From Lime Street to policing city centre

SEP-OCT 2015

Inside...

HOT TOPICSafety review leads to theUK’s first BID Police team

BUSINESS NEWS MIB Awards shortlist to supporting the U.N.

IN FOCUS Making plans be the ‘Hollywood of the North’

Changing ways

BID UPDATEHow to get involved in Christmas programme

REGENERATION £300m of city centre projects bearing fruit

CITY NEWS Action time for Comedy, German & Irish Festivals

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Contents3

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12

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IN FOCUS

BUSINESS NEWS

HEALTH NEWS

CITY NEWS

IN FOCUS

CULTURE NEWS

REGENERATION

BID UPDATE

BULLETIN BOARD

Chief Exec’s WelcomeWith Autumn slowly creeping round the corner it’s easy to spot the changes this season brings.

And in many ways it should now be clearer to your business what the BID Company has been looking to change over these past 12 months.

To begin with we’ve now completed the review of our safety programme, the results of which is our first dedicated BID police team – which you can read about on page 3.

And no sooner will these officers be pounding the BID beat we will introducing a new scheme to replace the Radio Crime Alert system.

Safety is the number one issue for our members – understandably so – and the city centre has an enviable record, which we should all be proud of.

For that reason, we’d be greatly interested to hear from our businesses who would be affected by the proposed Late Night Levy and what the BID Company can do to support you.

Of course, we at the BID Company also place as much emphasis on improving the environment – and again major changes are afoot.

The £1.4m public realm upgrade in the Commercial District is underway (page 12) and we are about to begin a consultation with the Mersey Forestry Commission to tackle the lack of greenery in the city centre.On this piece of work we would welcome your views, as the results will have far reaching consequences.

I’ve also been delighted with the responses to the survey on the Commercial District Business Plan for 2016-2021. That feedback we received in August from our first BID Roadshow was most insightful.

The plan is in early draft form and we aim to finalise it by late Autumn before we present it for the Renewal Ballot next February.

In the meantime we’re fully focused on delivering a stand out Christmas programme, and if you want to be part of it, find out more on page 13.

Finally, the ThiS Liverpool App has its 1st anniverary in October. It’s been a great success (page 15) and we’ll be soon announcing plans to make it even better.

Enjoy the read and we wish you all the success of what remains of this very eventful year.

ThIS Magazine is produced by the Liverpool BID CompanyThIS Magazine is produced by the Liverpool BID CompanyThIS Magazine is produced by the

Editor: Michael Doran - Liverpool BID

Designer:Álvaro Costela Sánchez - Liverpool BIDDesigner:Álvaro Costela Sánchez - Liverpool BIDDesigner:

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written permission of the distributor.

The articles in this magazine are for information purposes only. The articles in this magazine are for information purposes only. The articles in this magazine are for

Liverpool BID Company assumes no liability or responsibility for any Liverpool BID Company assumes no liability or responsibility for any Liverpool BID Company assumes

inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information; nor for any actions taken inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information; nor for any actions taken inaccurate, delayed or incomplete

in reliance thereon.

The information contained about each individual, event or organisation has been provided by such individual, each individual, event or organisation has been provided by such individual, each individual, event or organisation

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The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of is the opinion of its author and does

the Liverpool BID Company.

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please contact the Liverpool BID Company at:

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WELCOME TO ThIS PUBLICATION

working together for a better city centre

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A new, 7 days a week, police patrol of the BID districts has been launched.

The Liverpool BID Company has struck a deal with Merseyside Police to create the ’s irst dedicated BID Police team.

The new team will consist of two

to the BID Company with a brief to make BID districts a safe and secure place to visit and do business.

Businesses will be able to raise issues with the BID Team who will pass them on directly to the

9am to 6pm.

The police patrol, funded through the BID levy, has been created following a review of the BID Company’s safety programme.

This review has also led to the replacement of the Radio Crime Alert Scheme previously managed by the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, as part of a new Safety and Security BID Service.

Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, said: “Liverpool city centre is one of the safest in the UK but there is always room for improvement. After a thorough review with partners and

businesses it was clear we needed to provide a service that was more responsive and made better use of other technologies available.

