BUSINESS
ECHO
★★★★
Cooking up a healthy future
Start Survive Thrive
Bringing back the rag and bone men
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HM REVENUE & Excise is reminding traders of duty suspended excise goods to switch from a paper system to the new online Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS) on January 1, 2011. The new system is designed to reduce excise fraud across the European Union (EU). HMRC spokeswoman Kerrie Spendiff said: “The important thing is that excise traders enrol early to avoid delays. I urge businesses that have not yet registered and enrolled to do so now.”
A happy 21st for Scouse Ed
FORMER retail chief and Liverpool Chamber of Commerce chairman Ed Oliver has been presented with a portrait by city council leader Joe Anderson to mark his achievements in 21 years as an “honorary Scouser”. Sunderland-born Ed has managed the city’s Marks and Spencer store, chaired Liverpool Stores Committee and managed the Clayton Square shopping centre.
LIVERPOOL ● industrial injury lawyers Attwood
CHUFFED: Ed Oliver, left, with Liverpool city council leader Joe Anderson
RUNCORN SET FOR BREWERY LAUNCH by NEIL HODGSON
Industry Reporter
A NEW brewery will officially open in Runcorn next week. The Blue Ball Brewery has been set up by Matt Riley and Alex Haycraft with the aim of challenging bland beers, or as Matt puts it: “Beers created by accountants.” Situated next to Matt’s existing business, the Home Brew Supermarket at the EBL Centre on Picow Farm Road, Blue Ball will produce a range of beers and offer a separate micro-brewery Store address: 16 Manesty’s Lane Liverpool One, L1 3DL
Blue Ball’s aim is to challenge ‘bland beers’
installation consultancy under the Beer Republic brand. Blue Ball has brewed three pilot beers over the past six weeks under the guidance of Alex who spent 12 years in Oregon learning the micro-brew art.
Matt said their blackberry porter, pale ale, and German wheat beer have been well received by customers in Frodsham and Chester, with a triple Indian Pale Ale in the pipeline, and from next week capacity will increase fivefold to keep pace with demand. He said many north west pubs, clubs and hotels have already signed up for a regular supply of Blue Ball brews, while eight pubs have inquired about installing micro-brew facilities. “We already have future orders way beyond our most optimistic predictions. “We have shown that beer
enthusiasts want the real thing, rather than the boring and bland brews generally available.” The pair recently spent time in Germany in order to perfect their wheat beer. Once regular production is up and running they aim to supply customers throughout the region with a range of bottled and keg beers. They estimate that the new brewery could create at least three jobs as it ramps up in scale and the micro-brewery consultancy attracts more interest from leisure operations across the north west.
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Solicitors is holding a free assessment day at the Whitby Sports and Social Club, Ellesmere Port, next Wednesday to assess claims of hearing loss in industrial workers. For further details or to book an appointment in advance, please phone Attwood Solicitors on 0800 587 3231.
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A SURVEY by QBE Insurance Group found that 74% of north west small firms expect the economic recovery to take at least two years, while 56% say January’s VAT rise will have a negative impact on their business.
COLIN Dewhurst, ● an apprentice with St Helens-based
Waterside Training, has been named Proskills UK Apprentice of the Year. Colin, 20, is an advanced laboratory and industrial apprentice at Pilkington NSG and studies at St Helens College. Waterside Training was also a Training Company of the Year finalist.
2 NEWS
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
★★★★
BUSINESS GILL’S NEW SAFETY SITE ATTRACTS OZ INTEREST
AN ORMSKIRK entrepreneur proved a big hit down under after her venture hit the headlines in Australia. Gill Kamel created personal safety service Lose My Number which allows visitors to the website to set up an additional phone number, diverted to their existing mobile or landline, that can be given out to people when dating or buying and selling online. The service is free and the number can be disconnected and replaced with a new one when no longer needed. Her venture came to the attention of Sunrise on 7, Australia’s leading TV breakfast show watched by more than 25m viewers and mum-of-two Gill was interviewed live by presenters Andrew O’Keefe and Samantha Armytage. Gill explained: “Lots of people are benefiting from Lose My Number, both men and women. “We work in consultation with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and the police are also interested in using the service for crime victims in need of personal protection.” Her service is being used in more than 400 UK cities and towns and after the TV show several Australian telephone providers have come forward to open discussions to take her business to an international audience.
