★★★★

BUSINESS SurviveStart

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RACEONTOFUNDSIROLLIPROJECTSMOVES have begun to a clinch fundinglifeline for Liverpool’s three Sirolliprojects.

They centre on establishing aCommunity Development FinanceInstitute (CDFI) to attract investmentfor entrepreneurs of the future.

Acclaimed Italian business guru DrErnesto Sirolli set up three projects inLiverpool in 2006.

The Sirolli model encouragescommunities to shape their own futureby pooling resources to help create new

businesses that contribute to the area’sregeneration as they grow. Eachinstitute is spearheaded by a facilitatoraided by a board of local people.

Enable North covers northLiverpool, Dream High focuses on theeast of the city and Waves looks after

central and south Liverpool. But theirfunding runs out with the ending ofStepclever next March.

So Enable North chairman MarkRea, 29, has suggested a CDFI to attractnew investment.

He explained: “CDFIs have beenaround since 1999 but because of theObjective One money Liverpool hasnever needed one before.”

CDFIs attract communityinvestment tax relief, so an investorgiving £1,000 for five years would get 5%tax relief over the period and theirmoney back.

Mark said: “We’re hoping to be ableto add a little bit more as a bonus toinvolve more people, so low earnerscould consider it as an investment.”

He said the proposal is just at the“baby steps” stage and is more of aproving concept, but he wants toinvolve organisations like LiverpoolVision, the council, the chamber ofcommerce and the Federation of SmallBusinesses: “We want to work inpartnership with these people. We needto grasp this with both hands and do itproperly.”

CDFI’s can provide funds from £500to £50,000 for start-up businesses,overseen by the current communitypanels that assess business risk.

The proposals could move closer toreality at the Community DevelopmentFinance Association’s annualconference being held in Liverpool’sCrowne Plaza Hotel this September.

Investormodelcould replaceStepclever cash

FirmshitbycopperthievesMORE than half ofLiverpool’s plumbershave been hit by recentthefts of copper piping, ithas been claimed.

Plumbing specialistUponor polled the city’stradesmen and said 52%had reported that theyhad suffered at the handsof copper thieves, orknew a friend in theprofession who had.

Thefts can amount tohundreds of poundsworth of copper piping.

Uponor’s managingdirector Peter Robertssaid: “The issue ofcopper theft is a veryreal one. A length ofcopper on a worksite willbe appealing to thieves inthe area.”

His comments follow anumber of high-profilestories of copper theftswith Network Railrevealing a loss of £35min the past five years. VALUABLE RESOURCE: Liverpool plumbers have suffered at the hands of thieves in a recent spate of copper thefts

● FUSION21, theHuyton-based

procurement body thatenables member housingassociations to cut costson maintenance andworks projects throughits combined purchasingpower, is holding a free“meet the buyers”seminar at its Link Roadbase on July 22 for anyfirms interested injoining its supplierframeworks. Fusion21says it has so far helpedto deliver more than£45m of efficiencysavings and createdabout 750 jobs in itsclients’ communities.Phone 0151- 481 3000 oremail sarah.whelan@fusion21.co.uk for detailsof the event.

● A LIVERPOOL firmhas been hailed by

the Costa Coffee chainfor its quality of servicefor the second yearrunning. FranchiseeOptimum Coffee pickedup the Costa CheckChampions prize inLondon and AlanRawling, who manages12 Costa outlets inMerseyside, said: “This isa fantastic achievementfor all our staff. Ourlatest branch on SouthRoad, Waterloo, isalready proving to beanother popular hit withour customers.”

● ELLESMERE Port-based E&P Painting

Contractors hastriumphed for the secondyear running in a keyindustry awards event.The Rossmore IndustrialEstate firm claimed theIndustrial category inthe Painting andDecorating Association’sannual awards for itswork at Ferrybridgepower station in WestYorkshire. It was alsocommended in thedecorative category.

● SCANTECPersonnel, the

Birkenhead-basedtechnical andengineering recruitmentspecialist, has appointedtwo new accountmanagers in ShereeseDoyle and Chris Stanley,and promoted LeanneStewart, who joined thecompany more than 10years ago, to the role ofpayroll supervisor.

EXCLUSIVEByNEIL HODGSONIndustry Reporter

NEWS Wednesday, July 6, 20112 ★★★★

Omarfindsshopfloorexperienceserveshisambitions

BUSINESSSMALL

of the Week

Neil Hodgson hearshow Omar Elmi swappeduniversity for retail success

NAME ANDSHAME LATEPAYERS,URGES FPBTHE Forum of PrivateBusiness (FPB) iscalling on all smallersuppliers toanonymously “nameand shame” latepaying companies.

It says manysuppliers fear thatspeaking outindividually will lead toreprisals and costthem business.

But it says its LatePayment Hall ofShame provides a wayfor them to identifylate payers, yet stillprotect theiridentities.

The call follows thelatest Business,Enterprise and SkillsCommittee hearinginto moves to protectsuppliers of largesupermarket chains.

