A press release from Liverpool City Council today announced:

The Executive Group of the Liverpool Culture Company today announced that its Artistic Director, Robyn Archer, has resigned from her post for personal reasons.

Ms Archer joined the Culture Company as a consultant in the spring of 2004 to lead the delivery of artistic events leading up to and including Liverpool’s 800th anniversary in 2007 and European Capital of Culture in 2008. She is currently on leave in Australia and will not be returning to her post in Liverpool.
Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “Robyn Archer is one of the world’s most foremost and respected festival directors with more than 10 years’ experience in arranging large-scale international events. It is a matter of great regret that she has decided that she can no longer continue in her role here for personal reasons. I would like to thank her for her work in Liverpool and wish her well for the future.”
Robyn Archer said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with a great artistic team at the Culture Company and I would also particularly like to thank all the major cultural and community organisations who are at the heart of delivering a great Capital of Culture in 2008. I very much regret leaving Liverpool at this stage but I know that there is a fantastic depth of creative talent in the city who will remain in place. I am certain that Liverpool will indeed deliver on its promise of a very special Capital of Culture.”
The Culture Company’s Executive Group has also announced that detailed plans for developing the artistic programme for 2008 will be made in consultation with the major cultural institutions and community arts organisations in Liverpool.
Press Release Ends

So what does this mean for Liverpool’s fast-approaching Capital of Culture year? Will the city be able to find another artistic director of equal international standing as Ms Archer? What do you think - is there trouble ahead or is this an opportunity to look again at what should be one this city’s proudest times?

Visit the 08 website.

The Daily Post and Echo has reported on the growing confidence of local small business owners and their plans to boost investments in their companies.

• 60% are planning to put money into their business and 75% of these will be investing over £15,000
• 42% plan to increase staff numbers
• 19% experienced better than expected business in the previous three months
• 80% believe winning the Capital of Culture 2008 will boost the local economy.

The results were part of a survey by Alliance and Leicester Commercial Bank.

You can read more on this story on the Daily Post’s website.

But what do you think? Do these findings reflect how you feel about your company’s future, either short or long term? Let us know - leave a comment.