CREDIT UNION LOCATOR SITE
A NEW link to help people find credit unions across Merseyside has been unveiled. The Association of British Credit Unions has created a website – www.find yourcreditunion.co.uk – as an aid to those searching for loans and a safe home for their savings. Credit unions are independent financial co-operatives, owned and controlled by their members and regulated by financial watchdog the FSA.
SMALL
BUSINESS of the Week
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ARSTON cookery school Can Cook dispels the notion that social enterprises are “not real businesses” with a model and plan that would put most private sector rivals to shame. Its genesis in 2007 was from the former Sure Start community centre in Speke and today Can Cook’s profits support the renamed Five Children and Families Trust which provides services such as child care nurseries looking after 80 youngsters a day, an ante-natal service, landlord advisory service and a community cafe. Therefore, the more profitable Can Cook becomes, the more it can develop the Trust’s community hub. Robbie Davison, 48, set up Can Cook when Sure Start community cafe chef Tony Evans established a reputation as a bit of a radical, producing dishes like salmon and noodles which excited interest from people who wanted to learn how to cook healthy food themselves. Robbie said: “We wrote a cookery book and started developing that strand.” But he insists the bottom line is imperative: “I have an issue with some social enterprises, because they don’t get the commercial aspect. We have set this up on the premise that it has to be commercial. “We compete with other cookery schools on a like-for-like basis and this is as good as any school in the country. Social enterprise gets mixed up with touchy-feely, wrapped up in cotton wool ‘you’re doing good work’ companies. But we’re doing good work commercially. “We get business by competitive tendering. People can take their business anywhere they want to go, but we have got to stack up. We do team building sessions for corporates. So if we were these touchy-feely community organisations we would not get this business. “We’re not saying ‘come to us because you feel sorry for us’. We’re saying ‘come to us because we’re as good, if not better, than anyone out there’.” He said the aim is for Can Cook to be fully commercial and free of any financial support within a year: “We will break even this year and have gone from a £15,000 grant in 2007 to £370,000 turnover in 2010/11.” And he added: “This is harder than straight line business. The third sector is one of those sectors where everyone wants something for nothing, and charging for something is unusual. That is changing because of the spending cuts and someone has to pay.”
Cooking up revolution in world of third sector enterprise Neil Hodgson talks to Robbie Davison of Garston cookery school Can Cook But Can Cook will never lose touch with its responsibilities: “We’re going into markets where there is no market. We’re teaching people with no income. “In Speke the average income of a family that advisory services see is less than £600 a month. There is no
market there. There’s no disposable income. The private sector doesn’t engage with that market because there’s no revenue there. We’re trying to do that by creating a bursary. So the individual doesn’t get charged, but the organisations we work with meet us
half way on the cost of a bursary.” A key supporter is Liverpool cooker manufacturer Belling which kitted out the Matchworks kitchens and installed a showroom where new cookers are available at a 20% discount. Can Cook teaches anyone, from individuals to schools or companies, but the emphasis is on healthy eating – two more books are available, including one on healthy takeaway cooking. Robbie said: “It’s no good telling people what not to do with their health if they don’t know where to go to find out what they can do with their health.” He claims 60% of people in the city no longer cook at home, and 45% of all cancers are caused by bad diet:
Liverpool suffers shortage of qualified HGV drivers LIVERPOOL is suffering a shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers, new research has shown, creating a skills gap for the region. Top Gear Recruitment in Bixteth Street said vacancies for HGV1 drivers have risen by 288% in the past 12 months, and by 130% in October alone. The lack of qualified drivers
has been blamed on a number of factors, including the cost of HGV licences, strict qualifications and an ageing workforce with limited new blood coming into the industry. While an encouraging sign of economic growth, the shortage could damage the recovery.
