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 back at what proved to be a very popular DPIB launch event. Leading Lancashire accountants Moore & Smalley feature as our ‘Business of the Month’. Business magazine ‘Lancashire Business View’ interviews our Chairman Frank McKenna. There is news of DPIB’s first major awards evening. And the Radio One big weekend was a huge success. 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 READ MORE

DPIB Chairman Frank McKenna in conversation with the Editor of ‘Lancashire Business View’, Andrew Calvert. READ MORE

The Northern Lights team in the University of Central Lancashire are running an exciting and fun, yet intensive, two week programme of business support and personal development activities, in Preston, from 4-14 June. This free event, delivered by experts in their field, is available to all NW University students, graduates since 2002 and businesses eligible for ERDF Objective 2 funding. There are activities to suit everyone, ranging from a managing your business workshop series for those already up and running, to inspiration for starting a business, of particular interest to those considering business start-up as a potential career path.

For further information or to make a booking please visit www.uclan.ac.uk/northernlights or contact the Northern Lights team on northernlights@uclan.ac.uk or 01772-895951.

On the day that Conservative Leader David Cameron visited Preston (17th May), the local Tories took control of the City Council, with Councillor Ken Hudson taking over as Leader of the hung authority. It means that Preston, Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire are now all Conservative - controlled.

Over 30,000 music revellers attended Preston’s Radio One Big Weekend at Moor Park earlier this month, and the success of the event has led to calls for the city to organise its own annual music festival. As well as creating a fantastic party in Preston, the Big Weekend is estimated to have generated a £5 million boost in trade for businesses across the county, and an estimated £11 million worth of publicity. SEE BIG DEBATE below.

Up to three new academy schools could be built in Lancashire by the County Council. One will replace Fulwood and Tulketh high schools in Preston, while another will replace Skerton and Hornby high schools in Lancaster. A third academy is being considered for east Preston.

A new hotel, offices and car parking facilities could be built on one of the main gateways to Preston. City Council planners have given the green light to an initiative on Corporation Street and Ring Way that would see developers Rhodi plc build a 130 room, nine-storey hotel.

Plans for Preston to have its own tram network should be back on the agenda, according to the Chairman of the Preston Vision Board, Malcolm McVicar. Dr.McVicar, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the University of Central Lancashire, said: “ No city can manage the kind of growth we are anticipating in Preston without having an intergrated transport system. If we are looking to bring more people to the city through projects like Tithbarn, a tram system is something we need to be looking at.”

Over 150 people, representing more than 100 companies, attended the launch event of DPIB earlier this month. CLICK HERE to view the gallery from Preston’s first ‘sexy networking’ event!

Downtown Preston In Business was delighted to sign up leading Lancashire accountants Moore & Smalley as its first corporate sponsor. CLICK HERE to read more about the Preston based business that has been established in the city for over one hundred years.

Last month we asked if Preston City Council should be allowed to go it alone and be given ‘Unitary’ status. CLICK HERE for results.

Following the success of the ‘Big Weekend’ should Preston now host its own annual music festival? CLICK HERE to vote.

Leading Preston PR guru, Michael Gregory of Freshfield PR, looks at the fast improving Preston property scene. READ MORE

DPIB continues its programme of events with our second ‘sexy networking’ evening at the wonderful Chop House in Winckley Square on Thursday 12th 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. This event is supported by the Northwest Development Agency, DWF Solicitors, Freshfield PR and Moore & Smalley.

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

By joining the Downtown network many businesses have benefited from networking, raising the profile of their business, and also adding their voice to help shape their local and regional economy. But in addition to this, through a collaborative project we are working on with the University in Preston we are also able to offer something that could give your business the boost it needs... CLICK HERE TO READ MORE