BUSINESS
ECHO
★★★★
Building up the family firm PAGES2-3
Start Survive Thrive
Hotelier graduates to new project PAGES4-5
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New tour of duty for bus A KIRKBY community transport group has gone the extra mile to acquire it latest bus. Your Travel Borough Wide, run by Knowsley Development Trust, has bought a coach used by the RAF in Afghanistan to ferry Afghan children to school and troops around the country. After refurbishment, including the removal of bullet-proof screens, the bus will serve public sector contracts such as transporting youngsters to work-based learning for Knowsley council and taking pupils to swimming lessons in Liverpool and St Helens. Trust chief executive Steve Dumbell said: “We've sourced buses from as far as Northern Ireland, but never such a distance away as FROM KABUL TO KIRKBY: Steve Dumbell in the former RAF coach before the sands of Afghanistan were swept away Afghanistan.”
STORM IN TEASHOP AS LEAF QUITS SITE by NEIL HODGSON Industry Reporter
LIVERPOOL tea bar Leaf lost £100,000 in a row over the lease of its Parliament Street cafe, claims founder and owner Natalie Haywood. The cafe bar in the Elevator building, which is home to a range of creative businesses employing about 350 staff, shut last Saturday, leaving a note on the door citing “unresolvable issues” with its landlord. Last November Leaf opened a second site in Bold Street and Ms Haywood said staff have transferred there. She claimed she has been at loggerheads with Elevator landlord
Tea bar founder says lease row cost £100,000
Tim Speed over her lease and has incurred 18 months of solicitors’ fees. She also claimed that £50,000-worth of bar and related equipment is still at Elevator after she was refused permission to remove it by Mr Speed. Ms Haywood said: “This has been in the hands of solicitors for the last 18 months because we haven’t been able to
agree terms and conditions of the lease with the landlord who served us with an eviction notice four months ago. “We fought that through our solicitors but increasing solicitors’ bills meant we had to leave.” She said she served Mr Speed seven days notice of her intention to quit the property and had paid rent up to January 31. She added: “I am £50,000 down because we have had to leave the bar and equipment there. As far as we’re concerned we have done everything properly. It is really sad for us because we invested money in a very risky area and have come out £100,000 down. “But we have a thriving site in Bold Street and we are happy to leave.”
Ms Haywood said the city centre site is “far exceeding expectations”. Mr Speed said: “It was their (Leaf) decision to move out of Elevator this last weekend. We received no notice. “Discussions are ongoing between solicitors regarding the collection of their equipment and the matter is in the hands of our solicitors.” He added: “The eviction notice that was served was for non-payment of rent, which we subsequently received.” A lawyer representing Ms Haywood last night strongly denied that the eviction notice had been brought on the grounds of rent arrears, and insisted that Ms Haywood had never been in arrears with her rent on the premises.
OPPORTUNITIES in the nuclear industry for small firms across the north west will be on the agenda at Cumbria’s Sellafield plant on February 9, from 8.30am. At the event, organised by the Centre for Construction Innovation North West, Sellafield supply chain ombudsman Zoe Whittle will provide an overview of how to access the industry. To reserve a place contact ceca. northwest@virgin.net
YORKSHIRE Bank ● in Liverpool has strengthened its team
after continuing to win new business customers in the city. Ian Fields has been appointed as business partner at the bank’s Liverpool Financial Solutions Centre in Moorfields. He was previously relationship manager at Allied Irish Bank (GB) and will help deliver Yorkshire Bank’s Investing for Growth initiative to local businesses.
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APPLICATIONS for the North West Regional Construction Awards 2011 have opened. There are 12 categories, with all winners automatically entered into the National Constructing Excellence Awards in London later this year. The deadline for entries is February 28. Visit www. constructionawardsnw. co.uk/nominations/ or phone 0161 295 5076.
ACCOUNTANCY ● and consultancy practice PKF has
appointed Carolyn Asher as manager of forensic services covering its Liverpool and Manchester offices. Carolyn has worked in litigation services for more than 12 years specialising in personal injury claims including clinical negligence and catastrophic injuries..
