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, a look ahead to the next ‘sexy networking’ evening, and DPIB’s first major awards event. Leading North West legal firm, DWF, feature as our ‘Business of the Month’. Frank McKenna calls on the public sector to get its act together over the Tithebarn development, and we announce DPIB’s next big initiative. Read on and enjoy…

Downtown Preston In Business is a business club with a difference. Not only will we organise the best networking events for the city’s entrepreneurs, but we will also offer the private sector leadership, articulate the views of our members to the public agencies that govern Preston and Lancashire, influence the decision-makers, and promote Preston as a great place to do business to potential inward investors. To read more about DPIB please CLICK HERE

DPIB Chairman Frank McKenna vents his frustration at another row threatening to delay the Tithebarn development, and welcomes plans to regenerate the city’s former main post office. READ MORE

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

Lancashire entrepreneur Adam Hosker, who was a contestant in the recent series of Alan Sugar's 'The Apprentice', will be among the guests at DPIB's next 'Sexy Networking' evening. DPIB Chairman Frank McKenna will quiz Adam on his time on the show, and his new business interest as the head of a new Lancashire communications company I.T. Solutions Ltd.

DPIB has moved into its Preston base, at Fishergate Hill. Chairman Frank McKenna said: “We are delighted to announce the opening of our new office, and it will bring back many memories for me personally to be based so close to County Hall. This facility will allow us to keep an even closer eye on the latest developments to hit the Preston business community and make us even more effective in representing our members. This office proves that we are here to stay, and serious about our plans for the city.”

The Lancashire Evening Post has joined the Northwest Development Agency, DWF, Freshfield PR and Moore & Smalley, as sponsors of DPIB’s inaugural ‘Six In The City’ awards evening, which takes place on Thursday 27th September. The LEP will be the official media partner for a dinner that has already generated significant interest from the Lancashire business community. For further details see the EVENTS section of this bulletin.

Over 70 people took part in UCLan’s first ever Summer Spectacular – an intensive 2 week programme of workshops, events, and support all aimed at students, graduates and local people who are looking, or in the process of setting up a small business. READ MORE

Preston’s former main Post Office is to be converted into a multi million pound ‘Dragons Den’ in a bid to retain the cream of the city’s young business brains. The centre will help UCLan graduates with business ideas develop their products, with expert help and advice. The Chief Executive of the Northwest Development Agency, Steve Broomhead, welcomed the proposal, saying that the facility would be similar to a £5.8m centre planned by London’s Imperial College and Royal College of Art.

Former Conservative heavyweight, Lord Michael Heseltine, has backed the idea of Elected Mayors for cities in a review of local government and regeneration policy. His blueprint, commissioned by Tory Leader David Cameron, also includes proposals for executive Mayors to have the power to issue bonds and borrow money. Though not official Conservative policy as yet, Mr. Cameron said he “welcomed” the proposals.

Preston City Council has given its backing to the formation of a Business Improvement District (BID) in the city centre. The authority itself will pay an additional £15,000 in additional business rates on the property it owns within the BID boundary. Businesses, who will face a 1% increase in their business rates, will be invited to vote on plans to introduce the scheme in April next year.

Wrangling about plans to relocate Preston’s bus station may cause further delays to the implementation of the city’s Tithebarn regeneration project. As Lancashire County Council and Preston City Council argue about who is to blame for the row, potential investors observe with some incredulity, as a tiff over a £15m bus facility threatens a £500m initiative.

Ribble Valley M.P. Nigel Evans has been voted as the most business-friendly Member of Parliament in a poll of members from leading private sector organisation, The Forum of Private Business.

Preston businessman David Taylor, Chairman of East Lancashire regeneration company Elevate, has been awarded a CBE for his services to urban regeneration in the Queen’s birthday honours list. Mr. Taylor, who has been the Deputy Chairman of Preston North End for ten years, has also worked as a special advisor to Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott.

Downtown Preston in Business is set to launch the Lancashire Property Forum. The purpose of the forum is to bring together public sector regeneration agencies and companies involved in the economic development of the county. Two forums will be held this year, the first on the afternoon of Wednesday 12th September, with David Taylor CBE (see above) as the keynote speaker. To register your interest in the event please CLICK HERE

Downtown Preston In Business was delighted to sign up leading North West legal firm DWF Solicitors as a corporate sponsor earlier this month. CLICK HERE to read more.

Last month we asked if Preston should host an annual music festival on the back of Radio Ones ‘Big Weekend’ success. More than 70% of you support the idea. CLICK HERE for results

Do you think that the proposed Business Improvement District in Preston City Centre is a good idea? CLICK HERE to vote

Leading Preston PR guru, Michael Gregory of Freshfield PR, calls for a compromise on the controversial Riverworks development. READ MORE

DPIB continues its programme of events with our second ‘sexy networking’ evening at the wonderful Chop House in Winckley Square on Thursday 5th July. And, for hard core Downtowners’ we have arranged an ‘after party’ at The Forum in Winckley Street. CLICK HERE for further details and to register your attendance.

We promise you a night you will never forget! The inaugural Downtown ‘Six In The City’ awards dinner will take place in the Great Room at the home of Preston North End, on Thursday 27th September. We intend to make this awards evening Lancashire’s biggest and best, so please nominate the companies that you feel deserve to be rewarded for their hard work in 2007. CLICK HERE to nominate. CLICK HERE to reserve your place at what promises to be THE business event of the year!

This event is supported by the Northwest Development Agency, DWF Solicitors, Freshfield PR, Moore & Smalley and the Lancashire Evening Post.

Professional Charity Quiz and BBQ
6pm, 12th July - Stanley House Hotel
Back by popular demand...DWF Solicitors are delighted to invite fellow professionals from across the region to the fabulous Stanley House Hotel for a summer Quiz and BBQ evening. Bring along a team of up to 6, the cost is £150, with all proceeds going to Derian House Children's Hospice. Please contact zoe.uddgren@dwf.co.uk or 0161 603 5057 for further information.

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