City business and civic leaders form united front in push for new investors
Liverpool’s leaders have launched the city’s fightback against budget cuts.
Business leaders have joined politicians and public sector organisations to promote the city as a business-friendly environment for investment.
And the City Council’s leader pledged to ‘do whatever is necessary’ to bring private sector business to the city – to balance the effect of the 22 per cent cut in Government funding.
Speaking at the opening of the Liverpool Embassy in the heart of London’s financial sector today (21 Jan) City Council Leader Joe Anderson said: “Private sector investment is going to be vital to repair the damage caused by the cuts imposed on us. We will do everything we can to attract new investors and support existing businesses.
“And the many thriving businesses in Liverpool are behind this all the way, with dozens of firms already providing practical backing for the Embassy project.
“The Embassy will in effect take our city to The City, and help tell investors and decision-makers all about the good things that are happening in Liverpool – and the potential for profitable growth up here, where the public and private sectors are working hand in hand.”
The Embassy, at New Broad Street House close to Liverpool Street and the financial district, has been set up following the success of Liverpool’s presence at the World Expo in Shanghai last year. It will showcase the vision to continue to develop Liverpool as a business-friendly and innovative city to invest in.
Max Steinberg, Chief Executive of Liverpool Vision, which is partnering the City Council and Downtown Liverpool in Business to deliver the project, said: “Liverpool has changed radically in the last five years; we are once again a confident, cosmopolitan city and an exceptional location for businesses.
“We are a leading centre for many industries – for wealth management; for biosciences and for advanced manufacturing, among others. The Liverpool story is changing and that is why we have opened the Embassy, to help new and existing businesses achieve their ambitions in our city region.”
Sir Terry Leahy, Chief Executive of Tesco, who is on the board of Liverpool Vision said: "The embassy is a brave initiative by Liverpool City Council and supported by the city's business community and it deserves to work.
"There is a real desire in Liverpool to continue the momentum of regeneration and economic development of recent years, which has seen a change, not only in the look of the city, but in the confidence of the people who work and live here.
"A lot still needs to be done, especially in changing perceptions many people hold about the city, which is no longer locked in its past but fiercely ambitious about its future and ensuring its growing prosperity.
"These days Liverpool represents a very attractive proposition for investors and it is our hope that others will listen and learn about the phenomenal range of assets and business excellence Liverpool has to offer."
Sir Michael Bibby of the Liverpool based Bibby Line Group described the Embassy as a huge opportunity for businesses to capitalise on Liverpool’s ambitions for economic renewal.
He said: “I believe that Liverpool’s business community are more determined than ever before, to lead the country in terms of economic growth.
“We will replace those jobs to be lost in the public sector, by supporting new and existing businesses in the city region – and by drawing in new investment. Anyone who takes a look at what Liverpool has to offer will not fail to be impressed by an excellent infrastructure, enthusiastic local authority support, investment opportunities, visitor attractions and cultural heritage.
“It is not by chance that Liverpool has the fastest growing economy outside London; that we hosted Europe’s most successful ever Capital of Culture; and that we have three world class universities. Liverpool is on the up and I urge fellow business leaders to join us.”
Businesses who have pledged support to the Embassy so far include the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool, Grosvenor, The Flanagan Group, Enterprise, Downing and Sony among others.
The Embassy continues the momentum of success for the city which began with city centre and waterfront regeneration; and continued with the impact of the Capital of Culture and most recently the city’s Pavilion at the World Expo in China.
It is the latest major initiative of the city's 'One Plan', a new vision for the city, which aims to draw on the strengths, resources and expertise of the public and private sector to sell the city nationally and internationally.
One of the next major projects is a series of 'Investment Open Days', to be held in Liverpool on May 3rd and 4th during the week of Liverpool Boat Show, when 300,000 people are expected to visit the city.
There will also be a series of high-profile events to mobilise the support of politicians, business leaders, academics, venture capitalists, and journalists; and a senior Liverpool presence at the MIPIM event in Cannes in March.
[Image: Cllr Joe Anderson at the Liverpool Embassy Launch]
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