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A NEW list of seminars organised by St Helens Chamber of Commerce, up to July 2011, can be viewed at www.sthelenschamber. com/events
2 NEWS
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
★★★★
BUSINESS CALL GOES OUT TO MERSEY BOFFINS
MERSEYSIDE’S inventors have been invited to help improve the efficiency of the nation’s power networks. The ‘Call for Energy Innovators 2011’ has been launched by Cheshire’s Energy Innovation Centre and backed by four leading energy firms including ScottishPower Energy Networks which serves the Merseyside region. Denise Massey, director of the Energy Innovation Centre incubator dedicated to fostering innovation and accelerating cutting-edge energy products to market, said: “If you’ve developed a new piece of equipment which may be used in the power networks, or have worked in the sector and spotted an opportunity, then we want to hear from you.” Industry expert and chair of the Energy Innovation Centre’s investment forum, Clive Deadman, predicts this emerging market for innovative energy-related products and services will be worth more than £1bn per year in the UK alone by 2016 and generate valuable exporting opportunities as other countries adopt new ways of running electricity networks. For more information about the ‘Call for Energy Innovators 2011’, call 0151-347 2252 or visit www.energyinnovation centre.com
HELP TO TACKLE DEBT ISSUES LIVERPOOL-based Debts Rescue is offering advice and help for people facing a post-Christmas financial crisis at a debt advice day next week. The social enterprise will offer a range of experts on housing, welfare rights and benefits, employment and training and openings for entrepreneurs at the event in the Walton Cornerstone, in Liston Street, on February 10, from 10am to 4pm.
SMALL
BUSINESS of the Week
S
MALL is beautiful for a Knowsley construction firm thanks to relationships founded more than 40 years ago when joiners Edward Krol and Roy Corlett went into business together. But Krol Corlett, now headed by their sons Simon and Dave, fears the recession could bring them into direct conflict with some of the UK’s biggest construction firms as the industry casts around for scraps in the wake of last October’s public spending review. Quantity surveyor Dave Corlett said their parents, now retired, and their small workforce were very hands-on, specialising in small contracts. When he and construction manager Simon Krol bought the firm’s goodwill in 2006 and began trading in 2007 they remained firmly focused on the smaller end of the spectrum, ranging from work for the city’s Roman Catholic archdiocese, hotels and housing associations such as Liverpool Housing Trust, with a typical price bracket from £20,000 to £1.5m. Simon said the past two years have been tough as margins tightened, although the schools sector still yields sufficient volume, despite the dismantling of the Building Schools for the Future programme by the coalition government. Dave said: “Hopefully there’s a certain element of work that has to be done, despite the cutbacks. Simon added: “We are upgrading fire doors in schools, which is a rolling programme, so the smaller, minor works in schools should continue.” However, Dave added: “We have noticed the big contractors have started to look at the work we do. “When you are on a tender list with three or four firms like us, and a national contractor, that is a worrying sign. “Schools have had contracts cancelled, but that means that existing schools will need repairs and maintenance, and I think the big firms will now be looking at this.” However, the pair hope a commitment to quality will open the door to further opportunities. Last week they became one of only a handful of small companies in the region to have received international accreditation for quality management, environmental management and occupational health and safety. Dave said: “We have had to invest in business management systems because there are firms who won’t work with you unless you have them. If you don’t spend money you won’t get the inquiries in.” The two partners said their aim
Keeping it in the family as partners build dads’ dreams Neil Hodgson finds new competition emerging in small construction sector when they took over was to put their own mark on the family business, but move on. Today, Krol Corlett employs 25 staff after its latest expansion into new space at its Bradman Road base in Knowsley Industrial Park, from humble beginnings in a small cabin just four years ago. Employment for local talent, including apprenticeship opportunities, is a key strategy. Dave said: “We tell clients when
they take us on to do a project that it is local labour we employ. The business we’re in, a three or four-year framework allows us to plan for the future. “If we were to win a long-term contract we would take on two staff and an apprentice, which has an effect on the local economy. Firms should invest in the local economy from an economic and social point of view.” Typical projects range from the leisure sector, such as installing all the
bars in the suites at the Crowne Plaza hotel on the site of the former Speke airport, to church or school renovations and maintenance. The level of tender inquiries is still promising – the firm employs a full time quantity surveyor and a trainee to cope with the workload – although there has been a decline since the run up to Christmas probably due to the January 4 increase in VAT, and levels are not expected to return to anywhere near normal until April or May when the new budgets kick in. Simon said: “Margins have gone really tight, but that is the situation at the moment. There’s a good volume of work coming in, but it is very competitive.” The partners determined at the outset of the downturn not to retreat but to press their growth strategy: “When the recession hit we were trying to think our way through it. We
NatWest deal helps rubber firm stretch to new move AN ESTABLISHED rubber products manufacturer has relocated from Liverpool to modern premises helped by funding from NatWest Bank. Ley Rubber was formed in 1956 and had operated from a cramped former Victorian warehouse in the docks area until its move to Knowsley Industrial Park.
