INTRODUCTION  
Hello again, and welcome to the latest issue of the business bulletin, brought to you by ‘the business club with attitude’. This month we send out a rallying cry to save one of the most historic buildings in the city, the Wellington Rooms. There is a look ahead to the forthcoming local elections. One of the fastest growing companies in Liverpool, No Name Kitchens, is profiled as our Business Of The Month. Legal Eagles Brabners Chaffe Street take a look at business strucures, and DLIB Chairman Frank McKenna provides his monthly rant. The Downtown events bonanza is about to kick in for the summer so have your diary at the ready for our events section. Please note a CHANGE OF DATE for DLIB’s third birthday party. And we announce the shortlist for the Liverpool Business Oscars.  
     


   
TOTALLY FRANK  

That old chestnut of ‘too many empty city centre apartments’ returned with a vengeance this week, with a Daily Post headline screaming that ‘35% of city centre flats’ were empty! READ MORE

 
     


   
ELECTION BATTLE UNDERWAY  
Campaigning for the forthcoming local elections on 3rd May is well underway, with the Liverpool Labour Party hoping to buck the national trend as they did last year, and make a further dint into the Liberal Democrat majority on Liverpool City Council. With a very impressive by-election success in Speke only last month, Labour’s Joe Anderson will be optimistic about his party’s chances, whilst Warren Bradley will hope that his more open approach to the leadership of the city will pay dividends.  
     

   
COUNCILLORS AGREE TO WELLINGTON ROOMS SITE VISIT  
Despite the fact that the Wellington Rooms on Mount Pleasant, a grade two star listed building known to many in Liverpool as the ‘Irish Centre’, has been empty for nine-years, proposals from city based developers New Dimensions to invest £6million to turn the derelict building into a boutique hotel were incredibly recommended for refusal by city planners. Fortunately, strong representations from the developer, and the high-profile support from several community leaders, including ‘Stop The Rot’ Chairman Bishop James Jones, and Liverpool Riverside M.P. Louise Ellman, persuaded council Members to defer a decision, and agree to a site visit. The matter will now be resolved in the summer. READ MORE  
     

   
LIVERPOOL FC FORCE DLIB TO RE-ARRANGE BIRTHDAY BASH!!!  
Liverpool Football Clubs Champions League campaign has forced DLIB to move its third anniversary celebrations back a week. Initially, a date of 24th May was booked. But with the Champions League Final to be played in Athens the day before, we are backing the Reds to be there, along with hundreds of DLIB supporters. So, it’s the 31st May for the 3rd birthday bash – and it may be a double celebration! See the events section for all the details of the re-arranged ‘sexy networking’ party.  
     

   
AND THE NOMINEES ARE…  
Thank you to all of those who have made nominations for the third annual Liverpool Business Oscars, which take place on Thursday 19th July at the Sefton Park Palm House. To see the shortlisted companies, and cast your votes, please CLICK HERE.  
     

   
MY SPA LAUNCHES IN STYLE  
The Liverpool glitterati descended on the old Harry Ramsdens Fish & chip restaurant last week, to witness the marvellous new facilities now on offer by MY SPA Clinic. READ MORE  
     

   
EVERTON LEGEND PASSES AWAY  
Everton and England legend Alan Ball has sadly died at the age of 61. A World Cup winner at the tender age of 20, and a Championship winner with the Blues in 1970, Ball will be missed by all football supporters across the city. DLIB Chairman Frank McKenna commented "I was fortunate enough to meet Alan Ball on several occasions, and he was an absolute gentleman. His passion for football was only matched by his passion for Everton Football Club, who he saw very much as 'his team' despite serving a number of other clubs during his illustrious career. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him."  
     


   
BUSINESS STRUCTURE  
So the inspiration has hit, you’ve found the idea to make you your first million, what next? CLICK HERE to view the Brabners Chaffe Street guide to business structures.  
     


   
SPECIAL OFFER FOR DLIB MEMBERS  
DHL have teamed up with DLIB to provide all of our members with a FREE online edition of the Liverpool Daily Post and the Liverpool Echo next week. Look out on your system for a mail from Monday, providing you with all the news and views from across the region.  
     


