http://www.nwda.co.uk/pdf/Liverpool%20unlocked by Northwest Regional Development Agency

covers(r)

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Issue eight Spring

2007 BUSINESS IN THE CAPITAL

MIPIM SPECIAL

THERE? ARE YOU BOUT IT LA READ AL S 18-19 ON PAGE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

800 YEARS OF HISTORY Booming city I Science Park I Environment I Finance I Capital of Culture

contents

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is a magazine for those with an

This publication highlights Liverpool’s

interest in the economic resurgence of the

renaissance and its business and

Liverpool City Region: investors, property

investment potential, with that dynamism

players, retailers, professionals and business.

and self-belief reflected in the magazine’s

Liverpool is a rapidly improving business

confident and modern approach.

location that offers companies a strong combination of business benefits. The area

is published by newsco-insider

is attracting growing levels of inward

and supported by Business Liverpool,

investment and is creating jobs at a faster

Liverpool Land Development Company,

rate than anywhere else in the UK.

Liverpool Vision, The Mersey Partnership, the

The effects of economic regeneration

Northwest Regional Development Agency

are everywhere to see.

and Government Office for the North West.

Liverpool magazine editor Jim Pendrill Contributors Lisa Miles, Neil Tague, David Casey David Chadwick, Claire Robson, Jo Birtwistle Design & Production Darren Gillibrand and Damien Wiehl Cover Photo by Richard Kempton of Liverpool’s 800th birthday New Year fireworks celebrations, Walker Art Gallery Production director Bob Stoney Editorial director Michael Taylor

liverpool@newsco.com

contents

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Countdown to Culture

Sector focus – Environment

Knowledge

Professional Liverpool

Lifestyle

Who’s who?

Foreword Neil Pakey, chief executive of Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Up front

Investment

•More ambassadors sign up •Flying the flag •Tall Ships Race •Music to our ears

•History in the making •Economic expansion •To the point •Guest column: Jim Pendrill •Economic indicators •Q&A with Jim Gill •TNT announce new depot •Peel secures shipyard future •Retail revival •Wirral on a high Talking business with…

Sarah Tasker, chief executive, • Dr Liverpool Science Park

Property

On the move

• •MIPIM Preview •New proposals, new developments, new growth •Record rents Rosy future for Garden Festival site

•

READ MORE IN INVESTMENT ON P9

ON P18

A new £5.6m depot for leading

p4-7 Up front

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Up front Economic expansion It’s official. Liverpool’s economy is booming. As the city

manufacturer Greenberg Glass, said:

projects and are currently working

region bursts with property development, a new arena

“The economy is obviously changing

with several companies involved in

and conference centre and major cultural events, the

for the better. Ongoing investment

Grosvenor’s Liverpool One Project.

latest figures on gross value added (GVA) and job creation

will create more jobs and business

Our plans for 2007 include moving

are showing strong growth, with Liverpool outperforming

opportunities across the region.

to a purpose-built factory and head

many other areas of the UK.

However, it’s hard to keep the

office in the Sandhills district. We will

momentum up and we want to see

be investing heavily in machinery to

the construction boom continue.

meet increasing demand but our aim

GVA figures from the Office of National Statistics show a 6.3 per cent increase in Liverpool’s economic output, well ahead of the national average of 5.5 per cent and that of the North West (5.4 per cent). Merseyside as a whole

“We as a business have worked on many of the major construction

must be to increase employee output by at least 10 per cent.”

reported an increase of 5.5 per cent from 2003 to 2004. “These national statistics provide helpful confirmation

Liverpool FC chooses US investment

of the city’s continuing economic dynamism, which businesses and investors have known for some time.

After a search for new investment

Liverpool is a great place to do business and now we have

stretching back to 2004, Liverpool FC

wealth of experience in owning US

the end-of-year accounts for 2004 which show that for the

has new owners. The £470m bid by

or Canadian sports franchises. Gillett

third year running Liverpool’s businesses have generated

American tycoons George Gillett

has been involved in the Miami

junior and Tom Hicks, was enough to

Dolphins and Harlem Globetrotters as

convince departing chairman David

well as the Montreal Canadians ice

Moores, a lifelong Liverpool fan, that

hockey team, while Hicks is a hugely

this was the right deal to advance

respected owner of the Texas Rangers

the club, which is still England’s most

baseball franchise and Dallas Stars

successful with 18 League titles and

ice hockey team.

Khela of Greenberg Glass

five European Cups. The new owners have guaranteed

Both Gillett and Hicks have a

Liverpool’s global profile will almost certainly be raised, with presti-

that building work on the club’s new

gious tours of the lucrative Japanese

60,000-capacity stadium can start

and Chinese markets an extreme

almost immediately, while they have

likelihood. And with money to spend

also cleared the club’s debts and

and a new stadium, Liverpool should

promised manager Rafael Benitez

be in a strong position as they look to

increased wealth for the city,” said Mike Taylor, chief

funds to compete in the transfer

win their first League title since 1990.

executive of business agency Business Liverpool.

market with deep-pocketed rivals

The prestige that brings to the city

Chelsea and Manchester United.

cannot be overestimated.

Overall Merseyside recorded the highest growth rate of any Metropolitan area over 1995 to 2004 at 62.3 per cent. And Liverpool is clearly the driver for the city region, recording GVA per head of £15, 530 in 2004, 89 per cent of the national average. Since 1995 Liverpool’s economy has grown by just

LIVERPOOL STATISTICS LIVERPOOL PROFILE Population (Merseyside)*

1.49 million

over £2.6bn, with an annual growth rate of 4.9 per cent, above the North West’s 4.3 per cent and just under the

Employment rate (Merseyside)**

68%

UK average of 5 per cent. “Liverpool has maintained its

Number of jobs (Merseyside)***

605,000

position of 91 per cent of the UK index of output for

Unemployment claimant rates (December 05) (Merseyside)*

3.8%

Unemployment claimant rates (December 06) (Merseyside)*

4.2%

capita. As the major investments and developments in the city centre move towards completion over the next year, Liverpool should start to see even faster upward movement in the economic league tables,” added Taylor. Companies in the area are already feeling the benefits. Surbjit Khela, finance director at Liverpool-based

Number of Universities

Total number of higher education students Total number of post graduates †

†

51,835 10,025

* ONS ** Annual Population Survey *** ABI † Higher Education Statistics Agency (2004/5)

p8 Q&A

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Q&A

Can you explain the rationale behind the merger?

our business leaders and capture the entrepreneurial spirit that exists within the

Over the past five years or so there has

city to benefit local people. In North

been a very real improvement in the eco-

Liverpool and South Sefton, for example, a

nomic performance of the city as measured

strong private sector led board representing

against GVA, employment and new firm

the local business community and working

creation. The physical manifestation of that

in partnership with the public sector has

change is perhaps most obvious in the city

secured £30m funding to support a local

centre, at John Lennon Airport and the

enterprise growth initiative.

adjacent business park. Private sector confidence in the city is now as high as it has been for many decades. Liverpool

Vision,

Liverpool

What differences will Liverpool see on the ground?

Land

I don’t think there will be a visible

Development Company, Business Liverpool

difference, at least not immediately. I’m

and the city council have all played an

confident that the current physical pace of

important role in this transformation;

change in the city will continue, but if we

channelling public money in support of a

are successful the big difference will be

range of public sector led projects such as

experienced by people in employment. By

the new Arena and Convention Centre and

those already in employment having more

in providing the infrastructure to support

opportunity to seek new and better jobs

new business development.

within the city. By those not in employment

We are now moving into a new and very

receiving better targeted and delivered

different phase of Liverpool’s renaissance;

training that allows them to take up

where public sector funding will be in much

employment opportunities in the city. And

shorter supply, so maintaining private sector

by encouraging and facilitating those who

confidence and accelerating investment will

want to create their own business to do so

be even more important.

and to do it more successfully.

The new arrangements are intended to

Q& A

ensure that public resources are targeted as

What is your personal role as part of the shake-up?

effectively as possible in improving our

I am focused on delivery of our current

inward investment performance, supporting

programme, working with our partners at

key growth sectors in the knowledge, cre-

the Northwest Regional Development

Liverpool Vision, explains

ative and cultural industries, and capitalising

Agency and English Partnerships as well as

the background to the

on the enterprise that exists in communities

with a number of private sector develop-

merger of Liverpool Vision,

throughout the city.

ers. I want to make sure that the city centre

Jim Gill, chief executive of

capitalise on recent success and to help

remains high on the priority list as the

Liverpool Land Development Company and Business Liverpool.

Will the public sector now work closer with the business community in the city?

main economic driver for the city and the

There is already a very strong relation-

colleagues at Liverpool Land, Business

ship between the public and private sector.