The firm invested £950,000 in the move, including new production equipment. NatWest business and commercial banking in Liverpool provided a £150,000 funding package to help the company move to the new site. Ley Rubber manufactures and imports rubber products such as tubes, hoses, bungs
and stoppers and its products are widely used across many market sectors, including automotive, educational, scientific and pharmaceutical. The move to more modern premises, plus the investment in new machinery, will enable Ley Rubber to improve the efficiency of its production processes.
Directors are confident this will help the firm, which employs 32 staff, compete against cheaper imports and boost their £2.4m turnover. Managing director Mark Wealleans said: “It was clear that we had taken the old site as far as we could. There was limited space to improve the business and this had started
to hinder our operations. “Without the move to new premises we would have struggled to increases our current level of sales. The move to Kirkby is a very exciting development and gives us the opportunity to invest in new manufacturing technologies to improve our production processes.”
★★★★
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
NEWS 3
EASE ROUTE TO FUNDS FOR SMES
BUILDING WORK: The Krol Corlett Construction team on site in Tuebrook Picture: PAUL HEAPS
Do you want to be our Business of the Week? Contact Neil Hodgson 0151 472 2451 or email neil.hodgson @liverpool.com
thought the best form of defence was attack and we tried to grow the business through the recession. We strived to push through it and it seems to have worked.” And while economic indicators prove otherwise – just – Dave believes the ‘recession’ is still with us: “We don’t expect tender prices increasing until the end of this year.” But, he said, they have a great staff and client mix which has provided a strong foundation for growth: “We started trading in 2007 and have exceeded our business plan in some areas, but had to do things we never thought we would at this stage. “Some opportunities came from out of the blue, but in terms of the business plan we are pretty much on track, although we would have liked the margins to have remained where they were when we started.” An initial turnover of £500,000 should rise to £2.5m of earnings for the current year, although Dave added: “As they say, turnover is vanity . . .” A separate company has been set up to target the buy-to-let housing market, but the partners say that is something for the future and the focus remains on construction. Another question for the future is family succession. Simon has two youngsters and Dave has three who could one day join the family firm, but Dave insists: “They would have to start on the brush!”
FAMILY FIRM: Krol Corlett Construction directors Simon Krol, left, and Dave Corlett plan to grow the business their fathers started
SMALL firms should have easier access to venture capital funds, the new head of the UK’s bosses’ organisation, the CBI, has said. Speaking on his first day as CBI director general, John Cridland outlined his views on how to improve business, including access to finance. He said: “When it comes to raising finance I think the debate should move on a little from net lending targets. “While many problems do remain and need to be tackled we now need to look at a range of financial options for highgrowth businesses, and especially mid-caps. “This could involve giving innovative small and medium-sized companies better access to venture capital funds, or just being more forensic about where the gaps are in finance available to business.” His other priorities are to make the UK a more attractive place to invest; encouraging more firms to export; removing barriers to job creation – particularly, he said, for small firms who create nearly two thirds of all new jobs; and continuing to tackle the country’s deficit.
PRINT FIRM’S GREEN HONOUR
A WIRRAL printing firm has been honoured for its commitment to the environment. LT Print Group has been accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC’s Forest Management and Chain of Custody certification is awarded to firms who buy timber and forest products only from well-managed forests. LT Print managing director Bob McWilliams said: “This is fantastic news for LT and the culmination of years of hard work and diligence. “We have a firm commitment to minimising the environmental and social impact of the print we produce.”
