Private Life Issue Two

Issue 2

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Silverberg Optician's, 40 Whitechapel, Liverpool, L1 6DZ, 0151 709 2012, www.silverbergopticians.co.uk

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PRIVATE CONTENTS 24

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64

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CONTENTS

38

12

FEATURES 11 Private Life takes a look at

Bump of the Year competition

14 The Cavern’s Bill Heckle tells us what Liverpool means to him

26 What men really think of

45 Sean Styles takes time off air

to talk stand-up comedy

46 We take a look at the history

of St Luke’s church

47 The Empire raises the curtain for Dirty Dancing and The Sleeping Beauty

16 11

52 We explore the Liverpool

grooming and spa treatments

28 We discover the art of composite dentistry FOOD & DRINK 42 Alice Anastasiou shares wines from central Italy 43 A delicious recipe from Bellini Restaurant and Bar 44 A taste of Japan at Sapporo Tepenyaki TRAVEL

connections of Sir Henry Tate, of Tate and Lyle

33 Clients at Urban Calm Spa reveal their summer essentials

FASHION

38 Hayley Leaver on this year’s best festivals, plus the beauty of Barbados

12 Designer Christopher Shannon gives us the lowdown following LFW: Men 16 Our summer fashion ideas will keep you well dressed for those garden soirees 22 We head back to the 1970s with new designs from Cutler and Gross 38

HEALTH & BEAUTY 24 Urban Calm launches its

how Liverpool got its name

49 Looking back at people of yesteryear, we spotlight John Hulley - a true Olympian

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42

REGULARS 4 Editor’s Letter 7 Private Diary 22 Private Society 54 Business

64 Elaine Cunningham introduces her new must-have kids fashion range PRIVATE LIFE 03

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PRIVATE LETTER

Editor

Clinton Stuart-Lane

FROM THE EDITOR...

Production Editor Colette Campbell

Graphic Design Craig Bowyer

Fashion Director Matthew Fisher

Fashion Editor Caroline Smith

Artwork Editor Jamie Griffiths

Health Editor Kathy Sandison

We are truly into summer now, that is rain, wind and cloud with the odd spell of British sunshine. For those lucky enough to live in this great city, there is simply no excuse for not enjoying what Liverpool has to offer. We have scoured the city to bring you our Private Diary – a complete guide of exciting places to visit, bringing you the top insider names to know – from what restaurants have launched new seasonal menus, to which shows are coming to the city and exactly how to get your culture fix over the next few months.

However, for those who pine for tropical climes, Hayley Leaver explores the ultimate holiday destination at the Fairmont Royal Pavilion in Barbados (p.40).

This issue we also share a couch with Christopher Shannon, a designer who is making international fashion waves (p.12), we officially launch Urban Calm’s Bump of the Year competition (p.24), tennis fever hits with a spotlight on Ken Skupski and we take a stroll down memory lane to remember great Liverpool heroes from the past John Hulley (p.49) and Sir Henry Tate (p.52).

As you kick back for a break, drink your vino and start your barbeques, we hope you enjoy the read. We were overwhelmed with your positive feedback from the first issue and would welcome your letters or views if ever you want to pop into our offices for a chat.

Have a fabulous summer...

Contributors

Hayley Leaver, Ged Flanagan, Claire Wood, Alice Anastasiou, Maggie Birch

Food & Drink Editor Arabella Whittaker

Culture Editor

Harley Grosvenor

Sports Editor

Patrick Hughes

Travel Editor

Sarah Lancashire

Editorial Researcher Emily Marsh

PR & Marketing Manager Lauren Walker

Head of Finance Joan Alcoolique

Group Director Luke Trevaskis

Copyright © 2012 Trevaskis Communications Ltd, Sixth Floor, Horton House Exchange Flags L2 3PF Tel: 0151 244 5421 www.private-life.co.uk Trevaskis Communications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every effort is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Trevaskis Communications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors.

We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.

Private Life is brought to you by Liverpool’s Private Circle: 04 PRIVATE LIFE

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Mr Keith Little and Mrs Margaret Gibson

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PRIVATE DIARY

Private Diary

AUGUST Southport Flower Show For the perfect family day out in the UK, look no further than Southport Flower Show, which this year has more on offer than ever before.

Aside from the fantastic gardening attractions and stunning floral arrangements, this year’s show will boast the first year of the North West Food Festival, featuring superior produce from all over the region, and cookery demonstrations from local and celebrity chefs, including the show’s patron Simon Rimmer.

For more up to date information on the show, celebrity announcements and ticket bookings visit www.southportflowershow.co.uk

Private Entertainment JULY Radio City Live

Private Festivals AUGUST Pride 2012 Pride returns to Liverpool 4 August 2012 with its Nautical but Nice soirée honouring Liverpool’s historical port city’s heritage. As the UK’s largest free Pride event outside London, Liverpool will celebrate all things LGBT with a fun-filled family line-up including performances from special guest stars Marcus Collins and Liz McClarnon.

Liverpool Pride 2012 will take place at the Pier Head and throughout the Stanley Street Gay Quarter – this spectacular event should not be missed.

For more information visit www.liverpoolpride.co.uk

One Direction fans take note. The boy band will headline the Radio City Live concert in Liverpool on 21 July 2012. The music event of the summer also includes acts such as Little Mix, The Wanted, Tulisa, Professor Green and Taio Cruz.

Tickets are expected to sell out for this fierce grouping of musical talent so book early. For VIP ticket enquiries or for hospitality boxes email Katie Chin at katie.chin@accliverpool. com or call 0151 703 7217.

For more information visit www.radiocity.co.uk

AUGUST Beatles Week Mathew Street Festival Leading tour operator Cavern City Tours presents the annual Beatles Week running from 22-28 August 2012. Live gigs, memorabilia sales, exhibitions, and much more make up the famed week which sees venues such as The Cavern Club, The Cavern Bar, The Adelphi and The Philharmonic Hall host a variety of festivities. Liverpool will once again welcome the world to where it all began – the jewel in the Beatlemania crown – Liverpool.

For more information visit www.cavernclub.org

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SEPTEMBER Liverpool Food and Drink Festival Foodies across the region will be delighted to hear that the Liverpool Food & Drink Festival is returning to the city for its fifth consecutive year. The annual celebration of the city’s thriving food and drink scene will take place at Sefton Park from 1-2 September 2012.

For the latest news and developments on the Liverpool Food & Drink Festival, visit www.liverpoolfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk or follow on Twitter.com/livfooddrink

Private Concert SEPTEMBER Lady Gaga Born This Way Ball

Private Culture

Lady Gaga brings her show to Manchester this autumn. Supported by flamboyant group The Darkness, the Poker Face star will belt out hits on 11 September 2012 at the Manchester Arena. In pure Gaga style, ticket packages named Highway Unicorn and Heavy Metal Lover are available and worth checking out.

Tickets available through www.ticketmaster.co.uk

SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER Liverpool Biennial The city will toast contemporary art from 15 September to 25 November. The Biennial has curated 10 distinct weeks with programmes that include music, poetry, film and performance. It will welcome such features as Unexpected Guest - an exhibition of specially commissioned and pre-existing works from across the city. The John Moores Painting Prize and The Bloomberg New Contemporaries are just a few of extraordinary aspects of the Biennial and Tate Liverpool will be presenting the long-awaited Thresholds - an exhibition exploring themes of British Identity and Migration from various artists including Gilbert & George and Yukonori Yanagi.

For more information visit www.liverpoolbiennial.co.uk

Private Food JULY ONWARDS Sapporo Launch New Menu Sapporo Teppanyaki is launching its new signature menu featuring premium sushi and prime cuts of meat such as wagu beef. With exquisite food to suit a range of palettes, Private Life reviews our experience at this authentic Japanese-style restaurant on page 44.

To book a table please call 0151 705 3005 and for more information visit www.sapporo.co.uk 08 PRIVATE LIFE

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PRIVATE HISTORY

Liverpool’s

Roots

As a city that is known worldwide, Emily Marsh investigates how Liverpool got its name

W

ith so much to see and do in Liverpool, it is little wonder that commerce is growing and tourism is booming. The name ‘Liverpool’ can be tracked back to 1190, when it was originally named ‘Liuerpul’. This name historically is derived from a liver-coloured creek – coined ‘muddy water’ by settlers due to the poor water quality flowing through it. However as the years went by our city’s name has evolved to mean much more than just its existing origin and there are so many theories riding our Mersey waves.

After changing its name throughout the centuries – 1229 brought Leurepul, 1266 brought Lyuerpole and 1752 brought Litherpoole – Liverpool now stands as a city that is known for its humour, industrial heritage and of course, music, especially the Beatles.

Some believe the ‘pool’ refers to the inlet which flowed between Whitechapel and Paradise Street, joining into the Mersey where the current King’s Dock is situated.

The preceding ‘liver’ addition to these theories refers to the livered or somewhat sluggish, slow-flowing water that resulted due to the amount of weeds growing through it.

It is also believed that ‘Elverpool’ may have been the original name of our beloved city prior to its land claim

in 1190. An elver is a young freshwater eel and even to this day there are a number of eels living in the Mersey, representing the abundance of their ancestors.

Being so near to Wales, it is also likely that our city’s name is connected with the Welsh word ‘Llif’ (meaning a flood), often used as the proper name for the Atlantic Ocean. The Welsh word ‘Pwll’ means variously, a pool, an inlet or a pit. The word ‘Llyvrpwl’ translates into English as a ‘pool of confluence’ – the process of merging between two rivers.

Some Europeans suggest the Danish word ‘lithe’, however, is the most logical name origin. Meaning an inlet around a marsh, the River Mersey would have been referred to as a marsh in an area of low-lying land that is flooded in wet seasons or at high-tide, and typically remains waterlogged at all times.