Top Gear Recruitment – which provides about 2,000 driver shifts a month to meet demand from high profile clients – is now launching a recruitment drive to tackle the problem. Operations manager James Mallick said: “If 100 drivers knocked on our Liverpool office door today they would
receive immediate work – that’s how desperate the industry is for experienced and qualified drivers. “With demand significantly outstripping supply, there’s real concern that something has to change quickly.” The company has set up its own training academy and Mr Mallick added: “We employ
three full-time trainers who work with our drivers to encourage and develop their skills. “It’s essential, particularly in light of the current shortage, that we fully assess both our employees and our clients so that we can be sure that we’re putting the right people in the right jobs.”
★★★★
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
NEWS 3
WADHAH IN NATIONAL LIMELIGHT
CHOP CHOP: Chef Tony Evans at work in the Can Cook kitchen
Do you want to be our Business of the Week? Contact Neil Hodgson 0151 472 2451 or email neil.hodgson @liverpool.com
“People can’t cook, they’re not cooking and they’re dying.” Can Cook plans to combat that by spreading the word even wider. It has been selected to set up a similar operation in London’s Spitalfields Market next year in an initiative called Flavour, to bring food from around the UK to the centre of London: “We will do cookery demos and a cookery school for the boys and girls of the City, as a commercial entity. There are 2m people within 10 minute’s walking distance of Spitalfields and our profits from that will come back to Liverpool.” The business is also developing Can Cook street kiosks to vend healthy Italian, Greek, Thai, Mexican and Indian takeaway food, with plans to operate in three cities within three years: “Takeaway food is recession proof. I guarantee the private sector will buy into the kiosks. “I want us to vend and be out there competing with everyone else.” Another venture is Can Cook inflatable domes which were piloted at food festivals this year: “We’re putting together a full calendar for 2011 that could include things like Creamfields or Glastonbury.” Ever the commercial operator Robbie added: “We think the domes will be seen by 250,000 people at various festivals, which is a perfect advertising opportunity.”
DRIVING FORCE: Can Cook may be a social enterprise, but boss Robbie Davison says it can compete on an equal footing with any rival from the private sector
TOXTETH student Wadhah Saleh, 17, has won a national award in a competition set up by Prince Charles. He was nominated by his mentor Morufu Bello while carrying out voluntary duties for community organisation Muslim Enterprise Development Service. The Mosaic Talent Awards were held in Battersea and Wadhah, a student at Liverpool Community College, triumphed in the sports category. The holder of 12 world karate titles was selected from a 100-strong shortlist. Wadhah, who mentors Yemeni and Somali children in his spare time, received his award from HRH Princess Badiya bint El Hassan of Jordan. He said: “My friends and family have been very supportive towards me. I hope that I have made them proud and also I hope that I have given something back to this city.” His mentor Mr Bello added: “I was extremely impressed by Wadhah’s commitment and dedication to his volunteering. “He had such high personal standards and was very conscientious about his work.”
CHINA PALACE FUNDRAISER
A LIVERPOOL Chinese Business Network East meets West culinary night at Berry Street’s China Palace has raised £540 for the Help for Heroes charity. Guests were served a menu created by China Palace’s Johnny Cheung which was complemented by a range of wines suggested by Ian Clarke of wholesaler Morgenrot Group. He told guests that China was fast turning into a world power in the wines sector. “In 30 years China will be the biggest wine producer in the world. “Ten years ago they thought about this and huge areas of China has been set aside to produce Chinese wines.”
