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Top story
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Carry the festive spirit into 2009
Businesses in Merseyside are hoping for confidence to return in 2009 and that the banks will start lending again. When asked what his business wish for the new year was, Frank McKenna, chairman of Downtown Liverpool in Business, said: “The government, at national and local level, should stop seeing the business community simply as the place where they can raise an easy buck – such as through supplementary business rates and empty property rates.” Meanwhile, Nigel Wallis partner at Liverpool law firm O’Connors, was feeling the festive spirit and wished: “That Frosty the Bank-man is once again a jolly, happy soul. That it’s possible to get a mortgage on a lowly cattle shed. That we can all afford to run more than a one-horse open sleigh. That shepherds can watch their flocks by night and not worry about the price of lamb. That stability returns, at once, in Royal Gordon’s city. That we all have a merry, merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Let’s hope it’s a good one, without any fear.”
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Business
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Convention Centre lands NUT conference
The BT Convention Centre has secured another conference for Liverpool. More than 1,500 teachers will descend on the city for six days starting from 31 March 2010 as the National Union of Teachers holds its annual conference in the city, the first time Liverpool has hosted the union. Jacquie Rogers, the centre’s general manager, said: “The strength of our product offering has once again attracted a national organisation to Liverpool. Because of its duration and the sheer number of delegates, the conference will deliver a significant boost. We’re talking about a £1m-plus shot in the arm for the regional economy.” 
Online petition for port rates
The fight against the imposition of direct rates on all port-based businesses, backdated to 2005, continues with the launch of an online petition on the 10 Downing Street website by Graeme Nimmo of the Federation Council of the Institute of Chartered Shipbroker and supported by bodies such as Mersey Maritime. The change, backdated to 2005, was announced by the Valuations Office Agency in September and has been heavily criticised. Opponents say many port businesses are now faced with increased costs to their business and either must become insolvent, create involuntary redundancies, reduce investment in their businesses or redirect their investment abroad.
Loanmakers struggles on
The board of stricken consumer debt company Loanmakers is continuing to review options for the Lancashire-based business as it released interim results for the six months to 30 September that showed revenues of only £4m against £14.3m in the same period last year and a pre-tax loss of £1.6m against a profit of £346,045. Although demand for loans is increasing, completion rates are declining because of difficulties in finding suitable lending products. In October the AIM-quoted company announced it was looking for alternative sources of funding after shareholders failed to pass a proposed £1.7m rights issue underwritten by chief executive Ges Ratcliffe. In August its largest provider of secured loans, First Plus, exited the market, reducing lending options, while other lenders have tightened criteria. Ratcliffe said: “Relations with lenders and introducers remain positive but, given the economic outlook, it is unlikely trading performance will improve in the second half of the year.”
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Property
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Shed KM’s Edge Hill plans go in
The plans by Liverpool architect Shed KM to redevelop Edge Hill station have been submitted to Liverpool City Council. The architect is working for local arts charity Metal Culture on a project that will include studio space, a gallery and offices for the charity, which will relocate from Marmaduke Street. Shed KM’s Alex Dusterloh told Insider: “It’s about reinventing the station and putting it back into use for the local community.” The project is supported by bodies including Merseytravel and Network Rail.
Brunswick scheme in for planning
Property agency Matthews & Goodman has lodged a planning application on behalf of North West Industrial Estates to build a new five-storey office building at Brunswick Business Park in Liverpool. The application covers associated parking and landscaping.
Birkdale blind school scheme wins consent
Sefton’s planning committee has voted unanimously to approve both detailed planning permission and conservation area consent for the redevelopment of the former Royal National Institute for the Blind school, known as Sunshine House, on Oxford Road in Birkdale. The scheme by local developer Lightflask will feature seven townhouses, 15 apartments and open space. The proposals have been in discussion for over two years.
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