Welcome to the latest issue of the 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, our regular news round up, information and advice from leading legal firm DWF LLP and accountancy company Moore & Smalley. There are details of our final event of 2007, and we have Frank McKenna’s take on the vision thing! Read on and enjoy…

Preston has real potential to grow in to a city capable of competing with the major UK cities and our European counterparts. It is clear the business community is frustrated by how 10 years on from the initial plans for Tithebarn and five years since achieving city status we are... READ MORE

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

‘I’ll sort out Preston North End’ was the bold statement from new manager, Alan Irvine. The former Everton assistant manager has made the journey down the A59 to hopefully steer North End away from their current position in the relegation zone. Irvine is well-known to DPIB Chairman and ardent Everton fan, Frank McKenna having spent five and half years at Goodison Park with former PNE boss David Moyes. We wish Alan Irvine well in his first managerial post and hope he can bring success to North End. It would be fantastic for the city to have a Premiership team.

Regenerating our towns and cities right across Lancashire is vital to our renaissance and economic development that will make us competitive in the 21st Century. In East Lancashire there are ambitious plans starting with an image transformation as they re-launch as Pennine Lancashire. NWDA Chief Executive, Steve Broomhead, has said ‘Regeneraton champion and entrepreneur Tony Wilson had an ambitious vision for East Lancashire. In June 2005 his company...released their proposals to radically transform the area”

“Pennine Lancashire can boast unique strengths and opportunities and the NWDA has been working very hard with partners to help re-invent the area. The agency has and will continue to invest strongly in Pennine Lancashire. Partnerships between the public, private, voluntary and faith sectors are now rich and empowering.

There is a real commitment to making the dream of Pennine Lancashire become a reality by building on the heritage and cultural strengths of the area.

Once the home to thousands of cotton workers Weavers Triangle is the iconic development at the heart of Burnley’s renaissance and is integral to the Pennine Lancashire rebrand. The plans show a ‘fashion tower’ where the regions fashion designers and students can work and learn. These state of the art facilities will be complemented by high quality entertainment and shopping offer. Designed by Ralph Ardill it is hoped his new project will replicate the success the architect achieved in designing Dublin’s number one visitor attraction, the Guinness Storehouse. There is no question the Weave will ensure Burnley and Pennine Lancashire are on the iconic building map.

Only a couple of weeks remain to get your nomination in for the 2008 Biba’s. If you think your business should be recognised in one of the 18 award categories then you have until 11 December get your application in to the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce. The awards recognise corporate and individual achievements from across the county over the past 12 months. On March 7 2008 we will find out who the awards winners are at the Biba awards dinner to be held at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool. Good luck to anyone applying, and we hope to see you at the awards dinner.

Central Lancashire is experiencing falling unemployment rates, according to the most recent government figures. On the face of it this is good news for the local economy. However, when we scratch the surface we find a much more complicated situation. The drop in benefits claimants in Central Lancashire was below the national average for the past year. Availability of suitably skilled workers has been a major challenge for employers who have turned to migrant workers to fill the jobs. At DPIB we will lobbying public agencies to review how they work to tackle the skills gap to ensure that Preston and Lancashire can maximise their potential for economic growth.

Removing a senior executive from the role can prove costly, says Jon Keeble, employment partner at law firm DWF in Preston. CLICK HERE

Alistair Darling revealed changes to the capital gains tax regime in his Pre-Budget Report, which will dramatically affect investment strategies for many families and individuals. CLICK HERE

Enterprise Ventures is a leading provider of private equity to high growth unquoted companies throughout the North of England and the Midlands.

Enterprise Ventures heritage dates back to 1982, but following a management buyout in 2002, in many ways EV is a new business with a new focus and with a new Board of Directors, Executive Management team, offices and management systems. They manage a range of funds and seek to invest in deal sizes of £5,000 to £2,000,000 using a combination of liquidity and syndication with other private equity and debt providers. Enterprise Ventures seek to invest at all stages of investment; particularly MBOs, development capital and high growth early stage technology opportunities. We will even consider high quality start-ups with genuine commercial prospects. CLICK HERE to read more.

‘Tis the season to be jolly, if you are in a jolly mood then please join the DPIB team for a Christmas drink at The Forum on Monday 17 December from 5pm. Please REGISTER if you will be attending.

We look forward to seeing you at our various events in 2008. We have an exciting events calendar organised and we will be introducing the new Downtown Debate. If you want to be involved then have a look at becoming a member of DPIB.

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