   
FEATURE  
This month the Editor of leading regional property magazine PAD, Leigh Tasker, is invited to express his opinion on Liverpool’s renaissance. CLICK HERE.  
     


   
THE BIG DEBATE RESULTS  
‘FEELGOOD LIVERPOOL’
Last month DLIB suggested that there was an air of optimism among Liverpool’s entrepreneurs. 58.8% of you share the ‘feelgood factor’, but even in our city’s 800th anniversary year, and with the Capital of Culture celebrations just eight months away, 41.2% of you are yet to be convinced about Liverpool’s future prospects. CLICK HERE to view results.		  
     

   
THE BIG DEBATE  
WAS CHANCELLOR BROWN GOOD FOR BUSINESS?
Last month Gordon Brown presented what is widely anticipated as being his last budget before he becomes Prime Minister. During his ten years as Chancellor, do you think he has been good for business? CLCK HERE to vote.		  
     


   
NO NAME KITCHENS  
DLIB corporate sponsors No Name Kitchens recently launched a new marketing campaign, alongside a brand new website. A Liverpool company that was established in 1974, No Name is now acknowledged across the UK as one of the leading kitchen manufacturers in the country. READ MORE about the new marketing launch event.  
     


   
DLI 3 ‘SEXY NETWORKING’ PARTY  

DLIB will celebrate its third anniversary with THE birthday party of the summer on the evening Thursday 31st May, at Baby Cream. Festivities start at 6.30 P.M. and there will be some fabulous fun, frolics and entertainment, along with the opportunity to ‘sexy network’ the night away. CLICK HERE to register your attendance

  
     

   
JOIN BORG AND RUSEDSKI FOR 'SEXY NETWORKING'  

IIn association with the organisers of the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament, DLIB is hosting a very special 'sexy networking' evening at Anderson Bar, Exchange Street East, on Wednesday 13th June. All the tournament players will be there, so come along and meet some real legends (and we don't mean Frank McKenna!) REGISTER HERE

  
     

   
‘LIVERPOOL MEANS BUSINESS’ CONFERENCE  

Leading Liverpool entrepreneur, Tony Caldeira will join leading opinion formers, and business leaders at the ‘Liverpool Means Business Conference’ on Thursday 21st June at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. In association with the Northwest Development Agency, Brabners Chaffe Street and Grant Thornton, DLIB will offer delegates the opportunity to learn more about their opportunity to grow their business. You will also have a chance to offer comments and questions on the city’s future business prospects. Conference contributors include Government Minister Phil Woolas M.P., Leader of Liverpool City Council Warren Bradley and Esther McVey of ‘Winning Woman’.CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

  
     

   
‘TAKE A STAND’ EVENT  

Have you ever wanted to laugh at Frank McKenna? Well, here is your chance to do just that. Frank, and a team of DLIB members, will be on stage with their own distinct brand of comedy at Baby Blue on the evening of Thursday 28th June. A top professional comedian will also entertain you, for a gig that has been organised by PH Creative. Entrance to this one time only event is free, but as any profits from the night will go to charity, please be prepared to buy a few raffle tickets! CLICK HERE to register.

  
     

   
‘LIVERPOOL BUSINESS OSCARS’  

The nominations are in, and the ‘sold out’ signs are about to go up. If you have yet to reserve your place at the hottest awards dinner in Liverpool CLICK HERE

 
     


   
THE RUMOUR MILL  
Liverpool may well be going head to head with Manchester on two fronts during the next few weeks. In the Champions League final, of course, but also in the battle to host the 2008 MTV awards. With it being CoC year, it must be us…mustn’t it? (That’s what Blackpool said about the casino!)… We hear that a new woman’s business group is having a good deal of success in persuading leading Liverpool businessmen to pose nude for an 08 calendar… And as Downtown gets set to launch in Preston, Frank McKenna is rumoured to be thinking about running for the position of elected mayor of the UK’s newest city!!!  
     


   
JOIN DLIB  
If you want to grow your company in 2007, and help to make Liverpool a more business-friendly city, then you should join the fastest growing business club in the region. CLICK HERE for more information.