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STORMINTEASHOPASLEAFQUITSSITELIVERPOOL tea bar Leaf lost £100,000in a row over the lease of its ParliamentStreet cafe, claims founder and ownerNatalie Haywood.

The cafe bar in the Elevator building,which is home to a range of creativebusinesses employing about 350 staff,shut last Saturday, leaving a note on thedoor citing “unresolvable issues” withits landlord.

Last November Leaf opened a secondsite in Bold Street and Ms Haywood saidstaff have transferred there.

She claimed she has been atloggerheads with Elevator landlord

Tim Speed over her lease and hasincurred 18 months of solicitors’ fees.

She also claimed that £50,000-worthof bar and related equipment is still atElevator after she was refusedpermission to remove it by Mr Speed.

Ms Haywood said: “This has been inthe hands of solicitors for the last 18months because we haven’t been able to

agree terms and conditions of the leasewith the landlord who served us with aneviction notice four months ago.

“We fought that through oursolicitors but increasing solicitors’bills meant we had to leave.”

She said she served Mr Speed sevendays notice of her intention to quit theproperty and had paid rent up toJanuary 31.

She added: “I am £50,000 downbecause we have had to leave the barand equipment there. As far as we’reconcerned we have done everythingproperly. It is really sad for us becausewe invested money in a very risky areaand have come out £100,000 down.

“But we have a thriving site in BoldStreet and we are happy to leave.”

Ms Haywood said the city centre siteis “far exceeding expectations”.

Mr Speed said: “It was their (Leaf)decision to move out of Elevator thislast weekend. We received no notice.

“Discussions are ongoing betweensolicitors regarding the collection oftheir equipment and the matter is in thehands of our solicitors.”

He added: “The eviction notice thatwas served was for non-payment ofrent, which we subsequentlyreceived.”

A lawyer representing Ms Haywoodlast night strongly denied that theeviction notice had been brought on thegrounds of rent arrears, and insistedthat Ms Haywood had never been inarrears with her rent on the premises.

Teabar foundersays lease rowcost £100,000

NewtourofdutyforbusA KIRKBY communitytransport group has gonethe extra mile to acquireit latest bus.

Your Travel BoroughWide, run by KnowsleyDevelopment Trust, hasbought a coach used bythe RAF in Afghanistanto ferry Afghan childrento school and troopsaround the country.

After refurbishment,including the removal ofbullet-proof screens, thebus will serve publicsector contracts such astransporting youngstersto work-based learningfor Knowsley council andtaking pupils toswimming lessons inLiverpool and St Helens.

Trust chief executiveSteve Dumbell said:“We've sourced busesfrom as far as NorthernIreland, but never such adistance away asAfghanistan.” FROM KABUL TO KIRKBY: Steve Dumbell in the former RAF coach before the sands of Afghanistan were swept away

● OPPORTUNITIESin the nuclear

industry for small firmsacross the north westwill be on the agenda atCumbria’s Sellafieldplant on February 9,from 8.30am. At theevent, organised by theCentre for ConstructionInnovation North West,Sellafield supply chainombudsman Zoe Whittlewill provide an overviewof how to access theindustry. To reserve aplace contact ceca.northwest@virgin.net

● YORKSHIRE Bankin Liverpool has

strengthened its teamafter continuing to winnew business customersin the city. Ian Fields hasbeen appointed asbusiness partner at thebank’s LiverpoolFinancial SolutionsCentre in Moorfields. Hewas previouslyrelationship manager atAllied Irish Bank (GB)and will help deliverYorkshire Bank’sInvesting for Growthinitiative to localbusinesses.

● APPLICATIONS forthe North West

Regional ConstructionAwards 2011 haveopened. There are 12categories, with allwinners automaticallyentered into the NationalConstructing ExcellenceAwards in London laterthis year. The deadlinefor entries is February28. Visit www.constructionawardsnw.co.uk/nominations/ orphone 0161 295 5076.

● ACCOUNTANCYand consultancy

practice PKF hasappointed Carolyn Asheras manager of forensicservices covering itsLiverpool andManchester offices.Carolyn has worked inlitigation services formore than 12 yearsspecialising in personalinjury claims includingclinical negligence andcatastrophic injuries..

● A NEW list ofseminars organised

by St Helens Chamber ofCommerce, up to July2011, can be viewed atwww.sthelenschamber.com/events

byNEIL HODGSONIndustry Reporter

NEWS Wednesday, February 2, 20112 ★★★★

Keepingitinthefamilyaspartnersbuilddads’dreams

BUSINESSSMALL

of the Week

Neil Hodgson finds newcompetition emerging insmall construction sector

CALL GOESOUT TOMERSEYBOFFINSMERSEYSIDE’Sinventors have beeninvited to helpimprove the efficiencyof the nation’s powernetworks.

