The Merseyside Independent Business Awards (MIB Awards) has announced its shortlist of finalists for 2025, celebrating the outstanding achievements and diversity of independent businesses across the Liverpool City Region.
Now in its twelfth year, the MIB Awards continue to spotlight the innovation, resilience and community spirit that define the region’s independent business landscape. The winners will be revealed at a prestigious black-tie ceremony on Thursday October 16 at the Titanic Hotel Liverpool, attended by more than 500 guests from across the region.
Organised by Morecrofts Solicitors, the MIB Awards were founded in 2013 to mark the firm’s 200th anniversary. Since then, they have become a key fixture in the region’s business calendar.
Alison Lobb, managing partner at Morecrofts Solicitors, said: “Each year, the MIB Awards uncover remarkable stories of business innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial determination. This year’s finalists reflect this, from inspiring start-ups to game-changing tech innovators and community-focused CICs. We are proud to celebrate them all.”
Returning as headline sponsor, the Liverpool BID Company continues its long-standing support for the independent business community. Bill Addy, CEO of Liverpool BID Company, said: “Independent businesses don’t just contribute to our economy, they shape the character, creativity and energy of our high streets, digital spaces and communities. The MIB Awards shine a well-deserved spotlight on the businesses that make Merseyside such a dynamic place to live and work. Congratulations to all the finalists, your success enriches our entire city region.”
Category sponsors for the MIB Awards are: JEC Business Finance, Everton FC, Merseyrail, Forresters, ONE Knowsley, The Guide Liverpool, Bruntwood, Butterworth Spengler, B&L Creative, Titanic Hotel Liverpool, Handelsbanken, DSG Accountants and FPC.
THE FINALISTS FOR EACH CATEGORY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Culture & Tourism Business of the Year: Blackstock Market GoodMarket Hope Street Hotel Southport Bijou Cinema CIC
Best Creative Business: Gingerhead Hitch Marketing Loud Speaker LoveLossDiscoBalls
Food Venue of the Year: Castro’s Derek’s Gran Caffe The London Carriage Works The Nashville Cluck
Retailer of the Year: 92 Degrees Crosby Coffee Solo Car Sales ThinK Wine
Best Start-Up: Ben Towell Consultancy Castro’s Derek’s Girls on the Go Harker
Children-Focused Business of the Year: Evolving Mindset Freedom to Flourish Loud Speaker Safe Hands
Community Interest Company of the Year: Apollo Active Inside Connections Southport Bijou Cinema Thrive
Digital & Technology Business of the Year: MICT MyCardium AI Phantom Digital Quirky Digital
Business Person of the Year: Joseph Stocks (Apollo Active) Sean Keyes (Sutcliffe) Adele Hollywood (Unity Lives) Katie Bowater (Young Entrepreneurs Club
Trades or Manufacturing Business of the Year: DefProc Engineering Intre Group Structec (N.W) Trinity Logistics Trojan Lighting Solutions
Professional Services Business of the Year: Bathgate Business Finance MICT Samson Security Sutcliffe Young Entrepreneurs Club
Health & Wellbeing Business of the Year: Dr Rez Dental Evolving Mindset Girls on the Go Unity Lives
Employer of the Year: Black Capital Group Kitty’s Launderette Structec (N.W) Sutcliffe
THE 2025 OVERALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR WINNERS- WONGS JEWELLERS
The MIB Awards continue to attract hundreds of entries each year, with finalists selected over several expert judging panels representing a range of business sectors.
For more information, visit www.mibawards.co.uk or contact the awards team at mibawards@morecrofts.co.uk.
Chasing the Stigma launches ‘Summer of Hope’ campaign today, to help keep the Hub of Hope free for the 500,000 people expected to use it by 2026.
One of the UK’s most widely used mental health tools, the Hub of Hope, is raising awareness that is it is hugely underfunded – despite helping over 300,000 people access support last year. National mental health charity Chasing the Stigma who created the app are now urging the public to back its ‘Summer of Hope’ fundraising appeal to secure the service’s future.
The Hub of Hope is the UK’s largest mental health support database, featuring over 14,500 local, NHS, independent and voluntary services. With demand increasing by an average of 75% year on year, the platform could be supporting half a million people by next year.
Despite being relied on by more than 75 NHS trusts and 50 government departments, the Hub of Hope receives no central government funding and currently survives through public and corporate partnerships. The charity is determined to keep the Hub of Hope free at the point of use, but say the wide scale use by organisations relying on it as a professional referral resource is putting the platform and the charity under immense financial pressure.