“The new BID Police Patrol, based

give businesses a quicker and more

them being part of the team and making the city centre and even safer place to do business.”

Liverpool city council is to launch a consultation on the introduction of a late night levy for bars, clubs and pubs across the city.

Under the proposed scheme, all licensed premises or clubs that supply alcohol after midnight would be required to pay an annual charge to offset the cost of the night time economy.

Merseyside Police – who are backing the move – estimate it costs around £540k to cover the city centre between midnight and 6am, but doubles to £1m when taking into account other units that have to respond to incidents.

The levy is based on current licensed premises across the city and, assuming the period it is applied is from midnight until

6am, would affect 800 premises, with costs dependent upon the rateable value of the property.

The consultation is suggesting that the vast majority - round 700 - could pay between £299 and £1,259 per year, with 20 paying the highest rate of £4,440.

indicative and are subject to change following the outcome of the formal consultation process.

A total of 70% of the money would go to the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner to help fund additional staff at weekends,

assist with ‘designing out’ crime.

The remainder would go to the city council to support night time economy initiatives.

Councillor Steve Munby, Cabinet member for licensing, said: “No decision will be made until we have completed the consultation and assessed all of the feedback and it is possible that the proposal will change dependent upon the responses that we receive.”

A decision on whether to implement the levy will be made in January 2016. If approved, it would be introduced from June.

• The Liverpool BID Companywould like to hear from licensedpremises on their thoughts of theLate Night Levy.

• Please call 0151 233 4733or email: info@liverpoolbidcompany.com

Consultation over late night levy

UK’s first BID police team created

Sep Oct 2015.indd 3 09/09/2015 14:19:07

New BID police team:PC Mike Phillips (L) PC Charlie Hill (R)

HOT TOPIC

4

Monkeyz, a pineapple and a choir are among the names shortlisted for this year’s Merseyside Independent Business Awards.

The awards, organised by Morecrofts Solicitors, received a record number of nominations across all 11 categories, exceeding last year’s total by almost 20%.

Shortlisted businesses this year include hairstyling product Pro-Blo, snacks company Tags and farm shop and festival organiser Claremont Farm.

Some of the more eye-catching names on the list include digital marketing agency Fire Pineapple, day nursery Cheeky Monkeyz

Shortlist revealed for record-breaking MIB Awards

BUSINESS NEWS

and The Choir With No Name, which runs sessions for the most disadvantaged members of society.

Vying for the coveted Businessperson of the Year award are Mark Hensby, managing director of Liverpool Organic Brewery and Real Ale Events, Mococo founders Maureen & Lee Hooson, crowd-funding entrepreneur Annie O’Toole and John Tague, founder of Tags Snacks.

The awards, headline sponsored by the Liverpool BID Company, will be held at a glittering ceremony at the Rum Warehouse, Stanley Dock on Thursday, October 1.

Holiday Inn Liverpool City Centre, Lime Street, Liverpool, L1 1NQwww.hiliverpool.com facebook.com/holidayinnliverpool twitter.com/hi_liverpool

* Dinner commencing at 8pm* Inclusive bar starts after Christmas Carvery is served. * Inclusive bar applicable to house spirits, glass of house wine and bottled house beers. * House wines and bottled beers served throughout your meal.

Friday 4th December 2015Saturday 5th December 2015Friday 11th December 2015Saturday 12th December 2015

Package includes:• Kir Royal on arrival at 7pm• 3 course Christmas Carvery in the Liverpool Suite*• All Inclusive Bar*• DJ Entertainment• Grand Finale

Our special Christmas menu will run fromFriday 27th November – Wednesday 23rd December

Served in our newly refurbished restaurant overlooking Lime Street

Lunch menu from 12pm – 4pmDinner menu from 5pm -10pm

Friday 4th December 2015Saturday 5th December 2015Saturday 5th December 2015Saturday 5th December 2015Friday 11th December 2015Saturday 12th December 2015

Call us or pop in to book and receive terms & conditions. 0151 705 2850

New trains could be on the Merseyrail network by the early 2020s as Merseytravel takes forward plans for a new fleet.

A 40 % increase in passenger numbers is expected by 2028 and the £400m programme would lead to faster journey times and be worth an estimated £70m per year to the city’s economy, creating around 1,000 jobs.

