Eric Martyn

Region’s businesses show pride in their workplace as trailblazing initiative launched

On Thursday evening 14th March, businesses, collectively representing thousands of regional employees, joined LCR Pride Foundation to get a first preview of the organisation’s new initiative, LCR Proud Workplaces.

The trailblazing Proud Workplaces Programme is aimed at employers in Liverpool City Region that aspire to support their employees and tackle issues that affect LGBT+ colleagues in the workplace through an annual programme of seminars and advice.

Announced earlier this year, the initiative forms part of a new three-year partnership between Liverpool City Region’s LGBT+ charity LCR Pride Foundation and Barclays.

 

Businesses who attended the event, held at Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill Liverpool, were able to learn about what resources are available to help them deliver an inclusive and equitable work culture. The evening also saw the launch of the ‘Partners With Pride’ initiative. This unique scheme, which is unlike traditional models of business clubs and networks, gives businesses of all sizes the opportunity to invest and support the work of LCR Pride Foundation all year-round and in a genuine and meaningful way.

A variety of independent and large businesses attended from different sectors, including retailers, hospitality, healthcare and corporate businesses and Andi Herring, CEO of LCR Pride Foundation, said: “It was fantastic to see so many incredible individuals and businesses coming together, all interested in overcoming the obstacles that LGBT+ colleagues and customers may face and with a real desire to create truly inclusive environments. Actions speak louder than words and the Partners with Pride scheme is an exciting opportunity for businesses to act upon and demonstrate their commitment to making their organisation more inclusive. We look forward to developing relationships with those businesses who attended, as well as any other businesses that would like to get involved.”

Ann O’Donoghue, Group Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from Barclays said: “We are delighted to support LCR Pride Foundation with the launch of the Proud Workplaces Programme. Encouraging a diverse and inclusive workplace makes LGBT+ colleagues and customers feel safer and also allows businesses to grow and evolve.” 

More information on the above and first releases can be found at: proudworkplaces.org

 Photographs by Michael Lelthy

Jardin living and a1 sight secure investment through the lcr angel network

LCR Angel Network has announced investment into two of the region’s most exciting start-up businesses following a pitch event hosted at Sci-Tech Daresbury and supported by the British Business Bank.

Both Jardin Living, a sustainable lifestyle brand founded by Kavita Basi, and AI Sight, an AI system for diabetic retinal screening led by CEO Steven Powell impressed enough to secure a combined £160k investment that will allow both businesses to scale significantly.

With more than 20 years in sourcing and sustainable product development for global sourcing giant Li & Fung, Kavita Basi established Jardin Living, a group of lifestyle brands for the conscious and curious following a life-threatening brain haemorrhage aged just 38 that left her with a survival chance of 50%.

Inspirationally reassessing her lifestyle following her medical event, Kavita has launched a range of activewear made from certified recycled plastic bottle and ocean plastics and a range of vegan trainers and has since achieved B Corp status due to the nature of her sustainable products that are all either recycled, vegan or organic and delivered to its customers in biodegradable packaging.

On Jardin Living’s investment, Kavita Basi said: “The LCR Angel Network has helped us get one step closer to our vision of building purpose-driven brands through their fantastic pitch event connecting us with the right investors.”

AI Sight, a Univeristy of Liverpool spin out led by Dr Steven Powell is a next generation AI system for diabetic retinal screening and boasts a team with significant medical and research experience. They impressed investors with their revolutionary product that delivers precise grading of retinal damage caused by diabetes getting sufferers of the condition to sight saving interventions without delay. The company’s unique design has never been available on the market and provides unrivalled levels of reassurance and safety and is set to support the predicted 643 million people living with diabetes by 2030 who find themselves at heightened risk due to high blood sugar levels damaging their vision.

CEO Dr Steven Powell commented: “We are delighted that the LCR Angels Network event brought our team and investors together. Now we move forward with the combined goal of preventing vision loss in the population with diabetes.”

Katie Nicholson, Director at the LCR Angel Network said: ‘This is great news which highlights that there is continued momentum for businesses receiving investment through our network of angels. This year we are focussing on adapting our offering to enable us to further support an increased number of businesses, across a broader investor base, hopefully leading to an increased amount of capital deployed by angels across the region.  I would like to express my thanks to both John Leake at Sci-Tech Daresbury and Delyth Edwards at the British Business Bank for kindly supporting the event.

Delyth Edwards, Senior Manager for the North West of England, at the British Business Bank commented: It was great to team up with the LCR Angel Network to give promising early stage founders a platform to pitch, with such a positive outcome for Jardin Living and AI Sight. The British Business Bank aims to help reduce regional imbalances in access to early-stage equity finance and by collaborating with angel networks we can provide greater opportunities for smaller businesses to raise their first investment.