Other theories suggest that the name ‘Liverpool’ is from a Scandinavian origin. The Norwegian word ‘Liafra’ translates into a stream of thick water.

There is a great number of possible reasons why Liverpool was crowned with its glorious name that currently provides a home to some 500,000 people.

One thing is agreed however, is that the roots of our heritage lay firmly in the River Mersey. This is interesting, as for many following the plans of Liverpool Waters and the Cruise Terminal, this is an asset that is no doubt where the future of Liverpool lies.

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PRIVATE FASHION

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s a 32-year-old Liverpudlian, menswear designer Christopher Shannon is thrusting his roots into the limelight with a collection he defines as ‘refined scallyism’, a phrase one could only expect a northerner to proudly coin for their work while holding their head high down south.

Fresh off the first men’s fashion week (The London Collections: MEN) it is clear that Shannon is now a hot-ticket item. He has already been around the fashion block and counts seals of approval and sponsorships from fashion heavyweights such as Fashion East and Top Shop New Gen whose alumni currently include the likes of Jonathan Saunders and JW Anderson.

Now his brand is far surpassing these incubator-scheme roots, it is time for Liverpool to sit up and take note of someone who is to become one of our biggest exports to the international fashion industry.

The designs sit perfectly on a par with the high-fashion trendhunter and unsurprisingly they would not

Style supremo Liverpool’s Christopher Shannon is the fashion world’s latest hot property. Lauren Walker reports

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PRIVATE LIFE

look out of place on many of our hands-in-pants lads that congregate en masse around the city.

Shannon adds, ‘I think Liverpool has such a strong identity that is always apparent in my work. Men in Liverpool have always been peacocks and the casual scene of the late 1970s had an effect on how sportswear has been worn by the whole world. I like updated classic shapes that look new, and pieces that men can wear without feeling like they are laden in fashion or something too showy.’

Having never intended on becoming a fashion designer, Shannon knew he had to incorporate his love of drawing, fashion magazines and music videos somewhere into his career. Prior to his degree from the esteemed Central St. Martins in London, he completed a foundation course at John Moores University and nurtured his passion through doing shoots for a local listings magazine and a stint on BBC Radio Merseyside.

Now living in London, Shannon loves coming back home to see his family and walk the dogs through Sefton Park and Clarke Gardens.

He adds, ‘London doesn’t come close to the richness of Liverpool’s parks, space and quiet. When I bring people to the city they are always surprised to see what a great place it is and how wonderful the parks and buildings are.’ When home, you can find Shannon biking along the prom, eating Dim Sum at Tai Pan or having drinks on Allerton Road.

Shannon explains, ‘I think as a city we’re good at picking up on odd trends and there’s always something I do in my show that harks back to my understanding of what looks good, which is down to my upbringing and how particular Liverpool people are – especially lads.’ His latest collection is inspired by images of British folk traditions and this season’s mood board included shots by James Pearson-Howes and also old 1970s’ skater photos.

With all of the media hype, it is refreshing that Christopher remains humble and down to earth. He adds, ‘We aren’t really a celebrity brand, all though the pieces do get worn

by people in the public eye, we don’t really court that sort of thing. I want the clothes to be known for what they are rather than who wears them.’

‘That said there’s loads of people I like such as Pete Burns as a total eccentric and also Joey Barton who has great individual style and doesn’t adhere to that generic footballer look’.

It is refreshing that the sense of Liverpool does still shine through behind every aspect of his brand.

Take a look at christophershannon. co.uk andyou will find the ‘Kidda Shop’ – a link to his collection on ASOS. He says, ‘I have a huge attachment to Liverpool, my family have Chinese and Irish heritage and they all still live in the city’.

Currently the Christopher Shannon collection is stocked outside the UK at stores like Opening Ceremony in New York and 10 Corso Como in Korea, but he is working

to branch out across his homeland, naming Bold Street (his favourite street) as the prime location for a flagship store. Although his accent may no longer be the strongest, he has always been keen to champion Liverpool and we should be proud that he is one of our own homegrown talents. Shannon adds, ‘I’m proud of my roots and all the things my upbringing in the city has given me as a person and a designer’.

His unassuming disposition, northern pride and passion for sportswear are naturally a winning recipe. Having already collaborated with Top Man, East Pak and the Cambridge Satchel Company, he is expanding his brand and spreading the ‘kidda’ love. Christopher Shannon is poised to ascend to great heights and his loyalty in flying our Liverbirdcrested flag is ever present.

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My

L iverpool BILL HECKLE

One of the city’s movers and shakers gives us his personal view of Liverpool

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iverpool means a lot to its people. There is a fierce sense of pride, as if the city is a municipality compared to the rest of Britain. And so it should be, as ours is a city that seemed to lose its light many years but now shines in bright Technicolor. It is unique and worthy of admiration.

Now that the famous Waterfront is listed as a World Heritage site, Liverpudlians will never walk alone. And one man who has walked through it all and will insist that Liverpool is the greatest city in the world is Bill Heckle.

Bill is famous around town. He is Mr Cavern, Mr City Tours and possibly the biggest Beatles fan on the planet. He and his longtime business partner Dave Jones have combined their two passions, resulting in The Cavern and Cavern City Tours. Every year tourists from all around the world travel here to learn about the Fab Four while getting to know Liverpool.

Bill is responsible for the continued

celebration of The Beatles and also the city, but I don’t think even he expected to get 350,000 people representing 60 countries together at the latest Mathew Street Festival.

Bill has seen a great change in Liverpool over the years. Once he struggled find a decent restaurant to take a visitor, now he says they are spoilt for choice, and names Chaophraya as a favourite.

Asked where he goes for a pint, his response is ‘The Cavern’ naturally.

One extremely proud Scouser, Bill says, “What Liverpool has achieved in the last 20 years should have taken 100. There is no real resemblance to the city I grew up in.” Liverpool One is a prime example and Bill feels it is a fantastic addition that has re-engaged people with the Albert Dock and become a strong link to the river.

The Cavern Club has had some very exciting artists perform there recently: Jessie J, The Wanted, Arctic Monkeys – and Adele even chose to debut her album there in

January 2011. With amazing talent still making history at the club, a new generation of music fans will get to know the iconic venue and learn some musical history along the way.

Bill is humbled to have played a part in tourism in the city, The Beatles may have put Liverpool on the map but Heckle and Jones have managed to keep it there.

Bill says he was aware that something profound was happening at a young age, at the onset of Beatlemania, and wanted to be a part of it. He certainly wound up in the centre of it.

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PRIVATE FASHION

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We sail into St Barts and create a cool Caribbean look for the summer

5 1. Slim-fit cotton-gabardine trousers, £360, Alexander McQueen (www.alexandermcqueen.co.uk) 2. Navy pique bow tie, £70, Lanvin (www.liberty.co.uk) 3. Navy Polo crew socks, £10, Ralph Lauren (www.ralphlauren.co.uk)

4. Grant Union Jack leather brogue shoes, £235, Barker (www.barker-shoes.co.uk) 5. Snap Brim Panama Fedora, £52, Olney Hats (www.hatsandcaps.co.uk) 6. Lauren by Ralph Lauren contrast collar shirt, £42, John Lewis (www.johnlewis.com) 7. Mayfair Double Check jacket, £275, Hackett (www.hackett.com) 8. IWC Aquatimer Chronograph in blue, £4,250, David M Robinson (www.davidmrobinson.co.uk)

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Summer Haze 16 PRIVATE LIFE

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Womenswear: Satin Leopard Frill Corset Dress, Just Cavalli, £350, Flannels.

Silk Frill Front Blouse, Blumarin, £515, Flannels.

Menswear: Two Button Cotton Check Jacket, £500, Gieves and Hawkes Dark Navy Chinos, £150, Gieves and Hawkes Light Blue Pattern Bow Tie, £55, Gieves and Hawkes White Solid Flannel Casual Shirt, £125, Gieves and Hawkes Sunglasses, Silverberg Opticians Hair: Sassoon Make-Up: Martin McClean Photographer: Kirsty McNulty Assistant: Joe Kelly Menswear Model: Matthew Ponde Womenswear Model: Rachel Trevaskis

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Womenswear: Cotton/Faille Contrast Lapel Jacket, Gucci, £1,490, Flannels.

Compact Jersey Leggings, M Missoni, £144, Flannels.

Menswear: Peak Lapel Midnight Blue Dinner Suit, £800, Gieves and Hawkes.

Cashmere Woven Scarf, £195, Gieves and Hawkes.

Navy Pattern Silk Bow Tie, £45, Gieves and Hawkes.

White Solid Flannel Casual Shirt, £125, Gieves and Hawkes.

Paisley Silk Pocket Square, £45, Gieves and Hawkes. Sunglasses, www.silverbergopticians.co.uk

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1. Colore earrings with black pearls and diamonds, £2,750, David M Robinson (www.davidmrobinson.co.uk) 2. Tiger Canvas Demanta Clutch, £315, Alexander McQueen (www.alexandermcqueen.co.uk)

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3. Two-tone stretch-jersey contour dress, £465, Stella McCartney (www.net-a-porter.com) 4. Saks Fifth Avenue For Her, $230, Bond No9 (www.bondno9.com) 5. Rosie Olivia hat, £256, (www.rosieolivia.com) 6. Ostrich feather pen, £40, Maison Martin Margiela by L’Atelier D’Exercices (www.atelierdexercices.com) 7. Ruthenium-plated silver filigree ring, £390, Bottega Veneta (www.net-a-porter.com) 8. Long black satin gloves, £18, Dents (www.dents.co.uk)

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When Silverberg Opticians invited Private Life to preview the new Cutler & Gross range for AW12, we jumped at the chance to play dress-up with the new 1970s’ inspired shades

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Sexy SEVENTIES

yewear can be a statement of individuality or a finishing touch of sophistication. Sunglasses and specs are accessories that have become so popular in recent years that they are now a must-have item in any fashionista’s wardrobe.