4 NEWS
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
★★★★
BUSINESS
BIG
Spirit of S returns to people re
INTERVIEW Tony McDonough
talks to Natalie Reeves about her Liverpool rag and bone man idea
W
HO’D have thought Steptoe and Son could save the world? Liverpool businesswoman Natalie Reeves is bringing the rag and bone man back to the streets of Liverpool in an attempt to engage people about the importance of recycling. The 27-year-old is a director of a city-based recycling operation that is split into two separate divisions – North West Electronics Recycling Centre (NWERC) and North West Textiles Recycling Centre (NWTRC). NWERC is already a wellestablished business in Old Swan, Liverpool, which, in the last 18 months, has grown its full-time staff from 15 to 35. It recycles and sells on all manner of electrical appliances including televisions, microwave ovens, radios, DVD players and computer base units. “Anything bulky with a plug,” said Natalie. Its clients include banks, hotels, schools and universities. Natalie added: “Some of the stuff is exported abroad and some is sold on eBay, in our own showroom or at a Sunday market. “We also supply charity shops.” NWTRC aims to recycle most textile goods including clothes, hats, shoes and bedding. Natalie believes some people regard recycling as an important but “boring” issue and her plan to bring back the rag and bone man to the city’s streets is an attempt to get people interested. However, unlike the Steptoes, stars of the classic BBC comedy, Natalie’s vehicles will be petrol driven and not pulled by Hercules the horse. The vans will be liveried with a horse and cart and the drivers will be dressed up in traditional rag and bone costumes. A tannoy on the top of the vanes will belt out the song “Any Old Iron” at regular intervals. Natalie said: “We want to bring an old tradition back to Liverpool – give people a little taste of history. “It is nice sometimes to see something from the past and we hope it will get people interested in recycling. “We will have two vans initially and we are going to start off the project in the Old Swan and Tuebrook areas of Liverpool. “After a few weeks we will look at how successful it has been and try to get some testimonials and if we judge it to have been a success, then we will roll it out to other parts of the city.” Natalie’s background is in the music business and since her teenage years she has established herself as an accomplished performer – playing with bands –
and as a songwriter. She still works as a songwriter but four years ago she became something of an entrepreneur, getting involved in a number of business ventures. This included a venture to import an energy drink into the UK called Rocket Fuel. The drink – similar to Red Bull – was a hit in South America and Natalie had joined forces with other
UK-based entrepreneurs as well a the founder of Rocket Fuel – a former Argentinean international footballer called Sergio Sessa – to bring it here. Issues around the levels of a certain ingredient meant the product was not able to be sold in the UK, but, like most good entrepreneurs, Natalie knew the next good idea is only ever just around the corner.
‘You don’t have to pick just one thing and stick to it’
She said: “My main focus until four years was writing music for other artists and publishers and performing as well. “Over time, I realised I was quite good at selling things and I also feel I am good at thinking outside the box and coming up with good ideas. “I can use my initiative and bring ideas to life and I’m quite proud of the rag and bone man idea.” NWTRC also has its “weigh and pay” operation, which targets community groups, schools and other organisations who might be looking to raise money for a specific cause or project. Natalie added: “We would encourage them to send a
newsletter out to all their staff or students asking people to bring in their unwanted textiles. “We would supply them with special bags to fill up which we would then collect and weigh them and pay the organisation.” As well as the recycling business, Natalie also likes to get involved in community projects. One of those is a Citysafe group called the Community Crime Fighters Council (CCFC). CCFC is a Government initiative which encourages people to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in their communities. The one Natalie is involved with is embarking on a project to engage
★★★★
ASK THE
Steptoe o help ecycle
EXPERT with KAREN TATE, Business Start Up Advisor at Stepclever
D
O YOU ever feel like you could benefit from some extra help to give your business a new lease of life? Stepclever can help you by providing FREE business advice and support, training and access to networks and forums. Networking is key to helping your business grow and survive in the current climate, Stepclever can provide access to a number of forums that will support you and your business during these tough times. Last month Sefton and Stepclever businesses were invited to attend a special “Business Bootcamp” at Formby Hall Golf Resort to equip them for the challenges and opportunities in 2011. For more information please visit www. businessplussefton.com
W
KEEPING BUSY: The Liverpool recycling business is just one of a number of projects that Natalie Reeves is involved with
RAG AND BONE: Staff at the North West Textiles Recycling Centre, from left, Natalie Reeves, Alex Morris, Jay O’Leary and Kaz Ladha with elderly people living in sheltered accommodation. “We want to organise a Valentine’s ball where there will be a band from the 1950s, dancing, raffles etc,” said Natalie. “We will also offer information on what resources are available, linking in with organisations like Age Concern and the Benefits Agency.” Natalie certainly likes to keep busy but recognises that a balance is important. She said: “I have learned not to take on too many things at once but also that you don’t have to pigeonhole yourself. “You don’t have to just pick one thing and stick to it.”