Liverpool and the city council in preparing

The scale and quality of the change taking

the groundwork for the new company. We

place in Liverpool is evidence of that.

need to retain the confidence of our board,

city region. I’m also working very closely with

But there are things we can do better.

partners in the private and public sectors

A characteristic of any successful city is

and – perhaps most importantly – our staff if

that it listens and engages with the private

the new company is going to hit the ground

sector. We need to work more closely with

running.

p9-11 Investment

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Investment

TNT delivers new jobs Express delivery giant TNT has selected Liverpool as the home of a new £5.6m depot to handle packages for destinations across the country

Businesses throughout the North West will now be able to take advantage of the depot’s advanced technology, including a system that enables rapid loading and unloading of TNT’s aircraft. “This new Liverpool depot serves a dual functionality in that it will be a depot and an air gateway. This gives us the necessary presence in the area to really grow the international side of the business. We start at a base of 44 routes for our international vehicles and really hoping to capitalise on this and let things literally take off,” he says. TNT has the building under a 20-year lease from Liverpool John Lennon Airport and airport bosses have incorporated extra space into the design of the building should TNT require it in the future. The company also expects to expand the number of routes it has from the base as its presence in the region becomes more well-known.

ore than 100 jobs have been created in the

sees the creation of 110 new jobs,

region after leading business-to-business express

although the total number of employ-

areas where we think we can move the

delivery company TNT opened a new £5.6m

ees will be closer to 200 following the

business forward – in particular, the

relocation of staff from other depots.

automotive suppliers in the North West

depot. The 4.3-acre site in Speke, close to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, will handle three million domestic parcels

"This is a tremendous opportunity

“We’re really going to attack the

and businesses in the city centre of

for the North West, as well as 500,000 international

to grow the business in the region and

Liverpool,” says Lascelles. “The poten-

consignments to and from mainland Europe and further

a great opportunity to boost the local

tial is there to really grow the business

afield. The company’s new depot opened in January 2007

economy with over 100 new jobs and

– it’s just a matter of going for it."

to handle packages for UK destinations and expects the

all that brings with it,” says Peter

international services it offers to be fully operational by

Lascelles, the new depot general

the UK in 1978 and now has a turnover

April 2007.

manager who assumes responsibility

of more than £750m. It employs

Although TNT has other North West bases, including

The company was established in

for the new Liverpool location as well

10,600 people in the UK and Ireland

Manchester, Stockport and Preston, it is the first time that

as TNT’s Manchester International

and operates more than 3,500 vehicles

the company has had a presence in Liverpool. The move

Depot at Trafford Park.

from 70 locations.

p9-11 Investment

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Investment

Peel secures future for shipyard

Retail revival

Peel Holdings, the property developer

for growth and employment in various industrial and port

As Grosvenor powers ahead with its

and port and airport operator, has

activities for the site. Around 14 tenants already occupy

Paradise Project in Liverpool city

further cemented its influence across

the site and they will be unaffected by the change in

centre, Europe biggest retail scheme

Merseyside after acquiring the former

ownership.

currently under development, other

Cammell Laird shipyard in a deal believed to be worth around £100m.

Meanwhile, plans are underway to transform the

property owners are also investing in

Birkenhead Docks site into a destination to rival interna-

their portfolios despite concerns from

tional cities such as Sydney, New York and Shanghai. The

some quarters that the shopping core

Reddington Finance, had spent four

Wirral Waters vision will see the creation of a world-class,

would shift.

years drawing up a £2bn redevelop-

mixed-use iconic waterfront development.

The site’s previous owner,

ment scheme featuring a snow dome and luxury apartments.

More than 500 acres of brownfield, underused land

Land Securities owns four large units on Williamson Square, the

will be redeveloped to allow the construction of three

St John’s shopping centre, which

iconic, 50-storey towers, a new retail park, 15,000 new

includes a hotel, the famous Beacon

swathes of docklands on both

homes and 5 million sq ft of office space overlooking

tower and a car park, and Clayton

sides of the Mersey and its £4.5bn

the Wirral, the River Dee and the Liverpool waterfront.

Square shopping centre opposite.

plans for a 18 million sq ft waterside

A new marina will also be built while landscaped open

The city council has granted

regeneration on the Wirral, the

areas of green space for public use will allow access to

planning permission for a £5m

North West giant is viewed as better

the waters edge.

refurbishment and expansion of

But with Peel’s ownership of large

placed to develop the site. Ian Pollitt of Peel Holdings says:

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to transform

Clayton Square, set to be completed

this area of Wirral into a development of world-class

before 2008. This addition to the

“The Cammell Laird site is an ideal

status creating great new places to live, work and relax,”

city’s growing retail offer will

opportunity to continue the

says Lindsey Ashworth, development director of Peel.

involve a two-storey expansion.

expansion of Peel’s port business

“We have a proven track record of major regeneration

With the whole building also being

here in Merseyside.”

projects and in particular waterside developments. Wirral

refurbished, the work is a clear sign

Waters represents not just another exciting opportunity

of investor confidence in Liverpool.

Peel intends to retain the industrial heritage of Cammell Laird and invest

but is our flagship redevelopment scheme.”

The landlord is also planning investing millions of pounds in a complete overhaul of the St John’s centre from 2009 onwards.

Onwards and upwards Wealth fund manager Rensburg Sheppards has under-

firm is already taking full advantage of

stay in the Plaza building emphasises

lined its commitment to Liverpool with an investment of

the new premises. “Moving into a new

that the area is now a great place to

more than £750,000 in new city centre offices.

office suite was as much about

do business.

The firm is moving its 170-strong team from the tenth

“Rensburg Sheppards could have

floor of Bruntwood’s Plaza building in Old Hall Street to

about providing more space for a

moved into any of the city’s new-build

office space on the 13th floor. The new base has a floor

growing team,” says Owen.

office stock, but made a strategic

space of 23,000 sq ft and provides room to sustain the company’s plans for growth.

"We’re now in a very contemporary

decision to stay in excellent facilities

setting with excellent facilities and

and in an area which is fast turning

breathtaking views of the city, which

into the city’s commercial hub, thanks

Sheppards,” says David Owen, senior investment director.

have enhanced the working environ-

to schemes such as St Paul’s Square

“We reported a substantial increase in profit, have taken

ment for staff and will broaden our

and Pall Mall,” he says.

on an additional 40 staff and have invested £750,000

appeal to the younger investor."

“2006 was a very successful year for Rensburg

into a new working environment.” The full Rensburg Sheppards team, including investment

refreshing our own image as it was

Rensburg now has 11 regional

Chris Connor, director at Mason

offices throughout the UK, employing

Owen, the agent who handled the

600 staff. It is estimated that the firm

directors and an extensive back office administrative

office negotiations for Rensburg

manages more than £1bn of funds

function, moved to the new offices in January 2007 and the

Sheppards, says that the decision to

from its Old Hall Street office.

p9-11 Investment

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Investment

Bid success

reas in Liverpool and Sefton are set to be

difference to some of the most

schools, motivational and confidence-

redeveloped thanks to an award of £21m over

deprived areas in and around the city

building activities for young people,

the next three years from the government’s

and South Sefton,” says Liverpool

business aftercare managers and the

Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) budget –

Chamber of Commerce’s chief

creation of business partnerships to

a joint programme between Communities and Local

executive Jack Stopforth, who chaired

help employers work together to tackle

Government, HM Treasury and the Department for

the bid. “The involvement of both

issues that affect their businesses.

Trade and Industry.

Sefton and Liverpool Chambers in

The success of the joint bid for funding between

Leading economic development

writing the submission reinforced the

consultancy Regeneris has been

Liverpool City Council and Sefton MBC will enable a

fact that this is about private sector

appointed to help maximise the

deprived area straddling the north Liverpool and south

initiatives and not simply a local

impact of the LEGI programme, hand

Sefton border to be developed into a base for a new

government programme.”

in hand with revising the borough’s

generation of entrepreneurs and businesses. “The funding is well deserved and will make a

The regeneration plans include enterprise managers working in

ten-year City Growth Strategy as it reaches its halfway point.

Wirral has seen more than £20m of investment in

and frozen bakery products.

speculative office space over the last year, making it the

The company, which employs 600

borough’s most successful period for inward investment

people at its factory in Bromborough,

in the past two decades.

used the funding to enhance its

More than 200,000 sq ft of high-quality, modern

speciality doughnut capacity,

business units have already been developed in the last

meaning production will be retained

12 months, with further plans in the offing. Such

in the UK rather than being trans-

developments that have taken place include the indus-

ferred to overseas sister companies.

trial units and offices at Gateway, Riverside Park and

This also enabled the business to

new industrial schemes, such as Ferryview, Coliseum,

create 20 new jobs.

Stadium Court and the Maritime Business Park.

Peter Whibley, business account

Kevin Adderley, Wirral Borough Council’s head

manager at The Mersey Partnership,

of strategic development, says that the new office

which provided help and support to

developments in the region represent a significant

BakeMark, says that such investment

demonstration of confidence by the private sector

is vital for the future economic

in what Wirral has to offer. “This is an exciting and

growth of the Liverpool city region.

challenging time for Wirral. We want to stimulate the

"The food and drink sector is a key

investment needed over the next ten years to ensure

growth area for Merseyside, and

Wirral has a strong economy in the future. We need

Wirral in particular, and the expansion

to grow the business base from 7,500 businesses at

of an international company like

the moment to around 10,000 by 2016 to give Wirral

BakeMark is a real vote of confidence

the economic and continuing employment growth it

in our local food sector. Promoting

needs,” he says.

re-investment is vital if we want

One company that has made further investment in the area is BakeMark UK, a supplier of bakery ingredients

Wirral Waters

Wirral on a high

locally based businesses to grow and prosper,” he says.

p12-14 Interview

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Talking business

The future’s here As the city region prepares to take on the world for a slice of the knowledge economy, speaks to Dr Sarah Tasker, the woman leading Liverpool’s attack

he success of the city centre Liverpool Science Park (LSP) since first opening its doors in January 2006 has astounded even its own management

team. Companies have flocked to occupy the facilities from as far afield as Canada and as close to home as Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). At the helm as chief executive is the determined and enthusiastic Dr Sarah Tasker. A former rower for Cambridge University, she helped develop the worldrenowned Cambridge Science Park (CSP) and was selected along with her team after a rigorous international search for the best group to deliver the Liverpool project. David Lupson, the former senior project manager of CSP, is chief operating officer. Such is her passion for Liverpool, Tasker commutes weekly from Cambridge, where the consultancy she co-founded, CAM-SCI, advises the development of start-up science parks, science city projects and specialist facilities across the UK. As with all long-distance commuters, you wonder how she has the energy, but her commitment to the city is clear.

Photography by Ray Farley

“Liverpool has a really strong identity and with Capital of Culture there is an opportunity to promote the

p12-14 Interview

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09:30

Page 13

Talking business

culture of innovation and technology, a history of

LJMU, which established the park with the help of the city

exploiting technology to bring wealth through incredible

council, Government Office for the North West and the

engineering feats such as the Mersey tunnels,” she says.