The ‘Call for EnergyInnovators 2011’ hasbeen launched byCheshire’s EnergyInnovation Centre andbacked by four leadingenergy firms includingScottishPower EnergyNetworks whichserves the Merseysideregion.

Denise Massey,director of the EnergyInnovation Centreincubator dedicated tofostering innovationand acceleratingcutting-edge energyproducts to market,said: “If you’vedeveloped a new pieceof equipment whichmay be used in thepower networks, orhave worked in thesector and spotted anopportunity, then wewant to hear fromyou.”

Industry expert andchair of the EnergyInnovation Centre’sinvestment forum,Clive Deadman,predicts this emergingmarket for innovativeenergy-relatedproducts and serviceswill be worth morethan £1bn per year inthe UK alone by 2016and generate valuableexportingopportunities as othercountries adopt newways of runningelectricity networks.

For moreinformation about the‘Call for EnergyInnovators 2011’, call0151-347 2252 or visitwww.energyinnovationcentre.com

HELP TO TACKLEDEBT ISSUESLIVERPOOL-basedDebts Rescue isoffering advice andhelp for people facinga post-Christmasfinancial crisis at adebt advice day nextweek.

The socialenterprise will offer arange of experts onhousing, welfare rightsand benefits,employment andtraining and openingsfor entrepreneurs atthe event in theWalton Cornerstone,in Liston Street, onFebruary 10, from10am to 4pm.

BUSINESS

SMALL is beautiful for aKnowsley construction firmthanks to relationships foundedmore than 40 years ago whenjoiners Edward Krol and Roy

Corlett went into business together.But Krol Corlett, now headed by

their sons Simon and Dave, fears therecession could bring them into directconflict with some of the UK’s biggestconstruction firms as the industrycasts around for scraps in the wake oflast October’s public spending review.

Quantity surveyor Dave Corlett saidtheir parents, now retired, and theirsmall workforce were very hands-on,specialising in small contracts.

When he and construction managerSimon Krol bought the firm’s goodwillin 2006 and began trading in 2007 theyremained firmly focused on thesmaller end of the spectrum, rangingfrom work for the city’s RomanCatholic archdiocese, hotels andhousing associations such asLiverpool Housing Trust, with atypical price bracket from £20,000 to£1.5m.

Simon said the past two years havebeen tough as margins tightened,although the schools sector still yieldssufficient volume, despite thedismantling of the Building Schoolsfor the Future programme by thecoalition government.

Dave said: “Hopefully there’s acertain element of work that has to bedone, despite the cutbacks.

Simon added: “We are upgradingfire doors in schools, which is a rollingprogramme, so the smaller, minorworks in schools should continue.”

However, Dave added: “We havenoticed the big contractors havestarted to look at the work we do.

“When you are on a tender list withthree or four firms like us, and anational contractor, that is a worryingsign.

“Schools have had contractscancelled, but that means that existingschools will need repairs andmaintenance, and I think the big firmswill now be looking at this.”

However, the pair hope acommitment to quality will open thedoor to further opportunities.

Last week they became one of only ahandful of small companies in theregion to have received internationalaccreditation for quality management,environmental management andoccupational health and safety.

Dave said: “We have had to invest inbusiness management systemsbecause there are firms who won’twork with you unless you have them.If you don’t spend money you won’t getthe inquiries in.”

The two partners said their aim

when they took over was to put theirown mark on the family business, butmove on.

Today, Krol Corlett employs 25 staffafter its latest expansion into newspace at its Bradman Road base inKnowsley Industrial Park, fromhumble beginnings in a small cabinjust four years ago.

Employment for local talent,including apprenticeshipopportunities, is a key strategy.

Dave said: “We tell clients when

they take us on to do a project that it islocal labour we employ. The businesswe’re in, a three or four-yearframework allows us to plan for thefuture.

“If we were to win a long-termcontract we would take on two staffand an apprentice, which has an effecton the local economy. Firms shouldinvest in the local economy from aneconomic and social point of view.”

Typical projects range from theleisure sector, such as installing all the

bars in the suites at the Crowne Plazahotel on the site of the former Spekeairport, to church or schoolrenovations and maintenance.