NEWS 5
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
E UNDERSTAND that from time to time your business may benefit from some independent expert advice to help it succeed and grow. You may want to refresh your skills, explore a new business idea or just need a financial boost to get your ideas off the ground. If so, help is at hand. Our team of specialist business advisors offer one-to-one tailored support including: ● FREE advice and support from a team of specialist business advisors ● SPECIALIST support in areas such as
marketing, finance, procurement, industry sectors such as construction and manufacturing ● ACCESS to finance support ● BUSINESS Mentoring programme ● HELP locating business premises including new managed workspace opportunities ● SPECIALIST support for social enterprises and women ownermanagers
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RAINING and Events offered by Stepclever include:
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SUPPORT: StepClever advisers could help you
CLASSIC: TV’s legendary rag and bone men, Steptoe and Son – millions of people laughed at their antics
6 NEWS
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
★★★★
BUSINESS
SOFTWARECITY
Alistair Houghton hears from some of Merseyside’s hi-tech success stories
FOCUS M . . . on technology
ERSEYSIDE’S hi-tech sector is in rude health despite the ravages of recession – that was the message from showcase event Liverpool Software City. The event, held at the Hilton last Thursday, saw some of Merseyside’s most innovative technology firms pitch for investment against rivals from the US and Finland. The annual event, organised by Steve Smith of regeneration agency Liverpool Vision, attracted delegates from across the UK who wanted to hear what Liverpool had to offer. In total, 10 firms pitched to two separate panels of investors and entrepreneurs. And it gave four Mersey firms a chance to see how their pitched compared to those from some fast-growing companies from Silicon Valley and Finland. The first Merseyside firm to pitch was Qire, led by Guy Cooper. Qire, based in the city centre, provides automated phone answering and voice messaging services to companies as big as Lloyds Banking Group and Thames Water. Guy said the company’s software had so far handled 30m calls since it launched in August 2008. “We work for some of the biggest blue-chip organisations in the UK,” he said. “We provide services to about 80% of the utilities in the UK.” Qire already turns over around £2.7m a year. But, with the interactive voice messaging market estimated to be worth $1bn worldwide, there is much more growth to come – and Guy believes Qire will soon be able to VISION: double in size. “Our ambition is to be the last bit of communications software that any enterprise will need to buy,” he said. Next came Francis Irving, chief executive of Liverpool-based ScraperWiki. He said ScraperWiki aimed to help companies and individuals manage the “data goldmine” available on the web. More public sector organisations are now making available online, but it can be scattered across many different websites and can be difficult to analyse. Every council,
HI-TECH HOPES: Guy Cooper of Qire speaks at Liverpool Software City Pictures: CRYSTAL IMAGES
for example, has its own online database if planning applications. But ScraperWiki has brought together a group of developers who can create “scrapers” – computer programmes that can bring together and analyse data from different sources. ScraperWiki has promoted its work through “Hacks and Hackers Hackdays”, a series of events bringing together journalists and software developers who can learn from each other about how the software works. An event was held in Liverpool in July. The company has already received funding from Channel 4 and is now looking for more cash to grow Francis Irving further. “There is a data goldrush,” said Francis. “There is a demand for tools to exploit that.” Experienced Liverpool songwriter and producer Julie Dennis came to speak about her plans for website simplyvocals.com Julie, who has worked with artists from George Michael to the Rolling Stones, wants to create a website where producers and artists can download a huge range of pre-recorded vocals to use as samples. She said that as well as making
things easier for people looking for vocals, the site would also benefit both the original performer by giving them a new way to earn royalties from their work. Finally “serial inventor” Barry James, of Angel Revolutions, spoke about his Angel Rooms software that aims to help companies promote themselves more easily on social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Companies can create an “Angel Room” online through which they can put messages onto those sites. Barry, who works in Liverpool and Sheffield, said it could “turn promotion on Twitter etc into actual leads”. One of the Software City judges was Finnish serial entrepreneur Taneli Tikka. Taneli told the ECHO he was impressed with Liverpool’s tightly-knit and well-connected creative scene. He said the city could be a great base camp for Finnish firms looking to take their first steps into the UK market as there is great talent available while the city is more affordable than London. “I have done lots of work in East London – in Old Street, near what they call Silicon Roundabout,” he said. “What I have discovered is that, compared to London, people here are much more tightly-networked. It’s a tightly-focused cluster in Liverpool.”