Jake Mills, CEO and founder of Chasing the Stigma, said: “We’ve built a platform that is doing what we intended, making it easier for people to find timely support for mental health support and we are proud that it is genuinely saving lives. While many NHS trusts, government ministers and large corporates champion the app and help drive traffic towards it, they aren’t yet supporting it financially, and that is just unsustainable. We desperately want to keep the Hub of Hope free, and it is clear the platform is needed, but we need people to help us secure its future by fundraising for us this summer any way they can.”
WHY THIS MATTERS
- 300,000 people used Hub of Hope in 2024 with 500,000 predicted to be using it by next year
- Over 1 million mental health support searches were done on the app in 2024
- For every £1 donated, 1 person is able to use the Hub of Hope to connect to vital support
- £4.45 million a year could be saved by the NHS if just 1% of users avoid A&E, something the Hub of Hope is helping to do
The newly relaunched platform now includes filters such as ADHD, which quickly became one of the top five most-used categories—highlighting how important the ongoing development of the app is for helping people access timely and specific support.
There is also now a dedicated pathway for young people seeking support and those searching on their behalf directing users to around 5,000 specialist youth support services. With a record 1 million referrals to CAMHS and over 270,000 young people currently on waiting lists – 39% of whom will wait more than 2 years – the Hub of Hope offers a vital lifeline.
Suicides rates last year were at a record high since 1999 – at 7,055 suicides in the UK – three quarters of whom had no contact with any mental health service in the 12 months prior to their death. Thousands of people are suffering in silence and feeling there is no way out before getting the help they need. Suicide is now the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, including over 200 children last year. Now, more than ever, we need investment in tools like Hub of Hope that can help connect people with the support they need that can literally be lifesaving.
“We know what works. We’ve seen the data, we’ve heard from users, and we know demand will continue to rise,” Mills added. “But we need public backing to ensure we can build a sustainable future for the platform.”
HOW TO SUPPORT THE ‘SUMMER OF HOPE’
The public is being asked to help create a ‘Summer of Hope’ by getting involved in one of the following ways:
- 🎂 Create a birthday fundraiseron Facebook for Chasing the Stigma
- 📲 Join the Club of Hopeby setting up a regular monthly donation
- 🏃♀️ Take on a #ChallengeTheStigma event, including fun runs and inflatable assault courses
- 👥 Workplace challenge– raise £1,000 as a team of 10, just £100 each
- 💷 Donate directly – just £5 helps 5 people find vital support
🔊 BACKED BY EXPERTS
Rebekah Cresswell, Chief Executive of Priory – the largest independent provider of mental health, addiction and working age adult social care services, and one of the first independent organisations to sponsor the Hub of Hope – said: “We are proud to back the Summer of Hope campaign and support Chasing the Stigma with its vital work in the mental health sector. The Hub of Hope is an excellent signposting resource for a wide range of support options that can help people get the help they need early on, meaning many can avoid reaching crisis point. It literally saves lives. Ensuring everyone in the UK can access clear pathways to mental health support is absolutely critical and we hope the charity continues to receive the recognition it deserves for its efforts to change the landscape for those in need.”
🧠 ABOUT CHASING THE STIGMA
Founded by mental health campaigner Jake Mills following his own experience with suicide and recovery, Chasing the Stigma aims to make mental health support visible and accessible to all. The Hub of Hope was created to ensure that no one has to struggle in silence or waste time searching for help that feels out of reach.
The charity continues to update and maintain the app manually and in partnership with volunteers. With over 14,500 services currently listed, it would take one person over two years working full-time to keep the entries updated—making donations essential to maintaining the platform’s quality and relevance.
Follow the campaign via #SummerOfHope on
📱 Instagram | Twitter (X) | Facebook | LinkedIn
Laugh For Life Comedy, the community interest company based on Merseyside helping people to improve their mental wellbeing through comedy, received the acclaim of the city’s Lord Mayor recently.
In an ongoing collaboration with Care Merseyside, the company founded by Henry Churney staged a premiere for their documentary ‘Behind the Laughter’ in Liverpool City Centre.
Approaching 100 guests attended, with Liverpool’s new Lord Mayor, Cllr Barbara Murray paying homage to Henry and Care Merseyside’s work. “They are both a huge credit to our community. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, it’s a brilliant initiative by Henry and heartwarming to see how our people are being helped through social prescribing. The quality of comedy was obvious given the audience feedback, not surprising given Liverpudlians and their ability to wax lyrical using comedy!”
