The internet. It’s great, isn’t it? You can do anything there, from planning your day to laughing at cats.

So it’s very handy that The Guardian website has put together this list of 100 websites that they recommend for 2009.

The list is split into various sections, such as blogging, gaming, public services, finance news and a lot more.

Some of the sites you’ll know (Flickr, The Onion, Wikipedia etc), there’s still plenty there to swell your bookmarks and make using the web a more rewarding experience.

Check out the full list here.

CBeebies Live Treasure Hunt
4 January 2009

KIDS GO FREE! (with each top price full paying adult on any show)

The CBeebies Mega-stars are searching high and low for hidden treasure this Christmas - and they need your help to find it!

So pack your bag, dig out your binoculars, and get ready to join Justin Fletcher, the Tweenies, Pingu, Andy Day, Postman Pat, Underground Ernie and many more of your CBeebies friends as you explore the world of CBeebies Live!

There’ll be laughter and fun all the way, with plenty of songs and great games to play. Let Stephanie from LazyTown get you clapping your hands, stamping your feet and singing at the top of your voice!

With help from Squiglet, Boo and The Koala Brothers sing and dance your way through this magical adventure, from the sunshine of Africa to the bottom of the deep blue sea. Have fun with the Jakers on Mr Tumble’s farm and join the Teletubbies to explore the garden.

Will we find the treasure? And what will it be? Gold or diamonds? Come along and see!

To book your tickets call the Echo Arena Box Office on 0844 8000 400 and quote ‘KIDS GO FREE’ offer.

* * Offer valid on all shows when a top price adult ticket is purchased only. One top price adult ticket gives one free child place. All tickets are subject to a handling / transaction fee. Tickets are subject to availability. This offer excludes tickets already purchased. Offer valid until 3rd January 2009. Offer available through Echo Box Office only.

Throughout these testing times, it’s the SMEs that are being touted as the lifeblood of British business and one of the great economic hopes for the future.

But how can SMEs themselves survive the downturn?

Well here’s a handy guide put together by Headset Sales that gathers together research into attitudes to the economic outlook, predictions and insights into what makes for a sucessful company, plus case studies.

Here’s a quick taster of what’s inside…

The research pinpoints the types of businesses more likely to be riding the storm rather than being swamped by the waves. So who is riding the storm?

• SMEs with mobile workforces - they are 10% less likely to have been hit by the slowdown
• SMEs with older, more experienced ‘captains’ - more than half of directors/owners aged over 55 are unconcerned about long term survival while just 31% of 35-44 year olds share this confidence
• SMEs who had a ‘worst case scenario’ strategy in place - confident, booming businesses were three times more likely to have had this in place
• SMEs investing more in training, IT & Telecoms, marketing - all are more likely to be riding the storm
• SMEs with a woman at the helm - female-run businesses are 30% more likely to be riding the storm

Download the complete SME Survival Guide from the SME Guide website

This year, the Chamber’s Evening Economy Manager, Joe Curran is involved in a new campaign to help revellers stay safe over the festive season. He said: “In addition to the DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE CAMPAIGN’ we have decided to roll out awareness to address alternating alcohol consumption.”

ALTERN - 8 invites people to drink water at regular intervals when out socialising, in addition it encourages consumers to eat healthy and regular meals especially when out throughout the festivities.

Thousands of key rings will be given out by four taxi companies, Mersey Cabs, Davy Liver Taxis, Blue Line and Penny Lane Taxis. Drivers will be encouraged to give passengers a key ring on the outgoing journey. The taxi telephone number and company name displayed on one side and on the reverse the ALTERN - 8 message

Joe continued: “Often when people are in high spirits they consume large amounts of alcohol which often results in them committing crime, being the victim of crime or indeed becoming ill or injured. We are not being kill joys, however we invite customers to be more responsible and healthy whilst still having a good time. Drinking water in between consuming alcohol and ensuring that they eat regularly can enhance them being in control.”