4 NEWS
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
★★★★
BUSINESS
BIG Rooms to let for R celebrity guests and university graduates INTERVIEW Peter Elson talks to top hotelier Dave Brewitt who has moved into the student market
ECESSION? What recession? This seemingly would be the only appropriate response on hearing the activities of hotelier and property developer Dave Brewitt. For the entrepreneur who created from scratch Liverpool’s first truly swanky boutique hotel seems unstoppable. The four-star Hope Street Hotel and its London Carriage Works restaurant weathered the last tough 18 months, thanks to a £8.8m refinancing deal with The Co-op Bank last September. “People shouldn’t keep slagging off bankers – it’s counterproductive,” said Dave, 48, who co-founded the hotel with his executive chef Paul Askew. “Our bankers have always been fine. I’m very grateful to The Co-op Bank and Santander for their help.” The £6m investment allowed the hotel to expand from 41 bedrooms to 89, buy the property next door and add a sixth floor conference suite, designed by Falconer Chester Hall. Opened in 2004, the Hope Street Hotel is the first choice for premier travellers visiting the city. The starry guest list includes former US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, Sex in the City’s Kim Cattrall, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, TV’s Loyd Grossman and opera singer Lesley Garrett. As Dave and I talk, alongside us Liverpool FC’s brand new £22.8m striker Luis Suarez is taking afternoon tea with his family. It is a far cry from Dave’s initial ambition to read engineering at Liverpool University because it had a film course and the city had Probe Records. This link continues through developing Chatham Lodge, a £3.9m 50-room student accommodation block in Myrtle Street. It was created by Carpenter Investments, run with Dave’s business partner, Alan Beer. Under their Urban Sleep brand, they are investing £18m in two more Liverpool student properties, with 300 rooms due for completion in September, 2012. A £20m residential development in Dingle is a joint venture with a leading housing association for 116 apartments and 60 houses. Already complete is their £5.5m 120-bedroom student accommodation in Stoke-on-Trent. The only apparent knock-back they suffered was when their 6m Sail hotel, residential and sailing school scheme at West Kirby stalled in November. “It was turned down by the Wirral’s Tory councillors. I’m not sure what happens next,” said Dave. “We’ve not even had the courtesy of a phone call, but we owe our
AMBITIOUS: Hotelier and developer Dave Brewitt at Liverpool’s Hope Street Hotel Picture: COLIN LANE
thanks to a lot of people who helped us progress the project. “The irony is it was Wirral Council’s idea. They held a competition and we were closest to their aims.” Undeterred, in Liverpool they are looking for hotel opportunities in new-build and renovation.
“We had a very good last year, although it’s a very difficult market to work,” said Dave, who is on The Mersey Partnership (TMP) visitor economy committee. “Interestingly, Liverpool hit the recession at the right time. “Liverpool One, the Arena & Convention Centre were all
‘We had a very good last year, though it’s a difficult market’
complete, offering the city great opportunities. “Liverpool is an easy sell far and wide. Our cultural offer with the Philharmonic Hall, Everyman Theatre and museums, is second to none outside London. “What we need is inward investment and we should do everything in our power to bring good jobs here. “I’m ambivalent about the North West Development Agency disappearing, I actually think TMP is more important. “What we should ensure is the
city region’s councils, agencies and bodies all sing from the hymn sheet to provide a unified message. “This is not a downbeat northern city. The local people and the architecture are fantastic. “All the time we get guests saying they’d no idea how good it is. “But we very much champion education and the universities. “Our accommodation appeals to overseas students and that’s good for the local and national economy. “The public sector cuts will hit this city hard. We should promote anything which creates jobs.”
★★★★
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
CELEBRITY: Kim Cattrall is among the stars who have stayed at the Hope Street Hotel
He is married to Amy de Joia, executive director for development and communications at National Museums of Liverpool, with whom he has two teenage sons. The family have lived for 20 years in an historic Gambier Terrace townhouse by Liverpool Cathedral. Dave said: “I guess it’s not turned out badly for this Sheffield lad and former physics teacher, who taught in the East End at what was nicknamed ‘the worst school in London’, then taught himself about property restoration from a Readers’ Digest DIY manual.”