Henry launched the initiative with Care Merseyside back in April 2024 and hasn’t looked back. He said: “I have so many people to thank for helping me get this far. This is all about helping mental wellbeing via the medium of stand -up comedy which Laugh For Life Comedy teaches. We had a fantastic turn out and I’m very grateful to the Lord Mayor of Liverpool for supporting us. She’s fabulous.”
The documentary ‘Behind the Laughter’, directed and produced by the brilliant Kai Joyce, describes the experience of all those individuals, from attending the stand-up comedy course to showcasing their own material in front of a live audience across the city. The journey then continues with the Laugh For Life Comedy monthly workshops enabling all individuals to continue their adventure and further enhance their mental wellbeing.
Henry added: “Kai is an extremely talented young man. We are so very grateful to him. And not only do we now have a documentary, we’re also aiming to produce a book of work from all of the participants to raise funds. We also have the opportunity to do more shows. Last week, the team performed at the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool to critical acclaim. And in September, we host a gig at Liverpool’s Pocket Cafe with the aim of performing at the Liverpool Fringe in October.
“Incredibly, we’ve also been successful in obtaining funding from Edinburgh ‘Keep it Fringe’ This means a Laugh For Life Comedy team will debut at Edinburgh Fringe in August as part of my solo show that week. They have already performed at the Buxton Fringe with me earlier this month.”
Planning has officially been approved for the UK’s first floating Padel tennis courts, marking a major sporting and leisure milestone for the country.
Set to open at Liverpool Waters in Autumn 2025, the new floating facility places the city alongside global destinations such as Dubai, Miami and Helsinki, where waterside Padel is already making waves. The development will feature three courts built on state-of-the-art floating platforms and the world’s first floating clubhouse, designed for socialising, fitness and waterfront relaxation.
Peel Waters, the team behind the Liverpool Waters regeneration scheme, has partnered with a roster of international experts in floating infrastructure and Padel sport to bring this first-of-its-kind project to life. That includes Finnish pioneer Ville Leisti of Floating Padel Oy, floating architecture specialists Bluet Floating Solutions, Padel Ventures founder Gareth Evans, and award-winning leisure designers Imagineering Global LLP.
Described as the world’s fastest-growing sport, Padel has taken the UK by storm, with over 700 courts nationwide—but none yet floating. The Liverpool Waters installation promises to change that, creating a unique dockside destination for players and spectators alike.
The facility, which was approved by Liverpool City Council, will sit within Princes Dock at Liverpool Waters and will have three floating Padel courts – the first of their kind in the UK. The world’s first floating clubhouse which is also part of the approved development will be able to host up to 100 guests and will include a bar, kitchen, and decked seating area overlooking the water. The design of the clubhouse has been inspired by clean Nordic aesthetics and complements other floating leisure concepts at Liverpool Waters, such as Wyld Sauna, the UK’s first floating public sauna. A retail hub will also be located within the floating clubhouse, selling Padel essentials, and a new flagship store for an exciting new UK-based lifestyle and leisurewear brand, that will be announced before the opening.
James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters, said: “Liverpool Waters is leading the way in bringing innovative, world-class experiences to the UK. This new floating Padel facility will become a flagship destination for the sport and for waterside leisure in Britain. As a Padel enthusiast, I know first-hand how fun, accessible, and social this sport is. This new floating Padel facility will be a must-visit destination for players around the world, whilst also providing a new amenity for residents and workers in Liverpool City Centre that they have never had before. Whether they’re playing, spectating, or socialising in the club, we look forward to our community discovering how much fun this sport is for all.”
Gareth Evans CEO Padel Ventures and FPL Ltd added: “We’re thrilled to announce that planning permission has been officially approved for our brand-new Padel facility at Liverpool Waters — and the timing couldn’t be better. With Padel rapidly gaining popularity across the UK, this is set to become a standout destination for sport, socialising, and style in the heart of Liverpool. Getting planning permission for the UK’s first floating Padel destination is just the start. We’re planning exciting partnerships, activations and experiences. This development will bring together stylish gear, vibrant social spaces, and top tier padel courts all in one location. This club will be more than just a place to play become Liverpool’s newest social and sporting hotspot right on the dockside.”