The level of tender inquiries is stillpromising – the firm employs a fulltime quantity surveyor and a traineeto cope with the workload – althoughthere has been a decline since the runup to Christmas probably due to theJanuary 4 increase in VAT, and levelsare not expected to return toanywhere near normal until April orMay when the new budgets kick in.

Simon said: “Margins have gonereally tight, but that is the situation atthe moment. There’s a good volume ofwork coming in, but it is verycompetitive.”

The partners determined at theoutset of the downturn not to retreatbut to press their growth strategy:“When the recession hit we weretrying to think our way through it. We

NatWestdealhelpsrubberfirmstretchtonewmoveAN ESTABLISHED rubberproducts manufacturer hasrelocated from Liverpool tomodern premises helped byfunding from NatWest Bank.

Ley Rubber was formed in1956 and had operated from acramped former Victorianwarehouse in the docks areauntil its move to KnowsleyIndustrial Park.

The firm invested £950,000in the move, including newproduction equipment.

NatWest business andcommercial banking inLiverpool provided a £150,000funding package to help thecompany move to the new site.

Ley Rubber manufacturesand imports rubber productssuch as tubes, hoses, bungs

and stoppers and its productsare widely used across manymarket sectors, includingautomotive, educational,scientific and pharmaceutical.

The move to more modernpremises, plus the investmentin new machinery, will enableLey Rubber to improve theefficiency of its productionprocesses.

Directors are confident thiswill help the firm, whichemploys 32 staff, competeagainst cheaper imports andboost their £2.4m turnover.

Managing director MarkWealleans said: “It was clearthat we had taken the old siteas far as we could. There waslimited space to improve thebusiness and this had started

to hinder our operations.“Without the move to new

premises we would havestruggled to increases ourcurrent level of sales. Themove to Kirkby is a veryexciting development andgives us the opportunity toinvest in new manufacturingtechnologies to improve ourproduction processes.”

Wednesday, February 2, 2011 NEWS 3★★★★

EASE ROUTETO FUNDSFOR SMESSMALL firms shouldhave easier access toventure capital funds,the new head of theUK’s bosses’organisation, the CBI,has said.

Speaking on his firstday as CBI directorgeneral, John Cridlandoutlined his views onhow to improvebusiness, includingaccess to finance.

He said: “When itcomes to raisingfinance I think thedebate should moveon a little from netlending targets.

“While manyproblems do remainand need to be tackledwe now need to lookat a range of financialoptions for high-growth businesses, andespecially mid-caps.

“This could involvegiving innovative smalland medium-sizedcompanies betteraccess to venturecapital funds, or justbeing more forensicabout where the gapsare in finance availableto business.”

His other prioritiesare to make the UK amore attractive placeto invest; encouragingmore firms to export;removing barriers tojob creation –particularly, he said,for small firms whocreate nearly twothirds of all new jobs;and continuing totackle the country’sdeficit.

FAMILY FIRM: Krol CorlettConstruction directors SimonKrol, left, and Dave Corlett planto grow the business theirfathers started

BUILDING WORK: The KrolCorlett Construction team on sitein Tuebrook Picture: PAUL HEAPS

thought the best form ofdefence was attack and wetried to grow the businessthrough the recession. Westrived to push through itand it seems to haveworked.”

And while economicindicators prove otherwise – just– Dave believes the ‘recession’ is stillwith us: “We don’t expect tenderprices increasing until the end of thisyear.”

But, he said, they have a great staffand client mix which has provided astrong foundation for growth: “Westarted trading in 2007 and haveexceeded our business plan in someareas, but had to do things we neverthought we would at this stage.

“Some opportunities came from outof the blue, but in terms of thebusiness plan we are pretty much ontrack, although we would have likedthe margins to have remained wherethey were when we started.”

An initial turnover of £500,000should rise to £2.5m of earnings forthe current year, although Dave added:“As they say, turnover is vanity . . .”

A separate company has been set upto target the buy-to-let housingmarket, but the partners say that issomething for the future and the focusremains on construction.

Another question for the future isfamily succession. Simon has twoyoungsters and Dave has three whocould one day join the family firm, butDave insists: “They would have tostart on the brush!”

Do you wantto be our Business

of the Week?Contact Neil

Hodgson 0151 4722451 or emailneil.hodgson

@liverpool.com PRINT FIRM’SGREEN HONOURA WIRRAL printingfirm has beenhonoured for itscommitment to theenvironment.

LT Print Group hasbeen accredited by theForest StewardshipCouncil (FSC). TheFSC’s ForestManagement andChain of Custodycertification isawarded to firms whobuy timber and forestproducts only fromwell-managed forests.