One name that is synonymous with glamour is Cutler & Gross – quintessentially British while always maintaining that distinctiveness and flair it does so well.

Graham Cutler and Tony Gross founded their luxury label in 1969 after meeting at optometry school.

They opened their first optician’s practice in 1971 in Knightsbridge, London, where they stocked handmade and bespoke optical frames. In 1982 they launched a luxe range of fashion-forward pieces during Paris Fashion Week, pioneering the fashion eyewear craze we have today.

Cutler & Gross has created an empire by turning a medical need into a fashion want. Celebrating the individual wearer rather than the label itself, it has over 1,000 archived frames.

Over the past few years Cutler & Gross has joined forces with fashion designers to create exclusive eyewear collections. Collaborating with avant-garde brands like Comme des Garçons and Maison Martin Margiela has allowed the brand to stretch its creative muscles further.

Supporting independent British designers such as Mulberry,

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Meadham Kirchhoff, Giles Deacon and most recently the whimsical Holly Fulton, its quirkiness and creativity has been a perfect fit. It also collaborated with Alberta Ferretti and Erdem, both with great success.

The latest offering from Cutler & Gross for AW12 takes us on an exotic journey from India through Marrakech and Turkey. Soaking up a richness of colours and providing a feast for the senses, the shapes and hues are a sensual take on the 1970s; using shades of cinnamon, cumin and the decade-fitting tortoiseshell.

The latest range draws inspiration from the Star of Morocco, which is a symbol of richness, peace, and beauty – tying perfectly into the spirit of

that decade and its slightly hedonistic adventures.

This alluring eyewear collection makes a statement.

Like the Cutler & Gross history, these sunglasses point to a personality. The vast range is bold yet inviting and their various styles offer slight inflections of a bolder shape or colour making it easy for everyone to find a perfect pair for the season.

Celebrity fans include Elton John, Alexa Chung, Victoria Beckham and Lady Gaga – all people with a strong sense of personal style and flair. But you don’t need to be a celebrity to dress like an icon.

Trends in eyewear are like fashion. There is something out there for everyone, variations to suit anyone’s taste and style. A distinctive set of shades is a must-have and an easy way to update your wardrobe, like the finishing touch to an outfit, so this summer, grab the perfect pair of sunnies as you go out of the door.

Cutler and Gross designs are available exclusively at www.silverbergopticians.co.uk PRIVATE LIFE 23

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Private Society David M Robinson Hosts Patek Philippe in Knowsley Hall

Luxury jewellers David M Robinson hosted an exclusive dinner to showcase the new Basel collection from top watchmaker, Patek Philippe. The event took place at Knowlsey Hall, whose grandeur more than matched the beautiful timepieces on display. Some 120 David M Robinson clients and Patek Philippe collectors from around the UK were shown the pieces from the new 2012 collection during the evening.

Owner and CEO of Patek Philippe, Thierry Stern, attended this special event; a rarity in the UK. Also in present at the event was owner David M Robinson, John Robinson CEO of David M Robinson and Mark Hearn Managing Director of Patek Philippe UK.

Nuovo Living Calligaris Launch

Nuovo Living launched the Calligaris collection with the new ‘Orbital’ dining table designed by Pininfarina, the designers behind the car brand Ferrari. Nuovo Living held a special VIP launch night, with Il Forno supplying the catering, for the event. Stratstone showcased one of their Ferraris on the night and one lucky guest left with one of the new tables worth over £4,000. The new table boasts a perfectly transparent glass top which reveals the ingenious opening mechanism with its elegant metal arms. This uncluttered, minimalist system supports the two glass extensions, which open simultaneously from underneath.

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Urban Calm’s

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Urban Calm, with the help of the amazing Mama Mio Skincare – the best choice for staying gorgeous throughout and after pregnancy, begin the search for Liverpool’s most chic expectant mums

F

photo: property of mama mio

rom the first fluttering in your tummy, to a lifetime in your heart – being pregnant is possibly one of the most special experiences a woman can go through in her lifetime.

Femininity and motherhood are the order of the day as Urban Calm launches its new campaign that aims to champion all that is motherhood.

By offering one lucky motherto-be the opportunity to become its Bump of the Year 2013, Nicola Woods and Sharon Doyle, owners of Urban Calm, are working with Mama Mio to find the most chic expectant mums in Liverpool.

‘These days pregnancy is glamorous and something to show off. It is an exceptional time and women are feeling beautiful and sexy as they do it’, says Julie, an Urban Calm client from Southport.

With the help of the girls at Mama Mio, the amazing maternity range of beauty essentials found at Urban Calm Met Quarter, the search for Liverpool’s voguish expectant mums will begin.

Liver birds are known for their looks and glamour, which will of course be carried on throughout pregnancy. Combined with their big hearts, kindness and zest for life the women we are looking for are nothing short of extraordinary. The best part is these women exist in Liverpool – we just need to find and celebrate them.

Krystin, a Mama Mio customer from Wirral adds, ‘beauty treatments and pampering are needed during pregnancy. Feeling good on the outside and taking that time for yourself helps you to feel good on the inside. It is a bit of quiet bonding with your unborn baby and a

special treat for both mum and baby.’

It’s important to indulge and continue looking glamorous while carrying the stars of the future to term. Looking your best certainly does help feeling good through pregnancy and Urban Calm is offering a tailor-made beauty for the maternity set of Liverpool.

So we are waiting to hear the amazing stories we know are out there. The women who are domestic goddesses, businesswomen, community leaders, volunteers, going from their ‘curly blow’ to the school run. Life is busy and we appreciate that the Mums with Bumps are doing it all – with glamour.

If you or someone you know possesses those SuperMum or SuperMum- to-be qualities, while looking fabulous, please get in touch.

The Baby Bump winner will receive £200 worth of Urban Calm beauty treatments to be used pre- or post-natally, Personal Training sessions from David Lloyd, Teeth Whitening from Liverpool Dental Spa and a glamorous photo-shoot worth £500 from Private Life’s fashion team.

To nominate a Bump please send a photo plus a paragraph describing why your maternal goddess should be Urban Calm’s Bump of the Year to Bump2013@urbancalmuk.com.

We love and appreciate all the Bumps carrying out their busy lives in style.

Nominations will be open until 14 September 2012 and the finalists will be revealed in the October issue of Private Life

Follow us on twitter: @urbancalmuk @lashoutlashes @mamamio @privatelife PRIVATE LIFE 27

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Music MOUTH

for your

Maggie Birch investigates the art of composing the perfect smile

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very industry has its creators and in this case, it is our dentists who we are to thank for the compliments we receive when our teeth are on display.

But just as every composer will know, if the orchestra doesn’t perform correctly on the night, the results can be disastrous.

Coltene’s innovative Componeer product is the Mozart of dentistry.

With the right dentist, the finished look can be incredible.

There have been a number of famous composers in the past who have written separate pieces of music for individual instruments. Similarly there are dentists who tackle veneers and composite restoration as separate tasks – either coating

the teeth with a veneer or adding a like-for-like cement that could be adhered to the teeth and shaped to fit the aesthetic of the mouth.

Until now the dentist could only choose between a directly modelled composite restoration or elaborate indirect veneer technology. The Direct Composite Veneer System adds a new and interesting dimension to existing treatment options and gives dentists and patients new economic perspectives. Patients can be given a naturally aesthetic smile in just a single session, and set off smiling in as little as an hour – with ‘a smile to go’.

Coltene’s new Componeer products are prefabricated enamel shells that combine the advantages of composite restoration with the advantages of prefabricated veneers enabling dentists to create a smile-strong look for every patient that would be a sell-out if it was on a UK-wide concert tour. This is the first perfected system to allow incredibly easy restoration of anterior teeth with customised composite shells and the pre-shaped

Componeer veneers are available in a variety of different sizes.

The beauty of the product is that it is easy to use for single-tooth reconstruction as well as complete reconstruction in the anterior region. Time consuming forming of the anatomical shape and surface and elaborate trimming are no longer required.

Componeer can be customised to individual requirements with composite at any time.

And just as if you were listening to a piece of music, all you have to do is lie back and let the dentist create their art.

The treatment is minimally invasive and you are left with a permanent piece of mouth-art that you will want to display for many years.

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www.liverpoolimplants.co.uk info@liverpoolimplants.co.uk 0151 236 8280 23-25 Brunswick Street, Liverpool L2 0PJ

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PRIVATE LIFE

HOLIDAY n going on holiday!

Oh the joys of being a woma are wax, lash, blow, We are not just pack ‘n’ go. We polish – then pack. and b poke, prod, tan, paint, scru above, most the of all do Though you may not y beauty ritual. lida -ho pre l ntia esse t women have tha t Quarter, for Me lm, Private Life visited Urban Ca for four clients ice cho of the day to see the treatments y. ida as they prepped for hol

Rituals

PRIVATE LIFE 25

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PRIVATE LIFE

URBAN

rise, Private Life looks at how With male grooming on the hing up with the Liverpool men’s grooming habits are catc Urban Calm Spa’s frequently girls. Keeping your eyes on r, you can see the signs that used doors in the Met Quarte h the rise. Being fascinated wit the urban metrosexual is on to few a to ke spo we le, ma ed the habits of the sophisticat oming regimes. find out more about their gro

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MEN

19/7/12 06:28:46

PRIVATE LIFE

David Lloyd Speke

RAAARING TO GO Meet children’s author and illustrator Curtis Jobling at David Lloyd Leisure Speke this summer

C

hildren’s television hit Raa Raa The Noisy Lion has been in our homes for over a year now, entertaining and educating our little ones. Narrated

by Lorraine Kelly, Raa Raa, his mates and our pre-schoolers are developing their communication skills through the use of the 4Rs; Repetition, Rhythm, Retelling and Rhyme. Those are a whole lot of Rs but ones that have been made famous by a certain Northern illustrator.