With planning now approved, construction is expected to begin shortly. The courts will be built on a special floating Padel platform from Finland, with the courts themselves manufactured in Spain. Completion is estimated for mid-Autumn 2025.
One of North Wales’ leading craft breweries has set its sights on further expansion and business growth after receiving £150k support from BCRS Business Loans, in part through the British Business Bank’s £130m Investment Fund for Wales, alongside funding from the Community Investment Enterprise Fund (CIEF).
Llandudno’s Wild Horse Brewing Co, which was established in 2015, has recently secured a finance package from responsible finance lender, BCRS Business Loans, following an introduction by Bathgate Business Finance. The deal has assisted the company’s future growth plans, whilst also supporting renovation work and renewable energy solutions.
Wild Horse Brewing Co has focused on a period of investment, expanding to purchase a permanent tap room whilst also investing in solar panels. And with the tap room now attracting a growing customer base, whilst providing a venue for trade customers to sample the range of beers, in the space in which they’re brewed, the brewery sought to consolidate finance to move the business forward into the next chapter.
Emma Faragher, who set up the popular brewery with husband Dave, explains: “Last year we sold 444,000 pints of our beer, and the majority of sales come directly from pubs, but there were opportunities we wanted to take advantage of to further expand the business. We had run a pop-up taproom on and off for a couple of years, but with the brewing space expanding to cope with sales demand, we were short of space to continue in the same fashion. The tenant next door had been operating for over 40 years, so when that space came up for sale, we knew it was the right direction to go in for our business and we needed to act fast.”
Wild Horse Brewing Co were put in contact with Bathgate Business Finance, which then introduced Emma and Dave to BCRS Business Loans’ Business Development Manager, James Pittendreigh. Working together, the brewery was supported with a £150,000 finance package from BCRS Business Loans, via the British Business Bank’s £130m Investment Fund for Wales and Community Investment Enterprise Fund (CIEF).
Emma continued: “At previous junctions of the business, we had used our capital to allow us to purchase the site next door, in a timely fashion, we looked at other opportunities. After securing the taproom, we knew that there were opportunities to consolidate the finance we had in place and BCRS was fantastic and took the time to get to know the business and the journey we were on. Through the £30,000 funding from the Investment Fund for Wales, we’ve been able to carry out work to the car park area which has created more outdoor space for customers. This funding has been fantastic; without it, we wouldn’t have the same growth opportunities.
“The tap room is currently open Thursday – Sunday with ten rotating beers, and we’re looking forward to attracting more customers through the doors, both trade and individual.”
BCRS Business Loans’ James Pittendreigh, said: “Emma, Dave, and the team at Wild Horse Brewing Co have come a long way in a relatively short period, and we’re delighted to support them as they continue on their growth path. In supporting companies across Wales, we seek to work in partnership with our wider network, and this deal saw Willams Denton refer their customer to Bathgate, who in turn pointed Emma and Dave in the direction of BCRS. As a company, we look to support small businesses and make a positive social and economic impact. We are delighted that Wild Horse Brewing Co shares this community-based approach and has safeguarded all jobs in expanding the business further, and we wish them all the luck in the future.”
Bethan Bannister, Senior Investment Manager, Nations and Regions Funds at the British Business Bank, said: “The Investment Fund for Wales exists to support aspiring companies with growth ambitions like Wild Horse Brewing Co, which require finance to help them scale. We wish their team every success as they continue to expand their operations and strengthen their brand.”
Ian Adams, Director at Bathgate Business Finance, added: “With this finance package, Wild Horse Brewing Co will be able to capitalise on its already strong brand, growing reputation in its sector, and high-quality product. The finance in place will improve cash flow and assist with its continued expansion and social impact goals.”
Pictured top: Wild Horse Brewing Co founders, Emma and Dave Faragher
Pictured below: L-R – Phil Davies (Williams Denton), Emma & Dave Faragher (Wild Horse Brewing Co), Ian Adams (Bathgate), and James Pittendreigh (BCRS)
Wild Horse Brewing Co is located right next to the brewery at Unit 5, Cae Bach, just a 5-minute walk from Llandudno Railway Station and is easily accessible by local bus services.
For more information please visit: https://wildhorsebrewing.co.uk/
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HYPE Merseyside brings much-loved former ‘Chip and Putt’ site back to life following crowdfund campaign, with free Footgolf and bike hire at its official opening on Sunday 3rd August 2025.