LT Print managingdirector BobMcWilliams said:“This is fantastic newsfor LT and theculmination of years ofhard work anddiligence.

“We have a firmcommitment tominimising theenvironmental andsocial impact of theprint we produce.”

NEWS Wednesday, February 2, 20114 ★★★★

BUSINESS

RECESSION? Whatrecession?This seemingly would bethe only appropriateresponse on hearing the

activities of hotelier and propertydeveloper Dave Brewitt.

For the entrepreneur who createdfrom scratch Liverpool’s first trulyswanky boutique hotel seemsunstoppable.

The four-star Hope Street Hoteland its London Carriage Worksrestaurant weathered the last tough18 months, thanks to a £8.8mrefinancing deal with The Co-opBank last September.

“People shouldn’t keep slaggingoff bankers – it’s counter-productive,” said Dave, 48, whoco-founded the hotel with hisexecutive chef Paul Askew.

“Our bankers have always beenfine. I’m very grateful to The Co-opBank and Santander for their help.”

The £6m investment allowed thehotel to expand from 41 bedrooms to89, buy the property next door andadd a sixth floor conference suite,designed by Falconer Chester Hall.

Opened in 2004, the Hope StreetHotel is the first choice for premiertravellers visiting the city.

The starry guest list includesformer US Secretary of StateCondoleeza Rice, Sex in the City’sKim Cattrall, composer AndrewLloyd Webber, TV’s Loyd Grossmanand opera singer Lesley Garrett.

As Dave and I talk, alongside usLiverpool FC’s brand new £22.8mstriker Luis Suarez is takingafternoon tea with his family.

It is a far cry from Dave’s initialambition to read engineering atLiverpool University because it hada film course and the city had ProbeRecords.

This link continues throughdeveloping Chatham Lodge, a £3.9m50-room student accommodationblock in Myrtle Street.

It was created by CarpenterInvestments, run with Dave’sbusiness partner, Alan Beer.

Under their Urban Sleep brand,they are investing £18m in two moreLiverpool student properties, with300 rooms due for completion inSeptember, 2012.

A £20m residential developmentin Dingle is a joint venture with aleading housing association for 116apartments and 60 houses.

Already complete is their £5.5m120-bedroom studentaccommodation in Stoke-on-Trent.

The only apparent knock-backthey suffered was when their 6mSail hotel, residential and sailingschool scheme at West Kirby stalledin November.

“It was turned down by theWirral’s Tory councillors. I’m notsure what happens next,” said Dave.

“We’ve not even had the courtesyof a phone call, but we owe our

thanks to a lot of people who helpedus progress the project.

“The irony is it was WirralCouncil’s idea. They held acompetition and we were closest totheir aims.”

Undeterred, in Liverpool they arelooking for hotel opportunities innew-build and renovation.

“We had a very good last year,although it’s a very difficult marketto work,” said Dave, who is on TheMersey Partnership (TMP) visitoreconomy committee.

“Interestingly, Liverpool hit therecession at the right time.

“Liverpool One, the Arena &Convention Centre were all

complete, offering the city greatopportunities.

“Liverpool is an easy sell far andwide. Our cultural offer with thePhilharmonic Hall, EverymanTheatre and museums, is second tonone outside London.

“What we need is inwardinvestment and we should doeverything in our power to bringgood jobs here.

“I’m ambivalent about the NorthWest Development Agencydisappearing, I actually think TMPis more important.

“What we should ensure is the

city region’s councils, agencies andbodies all sing from the hymn sheetto provide a unified message.

“This is not a downbeat northerncity. The local people and thearchitecture are fantastic.

“All the time we get guests sayingthey’d no idea how good it is.

“But we very much championeducation and the universities.

“Our accommodation appeals tooverseas students and that’s goodfor the local and national economy.

“The public sector cuts will hitthis city hard. We should promoteanything which creates jobs.”

Roomstoletforcelebrityguestsanduniversitygraduates

INTERVIEWBIGPeter Elson talksto top hotelierDave Brewitt whohas moved into thestudent market

‘Wehadaverygoodlastyear,thoughit’sadifficultmarket’

AMBITIOUS: Hotelier anddeveloper Dave Brewitt atLiverpool’s Hope Street HotelPicture: COLIN LANE

Wednesday, February 2, 2011 NEWS 5★★★★

He is married to Amy de Joia,executive director for developmentand communications at NationalMuseums of Liverpool, with whomhe has two teenage sons.

The family have lived for 20 yearsin an historic Gambier Terracetownhouse by Liverpool Cathedral.