Merseytravel will make a decision on October 1 with proposals going to Liverpool’s City Region combined authority for its views.

New trains for Merseyrail

If the choice was for a new fleet, a tender would be published immediately, and a completely new fleet could be running within five years.

Transport authority chair, Cllr Liam Robinson, said: ‘‘The existing fleet are the oldest trains in operation anywhere in the country.

“But it is not just about new trains, it is about the whole experience for rail users, from getting to and from stations, to new ticketing arrangements, to improvements to the track.”

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Liverpool’s private sector is backing the region’s Combined Authority in its bid for devolution.

The Social Enterprise Network, Professional Liverpool, the Institute of Directors, the FSB, Downtown in Business and the Chambers of Commerce have submitted a letter to city region leaders outlining the private sector’s vision of what businesses want from devolved powers and governance.

It was drawn up from a summit attended by Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson and Phil Davies, chair of the Combined Authority.

The private sector vision focuses on a number of key economic areas to ensure the Liverpool city region becomes an integral part of the Northern Powerhouse.

They include being the best place to start or locate a business in the UK, fostering the tidal power of the River Mersey, becoming the UK’s international trading hub, developing the visitor

BUSINESS NEWS

Liverpool’s private sector support devolution

The refugee crisis; climate change; poverty; hunger; terrorism – issues that make up more and more of our daily news.

There is no turning away; we simply have to take action.

World Merit are partnering with the U.N. to focus our attention on these goals, and aim to unleash the upcoming generation to make a significant impact in the coming years.

Although based in Tithebarn Street, we are an international organisation with an online social media platform convening a community of 100,000 changemakers from every single country.

Members are challenged to take positive actions for society and are rewarded with opportunities in return.

On September 25th, we are launching what we intend to be the planet’s most prestigious programme for young global citizens, Merit360.

It is an innovative and inspirational program for global citizens to tackle the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

A team of 360 young people, representing almost every country, will develop an action

plan and present this in the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Delegates will assemble in the United States in September 2016 at Indian Head Camp just outside New York City, before concluding amongst world leaders in the United Nations building itself.

What you can do: • Nominate a talented young global citizen from Liverpool, Merseyside, the UK, or anywhere in the world to be selected for Merit360.

Tackling global issues with U.N. has merit

• Invest in tackling the Sustainable Development Goals by supporting one or more of our community members to participate in Merit360.

Get in touch with zita@worldmerit.org with any ideas or offers of support.

For more information on World Merit or Merit360 please go to: worldmerit.org

Donate and win with Blankstone Opticians

economy and becoming a capital of digital innovation and advanced manufacturing.

A devolution deal could see a new Mayor for Liverpool and the wider region.

The letter comes as a think tank claimed government spending of £50bn would be needed to close the economic gap between the North and the South.

The SME market within Liverpool city centre has accounted for the majority of office transactions within the first half of the year, new research has found.

The report, by the Property Agents Group of Professional Liverpool has revealed 85 transactions, averaging at less than 1,500 sq ft, represented a 60% rise on 2014.

The professional sector accounted for around 30% of transactions, followed closely by the creative and digital sector with just over 20%.

SME’s driving o�ce market

Blankstone opticians, based in Derby Square are offering one lucky winner of their latest BID competition, a brand new pair of specs up to the value of £250.

To enter, simply donate an old pair of specs to Vision Aid Overseas via the Blankstone opticians store www.blankstoneopticians.co.uk

Founded in 1985, Vision Aid Overseas is an international charity dedicated to transforming access to eye care services in developing countries.

It is estimated 10% of the world’s population are disadvantaged by poor vision and a lack of glasses.

Pictured (above) is Lauren Coughlin, the winner of the most recent competition to win a pair of Celine sunglasses.

On September 25th, the United Nations will launch the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. World Merit, a Liverpool based global charity, is asking businesses in the city centre to work with its worldwide community to achieve them.

Its founder, Chris Arnold, writing exclusively in the BID Magazine, has this to say…

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HEALTH NEWS

How do you actually use your health insurance?

As a major healthcare provider in the North West we often encounter the myths that exist around health insurance. Many businesses offer some form of health insurance for their employees - Medicash, Bupa, Axa, Aviva, Pru, WPA.

