5:30pm, Wednesday 16 January 2008
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Liverpool

This networking event is for anyone either involved in the small science business community or thinking of starting a company.

Attendance is free and online registration is available.

Presentations:

Steve Rannard
Co-founder, IOTA Nanosolutions

Mersey Skills Network

This event is presented in association with the Centre For Materials Discovery, Chemistry Innovation and Chemicals North West.

Find out more and book online at www.rsc.org/industryconnect
Registered Charity Number 207890

The British Chambers of Commerce will be carrying out a programme of work next year on regional policy.  As part of this we are working with the University of Salford’s Centre for Sustainable Urban and Regional Futures (SURF) on a report for 2008 about creating the right innovation environment to deliver high-skill, high-value economic growth and reduce regional disparities.

We are looking at what Research & Development support exists at different levels and how well this works, in order to make recommendations for government, RDAs and Chambers about delivering this crucial area.

As always we would strongly encourage you to participate in this survey as the more responses we receive the more representative the results. Please go to www.merseyeconomy.org.uk and select Surveys from the menu.

Local businesses are being given the chance to have exclusive use of Liverpool’s festive ice rink inside the majestic St George’s Hall.

Organisers have announced that companies will be able to use the ice rink in the Great Hall on five evenings during the festive period.

Between 8pm and 10pm businesses will be able to hire the rink either for a half hour slot - or the entire evening.

Alan Smith, St George’s Hall manager, said: “We decided that we wanted to give the business community the opportunity to take advantage of the ice rink either for corporate hospitality or for a night out with colleagues and their families.

“There will be a fantastic festive feeling to the Great Hall which we feel will appeal to many businesses looking for something extra special to do during the festive season.”

Each night four half hour skating slots are available (maximum of 50 per skating slot) enabling up to 200 people to have a skate and enjoy a mince pie and mulled wine in the superb surroundings. Tickets cost £9.50 per person including a mince pie and mulled wine. Soft drinks will be available for children.

The evenings allocated for local businesses are December 23 and 27 and January 2, 3 and 4. Tickets are sold in multiples of 10.

For further information and to book, telephone 01704 540237 or email juliabrough@btconnect.com.

With the festive season upon us we’re all busy planning the perfect Christmas. With their unique seasonal range of traditional fresh flowers and arrangements with a modern twist you will be astounded by the designs you can find at Tamzyn Angela.

Why not take a trip to the showroom at Albert Dock or visit online either way you’re sure to find the perfect decoration to add the finishing touch to your festive table.

Offering stunning festive bouquets right up to and including Christmas Eve for that extra special surprise delivery.

Tamzyn Angela are also known for one of the largest and best artificial ranges in the UK and with Unique Giftware and Exclusive Home & Christmas Decorations.

Buy online at www.tamzynangela.co.uk

Here’s some more information provided by Merseytravel on Christmas arrangements for public transport.

The attached document also includes details on some of the opening times for the various shopping centres in the region. More information on these can be found on the City Central Bid website.

Download the Christmas Travel and Shopping Info [PDF]

As close to home as you can get without actually being there is the ethos of Staybridge hotels. The hotel is designed for long stay business guests with free wifi broadband and fully-equipped kitchens in every suite, plus an exercise room, laundry, deli-style pantry and hub kitchen in every hotel.

Each hotel offers contemporary design, friendly service, after work get togethers; a chance to unwind with a drink and meet the neighbours.

Work is well underway on Liverpool’s Staybridge, situated on King’s Dock and you can check on progress of the construction via their webcam.

If you’d like further information on Staybridge Hotels, Robert Olszewski, Area Director of Sales and Marketing is now in post and is currently based in the Albert Dock.  Call him on 0780 809 5729 or email  robert.olszewski@ihg.com 

Louise Ellman MP attended a briefing for interested members of the business community at Liverpool Chamber on 7 December. Below is a summary of the issues raised during the meeting.

Louise commented on the welcome cut in interest rates for the business community and expressed concern about the prediction of reduced growth 2008 nationally. However she noted that Liverpool’s economy continued to be healthy.

Read the rest of this entry »

British Chambers of Commerce is going to kick start the New Year with a major overview on the business outlook for 2008. To make an accurate, authoritative announcement, they ask for as many businesses as possible complete this two minute survey.

Take the survey here.

Peel Advertising are making an exclusive offer to Chamber members of preferential rates on a limited number of advertising hoardings near to the terminal building.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport has high footfall with over 5 million passengers movements each year. Peel Advertising is offering a limited number of 48 sheet billboards in this prime site at a discounted price of £100 per week. All sites are fully insured by Peel Advertising.

The hoardings are available for 12 month contacts on this prime site. Production costs are £675 for a one piece, weather and fade proof vinyl to cover the board.

There is also an opportunity to acknowledge your Chamber membership by including the Chamber logo in the advert.

Peel is also offering 1/3 off full page advertisements in the summer edition of the Liverpool John Lennon timetable for just £735. Detailing flights and vital airport information, 40,000 copies of the full colour timetable are printed and distributed during its six month lifespan.

If you would like to take advantage of these offers or find out more call Maxwell Ferns on 07809 362 893 or email mferns@peeladvertising.co.uk

New Year always begins with resolutions to develop your career, learn new skills and make a fresh start.

Liverpool Chamber’s Professional Development Programme can help you to achieve all these goals with our innovative programme of personal development and training.

For 2008, we are offering a comprehensive diary of events specifically designed to support you in working more effectively and improving you skillsbase and that of your employees.

And you can save money on training too - all of the professional development courses are covered by Skillworks funding which can cut the costs in half. If your company is based in Merseyside and has 249 or fewer staff, you will qualify for this financial support.

Some of the highlights from the next three months are listed here for a full diary, visit the Chamber Professional Development website.

English Law of Contract, one day course 23 January 2008

Taster day - Foundation for leadership Academy one day course
23 January 2008 at Aintree Racecourse

The Maximum Achievement Programme, two day course, start date 27 February 2008

Make Big Savings with Continuous Improvement, three days course start date 6 March 2008

ITIL (R) Service Management Foundation (Accredited), three day course, start date 17 March 2008

For further details contact Sharlene Walton, Mersey Skills Network Manager on 0151 224 1888 or send her an email at info@merseyskills.co.uk

Find out more about the great Merseyskills Network funding for training on their website.