Dave said: “I guess it’s not turnedout badly for this Sheffield lad andformer physics teacher, who taughtin the East End at what wasnicknamed ‘the worst school inLondon’, then taught himself aboutproperty restoration from aReaders’ Digest DIY manual.” BOUTIQUE: Hope Street Hotel has attracted some of the biggest names in showbiz

CELEBRITY: Kim Cattrall is among the starswho have stayed at the Hope Street Hotel

NEWS Wednesday, February 2, 20116 ★★★★

BUSINESS

JANUARY traditionally isn’t agreat time to be in therestaurant business. Thelucrative Christmas partyseason is a distant memory

and people are watching thepennies.

However, some of the bravestentrepreneurs tend to berestaurateurs, with Tony Middletonand Soufiane Hadadou being aprime example.

As the UK faces the prospect of adouble-dip recession, they areworking hard to establish one ofLiverpool’s newest eateries – Sofrito– on the map.

The two directors opened theoutlet in September, having alreadybeen operating the brand in Wiganfor several years.

Located in Whitechapel in thecity centre, Sofrito offers aMediterranean menu – and nopizza.

“We made a firm decision aboutthe pizza,” said Tony.

“We didn’t want to be seen as anItalian restaurant becauseLiverpool already has enough ofthose.”

They moved into the site afterbeing told of its availability by alocal landlord.

Tony added: “We did the normalmarketing research. We wanted toestablish whether our brand wouldfit into Liverpool.

“We also looked at the kind ofcustomers we wanted to attract andwhat would set us apart from whatwas already here.”

Despite, along with the rest of therestaurant sector, enduring a toughDecember due to appalling weather,Tony is confident Sofrito will be asuccess story.

He said: “ Trade has been verygood since we opened in September– we have had a great response.

“We did have a lot ofcancellations in December. It wasn’tso much people not being able to gethere, they were worried about notbeing able to get home.

“The first week in January isalways going to be tough but thingspicked up as the month progressed.

“We get passing trade during theday and at teatime but in theevening we tend to be more of adestination restaurant.

“The Playhouse and Royal Courttheatres are all nearby so we tend toget a lot of trade from peopleattending the shows.”

Sofrito does offer special deals

including its “Tuesday Tenner”offer – two courses for £10 – andWednesday Steak Night.

However, Tony says they are verycareful about preserving theintegrity of the brand.

He added: “I think the public hascome to expect deals fromrestaurants.

“However, the thing we wouldwant to avoid is becoming known asa discount brand.

“This business is all aboutmargin management. Controllingcosts and margins without reducingquality is absolutely critical.

“We are getting passing trade,theatre trade and we are buildingup a regular customer base.

“We have a balanced marketingstrategy and I am pretty confidentabout the future.”

Bar and restaurant entrepreneurTim Bacon claims his chain isdefying the gloomy economicclimate with sales up 14%year-on-year during January.

Tim was the founder of the LivingRoom chain which was sold for£28m in June 2007.

Cheshire-based Living Ventures

chain’s principal brands nowinclude the Blackhouse seafood andsteak eateries and theItalian-themed Gusto outlets whichcan be found at Liverpool’s AlbertDock and at Heswall in Wirral.

In November last year LVcompleted the purchase of fiverestaurants owned by high-profilechef Paul Heathcote.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum,included the Olive Press sites inLiverpool, Manchester and CheadleHulme, Grado in Manchester andLondon Road in Alderley Edge.

His intention is to increase thenumber of outlets the companyoperates from 17 to 25.

He said he believed LV’s strategywas the right one despiteuncertainty over the health of theUK economy.

He added: “December was thefirst negative month we had in 15months and I think that was downto the weather.

“In January are sales have beenplus 14% – we have had a fantasticreaction to our January sales.

“We have always offered the salein good times and bad. We don’t

offer blanket discounting butinstead off discounts through ourmembership scheme.

“It is all about rewardingcustomer loyalty.

“Whatever the climate, if peoplebelieve they are getting good valuefor money then they will alwayscome back.

“We recently converted onerestaurant in Alderley Edge and wehave seen sales almost triple to£25,000 a week.

“If you position yourself properlythen people will come.”

“I think the reason a lot ofrestaurants fail is that they don’tunderstand the dynamics of thebusiness. They try to target just onemarket instead of a number ofdifferent ones.

“Blanket discounting is also aproblem. Will people come backwhen you eventually have to endthe discounts?

“We do have a concern about therise in VAT and about food priceinflation.

“If it goes up again this year thenit is possible we may have to take ahit on our margins.”