But peculiarly enough, those staff who have this great benefit, in the main, fall into two categories when they need to use it – a) they don’t know how to or b) it’s too cumbersome to use.

Whichever category they fall into, sadly, too often, they simply just don’t use their benefit.

Your employer or partner, or parents or children, probably pay a lot for your health insurance such that you get

access to the treatment you deserve. So how can we, at Pall Mall Medical, help you utilise this fantastic benefit?

We don’t provide insurance; we simply provide you with rapid access to healthcare whilst your insurance provider covers the cost.

Right in the heart of the Commercial District - we remove the barriers for you and open up the access.

We are unique, in that we can create a GP referral for you (within hours not weeks), over the phone (for free in 5 minutes). Most people believe that only their NHS GPs can produce this referral (this is a myth) and that by the time they get their appointment after 2 weeks

they may as well wait till they self heal.

Once we’ve given you the referral, you’re in the Pall Mall Medical network.

With over 150 consultants across 40 specialities - we can arrange a specialist appointment for you - within a couple of days (sometimes even on the same day!). If you need further diagnostics - perhaps an MRI

scan or colonoscopy - we can arrange this too at our very own Diagnostic and Surgical Centre. We usually have same day availability for imaging and can book you in for endoscopy and theatre within days.

Your health matters - at Pall Mall Medical, we take care of it.

For more information, visit www.pallmallmedical.co.uk/corporate-insurance

If your car broke down, would you just leave it? Probably not. So when it comes to your health, Pall Mall Medical says treat your body in exactly the same way...

A new wellness centre, Kapucia, has launched in Liverpool and is set to become an oasis of calm in the city centre. The centre, based on Lord Street, combines a range of treatments, classes and healing therapies with regularly scheduled workshops, that will provide people with access to health and wellness practitioners.

Classes, including meditation, yoga and pilates take place in the studio space.

An organic juice and smoothie bar is open daily,

serving healthy, wholefood snacks and drinks – all of which are 100% vegan.

Vegan health and wellness products, including Revolution Foods, juice detox programmes and Buddha Beauty Company items, are available from reception.

Every weekend the centre also play host to workshops on subjects ranging from self empowerment to past life regression.

For schedules, opening hours and membership options visit www.kapucia.com

Wellness Centre launches in city centre

Referrals have now begun in Liverpool for a new government support service, designed to help workers facing long-term sickness absence return to their jobs more quickly.

The free, voluntary and confidential service, known as Fit for Work, will provide the services of occupational health professionals to employed people if they have been, or are likely to be, off work for four weeks or more due to illness or related issues.

It means that all GPs in Merseyside will now be able

to refer their employed patients who have been off work for a long period of time to the service, with their consent. Patients will then benefit from an in-depth consultation, followed by a personalised Return to Work Plan tailored to their needs and support to get back to their job. Employees can also speak to their GPs to request a referral to the service.

The Fit for Work referral service is complemented by a telephone advice line 0800 032 6235 and website www.fitforwork.org

New occupational health assessments available

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A public consultation has been launched to discuss the future of St Luke’s Church.

People are being encouraged to complete a short on-line survey, which asks their views on the role St Luke’s (known locally as the Bombed Out Church) should play in the life of the city centre.

The results will be used as the basis to make decisions in relation to its future, which could include seeking expressions of interest for a

new occupier to run the site in the new year.

The council says the successful party must be able “to demonstrate that they can offer a viable future for the site, in line with the results of the public consultation”.

The survey is available at http://liverpool.gov.uk/bombedoutchurch and is open until the end of September.

CITY NEWS

Have your say on future of Bombed Out Church

Lime St Station closure due

Lime Street station could be shut down for up to two months while major improvement work is carried out.

Network Rail, who maintain the station, have confirmed the closure is likely in 2017 or 2018 as part of a £1bn investment in the north of England railway system.

The proposed work will see an additional platform at Lime Street and improve the layout of platforms across the station to improve flexibility, maximising train access to the station and making provision for longer trains to stop.

Network Rail say that adding an additional platform will support an increase in

passenger numbers from the current 20 million people a year who pass through the station.

