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This page provides access to past news items previously featured on the South Liverpool Business Leaders site.

MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS
Administration services for South Liverpool Business Leaders are now being handled by Sarah Schofield at JET South Liverpool, tel 0151 448 7871 . The directors of SLBL are of course available on their usual contact numbers and any queries about this website or the Newsletter should go to Charlie Lambert on 0151 427 5050

TAKE A BOW!
South Liverpool's position as a top business location was enhanced still further by an amazing series of wins in the regional business awards.

  • Partnership for Learning, sponsors of Business Leaders, was named Social Enterprise of the Year in the Enterprise Champions Awards organised by the Liverpool Echo.
  • A Algeo picked up the Young Business Person of the Year award in the same scheme, in the shape of James Sheridan.
  • Eli Lilly was named Employer of the Year in the Daily Post's annual Business Awards and was shortlisted in the Exporter of the Year category.
  • Prinovis was nominated in the Investment of the Year category for their multi-million pound printing plant which is taking shape in Speke.

Other South Liverpool companies who grabbed the limelight at the Daily Post bash include Powder Systems (Exporter of the Year), Jaguar (CSR Award) and Getrag Ford (shortlisted in both the Company of the Year and Exporter of the Year). A brilliant performance by them all.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations also to Business Leaders members Liverpool John Lennon Airport on taking the runners-up spot in the category 'Best Marketing Campaign 2005' at one of the aviation industry's top awards ceremonies.

OFFICE ACCOMMODATION
Two new schemes to develop office accommodation in South Liverpool have been announced. Deeside-based David McLean is to construct a 35,000 sq ft development on the International Business Park in Speke. UK Land & Property is starting work on a 140,000 sq ft development on the Estuary Commerce Park. The Estuary scheme is described as a £20 million business village offering flexible office space ranging from 2,000 to 20,000 sq ft.

FOOTBALL IN SOUTH LIVERPOOL
Enthusiastic support from individual members of SLBL looks certain to ensure the survival of South Liverpool Junior Football League which is facing a crisis after the withdrawal of their £1000 annual grant by the City Council. Without the funding, which pays for administration, handbooks, and various other activities associated with the wellbeing of the 800 young players, the League will be forced to fold up. We think this would be a retrograde step for our area, given the benefits that this well-organised competition provides in terms of sport, discipline, commitment, fitness and the war on obesity among our youngsters.

The League is seeking £2000 in sponsorship to guarantee its future for the next two seasons, when it expects to cater for 1300 players. At our May Breakfast Briefing we launched a bid to invite 10 companies to contribute £200 each in order to sponsor the League on behalf of South Liverpool Business Leaders. We are within touching distance of our target but the door is still open for any company which would like to get on board. Contact Charlie Lambert on 0151 427 5050.

POWER HOUSE: Businesses in South Liverpool are in the perfect place according to Mark Basnett, Director of Investment at Mersey Partnership. Mark gave out a reassuring message when addressing January's Breakfast Briefing at the Partnership for Learning. The closures of GSK and Vertex were more than matched by new businesses moving in, including the £122 million Arvato Print facility and the Littlewoods move to the Airfield. His verdict: "The sites in South Liverpool are among the best in the North West and certainly the best in Merseyside - you've got a fantastic product".

AUDIO VISUAL DISCOUNT: Advance Media is offering 30% discount to all members of South Liverpool Business Leaders. Advance is the audio visual division of Adlib Audio which is 'a one stop shop' for all aspects of live events and theatrical productions. The company supplies everything from speaker systems, lighting rigs and audio visual systems to staging, motors, rigging and cable ramping. Enquires to on 0151 486 4388.

OFFICE SPACE: Anyone in need of office space in South Liverpool can contact SLBL member Rodney Berman who has 2000 sq ft of very nice office accommodation available. Can split into smaller offices. Location is within Churchill House, Gaskill Road, Speke. More info from Rodney at Berman Housewares Ltd, tel 0151 475 4444, .

PROMOTION: Companies who are members of SLBL have the chance to promote themselves at Breakfast Briefings. The first to do so were Adlib Audio, CPD Print and Kingsway Management.

DINNER WINNER: Mannie Saunders of Yuken UK was the winner of a free dinner for two at the Liverpool Marriott South. Mannie's name was first out of the draw of all those who joined SLBL before October 31st. Yuken are based in Speke Hall Industrial Estate and make hydraulic equipment, selling to customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Our thanks to Matt Byram at the Marriott for donating the prize.

Business Link to Sponsor SLBL: Business Link has become the first sponsor of South Liverpool Business Leaders. Business Link offers a comprehensive range of business advice to companies which are starting up, expanding, relocating, recruiting or dealing with any of the countless challenges facing us all. Watch this space for more details about Business Link's valued support!

Culture Club: Companies wanting to get involved with Liverpool's Capital of Culture project can join a new business club designed to match clients and suppliers. The club will be launched in 2005 by Liverpool Culture Company, announced Jason Harborow, Commercial Director of the Culture Company, when he addressed SLBL's Breakfast Briefing on September 30th. "The business club will give companies advance notice of requirements before we go out to tender," said Jason. "It will also help companies partner together to deliver the various projects we will require."

