Business Development |

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Chamber of Commerce can observe the repercussions even minor changes can have on local businesses both large and small. Sometimes it can be something as apparently simple as car parking or public transport. Or it could be something as fundamental as change to employment laws or tax regimes. 
Maresa Molloy, Liverpool ChamberÕs Head of Policy and Information explains:ÒThe Chamber is concerned with the economic growth and development of the local economy; concerned not just about what is happening today but how business will be affected in the future. For example, Liverpool ChamberÕs ÔPlanning for the Future ForumÕ, operated with Merseytravel, seeks to identify with some of the cityÕs key businesses what the transport requirements will be from 2011 onwards.Ó 
Taking LiverpoolÕs needs to Westminster 
Liverpool Chamber also produces the Greater Merseyside Quarterly Economic Survey. This is one of the largest business surveys in the region, providing an accurate picture of local business performance. Results are used by organisations such as the Bank of England in determining the UKÕs economic performance. 
Recently the Chamber took a delegation of local businesses to Westminster to meet with Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer. Molloy explained:ÒWe have identified a number of specific requests of government, among them: reinstate empty property rate relief, cut interest rates and abolish the backdating of business rates for port property.Ó 

Liverpool Tenders 

To ensure that companies get maximum access to tender opportunities, Liverpool Chamber launched Liverpooltenders.com. This is an online tender alert service that provides registered companies with information about live tenders. This award-winning service ensures that companies donÕt have to hunt for relevant tender opportunities. Major public and private sector partners are involved, including the London Olympics and some European tendering opportunities. 
The service is backed up with a comprehensive training and information programme, alongside support to enable smaller companies to successfully enter the tendering process. George Barr, MD of East Quay Engineering, said:ÒThe knowledge we gained from the course enabled us to fully realise the potential of our existing, highly skilled workforce. We are now in a great position to tender for new contracts.Ó 


Tel. 0151 227 1234 www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk 



CASE STUDY 

After a 70-year absence, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will operate services out of Liverpool John Lennon Airport from 2009. KLMÕs decision to reintroduce services from Liverpool follows support and lobbying by Liverpool Chamber. The Chamber played an integral role in meeting KLM executives, making the business case for the city and supporting the airport - a business that brings an estimated value of £200m to the local economy. Neil Pakey, deputy CEO of Peel Airports Group, pointed 


out the benefits of the new routes for the NorthwestÕs business community: ÒKLMÕs flights will make doing business in Liverpool with international markets much more straight forward and attractive. And for people looking to experience new destinations and cultures, across Asia, Africa or the Americas, then KLMÕs offer at John Lennon Airport will deliver this for Liverpool for the first time.Ó