There will also be wider platforms to provide safer access to trains with improved capacity providing the potential for three extra services per hour.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “Our plans are constantly reviewed so we are focused on minimising disruption and maximising benefits to passengers.

“This work will not take place in 2016 and we are working with stakeholders in Liverpool to plan the best time to carry out these improvements in 2017 or 2018.”

Are you prepared to sleep out on the streets of Liverpool for the Whitechapel Centre?

The Liverpool Sleepout is back! The sponsored event, on Friday, 9 October, aims to increase awareness of homelessness and raise much needed funds for its work with people who are homeless in Liverpool.

You will be sleeping outside in the grounds of St Nick’s Church (on the Strand) but will be in a safe area, with stewards and access to toilets and refreshments.

There will be entertainment during the evening and even a few prizes for “Best Onesie”, “Best Shelter” or Best Individual Fundraiser.

All participants must be aged 18 or over and registered with us in advance. Entry Fee is £10 per person and non-refundable. Sponsorship target is £150 per person.

How your fundraising will help:• £5 pays for a cooked breakfast for 10 rough sleepers.• £15 provides an advice session, securing accommodation for someone who would otherwise sleep rough. • £25 provides a tutor and materials for a structured training session, giving homeless people essential life skills.

For more info go to: whitechapelcentre.co.uk/sleepout.html

Sleepout to help the homeless

The iconic poppy sculpture which attracted millions to the Tower of London is coming to Liverpool.

Weeping Window is a section of the artwork showcased in the capital last year and is a tribute to the fallen in World War One.

It will be erected at the start of November, in time for the city’s annual Remembrance Service on Sunday 8 November, and will be in place until January 2016.

Liverpool is one of just three locations for 2015.

The others are the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in Wakefield and Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland.

For the latest information visit: cultureliverpool.co.uk/poppies or www.1418Now.org.uk/poppies.

On Twitter follow @CultureLpool or @1418NOW #PoppiesTour.

Poignant poppies coming to St. George’s Hall

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IN FOCUS

Now that the city’s location reputation is firmly established, Lynn and her team are looking ahead with discussions underway to develop a sound stage and create an all-round offer.

Lynn added: “We want to make Liverpool the Pinewood of the North. This will allow production companies’ to film for longer as currently Liverpool is used mainly for the locations.

“We want to be able to keep productions for longer and join up talent of Hollywood and Liverpool, making it a hub for other digital content, complementing facilities at the universities and nearby Media City.

“Liverpool has many unique selling points and it needs to develop them to become even more feature film friendly.”

• The BID Company is working with Liverpool Film Office to create a Welcome Pack for film companies featuring special discounts.

• If you would like to be part of this Welcome Pack or want more information, please contact Andi Herring on 0151 233 4733.

Liverpool Film Office in numbers:

• Over 6,000 productions in 25 years • 170 productions led to 598 working days - January and October 2014• In 2014 film industry was worth £9 million to Liverpool economy

For the full interview with Lynn Saunders, by Laurie Woods, please go to: liverpoolbidcompany.com

Liverpool city centre is no stranger to the movie industry.

Rarely a month goes by without a major film crew in operation or a Hollywood star dining in your local restaurant.

No easy feat in a busy city centre, but then Liverpool Film Office is no ordinary operation – it’s unique in the UK - and recently celebrated its 25th birthday by producing a showreel to promote what it and the city has to offer.

Lynn Saunders, head of the Film Office, says since its release, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing – with productions up 25% - and a new showreel is to promote local companies.

But she added the city, which has an appealing

ability to impersonate many others, would not be such a big player but for its ‘film friendliness’ - and the business community is playing a major role.

“Locations are normally the initial draw to film in the city but when Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant were filming, Water Street had to be closed in the middle of the week which is not usually encouraged as it interrupts business.

“It was unprecedented but led to a raised profile of filming in the city because it was on the doorstep and couldn’t be missed.

“Everyone from residents and businesses were very supportive. The whole production was a testament to the friendliness and accommodation of the city.”

hollywoodof the north

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CULTURE NEWS

For the love of the Irish!

This October the Liverpool Irish Festival returns, celebrating the city’s unique relationship with the emerald isle.