Peter Jones Head of the Chamber’s Business Crime Direct team said: “Liverpool is a city that likes to celebrate and we want both residents and visitors to enjoy the whole of the city as we have so much to offer. However we also want people to be safe and responsible, we are currently proud of our achievements and one alcohol driven injury, accident or crime is one too much, we urge revellers to drink water at regular intervals and consume alcohol responsibly.”

Friday 20th February 2009

Liverpool Chamber, in partnership with Mitchell Charlesworth, has developed a selection of seminars to answer those essential financial questions by a fantastic selection of experts.

The full day is broken into mini seminars, including a Business Surgery Session where you can get a one-to-one with a professional to answer your individual questions.  You may attend some, or all, depending upon what your needs are.

A brief networking opportunity, coupled with a selection of refreshments precedes each seminar.  The days events are as follows:

Seminar 1
Pensions & ISAs - The last Tax Freebies
09.15 - Register/Refreshments

Covering areas:

• Pensions Lifetime Allowance
• Pension Annual Allowance
• Corporation Tax Savings
• Income Tax Savings
• ISA Allowances

Ends 10.15

Book this seminar

Seminar 2
Financial Management in a Declining Market
10.15 - Register/Refreshments

Covering areas:

• Identifying every possible means of improving cash flow
• Understanding the margins
• Understanding the Business
• Know your Customers

Ends 11.15

Book this seminar

Seminar 3
How to get grants
11.15 - Register/Refreshments

Covering area:

• What’s out there?
• Where from?
• Where do I start?
• Is there help?
• Take action!

Ends 12.15

Book this seminar

Seminar 4
Business Surgeries/Networking
12.45 - Register/Refreshments

• Colin Corder - VAT Manager
• Bob Gore - Corporate Finance PartnerGraham Oakes - Wealth Management
• Greg Harris - Associate - Grant Finding Specialist
• Majella Yates - Tax Manager

Ends 13.45

Book this seminar

Seminar 5
Tax Pitfalls
13.45 - Register/Refreshments

Covering areas:

• Getting your Tax right!
• Car or not?
• Benefits in kind - dispensations, loan accounts
• Working from home
• Expenses

Ends 14.45

Book this seminar

Seminar 6
What the VAT man doesn’t tell you!
14.45 - Register/Refreshments

Covering areas

• Cash flow - Hints & Tips
• Cash flow - how to structure late payments & avoid surcharges
• Avoiding interest & Penalties - corrections & appeals
• Debt negotiations - How to arrange time to pay
• What to do on & after a VAT visit

Ends 15.45

Book this seminar

Each seminar cost just £10. Bookings can be made by contacting the
Chamber Business Training team on 0151 224 1888 or via the Chamber website.

SkillWorks funding is available for eligible SMEs - please call the Mersey Skills Network team for further information on reducing the cost of your training by 50%!  E-mail: info@merseyskills.co.uk or call the team on Tel: 0151 224 1888.

Raccoon not included.

Liverpool’s famous Lewis’s store takes a seasonal look back at 2008 in their magical Santa’s grotto, opened daily in the run up to Christmas.

Lewis’s was the first department store in Liverpool to have a grotto, way back in 1879, and this year they want to say a special thank you to all the loyal shoppers who have supported the store through the last year.

Covering 10,000 square feet this is a magical experience following the adventures of Lewis Bear who, like the store, is celebrating his 150th birthday.
Be prepared to see a Santa Superlambanana and a festive take on the MTV awards in the third floor of Lewis’s Ranelagh Street shop.

Free to walk around or £5 to receive a gift (10% goes to the charity Give A Child A Chance). Every child receives a balloon, badge and activity sheet on the way into the grotto.

Opening times: Mon - Fri 11am-5pm, Thurs 11am-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. (Opens 9am from Dec 18.)

Don't get stuck like this little fella!

