- FLEXIBLE
FUTURES IN LIVERPOOL
BIF you live on Merseyside the results of the latest pole on Sky this week reveals would come as no shock. In 21st Century Britain with 65 per cent of people in Liverpool claiming they simply don't have enough time to get everything done and find time to relax.
The traditional nine-to-five working day is now history, if sky's pole is anythink to go by. With Liverpool becoming a city of 'flexitimers', fuelled by a new 24-hour convenience culture. One quarter (25 per cent) admit that they could not run their lives effectively without being able to do things at unconventional times, thanks to the prevalence of all night shops and sources of entertainment.
Nearly half of Liverpool takes advantage of 24-hour supermarkets and one in ten parents said they would like flexible school hours for their children!
Sky said that already 20 per cent of Liverpool's work force is reaping the benefits of working flexible hours claiming they are now happier (45 per cent), more creative and more productive at work. A further 34 per cent would like to swap their rigid schedules, with more than half (59 per cent) of 'early bird Liverpudlians' wanting to start and finish earlier.
Far from the traditional routine of dinner, TV and bed, 44 per cent of Liverpudlians are opting to indulge in home entertainment and leisure at unconventional times. We are going to the gym before dawn, booking breakfast meetings, coming home from nightclubs at lunchtime and shopping late at night. Eating meals or spending time with friends and family has to happen as and when it is convenient.
Flexible living in the 21st Century is made easier by the availability of digital TV recorders like Sky+ that let people dictate their own TV schedules. With Sky+ TV fans can pause live TV when dinner is served or digitally record every episode of their favourite series to watch at a more convenient time.
Jan Walsh, from the Consumer Analysis Group comments:- "Britain's 24 hour culture provides so many more choices and opportunities; however it is leaving two thirds of us even more stressed. This research into 24-hour society predicts that flexible time schedules are going to become increasingly important to the nation's well being and happiness, not only in the work place but also in our domestic lives. In order to let us make the most of flexible living, retailers, entertainment services and technologies such as Sky+ are going to be at the heart of this social trend."
Additional statistics for Liverpool had 41 per cent of Liverpudlians feeling that changes in the way they
organised their time in this 24hr society are making their lives easier.
What do you think about these
results? Do you agree?
We would like your feedback...
Email us at:- news24@southportreporter.com
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"UNIQUELY SINGAPORE" TO TAKE ON THE HIGH SEAS IN ROUND THE WORLD RACE
Report with thanks to Clipper Ventures PLC
LONDON, 8 November 2004, The Singapore Tourism Board and Clipper Ventures PLC, the AIM quoted marine sports company, today announces the signing of a sponsorship agreement that will see Singapore joining the competitive line-up of one of the world's most prestigious international yachting events, the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race.
Singapore is the first Asian city to join the ten-strong international racing fleet which sets sail from Liverpool, United Kingdom, on 18 September 2005. The fleet will sail for ten months and 35,000 miles to ten port cities, including Western Australia and Durban in South Africa. The race will come to an end in July 2006 in Liverpool.
Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, said:- "Singapore is happy to be the first Asian country to take up the challenge of participating in the Clipper 05-06 Race. We are confident that this race will also profile Singapore to millions of race spectators and potential visitors around the world in a most memorable and unique manner."
Singapore's 68-foot "Uniquely Singapore" yacht will be emblazoned with the destination brand's logo and fly the Singapore flag. There also will be opportunities for Singaporeans to be a part of the crew and become tourism ambassadors on-board the
"Uniquely Singapore" yacht, bringing a taste of Singapore across five continents to the host port cities that it sails through.
With the newly introduced format of "nation versus nation" for the Clipper 05-06 event, the crew on the "Uniquely Singapore"
yacht will pit their skills against an international line-up of teams including Liverpool, Durban and Western Australia.
"Through our local crew members and our hosted festival villages along the seven-leg route, the rest of the world can get a taste of Singapore and will be able to appreciate the sophisticated blend of the best of the modern world and rich cultures that is Uniquely Singapore. We will bring a bit of our country, culture and people to every one of the ten host port cities," Mr Lim added.
On the third stage of the race, in January 2006, the yachts will spend ten days in Singapore, one of only two Asian stopovers on the route. It will also be the first international race to berth at Sentosa Cove's brand new marina, which will be ready just in time to receive them.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures plc, said:- "We are delighted to announce this partnership with Singapore, the undisputed tourism hub for South East Asia. It truly is a unique city that has tremendous synergy with the unique Clipper Race.
This is also a strong affirmation of Singapore's commitment to increase awareness of the city's destination appeal and to position Singapore as a premier travel destination around the world. The race is an effective vehicle to communicate the attractiveness of Singapore as a destination to a global audience, attracting a wealth of potential travellers to the region,"
Singapore's involvement in Clipper 05-06 has been secured by the Singapore Tourism Board and Fast Track Sailing, the exclusive global commercial and media partner for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
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