Spread over 10 jam packed days, the festival will feature 50+ events in 30 venues, with a feast of music, art, food and drink exploring the cultural connections between Liverpool and Ireland.

This year’s festival will also explore how a younger generation that has grown up in a rich cultural diversity is developing a powerful counter-culture.

Expect new talks and tours, music and dance, art and animation, literature,

sessions and smiles for all the family.

Laura Naylor, the Festival Director, said: “One of the powerful ties uniting Liverpool and Irish culture is pride, identity and a strong politically motivated, exciting counter culture.

‘When we think of Ireland we may have a very traditional picture in our minds but that’s often not the same as what is emerging and what the younger generation is creating.’’ To sign up and receive the festival’s e-newsletter go to: liverpoolirishfestival.com

Exchange Flags will be raising a toast to Germany this October.

be hosting Liverpool Oktoberfest, from Wednesday to Sunday 14-18 October, in a celebration of German beer, food and music.

Soak up the atmosphere with giant beer, Schlager music and, of course, Lederhosen, plus the opportunity to experience Bavarian family culture with a traditional lunch on the Sunday.

The festival is the latest in a packed prgramme for Exchange Flags, which this

air theatre season.

Oktoberfest ticket info:

Wednesday – free entryThursday - £5Friday - £5Saturday - £10Sunday - £5Special prebooked and VIP tickets also available.

oktoberfest

City is raising a toast to Germany this ‘Oktober’

Emmy award winning actress Greta Scacchi is to tread the boards of the Liverpool Playhouse this October.

The Hollywood star is to feature in Tennessee Williams’s classic The Glass Menagerie at the Williamson Square venue from 7 to 31 October.

The production is one of the highlights of the theatre’s Autumn season.

While the Everyman stages its famous rock ‘n’ roll panto

– this year Rapunzel: Hairway to Heaven! the Playhouse is offering a spine-tingling festive season courtesy of The Haunting of Hill House, a co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions and HAMMER.

And looking further ahead to 2016, Regent’s Park Theatre’s production of Lord of the Flies will be staged at the Playhouse during February.

everymanplayhouse.com

Hollywood star tops bill of Playhouse programme

Festival set for biggest laugh

If your chuckle muscles need a work out, fear not, the Comedy Festival is here!

The annual festival opens on Friday 18 September – Sunday 4 October, with acts lined-up to perform in bars, shops, schools and even people’s houses.

This year’s festival will see some of the biggest names on the comedy circuit, including Chatty Man himself Alan Carr at Liverpool Philharmonic and star of Phoenix Nights Dave Spikey.

The big names continue, as the Unity Theatre welcomes political satirist Andy Zaltzman and the legendary Jeremy Hardy.

Award winning Nina Conti is at the Playhouse, while Only Fools and Horses’ Boycie, John Challis, regales tales from his dazzling career.

Laughterhouse Comedy, Hot Water Comedy Club, Comedy Central and Liverpool Comedy Cellar also present a high calibre of talent while Bouncers is at Royal Court.

Festival Director Sam Avery from The Comedy Trust said: “This year is our biggest and most diverse to date with a strong emphasis on the hugely exciting local scene alongside household names and international acts.”

liverpoolcomedyfestival.com

Sep Oct 2015.indd 9 09/09/2015 14:19:53

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REGENERATION

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the opening of the 100 room Tune Hotel in the new look Queen’s Insurance Building.

A hotel is also part of radical proposals for a £35m revamp Lime Street.

Work is due to begin this year, which also includes student accommodation and leisure units on and behind Lime Street, between The Vines and The Crown pubs.

Neptune said it hoped plans to regenerate the ABC cinema would be submitted in October.

In Queen Square work is now underway on the transformation of the former Rat & Parrot pub.

The £1m development,

DK-Architects, will see a new façade of perforated aluminium cladding, glazing and LED lighting installed on the 14,500 sq ft building.

Nearby, the £160m Central Village has seen welcome progress with the Watson

build part of the scheme to complete in October.

The ever changing face of Liverpool city centre is continuing apace as a raft of multi-million pound projects come to fruition.

The biggest development has been the unveiling of the £40m Exhibition Centre on the Kings Dock.