Northwest Regional Development Agency.

“Part of my passion for the city is to have it recapture the economic dynamism of its past.” With her expertise in knowledge economy projects,

In fact the terms are so flexible that Tasker’s team moves its own operations around the building to allow tenants to take up whatever space particularly suits their

Tasker is aiming to develop something special for

needs. There is also on-site business support and advice

Liverpool. “LSP is not seeking to replicate Cambridge,

in areas such as business growth and events.

but to be something unique for the city that builds on its unique knowledge assets,” she says.

But this site is only the beginning. Funding his just been confirmed on phase two of the city centre part of

“There are two world-class universities, MerseyBio, the

the project and work is due to start in April on a site just

National Biomanufacturing Centre, the Liverpool School of

a stone’s throw away. This will house dedicated grow-on

Tropical Medicine – Liverpool has a huge amount to offer,

space for companies.

but it is not really exploiting a lot of that commercially, not bringing it all together to show to the outside world.” While there are moves afoot in the city region to place

“We promise to companies that come here that we can help them from cradle to grave and they come here at any stage of their development,” says Tasker. “Knowledge-

Liverpool firmly on the knowledge economy map, it

based companies are often growing exponentially and

suffered in the past from a lack of viable infrastructure

have trouble managing long-term leases. These are young,

and support for high-tech businesses.

dynamic, high-risk companies. We allow short leases, the

“Virtually every other region in the UK has a dedicated

ability to come in the very next day. We work closely with

home for knowledge-based businesses and so companies

them to manage their growth. There is nowhere else

used to move away,” says Tasker. “But Liverpool has a

like it in the area, which is why we are getting so many

huge amount to offer to rival any other centre in the UK.

companies coming to us. It is a unique offer.”

“ Part of my passion is to have the city recapture the economic dynamism of its past, a history of exploiting technology.” The economy here is mature but lacks the development

As Liverpool’s reputation grows, the team expects to be

pipeline of growing enterprises to develop a knowledge-

able to retain and attract larger and larger companies. “We

based economy.”

are looking to build a pipeline of facilities we can offer,”

For the outsider, talk of “knowledge-based companies”

says Tasker. “There is potential for a science park campus

sounds unclear. Surely all companies are based on some

development at Edge Lane with standalone and head

sort of knowledge. But the term has developed to

office facilities and space for larger companies. We want to

encompass all research and development (R&D) companies

capture mature companies to create wealth for the city.”

that are exploiting new technology or intellectual property. Businesses based at LSP range from local animation

LSP is designed to pull in companies from outside of the region as the city’s reputation spreads globally,

company Eek Films to recent Canadian arrival Organisation

as well as to support home-grown talent. As the

Metrics, which develops technology solutions for HR issues.

knowledge economy emerges worldwide as a primary

Chimatica is an innovative drug design company and

economic driver, Liverpool will win business because it

Neat3d is a 3D development studio.

can put together a strong offer, combining quality of life,

The £8m Innovation Centre, which is situated

access to the universities and graduate recruitment with

alongside Liverpool’s famous Metropolitan Cathedral,

access to potential customers, quality infrastructure and

offers over 43,000 sq ft of flexible accommodation that

quality service.

can be used for laboratories and clean rooms, as well as office activity. Tenants enjoy flexible terms, business support and access to the academic and research expertise of the University of Liverpool and

“We’re seeing people returning to the city today because there wasn’t the opportunity before. We’re providing jobs for graduates, who often want to stay in the city where they studied. It’s important that we do

p12-14 Interview

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09:30

Page 14

Talking business attract in companies to create critical mass,” says Tasker. “Other regions like the South East have overheated and are expensive.” Start-up R&D companies, which often naturally involve young teams, enjoy the attraction of a city centre science park and Liverpool is successfully exploiting this trend away from out-of-town bases. As Liverpool’s attention begins to look beyond the construction and roadworks of its so-called Big Dig regeneration, city leaders know that the future lies in the knowledge economy and LSP’s partners are keen to exploit strengths that may not immediately be apparent to the outside world. By identifying Liverpool’s unique offer and developing the LSP facilities, Tasker believes that Merseyside and the wider region will take its place at the top table of UK cities committed to an economy founded on scientific and technological innovation.

J UST T H E F AC T S LIVERPOOL SCIENCE PARK INNOVATION CENTRE is situated in the heart of the city centre and close to both Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool. It opened in January 2006. The centre houses units suitable for start-ups to more established businesses. Units are competitively priced, with flexible easy-in and easy-out monthly terms, and can grow or shrink according to changing needs. Companies based at the centre include Chimatica, DNA Diagnostics, Eek Films, Genemation, Neat3d Solutions, Organisation Metrics and RippleEffect. Work is due to start on phase two of the city centre scheme in April 2007, with further developments planned as part of the Liverpool Land Development Company’s ambitious Edge Lane Project.

p15-20 Property

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09:30

Page 15

Property

In the garden of Eden

the development, says: “The planning process has been carefully managed by the development team to ensure that we bring the right scheme to the city. We are delighted to have reached this stage and are very excited by the scheme and at the prospect of progressing the planning application. Langtree McLean is looking to restore the site to its former glory and create a new public park for the residents of Liverpool. Richard Dean, managing director of David McLean Developments, says: “We’ve put a huge amount of work into what is a complex scheme but it is bearing fruit. The people of the city are buying into it and can see that the transformation of the site is achievable. “Liverpool is moving up a gear and it’s a very exciting place to be as

Remnants of the International Garden Festival

a developer. The benefits this scheme can bring – a 56-acre water park, 1,300 residential properties and commercial space – are enormous and we’re confident that it can have a major positive impact on the city.” Both Langtree and David McLean have successful track records in the Liverpool area, McLean’s having developed schemes including the Princes Dock office complex.

Liverpool’s International Garden Festival site is set for transformation after languishing untouched for decades

Langtree has completed schemes including Centrix House in St Helens and the Venture Point West industrial scheme, Speke. The Land Restoration Trust will take

hen Liverpool hosted the International

blocks, including 66 townhouses,

Garden Festival site in the mid-1980s the eyes

as well as a number of retail and com-

on the lease of the gardens area after

of the world were on the city. Now, 20 years

mercial units that will be designed to

the project and will receive funding

accommodate local amenities.

for the long-term management of this

on, the site in question could be transformed in an

The application comes following

area, which will include the original

planning and public consultation pro-

Chinese and Japanese gardens and

a planning application that could bring the 88-acre

cedures, during which time the devel-

the Priory Wood area.

waterside site, which sits between Liverpool John Lennon

oper has forged good relationships

Airport and the city centre, back to life.

with the city council and the Land

leader of Liverpool City Council, says:

ambitious regeneration scheme. Joint venture developer Langtree McLean has submitted

Councillor Warren Bradley, the

Restoration Trust, as well as engaging

“This is one of the most important

public park for Liverpool, which will include restoring the

in pre-application discussions with

gateway sites in the city and demands

Oriental Gardens. Langtree McLean’s comprehensive plans

the Commission for Architecture and

a development of the highest quality.

for the site, which it acquired in 2004, will include the

the Built Environment.

It is very encouraging that progress is

The £250m investment will see the creation of a new

construction of over 1,300 homes across 26 residential

David Rolinson, project manager for

being made with this site.”

p15-20 Property

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09:30

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Property

Office politics city's new commercial district.” And there’s more. Vermont aims to build a 60,000 sq ft grade A office scheme adjacent to Rumford’s scheme that will offer top quality space to smaller offices. Chief executive Mark Connor says: “We think our concept is ideally suited to companies in the

CRANE WATCH

Liverpool office market. Some 80

WORK IN PROGRESS…

city have less than 20 employees. ”

per cent of the businesses in the

Paradise Project. 1.6 million sq ft

Chris Lloyd, partner at DTZ, agent on 20 Chapel Street, says: “Prospects

Phase one open from April 2008.

for Liverpool have probably never

St Paul’s Square by English Cities

been better. The scale of develop-

Fund fronting Old Hall Street. Phase one, 133,000 sq ft of offices, 50 apartments and car park due to complete in 2007. Phase two now on site to complete in April 2008. West Tower, Beetham Organization’s second Liverpool

Hot property: 20 Chapel Street

of shopping on a 42.5-acre site.

ment of all types across the city, added to the publicity it will inevitably achieve during Capital of Culture 2008 underline the city’s prospects.”

tower. Ground broken in October 2005. Forty storeys high, it is due for completion in late 2007. Elysian Fields, Colquitt Street. Mixed-use development with 101

set to. Rumford Investments’ 20 Chapel Street is set to post a Liverpool record rent of £20 per sq

ft. Big Four accountant Ernst & Young (EY) is about to

apartments due to complete 2007.

Kings Waterfront. 15-hectare

which reached completion in December 2006.

mixed-use scheme to provide

EY already employs around 50 people in Liverpool

waterfront concert, conference

and aims to expand that by 50 per cent before

and hotel facilities. Arena to open

2010. The deal will top Liverpool’s previous record

January 2008.

rent, the £18 per sq ft law firm Hill Dickinson

Matchbox, a 19,000 sq ft office

will pay at English Cities Fund’s (ECF) St Paul’s

building fronting Urban Splash’s

Square when it relocates in spring 2007.

Matchworks site in south Liverpool.

Not to be outdone, ECF has now matched

Completes autumn 2007.

the EY rent, signing a deal with Allied Irish

School of Tropical Medicine,

Bank for the 6,500 sq ft of space that

Pembroke Street. New £26m

remained in the first phase following the

research building and link bridge.

120,000 sq ft Hill Dickinson deal.