The creator of this feisty, bright and educational programme is Curtis Jobling, a Blackpool native now living in Warrington. Curtis is an amazing talent, acclaimed children’s television creator, illustrator, and author. Though his talent and work speaks for itself, parents love his creation Raa Raa, and the endless hours of entertainment it provides.

David Lloyd Leisure in Speke

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will be getting the Jobling treatment when Curtis and his cast of characters stop by for a session in September.

There will be a session for under eights where Raa Raa and Bob will make an appearance, followed by a session for nine years plus who will experience his Wereworld screenings of animations, drawings and introduction to creative writing.

Raa Raa was originally thought up in the back of a car.

Stuck in traffic on the M52, Curtis and his four children started to play games to pass the time. Eye Spy quickly led to a game of jungle animals via old MacDonald’s Farm and from a single Roar or Raa from the contestants in the backseats a new character was born.

His line of work also works around the kids. Curtis is able to work on manuscripts around the school runs and bed times and has a supportive wife who understands writing can go late into the evenings. He has most recently been immersed in his latest role of novelist, which he is thoroughly enjoying and has been his focus for the past two years.

Wereworld, his fantasy/horror novels have been a huge hit. ‘Writing books has more creative freedom,’ says Jobling, ‘there is less censorship in Wereworld than in television’. He also spends time doing talks and drawing sessions with groups of students. At these events he reads from his picture books and novels,

does live illustrations and basically shows whatever is going on in his creative and special world to a new generation.

The author and illustrator holds court with a range of fans and readers that will naturally grow with his creations. The tykes who are going to have the best Rs in the world, the pre teens who are growing up thinking creatively and all the parents who are grateful and forever indebted to his amazing characters.

For more information on the event at David Lloyd Leisure Speke please contact: 0151 494 4000

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PRIVATE LIFE

A slice

of the

cake

Planning a wedding can be one of the most exciting times of your life but it can also be one of the most stressful. Bliss takes away the strain

W

ith over 230,000 people every year getting married in England and Wales and spending an average of £20,000 per wedding, the wedding industry is a big business and with so much choice, and so many companies advertising their services and products, organising such an important event can seem a little daunting.

Bliss Wedding Shows organise and promote wedding shows across the North West’s most prestigious venues and they also host the largest wedding show in the North West, The Liverpool Wedding Show, held at Knowsley Safari Park every January.

The idea behind the shows is that Bliss does the work for you, they bring together the region’s leading wedding specialists, so brides and grooms can shop for everything they could possibly need for their big day, all under one roof.

Wedding companies who take

part in shows range from high street shop brands such as John Lewis and Debenhams to smaller dedicated wedding companies.

By attending a wedding show, the brides get to speak face-toface with the wedding specialists, they get to see the latest colours and trends and get ideas. Joanne Dainty, Managing Director, says ‘the wedding companies are the best at what they do and are there to help, it’s such a lovely industry to work in and we work hard to ensure the shows are a success for everyone involved’.

Bliss work very closely with the region’s leading wedding specialist to ensure every show is the best it can be, from professionally choreographed catwalk shows, live entertainment from the very best wedding singers around and little treats for the brides such as complimentary copies of wedding magazines and goody bags. Each show is

crammed full of the latest styles, fashions, trends, samples of mouth-watering cakes and chocolate fountains and much, much more.

The Liverpool Wedding Show has grown into the biggest wedding show in the North West and attracts brides not only from Merseyside but also from all over the country, with brides coming as far as Scotland and London and exhibitors coming from Cyprus and Italy. The show attracts over 5,000 visitors, 1,100 who are brides and over 140 exhibitors.

Next year is another exciting year for Bliss, with the first ever Lake District Wedding and Venue Show taking place in March, an even bigger and better Liverpool Wedding Show, and with even more venue shows, the only decision now is … where next!

Bliss Wedding Shows Ltd www.blissweddingshows.co.uk tel: 0151 227 9179

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PRIVATE TRAVEL

Paradise Found Evoking images of rich spices, rum punches and reggae, Barbados is every bit the laid-back paradise you expect.

Hayley Leaver explores this beautiful island

W

ith its white sandy beaches and crystal waters, Barbados is everything you’d expect in a Caribbean island and yet much more. Combining a fascinating colonial past with a thirst for rum, the fun certainly doesn’t end when the sun sets here. What’s more, whatever your style, whether it is serene, up-market, contemporary or all three, you’ll find a luxurious home away from home here too.

Sounds perfect? Well the half a million tourists who visit every year certainly think so.

Barbados has certainly been blessed in the looks department, with miles of white sand beaches and coral reefs making it the picture-perfect holiday destination.

Add to that a mild tropical climate

and you’d be forgiven for not venturing any further than your sun lounger on Miami Beach during your time on this stunning island.

If, however, you would like to see a little more of the Bajan beauty, then scuba-diving along the west coast is a must. Alternatively, take things up a notch by tackling the surf of the east coast or exploring the vast array of underground caves and lakes that are part of its unique geology.

For a completely different perspective, you could also set sail on a catamaran tour. In addition to basking in the warm sunshine, many offer the opportunity to snorkel over the neighbouring coral reefs or even swim with the famous sea turtles.

Field day Heading inland the beauty doesn’t stop there either, with the rolling hills and botanical gardens creating an array of scenic walks. A reminder of the island’s fertile nature as well as its colonial past, there is also an array of plantation homes, such as St Nicholas Abbey which

offers fascinating tours. As well as learning about the houses, gardens and rum distilleries, groups can enjoy a delicious rum punch with this historic splash of culture.

Party time Despite your best intentions, when struck with the friendly, laid-back Barbadian way it is difficult to resist the calypso rhythm. If you’re looking for classic reggae tunes therefore head south to St Lawrence Gap. Here you’ll find plenty of great waterfront restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Alternatively, for some of the island’s best rum cocktails and the chance to do some serious celeb spotting, dine in style on the west coast. Highlights include Daphne’s, the island’s best

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PRIVATE LIFE

waterfront Italian eatery thanks to executive chef Marco Festini Crome, and The Cliff – this boasts a view worthy of its name, as well as a menu of modern seafood classics.

Regal dreams After too much rum, don’t forget to rest your head in style at the end of the day, too. After all, this is paradise. And offering an idyllic corner on this beautiful island, the five-star Fairmont Royal Pavilion certainly aims to help you do this.

Whether it’s relaxing in one

of the 72 guest rooms or blowing the budget in the Beachfront and Oceanfront suites and rooms, this is one stylish – and, if you want it to be, romantic – resort.

This is a factor that has no doubt helped its busy onsite wedding coordinator.

Aiming to bring the outside in, the décor is fresh and contemporary, drawing on the island’s rich heritage in a relaxed colonial Caribbean style. Original artwork, hardwood floors and state-of-the-art technology add the finishing touches, while dedicated butlers and complimentary evening canapés are some of the other treats in store. A full range of spa services, such as body scrubs, facials and massages, can also be requested for a bit of in-room pampering here.

If you can tear yourself away from the Elite pillow top beds however, a freshwater swimming pool and

a choice of watersports, such as paddle boats, sailboats, kayaks and windsurfing, will help you to really enjoy the azure Barbadian waters.

When it comes to eating in the hotel, the two excellent restaurants, Palm and Taboras, will help to give you a true taste of Barbados.

Choose from a wide range on the menu, with a fine selection of exotic spices, fresh seafood and the best regionally sourced produce and favourite local dishes.

For more details on this and other trips to Barbados, please call Crown Travel on 0151 724 2265

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PRIVATE TRAVEL

THE SOUND OF

SUMMER Forget Leeds and Reading and head to one of the world’s best alternative festivals with Private Life’s summer guide

Boryeong Mud Festival

Daecheon Beach, South Korea 14th–24th July With its mud wrestling, mud king and mud sliding contests, this sounds like your typical British summer festival. Fortunately, this fun-filled event, which is now in its fifteenth year, is held at the picturesque Daecheon Beach in South Korea. What’s more, this is no ordinary mud. It is actually a mineral-rich formula, which has been incorporated into a popular skincare range. In addition to enjoying various massage treatments, an impressive fireworks display and photo competition, this one of the highlights of the summer circuit.

SunceBeat

The Garden Tisno, Croatia 25th–31st July After two impressive years in the picturesque fishing village of Petrcane, SunceBeat 3 moves to a new home and the equally beautiful Garden Tisno. Overlooking its own private bay and crystal waters, this is a long way away from the mud and rain of V Festival. As the sun sets over the Dalmation Coast, dance the night away to sets by DJ Harvey, Dimitri from Paris and many more.

What’s more, boat parties past the Kornati islands also add to the experience.

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Sziget Festival

Obudai Island, Budapest 6th–13th August Despite being in its twentieth year, Sziget is still one of Europe’s best and most popular festivals – it was even voted the Best European Major Festival at the European Festival Awards last year. And this year’s line up looks set to add to this - with The Stone Roses, Snoop Dogg and The Killers just some of the big names gracing the stage.

Meaning island in Hungarian, several performances are also held on a picturesque island on the Danube.

Bestival

Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight 6th–9th September With a wildlife theme for 2012, Bestival will be transforming Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park with an array of fantastic flora, fauna and fancy dress, as well as its very own Insect Museum, this year. The line-up also boasts some pretty wild acts, with the likes of Stevie Wonder, New Order and Florence and The Machine taking centre stage over the four-day event. As well as a number of festival exclusives and a boutique campsite, expect a stellar DJ line-up to help bring the summer to a close in style.

