Archive for July, 2009

BUCKING THE TREND

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

They say that when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and certainly in the current economic climate, businesses that survive and thrive will be the ones that come from sterner stuff than their peers.

So, it is no surprise to me that Preston entrepreneur Steve Jackson, and his ‘Recycling Lives’ team, are making some impressive strides with their new business venture, despite the overall gloomy economic picture.

His social enterprise (Jackson will not allow the ‘not for profit’ term to be used) is a unique project that enables individuals who have fallen on hard times for a variety of reasons to get back on their own two feet, by helping themselves.

It is an innovative and dynamic, some may say risky, approach to the social exclusion agenda that many have tried, and failed, to address.

I noted this week that he is starting to attract support from a number of public agencies from across the region. I hope the local public sector follows suit sooner rather than later.

Jackson’s track record is excellent, from PNE through to his scrap businesses. I back him to make this latest venture equally successful.

Go to http://www.recyclinglives.org/ for further information. Or better still, arrange to go down and see the fantastic training facilities and business incubators on Essex Street.

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DPIB MARCHES ON…

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Following a comprehensive programme of summer events that included the Lancashire Business Week, the Lancashire Business Awards and an audience with Bank of England Agent John Young, the Downtown Preston in Business (DPIB) events team is taking a well earned break.

However, autumn, sadly, will soon be here, and we are already planning a series of exciting occasions for your enjoyment.

The new Chief Executive of the Preston Vision Board, Eliot Lewis Ward, along with the Chief Executive of the Northwest Development Agency Steven Broomhead, will address our Property & Enterprise Forum on the afternoon of October 8th.

In September, we will be hosting a ‘No Ties Networking’ evening, and a Members Reception.

And in November, the third annual ‘Six in the City’ awards evening will be held. Look out for nomination forms that will be circulated throughout August.

For all of you who have beat the ‘credit crunch’ and are off on holiday, have a great time. For the rest of you…at least you have a great programme of Downtown events to look forward to!

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A GOOD WEEK FOR PRESTON

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

I’m sure I am not the only one to be relieved that planning permission for the long talked about Tithebarn regeneration project has been given the green light by planners this week.

The £700 million city centre scheme has been the talk of the town for almost a decade now, and to see the first practical step taken to see its delivery can only be seen as a positive.

However, with objections from Blackpool and Blackburn council’s, among others, the development will inevitably be subject to a public enquiry. That means a further delay, possibly of up to three years, before a final decision is made.

As I said at the Lancashire Business Awards dinner last week, DPIB remains four- square behind the Tithebarn project. However, the business community, indeed the City, cannot sit around for the next thirty six months doing nothing.

The town centre is looking tired and shabby, and there must be a commitment to invest in some refurbishment work, particularly in the Church Street area.

There are other potential works that we should now be getting on with, not least the regeneration of Winckley Square and potential opportunities to make something exciting happen down at the docks.

Downtown and its members fully intend to push this agenda in the coming months.

FREE CONCERT A GREAT INITIATIVE
I was extremely disappointed by the negative comments made by some Prestonians in relation to the news that a free pop concert will be hosted in the city during August, potentially attracting 15,000 people into Preston.

Avenham Park will provide the setting for a music festival that will include performances from Pixie Lott, Peter Andre and X Factor stars JLS, and the initiative has come from those involved in the Business Improvement District (BID).

The line up may not be ‘A’ list, but this is something that could really develop into something significant in the run up to Guild Year. We should all get behind this event, and congratulate Babs Murphy, Ken Williams and the other BID members for organising what, I am sure, will be a superb occasion.

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QUANGOS AND BUSES…

Friday, July 10th, 2009

David Cameron announced this week that, if he is, as many expect, Prime Minister in twelve months time, he will slash the number of QUANGOS currently operating in the UK.

It is an understandable statement from an opposition politician, but not one that bears much scrutiny.

You see, when one QUANGO is extinguished, three more tend to come along in its place within months of its abolition.

Much as we would all like to believe that the entire public sector deficit could be wiped out by simply slashing a range of agencies and institutions that seem to have little impact on our everyday lives, the fact is that many of them do valuable, indeed essential work.

QUANGOS are an easy target for Cameron. Tony Blair waxed lyrical on the subject in the run up to the 1997 General Election. But, mark my words, the number of QUANGOS will hardly change, whichever party is in power.

That is not to say that a review should not take place, particularly to weed out duplication. And that is what Cameron proposes. A review. And he is setting a QUANGO up to do it!

AWARDS NIGHT ONE TO REMEMBER
A big thank you to the 160 people who came along to our second annual Lancashire Business Awards dinner last night. The occasion was a huge success, with Jim Hancock doing a sterling job as the MC and Stanley House providing the perfect environment for an awards ceremony that has been dubbed the ‘Business Oscars’. I was particularly pleased to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Rob Salter.

Rob was one of the first people I spoke to when I decided to bring the Downtown brand to Preston, and his passion and commitment to the city was very apparent. His and Moore & Smalley’s support for DPIB has been invaluable during the past two years. However, Rob’s reputation, professionalism and generosity made him a very popular choice for the main award this year. And, by picking up a gong, Rob Salter proves that nice guys can win.

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THE MANCHESTER WAY

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

I recently had the pleasure of participating in a debate about Manchester, its success and the impact it has on the rest of the North West region.

Hosted by the excellent Business Insider magazine and its Editor Michael Taylor the discussion is featured in this month’s edition of the mag.

Michael made it clear that I had been invited along to vent my anger on behalf of the rest of the region at Manchester’s arrogance and unfettered ambition.

He was perhaps disappointed when I articulated the view that Manchester should be admired rather than criticised; and that it was up to the rest of the Northwest to learn from and catch up with the UK’s second city.

I offer three simple reasons for Manchester’s emergence as the regions Principle City.

Leadership. Over a period of twenty years or more, the City Council has enjoyed stable and dynamic political leadership. Chief Executive Sir Howard Bernstein has worked in tandem with the authority’s political leadership (firstly Graham Stringer, and then Sir Richard Leece) to deliver Manchester’s vision and priorities. The city has never suffered from the political shenanigans that are common place in Liverpool, where we witnessed the very public fall out of a Council Leader and Chief Executive that led to both of them resigning from office; and more fall outs between senior officials in the run up to the European Capital of Culture year than I care to remember.

Co-ordination. Manchester as a city region operates effectively. I was involved too long in politics to believe that the City Council and all its metropolitan neighbours agree on everything. The political make up of Greater Manchester is very mixed and there will be inevitable differences on a range of issues within AGMA (Association of Greater Manchester Authorities). However, differences and fall outs are, largely, kept private, whilst on the big strategic areas of policy, enhancing the tram system for example; they get 100% sign up and collectively kick down the door of Government departments to get what they want. Compare this to Lancashire, where the city of Preston has to fight off opposition and objections from its county neighbours in Blackpool and Blackburn to win a £700 million investment that would transform its town centre.

Attitude. ‘Can do’ sums up the Manchester way. They set ambitious goals for themselves, and they go for it. They do not suffer the lack of confidence and timidity that leave many other Northwest authorities in a state of paralysis.

Of course, Manchester doesn’t always get it right. Its decision to bid for the super casino against Blackpool was bad form; but it gets it right most of the time. Admire and learn from Manchester. Don’t envy it.

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