Completes December 2007.

he developer said it would happen and it looks

Dan Needham, ECF development

Alchemy, a speculative 97,000 sq ft

director, says: “This deal marks a

industrial and office scheme in

further seal of approval for the

Knowsley. Started summer 2006.

scheme. The Liverpool business

Wellington Employment Park

community is recognising

South. Office and light industrial

that St Paul's Square will be

units in north Liverpool, completes

the premier business

January 2008.

address in the heart of the

p15-20 Property

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Property

Quality player: Malmaison

Get a room!

and deputy chairman of the

Waterfront, next to the new arena.

Liverpool Hoteliers Association, says

A test of the appetite for hotel

things are looking good: “There will

development could come with the

be significant changes in the market

Heywoods Building. Developer Your

over the next two years as Liverpool

Space has won planning permission

One and the arena come online. The

for the three-storey former banking

market remains buoyant.”

hall to be developed into a 32-bed-

Can Liverpool support all the

room boutique hotel.

proposed hotels? Roberts thinks it’s too early to tell: “I’m reluctant to forecast huge success or doom and gloom for the years after 2009. What is clear is that all the evidence says

hotels that have looked to grab a piece of the

the market will boom in 2008.” So what else is new? Work continues apace at the Hard Days Night

increasingly prosperous Liverpool hotel market. And when

hotel, which will be a four-star 110-

Hilton promise to come to the party – as they will, having

room Beatles-themed hotel bordering

signed up for a hotel within Grosvenor’s Liverpool One

the Cavern Quarter heritage trail.

project – everyone takes notice.

Costing developer Bowdena £17m,

The new Malmaison is just the tenth instalment of a chain known for its stylishness. It boasts 128 bedrooms, two

completion is due in autumn 2007. Close by, 62 Castle Street opened in

suites – dedicated to Everton and Liverpool FC and thus

summer 2006, hoping to tap into the

named the Toffee Shop and the Kop respectively – a gym,

boutique market so richly mined by

a stylish brasserie and private meeting rooms.

the Hope Street hotel. Little expense

Consider Liverpool’s growth potential. The Metquarter

Heywoods Building: New era

Malmaison at Princes Dock, just the latest in a string of

has been spared in transforming the

and Liverpool One are turning Liverpool into a shopper’s

old Trials hotel into a hotel that blends

paradise. Liverpool FC are definitely moving to a larger

cutting edge design with classic

stadium, while neighbours Everton look likely to follow suit.

Victorian architecture. Work is under-

And once the ACC Liverpool arena and convention centre

way on a Jurys Inn hotel at the Kings

Malmaison

n January 2007, the doors were thrown open on the

opens in January 2008, the market could explode. Steve Roberts, general manager of the Crowne Plaza

LIVERPOOL STATISTICS CITY CENTRE OFFICE TAKE-UP

MERSEYSIDE HOTEL OCCUPANCY (2006 AVERAGE TO MAY)

Year

New space (sq ft)

Total (sq ft)

Average room occupancy %

1996

26,000

131,000

Av. bed occupancy %

1997

32,000

210,000

Overseas bed occupancy %

1998

48,000

241,000

1999

60,000

324,000

2000

450,000

2001

100,000

485,500

2002

64,000

420,000

2003

227,000

454,000

Office

2004

150,000

342,000

Retail (Zone A)

£250

2005

233,000

498,000

Industrial

£4.00

Av. length of stay (nights)

1.7

Av. length of stay (nights), overseas guests

1.2 Source: The Mersey Partnership

HIGHEST RENTS IN LIVERPOOL COMMERCIAL PROPERTY (£ PER SQUARE FEET)

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

£14.75 £16.50

£16

£18

£20

£250

£300

£330

£4.00

£4.50

£4.60 Source: DTZ

p15-20 Property

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Property

The greatest show on earth?

IPIM, or Marché International des Professionnels

but also highlight further regenera-

opportunities with a wide range of

de l’Immobilier to give it its full title, is recog-

tion opportunities.

senior representatives from the prop-

nised as the world’s largest property event and

The event is now in its 17th year

erty, construction and regeneration

and has grown into a phenomenon,

sector. In excess of 5,000 investors

each year tracking up higher and

and end users are expected to attend

with film festivals and superstars on yachts is abuzz with

higher numbers of attendees. In 2006

in 2007.

property professionals networking furiously, doing deals

over 21,000 delegates registered and

and making new contacts.

2007’s event, which will be held

Concentrated networking in

between 13 and 16 March, promises

a fabulous location, access to the

to get even bigger.

inaccessible, the chance to

is held annually in Cannes, France. For one week each spring, a location usually associated

Liverpool has attended the event for the past six years, with 2002 recognised as the first major presence, supporting a promotional stand and series of events-

MIPIM provides an unequalled

compare and contrast the progress

based activities. MIPIM week provides cities with an

opportunity to meet and discuss

of cities from around the world.

opportunity to not only showcase its latest developments

potential investment and property

It’s an intoxicating mix.

In the spotlight

team and also spreading the word about our own major projects.”

The list of Liverpool’s supporters

ly active developer, will join the lead

at MIPIM is one that grows year

sponsors of the city this year. George

will this year team up with Langtree, its joint venture

after year. From 17 in 2005, to 18

Downing, owner of the

partner on Liverpool’s International Garden Festival site,

in 2006, the Liverpool presence

business, says this year will be a key

as a MIPIM partner.

in 2007 will comprise 29 organisa-

staging post for the city and that

tions from the public and private

MIPIM is a fitting stage:

sectors. The striking thing is that partners

"This is a huge year for Liverpool, with major infrastructure projects

Property group David McLean is a MIPIM veteran, and

Richard Dean, managing director of David McLean, says: “MIPIM‘s simply the best place to tell the world about what you’re doing. We have exciting plans and this is a great way to showcase them.”

from the private sector don’t

moving towards completion. We see

drop off the list. Those that join the

a fabulous opportunity to press

connections and create some new ones: "We will be

MIPIM party clearly realise the

home the advantages of the Capital

talking to potential office occupiers, hotel operators

benefits it brings and return the

of Culture celebrations, which are

and the civic leaders of the major cities where we

following year eager for more.

now on the near horizon.

have an interest. In terms of Liverpool, our highest

Downing, the city’s largest commercial landlord and an increasing-

What should one expect?

“We will have a significant presence at MIPIM, supporting the Liverpool

Downing will be looking to build on existing

profile project is the refurbishment of The Capital, one of the largest office buildings outside London.”

p15-20 Property

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09:31

Page 19

Property

Making a stand and pushing the boat out

IF YOU’RE NOT THERE

In property, location is everything,

success Tesco and a board member

Couldn’t make it to MIPIM this year?

and for the first time at MIPIM

of Liverpool Vision will be speaking

Here’s what you’re missing out on courtesy

Liverpool will boast an exhibition

on the Liverpool stand at 4pm.

of the city of Liverpool.

stand in the main Riviera Hall, offer-

Earlier in the afternoon the Liverpool

ing its supporters and visitors a much

yacht will host an invitation only

Sir Terry Leahy, the man who has made • Hear Tesco the UK’s biggest retail success, who

more exciting Liverpool experience.

Meet the City event, which will run

This new, larger space will give Liverpool a much improved presence

from 12.30 to 2.30pm. The Liverpool team dinner proved

within the exhibition, with its high

to be one of the highlights of MIPIM

ceiling, large windows and improved

2006 and in 2007 will once again be

functionality. The main exhibition

held at the excellent La Potinier du

space will focus on promoting the

Palais, also on the Thursday night.

Liverpool offer, through the use of

This will be hosted by Liverpool City

informative displays, DVD presenta-

Council’s leader and chief executive,

tions, guest speakers and of course

Cllr Warren Bradley and Colin Hilton.

representation from the Liverpool@MIPIM team.

Liverpool will again be hosting

will address an audience at the Liverpool stand up a copy of the Liverpool development • Pick brochure interactive features and DVD presentations • Watch on plasma screens to learn about Liverpool and its development opportunities Liverpool’s yacht, the Sunliner X, which • Board will provide an off-stand location for meetings and relaxation some of Liverpool’s most happening • Meet developers, who along with other sponsors will

their end of week party event at

be freely available for meetings at the new

A rear area will offer a more

Morrison’s Irish pub. This proved to

expanded Liverpool stand

relaxed meeting environment for

be one of the “must-have” tickets of

support organisations and their

MIPIM 2006, attracting a wide range

guests. The stand will also offer a

of property professionals from near

kickstart to each day, serving coffee

and far, and promises to be even

and croissants between 9.00am and

bigger and better in 2007. It will

10.00am, as well as a bar serving

take place on Thursday 15th March

COMING TO THE PARTY

champagne and Liverpool’s own

from 9.30pm - all MIPIM pass holders

Liverpool’s supporters at MIPIM 2007

famous Cains lager throughout the

are welcome.

day. There will also be events on the Liverpool yacht.

For more detail on

the Liveprool@MIPIM party at Morrisons • Attend Irish bar, an event that promises access to key players in a relaxed environment

more and more direct links across

100 million passenger journeys per

the first signing of its kind in the Royal Navy’s history.

Europe to enable as many visitors

year in Merseyside, has also signed

The ship joins a list of just under 3,500 ambassadors from

as possible to access the region.

up as an official transport supplier

more than 35 countries.

Working with the Culture Company,

for Culture. Arriva will promote

we've achieved much over the past

events across its fleet and provide

New 08 Friends include web company Mando Group, Ethel Austin Properties and the Beetham Organization.

Flying the flag

“One of Liverpool’s defining

Landmark locations and businesses in Liverpool are

have in the city and looking back

flying the flag for the city’s 800th birthday.

on 800 years of dramatic history

Distributed free of charge, businesses with flagpoles

characteristics is the pride people

there is a huge amount to be

have been invited to parade a flag with the Liverpool

proud of. This flag is a little way

800 logo. Businesses can request a flag, which come in

of celebrating that fact.”

two sizes by e-mailing commercial@liverpool08.com. All members of the 2008 business forum – 08business-

Key 2007 dates include: the gala reopening of St George’s Hall after a

connect – have also been invited to display

£23.5m refurbishment on 23 April;

a desktop version in their receptions,

International Slavery Remembrance

meeting rooms and on company vehicles.

