Businesses in the Speke Garston area can access a new £675k cash pot which has been set up jointly by Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF) and the Speke Garston Partnership. Anyone in the area thinking of setting up a new business or expanding an existing one can apply for loans (not grants) of up to £100,000.

Investment Director of MSIF's Small Firms Fund Marian Byrne said: "We are delighted to have joined forces with the Speke Garston Partnership to create a fund specifically for businesses in that area. Speke Garston has already undergone one of the most effective regeneration programmes in the UK and we are confident the new fund will play an important role in developing the growth of their SMEs."

Micro business start-ups, ie businesses likely to employ less than 5 staff, can apply for funding from between £3000 and £5000 via the local start-up programme run by SMART.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate through a business plan that they are 'commercially viable' ie able to repay the loan and that they will be creating or preserving jobs. Almost any sector is eligible but applicants are advised to take advice before applying. They must employ no more than 250 staff.

Mike Poole, Business Adviser with Speke Garston Partnership said: "We are delighted that this partnership has resulted in the formation of this new fund. We know there is no shortage of quality businesses in the area and look forward to supporting some exciting projects."

Anyone wishing to apply should call 0151-494 2777 for an information pack. Start-up businesses should apply direct to SMART on 0151-486 0815.

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Garston Adventure Playground (GAP)
We are working with GAP to extend opening hours a couple of evenings a week. Also, GAP will be appearing on our tv screens next month for Comic Relief.

Mersey Travel
We are also working with Mersey Travel with a view to providing some detached youth provision evenings and weekends in the area soon. Mersey Travel are also holding a Travelsafe and Community safety event on 27th March 10.30 am to 12 noon at the Partnership for Learning South Road Speke.

We can help you train to access Carework Jobs
SGP have recently funded a local training initiative delivered by Speke Training and Education Centre which has been developed to help local people access jobs in carework.

Mersey Retail Park Jobs
A joint training programme funded by SGP has been developed to help local residents access jobs in retail work at Mersey Retail Park. Residents will be recruited through JET South Liverpool and will receive training in Customer Care and Health and Safety.

SGP Grant Available
The continuing SGP grant scheme totalling £70,000 successfully supported a number of local Community and Voluntary Organisations throughout the year. For further information on this scheme contact Mark Soundie at Community House, Garston.

GAP opening hours extended
SGP have funded longer opening hours for Garston Adventure Playground to further cater for 8-14 year olds.

Working to reduce vandalism
SGP and Merseytravel are working together to try and reduce vandalism to bus stops and shelters in the area. They will be working closely with schools and youth organisations in the area to combat this problem.

The first week will be in the Lesniki Camp Kurgan and week two in the Children's Republic. These are both typical Komsomol children's camps.

The Programme will include group presentations of their cities to the Soviet (council) in Tyumen and Kurgan, workshops on an issue of their choice and two play sessions for younger children.

Youth Exchange Lisbon/Madeira 16th/30th August: Places are still available for this. The programme will resemble that of the Lisbon trip.

The GlaxoSmithKline Community Development Fund aims to improve the lives of the people of Speke and Garston through long term initiatives focused on life long learning and education, ongoing welfare in the community and sustained job creation.