For further info please email [email protected]

Tens of thousands of people are expected to join liverpool’s annual march with pride as it returns for a weekend of celebration and protest in 2024.

March With Pride will return as part of Pride in Liverpool on 27th July 2024, organised by Liverpool City Region’s LGBT+ charity, LCR Pride Foundation. 

A record-breaking 20,000 people joined the march last year – up 5,000 compared to 2022. The march was held jointly with KyivPride in solidarity with Ukraine and the theme, ‘Shout It Loud’, encouraged local LGBT+ people to be proud of their identities.

The planned route will start at St. George’s Hall Plateau at 12pm. The procession will then move through the city centre and the Pride Quarter before making its way to the world-famous Waterfront.

LCR Pride Foundation is inviting LGBT+ individuals and allies alongside organisations and community groups to participate in the march. Registration is now open at prideinliverpool.co.uk.

Andi Herring, CEO of LCR Pride Foundation, said: “March With Pride continues to grow each year and this year promises to be no different. We look forward to welcoming thousands of LGBT+ people and allies to the city for what is looking to be our biggest year yet. Not only is it a chance for Liverpool City Region’s LGBT+ people to come together to celebrate one another, but it also gives us the opportunity to protest against the prejudices and inequalities that our communities face. In the last year, LGBT+ people, and particularly trans members of our community, have been attacked and undermined. However, we refuse to be silenced and our voices need to be heard more than ever before. This is our time to stand up and peacefully demonstrate that we are united against all forms of hate, discrimination and oppression.” 

Further announcements about Pride in Liverpool are to follow in coming weeks.

More information can be found at prideinliverpool.co.uk.

 

 

Photographs by Bryan Fowler

March 2024

Liverpool visionary redefines customer experience with ‘ways to wow’

LIVERPOOL BASED People and business development coach, Jamie Wray, is redefining the landscape of customer experience, leadership culture, and personal and professional development in the city and beyond. 

Jamie Wray is the visionary founder and CEO of Ways to WOW, a leading people and business development agency dedicated to empowering organisations through innovative strategies, leadership development, and cultural transformation.

Now the agency is kicking off 2024 by launching coaching programs, events, and motivating workshops, such as WOW Moment Engineering, World Class Leadership Techniques, The Art of WOWing Others and Find Your Ways To WOW, which will help businesses to transform transactional customer service into memorable experiences.

In the years following the pandemic, consumers are more discerning than ever before – especially in the hospitality industry, where loyal customers develop over months but can be lost in an instant.

However, Ways to WOW has developed solutions for delivering sustained excellence over the past 5 years, with an impressive roster of clients including blue chip companies such as Novotel, Melia Hotel Group, Spire Healthcare, Solo Car Sales and many dining experience companies.

These insights are now being made available to companies of all sizes through the agency’s comprehensive offerings, encompassing events and consultations, immersive training sessions, and hands-on workshops, all aimed at enhancing brand presence and elevating customer experience standards.

One standout success story is multi award winning, Liverpool based, Antonio’s Bar & Grill, led by CEO Tony Cummins.

Since partnering with Ways to WOW, Antonio’s Bar & Grill has gained recognition with accolades including LTG Global Awards Winner 2023, Hospitality Business Of The Year 2023, and Gold Ribbon Good Food Awards 2023, among others.

Tony Cummins praises Jamie and his team for bringing clarity to their business, creating a brand identity that strongly differentiates from competitors and most importantly, improving culture, training processes, and leadership. He also notes regular customer feedback recognising their expectations not only being met but being truly exceeded.

Ways to WOW exercises all the principles it advocates on itself. Soon to be rebranded as ‘Ways to WOW Group’, this people and business development agency is poised to elevate its impact in the hospitality arena through the introduction of immersive training spaces, leveraging advanced lighting, sound, and visual elements to enhance educational development, training, and data visualisation.

Jamie Wray commented: “In a world rapidly being re-modelled with AI, remoteness, small screen isolation and virtual experiences, Ways to WOW is firmly anchored in people, culture, experience, and humanity.

“I have delivered customer experience initiatives in the UK and Europe for the last 12 years. Never have I seen such a keen interest in the hunt for memorable experiences. The aftermath of Covid, cost of living crisis and desire to break the isolation of lock-down and small screen dominated loneliness has people striving for that WOW experience – an experience that is woefully hard to come by, but so easy to remedy and deliver!”

