A limited number of places are available on ecoSMARTER, a new  environmental programme that is free for small businesses.

It will help you:

• Save money on your energy bills – businesses will have a free energy monitor installed on site and will receive environmental support from an expert to reduce their energy consumption. Energy bills have been cut by 16% on average following support from ecoSMARTER.
• Gain an environmental certification – businesses completing the programme will receive the Carbon Smart Blue Certification, a nationally  recognised certification that promotes your environmental achievements and is recognised by central and local government in their procurement processes.
• Network with like-minded local business – hundreds of businesses across the North West are taking part in this project; ecoSMARTER will put you in touch with these potential customers and suppliers, face-to-face and online, making the connections that matter to you.
• The blue certification process includes a site survey, an ecoSMARTER monitor, carbon footprint calculation, half-day workshop and support to help you write your action plan and environmental policy.

As this project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund the certification is completely free for participating businesses.

The ecoSMARTER team are looking for Liverpool based businesses who have less that 10 employees who would like to take part – numbers are very limited.

For more information call Nick on 0161 237 4630 or e-mail ecosmarter@carbonsmart.co.uk

Merseyside’s membership and loyalty scheme One Card Liverpool has expanded its menu by signing three new dining partners to the card. One Card Liverpool provides members with a wide range of discounts and offers for over 130 venues and businesses in the region across the dining, retail, culture, attractions and wellbeing sectors.

New One Card Liverpool partners include eastzeast, the new Indian Restaurant at Kings Dock, Hanover Street Social Brasserie and Bar and Radisson Blu’s Filini and the White Bar. eastzeast and Filini will be offering members a 20 percent discount on food. Hanover Street Social will be offering a complimentary 500ml carafe of house wine when two people dine from the a la carte menu, whilst the White Bar will offer selected cocktails for £5.

South Liverpool based Laura’s Little Bakery has also joined forces with One Card Liverpool, offering cardholders the chance to win a selection of home-made cupcakes. Laura’s clients include Bold Street Coffee and local footballers, including LFC star Steven Gerrard.

The One Card has over 105,000 residential members and is signing over 1000 new members each month since the rebrand of the former 08 Card in April this year.

One Card Liverpool account manager Karen Podesta said: “I am delighted that such fantastic businesses are attracted to our scheme. We aim to offer our members deals and benefits from as wide a range of venues as possible. Our latest partners reflect our diverse offering. In today’s climate more and more people look for offers and discounts before eating out and our range of partners makes that easy, especially since we launched our One Card iPhone app, which allows our customers to view the latest offers on-the-go.”

For further information on the One Card Liverpool please visit www.onecardliverpool.co.uk or telephone 0151 235 8777.

Additional information can be found at

Facebook: www.facebook.com/onecardliverpool

Twitter: www.twitter.com/OneCardLpool

Design Show Liverpool returns to St George’s Hall on Friday 7th October – Sunday 9th October, from 10am to 6pm each day.

Find beautiful, one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts, treat yourself to something truly unique and check out next season’s hottest trends on the Design Show catwalks.

Featuring over 90 contemporary designer makers, the Show will present a range of exciting and inspiring interior products, glass, ceramics, furniture, lighting, jewellery, textiles and fashion - all set in the stunning, neo-classical surroundings of St George’s Hall.

Show visitors will have the opportunity to spot trends, meet and buy from up and coming designers, see catwalk shows, take part in hands-on workshops, hear talks from design experts and relax over a coffee.

Design Show is part of Liverpool Design Festival, a series of exciting events at venues across the city. 

Visit www.liverpooldesignfestival.com/design-show for more information and to buy advance tickets.

2-For-1 Ticket offer
Simply enter code CHAMBER241 when you buy advance tickets online at www.liverpooldesignfestival.com/design-show to get two tickets for the price of one.

Opening Hours:
Friday 7th October 2011:  10am to 6pm
Saturday 8th October 2011:  10am to 6pm
Sunday 9th October 2011:  10am to 6pm

Ticket Prices:
Adult buy on-line: £4.00 in advance, £5.00 on the door
Concessions £3.00 in advance, £4.00 on the door
Children under 16 free (must be accompanied by an adult)

Buy tickets online at www.liverpooldesignfestival.com/design-show

Venue details: North Entrance, St. George’s Hall, St. George’s Place, Liverpool L1 1JJ

Local residents’ membership and loyalty scheme One Card Liverpool (www.onecardliverpool.co.uk), has announced a record period of growth in the last six months. One Card Liverpool – the former 08 Card created by Livesmart to celebrate the Liverpool Capital of Culture – was launched in April of this year.  Since the rebrand, the One Card Liverpool has added over 1,000 new members each month, with a number of new partners joining forces with the card.