Day on 23 August and Liverpool

Lord Mayor councillor Joan Lang, said:

And Commander Henry Duffy, commanding officer of

800 day on 28 August.

p22-23 Culture

2/3/07

09:28

Page 23

Countdown to culture

Tall stories Liverpool is set to host the largest

delegates from up to 30 countries

gathering of captains of tall ships

gathering at St Georges’s Hall for

this year ahead of holding the presti-

a programme of seminars and

gious Tall Ships’ Race in July 2008.

workshops.

The Sail Training International

On the agenda will be a review

Getting better all the time Liverpool’s cultural services have been officially rated as good by an independent watchdog in a report that

Annual Conference is coming to the

of plans for Liverpool’s staging of

highlights a need to build on strong foundations as the

city in November. Despite staging

the Tall Ships’ Race in July 2008, to

city works to create a legacy from Capital of Culture.

the races in 1984 and 1993,

which the city hopes to attract 80 to

The Audit Commission's verdict follows an assessment

Liverpool has never hosted the

100 vessels carrying more than 6,000

of libraries, leisure centres, sports pitches and playing

conference, which will see some 400

sail trainees from around the world.

fields, parks, arts development and special events in March 2006. The report praised cultural facilities and recognised continuing investment in facilities, as well as work to improve health through culture such as the 'It's not OK' domestic violence programme, the Sportslinx fitness scheme and free access to leisure centres for children. There was also praise for investment in the creative industries sector, which has resulted in growth in employment and creative industries activity, and its success as a film city that generates £14m annually for the local economy. Council chief executive Colin Hilton said: “We have taken steps to deliver our ambitions for a high performance service and to demonstrate culture in the city is enriching and improving people’s lives.”

The Mersey River Festival

Music to our ears England's first MP3 city music tour

Street Studios to bygone venues such

through places which hold so many magical memories

has been launched in Liverpool.

as NEMS Music store, once owned by

and tales. It gives people a new way of looking at the

Narrated by Pete Wylie, founder of

Brian Epstein, and iconic 1970s club

city and hopefully will attract them to take the tour

1980s band The Mighty Wah!, the

Eric’s.

themselves.’’

hour-long guide takes listeners through 50 years of music.

Councillor Warren Bradley, leader

Accompanying the MP3 download is a 36-page

of Liverpool City Council, said:

publication, Sound City, which includes a music map and

“Music – be it pop, dance or classical

a definitive look into who and what influenced a city to

culture site – www.liverpool08.com –

– has made Liverpool a household

produce a record-breaking 56 No 1 hits.

as well as tourist information

name all over the world. It’s fantastic

centres, it can be downloaded for

that we can use the internet to offer

experts such as Wyle, as well as BBC DJ Spencer Leigh,

free and is attracting global interest

visitors and music lovers a stroll

Andy McCluskey of OMD, celebrated music journalist Paul

Available at the fast-growing 2008

across the internet. Wylie takes the listener on a tour of venues,

Sound City was put together with advice from music

Du Noyer, and Bill Harry, founder of the legendary Merseybeat magazine. In the preface to Sound City, Du Noyer

music shops and build-

wrote: “Liverpool is a performers’ paradise because, at

ings, from landmarks

heart, every Liverpudlian is a performer too – whether

such as the Cavern

on the stage, from the stalls or on a barstool. There has

Club, Liverpool Wall of

never been a better time to become part of the show.’’

Fame, Jacaranda, Cream,

Sound City also provides highlights of the current

Philharmonic Hall, Sir Paul

nightlife scene, a list of record shops, the city’s music

McCartney’s LIPA and Parr

festivals and suggested further reading.

p24-25 Sector focus

2/3/07

09:28

Page 24

Sector focus: Environmental technologies

The secret to lasting energy

river, it would be the biggest of its kind in the UK. But the report’s interim findings suggest that because many of the technologies being evaluated are so new that they are still under development, a pilot project at a testing site is a more likely outcome before full implementation, creating further opportunities for a business cluster and even a visitor centre. The team has studied the river between Runcorn Bridge and the Crosby Channel looking for suitable locations for a test bed and Bootle Dock has been highlighted as one possible site.

And its geographical position, with

Chris Bradley is managing director

135km of coastline, means

of Ellesmere Port-based

he environment is rapidly rising up the agenda

Merseyside is perfectly placed to lead

Environmental Motion Engineering

of politicians, businesses and households across

the way with the development of

(E-motion Engineering), which he

the country, but Merseyside has been a hub

emerging renewable energy

spun out of the family chemicals pro-

of activity, developing sustainable solutions to major

technologies, particularly around

cessing business in September 2006.

environmental challenges for quite some time.

wind and marine power.

He certainly thinks it’s a good idea:

Indeed environmental technologies and services

For instance a study into harnessing

“The only established test facility is

(ETS) is set to be one of the fastest-growing sectors in

the tidal power of the Mersey

up in Orkney and for small developers

the Liverpool city region. According to environmental

Estuary sponsored by Peel Holdings

like us it’s completely unfeasible to

technologies and services sector development organi-

and the Northwest Regional

have any testing done there because

sation Envirolink Northwest, the Merseyside ETS sector

Development Agency, is being led by

of the cost of getting there. Whereas

is made up of around 350 to 400 businesses, with an

consultancy Buro Happold. Should

if there was a small facility within

estimated combined turnover of £200m, and

the study lead to a large-scale tidal

easy access of motorways, that

combined employment of more than 3,000 people.

energy generation project on the

would transform the situation.”

Southport-based Aquacure is one of a growing

environmental issues, like chlorine

stand with the organisation at the

number of companies that are recognising the

and other chemicals might have, it

IWEX (International water and

opportunities in the environmental sector and

just breaks back down to water

Effluent) exhibition in 2006 where

diversifying their offering to grow their business.

and oxygen. So people can have an

the company was looking to

The water purification and treatment systems

effective application and happily

introduce a leak detection device.

manufacturer, which employs around 40 people

pour whatever is left down the

“It minimises waste water by

at its Southport site, has an annual turnover of

drain,” explains sales director Mark

detecting leaks and shutting off supply

£7m.

Brown. The company is extending

on small appliances in the night or

BOTTLED UP

its Aquadosa product range, by

over the weekend when sites are not

sanatise water delivery systems – won the Green

The company’s Aquadosa product – used to

introducing new delivery methods,

attended,” explains Brown.

Organisation’s Green Apple award for environ-

such as sprays and impregnated

mentally friendly products in 2004. “Because it’s

wipes.

made of oxygen and water, when it’s done its job the product can be discharged to drain with no

Aquacure is a member of Envirolink Northwest and shared a

But he says that water treatment is a growing sector and sees growth opportunities for the company’s domestic and commercial filter

p24-25 Sector focus

2/3/07

09:28

Page 25

Sector focus: Environmental technologies

Bradley adds that the Orkney site has

1MW of power), so it can be used in

But because there is so much of it there is a massive

a much greater depth and velocity

seas, rivers and indeed the Mersey

amount of energy available there,” explains Bradley.

than many of the potential tidal

Estuary. It is free-floating, so can cope

“The whole point of the Vortex is that it is designed to

energy sites around the UK.

with any depth of water, and there

work in slow-moving water streams and can therefore

is no risk to marine life because the

tap into this vast resource that’s available.”

Bradley first developed a device for harnessing wave power, made

blades rotate slowly. There are cost

from flexible, free-floating structures

advantages too: because the energy

development funding application to the DTI for a pre-

that utilise the circular movement of

coming out of the shaft is similar to

production prototype of the Vortex with a 25kW gen-

water within a wave. But because

that emerging from the shaft of a large

erator and he plans to have the device commercially

the wave environment is more

wind turbine, the gear box and genera-

available by 2008.

complicated to extract energy from,

tion sets can be bought off the shelf.

it is Bradley’s tidal device that is closest to market.

But that’s not the only thing that

Bradley will soon be putting in a research and

WIND OF CHANGE

makes the Vortex special. “At the

Meanwhile an offshore wind farm of 25 turbines is

moment, a lot of the technologies

being built on Burbo Flats in Liverpool Bay. The Burbo

only start working at 2m per second

project, capable of providing a maximum output

Bradley says transforms its efficien-

so they can’t make use

of 90MW of electricity, is expected to displace an

cy. The Vortex is scalable (at 20m

of this relatively slow

estimated 6.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over

by 20m, it would generate about

moving body of water.

its 20-year life time.

His vertical axis turbine – the Vortex – has a rotating blade section, which

For the last 18 months, Birkenhead-based environmental research and consultancy CMACS has been appointed by the developer to carry out environmental products too. “Everybody has

and treat it effectively

monitoring work at the Burbo site, reporting on fish

seen the massive growth of

to give you very good,

and bird surveys, water quality and the like.

bottled water, and we are all

pleasant drinking water

encouraged to drink more

off the mains, whether

monitoring work. It’s part of the licence to build the

water. But environmentally,

it’s for a water cooler or

site from the government,” explains director Dr Ian

people are being discour-

in the home.”

