Welcome to the latest DPIB bulletin, bringing you a smattering of news and views from the North West’s newest business club about the North West’s newest city. Included in this month’s bulletin, the shortlisted companies for DPIB’s first major awards dinner, and a chance for you to vote for your favourites. Frank McKenna looks at plans to create a new central business district for Preston, and leading business publication Lancashire Business View features as our ‘Business of the Month’. Read on and enjoy…

DPIB Chairman Frank McKenna welcomes plans to create a new central business district for Preston - and pays tribute to his old friend, North West icon Tony Wilson, who sadly lost his battle with cancer earlier this month. READ MORE

You can read Frank’s weekly Blog at http://www.prestoncitizen.co.uk/blogs/frankmckenna/

Nominations have flooded in for DPIB’s inaugural ‘Six In The City’ awards dinner that takes place on Thursday 27th September, at Preston North End’s ‘Great Room’. Sponsored by the Northwest Development Agency, DWF Solicitors, Moore & Smalley and Freshfield PR, the evening is also being supported by the Lancashire Evening Post. DPIB Chairman Frank McKenna said: “The response we have had to the dinner has surpassed all expectations, and we have drawn up excellent shortlists for each category. I think the sponsors deserve great credit for ‘standing aside’ and not going for any of the available awards." Lancashire Evening Post Editor Simon Reynolds added: “The Evening Post is delighted to be media partners for ‘Six In The City’, which comes at a time when business in Preston is seeing an upward surge."

Leading property consultants Knight Frank have reported a surge in Preston’s property investment market. Head of investment, Abid Jaffry, of Knight Frank in the North West said that the growing regional demand for high-quality office space, and Preston’s thriving services sector was making the city an attractive prospect for investors.

The new partner developer behind Preston’s massive Tithebarn regeneration project has announced a 56% jump in its profits. Lend Lease Corporation are a key player in the construction work for the London 2012 Olympics, and will partner Grosvenor Estates in the delivery of the Tithebarn development.

The creation of a £100million aerospace business park at defence giant BAE Systems base in Samlesbury, near Preston, can make Lancashire a centre of aerospace excellence, according to Martin Wright of the Northwest Aerospace Alliance (NWAA). He said the changing face of aerospace manufacturing means that small manufacturers will need to adapt to compete, and this type of facility will help them to do so.

Lancashire Business View is a dynamic business magazine that is setting new standards for the reporting of industry and commerce in the county. There are news and views on the issues that really affect Lancashire and key information that can help businesses prosper. There are also entertaining features on the individuals behind the news. READ MORE

Last month we asked if you support the idea of local councils being allowed to set a supplementary business rate. Over 60% of you think that this would be detrimental to business. CLICK HERE for results

The nominations are in and the shortlists drawn up for what promises to be a fabulous DPIB awards dinner on the 27th September. Cast your votes for the inaugural ‘six in the city’ contest. CLICK HERE to vote for your favourite Lancashire companies.

Book your places now for what is sure to be one of THE business events of the year! DPIB, in association with the Northwest Development Agency, DWF Solicitors and Moore & Smalley, are hosting the inaugural ‘Six In The City’ awards dinner on Thursday 27th September. CLICK HERE to reserve your place at what promises to be a fantastic event, which is also supported by UCLan, the Lancashire Evening Post and the North West Society of Chartered Accountants.

Due to a ‘double booking’ for our Keynote speaker David Taylor, the first ‘Lancashire Property Forum’ will now take place on Wednesday 10th October 2007, venue to be confirmed. The purpose of the forum is to bring together public sector regeneration agencies and companies involved in the economic development of the county. Many apologies for any inconvenience caused to those who had registered for the original date in September. CLICK HERE to register for the new date.

DPIB is proud to be associated with the North West Society of Chartered Accountants (NWSCA) annual accountancy and business awards, which take place on 22nd November at Ribby Hall Village in Wrea Green, located between Preston and Blackpool. For further information and nomination forms, please contact Melanie Christie on 01772 641163 or email: melanie.christie@icaew.com

Be one of the first Companies to join Preston’s ‘business club with attitude’. CLICK HERE for details.

Look out for our new legal and tax sections in the September issue of the bulletin. Also next month, the launch of DPIB’s website, and of course ‘Six in the City’!