INTRODUCTION  
Welcome to Downtown’s first business bulletin of 2007-Liverpool’s 800th
anniversary that is sure to be a year to remember. There is a lot to tell you about this month. News of a very special keynote speaker for our February property forum. The launch of Downtown Preston. New DLIB corporate sponsors for this year. Lively commentary from Downtown Chairman Frank McKenna. And a new ‘rumours’ section for the gossips amongst you to peruse! Read on and enjoy… 		 
     


   
TOTALLY FRANK  

According to some commentators, Liverpool’s public sector has finally got its act together and is sorted. Frank McKenna suggests that, though the glass is most certainly half full, things still need to get better. READ MORE

You can hear Frank on Linda McDermott’s ‘Drive Time’ programme on BBC Radio Merseyside, every other Tuesday at approximately 5.35 p.m. His next appearance is 13th February.

 
     


   
OPPORTUNITY TO DEVLOP QUALITY MERSEY GATEWAY  
The biggest motorway link into Liverpool is to enjoy a £38 million government improvement programme to ease congestion around the M62’s busy Tarbock Island. The work includes new link roads joining the M57 and A57 and will be completed by 2009. The new junction is predicted to reduce accidents and cut traffic delays by 40%.  
     

   
ANOTHER COUP FOR LIVERPOOL TENNIS TOURNAMENT  
Bjorn Borg is to play on grass in England for the first time since famously losing to John McEnroe in a classic men’s singles final at Wimbledon in 1981. Borg won a record five successive Wimbledon titles and his appearance at this years Liverpool International Tennis Tournament is a major coup for the organisers of this wonderful summer event. For further information please visit www.liverpooltennis.co.uk  
     

   
CHAIRMAN OUTLINES DOWNTOWN AGENDA FOR 07  
As Downtown Liverpool enters its third year, Frank McKenna outlines the business group’s agenda for the twelve months ahead. READ MORE  
     

   
NEW CORPORATE SPONSORS ANNOUNCED  
DLIB is delighted to announce six new corporate sponsors for 2007. Construction Company Dolphin, financial group, Property First Asset Management, NJW Developments, leading city manufacturer No Name Kitchens, property developer New Dimensions and January’s Business of the Month the Flanagan Group have joined an impressive list of leading Liverpool businesses that support the lobbying and networking activities of DLIB. For a full list of our Corporate Sponsors please CLICK HERE  
     

   
COMING SOON – DOWNTOWN PRESTON  
The unique Downtown brand is to be introduced to England’s newest city, Preston. In association with the University of Central Lancashire, Downtown Preston In Business aims to establish a dynamic business-networking club, and develop a mentoring project for budding entrepreneurs. Please visit www.downtownpreston.com for further details.  
     

   
MEMBER OFFERS  
EVERYMAN TICKET OFFER
The Everyman and Playhouse Theatre is delighted to invite Downtown Liverpool members to see Our Country’s Good at the Liverpool Playhouse from Friday 2nd February until Saturday 24th February. Preview Tickets are available on 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th February priced at £8 and there are generous discounts available for groups of ten or more. Based on real events, Timberlake Wertenbaker’s award winning modern classic is an inspiring tale of the transforming power of theatre. Join us for a rousing and boisterous theatrical journey and experience the Playhouse, as you’ve never seen it before.
Corporate membership packages are also available and we are currently offering a 20% discount for all Downtown members who join before the end of February.
For further details and to book tickets, please contact Kirstin Mead on 0151 706 9142 or at k.mead@everymanplayhouse.com		  
     

   
LEGAL  
Employment Law Update
Increase in Annual Leave Entitlement & The New Companies Act 2006
READ MORE		  
     


   
THE BIG DEBATE  
Despite council leader Warren Bradley declaring that there would not be a 'tall buildings policy' in Liverpool, the heritage lobby has expressed the view that we and other UK cities should adopt one. Do you think this would be a good thing for Liverpool?
CLICK HERE to register your vote?		  
     


   
THE FLANAGAN GROUP  
The Flanagan Group are a multilateral Liverpool based group of companies serving public and private sector interests. READ MORE  
     


   
‘SIR HOWARD’S WAY’  

The Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Sir Howard Bernstein, will be the keynote speaker at our first Liverpool Property Forum of 2007, which will take place on Tuesday 27th February at the Royal Philharmonic, Hope Street, Liverpool. The event will start at 1.30 p.m. and will also feature presentations from Neil Sturmey & Tony Reddin (Grant Thornton), Matt Staines (Property First Asset Management) and Chris Parkinson (Brabners Chaffe Street). To book your place at the seminar CLICK HERE

  
     

   
SEXY NETWORKING OFF TO A FLYER  

Almost two hundred people attended our first ‘sexy networking’ evening of 2007, to enjoy a night of fun, frolics and entertainment at the Sir Thomas Hotel. CLICK HERE for the gallery courtesy of Atmosferik, DLIB’s official photographers.

  
     


   
THE RUMOUR MILL  

A new section for 2007, where we, very carefully, repeat some of the outrageous things that have been whispered to us in the corridors of power and beyond about life in our wonderful city…
 Surely, with the now infamous evil cabal website still firing on all cylinders, there can be no truth in the suggestion that influential figures at the Town Hall are recommending a particular city based PR company to potential developers? We also hear that LCC’s planned scrapping of the six-month council tax waiver on empty properties, raising the council over £3 M in revenue, has nothing to do with a serious overspend in a number of its mainstream budgets! And, DLIB learns from an impeccable source that the fight for council seats this year will be keener than ever, with a well-known Liverpool businessman ready to contest a city centre ward, and Independent candidates lining up across the city!

If you have any gossip that you are dying to share, please tell us – and we’ll tell 9,000 people! Contact rumours@downtownliverpool.com

  
     


   
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.