City Brokers Back Liverpool International Tennis Tournament

ONE of London's leading Spread Betting firms, TradIndex.com has agreed to be the Title Sponsor of the Legend Event during this year's Liverpool International Tennis Tournament to be held at Calderstones Park on June 9 at Liverpool.

TradIndex.com's decision to back the event adds weight to the popularity of the sport and of the event held in Liverpool. This is a huge step for the tournament in its bid to become a nationally recognised event and to mirror tennis events such as that held at Queens Club. 

The event has the full backing of Liverpool City Council and the Lawn Tennis Association.

SUCCESSFUL SMALL BREWERIES' RELIEF SCHEME TO BE EXTENDED

AS announced in the Chancellor's Budget speech, the Small Breweries' Relief scheme is to be extended on a tapered basis to include breweries producing up to 60,000 hectolitres a year. 

This change will come into effect on June 1, the second anniversary of the introduction of the successful scheme.

John Healey, Economic Secretary and Customs Minister said:- "We designed this scheme to help the smallest breweries invest in their business and grow and, over the past two years, this scheme has achieved this aim, proving a great success. 

Now, after listening to the industry, we are extending the scheme to allow small breweries to continue their growth, encouraging greater enterprise and confidence within the industry while helping to provide greater choice for beer drinkers."

The extension of the scheme introduces reduced rates of duty for beer brewed by independent breweries.

Paradise Street Scheme Given Go-Ahead

DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott has approved the Compulsory Purchase Orders for Liverpool's Paradise Street Development - the largest retail development taking place in Europe.

Mr Prescott accepted the recommendation from planning inspector Derek Mumford that the orders be approved without a single modification.

The go-ahead follows a public inquiry resulting from the City Council's move to use compulsory purchase orders on the site in spring 2003. The inquiry into the CPOs started in September 2003 and ended in November.

At first there were more than 50 objections. But, following discussions with all of the parties, only eight objectors appeared at the inquiry. The same number maintained objections but did not appear at the inquiry.

The Paradise Street scheme will create 4,400 permanent jobs and 3,300 construction jobs and covers a 42.5 acre site in Liverpool City Centre based around Paradise Street, Chavasse Park and Canning Place. It also extends into Church Street, Lord Street and into Ropewalks across Hanover Street.

It includes three major new department stores, including new stores for John Lewis and Debenhams; two hotels; food and drink outlets; leisure uses; residential development; recording studios; offices; a meeting hall; gallery; a new bus station; bus layover provision and car parking for 3,000 vehicles and a new public park. 

David Henshaw, City Council Chief Executive, said:-  "This decision means it is full steam ahead for the biggest shopping development taking place in Europe. This is everything that we wanted. It is a brilliant result after just after four and a half years.”

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