The 8,100m² purpose-built centre, which features an integrated 4-star Pullman hotel, is interconnected with ACC Liverpool’s existing facilities, and is set to transform the city centre’s midweek market.

The city centre’s hotel sector continues to boom with

hotel is due to get under way.

The historic Martins Bank on Water Street is to be converted into a 138-bedroom hotel with a view to opening in autumn next year.

The £40m hotel will include two restaurants, three bars, a spa, and conference and banqueting rooms.

And less than 200 yards away Bruntwood have welcomed

Liverpool Vision is the city’s economic development company. It focuses on business and enterprise support designed to accelerate the city’s growth and build a sustainable economy. The organisation is currently working on delivering IFB 2016, next June, and showcasing Liverpool at MIPM UK this November. For more information go to: liverpoolvision.co.uk

This body offers free and bespoke services to companies interested in growing or establishing their business in Liverpool. It has just launched a new app to show investors

and professional services.For more information go to: invest-liverpool.com

Based in the heart of the nation’s capital this hub can be used for businesses looking for a London location to network and secure contracts in the lucrative south east market. Due to Liverpool BID Company’s membership, businesses in the district can use the hub for free and access a host of support services.For more information contact Aoife Maher - amaher@liverpoolvision.co.uk / 0207 947 4970.

THE CHANGING FACE OF LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE...

LIVERPOOL VISION

INVEST LIVERPOOL

LIVERPOOLIN LONDON

Working on Liverpool’s behalf...

Sep Oct 2015.indd 10 09/09/2015 14:19:58

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REGENERATION

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Construction is also underway inside The Department, formerly

and a Lidl supermarket shortly to join Adagio apart-hotel and Pure Gym.

Works are expected to begin by the end of 2015 on the Boardwalk element of the development, anchored by a six-screen Odeon cinema, which has outdoor seating, water features and a continental style square with cafes and restaurants.

Ambitious plans to put Liverpool’s Chinatown on a par with London and New York, await a decision this November. It features up to 800 apartments, 120,000 sq ft of commercial and retail space and a 140-bed hotel.

Meanwhile, global chain Millennium & Copthorne Hotels has bought the Hard Days Night hotel on North John Street for £13.8m.

And InfraRed Capital Partners has appointed Cushman &

sq ft St Johns Shopping Centre for £140m.

• In pictures, clockwise: Exhbition Centre Liverpool; Lime Street Gateway; China Town; and Queen Square.

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BID UPDATE

ROADSHOW IS A HIT!

The Liverpool BID Company hosted its first roadshow in August – to find out from businesses and workers how they want the city centre to improve.

The BID team toured the Commercial District as part of a public consultation exercise on the drafting of a new five year business plan for the area from 2016-2021.

The roadshow, which engaged with 700+ employees and saw 9,000+ fobs distributed, followed a series of workshops and a social media campaign (#YourBIDYourSay) to gain ideas on how to improve the Commercial District on distributed, followed a series of workshops and a social media campaign (#YourBIDYourSay) to gain ideas on how to improve the Commercial District on distributed, followed a series of workshops and a social media campaign

areas such as connectivity, animating public spaces and supporting business growth.

Suggestions to date range from a free bus service from Lime Street Station, a park and ride scheme, an overhaul of signage, a regular food festival and a greening programme.

To give your views on the Commercial District Business Plan please go to: www.liverpoolbidcompany.com/renewalballot/

An attention grabbing video to promote Superfast Broadband Connection Vouchers has been launched.

Scattered in strategically important locations huge bundles of cash were left for the city’s workforce and business owners to stumble upon.

However, the notes were in fact imitation and on the back provide more information on how to claim their Voucher.

The vouchers offer SMEs a grant of up to £3,000 to improve their internet speeds.

The video can be seen here: liverpoolbidcompany.com/superfastbroadband

A consultation to improve the city centre’s environment is about to begin.

The Liverpool BID Company is to work with the Mersey Forestry Commission to get feedback from the business community after a survey found just 1% of City Central and 7% Commercial District areas have ‘green infrastructure’.

In comparison, London Victoria, has 47%, and the wider Liverpool City area 24%.

The results of the consultation will be published in November 2015 on the BID website. A steering group will then be established to implement an action plan.

