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LIVERPOOL:- CAPITAL OF COMMERCE 2008
FOLLOWING hard
on the heels of the recent
launch of the Capital of Culture comes
news that Liverpool is poised to become the fastest growing shopping
destination in the UK when Phase 1 of a £1 billion urban
regeneration scheme opens on 29 May this year. Liverpool ONE,
42 acres of shopping, leisure and lifestyle in the heart of the
city, will bring more than 160 shops and restaurants, 2 new hotels,
a 14-screen cinema a 5 acre park, residential and office
accommodation to revive the city’s fortunes during Capital of
Culture year. Retail analysts predict that the Grosvenor
development will catapult the city from 15th to 5th place in the
UK’s retail league table, overtaking Leeds, Cardiff, Nottingham,
Birmingham, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
Liverpool ONE is built around existing streets, and will link the
city’s shopping quarter with the historic Albert Dock. It will see
many big name stores locate in Liverpool for the first time,
including Debenhams, Urban Outfitters, Radley and American Apparel.
A new Topshop will be the biggest outside London while John Lewis
are creating a brand new flagship store 40% larger than the existing
Liverpool store. Liverpool ONE will also create more than
5,000 permanent local jobs within the shopping and leisure outlets
and thousands of regular new shoppers are expected to flock to the
city centre following the launch.
Joanne Jennings, Chief Executive of Liverpool ONE said:- “2008
is Liverpool’s year. Historically, the city’s retail offer has
lagged far behind northern rivals such as Manchester and Leeds, but
that’s now set to change. Liverpool ONE will reinvent the city
centre by introducing exciting new shops, restaurants and hotels,
while retaining the character and layout of existing streets. It
will be a unique shopping environment.
We’re thrilled to be opening during Capital of Culture year,
when all eyes are on Liverpool. The development will play a massive
part in the city’s future prosperity, by bringing jobs, visitors and
prestige.”
Margaret Jacques of
John Lewis said:- “We are excited to be bringing a flagship
new store to Merseyside. Liverpool ONE is set to transform the city
centre into one of the most compelling retail destinations in
Europe. The imagination and scale of the project was extremely
attractive to us, and we are looking forward to playing a key part
in its success.”
Kevin O’Donovan from Debenhams said:- “Our new store will be
one of our most ambitious openings to date – boasting the largest
children’s range outside London. Liverpool ONE is going to be great
for the city, delivering a phenomenal retail experience.”
The first phase of Liverpool ONE will open on
29 May 2008 with a
huge jamboree of events, offers, parties and celebrations.
Highlights will include the world’s biggest catwalk parade and a
fashion amnesty. The second phase opens on 30 September 2008,
when the entire 42 acres of shopping and leisure will be fully open
to the public, with a programme of celebrations in the heart of the
city.
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ADOPTING A PETS AT WORK POLICY
IN the dog eat
dog world of business, officebroker.com can reveal that the number
of employees bringing their pet into work is on the up, as employers
wake up to the fact that having animals around you in the working
environment can significantly reduce stress levels. According
to the online office space broker, a growing number of businesses
are coming round to the idea that having a furry friend at work can
increase productivity while also helping to relax staff.
A recent survey of small businesses commissioned by animal charity
The Blue Cross found that 90% of companies who allowed dogs in the
workplace noticed a positive change in the working environment;
two-thirds claimed staff morale had lifted; 56% said pets had
improved work relations; and half even noticed a decrease in
absences.
However, while many people would welcome the company of a furry
friend to brighten up their day, but it is points out that
there are serious issues employers should consider before they adopt
a ‘pets in the office’ policy.
Jim Venables, who
launched officebroker.com in 2001 with fellow Managing Director Andy
Haywood said:- “Employers need to think long and hard before
they adopt a pet policy.
For example, does the company have suitable
liability insurance to cover them if a canine colleague bites an
employee or a feline friend scratches a VIP visitor?
Will the
Company be liable to charges of discrimination if a job candidate is
unable to take up a position because of an allergy or phobia to a
particular pet?”
officebroker.com offers the following advice to any employer
considering allowing staff to bring their pets into work with them:-
- Ask employees opinions before adopting such a policy. If there are
any objections consider these very carefully and look into the legal
implications before going ahead
- Provide a written pet policy to ensure that any employee bringing
their pet into work is aware of any restrictions and their own
responsibilities and liabilities
- Establish off limits areas for animals, taking health and safety
considerations into account
- Ensure that employees provide relevant documentation to prove that
their pets are vaccinated
- Let staff know that noisy, destructive or disruptive pets will be
banned from the office
- Ensure that you do not break any contractual arrangements with
your landlord
“Serviced office providers are telling us that they are
receiving an increasing number of requests from tenants whose staff
are keen to bring their pets into the office.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that this increase in demand may
have come about because more people are finding themselves living
alone and are reluctant to leave their pets at home all day without
company. It is mainly our independent office space providers
and landlords who allow their tenants to bring pets into work. While
some of our larger commercial office space providers may dismiss
such requests outright, others are open to the idea of having well
behaved animals in the workplace, recognising it may enhance the
environment and be considered an added perk by many staff.
However, we would strongly advise any company
considering this to do their homework and ensure they have well
though out policies in place.
If you
are a business looking for office space with a pet policy already in
place, officebroker.com can point you in the right direction!” said Andy.
Do you have a pet at
work?
Would you like one at
work?
What are your views
on this report, email our news room today to
news24@southportreporter.com.
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