Jane Bennett, FPBhead of campaigns,said: “We are urgingall small suppliers whohave suffered to comeforward and provideus with evidence thatthey have beensqueezed, and we canabsolutely guaranteetheir anonymity.

“Late paymentdestroys companies,yet it is often seen asnormal practice by bigsupermarkets andother companies,which believe it isacceptable to createlines of credit at theexpense of theirsmaller suppliers. Wecertainly do not.

“We are committedto helping small firmsand the economy as awhole by building amomentum forchange, and thatmeans shedding lighton the epidemic oflate payment in theUK.”

TOP HONOURFOR GARETHGARETH WILLIAMS,an apprentice joinerwith Speke-basedBramall Construction,is celebrating a topindustry honour.

He was namedApprentice of the Yearat the UK ContractorsGroup awardsceremony in Londonfor his outstandingwork on a new-buildhousing project inRainhill.

Gareth, 23, fromWarrington, hasachieved distinctionsin his NVQ Level 2and 3 exams atWarrington College.

BUSINESS

HAVE you got any of thoselittle loaves that you hadin yesterday,” enquiredthe elderly shopper, witha hint of hope in his

voice, but probably alreadyanticipating the worst.

“No,” replied the assistant. “Sorry,we sold out.”

Then he added: “But, how many doyou want? If you can hang on we canmake some more.”

This was customer service – withbells on.

And it is just part of the offer thatmakes Omar’s Continental Store inToxteth the successful communityresource he has developed sincestepping behind a counter almost 13years ago.

Situated on the junction of UpperStanhope Street and Berkley Street inthe shadow of the Rialto centre whichwas developed on the site of theformer Rialto ballroom destroyed inthe Toxteth riots 30 years ago, Omar’sboasts its own in-store bakery as wellas a delicatessen and a specialist halalmeats counter overseen by 31-year-oldowner Omar Elmi.

But things could have been so muchdifferent for Granby Street-born Omarhad his father, Adam, and eldestbrother, Abdi, not decided to start uptheir small fruit and veg retailbusiness in Berkley Street in 1998.

Omar had studied mechanics andwas planning to go to university tostudy business for a BusinessInformation Technology degree.

He explained: “The family set thisup but didn’t have anyone to run it, soI came in.”

He was willing to lend a hand on atemporary basis before heading off touniversity, but he admitted that oncehe got behind the counter he was welland truly bitten by the retail bug andhe got a taste for the business.

“To start with, I was just working onthe till and on the floor.”

But after three months running thesmall store he realised that he wantedto make a go of it so he bought out hisfather and brother and took over theventure in his own right.

By September 1998 he had movedthe shop the short distance to itscurrent location and, he says, has beenserving the community for almost 13years.

Once in full control of the shop hebegan to diversify and develop hisstore into the cosmopolitan operationit has become today.

He studied and honed his skills as ahalal butcher, establishing his MakkahHalal butchers in the rear of the storethat provides halal meats and poultry.

Omar said: “I get the finest meat

from north Wales and we do all thecontinental goods as well, like herbs,spices, rice and fish.

“We stock a whole range of olive oiland olives for different types ofcooking and we have Mediterraneaningredients as well as West Indian,Caribbean and African.”

He remarked on Raggas, theCaribbean-style restaurant inSmithdown Road and now Lark Lanewhich featured as the ECHO’s smallbusiness of the week three weeks ago,

saying: “We do all the ingredients thatsomewhere like Raggas would beusing in their menus.”

He said: “Halal meat is our biggestseller and separates us from otherretailers.

“There is a lot of preparation workfor halal meats, but we are very strongon hygiene and wrapping.

“It takes time and effort, but, likethey say, people buy with their eyes, sothe preparation is everything.”

And, completely oblivious of the

earlier exchange between thecustomer and his assistant, added:“Customer service is also a big factor.”

The two USPs have served toestablish Omar’s as a successfulToxteth trader.

He revealed: “When we started in1998 we probably carried about £2,000of stock. Today we carry about£15,000-worth.”

Turnover has reached about£300,000 and is growing, which givesOmar the confidence to plan for thefuture, with more stores on thehorizon.

“Our aim in the next 13 months is toopen a Halal superstore in this area.

“We have two or three locations inmind at the moment and we are justsorting out the small details.”

Regeneration agency LiverpoolVision is advising Omar on hisbusiness plans

Open seven days a week, he believes

FSBcallsongovernmenttoassist its ‘heropreneurs’A SMALL business lobbygroup has called on thegovernment to do more to helpex-services personnel tobecome self-employed.

The Federation of SmallBusinesses (FSB) says it willalso strengthen the recovery,in a joint report with militarycharity Heropreneurs.

With 2.5m people currently

unemployed and 75,000 peopleset to leave the Armed Forcesin the next two years, the FSBand Heropreneurs say thegovernment must work withthe region’s businesscommunity to ensure itsresettlement programme is fitfor purpose and to ensure thatall service leavers are givenadequate help to find a job

or to set up their ownbusiness.

