News from Merseyside - October 2006

10 October 2006

HEADLINES

• One of the world's most advanced printing facilities opens its doors in Speke
• Knowsley officially England's best for enterprise
• New world-class facility opens at Daresbury innovation Centre
• New air link launched from Liverpool to Toronto
• Canadian software company relocates global HQ to Liverpool
• TMP's Annual report highlights major achievements
• Record number of students make Liverpool their first choice

Bob Robinson, Managing Director of Prinovis Liverpool

Prinovis Liverpool:
One of the world's most advanced gravure printing facilities has officially opened its doors in Speke, South Liverpool. Part of a joint venture between media services provider arvato and two of Germany's largest publishing companies Gruner + Jahr and Axel Springer, Prinovis Liverpool will create more than 400 new jobs by the time it is running at full capacity in 2008. The Mersey Partnership's Investment Team and partners helped secure this investment ahead of two other UK locations.

Most enterprising:
Knowsley has been recognised as the best area in England for encouraging enterprise and entrepreneurs. The borough was a winner at the Department of Trade and Industry's Enterprising Britain Awards.

National innovation:
The £50m Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus has been officially opened near Runcorn. The development of this world-class infrastructure includes the new Cockroft Institute, which will put the UK at the forefront of international research into particle physics. Meanwhile,
Daresbury Innovation Centre offers 24,000sq ft of high quality office, workshop and laboratory space as well as a range of business support services.

Canada air link:
Another transatlantic service, a new weekly flight to Toronto is being launched from Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Scotland's Airline of the Year, flyglobespan, has revealed plans for the route from next May. It follows the announcement of new daily flights to New York made earlier this summer.

Director of Investment at The Mersey Partnership, Mark Basnett, said: "Flyglobespan's decision is another great boost to our economy and underlines the company's commitment and confidence in the Liverpool City Region. It further demonstates the importance of Liverpool John Lennon Airport as a global gateway."

Global HQ:
Canadian software company, Organisational Metrics, is relocating its global head office from Toronto to Liverpool. The firm designs and sells software used in HR management and will occupy 3,000 sq ft at The Plaza in Old Hall Street. The Mersey Partnership's Investment Team assisted the company and its partners in the move.

Margaret Doyle, Editor of Global Agenda, presents her keynote speech at TMP's Annual General Meeting

Leading Connections:
The Mersey Partnership (TMP) Annual Report 2005-06 points to some major achievements in investment, economic development and tourism across the Liverpool City Region. Amongn the highlights unveiled at TMP's Annual General Meeting was news that almost 2,250 Merseyside jobs have been created or safeguarded through TMP projects, while the value of Conference business booked through TMP has passed the £1m mark for the first time. TMP membership is also up, to 445 organisations - its highest level ever.

Record applications:
A record number of prospective students have chosen Liverpool as their first choice on university application forms. Liverpool Hope University has seen the biggest increase (11.4 %) while the number of students coming to the city through the clearing process has halved.

COMPANY/BUSINESS

Energy generation: Ineos ChlorVinyls have unveiled plans to build a new combined heat and power plant at their Runcorn site. Part of a £390m investment, the electricity generation station will use household rubbish to create upto 20% of energy needs for Ineos's nearby manufacturing facility by 2010.

Lancashire Tea: A St Helens company has secured listings with key retailers - including Asda, Morrisons and Booths - after launching a new brand of tea. Lancashire Tea is the brainchild of entrepreneurs Lynn Hitchen and Paul Needham, and will operate from a 10,000 square foot facility in Newton-le-Willows. The premises already have the capacity to make 2,000 teabags per minute.

Legal expansion: Liverpool law firm Hill Dickinson has merged with London-based Hill Taylor Dickinson, to propel itself into the UK's top 40 legal practices. The new firm, to be known as Hill Dickinson LLP, will include 141 partners with more than 900 employees and a combined turnover of more than £60m.

TJM Projects: St Helens fit-out specialists TJM Projects Ltd have been awarded a £1.3m contract with Chorley Borough Council, catapulting the company
past the million pound order barrier. The Haydock-based company was set up in Prescott two years ago, and has already increased its turnover 100 per cent in twelve months.

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PROPERTY

Heath expansion: The Heath Business and Technical Park in Runcorn is set for a £20m expansion, a move which could bring up to 1,300 jobs to Halton. Created on the site of ICI's former headquarters, The Heath has attracted 170 British and international companies to the 50 acre site. Now owners SOG have applied for planning permission to create another 200,000 sq ft of new office and laboratory space.

Office sale: 101 Old Hall Street, one of Liverpool's most prominent office buildings has been sold in a £39m deal.

Warburg-Henderson has bought the buildings from 101 OHS, a joint venture between the Beetham Organisation and Ethel Austin Property Group. Current tenants include Unisys and the UK Passport Agency.

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ECONOMIC ACTIVITY & DEVELOPMENT

Potential growth: A survey of property professionals has rated Liverpool among the top five cities in Northern England and Scotland when it comes to potential for growth over the next two years. A study commissioned by Investec Private Bank's Structured Property Finance division rated the city second for commerical growth and fifth on the list for residential growth.

Social Entrepreneurs: A new school has been launched in Liverpool to teach students how to regenerate the areas in which they live and reap the benefits. The Liverpool School for Social Entrepreneurs will be the latest addition to the network of schools around the UK.

Combating MRSA: A new product which may help combat MRSA will be developed at Liverpool's National Biomanufacturing Centre in Speke, South Liverpool. Eden Biodesign has been selected by leading marine biotechnology company, Aquapharm BioDiscovery, to develop AQP001, a natural marine product which is active against bacteria resistant to standard antibiotics.

Metquarter brands: It's been revealed another series of exclusive brands are moving into Liverpool's Metquarter, the city's newest luxury shopping mall. Tommy Hilfiger, LK Bennett, Samsonite, Miss Sixty and Energie will all open stores in the coming weeks. It comes as Thursdays are designated as late-night shopping nights at the complex.

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TOURISM/CAPITAL OF CULTURE

LFC Stadium: Plans to build a new 60,000 seater stadium for Liverpool Football Club at Stanley Park have moved a step closer, as £9m of European Objective One funding is secured for the project. It's hoped the move will trigger further investment in a scheme which will regenerate a large area of North Liverpool surrounding the park.

Liverpool Biennial 2006: The fourth Liverpool Biennial, the UK's largest and most widely reviewed contemporary art festival, is taking place until 26 November. Artworks from several hundred of the world's most exciting artists are spread across the city, from venues as diverse as the Tate Liverpool and Walker Art Gallery to former pubs and scrapyards.

Golf Academy: Plans for a £10m development at Formby Hall Golf Club will include a new golfing academy. The centre will be the only one of its kind in the country, comprising a training complex with fitness centre, swimming pool and spa. The work will be complete in time for the 2008 Open Golf Championship, which will take place at nearby Royal Birkdale.

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Investment enquires:
The Mersey Partnership on 0151 227 2727 or e-mail at investment@merseyside.org.uk
or visit www.investmerseyside.com

Editorial enquiries:
Contact Heather Sewell at The Mersey Partnership at heather.sewell@merseyside.org.uk

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information in 'News From Me' is accurate, The Mersey Partnership cannot be held responsible for any factual errors or inaccuracies.

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