Gloyne-Phillips.

aged from carting plastic bottles home and chucking them in the bin. And if you think

And now, there is a new breed of drinking water tap on the market that is

“The developer has obligations to do quite a bit of

The company, which spun out of Liverpool University’s Environmental Research Consultancy group in 2003, has seen a rapid increase in its

of the office water cooler, there are

integral to your normal hot and

turnover over the last three years. “We’ve deliberately

all these lorries driving round the

water tap and can deliver filtered

focused our attention on offshore and marine

country delivering bottles of water,”

water as a third point without

renewables because we recognised a few years ago

he says. “But you can have water

having to drill the sink, which was

that it as a big growth area. It still very much is. There

delivered from your mains, filter it

the old-fashioned way.

is a lot of potential for more offshore renewable – the climate is quite ripe for that,” says Gloyne-Phillips.

p26-27 Knowledge

2/3/07

09:29

Page 26

Knowledge economy

Funding for discovery A new materials science facility in Liverpool is set to revolutionise research capabilities for businesses across the region with the backing of a strong academic base

and testing them in parallel. And with HT techniques set to become standard tools in academia and industry over the next few years, the centre will encourage UK businesses to take aspects of the technology in-house by offering training in HT methodology. The university’s pro-vice-chancellor

he University of Liverpool has secured £8.2m of

market more quickly, enabling

Professor Jon Saunders said:

funding to develop a new materials science facility

companies in the region to grow and

“This significant investment in materials

that will play a major role in advancing research

prosper.”

chemistry will ensure the university

capability in the region. The investment for the new facility, provided by the

One of the facilities available will

continues to play a major role in

be the use of High-Throughput (HT)

advancing the research capability

Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the

technology. This is a process that

of the region and in positioning the

Merseyside Objective One programme and from industry,

accelerates materials research by

North West as a world-leading centre

will create the Centre for Materials Discovery – a resource

producing large numbers of materials

for the development of science.”

that will focus on applying modern techniques to the discovery of new functional materials for applications such as energy storage, medicine, consumer products

Cancer control

and communications technology.

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have discovered how two

As a research and knowledge transfer centre, small,

something that could have implications for future developments

region will have access to the facility that will be

of drugs for the treatment of the disease.

supported by highly trained staff and a base of academic

Researchers have found that a large protein, which forms a protective

experience. This will allow companies from a range of

shield around cancer cells and prevents them from causing secondary

sectors to move into the next generation of materials

tumours, is attacked by a small protein that exists in the blood. Little

science.

was known about how the protective shield of a protein called MUC1

“This high-tech manufacturing facility combined with the academic expertise of the University of Liverpool will

was broken down, which allows cancer to spread through the body. “MUC1 on the cell surface prevents cancer cells from attaching to the

help England’s North West to pioneer the development

blood vessel wall which causes secondary tumours,” says Dr Lu-Gang Yu,

and discovery of new materials,” said Dr George Baxter,

from the university’s School of Clinical Sciences.

NWDA’s director of science and innovation. “Working with businesses on the practical application of different materials will help bring new products to the

molecules fight in the blood to control the spread of cancer cells –

medium-sized and large businesses from across the

The findings could have a significant effect on the development of new drugs and the way cancer is treated.

p26-27 Knowledge

2/3/07

09:29

Page 27

Knowledge economy TACKLING INFECTION The University of Liverpool, Royal Liverpool University Hospital and the

To be or not to be

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Research carried out at the

a similar way to putting a jigsaw puzzle together,” says

have secured funding for the

University of Liverpool could explain

Professor Philip Davis, from the university’s School of

creation of a Biomedical Research

why Shakespeare’s work has such

English. “By throwing odd words into seemingly normal

Centre.

a dramatic impact on its readers.

sentences, Shakespeare surprises the brain and catches

Up to £20m will be spent in the

One of the linguistic techniques

it off guard in a manner that produces a sudden burst

city over the next five years to con-

employed by Shakespeare, known as

of activity – a sense of drama created out of the sim-

struct the specialist centre of

functional shift, can excite positive

plest of things.”

excellence in infectious diseases.

brain activity in the reader.

It will pioneer the development of

Researchers found that the process,

Resonance and Image Analysis Research Centre,

new drugs, diagnostic tools and

that involves using a noun to serve

(MARIARC), explains the findings further: “Instead of

medical equipment to treat infections

as a verb for example, allows the

being confused by this in a negative sense, the brain

and specific conditions such as HIV,

brain to understand what a word

is positively excited.

tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis and

means before it understands the

chronic obstructive pulmonary

function of the word within a

understand the meaning of a word but when the word

disease.

sentence. This causes a sudden peak

changes the grammar of the whole sentence, brain

“The city will become a pioneering

in brain activity and forces the brain

readings suddenly peak. The brain is then forced to

base for the treatment and management

to work backwards in order to fully

retrace its thinking process in order to understand what

of some of the most serious

understand what Shakespeare is

it is supposed to make of this unusual word,” he says.

illnesses,” says Peter Winstanley,

trying to say.

professor of clinical pharmacology

Professor Neil Roberts, from the University’s Magnetic

“The brain signature is relatively uneventful when we

The study was led by Davis and Roberts, along with Dr

“The brain reacts to reading a

Guillaune Thierry, from the University of Wales, Bangor.

at the University of Liverpool and

phrase such as ‘he godded me’

It involved participants using an electroencephalogram as

consultant physician at the Royal

from the tragedy of Coriolanus, in

they read selected lines from Shakespeare’s plays.

Liverpool University Hospital. “This is a hugely significant development – it secures the city as the UK’s leading centre of excellence in microbial diseases. But, importantly the results of our work will benefits millions of people in the UK and untold numbers throughout the rest of the world.” The project in Liverpool will become one of only eight new national research and development centres created under the government’s new national health research strategy – Best Research for Best Health.

LIVERPOOL STATISTICS STUDENTS IN LIVERPOOL 2003-2004 Total all

Total FE

Total HE

Total PG students

Total UG students

7,705

7,670

1,865

5,810

Liverpool John Moores University

22,955

3,855

19,105

The University of Liverpool

21,210

4,305

16,905

Liverpool Hope University

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (2004/5)

p28-30 Prof

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09:30

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Professional Liverpool

Mitchell Charlesworth. “The

ness of our extensive knowledge of various funding streams. “Many people with new securing the money from banks and see accountants as purely number-crunchers. We, and many others, are also business advisers, but we tend to be called in at the

aspiring entrepreneurial businesses have particular

end of the financial year or when

requirements. “They need funders who share their vision and

something’s gone wrong.” Nonetheless, many Liverpool

based director at the Bank of Ireland. “Bankers must be realistic

advisers and funders have

and constructive in their approach. We place particular emphasis

responded enthusiastically to the

on understanding cashflow pressures and recognise the need for

challenges of supporting

sensitive support in the early stages.”

early-stage companies. Barry

The majority of entrepreneurial start-ups are knowledge-based,

Flynn, managing partner of

but intellectual property often counts for little when businesses try

accountancy firm Ernst & Young’s

to borrow against it. “To counter this we now make extensive use

Liverpool office, says: “We have

of mixed packages of finance, including the DTI Small Firm Loan

recognised the potential in the

Guarantee scheme; Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF)

biotech industry on Merseyside

Small Firms Fund/Liverpool Ventures funding; and regional venture

and invested in specialist sector

capital funds,” explains Brian McCann, a partner at accountancy

expertise in our Liverpool office,

Hurst.

while two of our Liverpool office

Dreamcatchers, a network of business angels interested in invest-

alumni have become investment

ing in Merseyside businesses, is backed by several advisers and

directors at MSIF, providing high-

funders and arranges Dragons’ Den-style events in Liverpool every

quality advice to local companies

few months. “It is early days yet, but the first two events have been

via MSIF’s Venture Fund.”

very successful,” adds McCann. Another advisory forum for start-ups is The Sounding Board, in

Phil Rees-Roberts, principal of legal practice Rees-Roberts, is

which seasoned Liverpool entrepreneur Martyn Best is a leading

convinced that entrepreneurs are

figure. “The advisers are deliberately non-mainstream and the

born rather than bred, yet he

group also includes successful entrepreneurs who can bring specific

believes that there is an openness

industry and sector experience to bear on the issues facing

in Liverpool’s business community

ambitious companies,” explains Best.

that augurs well for those made

“The group will provide initial sounding board advice, as well as offering best practice and other insights to entrepreneurs who

of the right stuff. “We’ve got an abundance of

need help. We want to harness a growing market for development

formal and informal networking

advice and act as a conduit to help businesses source the support

opportunities and a culture that

they need.”

leans towards wanting to help rather than sensing

Advisers may recognise talent when they see it but some question

Flynn

business ideas look solely at

aising finance is the first step for any new venture and

have the flexibility to help deliver it,” says Simon Robb, a Liverpool-

spin-outs, and their lack of aware-

Best

entrepreneurial start-ups and

Durrance

Much is made of Liverpool rediscovering its traditional flair for enterprise. Yet without professional and financial support, even the most promising entrepreneur will struggle

of professionals among many

competition,” says Rees-Roberts. “The entrepreneur who is

whether start-up entrepreneurs recognise the value advisers can

prepared to expend shoe leather in getting out and engaging

add. “Professionals in Liverpool could do more to promote the

with the business community will find experienced

enterprise culture in the city – but only if they are given the

professionals willing to offer invaluable advice, direction

opportunity,” says Paul Durrance, of Liverpool-based accountancy

and experience, often for free.”

Robb

The right stuff

biggest obstacle is a perception

p28-30 Prof

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09:30

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Professional Liverpool

WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS FOR THE LIVERPOOL DEALS MARKET IN 2007 AND WHAT ARE THE SECTORS TO WATCH? We asked a cross-section of Liverpool business funders and advisers for their frank views on the prospects for Merseyside’s corporate finance sector. Here’s what they said…

PETE TERRY, director at KPMG Corporate Finance

PAUL RIMMER, partner at law firm DLA Piper “There’s every reason to expect

“Last year saw a flurry of activity across the proper-

the leisure and residential

ty sector, which is likely to continue well into 2007,

sectors to continue to prosper

stimulated by the buoyancy of the commercial

this year. I think Liverpool will

property and buy-to-let markets, and increased

continue riding the wave of

interest in Real Estate Investment Funds and other

regeneration up to 2008 and

property-based funds.

we are seeing a flurry of activity around hotels, bars

“There may also be some activity in the professional services sector

and restaurants.

itself with a potential shake-up of the region’s mid-tier legal firms on the

“We can also count on a few surprises. Below the

back of the Clementi report. We also expect the retail sector to be stirred

radar of big press coverage, there are a lot of

by M&A activity in 2007, driven by the huge growth in online shopping.”

