It's time to celebrate as the most miserable month of the year draws to a close and UK PLC has finally come out of recession. This issue of TFI brings news of a potential £5.5 billion investment for the city; and we unveil Downtown's latest sponsors. Frank McKenna suggests that democracy sometimes gets in the way of common sense decision making and our Man of the Week is Peel boss John Whittaker. Have a great weekend, and don't do anything Frank wouldn't do...

YOU CAN HEAR A PREVIEW OF TFI EVERY FRIDAY MORNING ON CITY TALK 105.9FM, 7.45AM, WITH FRANK McKENNA.

DONT FORGET TO JOIN DLIB ON FACEBOOK

Some of you may have experienced problems accessing the Downtown Liverpool website. This is due to an error out of our control we are working on getting the problem sorted and it will hopefully be online sooner rather than later.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused. 

Liverpool will get a vision of its future this weekend when property developer Peel stages a public consultation on its planned £5.5bn Liverpool Waters proposal.

The waterfront scheme is proposed to transform derelict dockland to the north of the city into a vibrant commercial and residential hub rivalling anywhere in the world.

Its exhibition near the city’s MetQuarter, at 9 Whitechapel from 10am-5pm today and Saturday, will feature the latest scale model of the draft project and exclusive new images, to encourage visitors to offer their views on Peel’s ambitious plans that could take up to 30 years to complete.

The DLIB Chairman is not impressed with Liverpool's Council Tax freeze. CLICK HERE to read why.

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The Everton Foundation is offering young fans the chance to be a mascot at the Chelsea game at Goodison Park next month.

The winner will also receive a home kit, four complimentary tickets to the match, and a behind the scenes tour with an exclusive meet-and-greet with manager David Moyes and the first team.

To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is enter a special prize draw by donating a minimum of £10 to the Toffee’s top charity, The Everton Foundation, at www.evertonfc.com/efcmascot

The draw will close at 11.59pm on Thursday February 4 and contact made with the winner by close of business on Monday February 8.

Mascots must be aged between 5 and 12-years-old.

No Guru is offering free places to a special Masterclass, hosted by Sales Expert Andy Bounds.  Andy will show how he helped companies like RBS win more business, and how you can generate sales too.  This is a great opportunity to hear an internationally acclaimed speaker and, post-recession, winning more business has never been more important.

The event will also highlight the LEAD programme, introducing you to business leaders already gaining from LEAD.  The programme from the NWDA is designed to help your business grow, by giving you the skills and knowledge needed in today’s economy.

Wednesday 10th February 3pm at  Partnership for Learning, L24 9PZ.

Call Business Link on 0845 00 66 888 to book or email leadadmin@noguru.net for more information.

The LCC Procurement Service is undertaking lots of initiatives that will open up opportunities for SME's to do more business with Liverpool City Council.

Via their electronic procurement portal, 'The Chest' businesses can have a closer more efficient relationship with the Council.

For further information about 'The Chest' CLICK HERE

Leading dental practice Ollie & Darsh and Liverpool kitchen company Panorama have become the latest sponsors of Downtown Liverpool in Business.

Panorama will headline sponsor the Property & Enterprise Forum’s in 2010, whilst the Ollie & Darsh brand will feature throughout the Downtown events programme over the next twelve months.

CLICK HERE to visit the Ollie & Darsh website
CLICK HERE to visit the Panorama website

A £5.5 billion project for Liverpool, as reported in our lead story, may seem like pie in the sky, but Peel, under the leadership of John Whittaker have a track record for delivering impressive multi billion pound schemes, including the Trafford Centre. His vision for Liverpool's north docks is stunning, and Mr. Whittaker is a worthy Man of the Week.

We can't really say much about this other than it is fantastic. It is simply a scale of the largest objects in the universe, to the smallest objects in the universe.

The information it covers is as diverse as it is unfathomable, the only thing it seems to be missing is Frank McKenna's ego!