For more details on these and other trips to festivals, please call Crown Travel on 0151 724 2265

19/7/12 03:06:06

PRIVATE TRAVEL

Enjoy crystal waters, baroque cathedrals and waterfront tavernas in Rovinj – Croatia’s best-kept secret. Hayley Leaver reports

W

ith its beautiful beaches and old-fashioned glamour, it is easy to see why Croatia is Europe’s destination of choice this summer. And away from the tourist favourites of Split, Hvar and Zagreb though, picturesque Rovinj is the Mediterranean’s real treasure.

See

As one of the last true Mediterranean fishing ports, it is easy to while away the hours wandering the cobbled streets of the town or exploring the Zlatni Rt Forest Park. That is when you’re not traversing the 19 green, offshore islands of its archipelago.

Offering an array of views, these can even be reached by taking a quick swim from the shore.

If impressive views are what you really crave then you don’t have to stop there either – with the 60mhigh Cathedral of St Euphemia tower providing one of, if not the best, vantage points in the area.

Built in 1736, this is the largest

baroque building in Istria too and home to a must-see 14th-century marble relief of St Euphemia, as well as her tomb.

Savour

For a traditional taste of Rovinj, sample the local cuisine at one of the idyllic waterfront restaurants, bars and ice cream parlours too. Culinary highlights include the Veli Joze and Cantinon restaurants, where the local fish, especially the bakalar (cod), is usually the freshest and tastiest catch of the day. Zanzibar, with its Indonesian décor, subtle lighting and delicious cocktails is also well worth a visit.

In addition to a regular food market near the Valdibora Square, August also welcomes the Rovinj Night celebration – a weekend of street food, live music and fireworks. What more could you ask for?

Stay

Promising to be a sanctuary for relief and relaxation, the Hotel Monte Mulini is also a haven of five-star luxury within this quaint town. Located near the beach and attached to a winery, the stylish hotel boasts an array of guest rooms with picturesque sea views and custom-made furniture.

A swim-up bar, sauna, spa treatments and an indoor pool are just some of the additional luxuries that you can expect during your stay.

Complimentary bicycles also offer a great way to explore the surrounding area. Head chef Tomislav Gretic and the internationally acknowledged sommelier Emil Perdec provide the perfect fine-dining experience.

For more details on this and other trips to Croatia, please call Crown Travel on 0151 724 2265

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PRIVATE INVESTMENT

Sommelier and investor Alice Anastasiou shares her tips with you

T

he heart of Italy is the centre of the country’s most important quality wine exports. Dominated by the Tuscan reds, here you’ll find the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Abruzzo, Lazio, Marche, Tuscany and Umbria.

Home to both the Grand Prix circuit at Imola and sports car manufacturers Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati, Emilia Romana is the largest sparkling wine regions in the world, producing 180 million bottles of Lambrusco a year, just over half the output of Champagne.

A refreshing bone-dry, frothy DOC red, it does such sterling service with Parmesan and Prosciutto.

Cantina Peppucci’s Alter Ego

2007 won last year’s Decanter World Wine Award Regional Italy Red Trophy, the first time an Umbrian wine has taken such an honour.

Given that this central Italian region has until recently remained relatively unknown, it is however, the indigenous grape Sagrantino that has attracted all the attention.

A DOCG red endowed with a balance of alcohol, tannins and acidity, it complements a thymecrusted rack of lamb with a red wine reduction beautifully.

Cantina Peppucci has managed to create a wine to rival nearby Tuscany’s first DOCG wine, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. The regulations for Brunello stipulate a minimum ageing of five years, the

longest in Italy. However, Italy’s most exported wine is Chianti DOCG, and there is an enormous variation in quality and style. Although Chianti can be made from a blend of grape varieties, Chianti Classico is dominated by Sangiovese. Plantings of Sangiovese now stretch from Romagna to Puglia, nevertheless Tuscany remains its spiritual home.

High in acidity and tannins, medium in alcohol, Sangiovese has an affinity for oak and a complex fruit spectrum including earth, blueberry and sour cherry. This is an ideal combination for a white meat dish such as Belllini’s Pollo ai Funghi.

For more information please visit www.private-life.co.uk

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PRIVATE RECIPE

Rack of Lamb with Mashed Potatoes Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: ½ Cup Fresh Breadcrumbs 16 Mint Leaves 4 tbsp Olive Oil 2 tbsp English Mustard 2 tspn Salt 1 (10 bone) Rack of Lamb 8 Medium Potatoes

e p i c Re

Rack of Lamb with Mashed Potatoes

Instructions: Season the lamb with salt and black pepper before adding to a pan of olive oil. Keep turning the meat and cook until golden brown all over.

Remove from the pan and cook the lamb in the oven at 200ËšC for 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and brush the lamb with English mustard.

Mix some breadcrumbs, chopped fresh mint, olive oil and salt and pepper, and coat the lamb before returning it to the oven for further five minutes.

For the mash potatoes: Peel and chop 4 white potatoes, placing them into a pan of salted water and bring them to the boil.

Reduce the heat and allow them to simmer for 15 minutes. Drain the water, return to the pan and add butter, mashing thoroughly whilst seasoning with salt and black pepper.

Spoon the mash potatoes into the centre of the plate, placing the slices of lamb on top, serving with balsamic vinegar and fresh mint leaves. www.bellinicocktailbar.com PRIVATE LIFE 43

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19/7/12 04:50:56

SAPPORO

A taste of Japan

in Liverpool If the screen shots of Uma Thurman in Kill Bill Vol 1 didn’t tempt you to try an authentic Japanese experience, then this is one taste of Tokyo that will. Arabella Whittaker reports

W

hile you won’t find the managers, Costas and Jesney, launching themselves from the wood-panelled walls in yellow jumpsuits, nor the Japanese waiters brandishing balland-chain weaponry, there is enough about Sapporo’s new signature menu that will leave your tastebuds standing to attention.

With the only wizardry in this restaurant taking place in the kitchen, the sushi chefs draw their swords with incredible precision.

To these guys, a freshly caught 150kg tuna is like a split sack of seed in the middle of a flock of pigeons.

When faced with the fresh meat and vegetables that are delivered (by locally sourced suppliers), head chef Woody and his team work hard to create artwork on a plate. So much so that it almost seems a shame to eat it. To get our oriental evening off to a great start, we decide to order a variety of premium sushi and sashimi from Sapporo’s new signature range.

We chose a selection of offerings including Rainbow Roll (6pc, £8.75), Dynamite Roll (6pc, £8.75), Caterpillar Roll (6pc, £8.25), Spider Roll (4pc £8.75) and the chef’’s selection of sashimi, which included delicately sliced tuna, salmon and sea bass with pickled

ginger, wasabi and soy sauce (9pc, £13.25).

Japanese cuisine has always enjoyed a reputation for being as healthy as it is delicious and at Sapporo it is no exception. The sushi is full of flavour, and the very best quality. You find yourself devouring each mouthful and unable to resist the temptation to order more than you can keep up with.

For our mains we opted for the 8oz Wagyu Rib Eye, also known as Kobe in Japan – a term synonymous with this ‘caviar of meat’. Because your meal is prepared in front of you, you see every ingredient.

And because the food is cooked at 400ºC, all of the natural flavours and goodness remain. The beef was exquisite and the best £40 you could spend if you are looking for mouthwatering tenderness.

For our dessert we opted for the banana tempura (£6.50), which was served on a bed of delicious ice cream from Paulo and Donato’s Deli in Williamson Square.

Sapporo was an all round triumph for our tastebuds and it is difficult to find such an authentically Japanese restaurant on our doorstep. If you are yet to experience the theatre of tepanyaki, we would definitely recommend a visit. www.sapporo.co.uk

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PRIVATE LIFE

COMIC

STYLES Sean Styles has been keeping us entertained on Radio Merseyside for years, Private Life finds out more about the personality behind the patter

I

t can sometimes be difficult to know how comics come about and who the real person is underneath all of the bravado and wit. Sean says, ‘I don’t think you become a comic, I think you’re born a comic. As a child I remember there was no better feeling than getting a reaction out of someone, I remember as far back as being three years old in the doctors waiting room doing the twist for the rest of the people who were waiting, and they were laughing and giggling and giving me pennies’.

Sean didn’t always know however that this is the profession he would end up in, he adds, ‘after I left school I got a series of jobs. It’s one of those decisions that are almost made for you. As in school, I concentrated on making my workmates laugh, and people were always saying ‘You should get up and do this, you know’.

Whilst initially shrugging it off, Sean ended up getting himself 20 minutes together of gags. He recalls, ‘I wrote them and learned them verbatim, so much so that I could recite them backwards. I would sit in a park and I would write every single word I would say, and that way I was absorbing it’.

Sean grew up in Kirkby and still very much considers it his home. He

was surrounded by humour as a child and this turned into his biggest hobby. Sean adds, ‘I was born in the house I live in to this day. I’ve never moved. My mum and dad sadly passed away and my sister moved on. My dad was a massive Evertonian, as I am, he was known as Johnnie Blue on the dock where he worked, that was his nickname, so I was always going to be a Blue anyway’. Despite falling out of bed to get to St Marie’s school, which was just behind his back fence, Sean has never considered himself academic and has always found humour has helped him to ‘fit in the pecking order’.

Never knowing he would be ‘this side of the radio’, Radio Merseyside is were Sean has rested his weary feet in between stand-up performances over the years

after securing the gig following Billy Butler’s departure to Radio City. Sean explains, ‘the best part of the job is undoubtedly the balance I now have. When I went onto the after-dinner speaking circuit, I could meet people I idolised as a child - my football heroes; Alan Ball, Joe Royle, and Sir Ranulph Fiennes the explorer. I’d be sat on the top table with them and they would be calling me by my first name, it was really bizarre. And it’s the same with radio – you get to interview people that you idolise even more. People like Mickey Rooney who I ended up singing a song with on the radio.’

