Pilot Group giving away a free Energy Management System (EMS) to an Southport SME

SUSTAINABILITY expert, Pilot Group, is giving away a free Energy Management System (EMS) to an Southport SME as part of its ambition to help businesses save more than £1 million in energy costs over the next 12 months.

The sustainability expert will give away the system, worth up to £15,000, to a local business to help them to tackle the unprecedented rising energy bills.

The move comes as part of Pilot Group's commitment to help organisations to significantly reduce their gas consumption in the coming months and help them to tackle unprecedented rising energy bills.

This will see Pilot Group aim to reduce the gas consumption of businesses, many based in the North West, by 12 million kWh in the next year totalling £1 million in costs, through the provision of its EMS.

The system is designed to control and monitor energy systems for businesses, with its smart sensors and self learning algorithm enabling heating systems to work more efficiently to reduce waste.

The competition is open to any SME or any size. Those who want to be considered for the EMS can do so by visiting:-ThePilotGroup.Co.UK.

Over the past 3 decades, Pilot Group, which provides innovative technology solutions to help businesses become more sustainable, has supported businesses across the UK to make financial and energy savings and reduce their carbon emissions, saving an average of 40% on their energy bills each year.

The North West based business has decided to donate the product to support businesses across the Region who are facing a sharp rise in gas and energy bills.

Archie MacPherson, Pilot Group Managing Director, said:- "The current state of the energy market has put additional financial pressures on businesses at an already tough time. We are proud to be a North West based business and wouldn't want to see an SME struggling to survive in these trying times. So, we have decided to give 1 of our systems away completely free of charge, from the equipment through to the installation."

Shayne Wilson, Head of EMS Sales at Pilot Group, commented:- "We know that businesses in our Region play a crucial role in supporting the British economy and with energy prices soaring higher than ever, we're passionate about taking action to reduce the impact on local businesses as far as we possibly can. We're confident that we will achieve the targets we have set out and look forward to supporting many more businesses of all sizes across our Region as we continue to build and invest in our EMS division, which is a key area of focus for the company over the coming years."

To enter the competition visit:- ThePilotGroup.Co.UK.

Thank You For The Music! Eurovision Song Contest is coming to Liverpool!

THE Eurovision spotlight is set to shine on Liverpool in 2023, after it was announced the City will host the world famous competition on behalf of the 2021 winner, Ukraine. The European Broadcast Union (EBU) and the BBC have whittled the competition down from 20 Cities, to just 2 Cities, with bookies putting Glasgow as the favourites to host the song contest at 4/9, whereas Liverpool was seen as the outsiders at 13/8. But on Friday, 7 October 2022, it was announced that Liverpool will host the massive music event in 2023.

The City, which began preparing its bid in June, received praise for its world class facilities including the M&S Bank Arena and ACC Liverpool, the innovation behind its cultural programme, the plans to celebrate Ukrainian people and community, along with the 'walkability' of the City. Liverpool's unrivalled reputation for staging large scale cultural events played a key part in the decision making process, as did the City's relationship with its Sister City Odesa.

The Mayor of Odesa, Gennadiy Trukhanov said:- "It is a matter of great pleasure to know that the bid of Liverpool, our Sister City, to host the Eurovision Contest in 2023 is successful! Your City is worthy of that as it embodies the colourfulness and brightness of entire Europe. You definitely know how to make the world dance and sing along with you. Next year all musical roads of Europe will lead to your City, and we are happy that not only Eurovision contest will decorate Liverpool, but the City itself will adorn the event too. All of Odesa is looking forward to literally hearing from you!"

Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson, said:- "I'm over the moon that Eurovision is coming to Liverpool! We knew that we faced strong competition from Glasgow, but we also knew that we had a great bid underpinned by the expertise of our award-winning Culture Liverpool team and supported by all our brilliant partners. This is a massive event and the eyes of the world will be on us in May, especially those of our friends in Ukraine. Now begins months of work to put on the best party ever. Ukraine – you have my promise we will do you proud."

The City Region wide support for Liverpool's bid also proved to be a hit with the judges, and the 'Team Liverpool' approach was noted as:- residents, visitors, organisations and community groups across the City got behind the bid.

Liverpool's Eurovision team will now start to put their plans into action, which includes working with Ukrainian street artists and fashion designers, creating a Liverpool / Ukraine community education programme and developing plans to host a special culture trail featuring Eurovision and scouse legend Sonia.

Director of Culture Liverpool, Claire McColgan CBE, said:- "This feels like our European Capital of Culture win all over again; I'm (almost) lost for words, but not quite! It has been a whirlwind few months where we have spent hundreds upon hundreds of hours devising a meaningful, thought provoking bid which is energising, inspiring and pays homage to the Ukraine and its incredible people. Liverpool is the right City to host this event; it's a bitter sweet win, but will be a showcase of solidarity across the UK and Europe. It will be an extraordinary time and we can't wait for the next part of the journey."

The morning after the announcement we had the privilege of speaking to 3 of the key people behind the winning bid to find out more... Please play the video below or visit our YouTube Channel to find out more.



Adding to the voices was Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, who said in a press release:- "Home to the more UK number 1 hits than anywhere else, the birthplace of The Beatles, Cilla Black, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Real Thing, Elvis Costello, The Zutons; and now the host of Eurovision 2023; the Liverpool City Region is undoubtedly the UK's cultural capital! While we came up against stiff competition from Glasgow, who deserve more than the nil points they have received on this occasion, nowhere is more experienced or qualified, and nowhere throws a party quite like we do. We want to put on a show that Ukraine would be proud of, and we have been working closely with Liverpool's sister City of Odesa to ensure that this is their event as much as our own. Now the hard work begins. Putting on a show that will give millions a night they will never forget in 1 of the most turbulent and trying years for our continent is no mean feat. If anywhere is capable of it, it is the Liverpool City Region; with a little help from our friends in Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!"

Also in a statement to the media, the Federation of Small Businesses, the UK's leading small business membership organisation, has welcomed news that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool. Phil McCabe, FSB Merseyside and Cheshire Development Manager, said:- "After a tense wait for the organisers to make up their minds, Liverpool and its small business community will be delighted that the Eurovision Song Contest is coming to the City We know that Eurovision brings tangible economic benefits to its host Cities and Liverpool will rise like a phoenix from the hardships of the last few years to make this event a success. Liverpool's small businesses have always stepped up to welcome UK and international visitors to all sorts of major events, including the European Capital of Culture and International Festival for Business, but also sporting events and others celebrating Liverpool's unique musical and maritime heritage. Tens of thousands of people will come into Liverpool from all around Europe and the world, giving our amazing shops, bars, restaurants and tourist attractions the opportunity to open their doors to a whole new audience. This will be a significant next step in the City Region's economic renaissance and recovery. We would encourage the event organisers to think local in every way that they can, so that they engage with suppliers and make sure that everyone taking part in this brilliant event gets a true taste of Liverpool, the Merseyside and the North West of England."

A dedicated website will be developed in the coming weeks as will more details about how people can get involved in the run up to, and during, the event.

The date for the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 has been set for Saturday, 13 May 2023.

So what are your views on this massive event moving into the Liverpool City Region? Please do email us your thoughts to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com and let us know today!