It has certainly been an interesting February, with feuds breaking out across the county over the proposed Tithebarn project; an incredibly daft initiative to scrap free weekend car parking in Preston City Centre from the council; and the recruitment process for the new Preston Vision Board kicking off. Read about all of this and much, much more in the latest bulletin from the ‘business club with attitude.’

DPIB Chairman Frank McKenna reviews the Conservative Party’s Green Paper on local Government reform. CLICK HERE for more

It seems increasingly likely that Blackpool and Blackburn Council’s will formally object to plans for the regeneration of Preston City Centre. An application for the proposed £700 million Tithebarn development will be made by developer Grosvenor within the next few weeks, and, despite widespread local support, opposition from neighboring Lancashire authorities could see the plan ‘called in’ by the Government – and delay the scheme by up to eighteen months!

And as further question marks were raised about the Tithebarn project, traders in Church Street have expressed their anger at being left in ‘limbo’ by all the uncertainty surrounding the scheme. Joe Assalone of commercial property consultants Robert Pinkus & Co, and John Chesworth of law firm Harrison Drury, have pledged to back the traders and are calling for answers to three key questions: Will Tithebarn go ahead? If so, when? And if not, does the council have a plan ‘B’?

A panel of business leaders, including Michael Conlon, Conlon Construction; Tony Medcalf, Moore & Smalley and Frank McKenna, were invited to discuss the property market at an event hosted by the Lancashire Evening Post earlier this month. CLICK HERE to view the video.

A Chief Executive, a Chairman and a group of Non Executive Directors are being sought to drive forward Preston Vision. The new appointments are being made through recruitment agency Robinson Keane, and the appointees will join Lancashire County Council Chief Executive Ged Fitzgerald, Preston City Council Chief Executive Jim Carr, Council Leader Ken Hudson and their counterparts from South Ribble, Jean Hunter and Margaret Smith, on a new look Vision board.

Downtown Preston in Business will hold its first Property Forum for 2009 on Monday 16th March.

DPIB welcomes David Taylor, one of the UK’s leading regeneration experts, advisor to former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Vice Chairman of PNE, who will present his vision for the 2010 Preston Guild.

What lies ahead for this civic celebration that takes place every 20 years in Preston. The Guild is a showcase for the city and offers a chance to reflect on important personal achievements, as well as civic milestones.

We hope that you will join us at Preston Town Hall for the first in a series of informative Property Forums.

Free parking at weekends is being scrapped at major car parks in Preston, sparking outrage from local traders. Charges will be introduced on Sunday’s and Bank Holiday’s, raising approximately £100,000 for Preston City Council. DPIB Chairman Frank McKenna commented: “In the current economic climate, this proposition is barmy. Local traders will, rightly, feel badly let down.”

The Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Sir Howard Bernstein, will be one of several high profile speakers during DPIB’s second annual ‘Lancashire Business Week’. Other contributors to the week, which will take place between 18-22 May, include the Chief Executive of the Northwest Development Agency, Steve Broomhead and the Chief Executive of Business Link, Peter Watson.

DPIB would like to congratulate David Anderson, the St John's Buildings' Development Manager, on being named in The Lawyer Magazine's Hot 100 for 2008.

The Hot 100 is an annual publication that attempts to single out lawyers and management staff who have had "excellent years and who look set to continue their run of form".

David, who joined SJB from the Chairman of the bar's office was singled out as "a manager with heavyweight experience", who has joined SJB as part of our "ambition to be the number on barristers' chambers in the North of England."

To view the full Hot 100 please click here

The second annual Lancashire Business Survey will be launched next month. In association with the Northwest Development Agency and Moore & Smalley, DPIB will be giving companies from across the county the opportunity to comment on the state of the local, regional and national economy. If you would like to get involved please e mail tracey.mckenna@downtownpreston.com quoting ref. BS09.

Downtown Preston is delighted to announce that last years 'Six In The City' awards raised £1285.00 for Derian House Childrens Hospice. DPIB and Derian House would like to thank all those who contributed to a very worthwhile cause.

Derian House has been open for 15 years, and continues to be heavily reliant on voluntary funding, for more information on how you can help this fantastic charity, please CLICK HERE.

Chelford Homes is one of the leading providers of exclusive and executive residential property in the North West. The Chorley based company is ‘Business of the Month’ for February. CLICK HERE to read more

Big changes are coming for employers in April 2009 with the repeal of the statutory dispute resolution procedures and the introduction of the new Acas Code of Practice. The new Code applies to all formal disciplinary proceedings, including those where a written or final written warning are given. Employers will also face a penalty of a 25% uplift on tribunal awards for an unreasonable failure to comply with any provision of the Code.

Our two hour breakfast seminar leads you through the key elements of the Code, the difference between the old and new approach and the practical implications for how you deal with grievances and disciplinary issues at work including what changes you need to make to your procedures.

With up to date information and practical tips our breakfast seminar should be at the top of your 'to do' list to be ready and armed for these key employment changes.

Click on the link below to register your place online;

Friday 27 March 2009 at DWF Preston Office

Time: 8:00am - 10:00am

This seminar is Free to attend.

Places are limited, to avoid disappointment please book your place today!

ONE of the best things to come out of the pre Budget report was the Government’s scheme that allows businesses to defer their tax bills.

READ MORE

Lancashire Business View is a must-read magazine. It contains news, analysis and opinion on the issues that affect business in Lancashire and is mailed direct to 8,000 high-ranking decision makers.

Click here to find out more about the magazine and the contents list for 2009.

In association with the Northwest Development Agency, DPIB will host its next property & enterprise forum at Preston Town Hall on Monday 16th March 2.30pm -4.30pm.

One of the UK’s leading regeneration experts, advisor to former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, and the Vice Chairman of PNE, David Taylor, will present his vision for the 2012 Preston Guild.

Please CLICK HERE to register for this event.

Improve your business by joining Downtown Preston in Business. For the best networking events, dinners, conferences and seminars, get involved with the ‘business club with attitude’. CLICK HERE for further details.