When Sean isn’t working he spends most of his days enjoying his time, researching and collecting. He

explains, ‘I collect American comics from the 40s to the 70s when I have any time to myself. The good thing about being at Radio Merseyside is that Billy Butler is a massive collector so he’s a great reference point. My favourite film of all time is ‘Seven’, it’s a masterpiece about a serial killer and the film’s in the style of the Seven Deadly Sins. It’s a great film starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman’.

‘I also love to eat out, my favourite place to eat in Liverpool is the Al Keeler in Maghull - it’s only a small place but the staff are fantastic and it’s one of the best Indians in the city. I once went for a curry with Tico Taraz, Bon Jovi’s drummer, and didn’t really know who he was until Eddie Murphy came over and said, ‘you know Tico, you’re the best drummer I’ve ever seen’. It was fantastic, I didn’t have a clue who he was and what’s more, he loved my set!’

Sean is a real pillar for the Liverpool community. There is not much he would like to achieve that he hasn’t already and he firmly believes that if people think you’re ‘a nice fella’, then you’ve achieved enough. He still really would like a copy of Spiderman No.1 (est. £1.6M), if any of his fans are feeling generous!

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19/7/12 06:55:25

PRIVATE HISTORY

Kathy Sandison explores the history of a famous and much-loved Liverpool building

St Luke’s Church S

ituated on the corner of Berry Street and Leece Street in the city centre is St Luke’s Church, one of the city’s most familiar and popular landmarks. Locally known as the ‘bombed-out church’, it has been a favourite meeting-up place for generations of Scousers.

Lord Derby gifted the site of St Luke’s to the people of Liverpool in 1791 with a condition that it must never be used for anything other than a church. Built of stone and in Gothic style, it was designed by city architect John Foster Snr and the foundation stone was laid on 9 April 1811. However, some issues regarding land ownership, which took more than 10 years to resolve, delayed the construction.

Corporation architect and surveyor John Foster Jnr eventually completed the building and it was finally consecrated in 1831.

It was a magnificent church in its heyday and became known as the Doctor’s Church because of its

proximity to Rodney Street and the number of physicians among the congregation.

On 6 May 1941, during the Liverpool Blitz, at around 3.30am, it was hit by a German bomb. The resulting fire completely destroyed its beautiful interior, the bells in the tower were left cracked and broken and the stained glass windows all shattered. The church was never rebuilt and it still stands today as a burned-out shell.

In 1968 the Church of England sold the site to Liverpool City Council and it now serves as an unofficial memorial to the dead of Liverpool from the two World Wars. The churchyard is a public park, with a memorial in the grounds to those who lost their lives in the Irish famine. As recently as 2011 custodians of St Luke’s discovered an original stained glass Liver Bird on a window next to what was formerly the main entrance. They believe that is older than those created by Carl Bernard Bartels

for the Royal Liver Building by almost a century.

St Luke’s is reputed to be one of Liverpool’s most haunted locations.

Legend has it that in 1991 a six-year-old child was abducted by the spirit of an old woman, who took her inside the ruins. The child was then able to describe the interior of the church before it was destroyed, the spirit having apparently taken the child back in time. The girl was returned to the present, unharmed, by another spirit, a tall man wearing a top hat who, accordingly to eye-witness accounts led her out of the church by the hand. The man then returned to the Church and disappeared.

Since 2001 a group of local artists, Urban Strawberry Lunch, has been working to regenerate the interior of the church as a showcase for arts, poetry readings, a venue for live performances and film screenings. www.stlukeliverpool.co.uk www.usl.org.uk

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19/7/12 00:20:23

PRIVATE ENTERTAINMENT

It’s the feel-good musical, with snake hips and lifts that takes you back to the summer of 1963…

N

ow in its triumphant fifth year at the Aldwych Theatre, Dirty Dancing opened in London in 2006, breaking all box-office records with advanced ticket sales of over £15 million, which made it the fastest selling show in West End history. It has since played to over 1 million people, receiving nightly standing ovations and continuing to enthral and delight audiences.

Now this classic coming-of-age movie is in the middle of its first ever national tour and is soon to arrive at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre.

The story of a girl’s whirlwind relationship with her dance instructor captured the hearts of people across the world when the film was first released in 1987.

Starring a young Patrick Swayze as dancer Johnny Castle and the-then unknown actress Jennifer Grey as Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman, the film was a love story that spanned the class divide.

The stage production features the hit songs of the movie including Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and I’ve Had The Time Of My Life.

American actress Jill Winternitz will star as idealistic Baby Houseman, while Paul-Michael Jones will continue his role as Castle.

Since the announcement of the tour in November 2010, demand for tickets has been phenomenal, with sales exceeding £10m for the first seven cities on sale, and many performances sold out.

The producers of Dirty Dancing say: ‘We have been overwhelmed by the success of the production to date and hope this amazing response will continue as the tour extends through to the end of 2012. It has been wonderful to see audiences across the country embracing the show with the same passion and support that we have been fortunate enough to receive in the West End over the past five years. As Dirty Dancing enters an exciting new stage in its UK journey, it shows no signs of slowing down.’

The cast model themselves convincingly on their film counterparts, particularly Charlotte Gooch, who plays Penny, and at times it could have been the Hollywood stars there on stage. Watch out for the waterlift scenes, superbly created with digital special effects. Fans of the film will love this new version, complete with live music and everything you could want from a musical.

Dirty Dancing Liverpool Empire Theatre 9-27 October 2012 For tickets please visit www.atgtickets.com PRIVATE LIFE 47

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19/7/12 01:43:19

PRIVATE ENTERTAINMENT

The Sleeping

Beauty

English National Ballet returns to the Liverpool Empire with the ultimate classic ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, set to reawaken the magic of the world’s favourite fairy tale in an enchanted world of castles and curses, forests and fairies

T

he enchanting story is of Aurora, born to the Queen and King and loved very dearly by them and her nurse who looked after her. A big christening party is arranged and all is well, until Fairy Carabosse arrives. She is furious she has been forgotten and casts an evil spell on her, warning that when the baby grows up, she will prick her finger on a needle and die on her 16th birthday.

Powerful godmother Lilac Fairy could not break the spell, but changed it and said she would not die, but sleep for 100 years and only awaken when kissed by a prince.

Often considered the pinnacle of classical ballet, The Sleeping Beauty encompasses so many modes including abstract dance, mime, drama and diversion.

The English National Ballet sail confidently through this varied and demanding piece with sublime principals performing amidst a grandeur of design directed by Peter Farmer. The set is one of the most

imaginative in the ballet world today and provides the perfect backdrop for the magnificent costumes created by Nicholas Georgiadis – bringing this performance to life and securing your gaze across the stage set after set.

With wonderful choreography

by Kenneth MacMillan, the piece features Tchaikovsky’s best-loved ballet music ever, including Rose Adagio and Carabosse et la Fee des Lilas.

English National Ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, Liverpool Empire Theatre, 30 October-3 November, For tickets please visit www.atgtickets.com

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PRIVATE LIFE

Flame Forgotten

Patrick Hughes looks at Liverpool’s special link to the Olympic Games

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s the Olympic Torch passed through Myrtle Street down to Hope Street in June, the name John Hulley will not have been on everyone’s lips. When you think of locals who have made their mark in the world of sport, names such as Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney spring to mind. Yet John Hulley, the man who organised the first national Olympic games, and arranged six northern Olympic festivals, was a Liverpool man.

Hulley was born in 1832 into a family of doctors. A promising gymnast, his early interests revolved around sport and health. In fact, on his tombstone – that stands newly renovated in Smithdown Cemetery – is the phrase ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body,’ an idiom that still resonates strongly through society today, some 150 years since his death.

As he grew up, he focused on the social importance of sport. With his medical upbringing and passion for exercise, Hulley was in a perfect position to pioneer the Olympic movement across Liverpool. In 1862 he organised the 1st Grade Olympic Festival, which took place in Merseyside. This festival – and the six that followed – was a resounding success.

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athletes to get involved in a variety of physical activities, whilst showcasing their talents in front of thousands of spectators. Hulley’s constant campaigning led to the construction of The Liverpool Gymnasium, which opened on 6 November 1865 on Myrtle Street and provided a space for people of all ages to work together.

However, it is his contribution to the world of sport that makes Hulley such an important historical figure. With the 2012 Olympics taking place in the UK, we have him to thank for his efforts in making Britain an Olympic state.

Shortly after Liverpool’s fourth Olympic festival, Hulley took the chair at the inaugural meeting of the National Olympian Association, an organisation that was to be the basis of today’s British Olympic Association.

Responsible for representing and supporting all British Olympians, this is a fundamental part of British Olympic history and the charismatic Hulley started it all in through his networking abilities and his personal drive for a healthier society.

But what makes him such a local hero are the stories that will not be in history books or official documents. Hulley was a celebrity, and what came with that – as it does today – was the press. His

most memorable run-in with local media was because of a young lady. Georgina Bolton, the only daughter of a local merchant, had fallen for Hulley and the two were set to wed.

Just like all great love stories there was trouble. Mr Bolton forbade his daughter from marrying and locked her away in the family home. The Liverpool press followed the story for weeks and by the time the couple finally married the pair were the talk of the entire city.

His vigorous personality was important to his success. This was apparent in 1865 when magicians – The Davenport Brothers – put on a show in Liverpool. Hulley was first to expose the pair as phonies and demanded that the public got their money back. After a lengthy court process and a lot more news coverage, the brothers were found guilty. It is clear that Hulley was a great orator and often spoke for those who couldn’t or wouldn’t.

