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.

 

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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

We hope eating disorders awareness week helps oliver and novotel paddington village mum emma

“My little boy is just 3 and terrified of food.”

Mum Emma’s hope in raising mass awareness of ARFID diagnosis

Oliver was just 2 years old and losing weight. He spent Christmas Day to New Year’s Day of 2022 in hospital. He was clinically malnourished and dehydrated.

Throughout 2023, he spent the night being fed for ten hours hooked up to machines, along with 4 hours during the day.  He is still entirely reliant on his gastrostomy tube for all his nutrition and fluids.

It’s now 17 months since he’s eaten anything orally..

A heartbreaking story “but one that needs to be told far and wide” says mum Emma Taylor who along with husband Matty have hope that with a huge increase in awareness around Oliver’s condition, more resources can be devoted to treating children like Oliver.

“Oliver is diagnosed with a condition known as Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID),” explained Emma.

“We want to urgently raise mass awareness of ARFID so that it can be better understood.”

It’s an especially good time to speak out because the final week of February is designated Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

ARFID is an eating disorder that involves intense avoidance or restriction on the amounts of food or types of food a person eats. It is characterised by a pattern of eating that avoids certain foods or food groups entirely and/or is restricted in quantity (eating small amounts).

“Contrary to some misconceptions, ARFID isn’t affected by a person’s beliefs about the size and shape of their body and someone with the condition doesn’t restrict their food intake for the specific purpose of losing weight.

“Yes it’s an eating disorder but children as young as two can be diagnosed.”

“For Oliver, who is also autistic, it’s very much about sensory issues and fear. He is absolutely terrified of food.”

After 4 months with a NG Tube, Oliver underwent surgery in April last year when a more permanent tube was fitted into his stomach. “Yes he’s gained a third of his body weight in almost 12 months thanks to tube feeding but you can imagine the impact on him and our family.”

“He still gets very distressed around food and we miss out on a lot of things like family meals and birthday parties.”

Oliver sees a specialist dietician every month who helps the family try to tackle Oliver’s fear around food but to him, it’s the scariest thing in the world.

“Too many people have said that he’ll eat when he is hungry but Oliver won’t, he will literally starve himself.”

“It’s been well over a year now since he’s put any food in his mouth at all.”

Husband Matty as you can imagine is as passionate about raising awareness of ARFID and is taking on the Liverpool Half Marathon next month.

Emma who works as a Regional Finance Manager based at Novotel Paddington Village in Liverpool continued: “Matty is no runner but he’d do anything to help others understand what Oliver is going through. My employer Legacy Hotels & Resorts and Hotel General Manager  Howard Lewis have also been so good in enabling me to work and maintain caring for Oliver. I’m so grateful.

All proceeds raised from Matty’s marathon efforts will go to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and ARFID Awareness UK

https://www.justgiving.com/page/mattytaylorsrun?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fmattytaylorsrun&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

Follow Oliver on socials…

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emsytaylor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emsytaylor82 #oliversarfidlife

Risk support services recruits top talent as part of expansion plans

Risk Support Services, which is the risk management division of Butterworth Spengler Insurance Group, is poised for growth after recruiting new members of staff with decades of industry experience.

The business, which has its headquarters in Merseyside, specialises in health and safety risk management and training, offering courses from their offices, where they have comfortable training facilities, as well as online courses and e-learning.

They are well-known throughout the North West as an established and trusted provider of health and safety training and also offer a wide range of services to identify and control exposure to risk and ensure that businesses are legally compliant and the team travels nationwide as needed to support their clients on-site.

The company’s director, Jeff Cunningham, worked as a project manager within the construction sector prior to moving into the health and safety industry and has worked on various contracts ranging from but not restricted to industrial projects, hospitals, educational, sports and office developments. Jeff discovered a passion for health and safety and began working with Risk Support Services in early 2019.

Jeff is keen to build upon the business’s success in providing specialist training courses, saying: “I’m looking forward to steering a fantastic team at Risk Support Services to a healthy bright future with stability through sustained growth. But don’t forget to enjoy the view; we all have to climb the mountain together.”

Thomas Platt recently joined Risk Support Services as a health and safety consultant and trainer, having worked as a health and safety manager and advisor across many sectors over the last 14 years. He said: “I am really excited to be part of the team at Risk Support Services; the depth of knowledge and support and the approachable manner of the team is fantastic.”

Hayley Richardson recently joined the business as team coordinator, bringing the benefit of over 25 years of administration and HR experience, 17 of which have been with Risk Support Services’ sister company, Butterworth Spengler.

Peter Kellett and Mark Green also joined the company recently as client directors (following a company merger). Peter has worked in property compliance for the last 20 years around the whole of the UK. His work includes Energy Performance Certificates, TM44 Inspections (Air conditioning), Fire Risk Assessments and other bespoke health and safety audits.

Mark specialises in the asbestos industry, and has over 25 years’ experience, ranging from asbestos building surveying, asbestos removal, remediation and encapsulation projects. Mark is also part of the team responsible for undertaking Legionella (Risk Assessments) Projects, ensuring complete legislative compliance for the company’s clients.

They join Charlie Jones, who has worked as a health and safety advisor for the firm for five years and Alan Daly, who has worked as a health and safety advisor for the last three years and also Risk Support Services’ finance manager, Vicky Charters, who has worked for the company since 2022.

Recruiting industry heavyweights is part of Jeff’s growth strategy to deliver more courses, while continuing to serve the business’s longstanding clients. The recent recruitment drive has been accompanied by a complete rebrand, including a redesign of the website.

