Despite the global credit crunch, Ryanair, Europe’s largest low fares airline, today announced that it will launch two new routes from Liverpool John Lennon Airport later this year. Services will commence to Paris Beauvais in France and to Turin in Italy for the Winter season onwards.

This latest expansion brings the number of routes at Ryanair’s Liverpool base to 46 and passengers can now access an even wider variety of European destinations from Liverpool.

Flights will operate daily to Paris Beauvais starting from the beginning of November, whilst the weekly flight to Turin commences on 20th December.Â
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Neil Pakey, Peel Airport’s Deputy CEO, said: “At a time when many airlines are cutting back and we hear about the credit crunch, it is particularly pleasing to see Ryanair’s continued commitment to their operations from Liverpool with these new services. Paris is a great all year round destination for both business and leisure whilst Turin will be popular with skiers in the coming months.”

Speaking today Ryanair Sales and Marketing Executive Maria Macken said,  “The new Paris Beauvais will mean an extra 100,000 passengers per annum travelling to and from Liverpool, sustaining an additional 100 jobs.

Merseyside’s intricate web of public transport is being strengthened as crowds gather for the spectacular “La Machine” in Liverpool.

The volume of people visiting the city is expected to be huge for the event; one of the highlights in the Capital of Culture calendar.

Merseytravel has been working with operators to ensure the network is fully prepared to deal with the influx of people.

Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said: “We are expecting big numbers of people to visit the city and enjoy this sensational event so our strong recommendation is to leave your car at home, come in by bus, train or ferry and leave plenty of time for your journey.”

Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel, added: “If this event is anything like the Sultan’s Elephant in London then we can expect the road and public transport network to get a real test.

“We have been working hard with our operating colleagues and our partners to make sure we are ready to take the strain and we are strengthening services, particularly on the rail network, wherever we can.”
For advice, people visiting the city are urged to contact Merseytravel’s Traveline team on 0871 200 22 33.”

Extra members of the team will staff phones later into the evening to help people find the best way to attend the event. Traveline will be open from 7am to 8pm on Friday, 8am to 8pm on Saturday and 8am until 10.30pm on Sunday, when the event is due to come to a sensational conclusion.

The focus of the event will move to Pier Head tomorrow (Friday). As a result Mersey Ferries will be running additional services from Pier Head, Seacombe and Woodside ferry terminals on Friday evening, with extended direct services running every half hour up until 8.45pm.

Because of the complexities of this large scale event, bus services into and out of the city centre will be disrupted. Passengers can call Merseytravel’s Traveline team for the latest information.
Northern Rail will be strengthening services from Lime Street Station on Saturday from 5pm onwards, as well as almost all day on Sunday.

Merseyrail will be strengthening trains (i.e. increasing to six carriages) on major routes on Friday evening after 7pm, most of Saturday and all day on Sunday.

The Mersey Tunnels will also play a key role in the breathtaking climax of the event on Sunday evening. As a result, the Queensway Tunnel will be fully closed to traffic from 6am on Sunday until 6.30am on Monday morning.

During this period all traffic wishing to cross under the River Mersey should use the Kingsway (Wallasey) Tunnel.

This is part of a series of free workshops for businesses in the wards of Anfield, Everton, County, Kirkdale, Linacre and Derby to improve their chances of winning contracts in both the public and private sectors.

The public sector alone has £500 billion worth of business available each year.

Kevin Griffiths, Head of Commercial Services at Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, working with Stepclever said: “This practical workshop will focus on issues such as can you sell effectively, and communicate creatively? It will look at how to effectively get your messages across to individuals, either in one to one meetings or panel and tender situations.

The session on marketing and presentation techniques will provide both a hands on and practical refresher, or a first time session on a number of different aspects, and show you how to raise your game in personal presentation.”

This workshop will be held at the Council Chamber, No 1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9HG on Tuesday 30th September at 9.30am - 12 noon, Lunch and course notes provided.

To book call June Davies on 0151 224 1891 or email june.davies@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Well we’ve all had a good look at her now. Whilst some people have commented here that spiders aren’t their favourite creatures, it has to be admitted that La Princess is pretty spectacular. I mean, how often do we get to see a giant steampunk mechanical spider hanging off one the city centre’s ugliest buildings? Never, I say!

So, in keeping with the growing La Machine obsession, here’s a list of what she will be up to over the coming weekend. It’s accurate as far as we know, but if we hear of any changes we’ll let you know.

Thursday 4th September
11.30h The creature is craned off Concourse Tower.
12.30h The convoy carries the creature and sets off for the Research base at ACC.
13.00h The convoy arrives at the Research Base.

Friday 5th September
11.30h The scientists perform experiments on the creature using different special effects to see how it responds to different stimuli. The creature wakes up and is prevented from running away by a wall of Chinese firecrackers and by a fire effect. Eventually the creature is sent to sleep by a snow machine.
18.00h The creature wakes and parades to Salthouse Dock.
19.30h The creature arrives at the Dock and takes a bath, accompanied by live music. After her bath, she is dried and perfumed.
20.30h The creature sets off for Cunard Building.
21.00h The creature arrives at Cunard Building. It begins to snow gently and she falls asleep.

Saturday 6th September
11.30h The creature wakes up in the middle of a magical snowscape, and is serenaded with music.
12.30h The creature goes to sleep again.
14.45h The creature leaves Cunard Building and walks up Water Street.
15.30h The creature arrives at Town Hall - smoke effect.
15.40h The creature walks towards Derby Square along Castle Street.
16.00h Water ballet at Derby Square.
16.15h The creature walks down Lord Street to Holy Corner where it is snowing.
17.00h The creature sleeps.
18.30h The creature wakes and walks down Parker Street, serenaded on the way.
20.00h A tempest rages at Ranelagh Place.
20.30h The creature arrives at Concourse Tower, climbs up the tower and goes to sleep.

Sunday 7th September
15.00h The creature wakes up and is prepared for the evening’s entertainment.
16.00h The creature goes back to sleep.
19.30h Cherry-pickers and musicians arrive.
20.00h The creature is removed from the tower with a crane.
20.30h The convoy leaves the tower and parades to Queensway Tunnel entrance.
21.15h The creature tries to escape, but is prevented from doing so by the special effect machines.
21.30h Finale at Queensway tunnel.

Sounds like she’ll be having a nice time!