SUCCESSONAFOCUS. . . on eating out

Tony McDonoughtakes a close look atthe economics ofthe restaurant trade

NO PIZZAS HERE: Tony Middleton says Sofrito’s Mediterranean menu is proving popular Picture: GAVIN TRAFFORD

GARY MANNING andbrother Colin run theLiverpool-based 60 Group,whose restaurants include 60Hope Street, HOST and TheQuarter.

Despite the tougheconomic conditions thebrother have recentlyexpanded The Quarter inFalkner Street, adding anextra 465 sq ft of space.

Gary Manning said therationale behind the movewas what he claimed was thegrowing market for qualitybut affordable dining.

He added: “Some mightsay we are foolish to expandat the moment but we seethis as a growing market.

“People come through

‘Expansionmadesense’

Wednesday, February 2, 2011 NEWS 7★★★★

PLATE?

SALES UP: Offering value for money is key topersuading people to come back, says Tim Bacon

OXFAM has joined forceswith payments group PayPalto ensure that all the moneypeople donate to the charitywill go towards helping agood cause.

For every £1 that isdonated to Oxfam throughPayPal during February, thepayment group will donate19p, meaning it is coveringthe 19% of all donations thatusually go towards theessential running costs of thecharity.

The group will also coverthe running costs of anyregular monthly donationsthat are set up duringFebruary for the first 12months.

The initiativecomes after researchby Oxfam found that thethought that some of theirmoney went towardscovering an organisation’srunning costs was one of thebiggest factors stoppingpeople from giving to charity.

Around 72% of peoplethink charities’ runningcosts eat up a significantproportion of theirdonation, while 65% saidthey had been put offsupporting good causesbecause of this.

Oxfam said out of every £1that was donated to it, 81p

was spent directly on itswork to tackle poverty, while19p went on its runningcosts, such as fundraising,central finance and humanresources.

Cathy Ferrier, Oxfam’sfundraising director, said:“Our running costs areabsolutely essential to allowus to deliver hundreds ofprogrammes in more than 70countries worldwide.

“However, we appreciatethat these costs can be abarrier for some people who

are otherwise completelybehind what Oxfam does.

“Thanks to ourpartnership with PayPal,we’ve achieved a first inremoving this barrier toassure people that 100% oftheir donation will be goingdirectly to helping the poorpeople we work with to havea brighter future.”

● A RECORD 6.9m peoplefiled their tax return onlineby the January deadline, HMRevenue & Customs saidyesterday.

The Revenue said 6,907,410people had submitted an

electronic form bymidnight on Monday,

accounting for 78%of all returns for the

2009/2010 tax year.The figure was 7%

higher than the 6.4mpeople who filed their

tax return online for theprevious tax year.

Around 572,455 peopleleft it until the last day to

submit their form andavoid a £100 fine, makingJanuary 31 the busiest

day of the year for usingthe online system. Thebusiest hour was

between 4pm and 5pm onMonday, when more than49,000 people logged on.

MONEY

quicker at The Quarter andwe get through more covers,so it made sense.”

60 Hope Street opened 12years ago and is nowregarded as one of the city’stop restaurants. However,Gary admits times are toughin the sector.

“January has been quiet,although it is ok – it could bea lot worse. We’re not seeingas many business peoplemeeting up, perhaps.”

He claims being anindependent business, theycan react to changes morequickly than bigger chains.

“I think special offers arehere to stay,” he said. “Thismonth that is the firstquestion people have askedwhen booking, ‘what are youroffers?’.”

“I think you cannot justkeep putting up your prices –you have to trade smart.”

MATTERS with Nicky Burridge,Personal FinanceCorrespondent

CONFIDENT: Colin and Gary Manning

LIVERPOOL WATERSTHE REBIRTH OF A TRULY GLOBAL CITY

THE PEEL TEAM INVITE YOU TO AN OPENPRESENTATION ON LIVERPOOL WATERS

Monday 7th February from 6-9pm

Venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Liverpool (Princes Dock)To be held in the Princes Suite with capacity for 500 people. www.cpliverpool.com

Liverpool Waters needs your support!

Director of Peel, Lindsey Ashworth will be giving the presentation where new artists impressionswill be revealed. The audience will be invited to ask questions and to complete a questionnaireto give their views, all of which will ultimately be given to Liverpool City Council to be considered

as part of the decision making process.