International firms join in SIX international firms were represented at Liverpool Software City – and one of them already has an office in Merseyside. Three Finnish firms – Hammerkit, Tribe Studios and Steam Republic – pitched for investment alongside US firms Rrripple, Snapizzi and Sixits. Helsinki firm Hammerkit opened an office in Liverpool in September. It has designed software to make it easier for people to design websites – and its boss Mark Sorsa-Leslie said the product has a large potential market in the UK’s creative and digital sectors. Tribe Studios creates online multiplayer computer games, under the brand Stagecraft, that are designed to be completed in one evening. Meanwhile Steam Republic creates mobile phone apps for bands and musicians including rapper Dizzee Rascal. Fans use the Mobile Backstage apps to find out more about their musical idols and buy products and tickets.
FINN-TASTIC: Elina Arponen of Tribe Studios Snapizzi, based in Santa Barbara, California, has created software that helps professional photographers to tag the subjects of their pictures. Rrripple California, is an online platform aimed at schools and colleges that allows users to chronicle and share their digital content privately. The final company to pitch was Sixits, which aims to produce Facebook games to rival the success of Farmville. Chief executive Euan Macdonald, a Scot living in California, said: “We have quite a bold goal. We will be the Disney of new media.”
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The ECHO has teamed up with one of the UK’s fastest growing online business directories – www.LocalMole.co.uk – to find and celebrate the very best local traders in Merseyside. But we need your help to find them. Have you used a local business recently that you would consider worthy of the title Local Trader of the Year? If so, we want to hear about it – who do you think is the most reliable builder you’ve ever used? Where do you go to in your area for the best fish & chips? Who’s your favourite hairdresser? What number do you call when your drains get blocked or the fuse box blows? Nominate NOW for your chance to win £1000! From today until December 12, 2010, we need you to nominate all the local businesses that you use and love. There are four different categories to choose from and you can nominate as many of the local businesses you use as you like in each category. ● HOME SERVICES: eg plumbers, electricians, locksmiths, landscape gardeners, builders, plasterers, painters & decorators ● HEALTH AND BEAUTY: eg dentists, hairdressers, beauticians ● ENTERTAINMENT AND LEISURE: eg restaurants, pubs, bars ● LOCAL RETAILERS: eg newsagents, Bakeries, chip shops, charity shops It will take just a few minutes to nominate a local business – just go to www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/trader and fill in the nomination form. Once you’ve submitted a nomination you will entered into a prize draw to win £1000. Why not nominate a business in another category and get another chance to win? The overall winner and category winners will be profiled in a full-page Trader of the Year feature in the ECHO business supplement, while there will be a Trader of the Year trophy for the overall winner. The criteria the judges will base their decision on for overall winner and the remaining four category winners are: ● The total number of nominations received – the business with the highest number of nominations in a category automatically wins ● The description of why the business should win that category for Local Trader of the Year – where there are two businesses with the same number of nominations the description of why they should be Trader of the Year will be considered. The judges will be looking for the nominations that describe the quality of the business’ service and products; the impact the service or product has made on them; how the service or product differs from others that are similar. If the judges fail to reach a unanimous decision then the business which has been trading the longest will win the award. So log onto www. liverpoolecho.co.uk/trader and nominate your Local Trader of the Year.
Could you be our Trader of the Year?