One Card Liverpool is a membership card which provides local residents with a combination of great offers and competitions from over 130 local venues and businesses from across the region.  The One Card website and newsletter also offer information on local events. The membership card currently has over 105,000 residential members.

Matthew Wood, Head of Technology and Operations at One Card Liverpool, said that the growth in members and business partners is due to a combination of the growing numbers of deals which are available to members and improvements made to the technology by which this information is delivered.

“We have been working hard at One Card Liverpool to create an up to date members card which meets all of the needs of the modern consumer,” he said.  “As the recession has continued to hit the UK, there has been a massive increase in demand for discounted deals from consumers who are looking for offers from their favourite venues. We have worked hard to sign up 130 of the region’s best venues, attractions and events organisers who provide us with exclusive deals which are available to One Card Liverpool cardholders only.  We have also worked hard to improve our technology to ensure our members receive news of these deals instantly. Our new services include our own iPhone and iPod touch application and One Card Loyalty Points Service.”

The One Card Liverpool application enables members to access the best offers when they are out and about. They simply present their card (or virtual card via the app) at the venue to benefit from the deal. The One Card Loyalty Points service is available via One Card Liverpool’s online virtual high street. By accessing and shopping through this site, members can earn points at selected national outlets, which include eBay, iTunes, John Lewis, easyJet and ToysrUs – which can then be redeemed at local One Card partner venues.

Matthew Wood said that these improvements were the result of a focused and passionate like-minded team.

“Prior to the rebrand, One Card Liverpool appointed Karen Podesta, who previously managed events for a range of organisations including the British Film Institute and the British Library. Karen’s ability to identify and work with an interesting range of businesses, venues and events has enabled us to sign up some of the best partners in the region for One Card Liverpool.”

Karen Podesta said: “I am delighted to be working back in Liverpool alongside so many fantastic attractions, venues and businesses. Working closely with such successful events as the Liverpool Shakespeare Festival and the Liverpool Food and Drink Festival have been recent highlights. The combination of my passion for local events and the city, and Matthew’s IT skills, has enabled us to provide both our partners and members with an improved offering.”

For further information on the One Card Liverpool please visit www.onecardliverpool.co.uk or telephone 0151 235 8777.  Additional information can be found at:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/onecardliverpool

Twitter: www.twitter.com/OneCardLpool

Liverpool Chamber has secured a limited number of discounted tickets for Everton’s home game with Wigan on Saturday 17 September.

They are priced at £20 (adults) and £10 (Under 16s).

Book your tickets via the chamber website by emailing events@liverpoolchamber.org.uk or by calling the events team on 0151 227 1234 with your booking.

Make your booking by Friday 9th September to secure your seat at the game.

When the Health and Safety Executive updated their guidance to workplace first aid training in 2009, St John Ambulance commissioned a report into tackling skills fade in basic life support.

It raised the following issues:

• First aid competence is built up through a continuing process of learning, with regular refresher training
• First aiders retain skills better after facilitated, relevant practical training, as opposed to lecture-style sessions
• Recent simplification of procedures such as CPR has not necessarily led to improved skill retention over time

Basic life support (BLS) is taught through HSE accredited first aid courses and consists of up to 50 different learned skills. Even the recent simplification of the resuscitation guidelines by the Resuscitation Council (UK) in April this year has not necessarily led to improved skill retention.

BLS is not difficult to learn but requires regular practice to keep skills updated and refreshed.

The key recommendations of the report are still extremely valid and are as follows:

• First aiders retain skills better after facilitated, relevant practical training, as opposed to lecture-style sessions
• Deterioration in first aid skills has been recognised as a concern for many years. The general consensus among experts is that refresher training should occur every 6 to 12 months 
• The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation issued guidelines for the training of lay people in Basic life support, recommending that initial training must always include specific plans for refresher training
• First aid training should not be seen as a one-off event, but a regular engagement with the subject through a variety of means, including refresher training, advancing skills on other courses and access to online/digital training material. Only this way can skills fade be reduced.

St John Ambulance still offers the first Annual Refresher training FREE to all students who pass its three-day First Aid at Work course and offers 50% off the first Annual Refresher for those who pass its one-day Emergency First Aid at Work course.

Chamber of Commerce members are entitled to a 10% discount off St John Ambulance’s commercial training courses in the North West. Call 0844 770 4800 or visit www.sja.org.uk/training and quote NW8 to get the discount.

Liverpool Chamber member Peel Holdings are currently offering competitive tariffs at the Peel Multi-Storey Car Park located at Princes Dock.

The MSCP is a clean, well lit, private facility only allowing access to pass holders. It benefits from 24/7 on-site security, concierge and monitored CCTV throughout. The car park also benefits from an on-site Bean Coffee Shop/Deli and a Children’s Day Nursery.