BOUTIQUE: Hope Street Hotel has attracted some of the biggest names in showbiz
NEWS 5
6 NEWS
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
★★★★
BUSINESS
SUCCESS ON A
Tony McDonough
takes a close look at the economics of the restaurant trade
FOCUS . . . on eating out
J
ANUARY traditionally isn’t a great time to be in the restaurant business. The lucrative Christmas party season is a distant memory and people are watching the pennies. However, some of the bravest entrepreneurs tend to be restaurateurs, with Tony Middleton and Soufiane Hadadou being a prime example. As the UK faces the prospect of a double-dip recession, they are working hard to establish one of Liverpool’s newest eateries – Sofrito – on the map. The two directors opened the outlet in September, having already been operating the brand in Wigan for several years. Located in Whitechapel in the city centre, Sofrito offers a Mediterranean menu – and no pizza. “We made a firm decision about the pizza,” said Tony. “We didn’t want to be seen as an Italian restaurant because Liverpool already has enough of those.” They moved into the site after being told of its availability by a local landlord. Tony added: “We did the normal marketing research. We wanted to establish whether our brand would fit into Liverpool. “We also looked at the kind of customers we wanted to attract and what would set us apart from what was already here.” Despite, along with the rest of the restaurant sector, enduring a tough December due to appalling weather, Tony is confident Sofrito will be a success story. He said: “ Trade has been very good since we opened in September – we have had a great response. “We did have a lot of cancellations in December. It wasn’t so much people not being able to get here, they were worried about not being able to get home. “The first week in January is always going to be tough but things picked up as the month progressed. “We get passing trade during the day and at teatime but in the evening we tend to be more of a destination restaurant. “The Playhouse and Royal Court theatres are all nearby so we tend to get a lot of trade from people attending the shows.” Sofrito does offer special deals
NO PIZZAS HERE: Tony Middleton says Sofrito’s Mediterranean menu is proving popular including its “Tuesday Tenner” offer – two courses for £10 – and Wednesday Steak Night. However, Tony says they are very careful about preserving the integrity of the brand. He added: “I think the public has come to expect deals from restaurants. “However, the thing we would want to avoid is becoming known as a discount brand. “This business is all about margin management. Controlling costs and margins without reducing quality is absolutely critical. “We are getting passing trade, theatre trade and we are building up a regular customer base. “We have a balanced marketing strategy and I am pretty confident about the future.” Bar and restaurant entrepreneur Tim Bacon claims his chain is defying the gloomy economic climate with sales up 14% year-on-year during January. Tim was the founder of the Living Room chain which was sold for £28m in June 2007. Cheshire-based Living Ventures
chain’s principal brands now include the Blackhouse seafood and steak eateries and the Italian-themed Gusto outlets which can be found at Liverpool’s Albert Dock and at Heswall in Wirral. In November last year LV completed the purchase of five restaurants owned by high-profile chef Paul Heathcote. The deal, for an undisclosed sum, included the Olive Press sites in Liverpool, Manchester and Cheadle Hulme, Grado in Manchester and London Road in Alderley Edge. His intention is to increase the number of outlets the company operates from 17 to 25. He said he believed LV’s strategy was the right one despite uncertainty over the health of the UK economy. He added: “December was the first negative month we had in 15 months and I think that was down to the weather. “In January are sales have been plus 14% – we have had a fantastic reaction to our January sales. “We have always offered the sale in good times and bad. We don’t
offer blanket discounting but instead off discounts through our membership scheme. “It is all about rewarding customer loyalty. “Whatever the climate, if people believe they are getting good value for money then they will always come back. “We recently converted one restaurant in Alderley Edge and we have seen sales almost triple to £25,000 a week. “If you position yourself properly then people will come.” “I think the reason a lot of restaurants fail is that they don’t understand the dynamics of the business. They try to target just one market instead of a number of different ones. “Blanket discounting is also a problem. Will people come back when you eventually have to end the discounts? “We do have a concern about the rise in VAT and about food price inflation. “If it goes up again this year then it is possible we may have to take a hit on our margins.”
Picture: GAVIN TRAFFORD
‘Expansion made sense’ GARY MANNING and brother Colin run the Liverpool-based 60 Group, whose restaurants include 60 Hope Street, HOST and The Quarter. Despite the tough economic conditions the brother have recently expanded The Quarter in Falkner Street, adding an extra 465 sq ft of space. Gary Manning said the rationale behind the move was what he claimed was the growing market for quality but affordable dining. He added: “Some might say we are foolish to expand at the moment but we see this as a growing market. “People come through
PLATE?