AIMING HIGH: The ECHO is hunting for Merseyside’s top traders – from builders to hairdressers
MONEYMATTERS RENTS are rising at their fastest rate for three years as demand for homes to let continues to soar, research showed. Around 39% more surveyors reported seeing a rise in rents during the third quarter than those that saw a fall, the highest level since the second quarter of 2007, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said. The group said the strong increase in rents was being driven by growing demand for rental property as potential first-time
NEWS 7
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
with NICKY BURRIDGE, personal finance correspondent
buyers continued to struggle to secure a mortgage and raise the deposit they needed to get on to the property ladder. A balance of 33% of surveyors said they had seen a further rise in demand during the quarter, the biggest jump since 2008. But the number of new properties that were available to let fell for the fifth consecutive quarter as landlords themselves struggled to get mortgages to expand their buy-to-let portfolios. Surveyors said the mismatch
between supply and demand had led to properties being let very quickly, with landlords seeing very few void periods. The situation looks set to continue going forward, with 34% of surveyors predicting there will be further rent rises, compared with those who expect falls, with rents for houses expected to increase at a faster rate than those for flats. The buoyant state of the rental market has led to very few landlords considering selling their property when their current tenancy comes to an end, with just 2.5% saying they planned to do so.
RICS spokesman Jeremy Leaf said: “The lettings sector has become increasingly strong over the past nine months, in contrast to the housing market, which continues to slow. “Many have turned to the rental market because they fear further price reductions in the housing market, or because they cannot obtain the necessary finance to buy. “As a result, rents continue to rise, with supply failing to keep up with demand.” But he added that many landlords were looking to
add to their portfolios following a rise in the number of providers offering investment mortgages in recent months. London saw the biggest increase in rents during the third quarter, with 86% more surveyors reporting a rise, the highest level recorded in the survey’s history. There was also a significant turnaround in the North, where the balance of surveyors reporting rent rises went from negative territory to 23% seeing a hike. Tenant demand is strongest in the South West, although it also picked up significantly in the Midlands.
8 NEWS
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
★★★★
ECHO Business to Business
BUSINESS
DRIVE TO KEEP GRADUATES
Commercial Premises
Taxis/Cab & Plate
FOR SALE On the instructions of the Joint LPA Reveivers
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POTENTIAL: Keeping graduates is seen as vital to the future success of the economy of Liverpool city region
by TONY McDONOUGH Deputy Business Editor A DRIVE to keep graduates in Liverpool after they have completed their studies is being spearheaded by Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. Graduates are considered an invaluable resource to the Liverpool city region. Business leaders believe they have the potential to become future entrepreneurs, industrialists, scientists and employers. However, in the current economic climate, persuading them not to take their talent, skills and resources elsewhere has become a major problem. Liverpool Chamber is now leading a consortium of universities to support graduate and senior
City chamber leading bid to retain talent executive retention in the city, by launching the employment-focused Graduate Retention Programme/GRAvitas. With at least four groups of graduates planned to participate over the next year the first intake is a diverse group, with a wide range of skills covering everything from law to entertainment. “In the current climate of negativity, it’s great to see graduates of all disciplines, ages and backgrounds, taking positive action to
improve their job prospects, and proactively promote themselves to Liverpool businesses,” said Carole Crosby, Liverpool Chamber’s deputy chief executive. While covering traditional career skills such as interview technique and psychometric testing, the course gives a solid grounding in skills that graduates may not have traditionally brought to an employer, such as project management, presentation and negotiation skills. The scheme has already made a big impact on the initial group. David Pickavance, an IT and multimedia computing graduate from a local university, feels that “the course supports you with practical skills such as improving your CV and knowledge of the commercial world, as well as giving me more confidence in my abilities.”
Warning on business rate relief A SMALL firms’ lobby group claims proposals for small business rate relief (SBRR) to apply automatically could lead to councils scrapping the tax break altogether. The Forum of Private Business (FPB) and property specialist LeaseholdersUnited say the upcoming Localism Bill
will end a need for firms to apply for the relief. Instead, the Small Business Rate Multiplier will automatically apply to eligible firms and, the government says, “councils will be free to administer SBRR in a way that best serves local businesses and local needs”. LeaseholdersUnited’s
Andrew Bacon said: “Removing the need to fill in a form is only a positive if SBRR is genuinely made automatic, as it is in Wales. But that is not what is being proposed. It is now to be granted at the discretion of councils. “If the Localism Bill also makes councils collect extra rates under the
Business Rate Supplement scheme in order to pay for SBRR, or allows them to keep what they collect in rates, granting SBRR becomes a budgetary decision for councils. “If they don’t have the cash, or can’t raise it through the supplement, local businesses won’t get SBRR.”
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