Jamie Wray’s famous quote “If you’re not WOWing, you’re not winning” has now become a mantra used by many businesses across Liverpool to improve their team performance and customer experience.

https://www.instagram.com/waystowowuk/    

Npif helping locals to ‘eat fresh’ following significant investment

Locally Owned Ltd has received a significant five-figure investment from NPIF River & GC Microfinance, which River Capital manages in partnership with GC Business Finance (GCBF) as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

The loan will enable the business to expand its food and beverage operations and help to create up to eight new job opportunities in the Liverpool City Region.

Locally Owned Ltd is a current Subway franchisee and is gearing up to reinvigorate a new location in Fazakerley. The investment from River Capital and Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund will allow the business to secure the franchise for this outlet, bringing back the fresh flavours and further choice of Subway to the local area.

Now aiming to reopen and relaunch the previously shuttered store, Locally Owned Ltd will provide a boost to the local food scene with its commitment and dedication to quality. Under the Subway brand, and with the eight new positions on the horizon, the investment is set to nurture the growth of the business.

Under the leadership of experienced entrepreneur Michael Peasgood, the business is now set to increase its success across Liverpool, building on its existing reputation as a Subway franchisee and with Fazakerley complementing their existing store in Ormskirk, Michael and his team are truly ensuring the people of Liverpool can ‘Eat Fresh’.

Andy Jones, Investment Manager at River Capital, said “We are thrilled to fuel Locally Owned Ltd’s continued growth through this investment and support. This loan isn’t just about reopening a store; it’s empowering a local business to ensure a global favourite is again available in this part of the City Region, while fuelling the local economy with fresh opportunities. We hope to build on this relationship with Michael and be his funding partner as he embarks on his growth journey to add further Subway stores to his portfolio.”

Michael Peasgood, Director of Locally Owned Ltd (pictured top) said “We’re incredibly grateful to both River Capital and the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund as we embark on adding a further store to our Ormskirk location. By increasing our presence, we are not only ensuring further success for ourselves but can provide more options to our communities while creating  new jobs.

Debbie Sorby, Senior Manager, British Business Bank said: “NPIF has always proudly backed local businesses like Locally Owned Ltd, helping to boost business growth one step at a time. Investments like this aren’t just about expanding business operations; it’s about revitalising the local community. Locally Owned Ltd is not only refreshing the community’s food scene but also creating valuable job opportunities. This investment is a testament to our dedication to nurturing local businesses and ensuring that the local economy thrives.”

Npif investment supports eco-friendly jeweller with sustainable growth

Robin Valley Limited, an eco-conscious jewellery business, has received a game-changing £50,000 investment from NPIF – River & GC Microfinance, which River Capital manages in partnership with GC Business Finance (GCBF) as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF). The funding fuels the sustainable brand’s rapid expansion as demand for its nature-inspired designs soars.

Robin Valley is on a mission to revolutionise jewellery with its sleek wood creations, including earrings, keychains, and accessories from natural wood materials and incorporating hand-painted motifs like flowers and animals. Its earth-friendly products have won over prestigious outlets across the UK, including National Trust Scotland, WWF-UK, Merlin Entertainments, museums, galleries, zoos and now boasts 1200 unique designs.

The investment has allowed Robin Valley to power up production to meet increasing demand through the brand’s prominent attendance at key trade shows, increased marketing, and the creation of up to five new jobs.

As a champion for small businesses, River Capital is dedicated to propelling Liverpool entrepreneurs to new heights and the strategic funding from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund empowers innovators like Robin Valley to expand, create jobs and develop economic prosperity.

Sue Chambers, Investment Manager at River Capital, (centre of pic below) said: “We are thrilled to fuel the significant rise of Robin Valley. This trail-blazing company embodies Liverpool’s flourishing spirit of creativity and innovation. Its sustainable ethos certainly sets it apart from other jewellers and our loan will help take Robin Valley to the next level as it cements itself as a beloved and renowned brand.”

Wanchong Chen, Robin Valley’s Managing Director, (on right of pic below) said: “We are ecstatic that River Capital believes in our mission to revolutionise jewellery sustainably. Their game-changing loan arrives at an ideal moment, allowing us to meet demand and spread our message and products to a global market.”

Debbie Sorby, Senior Manager, British Business Bank (on left of pic below) said: “NPIF investment is crucial to support and enable enterprising companies like Robin Valley to scale up their ventures. With ambitious entrepreneurs like Wanchong Chen creating unique products and exciting new jobs opportunities within the local economy, we are one step closer to powering future economic growth across the region as a whole.”

The current NPIF investment phase has now completed with the British Business Bank launching the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II in March 2024.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.

