Liverpool means business!

LIVERPOOL Vision, the Mayor of Liverpool's economic development company, has smashed targets by bringing in more than ₤79M of private sector investment to the City over the last financial year; more than double the goal set at the start of the year. The company has also helped the private sector to create more than 1,000 new jobs during 2017/18. Investment in Liverpool has come from all sectors, including creative and digital, environmental, financial and legal services and health.

Headline figures for new business include global accountancy firm BDO, which made a strategic decision to establish a shared services centre in the City, bringing 75 jobs; with the aim to enhance the team to more than 200 over the next 3 years. Law firm Freeths has opened a City office which could boost job numbers by a further 60 by the end of the year, and health technology firm Blueprint Biobank is hoping to bring up to 30 new jobs to the City following its move to the Liverpool Bio Innovation Hub.

Marketing Liverpool, 1 of Liverpool Vision's directorates which focuses on promoting the City region as a place to visit, invest and study, also brought in close to ₤1M in revenue from the private sector. These have enabled it to run strategic programmes such as the City region's attendance at MIPIM, the international property conference. Beyond this, it managed accommodation for 7 major conferences and events, and generated a wealth of positive media coverage around the world.

Chaired by Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, Liverpool Vision's mission statement is to place the City as a global hub for growth and investment and cultivate an environment fit for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Liverpool Vision Chief Executive Max Steinberg said:- "The figures underline that this has been another hugely successful year for business growth and development in our City. However, these still only tell part of the story. From working with companies of different sectors and sizes every day, we hear that there is a real confidence amongst Liverpool's business community and this extends itself to companies looking to invest here."

The good news comes as Liverpool Vision prepares to host the International Business Festival, the world's largest business event. Taking place at Exhibition Centre Liverpool from Tuesday June 12 until Thursday June 28, it will encompass 55 different events and attract more than 14,000 visitors to the City.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said:- "Once again Liverpool Vision has surpassed its own targets and brought in a set of fantastic results. Liverpool has been hit hard by the government's austerity measures and we continue to face increasing pressure on our budgets. That's why we have taken matters into our own hands and developed imaginative ways of bringing more jobs and investment to the City. The success means more opportunities for local people and a tremendous boost for our local economy. As the upcoming International Business Festival will show, Liverpool is an exciting and vibrant place to do business. We are on the cutting-edge of scientific, technical and creative innovation and we have plenty to offer any potential investor."

►  For more information about Liverpool Vision, visit:- LiverpoolVision.Co.UK

►  There is still time to register for the International Business Festival, see:- InternationalBusinessFestival.Com for more details.

Southport's Pop Up Chilli Fest returns this month for a 2nd year

THE festival returns after a successful 1st year, on 16 June 2018, from 10am to 5pm, in Southport's Town Hall Gardens, on Lord Street. Discover some of the best chilli producers from around the UK exhibiting exclusive and unique products like mild to crazy extreme chilli sauces, naga cooking sauces, chilli plants, chilli merchandise and street food.  Things heat up with a live chilli eating contest mid afternoon. Can you handle the heat? Come along and take part and see just how long you can stand it! You can also expect live music and entertainment with Sandgrounder Radio.

The event is brought to Southport by Chilli Fest UK, with support from Southport BID. There was a great turnout in 2017's debut event; particularly for the contest; and the organisers hope for even more this year. Hugh Evans of Southport BID says:- "We were pleased when Chilli Fest Organisers asked to bring their hugely successful touring event to the Town and have been happy to support them in delivering the event. It adds extra colour and entertainment to the weekend and brings extra visitors into the Town Centre"

The event will sit side by side with 2 other great events for the day, as the Tap and Bottles 'Beer Street' returns to Cambridge Arcade and Remedy host their own sister event 'Gin Lane.' These brilliant events will showcase a huge range of craft ales and gins and are on from the 15 June 2018 to the 17 June 2018.