So when the Games are over and the bunting retrieved from your lampposts, remember our own Liverpool hero John Hulley. The London Olympic Games are just for summer 2012 but the opportunities for physical education and sporting development will continue long after the last embers of the Olympic torch have died away.

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PRIVATE SPORT

David Lloyd Speke

stars

Reach for the

We meet tennis star Ken Skupski to find out what makes his racquet swing

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fter what was the one of most exciting Wimbledon tournaments in recent memory, tennis is on everyone’s mind and David Lloyd Leisure Speke has some of the best facilities around. Not only does it have amazing courts and coaches, it has a spectacular programme for developing young talent. As well as its renowned Tennis All Stars programme, endorsed by the LTA ( lawn tennis association) it has a world-class mentor, tennis ace Ken Skupski, showing the young ones what it takes to make it in tennis.

Ken Skupski is best known for his success in doubles tennis, where in 2009 he broke into the world’s top 50. For Ken, doubles was a natural fit. ‘The UK club tennis mentality has more of a doubles focus then the rest of the world’, he says. He holds three titles and continues to travel and complete in tournaments around the world.

Ken has already headed off to play in three tournaments in the US. Ken has been connected to David Lloyd Leisure Speke for 15 years. Now aged 29, the Liverpool

native loves to give back to the club that played a part in his training and his success.

Ken learned to play at the age of three and understands the importance of kids seeing what the professional game is like. Tennis All Stars coach Anthony Hardman took some of the junior players down to Wimbledon. Ken finds this beneficial as they can see first hand what is achievable and that there is more success out there. What advice does he have for aspiring tennis stars? ‘Be the best player you can be and

work hard. Hard work will take you further than skill alone,’ he says.

The David Lloyd Tennis All Stars program is the largest of its kind. Teaching and developing 15,000 children aged 8-10 in the sport of tennis, the programme is designed to coach kids from an early age to limit bad habits and learn the fundamentals. It is a progressive system that allows kids to move from red to orange to green level groups. The emphasis is on properly sized equipment and courts for each child’s level of play in

those three levels. Players receive a lot of one-on-one attention with highly qualified instructors.

Anthony Hardman, Speke’s junior pro, has 12 years experience in both Britain and the US. With an expertise in performance with players on the national and international circuits, All Star players and parents are thrilled with the results. It is a competitive programme with emphasis on correct techniques but it is also a lot of fun. It also handily fits into the school and family schedules, with three programmes running 12 weeks alongside the normal school terms at weekends and after school hours.

‘Ken’s community involvement and connection to the tennis programme at Speke is priceless,’ says Jake French, manager of David Lloyd Leisure Speke. He adds, ‘mentors are extremely important to anyone trying to achieve success and having an ace on our courts mentoring our juniors is just spectacular to watch’. sport.speke@davidlloyd.co.uk Tel: 0151 494 4000 PRIVATE LIFE 51

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PRIVATE LIVES

Liverpool Legend

Sir Henry

Tate

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Sir Henry Tate is known for many things, most of all for The Tate Gallery. Yet it all began with sugar cubes, as Lauren Walker discovers

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ometimes it is important to revisit history – to remind ourselves of the people who have influenced our world today. Without the celebration of those of yesteryear, they are easily forgotten in our fast-paced world of tweeting, pinning, and facebooking. Instead of continuing our voyeurism of Kim Kardashian or Katie Price, let’s switch the channel back in time for a short history tour on the one and only Sir Henry Tate.

Born 11 March 1819 in Chorley, Lancashire, Henry Tate began his career as a grocer’s apprentice in Liverpool, and by the age of 35 he had opened six of his own grocery shops. In 1859 he sold his stores and moved into the sugar refining trade, joining John Wright & Co. He swiftly took control of the company in 1869 and renamed it Henry Tate & Sons.

Three years later he purchased a very important patent for making sugar cubes. Tate opened a new refinery, in Love Lane in Liverpool, a business enterprise that would be an important part of the city’s economic landscape for over a century. Henry Tate & Sons set up another refinery in Silvertown, London, that is still in operation today.

In 2001 a blue plaque in honour of Sir Henry Tate was unveiled at 42 Hamilton Street, the site of his first shop.

Always concerned with working conditions, Tate even set up a dance hall and bar across from his factory for his staff to enjoy. His sugar empire would eventually become known as Tate & Lyle upon his death in 1921, when it merged with Abram Lyle & Sons.

Henry Tate is of great importance to Liverpool, the popularity of sugar cubes created jobs, adding a new industry to the city. Millions were made from the sweet success of the Tate effect, but it is his financing of assorted causes that beautifully illustrates this sugar baron’s story.

His success in business quickly made him a millionaire

and various charities were the beneficiaries. In 1869 he donated 65 contemporary paintings to the government and £80,000 for them to be displayed properly. The Tate Gallery was born in 21 July 1897. He would eventually support the build with approximately £150,000, donate his personal collection and present it to the country without knowing that this institution would educate and entertain visitors worldwide.

Tate supported many health and education-related causes, and he donated generously to schools such as Liverpool University, Bedford College for woman and the homeopathic hospital Hahnemann. A modest man too, Tate even turned down his knighthood before he was told he would upset the Royal Family if he refused again.

In the 1980s Alan Bowness, then director of Tate, announced plans to create a ‘Tate of the North’. This would be a gallery dedicated to showing modern art and encouraging a younger audience through an active education programme. James Stirling was commissioned to design the new Tate Gallery at Liverpool’s Albert Dock. His designs left the exterior of the brick and stone building built over a colonnade of sturdy Doric columns almost untouched, but transformed the interior into an arrangement of simple, elegant galleries suitable for the display of modern art. It opened to the public in May 1988.

In 2007 the gallery hosted the Turner Prize - the first time the competition was held outside London. More than one million people a year visit Tate Liverpool, cementing its position as a venue for major European exhibitions of modern art.

How proud Sir Henry Tate would have been of this institution today. An incredible man, his success in business, his effect on Liverpool and his generosity to the entire country is enough for many a lifetime over.

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PRIVATE BUSINESS

TO TWEET OR NOT TO TWEET? Find a social media channel that works for your business

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ost of us remember the meeting, a few years ago, when somebody said we needed to start using social media to bring clients on board. Most forward-thinking businesses jumped in and sat back expecting to find that everybody liked what they had to say and were keen to follow their brand at every opportunity. Sadly this was often not the case. Some types of businesses lend themselves well to social media where as others have to work a lot harder. For example, if you run a bar or restaurant you are far more likely to find people following you than if you run a funeral directors.

Some companies have the luxury of a large marketing department, whereas most small businesses will have rely on a staff member who already has a full-time job within the company to update the social media links.

So the big question is which social networking is going to work best for which businesses?

Professional services LinkedIn is the clear favourite as it will help you keep in touch with contacts you meet at networking events. Each time you post an update your connections, even if you

haven’t spoken to them for six months, will be reminded of your services and could often introduce one of their clients where appropriate. Twitter can also be useful for reminding followers of tax or ISA deadlines etc but will more act to service your existing client base than find you new clients.

Creative industries Generally, you will be looking to promote visual aspects of your brand, whether it be a new restaurant you have designed or a new campaign for one of your clients. Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest will be key to updating your followers with showpieces and Twitter will be useful to let them know that new examples are available on your website or Facebook account. Again you should always let your connections on LinkedIn know to check out your recent work.

Hospitality industries This type of business lends itself for promotion on Facebook or Twitter. If you are running a busy venue it is very easy to put posters up asking users to follow you for information on special events, discounts or weekday specials. Make sure you deliver on these promises as you can fall out of favour if you don’t. This industry offers the quickest rewards from social media followers so make sure you cherish each and every one of them.

Personal services This industry tends to attract short-term followers who could possibly leave you just as quickly as they chose to follow you. Generally, your clients will be looking for a specific need and once that need is met, whether it be

finding a new house or job they will no longer need your services. Twitter lends itself perfectly for this scenario as you can post updates about a new job that’s become available or a property in that exclusive area everyone wants to move into.

Consultants Consultants tend to be smaller companies based around the expertise of one individual who may only work on a small number of projects within any given year. The only social media channel worth pursuing would be LinkedIn. LinkedIn is often about planting seeds, which may not flower for a considerable amount of time but when they do, they tend to be worth it. It’s often just a case of reminding people you are there with the odd update and let people know when you are due to be available for work. Each time you work on a project make sure you connect to as many people as possible in the organisation as you will probably find most of your future work comes from clients have previously worked with.

If you would like a personalised review of your company feel free to get in touch for a free consultation at www.ambosdigital.com

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Liverpool Dental Spa has a successful couple at its heart, and they’re doing it with a smile. But, as Lauren Walker discovers, it wasn’t all plain sailing

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ebbie and Marius McGovern are partners in life – and in business at The Liverpool Dental Spa on Brunswick Street. Not only do they run a clinic for the usual services; hygiene, check-ups and fillings, but they are also leaders in dental aesthetics and advanced treatments such as implants and smile reconstruction, providing clients with the most beautiful smiles. Think two-parts natural and one part Hollywood sparkle. One thing is certainly for sure; anyone associated with the Liverpool Dental Spa has an enviable set of teeth.

The couple met many moons ago when Marius had just qualified and

was living on his own for the first time in a bedsit above a pub. The impressive practice they have today is a far cry from their courtship days and they didn’t achieve it without some hardship. With extreme passion, and a myriad of knowledge and experience the pair overcame many obstacles. So how did the couple turn their passion and knowledge into a business? They did so with determination that wasn’t all smiles.

After many years working throughout Liverpool they secured the premises on Brunswick Street. This unfortunately coincided with the banking crisis and the fit-out was delayed as the funding they had been promised was withdrawn and they struggled to find new lenders. Also, people who worked for them set up another practice nearby. The couple had to re-group to ensure a seamless transition into the new practice.