Merseyside Special Investment Fund deals happening across all sectors. They provided £10m of funding in

“Liverpool will continue riding the wave of regeneration up to 2008.”

2006 – it’s a significant driver of activity.”

Updates...

which involves eight other law firms,

its first US contract with California law firm Stone

is the first of its kind in the North

Rosenblatt Cha and negotiations are underway for more

has

West, and only the third in the

business with law firms across America.

strengthened its enterprise risk

country in which private law firms

services team with the appointment

join forces with local authorities.

•Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank has helped St

of Michael Lacey as technology

The Mace & Jones team will work with

Helens Rugby Club to raise its game with a new banking

assurance and advisory manager.

in-house lawyers at Halton, Sefton,

package. Saints’ chief executive Sean McGuire said:

Lacey joined Deloitte’s Liverpool

Knowsley

“Our deal with Alliance & Leicester has dramatically

office from AXA Group, where he

councils.

•

Accountancy

Deloitte

and

West

Lancashire

worked in the audit department,

reduced our bank charges and provided the financial security needed to stay on top. We can now plough the

and brings over nine years’ IT

•

money the club is saving in banking fees back into the

internal audit, advisory and risk

tects its clients against the leakage of

club, setting us up for a great start to next season.”

management experience.

sensitive information through com-

St Helens firm 3BView, which pro-

puters, has received a £30,000 loan

•Liverpool Ventures, which provides specialist support

Liverpool law firm Mace &

from Merseyside Special Investment

services to businesses backed by Liverpool Seed Fund, has

Jones has sealed a deal to supply

Fund’s Small Firms Fund. The cash will

appointed Malcolm Stewart as managing director. He was

employment law services to four

enable the business to boost sales

recruited from global biotechnology company Avecia,

North West councils. The deal,

and marketing activity. 3BView won

where he ran a number of technology-based, early-stage

•

p28-30 Prof

2/3/07

09:30

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Professional Liverpool WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS FOR THE LIVERPOOL DEALS MARKET IN 2007 AND WHAT ARE THE SECTORS TO WATCH?

CARL WORMALD, director at private equity house LDC

JONATHAN BROWN, corporate partner at law firm Halliwells

“Last year saw some reasonable transaction “The prospects are bright.

activity in the sub £5m end of the market.

Finance for transactions

But our core mid-market – between £5m and

continues to be available with

£150m and predominantly focused on primary

significant competition from a

or secondary buyouts – was relatively quiet.

number of sources in the

“We expect competition among private

banking, asset finance, private equity and public

equity houses and corporate buyers to continue in 2007. Despite

equity fields.

the high number of mid-sized and larger businesses on Merseyside,

“Asset-based lenders in particular are able to offer

few came to market in 2006. This may change as more shareholders

attractive finance packages for companies with the

consider their longer-term options and take advantage of the

right profile of assets. High loan-to-value asset ratios

favourable capital gains tax regime.”

are available, meaning that asset-rich companies will be particularly attractive for funders.”

IAN SPINK, managing partner at Yorkshire Bank’s Financial Solutions Centre

Updates...

business units based in Europe and the US. Stewart’s career spans more than 20 years directing

“We see commercial and residential property,

and delivering strategy and business performance.

retail and leisure continuing to have a major

He has worked internationally in advanced

influence on the city’s economic fortunes.

materials, speciality chemicals and biotechnology.

Maritime-related industries are also worth watching.

•Liverpool company Blow Up Press, which sells

“The Port of Liverpool has never been

high quality rock music memorabilia, has received a

busier, turning over some £1.3bn per annum, and the industry is at

£30,000 investment from MSIF’s Small Firms Fund

the sharp end of opportunities and challenges presented by

for start-up costs. The projected turnover for the first

international trade.”

year of business is £180,000, forecast to increase to £500,000 over the next three years. Paul Humphray,

GARETH MCINTEGART, corporate partner at law firm DWF

investment manager of the Small Firms Fund, says: “The team behind Blow Up is already highly experienced in this market, and has proven skills

“Banks have a real appetite for deals and trade

to succeed.”

buyers are back in force – and not wanting to be outdone by the VCs. “There is still a considerable amount of private equity investment. However, some of these companies are so highly leveraged and have so little fat on them, you wonder whether the bubble might burst. Food will continue to be a strong sector in the year ahead, as will recruitment.”

Matt Wilkinson of Blow Up Press and Humphray of MSIF

p31-33 Life

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Lifestyle

Statue from National Museums Liverpool and Levy

Liverpool takes the lead in Big Read Liverpool has joined three other cities to commemorate the abolition of slavery through Britain’s biggest ever mass-reading project

ith the backing of Arts

“Liverpool Reads has gone from

schools, community groups and the public. A free class set will be available to every school in Liverpool on a first come first serve basis to use as an educational tool and way of engaging children with

Council England and the

strength to strength,” says project

issues around enslavement and

Heritage Lottery Fund,

coordinator Bea Colley, “but joining

migration.

Small Island Read 2007 is bringing tens of

Glasgow, Bristol and Hull has taken

Books for younger readers are

thousands of people together to promote reading

it to another level. We’ve gone from

also being used as part of the

and literacy whilst reflecting on the lessons of the past.

distributing 500 books to 10,000.

project to ensure all age groups

It’s raised the profile and created a real

can take part. These are Benjamin

buzz around the city.”

Zephaniah’s Refugee Boy and Mary

On the 200th anniversary of the passing of the Slave Trade Abolition Bill, readers up and down Britain are being encouraged to explore the legacy of slavery and

The idea for the national project

Hoffman’s Amazing Grace.

Small Island novelist Andrea

its continuing impact upon modern Britain by reading

came from talks with The Great

Small Island by Andrea Levy.

Reading Adventure in Bristol and

Levy chose to be in Liverpool for

the South West. The two established

the launch of the mass-read at

migration to Britain after the Second World War by

The award-winning novel focuses on West Indian

programmes then approached

the city’s Central Library. She read

descendants of enslaved Africans.

partners from the Aye Write! Bank of

extracts and took questions from

Scotland Book Festival in Glasgow

the audience. Members of the

and Hull Libraries.

West Indian community stood up

Fifty thousand copies of the book will be distributed free of charge in Liverpool, Hull, Glasgow and Bristol, as well as across the North West and the South West. Liverpool has been running its own annual city-wide

Thousands of copies of Small Island are available for loan from libraries,

to tell their stories of coming to live in Britain.

read since 2004. Liverpool Reads started with the novel

while a limited number of free

Holes by Louise Sachar and established links with the

books and an accompanying guide

that Small Island is the focus of this

city’s education department, libraries service, local

can be obtained free of charge while

ambitious mass-reading project.

businesses and community groups. The following year’s

stocks last.

I feel deeply honoured that it has

event saw enthusiasts form reading groups, organise public readings and school and community events.

Over 7,000 copies have been distributed in Liverpool to libraries,

Levy said: “I am very excited

been chosen in the year that commemorates the ending of the slave

p31-33 Life

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Lifestyle

trade, and that the novel, which is set in the 1940s, is

FAMILY FRIENDLY MERSEYSIDE

being used as the springboard to look back to the

From theatres to film festivals and

important issues of slavery and its aftermath.

arts forums, Merseyside’s culture

“It has always been one of the aims of my writing to make the history of African-Caribbean people in this country more visible and to show their story to be an

offer has adapted to meet the needs of the whole family. Since 2004 Family Friendly Merseyside

important part of British history.”

magazine has been promoting the

www.smallislandread.com

range of family-orientated events and venues on offer throughout the

CAVERN CLUB CELEBRATES 50TH BIRTHDAY

events diaries and restaurant guides to those wanting to enjoy a family day out. Around 40,000 copies are distributed via outlets across Merseyside’s five boroughs, while 2,000

doors in 1957

people have signed up to receive it by post. The magazine is published by TEAM, Merseyside’s collaborative audience

Club has become one

development agency. It encourages venues to display the distinctive red

of the most famous

and yellow Family Friendly marque, which reassures families events and

music venues in the

facilities are geared to meeting their needs.

world. The club that

Richie Havens

provides entertainment listings,

Since opening its Liverpool’s Cavern

TEAM chief executive Bernard Martin says: “Our aim is to ensure that by

spawned Merseybeat

the time Liverpool is crowned Capital of Culture 2008 Merseyside will be

and helped the

recognised as the most family-friendly area in the country. We’ve made

Beatles rise to fame

great progress with members investing a lot of time and effort into ensuring

is celebrating its 50th

their offer is as cross-generational as possible. Whether you’re aged five,

birthday with a range

15 or 50 you’re just as entitled to your fair share of the cultural offer.”

of special events.

If you wish to join the mailing list for Family Friendly Merseyside contact TEAM on 0151 709 6881 or email ffm@team-uk.org

The celebrations began on 16 January when John Lennon’s sister Julia Baird unveiled artwork on The Cavern’s

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Enterprise Liverpool, a joint venture

original Matthew Street.

Ornate Victorian-style lanterns have

that delivers services including street

been installed in a district of

lighting to Liverpool City Council.

the publication of a book detailing the Cavern Club’s

Liverpool to improve the urban realm

Installation of the new lighting

rich history. It will include a foreword by Sir Paul

and help boost local regeneration

columns and lanterns in Kensington

McCartney, who during his Beatles days made more

initiatives. Fifty-two such lanterns,

should also help to reduce crime

than 300 appearances on the club’s hallowed

secured to new street lighting

and make residents feel more secure

stage and chose it to host his final performance of

columns, were erected during

after dark.

the millennium.