One of the region’s leading creative youth organisations, HYPE Merseyside, will officially launch its new community Footgolf course to the public on Sunday 3rd August, 2025, offering free games every five minutes from 10am – 6pm, as well as free bike hire for people of all ages to enjoy.
The course will be opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Brian Kenny, with HYPE Merseyside’s young people and volunteers, who have helped to transform the site. More than 152 volunteers from seven schools and three youth groups have supported the site’s development since May 2024, as part of HYPE’s social action projects.
The redevelopment of the unused six-acre site has stirred up significant nostalgia among local residents, with many sharing their memories of the former Chip and Putt course, which was a much-loved place for intergenerational family days out for decades before its closure.
The new Footgolf facility, which is being described by some players as “the best Footgolf course in the UK”, offers the same opportunity for families and people of all ages to come together and get active together outside. The sport requires no special skills and is a mix of football and golf, but instead of using a club and golf ball, participants kick a football into oversized holes in as few shots as possible.
To take advantage of the hundreds of free game slots available, people simply have to register via the HYPE Footgolf website. Once open to the public, games will remain affordable at £5 for children under 16 and £10 for adults. Free bike hire will continue to run every Sunday through the summer holidays for Hype Urban Bike members, who simply need to bring along ID to enjoy a two-hour ride.
As part of the opening day celebrations, HYPE will also be providing free bike hire with, with bikes for all ages available, from balance bikes for children to adult bicycles. Further year-round activities planned for the site following its official opening will include repairs and adult group cycle sessions, alongside bike hire and footgolf, to encourage people to get outside and active, and will cater to people of all ages and abilities.
The project has been supported by Wirral Council, which has provided the land and vital assistance with the project, and the LCR Combined Authourity, which has funded a container for bike storage and bike maintenance sessions and adult bike rides that the community will be able to access.
Matthew Houghton from HYPE Merseyside said: “Our vision for this site was to take a neglected, empty space, reclaim it for public use. At HYPE we are passionate about bringing back green spaces to engage our children and young people in positive activities, it’s something we’ve been doing since 2016. Like many residents who have spoken to us during the project’s development, I have happy memories of spending the holidays with friends and family down on the Chip and Putt course and we believe that our Footgolf course will bring that back to our waterfront, allowing families to make memories together, one kick at a time.
“Not only will this allow families and people of all ages and abilities to get active and improve their health through a fun activity, our bike hire, adult cycle sessions and maintenance workshops will help to get people cycling and learn valuable skills, supporting efforts to boost active travel across in Wirral and across the Liverpool City Region. None of this would have been possible without the support of Wirral Borough Council, the LCR Combined Authority, or our amazing young people and volunteers who have worked so hard to make our vision a reality, and we are truly grateful for everything they have done.
“This is just the first stage for our site. We are now looking forward to what is possible in the next five years, and we have ambitious plans to make Wirral Coastal Leisure Park a place for the people and for our region’s health and wellbeing. We look forward to working with the local community, our young people and team, the council and combined authority to fulfil our vision to bring people together and provide access to healthy activities for all.”
To register for your free game, simply complete the contact form on HYPE’S Footgolf website and include the message “Footgolf Opening Day 3rd August” and the number in your party in the message, you will then receive confirmation of your time slot.
To register for Footgolf on 3rd August visit: https://hypefootgolf.co.uk/get-in-touch/
Colin Sinclair, chief executive of Sciontec and KQ Liverpool, is running the entire Liverpool City Region in a single day to raise money for local charities.
The 50-mile challenge will take Colin through Liverpool, Wirral, Halton, Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley on Friday 5 September.
Six charities, one from each borough – Home Start, Y Kidz, Stick ‘n’ Step, Centre 56, St Helens Young Carers and Claire House Children’s Hospice – will all benefit from Colin’s epic effort. The run is expected to take around 12 hours, including a short trip on the Mersey Ferry, and will finish at the CENTRAL TECH building in Liverpool, which is owned and operated by Sciontec.
Colin is known in local business circles for his love of endurance events, having previously competed in his fifties and sixties in numerous triathlons, Iron Man competitions, marathons and ultra runs. He said: “We feel strongly that the life-changing innovation here in KQ Liverpool should benefit all communities, across the entire Liverpool City Region (LCR), and that’s what really inspired the idea for the run. We want to spread the message that our partners’ world-leading work in science, health and technology, here in KQ Liverpool, provides benefits and opportunities across LCR, while also raising awareness and vital funds for local charities. Charities who like us focus on helping children and young people.”