Entrance is free and seats will be taken on a firstcome first served basis (no advanced booking)

and free parking provided on the same basissignposted off William Jessop Way

For any information contact npeck@peel.co.ukwww.liverpoolwaters.co.uk

NEWS Wednesday, February 2, 20118 ★★★★

BUSINESS

LILAISCONFIDENTOFSUITESUCCESS

Chancetoshapefutureofsupportbody

Move shouldtranslate intobright future

WALK ON: The Liverpool FC-themed classroom at Lila’s new city centre teaching complex in North John Street

A LIVERPOOL language schoolhas expanded in a £300,000 move tothe city centre.

Lila, once known as LiverpoolInternational Language Academy,was founded in 2004 byMiddlesbrough sisters LeanneLinacre and Victoria Lee.

It provides English languagelessons for up to 500 overseasstudents a year and Italian,French, Spanish and Turkishlessons for Merseyside students,as well as a translation service forlocal firms.

Next Friday it will celebrate theofficial opening of its new home inNorth John Street’s New BarrattHouse, boasting a suite of 18

classrooms, all with their ownLiverpool theme including tworooms in honour of the city’sfootball clubs.

The “Liverpool experience” isan integral attraction for overseasstudents whose summer visits canboost teaching staff numbers from20 to 40.

Leanne said: “Overseasstudents love everythingLiverpool has to offer and theyoften want to return.

“The students enjoy taking partin our eventful social calendar – itgives them the opportunity tomake friends and to see theMerseyside they may not havediscovered by themselves.

“Bringing overseas visitors toLiverpool adds to the city’scosmopolitan feel as well asadding to Liverpool’s thrivingtourist trade.”

The design of the custom-madeschool took more than a year andinvolved Liverpool interiordesign company Aztec andCrosby-based creative studioEyefever.

Lila said it also consideredfeedback from students to create alearning centre that reflects whatthey want.

Aztec managing director RobMaxwell said: “We feel that Lila

has acquired the ideal location asa hotspot of Liverpool culture,right in the heart of the city for itsinternational students.”

James Scott, managingdirector of Eyefever, added: “Ourvision was to create aninspirational learningenvironment that wassynonymous with the city ofLiverpool.”

The classrooms are eachthemed and include references tolocal poets and famous singers.They also include a “Liver BirdsRoom”, “The Ferry rooms” andthe “Comedy room”.

Lila also provides overseasstudents with a “completeexperience” including a stay witha local host family, which allowsstudents the chance to experiencelife in England first hand.

THE ManufacturingInstitute has welcomedthe Government’srecognition of theindustry’s importance tothe UK.

The Institute, whichoperates a north westarm, works to improvethe image of the sector toattract bright, new talent.

This includes its Make

It in Manufacturingschools programmewhich has so far reachedmore than 60,000 pupilsand their teachersnationwide working withfirms like Halewood carmaker Jaguar Land Rover.

The institute’s chiefexecutive, Dr JulieMadigan, said:“Manufacturing is now

certainly very much anappropriate choice forthose seeking a rewardingand fulfilling workingcareer.”

Meanwhile, theGovernment is calling forinput on how theinstitute’s ManufacturingAdvisory Service can bedeveloped as the sector’sleading support body.

A north west servicehas worked with theregion’s companies since2002.

Observations on howthe service can bestdevelop to continue thatsupport for north westfirms are being invited bythe Department forBusiness, Innovation andSkills.

An open letter aboutthe government’s aimsand more information onthe initiative can beviewed at http://www.mas.bis.gov.uk/news/open-letter-to-manufacturing-stakeholders-on-the-future-of-mas

A response address,MAS@bis.gsi.gov.uk willbe live until February16.

byNEIL HODGSONIndustry Reporter

Business to BusinessCommercial

Premises

Offices To LetAnfield

1450 sq ft (approximately) of officespace in close proximity to the

proposed new stadium at Anfield.For further details or an appointment

to view contact Gail McEvoy on

0151 260 3355

T J THOMAS0151 708 6544

Modern Ind unit, KnowsleyBusiness Pk 2600sqft £13k p.a.www.tjthomas.co.uk

INDUSTRIAL UNITS To Let.South L’pool 500 to 4000 sqft,monthly tenancy, competitiverents. From £50pw Tel: 0151427 5051

L13 Workshop & Yard to let.Var ious uses , a l l u t i l i t i es£100pw 0151 259 2729 or0771 9352556

OFFICES TO LET Self con-tained, Allerton Rd. Full, or partof. Internet ready. Call 07888695136

