Are you aware of Light Night on Friday 14th May – a fantastic evening city centre cultural festival that coincides with Museums at Night, an EU wide festival?

Liverpool will be staying open late into the night, celebrating our cultural and entertainment venues.

Visit the Light Night website to find out what it’s about.

But it’s also a great opportunity for local companies to get involved, boost your profile and attract more and new trade.

Maybe you are a restaurant, cafe or coffee shop? Why not stay open and give weary culture vultures somewhere to rest their feet?

Or you could keep your shop open into the night and get extra custom on top of the day’s trade.

You could even lay on something special for the event. A tour of your premises? Free samples or introductions to what you do?

Don’t miss out on this chance to open up a whole new audience for your business.

If you want to be a part of the Light Night, simply complete this online form. Please click on the link, follow the step by step instructions and once submitted all your info will automatically be added to the giant spreadsheet http://tinyurl.com/LightNight2010

Deadline for submissions is Midnight 25th March 2010.

Your listing/s could be for anything special and unusual happening on the evening of Friday 14th May (4pm - late), indoor or outdoor. Already we have some great people and organisations signed up with the likes of The Walker Art Gallery, Tate Liverpool, the Bluecoat, FACT, Biennial, St Georges Hall, Radio City and Steve Binns and now it’s your turn.

The Light Night will be heavily marketing within Liverpool and the Northwest and the likes of Culture24 will make a greater impact nationally. We’ll provide a strong marketing campaign; online and in print with 1000’s of Light Night brochures, full listings on Open Culture www.culture.org.uk and www.Liverpool.gov.uk.

There is no cost to signing up to be part of Light Night, but we must remind you there isn’t any funding to subsidise any costs you may have. 

Don’t forget to sign up for Culture 24 www.culture24.org.uk to get your events online nationally.

St John Ambulance is appealing for Chamber members with real-life stories of how they’ve used their first aid skills to come forward.

The nation’s leading first aid charity, which trains hundreds of thousands of people in basic and life saving first aid skills every year, would like to hear how people have helped save lives and responded to medical emergencies after taking part in St John Ambulance courses in Cheshire and the North West.

St John Ambulance runs a variety of training courses including first aid for businesses and basic first aid and emergency life support courses. It also offers training tailored to first aid for sport, motorcyclists, activity coaches and families.

Alex Swift, Regional Director for St John Ambulance in the North West said: “Every year in the North West thousands of people successfully complete our first aid courses’.

“We do sometimes hear about how our students used their skills, maybe to help a colleague at work or a family member at the scene of a road accident, but we’re keen to build up a fuller picture of how they are benefiting their own communities.

He continues: “We know how important first aid skills are and believe that no-one should suffer from the lack of a trained first aider. Real-life examples of how someone has used their skills will help us bring that message home to people who might be considering whether or not learning first aid would be beneficial.”

To give some examples of first aid stories - recently, two St John Ambulance First aid at work students, David Guthrie from Chester and Becky Day from Carlisle each used their skills to help a passer-by who had a seizure. Other students from Crewe, Jeff King and Rachel Bosson administered first aid which helped save a man’s life when he had a cardiac arrest in Crewe shopping precinct.

If you have used the first aid skills you acquired during a St John Ambulance course please contact Stephanie Littler, Marketing Manager for St John Ambulance in Cheshire on 01244 383407 option 4 or email her on stephanie.littler@cheshire.sja.org.uk  

There will be a reward for each story St John Ambulance is able to use the promote the importance of first aid. The reward will be one free place on a St John Ambulance Emergency life support (all ages) course, which the individual can attend to refresh his/her first aid skills or give as a gift to a friend or family member.

Visit www.sja.org.uk/training for more details about the course.

High Tea, Overlooking the Park at Palm Sugar Lounge, Liverpool ONE

 This Mother’s Day, why not treat ‘Mater Dearest’ to a delicious afternoon tea in the luxurious setting of the Palm Sugar Lounge, overlooking Chavasse Park.

Afternoon tea includes the finest selection of fresh handmade cakes and sandwiches

Served with speciality teas and fresh illy coffee.

Only £9.95

Why not include a glass of fizz perfect for that special occasion?

Afternoon teas are served Thursday, Friday and Saturday every week. Special service on Sunday for Mother’s Day 14 March only.

For bookings please call 0151 707 6654

Served Thursday, Friday and Saturday 12– 5 pm.

Liverpool Chamber member and the city’s largest accountancy firm Grant Thornton staged a traditional Chinese tea ceremony to officially mark its sponsorship of the city’s pavilion at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

The firm, based in the Royal Liver Building, was one of the first businesses to sign up to support Liverpool’s presence at the Expo, which has been dubbed the ‘Business Olympics’.