Be a Good Guy: Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service want all shops and stores who will be selling fireworks this year to adhere to a voluntary code of conduct which restricts the sale of fireworks to the period October 22 to November 7, and not to sell to anyone under the age of 18. Retailers who sign up will benefit from free advertising and future assistance in selling and storing fireworks. The 'Good Guy' campaign is run jointly by Fire & Rescue, Trading Standards and the Police.

More information from John McHale of Liverpool Trading Standards 0151-225 4726.

The Police are also on the look-out for illegal firework traders - traders who suddenly appear in otherwise-empty units in the run-up to November 5th. Information about such activities will be welcomed via the main Police number 0151 709 6010.

In Business: St Andrew's Business Centre in Garston Village is now open, providing serviced offices as well as 'virtual offices.' Among the first to move in were structural survey specialists Forthview Ltd. The Centre, featured in a recent edition of North West Business Insider, takes its name from the former St Andrew's Mission, part of the Mersey Mission to Seamen. The Mission was built in 1906 and closed in 1936. The building served as a community centre before falling into disuse. The current owners, Garstonview Ltd, acquired the property last year and have brought it back to productive life.

More information at

Benefit: Early in 2003 the Business Leaders Newsletter published details of a new scheme by Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF) offering substantial funding to companies in South Liverpool wishing to expand. A Algeo and KSC are two companies which are now reaping the benefit. Algeo, which supplies products to the orthopaedic industry, has received £400,000 to help develop their product range and penetrate new markets. Recycling firm KSC secured a sizeable contribution from MSIF as part of a £200,000 package to purchase state-of-the-art machinery, establish new premises and take on highly skilled staff. Both applications were assisted by Speke Garston Business Support Unit.

There is still money available for businesses based in or relocating to the Speke Garston area. This fund has been set up jointly by MSIF and the Speke Garston Partnership. Loans (not grants) of up to £100,000 are available. For further information contact Geraldine McEntegart at MSIF on 0151-236 4040.

Awards: South Liverpool Business Leaders Group is proud to be associated with the inaugural South Liverpool Customer Service Awards, being organised by JET and staged at the Marriott South in April. We will be sponsoring two award categories - details will be posted here as soon as they are available.

Alley Action: Peter Keen, Ops Director of The Action Group, was among many delegates who attended our Festive Briefing on December 4th. It's been a busy time for Peter's company which is responsible for the manufacture and installation of gates to secure alleys throughout Liverpool, Wirral and Manchester. The Garston firm also makes replica gates, automatic gates and roller shutters - and an interesting development, teenage shelters. More at

Improving Health: Anyone who has faced a challenge with sickness among the workforce, general ill health, or members of staff being out of condition, can find out that there is a way to deal with such issues before they become a problem. Leaders of the South Liverpool Primary Care Trust will be guests at a special Breakfast Briefing to explain how to address health and fitness issues before they become a problem. Date: Thursday March 4th. Time: 0800 for 0830. Venue: Partnership for Learning, South Road, Speke. All welcome. (see for more information).

Insurance Fightback: Escalating business insurance premiums have had a severe impact over the past 18 months. But relief may be around the corner. In an exclusive initiative Garston-based Butterworth Spengler Insurance Brokers have teamed up with Norwich Union and Speke Garston Partnership to offer an antidote to the 'L postcode stigma.'

Ian Crawford of Butterworths says: "We have an in-house Norwich Union underwriter which means we can give every business quotation hands-on consideration. We are a local firm so we know all about the local problems. We won't guarantee savings but we are pretty sure that we will be able to save firms money on their existing policies." Not least among the incentives is an opportunity to pay premiums in interest-free instalments. "At the moment many insurers charge 6% interest or more for payment by instalments" says Ian. More details from Ian, tel 0151 494 4400, fax 0151 494 4433.

Health and Safety: Companies wishing to update their Health and Safety provision may be able to access financial assistance. The business unit of Speke Garston Partnership has linked with R & R Safety Systems of Long Lane, Liverpool, to launch a seven-month programme. This will enables businesses to develop a safety system that is specific to their needs and meets their legal and moral obligations. The programme is 60% funded by Objective One money. More from Mike Poole or George Hines at SGP, tel 0151 494 2777, email

Environment: SGP are promoting a programme to deliver support to SMEs who want to improve their investment in the environment. The project, known as Merben (Merseyside Business Environment Network), is funded by Objective One and administered by Groundwork. Benefits include environmental management systems, waste minimisation training and a helpline. Full details will be posted on our website. More information from Mike Poole at SGP or Groundwork, tel 0151 644 4720, email .

Asbestos: Even if there is no asbestos on your premises you need to get up to speed with new regulations coming into force next May. Legislation means that all companies have to determine if asbestos is present within their premises or not. The catch is that unless you carry out a suitable survey to determine if asbestos is there or not, the law will deem that it is present. If you are not officially free of asbestos, the HSE can fine you and contractors can refuse to work on your site. If asbestos is found, remedial work is necessary. More from David Globe of Globe Wareing Cropper Solicitors, tel 0151 486 8833; email

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