving any residue. Finish with a workable product, such as shaping paste, and you’ll have the texture to be able to create movement, or to change from a sleek day look to a more relaxed and ‘messy’ evening look.

David Halsall, Senior Stylist at Electric Hair, based within Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar Liverpool ONE, talks about the men’s hair trend taking over summer 2013…

Without question Men’s grooming is evolving, and with the current beard trend looking set to stay strong into Autumn Winter, we’re seeing more professional men who want to work this season’s style their way.’

‘ The biggest men’s hair trend for summer 2013 is the undercut, it’s a disconnected top section where the hair sits longer on top creating more thickness. At Electric Hair we call this the ‘versatile haircut’ as it can be worn by most people and just be slightly adjusted to suit each individual personality. The style can be worked in a sleek low side parting or with more movement and a wave going through the hair giving more natural texture.

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Fashion v Style #EDiT speak to Dan Rookwood, Style Director at Men’s Health... ...about fashion v. style, the North/South style differences and the brands he wouldn’t be without.

Photography by Reiss

Interview by Nic Spindler

As Style Director at Men’s Health how do you choose which brands to lead with?

I think about the reader and I feature what I think would help the man on the street look better because that is the principle aim of my job. We have a vast readership – a million magazine readers a month; 14 million page impressions online. And the demographic is broad both in terms of age range and geographical spread across the UK, not just in the major cities. So I choose brands that have wide appeal and accessibility but that nudge the everyman to elevate his sartorial game. I don’t have an academic background in fashion. I just have an eye for knowing what looks good and what doesn’t and explaining why. I try and keep it as simple as that.

Each season trends come and go – how do you define the difference between fashion and style?

At Men’s Health we draw a deliberate distinction between ‘fashion’ and ‘style’. Fashion is transitory; style is more lasting. I deliberately don’t leap upon trends immediately. Instead I wait until they have bedded in and then weave in the most important ones so that our reader is ‘on trend’ without being a victim of fashion. We feature a lot of what we call ‘wardrobe staples’ – these are pieces that will last a few years without going out of fashion. It’s therefore worth spending a little more on quality items from luxury brands because you’ll get more wear out of them. Then you can ‘season’ those basics with more trendled updates from less expensive ‘fast fashion’ brands like Topman or Urban Outfitters.

What do you see as the biggest UK North/ South differences when it comes to men’s style?

I can only speak anecdotally because I live and work in London but have family in Liverpool (where I am originally from) and Cheshire (where my wife is from) whom I visit often. You go out in Manchester or Liverpool and see men with great style – but generally they are younger guys in their 20s who are well into all the fashion blogs and street style sites. I work mainly in Soho, Mayfair and Shoreditch so I see a lot of very stylish men around and about in London – a mixture of very smart tailoring, contemporary urban street style and vintagey hipster chic. Some guys you see in London are very ‘out there’ in what they wear and no-one bats an eyelid. In the north, I’d say that generally the fashion is a bit safer, more casual and more high street. So the exceptions to the rule tend to stand out more obviously.

Everyone makes fashion mistakes. Tell us about one of yours.

When I was younger I seemed to think that it was best to make a memorable impression in interviews – even if not a terribly good one.

For my Cambridge interview I shaved my head into a crew cut but left a long fringe which I dyed blond. It was awful. Then when I went for a job interview at The Guardian I wore a cringe-worthy tone on tone lilac tie and matching shirt with massive Harry Hill collars. They never forgot it and would tease about it for years afterwards. That was 13 years ago.

I don’t always get it right even now. Just last month I went to a posh wedding where all the men were in morning suits. I was one of four guys who turned up in a regular suit.

For a professional man looking to overhaul his wardrobe – what would you advise him to invest in first?

Invest in what will be seen the most and last the longest: coat, shoes, bag. These are items that should last years and years so the cost-perwear ratio makes it affordable. Also good quality accessories help to improve the tone of the rest of your look. If he is a professional man, I’d then advise him to get some good blazers and smart trousers that can be worn as ‘separates’ so you can mix them up for more permutations.

Keep the colour palette similar – greys and blues – so that everything works with everything. And instead of worrying about labels, prioritise fit. Find a good local alterations tailor you trust who for about £50 can make a reasonably priced off-the-peg suit look made to measure.

Tell us about your ‘go to’ British men’s designer? Current or Classic.

I was talking to my colleagues the other day about this: if you could only wear one designer for the rest of your life, who would it be? I went for Paul Smith for a number of reasons. He invented ‘classic with a

Paul Smith

twist’ and it is a signature that has served him well for 40 years. His range is broad: he does everything from suiting and shoes to jeans and t-shirts to holiday wear and accessories. And the quality and attention to colourful and characterful detail is fantastic. But probably my favourite designer is Oliver Spencer. I like pretty much everything he does and he is a very lovely man to boot.

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Dan Rookwood Style Director at Men’s Health, shares with us some of his favourite brands.

You’re packing light, which 6 pieces make the weekend bag?

1. Navy travel blazer – absolutely standard and perfectly versatile if going out for dinner or drinks.

Can be dressed up with a shirt and tie; worn as smart-casual with a button-collared chambray shirt; or dressed down with a t-shirt.

2. Knitted tie – it’s still pretty casual because it’s knitted and it takes up very little space, but it’s always a good option to have in case you go somewhere that wee bit smarter.

3. Slim-fit indigo jeans – J Brand or APC, with no wash or distressing.

4. Tan brogues – worn with indigo jeans or cords or chinos, they work for both the daytime and a night out.

5. Derek Rose pyjamas – because whether you’re staying with friends, family or a boutique hotel, it’s good to have smart sleepwear.

6. Nike Air Max 1 trainers – they’re cool to wear casually but also comfortable enough for a light run – which is always the best way to (a) see a new place; and (b) run off last night’s dinner and drinks.

Navy travel blazer www.oliverspencer.co.uk

Derek Rose pyjamas www.MrPorter.com

Slim-fit indigo jeans – Kane Raw, JBrand www.jbrandjeans.com Knitted tie – Drakes www.MrPorter.com Tan brogues www.oliversweeney.com

Nike Air Max www.endclothing.co.uk

In the frame!

The summer is finally here but regardless of the season, sunglasses and cool specs are a phenomenon that have been trending for some time. Mark Blankstone of Blankstone Opticians provides some useful shopping tips so that you can look good in your frames all year round.

So you’ve searched the celeb mags and seen a pair on the stand that you think will suit you but, just because they look good on Victoria and David Beckham, chances are, they may not be right for you. Back in the land of style, Italians dress from the feet up which is why they are so famed for their shoe design, as well as cars, furniture, in fact, you name it!

But, in the pursuit of the Bella Figuera (beautiful figure), Italians take their frames very seriously and the same can be said of course, increasingly of the Brits. It makes sense, seeing as, unlike other fashion accessories, your specs or shades will draw immediate attention to your face, so you should select wisely. In fact, simply choosing the right pair to suit your face shape can transform your whole outfit!

• Do you have a round-shaped face? Look for styles that have double brow bars or frames that are equal to the width of your face.

• A heart-shaped face and high cheekbones? Opt for light coloured or rimless frames, they will look great.

• Aviators or angular shapes like these will balance out a smaller chin.

• A square face? Stay away from square frames and reduce those hard angles by choosing soft gently curved oval-shaped frames.

• If you’re oval, you really can go for the oversized look and make a real statement!

Top tip: If you’re unsure of what suits you, any good optician will give you an honest assessment of what works for you.

www.blankstoneopticians.co.uk Tw e n tyEI G H T

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Our Monthly roundup of North West events

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In Full Bloom

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