NEWS 7
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
★★★★
MONEY MATTERS OXFAM has joined forces with payments group PayPal to ensure that all the money people donate to the charity will go towards helping a good cause. For every £1 that is donated to Oxfam through PayPal during February, the payment group will donate 19p, meaning it is covering the 19% of all donations that usually go towards the essential running costs of the charity. The group will also cover the running costs of any regular monthly donations that are set up during February for the first 12 months. The initiative comes after research by Oxfam found that the thought that some of their money went towards covering an organisation’s running costs was one of the biggest factors stopping people from giving to charity. Around 72% of people think charities’ running costs eat up a significant proportion of their donation, while 65% said they had been put off supporting good causes because of this. Oxfam said out of every £1 that was donated to it, 81p
was spent directly on its work to tackle poverty, while 19p went on its running costs, such as fundraising, central finance and human resources. Cathy Ferrier, Oxfam’s fundraising director, said: “Our running costs are absolutely essential to allow us to deliver hundreds of programmes in more than 70 countries worldwide. “However, we appreciate that these costs can be a barrier for some people who
with Nicky Burridge, Personal Finance Correspondent
are otherwise completely behind what Oxfam does. “Thanks to our partnership with PayPal, we’ve achieved a first in removing this barrier to assure people that 100% of their donation will be going directly to helping the poor people we work with to have a brighter future.” ● A RECORD 6.9m people filed their tax return online by the January deadline, HM Revenue & Customs said yesterday. The Revenue said 6,907,410 people had submitted an electronic form by midnight on Monday, accounting for 78% of all returns for the 2009/2010 tax year. The figure was 7% higher than the 6.4m people who filed their tax return online for the previous tax year. Around 572,455 people left it until the last day to submit their form and avoid a £100 fine, making January 31 the busiest day of the year for using the online system. The busiest hour was between 4pm and 5pm on Monday, when more than 49,000 people logged on.
LIVERPOOL WATERS
THE REBIRTH OF A TRULY GLOBAL CITY
THE PEEL TEAM INVITE YOU TO AN OPEN PRESENTATION ON LIVERPOOL WATERS Monday 7th February from 6-9pm SALES UP: Offering value for money is key to persuading people to come back, says Tim Bacon CONFIDENT: Colin and Gary Manning
Venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Liverpool (Princes Dock) To be held in the Princes Suite with capacity for 500 people. www.cpliverpool.com
Liverpool Waters needs your support! Director of Peel, Lindsey Ashworth will be giving the presentation where new artists impressions will be revealed. The audience will be invited to ask questions and to complete a questionnaire to give their views, all of which will ultimately be given to Liverpool City Council to be considered as part of the decision making process. Entrance is free and seats will be taken on a first come first served basis (no advanced booking) and free parking provided on the same basis signposted off William Jessop Way For any information contact npeck@peel.co.uk www.liverpoolwaters.co.uk
quicker at The Quarter and we get through more covers, so it made sense.” 60 Hope Street opened 12 years ago and is now regarded as one of the city’s top restaurants. However, Gary admits times are tough in the sector.
“January has been quiet, although it is ok – it could be a lot worse. We’re not seeing as many business people meeting up, perhaps.” He claims being an independent business, they can react to changes more quickly than bigger chains.
“I think special offers are here to stay,” he said. “This month that is the first question people have asked when booking, ‘what are your offers?’.” “I think you cannot just keep putting up your prices – you have to trade smart.”
8 NEWS
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
★★★★
Business to Business
BUSINESS
LILA IS CONFIDENT OF SUITE SUCCESS
Commercial Premises
Commercial Property
Offices To Let Anfield
T O L E T N E T H E R L E Y Industrial/Workshop Units 506− 1,023 sq ft Rents from £62pw Wheathills Ind Estate. Whittle Jones 01257 238666
1450 sq ft (approximately) of office space in close proximity to the proposed new stadium at Anfield. For further details or an appointment to view contact Gail McEvoy on
Industrial Property
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Industry Reporter A LIVERPOOL language school has expanded in a £300,000 move to the city centre. Lila, once known as Liverpool International Language Academy, was founded in 2004 by Middlesbrough sisters Leanne Linacre and Victoria Lee. It provides English language lessons for up to 500 overseas students a year and Italian, French, Spanish and Turkish lessons for Merseyside students, as well as a translation service for local firms. Next Friday it will celebrate the official opening of its new home in North John Street’s New Barratt House, boasting a suite of 18
classrooms, all with their own Liverpool theme including two rooms in honour of the city’s football clubs. The “Liverpool experience” is an integral attraction for overseas students whose summer visits can boost teaching staff numbers from 20 to 40. Leanne said: “Overseas students love everything Liverpool has to offer and they often want to return.
