 Chris Marritt, of Liverpool based PR Agency Mason Media, talked to DLiB Chairman Frank McKenna about the city’s renaissance. There was a time not long ago that a businessman in Liverpool would rather fill in a tax return than engage in a dialogue about the future with the city’s governing agencies. But that was before the city won the right to become Europe’s Capital of Culture in 2008. Now, two years on, there is resurgence in confidence among the private sector here. Those who have helped Liverpool’s revival with risk investments when it wasn’t seen as the most sensible thing for them to do are now determined to help influence future policy direction so that Liverpool maximises the value of a buzz, which has not been felt in their city since the heady days of Beatlemania. How are they doing that? For many of the entrepreneurs and wealth creators in the city, the vehicle they are using to articulate their views is Downtown Liverpool in Business (DLiB), a lobbying company established in the city just over a year ago. Launched in May 2004, DLiB is a private sector-led, independent ideas agency that acts as an interface between the ‘new’ Liverpool business community and the plethora of public sector organisations that govern the city. Frank McKenna, a former full-time politician who served as the Leader of the Northwest Regional Assembly and the Deputy Leader of Lancashire County Council before establishing his own public affairs consultancy company four years ago, founded DLiB to play a strong business leadership role within the city. “We want to enable the city’s entrepreneurs to work effectively and in partnership with the likes of the council, the Northwest Development Agency, the Mersey Partnership, Liverpool Vision and the other institutions that are responsible for developing policy and strategy here,” he says. “DLiB is not a forum for those who simply want to whinge and complain. We offer a platform for people who want to promote and present positive ideas and solutions to the challenges the city faces and provide an environment where effective business networking can take place.” Already, DLiB has attracted support from some of the city’s new entrepreneurs and modern industry sectors, with property developers, architects, cultural and media businesses, new retail, lifestyle companies and the new technology sector all strongly represented within its membership. “For years, business leaders in Liverpool just wanted to keep their heads down and get on with business,” Frank adds. “Now, those leaders are growing in confidence and want to have a say in what happens in Liverpool. “Indications from bodies such as the NWDA and the council suggest that there is an appetite for such a partnership to develop within the public sector too.” Frank recognises that the public-private sector dialogue will, from time to time, create some tensions - the recent decision to axe Will Allsop’s Fourth Grace ‘cloud’ project was harshly criticised by DLiB, for example. There is also concern that other key strategic developments - such as the Kings Dock waterfront project and the trams initiative - are taking longer than they should to be delivered. And there is consistent criticism that Liverpool’s governing agencies spend too much time harping back to its heritage and the Beatles, whilst failing to promote and celebrate what is happening in the city now, and what will be happening in the future. Nevertheless, Frank remains optimistic and points to private sector investment and interest to support that. “The multi-million pound Paradise Street development will give a tremendous boost to the city centre and give us the retail attraction that a modern city needs to compete nowadays. “Then there is the proposed £120 Million Brunswick Quay scheme, put forward by Maro Developments. Each and every pound for that project is coming from the private sector pot. When was the last time Liverpool attracted that scale of business risk? “We have a shortage of workers in the city. Liverpool has thrown off its ‘gissajob’ image and the continued physical regeneration of downtown Liverpool, with new office blocks and classy residential schemes appearing on a weekly basis, is further evidence that the city is on the brink of its greatest economic boom in modern memory. “The city is even enjoying a revival on the sporting front, too, with Liverpool’s incredible European Cup win and Everton qualifying for next season’s Champions League.” “Liverpool has stopped its decline,” Frank adds. “The challenge now is to initiate real growth. “The Capital of Culture badge will help but if the renaissance of the city is to be sustainable, their needs to be an appreciation of just how crucial business and entrepreneurs are to the future of Liverpool. “Support for the indigenous entrepreneurial spirit in this city, and a real value placed on modern, growing industry sectors is vital. “Whatever happens, DLiB will be doing what it can to get that message across” Tel. 0151 707 4510
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