Liverpool Chamber loves Christmas, and so is happy to pass on this update from one of our members, and architectural spectular, the Anglican Cathedral,. about their upcomming programme of events:

There is plenty going on, including From Darkness to Light, a special service using the great spaces of the cathedral to dramatise Christ bringing light to people’s lives.

Other events include An Evening of Christmas Classics, presented by local author and Liverpool expert Ken Pye and including excerpts from The Messiah performed by Liverpool Cathedral choristers and Chamber choir.

On Saturday 12th December (6.00pm) the Cathedral will host Sancta Lucia, a Beautifully atmospheric Swedish Festival of Light with the Örebro Adult choir and the Girl choristers of Liverpool Cathedral.

The traditional Blessing of the Crib & Lighting of the Tree will take place at 3pm on  Sunday 13th December - it will be a visually spectacular service with carols by the Cathedral Choir.

For more information see the full list here or go to www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk

The current financial climate, or ‘credit crunch’, may well be a direct result of a mismanaged economy however that is of little consequence when you’re trying to keep a business roof over your head and the creditors from the door.

Chamber members Black Box Creative Communities CIC Ltd are looking for expressions of interest for a ‘creative’ solution to the continued existence of businesses who are ‘feeling the pinch’

Black Box currently occupies a 3, 300 sq ft site in a quarter of an acre of land behind Brougham Terrace, West Derby Road.

Moving into the premises in November 2007, Liverpool’s award winning creative and performing arts company made a commitment to letting part of the property. The financial downturn now makes that commitment an even more attractive proposition for a business who would like to explore a ‘cost effective solution’ to sustainability.

With state of the art CCTV, security and alarm systems; all to high spec and secure free parking for around 24 vehicles the premises offers numerous business benefits and Black Box invites expressions of interest.

As well as the obvious cost reduction in shared business costs, Black Box feels there are a number of other benefits:

• Expansion / growth of business
• Opportunity to make new business contacts
• Organise networking events together
• Work together on joint business enterprises
• Free parking = more convenient for customers
• Develop impulse purchases of your products and services
• Increases the chance that customers / clients will choose to visit you rather than your competitors
• Develop stronger relationships within the local business community
• Raise profile with customers
• Raise profile in the local area
• Make one business visible to customers visiting your ‘partner’ business
• Promotional benefits
• Cover in emergency situations

To see who, what and where The Black Box are visit www.blackboxmerseyside.co.uk

Expressions of interest should be made via email to Gillian Stokes at admin@blackboxmerseyside.co.uk or telephone 07775 968 093

3 November from 12 to 2 at Liverpool Chamber

Free event. Networking lunch included

Liverpool Chamber want you, the private sector,  to feed into the next Local Transport Plan. 

We at the Chamber recognise this as a vital issue to Liverpool business, and are keen to promote strategic engagement on the key transport issues and to facilitate such a forum.  A program of quarterly forums was developed to engage the business community in discussions on future transport issues.  The forums are an opportunity for in-depth discussions on the city region’s transport planning. 

Liverpool Chamber have been working with the Local Transport Plan team to feed private sector views into the next round of transport planning.  The forum will be considering the the results of the latest transport model. 

To book your free place contact esther.sumner@liverpoolchamber.org.uk or call her on 0151 227 1234

During the current phase of economic downturn, sustainable waste management practices and recycling may be the last items on most business agendas. However, a new initiative supported by the Environment Agency and Liverpool City Council aims to help.

There are a number of benefits for the business community in implementing sustainable waste management practices, and there is also a legal requirement to properly contain and dispose of commercial waste under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The benefits of sustainable waste management practices include a clean environment surrounding business premises, compliance with legislation and the potential of making the business more attractive to customers. It is becoming increasingly important that businesses are seen as responsible and environmentally aware members of the local community.

There are also financial incentives for those businesses looking to reduce the amounts they send to landfill and to increase the amount of materials recycled. These include a reduction in the costs of land-filling residual waste and a potential income stream from the materials sent for recycling.

Nick Hopwood, Environment Manager for the Environment Agency said:

“Businesses across the city need to find the most environmentally sound and cost effective ways of achieving sustainable waste management to remain competitive in the current economic climate.  The ‘Make Waste Your Business’ project  offers education and advice on commercial waste disposal and provide links to other sources of information to help businesses make an informed choice about sustainable waste management and recycling. We really hope businesses in Liverpool will take advantage of this service during Year of the Environment. ”

For more information please contact pat.davies@liverpool.gov.uk