January 2007 by specialist contractor

The Beatles connection will be reinforced with

The book will coincide with the release of an album featuring tracks from 50 of the most famous bands to have played at The Cavern including The

Kensington is the largest urban

MEWS in Kensington, an area to the

area in the country to receive support

east of the city.

from the government through

A further 300 new street light

its New Deal for Communities

columns featuring standard lanterns

programme, designed to

are also being installed as part of the

reduce crime, improve

in June, kicking off with two shows by blues great Bo

contract. Works are being carried

employment prospects

Diddley. Richie Havens performed an impromptu gig

out as part of a new £400,000 capital

and tackle poor levels of

in January. www.cavern-liverpool.co.uk

works contract MEWS has signed with

health.

Beatles, Rolling Stones and The Who. A series of so-called “legend” concerts will start

area. The free quarterly publication

p31-33 Life

2/3/07

09:32

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Lifestyle

MOMENTOUS YEAR FOR LIVERPOOL’S MUSEUMS commemorating Liverpool’s cultural heritage. The city, which boasts more museums and galleries than any other regional city in Europe has a packed programme of openings, exhibitions and attractions.

ACCESS ALL AREAS Merseyside is a shopaholic’s dream. As well as offering first class city centre shopping centres, its out -of-town retail parks are rated amongst the best in the country

•Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.

Shoppers can choose from 30

of a new £10m museum. To coincide with the city’s

Since it opened in 1995 more than

superstores and high street shops

800th birthday and the bicentenary of the abolition

55 million people have visited

covering a total of almost 500,000

of the British slave trade, The International Slavery

Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet,

sq ft. Big name tenants include

Museum will open its doors to the public for the first

located in Ellesmere Port off

Marks & Spencer, Next, Currys, B&Q

time in August, incorporating thought-provoking

junction 10 of the M53, the park

and WH Smith. The park is also

displays about Liverpool’s role in the transatlantic

boasts 140 stores including All

home to a variety of food outlets

slave trade.

Saints, Bench & Hooch, Calvin Klein

including M&S Food, McDonalds

2007 will also see the reopening of Sudley House.

Jeans and Timberland. The outlet

and Pizza Hut.

The former family home of Liverpool merchant George

is home to the world of Guilt-Free

Holt has undergone a major refurbishment and includes

shopping with permanent

the British Land owned site

an extensive Victorian art collection, the only one of its

discounts of up to 50 per cent off

incorporates around 2,000 car

kind still in its original domestic setting.

typical high street prices.

parking spaces and provides

The highlight of the year will be the timely opening

Other highlights include events to mark Slavery Remembrance Day on 23 August, together with a host of exhibitions across the city’s museums and galleries.

www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

Covering nearly 2 million sq ft,

Fronting the A561 Speke Road,

employment for no fewer than

the site is big enough to house

1,400 people.

20 football pitches. Stores are

www.britishland.com/newmersey.htm

open 364 days a year with shoppers given access to more

•Peel Holdings, owner of

than 3,000 free parking spaces.

Manchester’s Trafford Centre,

As well as a vast array of shops, Cheshire Oaks is also home to two

is planning a new 571,000 sq ft retail and leisure quarter at

children’s play areas and a

Bidston Moss on the Wirral.

selection of catering carts, cafés

The new retail and leisure quarter

and restaurants.

will build on the success of existing

www.cheshireoaksdesigneroutlet.com

retail facilities that already surround Bidston Moss and

New Mersey Retail Park.

•

introduce pedestrian and cycle

Located five miles south-east of

routes . A new hotel, foodstore,

Liverpool city centre, New Mersey

health and fitness facility and

Retail Park is the seventh largest

homestore will be built, along with

retail park in the UK attracting

new shops, bars and restaurants.

around 7 million visitors a year.

www.peelholdings.co.uk

Cheshire Oaks

2007 promises to be one of the busiest years for

2/3/07

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Page 34

C O N T A C TS

contacts

Business Liverpool The one stop shop for free business support and investment in Liverpool. Our primary objective is to create a focused and effective support mechanism to fully meet the needs of our clients. The core activity of Business Liverpool is the provision of support in the areas of property, finance and workforce development – and by working in partnership with other key public and private sector organisations to deliver a comprehensive business support package. Number 0ne, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9HH T 0151 288 6677 F 0151 288 6678

LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL Municipal Buildings, Dale St, Liverpool L69 2DH T 0151 233 3000 liverpool.direct@liverpool.gov.uk

www.liverpool.gov.uk REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY NORTH WEST 2nd Floor, Amazon House, 3 Brazil Street Manchester M1 3PJ

info@businessliverpool.co.uk www.businessliverpool.co.uk

T 0161 233 7750 F 0161 236 3987 www.bitc.org.uk

Liverpool Land Development Company

BUSINESS LINK FOR GREATER MERSEYSIDE St Nicholas House, 4th Floor, Old Churchyard, Liverpool, Merseyside

Delivering major physical and economic regeneration programmes in four of the city’s five Strategic Investment Areas – Speke Halewood, Approach 580, Atlantic Gateway, Eastern Approaches – to attract investment and jobs by bringing new development opportunities to the market and implementing major infrastructure and environmental improvements.

L2 8TX T 0845 330 0151 F 0845 330 0150 information@gme.org.uk www.gme.org.uk

Mersey House, 140 Speke Road, Garston

CONFEDERATION OF BRITISH INDUSTRY NW

Liverpool L19 2PH

Damian Waters, director

T 0151 494 2555 F 0151 494 4210 info@liverpooldev.co.uk www.liverpooldev.co.uk

Emerson House Albert Street, Eccles Manchester M30 0BJ T 0161 707 2190 F 0161 787 7571 www.cbi.org.uk

Liverpool Vision

LIVERPOOL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Number 0ne Old Hall Street,

Urban Regeneration Company established by national, regional and local government and the private sector to promote the regeneration of Liverpool City Centre as a centre for investment and employment.

Liverpool L3 9HG T 0151 227 1234 F 0151 236 0121 chamber@liverpoolchamber.org.uk www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk

The Observatory One Old Haymarket

LEARNING & SKILLS COUNCILS

Liverpool L1 6EN

GREATER MERSEYSIDE LSC

T 0151 707 8007 F 0151 707 6161

3rd Floor, Tithebarn House

regenerate@liverpoolvision.co.uk

Tithebarn Street, Liverpool L2 2NZ

www.liverpoolvision.co.uk

T 0845 019 4150 F 0151 672 3405

contacts

2/3/07

09:33

Page 35

Contacts The Mersey Partnership

SECTOR DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES VENTURE CAPITAL ENVIROLINK NORTHWEST The Investment Centre

LDC

Waterside Drive, Wigan WN3 5BA

Pall Mall House, Mercury Court

T 01942 491294 / 243261

Tithebarn Street, Liverpool

F 01942 491363

L2 2QU

www.envirolinknorthwest.co.uk

T 0151 227 5024

Promotes the Liverpool City Region as a great place to live, work, invest and visit on behalf of the area’s six Local Authorities (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral). Supports companies and their advisers considering investing in the City Region with information, support and guidance on all property, people and finance matters.

www.ldc.co.uk Mark Basnett

MERSEYSIDE ACME (Arts, culture & media enterprise)

Director of investment

Unit 303, The Vanilla Factory

MERSEYSIDE SPECIAL INVESTMENT FUND

39 Fleet Street, Liverpool L1 4AR

5th Floor, Cunard Building

T 0151 227 2727 F 0151 227 2325

T 0151 708 4509

Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1DS

investment@merseyside.org.uk

www.merseysideacme.com

T 0151 236 4040

www.investmerseyside.com

12 Princes Parade, Liverpool L3 1BG

F 0151 236 3060 MERSEYSIDE

info@msif.co.uk

AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

www.msif.co.uk

T 0151 288 2110 F 0151 288 2115

INCUBATORS

Northwest Regional Development Agency

www.magroup.org.uk DIGITAL INC MERSEYSIDE

International Centre for Digital

CONTACT CENTRE FORUM

Content, Redmond Close

T 07003 903918

20 St James Road

www.mccf.org.uk

Liverpool L1 7BY T 0151 231 5129

MERSEY MARITIME

www.icdc.org.uk

Unit 28, Port of Liverpool

The Agency leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for: supporting business growth and encouraging investment; matching skills provision to employer needs; creating the conditions for economic growth; connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure and promoting the region's outstanding quality of life. Northwest Regional Development Agency

Building, Liverpool L3 1BY

MERSEYBIO

12 Princes Parade

T 0151 231 6160

Life Sciences Building, University

Liverpool L3 1BG

F 0151 255 1234

of Liverpool, Crown Street

T 01925 400100 F 01925 400400

www.merseymaritime.co.uk

Liverpool L69 7ZB

www.nwda.co.uk

T 0151 794 4429 THE NORTHWEST

www.merseybio.com

FOOD ALLIANCE The Heath, Runcorn, Cheshire

TRANSPORT

WA7 4QF T 01928 513 777 F 01928 581 330

MERSEYTRAVEL

www.nwfoodalliance.co.uk

24 Hatton Garden, Liverpool L3 2AN

CONSTRUCTION FOR

T 0151 227 5181

MERSEYSIDE LTD

F 0151 236 2457

c/o 2020 Liverpool, West House

www.merseytravel.gov.uk

Mercury Court, Tithebarn Street Liverpool L2 2QP

MERSEY FERRIES

T 0151 237 4280

Victoria Place, Seacombe

F 0151 237 4270

Merseyside CH44 6QY

www.cfm-ltd.uk.com

T 0151 630 1030 (General)

Government Office for the North West Represents Central Government in the region and it also feeds back the region’s views to Whitehall. Aims to work with regional partners and local people to increase the prosperity of the region, promote sustainable development and tackle social exclusion. Cunard Building, Water Street Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1QB T 0151 224 6300 F 0151 224 6470 www.euandmerseyside.org

F 0151 330 1444 (Bookings) info@merseyferries.co.uk www.merseyferries.co.uk 35

Backpage

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BUSINESS IN THE CAPITAL

liverpool@newsco.com