Colin adds, “I’ve taken part in endurance events before, but nothing quite like this. Participating in big organised events, with thousands of others taking part, helps keep you going, chatting with other runners and the marshalls, whereas this is going to be 50 miles of relentless solo road running! But I’m excited to get on the road, see the city region from a different perspective, meet this tough challenge head-on, and hopefully raise lots of money for our six LCR charities, before, during and after the run.”
To prepare for the event, Colin’s training will include weekly runs with the newly-created ‘KQ Liverpool Running Club’ alongside colleagues and partners from across the innovation district, setting out each Wednesday lunchtime to do a steady 5k from Liverpool Science Park.
To support ‘Run LCR In a Day’, visit www.givewheel.com/fundraising/8844/lcr-in-a-day
A leading UK building safety firm with its HQ at Mann Island in Liverpool has completed its latest contract for a new purpose built 38-storey student accommodation scheme by global real estate company Greystar, in Manchester.
Working alongside principal contractor HG Construction, Project Four Building Safety Experts’ chairman Alan Robson said the contract had enabled the firm to demonstrate how “our extensive resources as a highly experienced team can deliver for clients.”
We couldn’t help but notice Project Four’s huge news last month when they announced they had Gateway 2 Approval for a new build 1000+ bed scheme. It was met with widespread acclaim from within the industry nationwide.
Cathal Bradley, Project Four Building Safety Experts’ associate director working with architect Jon Matthews, structural engineers Roscoe and DFC Fire Engineers on One Medlock Street said it was very rewarding to have reached construction commencement. “We’re so glad to see that all the hard work put into our processes and procedures has aligned with building regulations requirements and is now coming to fruition. It has been a pleasure working alongside the full design team and client on the scheme for Greystar and HG Construction. I look forward to seeing this scheme become a future part of Manchester’s burgeoning skyline.”
Greystar and contractor HG Construction are targeting a 2028 opening for the 37-storey One Medlock Street that will overlook Mancunian Way. Last year, Student Roost, an arm of Greystar, acquired the former Premier Inn site from Whitbread and inherited the hospitality company’s planning consent for a 1,014-bed PBSA scheme. In 2023, Whitbread, working with developer Dominus, was given the green light from Manchester City Council to develop the Jon Matthews Architects-designed scheme, which will feature two roof terraces, on the 11th and 37th floors respectively. Student residents will have access to 13,000 sq ft of amenity space, with a gym, yoga studio, quiet study areas, meeting rooms, screening rooms, games rooms, and shared lounges all included.
Max Meadows, Project Four Building Safety Experts’ managing director added: “Construction commencement at One Medlock Street is a major milestone in the delivery of this project. The scheme is a clear demonstration of our team’s technical capability and commitment to excellence. Working in close collaboration with the wider project team, we’ve taken a proactive and transparent approach. This achievement reflects Project Four Building Safety Experts’ ongoing focus on building safety, quality, accountability, and supporting our clients.”
https://www.projectfoursafety.com/
Pictured left to right: Alan Robson, Max Meadows and Cathal Bradley
The founder of an annual wellbeing expo on Merseyside has revealed plans to expand the showcase into 2026.
Clare Ellis, the inspiration behind the now annual Wellness in the City Liverpool event, said the company has already committed to hosting the event next June at the same venue, Innside Melia Hotel, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, having attracted further support from the international brand.
The hotel, headline sponsors alongside Privilege HR and Hobs Reprographics Print is highly regarded for its wellbeing and sustainability ethos and policies.
Clare said: “2025 saw a multitude of new exhibitors and masterclasses alongside many others who returned…Steps Together, Local Loop, and the FSB included.
“Masterclasses delivered by the likes of crafting expert Mandy Megan, Margeret Bell’s cookery demo, and Mel Kelly’s inspired talk were all highly praised. Equally, Dave Verburg’s Leadership presentation and Andrew Allen’s community wellbeing speech all received high praise on a memorable day for all the right reasons.
“As a result, we’ve acted promptly to secure the hotel for June 2026 and are delighted with the support package from Innside Melia. The 2026 Expo will be even stronger, especially given the lead up to it from our initiatives like International Men’s Day which we will stage in November 2025.”
http://www.wellnessinthecity.co.uk
Clare Ellis is pictured with Liverpool Lord Mayor, Councillor Barbara Murray
