Another week, another set of unproductive talks about stadium development for our two football clubs! Are Everton and Liverpool in danger of becoming Premier League also rans? Read Frank McKenna's blog to see what he thinks, as he also mourns the demise of Lewis'. Elsewhere, TFI celebrates Wilcocks Associates as 'Business of the Week'; a genuine genius wins our 'Man of the Week' accolade; and Emma Owen of Aintree Racecourse tells us more than she should in 'Who Are Yer?' Read on, enjoy, 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.

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It has been reported that a top level meeting that included the Chief Executives of Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs, Liverpool City Council and Liverpool University failed to deliver progress on new stadia for the two clubs. It is understood that the 'football quarter' initiative as put forward by fans groups was dismissed on the grounds the £700m plus price tag is unaffordable. The plan suggests the redevelopment of Anfield and Goodison Park, rather than new stadia for both clubs as is currently being proposed. It is unclear if the controversial 'shared stadium' proposition was on the agenda.

It was with sadness, if not much surprise, that I heard the news of Lewis’ closure. The legendary Liverpool department store will be closing its doors after over 100 years of trading, with the loss of around 300 jobs.

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A Chinese tea ceremony was held to mark Grant Thornton’s sponsorship of Liverpool’s pavilion at the World Expo 2010.

Grant Thornton employs more than 400 people across offices in Liverpool and Manchester and another 400 people in Shanghai.

Neil Sturmey, Grant Thornton’s managing partner, said: “The Expo gives us the perfect opportunity to display just what we have achieved as a city to a global audience. And being closely connected with the next big superpower will certainly help Liverpool’s continued recognition across the world as a rising business community.”

Financial and legal recruitment specialist, Sellick Partnership has secured a place on the recently awarded Buying Solutions Non-Medical, Non-Clinical Resources framework agreement available to the NHS and public sector.

The new Framework Agreement will enable Sellick Partnership to continue supplying the NHS and related public sector bodies in England and Wales with non-medical and non-clinical temporary and fixed-term staff across the finance arena, for a minimum of two years.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines this week announced the addition of a fourth daily flight to its schedule out of Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA), cementing its operations out of Merseyside. The new frequency commences on 10 May 2010 and alongside improved timings for the original three daily flights, the schedule will increase long haul connectivity via its award winning hub, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

This new frequency announcement comes less than a year after the route’s inaugural flight on 30 March 2009 and is a testament to KLM’s commitment to the Liverpool region. The faster long haul connections mean that travellers in the region can now take advantage of smooth and seamless travel to destinations such as Shanghai, Johannesburg and Mexico.

Is there any stopping have-a-go PR heroes Paver Smith? Not only has it bagged the accounts for friendly society Oddfellows and Medical Thermal Imaging North West, but it has also landed the prize contract of PRing the regional heats of the Miss England competition. “We’ve had plenty of volunteers to work on that,” chuckled boss Dougal Paver, hopefully not rubbing his thighs a la Vic Reeves on Shooting Stars. “We’ve hit a purple patch since the new year,” he added: “We’re still expecting a scrap in 2010 overall, but so far so good.”

If you want to find out what Downtown is up to at the other end of the M62, sign up for the Manchester TFI here

Frank McKenna looks back at the 'Liverpool Leaders Debate' and discusses the Football stadia issue with David Wade Smith, David Bartlett, Guy Wallis and Jon Egan on his weekly business programme 'City Talks Business' on Sunday morning 7am, repeated at 8pm. Tune in on frequency 105.9fm. You can listen to previous broadcasts HERE.

Wilcocks Associates are offering an opportunity you are not going to want to miss.

Introduce a corporate client for business protection insurance and you will receive:

Up to £1000 commission and A Formula1® Driving experience
Offer ends 31st March 2010

Introduce your business customers to them and any insurance and trust work they carry out will see you remunerated by way of commission up to £1000 depending on what premiums are paid by the business for their insurance.

In addition you will receive 1 entry into an F1 competition for every client you refer.

CLICK HERE to register or call 0151 600 5126

Liverpool born Ian Bayley became the Brain of Britain after taking part in the Radio 4 competition. Ian won the top prize after scoring more points than the rest of the contenders added together. We could do with Ian to come up with a solution our football clubs ground problems; get your thinking cap on Ian.

An age old concept that has been given an internet makeover.

This is pure fun.

www.faceinhole.com/gb/

Downtown events manager Roger Jonas discusses the recent visit of Iain Duncan Smith and the latest ‘Chairman's Dinner’.

ESTHER OUT WITH IAIN

A DECENT GLASS OF DUCK POND!

Join Downtown as we host another Members Reception. Taking place at Malmaison Liverpool, this event will be attended by some of the leading business men and women in the city.

COST: £25 + VAT per person inc 3 course meal and half bottle of wine.

Date: Tuesday 30th March
Time: 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Venue: Malmaison

REGISTER NOW

Name: Emma Owen         

Company: Aintree Racecourse

Position: Marketing & PR Manager

Red or Blue: Red

Brown or Cameron: Can see the positive and negative in both

Favourite Liverpool Bar/Restaurant: Alma de Cuba, home of our Winner’s Party

What’s your Tipple: Gin and Tonic

Favourite Liverpool Band: It has to be the Beatles! 

Top Tune: It’s by an Aussie Band, Hunters and Collectors, nobody will have heard of it!

Favourite Book: Anything by Bill Bryson

Favourite Movie: Currently, The Time Traveller’s Wife

Who would play you in a film: Kate Winslett!

Favourite TV Programme: 8 out of 10 Cats

Most visited website:  Facebook

Celebrity Crush: Anthony Kiedis from the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Interesting Fact about you: I’ve been on the TV screen in Times Square, NY.