INTRODUCTION  
Welcome to the latest Downtown business bulletin, bringing you up to date with what is hot and happening in Liverpool. In this autumn edition, DLIB Chairman Frank McKenna slams proposals for a supplementary business rate, your verdict on the heritage lobby’s influence on Liverpool is reported, accountancy firm PKF feature as Business of the Month and there is news of some exciting forthcoming city events. We hope to see you at one or more of them as we start to prepare for Christmas, and then the eagerly anticipated 2008!  
     


   
TOTALLY FRANK  

DLIB Chairman Frank McKenna explains why he believes the proposed Supplementary Business Rate is bad for business. CLICK HERE for more

  
     


   
LIVERPOOL SHOWCASES IN LONDON  
The Mersey Partnership and the Northwest Development Agency organised an event highlighting the positive aspects of Liverpool to a London audience in October. ‘Doing Business In Liverpool – City of Opportunity’ highlighted the economic renaissance within the Liverpool City Region, with Tesco Chief Executive Sir Terry Leahy among those addressing business leaders from the capital.  
     

   
LIVERPOOL WELCOMES THE TURNER PRIZE  
Liverpool’s excellent Tate Gallery is currently hosting the Turner Prize Exhibition. Over 1,000 people attended the opening day of the exhibition, which is in the city until 13th January.  
     

   
WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT REPORT???  
It seems an age since an inquiry into the Mathew Street ‘fiasco’ was ordered. Despite a ‘draft’ report being produced, apparently this did not meet with the approval of some within the city council, and it is now being re-written. The problem is, given that nobody other than the politicians are really too bothered about an issue that was blown out of all proportion in the first place, this is another episode where senior officials are wasting their time on irrelevancies, when they should be getting on with the job of driving the city forward.  
     

   
MISS FIX-IT DRAFTED IN TO CULTURE COMPANY  
A new senior adviser has been seconded from the Northwest Development Agency to the Culture Company as the city gears up to deliver its capital of culture programme. Bernice Law will focus on operational delivery and is seen as a key player in the new culture company set up, which is now chaired by Northwest Development Agency chief, Bryan Gray.  
     

   
TMP CHIEF TO ADDRESS ‘LIVERCOOL’  
The recently appointed Chief Executive of The Mersey Partnership, Lorraine Rogers, will be the keynote speaker at the fifth annual ‘Livercool’ Awards gala dinner, to be held on the 8th November. Radio City DJ Kev Seed will act as Master of Ceremonies, whilst entertainment for the evening will be provided by Liverpool band China Crisis.  
     

   
BIG HITTER RECRUITED FOR LIVERPOOL PLC  
The current Chief Executive of BNFL, Michael Parker, has been appointed as Chairman of ‘Liverpool PLC’, the city’s new business support, inward investment and regeneration agency, which is expected to be launched next spring. Liverpool born Mr Parker was previously the Chief Executive of America’s Dow Chemical group, and he has waived the £50,000 salary he was offered to take on his new role.  
     

   
ONE BED FLAT RULE ‘ONLY GUIDANCE’  
Council officials have insisted that the city does not have a policy of only allowing 40% of future city centre residential developments to consist of one-bedroom flats. This directive is simply guidance and not policy. That clears things up for those in the property sector then!?  
     

   
FORMER DJ SWAPS TURNTABLES FOR TRIBUNALS  
As a DJ on Liverpool’s popular Juice FM breakfast show, Joseph Walsh was used to living a VIP lifestyle. He danced the night away with Jessica from Liberty X, travelled to Ibiza to DJ with Take That’s Howard Donald and was once even locked in a studio with Australian beauty Holly Valance.So it may come as something of a surprise to learn that Joseph, 30, from Southport, has given all this up for a new challenge – becoming a solicitor. The former DJ, who worked for the radio station for 2 years, has recently been appointed as trainee solicitor in the employment department at leading Liverpool law firm Brabners Chaffe Street. With that type of background we look forward to welcoming Joseph to our ‘sexy networking’ events in 2008!  
     

   
BE GROOMED FOR 'LIVERCOOL'  
The heat is certainly on to look good for this year’s Livercool awards. If last year is anything to go by, the competition is going to be tough for the best dressed male and female on the evening. Realising the busy schedules of Liverpool’s movers and shakers MySpa Clinics on Brunswick dock has announced it will offer late night appointments to all Downtown members on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th of November before the event. From facials, to spray tans and manicures, MySpa Clinics will be able to provide you with anything you need to make sure you shine on the evening. The Clinic will stay open till 8pm on both nights, but please make an appointment first to avoid disappointment. For further information contact MySpa Clinics Liverpool on (0151) 706 6000.  
     


   
BRABNERS CHAFFE STREET  
Brabners Chaffe Street is hosting a series of free seminars during November, reviewing employment law legislation. CLICK HERE for further details.  
     


   
THE BIG DEBATE RESULTS  
HERITAGE LOBBY – HELP OR HINDRANCE?
Last month we asked you, does the Heritage lobby have too much power in Liverpool?
Almost 60% of you believe that it does. CLICK HERE to view results.		  
     

   
THE BIG DEBATE  
IS THE TRAM WORTH PAYING FOR?
Political leaders have put the tram back on the agenda, with a proposal to charge businesses a supplementary rate to help pay for it. Do you think this is fair? CLICK HERE to vote		  
     


   
PKF LLP  
PKF is one of the UK’s leading firms of accountants and business advisers, which specialises in advising the management of developing private and public businesses READ MORE.  
     


   
DOWNTOWN VACANCIES  
Downtown Liverpool in Business has two job vacancies. CLICK HERE for details.  
     


   
‘LIVERCOOL’ AWARDS 07  

The fifth annual ‘Livercool’ awards will be held at the Crowne Plaza on Thursday 8th November at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The theme for the evening, sponsored by the Northwest Development Agency, Brabners Chaffe Street and No Name Kitchens, is the property board game Monopoly – the Liverpool version obviously! Voting for award winners has now CLOSED.

  
     

   
LIVERPOOL PROPERTY FORUM – ‘LIVERPOOL ONE’  

In association with the Northwest Development Agency, Brabners Chaffe Street and Grant Thornton, DLIB will host the final Liverpool Property Forum of 2007, date and venue will be announced next week.

  
     


   
JOIN DLIB  
Don’t settle for second-rate networking clubs – join the best in the business to get the best for your business. CLICK HERE for details.