“The students enjoy taking part in our eventful social calendar – it gives them the opportunity to make friends and to see the Merseyside they may not have discovered by themselves. “Bringing overseas visitors to Liverpool adds to the city’s cosmopolitan feel as well as adding to Liverpool’s thriving tourist trade.” The design of the custom-made school took more than a year and involved Liverpool interior design company Aztec and Crosby-based creative studio Eyefever. Lila said it also considered feedback from students to create a learning centre that reflects what they want. Aztec managing director Rob Maxwell said: “We feel that Lila
has acquired the ideal location as a hotspot of Liverpool culture, right in the heart of the city for its international students.” James Scott, managing director of Eyefever, added: “Our vision was to create an inspirational learning environment that was synonymous with the city of Liverpool.” The classrooms are each themed and include references to local poets and famous singers. They also include a “Liver Birds Room”, “The Ferry rooms” and the “Comedy room”. Lila also provides overseas students with a “complete experience” including a stay with a local host family, which allows students the chance to experience life in England first hand.
Chance to shape future of support body THE Manufacturing Institute has welcomed the Government’s recognition of the industry’s importance to the UK. The Institute, which operates a north west arm, works to improve the image of the sector to attract bright, new talent. This includes its Make
It in Manufacturing schools programme which has so far reached more than 60,000 pupils and their teachers nationwide working with firms like Halewood car maker Jaguar Land Rover. The institute’s chief executive, Dr Julie Madigan, said: “Manufacturing is now
certainly very much an appropriate choice for those seeking a rewarding and fulfilling working career.” Meanwhile, the Government is calling for input on how the institute’s Manufacturing Advisory Service can be developed as the sector’s leading support body.
A north west service has worked with the region’s companies since 2002. Observations on how the service can best develop to continue that support for north west firms are being invited by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
An open letter about the government’s aims and more information on the initiative can be viewed at http://www. mas.bis.gov.uk/news/open -letter-to-manufacturingstakeholders-on-thefuture-of-mas A response address, MAS@bis.gsi.gov.uk will be live until February16.
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Move should translate into bright future
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ESTABLISHED CAFE BOOTLE Hawthorne Rd. Call for details 07814 267775
LATE NIGHT OFF LICENCE To let. Prime location, South Road, L22. Requires fit−out. Alcohol trading times 10am−12 midnight Call: 0151 9209999/ 07900424441
by NEIL HODGSON
Business For Sale
Business Opportunities
x2 BARBERS SHOPS TO LET Prime locations in Crosby/ Waterloo. Equipped with barbers chairs/ Mirrors/ Stations etc. Rent £650pcm Call: 0151 920 9999/ 07900 424 441
WALK ON: The Liverpool FC-themed classroom at Lila’s new city centre teaching complex in North John Street
UNITS TO LET Bootle Area 5,000−15,000 sqft. Flexible terms 0151 486 0004
Building Trade FRAMELINE TRADE SUPPLY COMPOSITE DOORS UPVC
WINDOWS, DOORS, CONSERVATORIES. 5 Day Turnaround Tel 0151 546 5577 Fax 0151 546 5588 ACCREDITED WITH BS7412 & BS7950
KITCHEN & BEDROOM FITTINGS from a hinge to a full kitchen/bedroom. 3D plans now available. Showroom & Trade Counter at 3 Rockley Street, Kirkdale, L4 0151−207 0008. www.brosna.co.uk TILE TRADE big discounts for regulars, 10ltr adhesive £6.99 Homeright/ Protile (Behind Taskers Aintree) 286 8286
AVON FLEET CARS LTD quality cars available in excellent condition £165pw inc insurance. 05 − 07 plates. 07943 754640 DAVY LIVER TAXIS Require more full/part time private hire owner drivers. Company cars still available Call Alan 0151 708 7080 or 07795 417333
NEW E7 Liverpool cab & plate £270pw, 8K dep. Call Taxifix for details. 0151 482 5101. Business users only
PRIVATE HIRE Drivers req’d, busy system, cheap weekly insurance 0151 260 1010 BLUE LINE TAXISNew drivers wanted urgently. Earn £500 − £800pw. Tel 0151 709 0101 NIGHT COLLAR Gateacre c/o. 5 nights £100pw 07801 564776 or 0151 428 1735 TX4 AUTO 08 Night Collar, c/o Tuebrook 07885 090751 DAY COLLAR W TX1, c/o L4/ L5/L6 07865 974716 CITY TXI days & c/o nights L13 & L/C 077151 72487 N I G H T C O L L A R c/o Green Lane L13. 07957 636549 CITY NIGHT COLLAR TX1, C/ O Bootle 07811 004379 X REG CAB & PLATE Passed September. 07957 636549
Agriculture B O R D E R C O L L I E Puppies £100, also beautiful poodle X Bichon £325, Tel 01678 540563 or 07773 334383