UPGRADE ENTERS NEW PHASE

A £1.4m scheme to revamp the public realm in Liverpool’s Commercial District has entered a new sttage of activity. After recently completing an upgrade to the historic Leather Lane, a 10 week programme has begun to transform Bixteth Street. The works are part of a non-stop schedule to upgrade several other key city centre streets, including (with approximate start dates):

• Old Hall Street Mid Oct – Early Nov• Edmund Street 19 Oct – 4 Jan • North John Street 11 Jan – 28 Mar • Eberle Street 11 Jan – 4 Apr

The upgrades are being carried out on the the BID’s behalf by Amey and involve improving footways and kerbs, road resurfacing, improving street lighting and rationalising street furniture.

The Commercial District BID has invested £900k in the two-year scheme, raised via the BID levy on businesses, and this has been matched by Liverpool city council which will in addition invest a further £500k to upgrade Water Street in 2016.

The Liverpool BID Company hosted its first roadshow in August – to find out from businesses and workers how they want the city centre to improve.

The BID team toured the Commercial District as part of a public consultation

The roadshow, which engaged with 700+ employees and saw 9,000+ fobs

To give your views on the Commercial District Business Plan please go to:

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JOIN JACK AND SUPPORT CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN

Jack Frost and his mischevious sprites will be returning this year as part of the Snowflake Trail 2015 - a continuation of our hugely successful Christmas campaign.

Over 40,000 people followed the trail last year, spanning both the City Central and Commercial District BIDs.

This year the campaign will be bigger with more attractions, events and even more chance to get involved. Details and opportunities will be released over the coming month – but you can already get involved with the trail below!

We are currently looking for our headline prize(s) for the Snowflake Trail, as well as other festive prizes. Please make sure your prizes are:

• Family Friendly (Treats for parents are welcome too!)• Must be redeemed after the Trail ends on 3 January (if your prize needs to be used before then, please contact us to discuss)

To put forward a prize please contact: info@liverpoolbidcompany.com

With an influx of more than 50,000 students expected this September, the Liverpool BID Company is holding its annual ‘Student Take Over Week’ campaign across the city centre.

To run from Wed, 30 September – Wed, 7 October and will be aimed at introducing students to your business and driving footfall after 5pm.

The campaign will be promoted with Juice FM and through the ThIS Liverpool App and website, our social media platforms and weekly e-blast which reaches 18,000+ people across Merseyside.

If you are doing a promotion or event for students, please email us the details to info@liverpoolbidcompany.com

Liverpool BID Company is expanding its team by hiring two new apprentices.

Emma Simpson, 16, from Orrell Park and Charlie Newton, 18, from West Derby, both started their new jobs at BID in August on a 12-month apprenticeship.

They’ve been recruited with support from the Chamber of Commerce and Liverpool City Council Apprenticeship team who manage the Mayoral Initiative Youth Contract Wage Subsidy Grant.

The main role of the apprentices will be informing businesses of what the BID can do for them, gaining information and expressing ideas on how to further improve the city centre.

BID UPDATE

SCHEME GETS ‘ROYLE’ SEAL OF APPROVAL

Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson has backed a BID campaign to install life-saving defibrillator machines across the city centre.Ricky, who underwent quadruple heart by-pass surgery in 2007, joined Medicash, NWAS and the BID Company to launch the CardiAct scheme at St Paul’s Square.

The aim is to ensure that no-one is more than two minutes away from a defibrillator.

Through ‘CardiAct’, businesses are being offered a 50% discount if they want to install a device, which usually costs £1,300. They will also receive free training and after care support, which would normally cost over £500.

Liverpool city centre is to receive a boost after being chosen to be part of a Healthy High Street regeneration programme.

Led by Business in the Community, the programme aims to increase footfall by 10%, reduce the number of vacant properties by 20% and stimulate the creation of new jobs in 100 towns over three years.

The programme is backed by some of the UK’s biggest high street brands - founding partners Boots UK, the Co-operative Group, Marks & Spencer and Santander and new partners EE, Exterion Media and Greggs.

Liverpool BID Company will be working with these partners to identify projects to submit for funding.

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Bulletin Board

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