 

 

Landmark merseyside building transformed by pioneering nicholson group welcomes new tenants

Local stakeholders applaud Beecham’s Building as highly significant landmark of ‘hope through heritage’

 

 

 

 

 

 

An iconic Grade II Listed Merseyside building is set to welcome its first tenants after a spectacular transformation by pioneering developer Nicholson Group.

The Beecham’s Building on Westfield Street, St Helens is the former headquarters of the Beecham pharmaceutical giant, once a major St Helens employer. The building dates back to the 1880s and was the first factory in the world built specifically to produce medicine.

CEO of Nicholson Group, Paul Nicholson has worked closely with St Helens Council, Heritage and Rotary St Helens with a collaborative focus firmly on heritage.

Nicholson said: “This magnificent Grade II listed building in Westfield Street in the town centre has now been rejuvenated by the Group’s highly skilled and dedicated team after lying dormant enabling the Beecham’s Building to become a place in which to live and work.”

The existing building has been developed into a mixed-use scheme of 18 residential apartments (seven one-bedroom and 11 two-bedroom), a ground floor commercial space and a partial retention of offices. Plans also included an alteration to the site’s vehicle access and minimal external alterations to facilitate the conversion.

Nicholson continued: “The retention of offices now act as our HQ and concierge for our new residents with a unique opportunity for a discerning operator to occupy the commercial space. There were minimal external alterations, only external LED lighting to give a modern twist and bespoke replacement of all windows, which were made by hand on site by an artisan window craftsman, allowing for double and triple glazed units. Electric gates to create a gated residential community are to be installed shortly.”

One of the building’s many stunning features includes a clock designed by Beecham’s Building architect H.V. Krolow in 1887. Nicholson Group is working to restore the workings of the clock as part of the project’s renaissance with local historian and author 96-year-old Mary Presland* on standby for the relaunch. 

Also a former home to St Helens College. the scheme additionally incorporates a parking area to the rear of the building accommodating 17 cars, cycle and motorcycle spaces.

On a recent visit, members of Rotary St Helens and local historians visited the historic building highlighting how its completion stressed the importance of preserving local heritage.

Revered community heritage spokesman Paul Winstanley said: “The Beecham’s clock tower building on Westfield Street represents a transformative journey, transitioning from a historic pharmaceutical hub to a modern residential space. The Nicholson Group’s dedication to preserving the building’s essence reflects a harmonious blend of past and present. The clock tower building now stands as a beacon of St Helens’ rich history, ready to embrace a vibrant future within the heart of the community.”

Nicholson added: “As the building is Grade II listed, we actively sought the advice of heritage experts to ensure we protected the fabric, characteristics, and features of both the exterior and interior of the building.

All materials chosen for the development have enabled its transformation to blend seamlessly with its surroundings whilst adding a refreshing and contemporary appearance. Internally, we used highly sustainable methods of construction including the use of local labour and building materials to assist e.g. the insulation of Beecham’s that far exceeds current building regulation standards.

We designed the project in-house using ingenuity and a creative approach to ensure we didn’t disturb the fabric of the building.

For example, with thorough research we understood its original courtyard floor plan and utilised the original window openings to form hallways into the apartments. It was a difficult design concept as we had to cater for its original 1880s construction and account for the later adaptation by St Helens College in 2000.

It was a real mixture of obstacles to overcome but we are delighted with the outcome. Anyone who has had the opportunity to visit it lately have been blown away by the results. We wanted this to be a real signature project and some of the apartments are nearing 2,000sqft, designed specifically for discerning professionals.

Nicholson Group’s track record with St Helens Council now spans approaching a decade having heavily invested in the borough having successfully delivered over 100 apartments across 6 individual projects, The company’s visionary CEO believes the new standard of living created with Beecham’s Building works in close harmony with the Councils’ vision for regeneration.

“Our passion for making a difference, being community-driven and regeneration-focused, working in partnership with civic bodies is driving our momentum in the town. We’ve spent considerable time over the last 10 years immersing ourselves in the regeneration conversation of St. Helens. Our commitment to the town is reinforced by the fact we have secured further projects in the town.”

Uk favourites soul central hosted first essential ‘all dayer’ in february

One of the UK’s premier league teams of DJs and soul aficionados based here in the North West held their biggest project yet on Saturday February 24th, with an ‘All Dayer’ event headlined by the UK’s freshest R&B sensation 𝗘𝗠-𝗖𝗘𝗘.

The Soul Central collective consisting of Angela Mac, Paul Mac, Brian ‘Bizzy B’ Pemberton and Mike Stephens headed up a roster of artists and fellow turntable maestros in the ‘all dayer’ event held at Smokies Park Holiday Inn. The day attracted huge national interest, especially in Liverpool, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Soul Collective’s home city of Manchester.