There are currently three tariffs in operation within the multi-storey car park:

• Tariff 3 – this allows use of the multi storey car park 24 hours a day (including bank holidays) = £1,200 + VAT
• Tariff 2 – this allows use of the multi storey car park 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) = £1,150 + VAT
• Tariff 1 – this allows use of the multi storey car park between the hours of 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) = £1,000 + VAT

Terms can be discussed terms based on your specific requirements. Please note they are able to offer significant discounts for contracts taken out for multiple spaces plus flexible payment and termination provisions.  

If you’d like to take a space or learn more, contact:

Nicola Dearden
Property Administrator

Peel Holdings  (Land and Property) Limited
Peel Dome, The Trafford Centre, Manchester M17 8PL

Telephone: 0161 629 8401 Fax: 0161 629 8335
E-mail: ndearden@peel.co.uk Web: www.peel.co.uk

Buy four get one free at  Novotel Liverpool Centre 

For every new booking  placed with Novotel during the months of September –  November 2011, pay for four delegates and get one free!*   

*Subject to availability – minimum numbers of 6 delegates apply to all bookings

To book please contact Ashley Corish on 0151 702 5120 or by email to H6495-SB@accor.com  quoting BUY

Liverpool Chamber member and footballing legends LFC are offering advertisers a great chance to two win tickets to one of their most popular fixtures this season.

Sign up to our in-stadium advertising package before 1st August 2011 and you will automatically be entered into a draw to win two tickets to see Liverpool FC vs Everton FC!

Imagine having your organisation exposed to a footfall of over 1.2 million people per year, with the opportunity to communicate and market to a loyal and passionate fan base.

Liverpool Football Club is now offering a range of affordable in-stadium advertising packages specifically tailored to support local business. Our £2500 package offers your company exposure in a range of key locations around Anfield, using different media that includes posters, light boxes and concourse television advertising.

For more information and for a chance to win tickets to the Derby, please contact Donna Bruce of Liverpool FC at donna.bruce@liverpoolfc.tv.

Terms and conditions apply:

1. The prize is two (2) tickets to Liverpool FC vs Everton FC on Saturday 25th February 2012 (Kick Off 15:00) at Anfield
2. To qualify for the competition, a minimum of £2500 must be spent on in-stadium advertising by 12:00am Sunday 31st July 2011
3. The winner will be selected at random by an independent adjudicator.
4. Only one entry per person/ company will be permitted.
5. The winner will be contacted by 1st September 2011 via the email address from which the winning entry was sent.
6. In the event that the winner has not acknowledged receipt of the Promoter’s email as set out in paragraph 5 above by 5th September 2011 then the winner will forfeit the prize, and another winner will be chosen at random.
7. This prize is non-transferrable and no cash alternative will be offered.
8. Winners will be responsible for any costs associated with the acceptance of the prize such as, but not limited to, any travel or accommodation costs.
9. Winners will collect their tickets from the Directors Ticket Collection Point at Main Stand Reception, Anfield, from two (2) hours prior to Kick Off. Collection details will be communicated to winners on acceptance of the prize.
10. The Promoter reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or amend the Promotion including its terms and conditions. The Promoter’s decision on all matters is final and no correspondence will be entered into
11. The Promoter reserves the right at all times to substitute elements of the Promotion.
12. Entry to the prize draw confirms acceptance of these terms and conditions.
13. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for electronic entries that are not received or delivered or incomplete.
14. The Promoter may use the winner’s/winner’s company name and image and their comments relating to the prize for future promotional, marketing and publicity purposes in any media worldwide without notice or without any fee being paid.
15. This competition shall be governed by English law and the courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any disputes arising wherefrom.
16. Entrants are advised to print and keep safe these Terms and Conditions.
17. Entrance to the Stadium is subject to the rules and regulations of the Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds Limited
18. Promoter of this competition is Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds Limited

Investment in training is a great way to strengthen your workforce and protect your business during these tough economic times.

Liverpool Chamber Training may be able to offer you 100% funding towards improving your existing workforce’s skills and qualifications.

We currently offer training in areas such as:

• Business Administration Levels 2 and 3
• Customer Service Levels 2 and 3
• IT Levels 2 and 3
• Retail Levels 2 and 3
• Team Leader Level 2
• Management Level 3

These work-based training programmes are designed around the needs of employers and lead to nationally recognised qualifications.

There is no age limit and it is a great opportunity for your current members of staff to gain a work-related qualification and be recognised for the job they are already doing.

This funding is only guaranteed up until the end of July. Changes are expected in early August with employers possibly being required to make a contribution.

This is a great opportunity to reward and motivate your staff with little financial cost to your organisation.

If you would like further information please contact our Workforce Development Team who will gladly arrange a visit to discuss your requirements in more detail.

To lean more call 0151 227 1234 or email recruitment@liverpoolchamber.org.uk