Award Winning Chippy Offers Free Christmas Day Lunch for Key Workers and the Vulnerable

PORTLANDS Fish and Chips, a proud recipient of the prestigious Good Food Award for 2024/25, is giving back to the Liverpool community this Christmas Day. Owner Mubinul Hoque and his dedicated team at Portlands will open their doors, from:- 10 am to 2 pm, on:- 25 December 2024, to provide a free, hearty lunch to those who need it most.

Portlands are keen to support:- NHS staff, Key Workers, Police Officers, older individuals, vulnerable members of the community, and anyone who is unable to spend the day with their families and loved ones.

Mubinul Hoque commented:- "This Christmas, we want to give back to our customers and our neighbourhood. As Muslims, we don't celebrate Christmas, but we see it as a perfect opportunity to come together with the community and ensure no 1 feels left behind."

On offer will be comforting favourites like chunky cod fish fingers and fish and chip barms, along with free tea and coffee; all provided to customers completely free of charge.

Since taking ownership in February 2023, Mubinul Hoque has transformed Portlands introducing a new, exciting menu, and implementing sustainable practices to ensure that Portlands remains a cornerstone of quality and responsibility in the local food scene. Giving back to the community is a fundamental belief of Mubinul and the business.

Mubinul Hoque said:- "Whether Christmas is meaningful to you or just another day, everyone is welcome here at Portlands. Our local community is what makes us who we are; they've supported us through our journey, and now it's our turn to support them. Charity is a fundamental value in our faith, and if this small gesture can brighten someone's day or ease their loneliness, it's more than worth it."

Portlands has flourished under its new management, and is earning recognition for its exceptional food and its commitment to community values having won a Good Food Award earlier this year. The team donates a portion of their profits to national and global charities, and also supports local causes including sponsorship of Nicosia Junior's U7 football team.

"Winning the Good Food Award was a tremendous honour and a reflection of our dedication to bringing the best to Liverpool. But we know families are struggling, and many people find themselves alone on Christmas. We want to create a positive impact and ensure everyone who walks through our doors feels cared for" Mubinul added.

This Christmas Day, join Mubinul and the team, at Portlands, from:- 10 am to 2 pm for a warm meal, a hot drink, and the chance to connect with others in the community. Everyone is welcome!

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram hails LYVA Labs success as innovation investment company celebrates 3rd Anniversary

MAYOR Steve Rotheram has hailed the:- 'outstanding success' of the Liverpool City Region's innovation investment company, LYVA Labs, during a visit to celebrate its third anniversary.

Established in December 2021, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has invested £10.5m in LYVA Labs to help innovators across the Region turn great ideas into high growth businesses and good-quality jobs for local people.

The company is a key part of delivering Mayor Rotheram's ambition to invest 5% of Regional GVA on Research and Development (R&D) by 2030; nearly double the Government's national target.

Since it was established as an investment and innovation consultancy company, LYVA Labs has invested in 18 start ups; 9 in health and life sciences and 9 developing deep tech innovation; creating 47 local jobs so far, with another 15 people employed by LYVA Labs itself.

The team has also supported over 100 SMEs to develop and commercialise innovative technologies across key growth sectors, including:- advanced manufacturing.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "LYVA Labs has been an outstanding success story for the Liverpool City Region. It's demonstrated exactly how targeted investment can drive innovation, create high-quality jobs, and foster the next generation of ground breaking businesses. 3 years in, it's clear that LYVA Labs is not just supporting start ups, but transforming the Region's economy by nurturing talent, creating new opportunities, and attracting significant investment. This is just the beginning, and I'm incredibly proud of the work that Lorna Green and the LYVA Labs team are doing to put the Liverpool City Region at the forefront of innovation."

A total of £30m in funding has been leveraged through LYVA Labs' work, £28m of which has gone into the local economy. This includes:- grant funding of £16.5m secured for LCR SMEs, and £6.7m in private investment for early-stage companies.

Lorna Green, LYVA Labs' CEO, said:- "LYVA Labs was established to increase investment in innovation across Liverpool City Region, by providing expert consultancy and investment. We were frustrated by the lack of both public and private funding available in the Region, and the limited support for innovative founders to access the resources and mentorship they needed to succeed. We also have a wealth of research and innovation assets that we could exploit much more, through partnership and collaboration, to help drive economic growth. With the backing of the Mayor and Combined Authority, we have started to address these challenges and in our 1st three years have built a fantastic team that is making a real difference. The new Government has promised more devolved funding for Regions, and a stronger emphasis on place-based innovation, so we are excited to see what the next three years will bring for the future of innovation in Liverpool City Region."

Councillor Mike Wharton, Liverpool City Region Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade, said:- "When we 1st established LYVA Labs it was a real statement of intent from the Combined Authority that signalled our commitment to providing the supportive environment that our innovators need to thrive. Three years on and we can now see how important that decision was, as LYVA Labs goes from strength to strength, helping translate innovation into successful start-ups and high-quality jobs for local people."

LYVA Labs is committed to investing in diversity. Of the 18 start-ups supported so far, ten have founders or CEOs from under represented groups and account for 80% of LYVA Labs' investment to date. Only 2% of venture capital investment, nationally, goes to women led businesses and less than 2% of investment goes to people from ethnic minority groups.

Established City Region businesses have also benefitted from support to access grant funding to explore new R&D opportunities and find expert partners. 10 companies have been awarded grants of up to £15,000, matched by their own contributions, to help commercialise new products and services. Due to LYVA Labs' early impact, the businesses were successful in securing two contracts with the Government's innovation agency, Innovate UK.