Bizzy B said: “The inspiration for the all dayer was that all four of us had said it’s something we would love to do and it also felt like the natural progression for the brand.”

Soul Central has continued to put on highly acclaimed nights for 8 years, in spite of the pandemic, the cost of living crisis and the difficult situation venues have faced throughout the period.

“We have been lucky enough to have a friendly, like-minded clientele who we pretty much know by name – AND we play great music! We have a reputation on the scene to maintain and build upon so it’s important that we continue to look for and attract the best DJs and acts.”

My Planet Liverpool has experienced many Soul Central nights out over the last few years and we were pretty excited to have the chance to revel for a whole day in the inspiring music and uplifting vibe created by the Soul Central team!

Lovers of the genre from all around the UK were in attendance as from 2pm – 1am they were able to enjoy 11 hours of non-stop music, 14 DJs spinning soulful grooves in 2 rooms, a live performance by the UK’s freshest R&B sensation 𝗘𝗠-𝗖𝗘𝗘, plus Silent Disco sessions hosted by Roger Simpson and Tiny G.

 

Follow on Facebook: manchester soul music collective

Acclaimed hillsborough drama returns to liverpool

97+ puts survivors’ stories centre stage in a compelling new full-length production being premiered at the city’s Olympia

A powerful play which explores the ongoing impact of Hillsborough on those who survived the disaster is returning to Liverpool this spring in a new full-length production.

97+ is written and directed by Tom Cain and co-produced by Tom Cain Theatre and Bill Elms Productions, in collaboration with the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance.

The theatrical drama, which in a shorter version previously won acclaim at Liverpool Theatre Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe, is being premiered at the Liverpool Olympia for one night only on Friday 12 April, three days before the 35th anniversary of the football disaster which claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool fans.

Set in 2012, Hillsborough survivors John and Steve – now middle-aged men – are each still dealing with the trauma they suffered as boys 23 years before. John bottles up his emotions, only letting wife Liz see them as he suffers night terrors but he avoids seeking treatment, while Steve lives alone but seeks help from the hospital, or a vodka bottle, as his support mechanisms.

Yet despite countless setbacks, the Hillsborough survivors continue their fight for justice.

 Tom Cain researched and wrote the drama while a student at Edge Hill University and with the assistance of the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance which provides a Hillsborough Transformational Recovery Model – a therapy set up by survivors intended to help other survivors.

This drama was presented as a 90-minute play at Liverpool Theatre Festival’s Little LTF platform for new writing in 2022, with the sensitive but hard-hitting story winning plaudits from both critics and audiences. It was so successful it went on to be staged at the main Liverpool Theatre Festival in 2022 before being taken to Edinburgh and the Buxton Fringe Festival last summer. Each performance has helped raise money for the survivors’ charity.

Now Tom, whose own grandfather was a Hillsborough survivor, has revisited the drama to present it as a full-length version.

Several actors are returning to reprise their roles or to play new characters in this latest production, including Colin Kilbride who returns to the role of John and Leslie Longley as Steve.

Liz is played by Claudia Molyneux, who also appeared in the play in Edinburgh and Buxton, while Alice McKillop returns to the role of nurse Nancy as well as playing a new character, Charlotte, and Julie McCabe – who previously appeared at Liverpool Theatre Festival as Liz – will take on the new part of Sally. The cast is completed by new member Graham Padden as Stuart.

Tom says: “To think this was something I originally wrote during lockdown for my Edge Hill University drama dissertation, to performing shorter editions of the piece at Liverpool Theatre Festival, Edge Hill and even outside Merseyside at the Buxton and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals – where we were able to gain an international audience, to now playing at such an incredible venue as the Liverpool Olympia. It’s truly a dream come true. Educating audiences on the TRUTH of Hillsborough and raising awareness for survivors still suffering trauma. To have had the continuous support of the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance and to have raised money for this charity means everything to me. I’m proud of the work we’ve produced. And I hope I’ve made my grandad, who was a Hillsborough survivor himself, proud too.”

Bill Elms adds: “I’m delighted this play is going from strength to strength; it’s a powerful piece and a story that needs to be told to a new generation. It’s had nothing but praise from critics and audiences alike and I’m proud to continue to support Tom’s work, having been selected to be performed at Little LTF, then winning a place at the main Liverpool Theatre Festival in 2022. We’re now working together to present this new, full two-act play at the Olympia.”

LISTINGS INFORMATION

 Liverpool Olympia

DATE: Friday, 12 April

TIME: Doors 7pm | Show 7.30pm

PRICE: £25.30/£27.50.

www.liverpoololympia.co.uk