INTRODUCTION  
‘Never a dull moment’ could have been a phrase created for this great city of ours. After a relatively sanguine period in the turbulent history of the Culture Company, the resignation of Labour Leader Joe Anderson from the Culture Company Board, and the departure of Events Manager Lee Forde, threw Liverpool 08 into national media focus, for all the wrong reasons. Will this galvanise the civic leadership into a more dynamic, inclusive approach as the city’s most important year of modern times looms, or will we see panic among our leaders, and calls for a.) The business community; b.) The government or c.) Paul McCartney, to bail us out! We will observe with interest, in the hope of receiving a ‘call to arms’ sooner rather than later. As is the case with the rest of the business community, we are here to help. We want to help. But a request to throw £100 into a kitty that will be spent on Lord knows what was never likely to motivate the troops. All the usual Downtown Bulletin musings can be read below. And it’s not all bad news. Enjoy…  
     


   
TOTALLY FRANK  

DLIB’s inaugural ‘Liverpool Means Business Conference’ showed that the private sector wants more involvement in the city’s decision-making processes. Frank McKenna asks; Are the public agencies up for the challenge? CLICK HERE for more

Frank can be heard on Linda McDermott’s drive home programme on Radio Merseyside, every alternate Tuesday at 5.40 p.m. His next appearance is on Tuesday 3rd July.

  
     


   
CULTURE COMPANY WILL DELIVER INSISTS LEADER  
The Leader of Liverpool City Council, Warren Bradley, has insisted that the Culture Company is on course to deliver an “outstanding” 2008. Responding to questions from the political editor of business magazine EN Jim Hancock at the DLIB ‘Liverpool Means Business’ conference last week, Councillor Bradley said: “ All major events, weather it be the World Cup, the Commonwealth Games, or the Olympic Games, suffer hiccups in the run up. I am confident that we will deliver an event that Liverpool will be proud of in 2008.”  
     

   
BLAIR PREDICTS CITY MAYORS WITHIN TEN YEARS
  
Keynote speaker at the conference George Howarth M.P., Chairman of the European Capital of Culture 2008 all-party Group, informed delegates about out-going Prime Minister Tony Blair’s comments on the future of local government at a recent parliamentary select committee. Blair believes that “within ten years” all major cities will be run by Elected Mayors. Music to the ears, perhaps, of the overwhelming majority of delegates who called for Liverpool to have a full-time political Leader.  
     

   
HEZZA BACKS BLAIR!!!  
Well, not quite, but the former Conservative heavyweight, once dubbed the Minister for Merseyside, Lord Michael Heseltine, has also backed the Elected Mayor idea in a review of local government and regeneration. His blueprint, commissioned by Tory Leader David Cameron, also includes proposals for executive Mayors to have the power to issue bonds and borrow money. Though not official Conservative policy as yet, Mr. Cameron said he “welcomed” the proposals.  
     

   
08 CARD LAUNCHED  
Somewhat lost in the controversy surrounding the politics of the Culture Company, was the launch of the excellent 08 Card. Initiated by David Wade Smith’s LIVESMART, the card offers all Merseyside residents special privileges as the city gears up for 2008. READ MORE  
     

   
SECOND CROSSING ON ITS WAY  
More good news, as plans for a continuous ‘super highway’ stretching from Liverpool City Centre to the M56 south of Runcorn were confirmed last week. Over £400million will be invested in creating a new dual-carriageway from Aigburth Vale along Riverside Drive to Sefton Street, whilst in Cheshire the Speke-Widnes link road will be the starting point that will take in a spectacular new 440ft high river crossing between Runcorn and Widnes. Token opposition from Liverpool City Council can be expected. But, with the new arena ready to do business within the next six months, a major development planned at the Garden Festival site and hundreds of apartments being built at Brunswick dock, failure to implement this proposal will lead to congestion that will make the hated ‘big dig’ look like a minor inconvenience!  
     