Be warned you may need a good 10-15 mins to enjoy its full potential.

http://www.nikon.com/about/feelnikon/universcale/index.htm

COMEDY HELL
OPENING 19th FEBRUARY 2010
Lurking in the basement of Lenny’s Bar And Smoke Grill is Comedy HELL Liverpool’s biggest & brashest, new comedy venue, opening on February 19th 2010 with a stand out, stand up season.

DEVILISHLY ENTICING INTRODUCTORY OFFER
50% off Full ticket prices for the first two weeks,
30% off for the next two weeks. To book call 0151 236 6564
Opening tickets will be available from our booking office, call:
0151 236 6546 additionally let them know if you want to reserve a pre-show meal at the American Smoke Grill Lenny’s housed upstairs.

10% off for the first 3 months for DLIB members.

TICKET PRICES
Full Ticket Prices: £14 (Friday) £17 (Saturday)

The event will take place on Thursday 25th February, at the BT Convention Centre and will also be broadcast by radio station City Talk FM. The audience will be made up of business leaders from across the city.

Hosted by Jim Hancock: Former political editor with Granada and BBC Northwest.

Sponsored by BT Convention Centre, City Talk 105.9 and Ollie & Darsh.

CLICK HERE to register

The first Downtown Liverpool in Business 'Members Reception' of 2010 takes place at Merchants, 62 Castle St, bringing you an evening of fantastic food, fantastic wine and fantastic company. 'Mingle and Merge', with some of Liverpool's leading 'Movers and Shakers'.

Date: Thursday 11th February
Time: 6.30pm - 10.00pm
Venue: Merchants

Cost: £25.00 + VAT per person

To register RSVP to lucy.shotter@downtowninbusiness.com

As signs of local optimism emerge it is important to be mindful that more companies collapse at the beginning of a recovery than in the depths of the preceding recession. This is mainly down to a lack of working capital once demand starts to return and ineffective marketing initiatives.

Grant Thornton will discuss how you can prepare for the upturn and look at the areas which need to be focused on in order to improve cash flow.

18 FEB 2010 : MIDLAND HOTEL : MANCHESTER

Last week Ricky Hatton announced his intention to return to the ring and give his 'largest crowd in boxing' something to remember him by. The everyman boxer understands the fans, and is always working to bring the spectacular to them. It is what he does best.

With this in mind Ricky Hatton and Hatton Promotions in association with The National Sporting Club and MBN Events present an unrivaled evening of Black Tie Boxing with that spectacular Hatton element.

An exclusive event hosted by Ricky himself, the evening will include several bouts of boxing in wonderful surroundings and a fine 4 course meal. It will be tailored to the crowd with Ricky at the helm so you are guaranteed one of the best evenings 2010 has to offer. And it is only February! Tables and tickets are very limited so waste no time and book today.

http://www.mbnpromotions.co.uk/180210manchester.aspx

Name: Kate Smolibowska

Company: L3 Living

Position: Guest Relations Executive

Red or Blue: None, I’m not really a big football fan

Brown or Cameron: Prince Harry ;)

Favourite Liverpool Bar/Restaurant: Las Iguanas - 2 for 1 drinks woo hoo!

What’s your Tipple: Vodka and Red Bull

Favourite Liverpool Band: Dead or Alive 

Top Tune: Don’t have one, any cheese pop tunes will do

Favourite Book: All by Harlan Coben

Favourite Movie:  Miss Congeniality

Who would play you in a film: Drew Barrymore

Favourite TV Programme: Dragons’ Den, I’m hoping to get some investment for my ideas one day

Most visited website: Sadly Facebook and l3living.com

Celebrity Crush: Randy Orton..! (WWE)

Interesting Fact about you: I once took part in a Survivor Camp where I was made to swim in mud, climb trees and build a hut to sleep in!

Why Downtown: Because it provides valuable business connections and ... I like to party!