Representatives from Grant Thornton and Liverpool Vision took part in the ceremony at City Rendezvous which is used in Chinese culture to show respect and also mark special occasions.

Managing partner Neil Sturmey said: “Liverpool’s business community has witnessed continued growth over recent years; sectors from leisure and retail through to the universities and property led regeneration have all played their part in the city’s revival.

“The Expo gives us the perfect opportunity to display just what we have achieved as a city to a global audience. And being closely connected with the next big superpower will certainly help Liverpool’s continued recognition across the world as a rising business community.

“Our plans for the Expo include hosting a number of exclusive VIP events, in conjunction with our Shanghai office. While the guest lists are yet to be confirmed we will be taking the opportunity to link up with some of their Chinese business clients and key contacts.”

Mike Taylor, Director of Investment and Enterprise at Liverpool Vision, said: “The professional services sector is one of the jewels in Liverpool’s business crown, with a worldwide reputation and significant expertise in global affairs. The city is ideally placed to capitalise upon this reputation so we are delighted Grant Thornton have signed up to be sponsors. We believe they will reap major benefits from their presence at the Expo.”

Grant Thornton employs over 400 people across offices in Liverpool and Manchester and already has an active and fast growing presence in the Chinese city.

The Shanghai office of Grant Thornton International through local mergers 3 years ago has grown to employ over 400 staff.  

Neil said: “On a more internal business level, our involvement will also help us build personal connections with our colleagues in Shanghai. We expect that will create UK - China opportunities for Liverpool office and the wider North West firm. Members of Liverpool Vision have already visited the offices to meet the team, and we are keen to build on these connections further during our stay in the city”.

More than 200 countries will be represented at the 184-day exhibition, which is preparing to attract 70m visitors to the site.

Liverpool’s pavilion in the Urban Best Practice Pavilion is expecting to welcome 1m people – up to 6,000 a day. 

Pictured above are Neil Sturmey (Grant Thornton) and Mike Taylor (Liverpool Vision) with waitress Ivy.

Chamber member The International Coaching Academy have some great courses coming up soon that could transform the way you work.

Time Management
Monday 22nd February, 10.00am-2.00pm
Thursday 15th April, 9.30am-1.30pm
Monday 17th May, 9.00am-1.00pm

Make the most of your time and do 8 hours’ work in two hours!

Accelerated Learning
We have a course starting on Monday 22nd February, running over 4 evenings, 5.00pm-9.00pm.

The greatest computer in the universe is between your ears. Learn how to use it more efficiently and you have a free gift for life.

Sales Success
Tuesday 23rd February, 10.00am-2.00pm
Thursday 11th March, 9.00am-1.00pm
Monday 22nd March, 10.00am-2.00pm

Learn how to overcome some of the most common objections to completing a deal with these great courses.

Click ‘more’ for all the details on these courses

Read the rest of this entry »

Merseyside-based Total Glass is the latest Green Business Ambassador to be honoured in the region for its efforts to reduce energy consumption and lower the carbon footprint of its business.

As the only window and door fabricator out of nearly 130 companies to be given the award by Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, the company hopes its environmental credentials will act as an example of good ‘green’ practice to others in the industry.

Reducing waste and energy costs is saving Total Glass around £20,000 a year – representing an annual reduction of 86.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Launched during the city’s Year of the Environment 2009, the on-going Green Ambassador initiative acknowledges commitment by private and public sector organisations to reduce their environmental impact.

Group Managing Director of Total Glass, Frank Deary is delighted to receive the award, saying it recognises the success of efficiencies implemented through working towards ISO 14001 to ensure the business is run as sustainably as possible.

These include a number of simple energy-saving measures identified in a Carbon Trust survey of the 100,000 sq ft factory and its operations, such as:

• Not leaving computers on standby
• Optimised use of water for flushing toilets
• Lights on motion sensors come on when needed
• Maximising use of natural light/turning off unnecessary lights
• Coffee machine timers provide hot water when needed
• Repairing leaking compressed air lines and reducing pressure – saves over £6,000 a year alone

“Saving energy and reducing wastage makes sound environmental and economic sense,” continues Frank. “Our commitment to sustainable manufacturing operations also covers recycling of waste PVC-U, cardboard and paper. It extends to our products too. Our ‘A’ to ‘C’ Energy-Rated Windows help to lower fuel bills for consumers and use reinforcements made from 100% recycled waste PVC-U.”

Looking to the future, Total Glass is investigating renewable energy options, such as solar and wind turbines on site. “Climate change is a massive issue for us all and businesses, like ours, can play their part in helping to preserve valuable resources. Collectively the industry can start to make a real difference, so we hope our actions will perhaps inspire others to follow our lead,” adds Frank.