It’s Christmas Eve. OK, you’ve had a few. Who hasn’t? But you simply MUST get that turkey home on time. As you stand swaying amongst the crowds on Dale Street you review your travel options…

What to do? What to do?

Luckily, before you allowed yourself to dragged to the pub you had the forsight to download this handy timetable of bus, train and ferry times from Merseytravel.

Huzzah! You, and Christmas, are saved. Now your only regret is not going the loo one last time…

New Chamber member Aerelink Ltd is delighted to release details of its inaugural North West Region Wireless Environments Seminar on Thursday 5th February 2009.

The venue is Knowsley Hall, Prescot and is predicted to be the premier wireless event of 2009 in the region.

The seminar is devoted exclusively to Wireless communication technologies in both WAN and LAN environments, and also Wireless applications such as Voice, RFID, Real Time Asset Tracking and Location, Surveillance and IP CCTV, all of which leverage the investment of wireless deployments and deliver real business benefits in terms of increased efficiency, improved productivity, flexible working practices, staff security, public safety and revenue savings.

This is not an open event and is restricted by invitation only to organisations in both Public Sector and Private Enterprise in the North West.

Attendance is restricted to maximum of 80 delegates and as we expect the event to be oversubscribed. To avoid disappointment you are advised to book online

Last week British Chambers of Commerce were invited to take a small group to meet with the Prime Minister at No.10.

Led by the President, also participating were the Presidents of London, Manchester, the North East and the Director General.

They used the opportunity to give an overview of the current state of the economy, both from the national perspective of our Quarterly Economic Survey and also local conditions as represented by the individual Chambers.

We then discussed our response to the PBR.  The PM said he did not think that we were being positive enough about the measures in the announcement.

Our response was that collectively and individually Chambers had acknowledged the support measures, not least the HMRC Business Payment Support Service, Small Business Finance Scheme, the extra EIB funds and the introduction of a foreign dividend exemption for large and medium-sized businesses.

However, we did have concerns about Empty Property.  The threshold should have been scrapped completely rather than being restricted to a £15,000 RV; Fuel Duty increases; and importantly the raising of National Insurance Contributions (NIC’s).

He responded by saying that the fall of commodity prices would help businesses and that the increases in NIC’s would only happen if it were necessary for public finances. The Government “has to show that it has sustainable public finances”.

A considerable part of the meeting was spent discussing the relationship between the Banks and Business. Our team pointed out the failings at the present time and the way that business was being impacted. We did point out that the Banks were in a difficult position as they clearly needed to raise their own capital. This is clearly an issue that is exercising the Prime Minister, the Treasury and BERR, and our role in the Small Business Finance Forum was acknowledged.

Finally, we highlighted the good work that Chambers across the country are doing to help business get through the current difficulties and the real efforts that were being made to secure the future of local economies.

The PM said that he wanted to ensure that Public Sector Procurement benefited local business. It was clear from the response that Chambers were involved in a variety of initiatives to promote this. However, we still believed that the Government need to exert more pressure on local public agencies.

Around £16.2million of business tax has been rescheduled by businesses in the North West as a direct result of a quick call to the new HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Business Payment Support Service (BPSS).

This service was announced in the Chancellor’s pre Budget statement on 24 November and opened to business nationwide on the same day.

HMRC staff on this fast track service have been busy talking to businesses in the North West which need extra time to pay their tax bills due to the current difficult economic circumstances.

This is a fast and streamlined service that enables businesses to speak directly with an advisor to agree an affordable timetable without incurring any extra charges, saving hard working businesses time and money.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Timms MP said:

“We are determined to do everything we can to support business through these testing times and I would strongly encourage any business anticipating difficulties paying their taxes to call HMRC’s Business Payment Support Service.

“This service is making a real difference for businesses across the country and I am very pleased that HMRC has been able to provide support to over 360 businesses in the North West.”

The BPSS can be contacted on 0845 302 1435 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 4pm on weekends.