   
URBAN REVOLUTION CELEBRATES LANDMARK YEAR WITH SMOKING BAN DONATION  
Liverpool-based Urban Revolution Ltd, short listed for the upcoming Daily Post New Business of the Year Award, has marked a successful year by donating £2,000 to their partner charity The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. READ MORE  
     


   
BRABNERS WORKSHOP  
Leading Liverpool Law firm Brabners Chaffe Street offer advice and guidance on the increasingly difficult issue of employment law. READ MORE  
     


   
THE BIG DEBATE  
DLIB Chairman Frank McKenna reckons we’ll miss him now he’s gone. But do you think Tony Blair PM was good for Liverpool? VOTE HERE  
     

   
THE BIG DEBATE RESULTS  
Last month we asked if it matters which political party runs the Council. Over 80% of you believe that it does. CLICK HERE to view results.  
     


   
VERMONT  
One of DLIB’s original sponsors, Vermont was established in 2004 to deliver development opportunities within the area of urban regeneration throughout the North West. CLICK HERE for more.  
     


   
‘TAKE A STAND’ COMEDY NIGHT  

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, including Simon Gibson (Kirwans Solicitors), Ralph Cutler (No Name Kitchens) and Laura Doyle (Ampersand), will be on stage with their own distinct brand of comedy at Baby Blue on the evening of Thursday 12th July. A top professional comedian will also entertain you, for a gig that has been organised by PH Creative. All profits from the evening go to charity, so we are flogging tickets for a tenner. Please CLICK HERE to book your ticket. CLICK HERE for information about ‘Take A Stand’.

  
     

   
LIVERPOOL BUSINESS OSCARS  

The ‘sold out’ signs are up and we are looking forward to a great night at the Sefton Park Palm House for the third annual Liverpool Business Oscars, brought to you by DLIB in association with the Northwest Development Agency, No Name Kitchens and Brabners Chaffe Street. The theme for this year is ‘ A Midsummer Nights Dream’ as we prepare for Capital of Culture 08! Look out for some very special invitations for those of you who have booked your place at what promises to be the most exciting business event of the summer.

  
     

   
‘END OF TERM SEXY NETWORKING’  

Before you head off to sunnier climbs for a well earned break, hook up with the city’s ‘movers & shakers’ at DLIB’s ‘end of term’ evening at the home of ‘sexy networking’, The Sir Thomas Hotel, Victoria Street, on Thursday 26th July. Catch up with all the Goss from the previous weeks Oscar’s event, and fill your diary with useful appointments for September! CLICK HERE to register.

  
     

   
THE "VIVA LAS VEGAS" SUMMER BALL  

DLIB's next door neighbours, The Newz Bar, are throwing their annual summer black tie ball on Wednesday 11th July. For details of this spectacular event, please CLICK HERE

  
     


   
DLI 3 ‘SEXY NETWORKING’ PARTY  
With the help of over 100 of our members, DLIB celebrated its third anniversary in style at Baby Cream. CLICK HERE to view the gallery from the evening. CLICK HERE to view messages.  
     

   
NEMESIS LAUNCH  
A new communications solutions company, Nemesis Networks, was launched in the city in June, at an impressive event held at the Radisson Hotel. The fifty invited guests heard an I.T. presentation for lay people from the Nemesis team, who explained their service offering in an entertaining fashion. Nemesis’ services include IP Telephony, Data Cabling, Carrier Services, and much more. CLICK HERE to view gallery.  
     

   
INTERNATIONAL TENNIS TOURNAMENT – MEET THE PLAYERS  
The Liverpool International Tennis tournaments player’s party adopted DLIB’s ‘sexy networking’ brand this year. Andersons Bar hosted a do that had DLIB members rubbing shoulders with Borg, Rudseski and many, many more. CLICK HERE to view gallery.  
     

   
‘LIVERPOOL MEANS BUSINESS’ CONFERENCE  
Described by many of those who attended as the best event DLIB has ever organised, the inaugural ‘Liverpool Means Business’ conference, held in association with the Northwest Development Agency, heard excellent contributions from leading entrepreneur Tony Caldiera, Council Leader Warren Bradley and M.P. George Howarth. And Brabners Chaffe Street, Grant Thornton and Paver Smith presented lively workshops. CLICK HERE to view gallery.  
     


   
THE RUMOUR MILL  
Questions about the future of the Wellington Rooms, and why the latest proposal to redevelop the listed building were rejected, continue…Is there another high-profile resignation from CoC just around the corner?…Everton to sign Kevin Nolan…Liverpool to sign Michael Owen…Or should that be the other way around???  
     


   
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.