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Liverpool’s legendary public houses are being asked to play their
part in European Capital of Culture 2008...
THE Liverpool
Culture Company is appealing to landlords across Liverpool to take
part in Around the City in 80 Pubs – a celebration of the city’s
unique pub culture.
The project will aims to explore and promote those things which make
Scouse pubs so special – architecture, traditions, music, games,
food – and of course – beer!
Councillor Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool city council and
deputy chair of the Liverpool Culture Company, said:-
“Liverpool is renowned the world over for the character and
hospitality of its pubs – they’re an integral part of the city’s
heritage.
Our year as European Capital of Culture will be a great time to
celebrate pub culture, and highlight the integral role that pubs
play within their communities.
It’s also an opportunity to look at how pubs have evolved to cater
to new tastes and appeal to new audiences, so there’s plenty of room
for rap and karaoke as well as darts and real ale.”
Organisers are keen to ensure a wide geographical spread for the
project, so applications are encouraged from suburban pubs alongside
city centre venues.
To get involved, pubs just need to fill in a simple application
form, detailing what makes their pub distinctive and highlighting
any interesting facts, such as stories about famous visitors, etc.
Forms are available from
www.liverpool08.com or by
calling Ian Jukes on (0151) 233 6394.
Pubs who register their interest in the project will be featured in
a special brochure, launched in April 2008. The brochure launch will
kick-start a five-month programme of activity, which will culminate
in September 2008 with a two-week festival, coinciding with the
CAMRA Real Ale Festival and Heritage Open Days.
A
single market in postal services is on its way
IN Brussels on
18 December 2007, the liberalisation of postal services across the
EU has come a step closer with the vote in the European Parliament's
Transport Committee on the recommendations for a second reading on
the Internal Market in Community Postal Services.
Despite the attempt in Germany to derail liberalisation by squeezing
private suppliers through minimum wage legislation, Sir Robert
Atkins MEP, member of the European Parliament's Transport Committee
said:- "The negotiations earlier in the year have borne fruit.
The Council's common position has taken on board all the main
recommendations put forward by the Transport Committee and as a
result we have a piece of legislation that will finally pave the way
for market liberalisation of postal services across the EU.
The Postal Services Directive as it stands guarantees the universal
service, it ensures that postal workers are sufficiently protected,
while allowing the industry to grow." |
WHEN SANTA GOT STUCK IN THE WINDOW
LIVERPOOL
shoppers are likely to see some change in their high street shopping
experience in 2008, as more of the big retailers turn to in-store
design to give online shoppers the retail therapy they’ve been
missing.
According to leading shopfitters Morris & Spottiswood, retailers are
realising that what online shoppers are missing is the social
interaction of a trip to the shops. “People go shopping not
just because they want to buy things, but because they see it as an
entertaining and enjoyable leisure outing which they can do on their
own or with their families and friends.
High street
retailers are starting to take advantage of this in the design and
fit out of their outlets by creating both social and interactive
spaces where shoppers can touch, feel and try products – experiences
which online shopping can’t provide.” says Chris Saxton, the
company’s chief executive.
These observations come at a time when research shows that growth of
online sales this year is expected to be much lower than the large
increases of 2006 suggesting that the recent surge in e-commerce
spending has peaked as consumers once more prefer the local shop to
the online store.
While consumers have been spoilt by the convenience of online
shopping, Morris & Spottiswood believes retailers are responding to
this.
“The new generation of high street shops is aiming to combine both
the speed and convenience of online shopping with the creation of a
familiar and welcoming sense of place in which the consumer feels
feel safe, relaxed and comfortable.
Comfort is also becoming more important than style with stark and
modernistic in-store fit out schemes being replaced with comfy
sofas, wood finishes, soft lights and furnishings which are more
akin to a luxury hotel or family home.
Next year, Morris & Spottiswood expects to see more big high street
retailers following their supermarket sisters in moving away from
‘identikit‘ store fit outs and tailoring the look and feel of their
outlets to their individual locations.
From high street banks to department stores, retailers will be
aiming to engage their customers at a much more emotional level next
year.
Fit out schemes
are going to be more customer-centric with the emphasis on creating
interactive social spaces which provide a much more ‘therapeutic’
retail experience.” says Chris Saxton.
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