Commenting on the rebrand, Jeff said: “I am thrilled with the new Risk Support Services rebrand and identity image. The new logo and website reflect the company’s growth and evolution over the past decade. Our new logo represents our focus on strength, integrity and relationships, which are the core values of everything we do

Website: https://risksupportservices.co.uk/

Hope through heritage: multiple award-winning nicholson group begins 2024 on a high

A multiple award-winning North West property developer that has grown from humble beginnings to amass a near £40m property portfolio has begun the year with another set of accolades.

Nicholson Group based in St Helens who acquired their first property in 2008 following a £17k property investment swept the board across Merseyside with their lettings arm winning All Agents ‘Best Lettings Agency’ in both St Helens and separately, Liverpool.

Founder and CEO of Nicholson Group and Managing Director of Nicholson Lettings, Paul Nicholson said: “We’re thrilled to win these awards as we place such a huge brand emphasis on customer service through the company in every aspect of our business.

“Consistency is huge for me in our industry. We were also awarded ‘Gold Award’ status for lettings in the 2022 All Agents Awards for customer service proving we go above and beyond expectations for our customers. I’m extremely proud of our team and am grateful for their hard work and for their constant commitment to both the business and to our clients. It’s a rare accolade to win one of these top national awards twice in succession. Our business strategy is based around employing the best in class and these awards are a good measure of that.

The group’s wider focus in 2024 is very much heritage-driven working on renaissance development projects in close collaboration with St Helen’s Council alongside Rotary Club St Helens who recently paid a visit to their Beecham’s regeneration scheme.

Paul Nicholson added: “Our passion for making a difference, being community-driven, and regen-focused working in partnership with civic bodies is driving our momentum in completing Beecham’s Building which we hope to showcase in February 2024.

“We’ve spent considerable time in 2023 immersing ourselves in the regeneration conversation of the town and finished it recently with both a great meeting with Rotary St Helens and strong support with glowing feedback from a 50-strong delegation which we look forward to sharing in the new year. 2024 is the start of long-term huge change for the better for St Helens and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

https://www.team-nico.com/

Transformation of iconic former mersey ferry into a major liverpool attraction is set for completion this year

A £2.5m project to transform the former Mersey Ferry, MV Royal Daffodil into a major destination is set for completion in 2024. 

Liverpool City Region entrepreneurs Philip Olivier and Joshua Boyd have spent several years working on the exciting new venture. Reborn as Daffodil, the iconic former Mersey Ferry vessel will have a permanent home on Liverpool’s Waterfront, with planning granted for a berth at Canning Dock, next to Royal Albert Dock.

Daffodil is set to become a valuable addition to the city, which attracts tens of millions of visitors every year. It will offer first-rate food, drink and entertainment and will create almost 100 local jobs. Three outside sun decks across two levels – Promenade Deck, Daffodil Garden and Funnel Deck – will provide dining areas for more than 66 covers. In addition, her Upper Deck features a multifaceted space for a café, cocktail and wine bar, with all-day dining available for 63 seated covers.

The Main Deck will feature an 84-cover restaurant, while the Lower Deck features the Engine Room event space having capacity for 240 people. This will host live music and events. In total, the vessel will have space for up to 560 guests at any one time.

For six years until 2019 MV Royal Daffodil lay in Birkenhead’s East Float Dock before Philip and Joshua began their rescue mission, towing her to Bromborough to undergo an extensive rip out, before later continuing her full restoration in Liverpool at Garston Dock from 2020.

Experts from Liverpool maritime and engineering sector firms have been working on the transformation, despite the disruption caused by the COVID pandemic.

Now, early in this new year, the vessel is lined up to be towed to the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, where it will be fully repainted prior to some final tweaks being carried out. From there, restored to its former glory, it will be towed to its final destination at Liverpool’s Canning Dock.

Phil (below) said: “This isn’t just a business investment for me, my Father and Josh, this has been a true labour of love. There has been a ferry across the Mersey for more than 800 years and they hold huge, historical significance to the region. As a picture-postcard image, the ferries are world famous. The people of Merseyside have an emotional attachment to these vessels and there’s a lot of positivity around the coming future for this icon vessel and we will be so proud to see it brought back to life.”

Philip and Joshua are also seeking to secure funding to develop a mini-museum exhibit in the Wheelhouse of the ship, intended to honour the history of the Mersey Ferries, their captains, crew and passengers.

As part of a planned recruitment drive for the venture, the team are set to work with the Department for Work and Pensions and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority via back-to-work training and Skills Bootcamps. The wide range of available roles across management, catering and service are now published on the company’s website.

Daffodil will partner with La Salle Hotel School, a not-for-profit charity and community interest company based in Croxteth, to develop apprenticeships and traineeships for young people; whilst supporting sustainable food growing and hospitality education. “We are so excited about this re-launch,” added Joshua (below ). “Daffodil will be yet another amazing asset to Liverpool’s world class waterfront that’s rooted in strong local pride and impact. Liverpool City Region’s Visitor Economy grew to £5.18bn value in 2022 with 55.84 million people flocking here from across the world. They expect to view world class attractions and that is exactly what Daffodil will be – a unique place for locals, visitors, the business community, foodies, culture and heritage fans.”

Originally named Overchurch, the vessel served our region as a cross-river transport and cruising vessel following her maiden voyage in April 1962. She was re-named Royal Daffodil in 1999 following an extensive refit as a party and dance cruising vessel. After a further decade of active service, she was eventually decommissioned in 2012 due to a breakdown in one of her two engines.

With this recent full refurbishment nearing completion, it is expected that the Daffodil will now have a bright and successful future ahead of her

WEBSITE: https://www.daffodilliverpool.co.uk/

SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/daffodilliverpool/

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