Welcome to the May issue of DLIB’s ‘Business Bulletin’, bringing you up to date with what is happening ‘Downtown’. And there has been such a lot happening this month! Downtown Liverpool celebrated its first birthday party in style, announcing two new corporate sponsors, Property Link and Public Relations specialists Mason Media. There was quite a spat over at the council, where the Chief Executive and Leader had a public tiff that put Posh and Becks to shame. And, of course, the football season came to a spectacular end with Everton qualifying for next seasons Champions League, and Liverpool winning the European Cup for the fifth time. Take a deep breath, and read on…

DLIB ATTACKS ‘CHAOTIC’ LIVERPOOL PLANNING POLICY

Property Developers will “look elsewhere” unless the Government and the city council end the chaos surrounding planning policy. DLIB Chairman Frank McKenna says that the lack of clear direction is frustrating developers. Read more

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO

After months of rumour and innuendo suggesting that the two most powerful men in the city, Sir David Henshaw and Councillor Mike Storey had fallen out, all was revealed in a series of excellent articles in the Daily Post. Secret dossiers, private and confidential e-mails, claims of a ‘stitch up’ and calls for resignations. It was like being back in the bad old days! The council’s response? Marriage guidance for the couple, to be administered by the Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council. Hardly satisfactory, and unlikely to provide a long-term solution to what is a major problem for Liverpool. Read more

LET LIVERPOOL DEFEND THEIR TITLE

After the magnificent performance of Liverpool FC in the Champions League Final, recovering from a three-nil half-time deficit to win a marvellous match on penalties, we all assumed that football’s governing body would see sense and allow the Reds to defend their title next season. However, official statements from UEFA have been far from encouraging, and no decision will be taken until June. We say Liverpool AND Everton MUST be allowed to play in next seasons Champions League. Add your name to our petition, which will be forwarded to UEFA. Sign petition

LIVERPOOL ONE

DLIB’s campaign to cut red tape and bureaucracy, and downsize the number of agencies and quangos governing the city is gathering momentum, and winning support. Add your name to the list of entrepreneurs and business leaders who back the ‘Liverpool One’ campaign Sign petition

DOWNTOWN INVADERS

This month we launched our ‘Downtown Invaders’ game. If you missed it at
our 1st Birthday, you can now play it online here!

BRUNSWICK QUAY – YOU SAY ‘YES’

Maro Developments’ Brunswick Quay proposal has been re-submitted to Liverpool City Council’s Planning Committee, and will be considered in July. A poll of DLIB members indicates huge support amongst the business community for the development, with over 80% of respondents saying that the council should approve the scheme. Read more

HERITAGE STATUS – HELP OR HINDERENCE?

Liverpool’s ambitions for a ‘mini-Manhattan’ skyline face is being thrown into jeopardy by strict United Nations rules to ban tall buildings around World Heritage sites. In Liverpool this could affect regeneration schemes in many downtown locations, including Castle Street, Duke Street and Old Hall Street.

Our poll this month asks: Should Liverpool City Council approach Unesco, and re-draw the World Heritage Site boundary, so that only the waterfront is protected? click here to vote now

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!

A big THANK YOU to the 200 members who celebrated our first anniversary with us, in the fabulous setting of Hope Street Hotel. Guests were entertained by local actress/singer Vickie Gates; Grant Thornton kindly provided the birthday cake, whilst Brabners and TM3 donated Tiffany jewellery for the ‘pass the parcel’ competition. To view pictures from this memorable evening, please visit www.facesinplaces.co.uk, whose team of photographers will be covering all DLIB events for the remainder of the year. Our first birthday party also saw the launch of DLIB’s new game ‘Downtown Invaders’. CLICK HERE TO SEE IF YOU CAN SUCCESSFULLY DEFEND LIVERPOOL’S WATERFRONT

DOWNTOWN PROPERTY FORUM

The Downtown Liverpool Property Forum represents the major developers, landlords and investors concerned in the physical regeneration of Liverpool. The forum event due to take place at FACT on Thursday 26th May 2005 was postponed, due to the mass exodus of people from Liverpool to Istanbul! A new date for this event will be announced shortly. The keynote speaker is David Taylor, former Chief Executive of English Partnerships, Advisor to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, and one of the UK’s leading regeneration experts. Property section

LIVERPOOL BUSINESS OSCARS – SELL OUT!

This celebration of Liverpool enterprise and business will take place in the spectacular setting of Sefton Park’s Palm House, on the evening of Thursday 14th July 2005. The Northwest Development Agency and NO Name Kitchens are sponsoring the event, which has SOLD OUT! Make your Oscar nominations NOW!

LIVERPOOL TENNIS TOURNAMENT

The tournament takes place at Calderstones Park from Wednesday 8th June – Sunday 12th June. There are a limited number of excellent hospitality packages still available. Visit www.liverpooltennis.co.uk for further details.

TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGS (PROTECTION OF EMPLOYMENT) REGULATIONS 2005

Regulations are due to come into force on 1st October 2005 that will impact on all businesses and other organisations engaged in contract work or who engage contractors e.g. for cleaning, security etc. Those who fail to take stock of their outsourcing contracts and adhere to the new regulations could face a £75,000 penalty. Read more

Most people have heard of REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts), which are being proposed by the Treasury. As these new tax efficient entities are unlikely to be seen for a year or so, what alternatives are available now to allow developers and others to set up investment funds to buy their property stock? Depending on whether or not the properties in the fund are to be sold and new ones bought over the period of the fund, it may be appropriate to consider an offshore unit trust. This is a specialist area and specific advice should be taken. – Grant Thornton

For more useful tax tips and advice, visit the tax section on our website with content supplied by the leading accountancy firm Grant Thornton. Read more

3 – THE MAGIC NUMBER

This month Lewis Biggs (Director of the Liverpool Biennial), Gemma Bodinetz (Artistic Director of the Everyman and Playhouse Theatres) and Toby Coffey (Creative Director of TM3 Design & Marketing) reflect on the successes and prospects of Liverpool’s impressive cultural sector. View interviews

TM3 Design & Marketing aptly sponsor this section.

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH.

Hospitality Direct provides Quality hospitality packages already to large organisations in the North West, from racing at Aintree, Chester and Haydock to Concerts at the MEN ARENA then onto Football at Anfield or Goodison Park. We aim to provide both official and exclusive facilities for individuals and organisations to enable them to provide their clients with quality, whatever the event. Read more

DOWNTOWN MEMBERSHIP

DLIB is the fastest growing private sector lobbying company in the city. Recently described by Insider magazine as ‘quango -bashers extraordinaire’. And, with both Everton FC and Liverpool FC as members, surely the only business club in the world that can boast a Champions League qualifier, and a European Cup winner amongst its supporters! If you want to influence what is happening in Liverpool, if you want a more dynamic, business-friendly city, and if you want to have fun while you’re doing it, then you want to be a member of DLIB. Read more

DOWNTOWN 100

Downtown 100 is the most exclusive, sophisticated and wealthy entrepreneurs club in Liverpool. Membership is by invitation only and offered exclusively to Liverpool’s leading entrepreneurs, distinguished companies and investors. Read more

SPECIAL EVENT

Details of ‘an audience with’ Everton Chief Executive Keith Wyness at Goodison Park.

OSCAR NEWS

We will be announcing the nominees for this year’s Business Oscars.