Debbie relates, ‘Our manager and two associates were gone in minutes. At the time it was dreadful but in hindsight it’s the best thing that ever happened’. The remaining team became such a well-oiled machine that

within the next two years they were awarded best dental team in the UK, a first for a Northern-based practice.

Marius and Debbie both insist that their staff are the most important part of their business. They are so close and have even vacationed together, and it is this closeness that benefits the clients and allows the practice to flourish.

After one more glitch with bad financial advice, the couple dug deep and drew from their courage and mission statement to move forward.

They secured their team and stuck to the marketing plan to achieve their original goals for a city dental spa.

They powered through and learned it’s hard to trust in business. When asked for advice to set up a small

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business they respond: ‘1. Have a really thorough business plan; 2. A mentor you can trust and; 3. A friendly bank manager’.

Although dental health is foremost, enhancing natural beauty is also an important part of their business, says Debbie, ‘Liverpool girls are the most beautiful and the most extravagant, they are equally into the health of their teeth and the appearance of their smiles as they are a new dress for the weekend.’

The spa is sensitive to minimal work for a client and are well aware that the natural look and discretion are important to their patients. Liz McClarnon and Marcus Collins, who have recently championed the practice, are among many celebs that mingle with the regular clientele.

What truly separates this practice from the competition is the level of experience Dr Marius McGovern has in his field, being an innovator of dental procedures in Merseyside. The Liverpool Dental Spa has for a few years now been the top choice for cosmetic and life transformational dentistry and that is down to both having implantologists like Dr McGovern but also his team of clinicians that can cater for all aspects within the one building.

‘Within the next year we aim to

provide a special service for people who have a fear of the dentist,’ says Marius, ‘plus an expansion of our dental implant services with an in-house technician to help with denture conversions. These two areas will make a huge difference.’

With 40 years of experience between them, the couple have perfected the recipe for success.

With plans for expansion currently in progress, Debbie is enthusiastic about the concept of practising pain-free dentistry – something that this practice is so confident they can deliver they are offering a money-back guarantee, surely a first for Liverpool. Together they have a busy life with four children, four practices so need lots of energy to keep their world running smoothly.

The recession has affected their

business strategy in many different ways. ‘Our model was one of providing advanced dental care along with the usual core dental services,’ says Marius. ‘As the advanced dental was our main business we made sure we were transparent with our costings, as one of the biggest barriers for people not attending the dentist was the fear of not being able to afford the treatment. We provide competitive in-house financing which means patients can spread the costs over a period of time, including an option for people to have 12 months interest-free credit.’

The future is bright for the pair and the spa. In five year’s time they hope to have a second practice in the city centre and perhaps even a location in Marbella where they have seen a rise in expats seeking dental treatments. Debbie is currently completing her masters in facial aesthetics and is passionate about spreading her knowledge to others. She also heads a committee that is fighting against illegal and harmful teeth whitening in beauty salons – a problem that is widespread in the Liverpool area. Marius adds: ‘These places have been found to use illegal products, many of which can actually damage your teeth and gums. Even more scary is that some of the people who are working in salons have only a day’s training behind them – it takes a dentist seven years before they can work on someone’s teeth.’

The Liverpool Dental Spa has won numerous awards and has gone from strength to strength. With this dynamic duo at its helm the people of Liverpool are set to have the most dazzling smiles around.

www.liverpoolimplants.co.uk info@liverpoolimplants.co.uk 0151 236 8280 23-25 Brunswick Street, Liverpool L2 0PJ PRIVATE LIFE 57

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PRIVATE TRENDS

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We have hunted across the globe to bring you this ultimate guide to the latest Private Trends currently taking the design world by storm

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5 1. Liquid Glacial Table, £POA (www.zaha-hadid.com) 2. Come In & Go Away Floor Doormat, £16.99 (www.lightable.co.uk) 3. Cyclone, £POA (www.editionsltd.net) 4. Hybrid No1, £POA (www.mervekahraman.com) 5. Bite Cutlery, £POA (www.markreigelman.com) 6. Cheese Please Tent, £445 (www.fieldcandy.com) 7. GoodBoy Lamp, £2,500 (www.whatshisname.co.uk)

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PRIVATE LIFE

Public spaces are equally as important as home decor at Elaine Cunningham Interiors

COMMERCIAL

DESIGN Y

ou may think life in the North West’s leading interior design showroom would be all glamorous mansions and luxurious penthouses. Not so. ‘No job is too big or too small, no budget unworkable,’ says Elaine and behind the Elaine Cunningham brand there is an eagerness for expansion that is infectious.

Long gone are the days when customers phone up just for a lampshade and a two-tone carpet.

With more and more professionals spending longer in the office, our mindset is changing. We no longer just want a desk and a comfortable chair to see us through the day. As a result, more and more luxury offices are springing up around the city – many of which are courtesy of Elaine Cunningham Interiors.

The team at the city-centre store have been expanding over the past 12 months to meet the increased demand for designer offices and their client list continues to grow, with their latest big soap-box brand being ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena.

With the Echo Arena attracting over 500,000 visitors each year, the arena team were in search of a brand that would be a good synergy for their corporate VIP boxes and Elaine Cunningham Interiors was first on

their radar. Dan White, Commercial Manager, comments ‘We are delighted to be working with Elaine to enhance our new-look Club Class VIP area.

The feedback from our customers has been fantastic and Elaine has provided a warm atmosphere where clients feel comfortable and welcome’.

He continues, ‘having previously been Merseyside Business Woman of the Year, Elaine’s contracts and the calibre of the brand is a perfect fit for the city’s biggest concert venue and we have not been disappointed. Our customers love the new design and she has added so much to their overall experience when visiting the arena.’

Elaine is proud to be involved in more corporate developments taking place across Liverpool. ‘It is exciting to work with local brands such as Echo Arena as they not only have a platform within the region but have a national presence,’ she says. ‘They provide so much tourism to Liverpool and it is a pleasure to play a part in enhancing their customers’ experience.’

She continues, ‘with so many plans for Liverpool’s future including the Mersey Waters development, venues such as Echo Arena are only going to continue to grow.

I wouldn’t want to be in any other city at this moment as

the brands we are working with over the next five years will continue to put Liverpool on the map and help the city grow. Soon we will be back to being the UK’s capital of industry.’

Elaine Cunningham is slowly adorning Liverpool with a certain je ne sais quoi. Whether it is a new commercial development that is under construction, a 100-bed hotel that needs furnishing or simply a desk change in an office that is needed, you can guarantee Elaine and her team of interior design specialists will be working away to meet your every requirement.

If you are thinking of moving offices, want to add value to a pre-existing space, or would like to redesign your current space, call to book a free consultation on 0151 236 9280

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Brucklay Manor £1,750,000 A beautiful detached residence in the heart of the affluent district of Mossley Hill. Attention to detail and excellent craftsmanship has been employed throughout the design and build of this property and it boasts many bespoke handcrafted features. A stunning entrance comprises a main hall, sweeping staircase in a Georgian design, Minstrels gallery, and an Orangery.

The mature gardens surrounding the property are beautifully landscaped and well tended.

Features • 6 Bedrooms • Bespoke Kitchen • Coachhouse

• 3 Reception Rooms • Orangery • Garage

For information contact Sutton Kersh on 0151 734 0666

. .. le o h y e K e h t h g u o r Th Binbrooke £895,000 A stunning Victorian detached dwelling within the conservation area of Cressington Park, sitting on a riverside double plot offering spectacular views, and beautifully established gardens. Many period features have been retained including a Minton tiled floor vestibule entrance which continues through the reception hallway adding to the overall charm. Rarely does an opportunity arise to purchase such an enviable property within such a prominent and desirable location.

Features • 7 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • Detached Garage

• 3 Reception Rooms • Reception Hall • Summer House

For information contact Sutton Kersh on 0151 734 0666

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The Forty Pits £1,600,000 This is a truly wonderful opportunity to purchase a detached period residence situated within the heart of the Allerton and Calderstones district dating back to 1650. The Forty Pits, as referred to in the Doomsday Book, offers seclusion amidst this popular and affluent district of South Liverpool providing an enviable and enjoyable lifestyle for any prospective purchaser. The gardens surrounding the property are substantial with the rear garden offering beautiful areas of lawn in addition to a tennis court and lake with surrounding walkway.

Features • 5 Bedrooms • 3 Reception Rooms • Vestibule • Tennis Court • Double Garage • Lake For information contact Sutton Kersh on 0151 734 0666

Coming Soon Tarbuck Hall £1,250,000 This unique property possesses a wonderful secluded rural setting within the Tarbuck Hall Estate and has recently been converted, incorporating the old manor house and farm buildings. Due to this property being both spacious and open plan, it has the added bonus of wonderful natural light. Generous landscaped gardens cover in excess of an acre and incorporate a children’s play area and cabin, heated swimming pool, summer house and loggia.

Features • 7 Bedrooms • 4 Reception Rooms • Utility/Laundry Room • Swimming Pool • Garage • Summer House For information contact Sutton Kersh on 0151 734 0666

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1. Bunting, £19.99 2. Rag Dolls, £19.99 3. Alphabet Bibs (set of 3), £19.99 4. Alphabet Babygrow, £14.99 5. Crown Jumpsuit, £19.99. 6. Vintage Planes Laundry Bag, £14.99. 7. Wellingtons, £26.99 8. Alphabet Deckchair, £29.99. 9. Vintage Planes PJ’s, £32.99 All products available from Elaine Cunningham Interiors, 390-392 Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L19 3QD. Tel: 0151 494 1555. www.elainecunninghaminteriors.co.uk

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