KNOWSLEY IND EST OFFICEs/c 1st flr, brand new decor£600pcm 07587 130170

STORAGE TO LET 125 sqft£26.56pw 520 sqft £60pw0151 223 0036

KNOWSLEY IND EST UNIT5,000 sqft, £10,000 pa 07813841552

L21, L4 Secure Units/offices fr£40pw 0792O 461551

SHOPS TO LET Very secure,elec shutters 07785 562496

CommercialProperty

TO LET NETHERLEY In-dustrial/Workshop Units 506−1,023 sq ft Rents from £62pwWheathills Ind Estate. WhittleJones 01257 238666

Industrial Property

UNITS TO LET Bootle Area5,000−15,000 sqft. Flexibleterms 0151 486 0004

Business For Sale

HAIR & BEAUTY SALON CityL2. Leasehold. Fixtures, fittings& stock inc, 4 stations, St.Tropez tan booth & crystal clear£45,000 ono 07988 983491

Business For Rent

PRIME SHOP TO LET Bootle.Situated amongst a large officecommuni ty w i th exce l l entp e d e s t r i a n f o o t f a l l . T h epremises enjoy a prominentl o c a t i o n o p p o s i t e t h emagistrates court & job centrep lus . Incent i ves ava i lab le07973 853797

SHOP FOR LEASE OR RENTMain Rd Newsagents/GeneralStore Edge Lane L7. Shop, storeroom, kitchen & wc, rollershutters, very secure. Ready forbusiness £100pw Ring 07747742120

SHOP/FLAT AIGBURTH Busyroad, PP for hot takeaway.Shop £1,000pm, flat £400pm07938 877632

E S T A B L I S H E D C A F EBOOTLE Hawthorne Rd. Callfor details 07814 267775

BusinessOpportunities

WINE BAR/RESTAURANTTO LET Prime Location onAigburth Rd. L17.Newly refurbished and fullystocked. Fantastic InvestmentOpportunity. Ingoing: £15k.Rent: £1500pcm Call: 01519209999/ 07900424441

x2 BARBERS SHOPS TOLET Prime locations in Crosby/W a t e r l o o . E q u i p p e d w i t hbarbers chairs/ Mirrors/ Sta-tions etc. Rent £650pcm Call:0151 920 9999/ 07900 424441

LATE NIGHT OFF LICENCETo let. Prime location, SouthRoad, L22. Requires fit−out.Alcohol trading times 10am−12midnight Call: 0151 9209999/07900424441

SUNBED/BEAUTY SALONFor lease. Pr ime locat ion,Linacre Lane, L20. Ingoing£6500. Rent £500. Call: 01519209999/ 07900424441

Building Trade

FRAMELINETRADE SUPPLY

COMPOSITE DOORSUPVC WINDOWS, DOORS,

CONSERVATORIES.5 Day Turnaround

Tel 0151 546 5577Fax 0151 546 5588ACCREDITED WITHBS7412 & BS7950

KITCHEN & BEDROOMFITTINGS from a hinge to a fullkitchen/bedroom. 3D plans nowavailable. Showroom & TradeCounter at 3 Rockley Street,Kirkdale, L4 0151−207 0008.www.brosna.co.uk

TILE TRADE big discounts forregulars, 10ltr adhesive £6.99Homeright/ Proti le (BehindTaskers Aintree) 286 8286

Agriculture

BORDER COLLIE Puppies£100, also beautiful poodle XB i c h o n £ 3 2 5 , T e l 0 1 6 7 8540563 or 07773 334383

Taxis/Cab & Plate

AVON FLEET CARS LTDquality cars available in ex-cellent condition £165pw inc in-surance. 05 − 07 plates. 07943754640

DAVY LIVER TAXIS Requiremore full/part time private hireowner drivers. Company carsstill available Call Alan 0151708 7080 or 07795 417333

NEW E7 Liverpool cab & plate£270pw, 8K dep. Call Taxifixfor details. 0151 482 5101.Business users only

PRIVATE HIRE Drivers req’d,busy system, cheap weekly in-surance 0151 260 1010

BLUE LINE TAXISNew driverswanted urgently. Earn £500 −£800pw. Tel 0151 709 0101

NIGHT COLLAR Gateacre c/o.5 n i g h t s £ 1 0 0 p w 0 7 8 0 1564776 or 0151 428 1735

TX4 AUTO 08 Night Collar, c/oTuebrook 07885 090751

DAY COLLAR W TX1, c/o L4/L5/L6 07865 974716

CITY TXI days & c/o nights L13& L/C 077151 72487

NIGHT COLLAR c/o GreenLane L13. 07957 636549

CITY NIGHT COLLAR TX1, C/O Bootle 07811 004379

X REG CAB & PLATE PassedSeptember. 07957 636549