“Total Glass is an excellent example of how ‘green’ practices can pay you back in positive ways,” comments Maresa Molloy, Head of Policy and Information at Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. “We will be encouraging more businesses to join our scheme as the region shifts towards a low-carbon economy.”

For more information, contact Total Glass on 0151 549 2339 or visit the website: www.totalglass.com.

After 25 years in Birkenhead, Wirral, Chamber member DeskCentre has moved to a new purpose built state of the art premises in Bromborough, Wirral. The new premises fit perfectly with the company’s service and quality centred philosophy.

DeskCentre has grown over the years to become one of the largest suppliers of office and educational furniture supplying many schools, universities, prisons, colleges, hospitals and local authorities along with a growing corporate market.

With new markets being developed in both public sector and commercial markets, one being a guaranteed next day delivery service, increased sales and prominence in the market has meant that DeskCentre needed to move to ensure our service and quality levels were not affected.

Colin Clayton Managing Director of DeskCentre says “ this move is the right fit for the business moving forward, the new purpose built facility will not only improve our service levels to our customers it will also give our dedicated staff a new modern and exciting working environment”.

Yhirty-eight staff have now completed the relocation from the old offices in Birkenhead, a process which substantially benefited several local charities and schools through financial and product donations as a result of a cathartic clearout operation.

Office Manager, Mike Skipworth comments “DeskCentre has a long established Wirral heritage and has been part of the community for over 25 years. Finding a new home within a 5 mile radius of our previous premises allows us to continue to be part of the community and to further build our heritage in the region”.

The lease deal, which was handled by Manchester based solicitors Zatman and Co, sees DeskCentre committed to the local area for at least another 10 years, further highlighting the confidence in the future of the business.

DeskCentre are now based at:
14 Stadium Court
Stadium Road
Wirral International Business Park
Bromborough
CH62 3RP

For further information please contact:
Colin Clayton
Tel: 0845 313 7456
Email: colin@deskcentre.co.uk

Chamber member (and our Business of the Year 2009) The BT Convention Centre would like to invite you to ‘a bit of a do’…

To celebrate the start of 2010 in style we are hosting New Year soiree on Tuesday 26th January at the BT Convention Centre.
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This informal event begins with a drinks reception at 5.30pm, after which guests will have the opportunity to take a relaxed tour around the venue or just relax and mingle with the crowd, the evening closes at 7pm.

Drinks and supper canapés will be provided by our caterers, Heathcotes, who will also be on hand to answer any questions. The evening is also an opportunity to talk to the Sales and Events Teams about your event requirements in the future.
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Don’t miss out on this very special New Year celebration - Please RSVP your acceptance to Rachel.moore@accliverpool.com or call 0151 703 7294 to be on the guest list.

Liverpool Chamber member PR agency Paver Smith has announced a 36% increase in turnover for 2009.

Income rose from £1.7m to just under £2.4m, with a net gain of 17 new clients over the year, including the National Lottery, Grosvenor and webuyanycar.com.

The agency, headquartered in Liverpool, also took its head count to 38, launched its in-house training academy and opened its Deansgate office in Manchester.

“I don’t think we’ve ever worked as hard in our lives,” said managing director Dougal Paver.  “We focused heavily on training, development and systems and that’s delivered for us,” he said.

Paver predicts that 2010 will be “as tough, if not tougher” than 2009 but is forecasting growth of around 10% for the year.

“We’ll retain our focus on staff development in 2010 as it’s clear that quality inputs drive quality outputs.  Our Investors in People status will be renewed and we’re investing an additional five figure sum in our in-house training academy.  Everyone, from our receptionist to the board, will be completing 60 hours of CPD through our chartered institute, the CIPR.  This is on top of the role-specific training everyone enjoys,” said Paver.

“In addition”, says Paver, “the agency’s recent election as a partner in IPREX, the worldwide corporation of independent public relations and communication firms, will give it a stronger platform to look after the international interests of clients such as Shell Gas Direct and Bibby Ship Management.”

Liverpool Chamber member Charity Printshop would like to let you know of a new way for your business to support a charity at no extra cost…

• As a company have thought about supporting a charity, but your cash flow comes first?
• Would like to you support a charity to fulfil your corporate social responsibility?
• Have you wanted to help others, but don’t have the time?  

If your answer yes to any of these questions then visit our new website: www.charityprintshop.com

Charities have been hit hard during the recession and your company can now help them by buying the products you use in your business on a day to day basis from our site. Select one of our affiliated charities or nominate a charity of your choice. We will then donate up to 25% of the value of each order to your nominated charity.

If you have any questions or require more information our team would be happy to help you on 08445 763 235.