The report makes a series ofrecommendations, such assetting up a DischargeCommission to co-ordinateopportunities; ensure supportis tailored to the individualand not a “one-size-fits-all”approach; help service leaversto translate military

experience and qualificationsinto a format that futureemployers or business backersunderstand; and create anentrepreneurial culturewithin the forces from cadetstage so that starting up abusiness is seen as a viableoption.

Merseyside FSBdevelopment manager Neil

Dutton, said: “Merseyside andCheshire has long been apopular recruiting ground forthe Armed Forces. It is vitalthat the similar energy isgiven to those leaving theservices.

“It is more important thanever that people are given theskills and the opportunity tostart their own businesses.”

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 NEWS 3★★★★

TACKLINGDEBT-DRIVENSUICIDESLIVERPOOL coronerAndré Rebello issupporting a campaignto address mentalhealth issues causedby unmanageable debtwhich could lead tosuicide.

Debt recoveryprofessionals,accountants,academics andpoliticians are involvedin the nationwidecampaign Camiad –the Campaign forawareness of mentalillness among debtors– which is beingspearheaded in theNorth west by IanWilliamson, aninsolvency practitionerand partner withCampbell, Crossleyand Davis, who hasoffices in Northwichand Blackpool.

He is working withhealth professionals todevelop a bespokemental health “firstaid” course that willbe rolled out inCheshire this summerand will provide atemplate for the restof the UK.

He is concernedpeople who haveface-to-face contactwith clients do nothave the skills torecognise the “cuesand clues” that couldbe driving people tosuicide because ofdebt.

André Rebello saidthat, while there wereno national statisticskept by coronersindicating why peoplecommitted suicide, hebelieves that there ispowerful “anecdotalevidence” that debtwas a major factor.

HOMEGROWN SUCCESS: OmarElmi runs Omar’s Continental Store inToxteth. The popular store is near thesite of the Rialto dance hall which wasdestroyed in the riots of July 1981,right Picture: JAMES MALONEY

FAMILY VENTURE: Omar honedhis skills as a halal butcher

in optimising his resourcesand says demand warrantshis ambitious expansionplans: “People come to usfrom as far away as northWales and Cheshire.”

And he says providing hegets it right for Liverpoolthere’s no reason why hecouldn’t expect to replicate themodel further afield: “If we could gettwo strong superstores in Liverpool wecould then look at Manchester andlook at having a superstore there.

“It is getting the first one off theground, though.

“We have done the business planand we are identifying properties now.Liverpool Vision are helping guide usin the right direction.”

And despite the parlous economicsituation and a dearth of bankingfinance he reckons his expansionstrategy would impress even the mostcautious of bank managers.

“I believe the way the business isgoing at the moment, and with thebusiness plan, I would hope for apositive feedback from the banks.”

He has no regrets about missing outon university: “This has been a big eyeopener for me. People go to university,but the way the economy is going, Icould have gone to university and beenout of a job now.”

He said his family are happy for hissuccess, but added: “In another way,they’re probably thinking they shouldhave stayed in the business.

“But it is all down to hard work anddetermination.”

Do you wantto be our Business

of the Week?Contact Neil

Hodgson 0151 4722451 or emailneil.hodgson

@liverpool.com

SEFTON PLANSOUTLINEDSEFTON firms canlearn about newinvestments plannedfor the borough nextTuesday at a freeevent at Atlantic Park.

Sefton EconomicForum will hear apresentation fromRoyal London AssetManagement, thedeveloper behind thebusiness park schemein Netherton, andcouncil chief executiveMargaret Carney willoutline Sefton's draftcore strategy whichwill shape housing,services andinvestment until 2028.

To book to attendthe 11.30am event,visit www.businessplussefton.com or call0151 934 3470.

YEARSLATER

3300TOXTETHTOXTETH

NEWS Wednesday, July 6, 20114 ★★★★

BUSINESS

VEGASTRIPAWINNER

USgamblepaysoff forLinkBeauty

TAN-TASTIC: Link Beauty boss Alan Foster with some of the Tantowel products

WIRRAL firm Link Beauty isglowing with pride afterclinching UK and Irelandrights to a tanning treatment.

The Thurstaston operationis run by Alan Foster, whoworked for US-based Tantoweleight years ago until it pulledout of the UK over patentissues.

He stayed in the industry,but this January travelled toTantowel’s Las Vegas HQ withthe aim of persuading it toconsider a return to the UK.

He not only won thatargument, but he came backwith the UK and Ireland rightsand has also struck supplydeals with TV shoppingchannel QVC’s operations in

Italy and Germany. Self-tanning treatment Tantowel isapplied by towel, cream orspray and contains a chemicalthat produces a natural glowon contact with skin over fourhours, lasting up to sevenweeks.

It is one of the largestselling self-tans in America,shifting more than 60mtreatments.

Alan has already struck adeal with high street chainSuperdrug that will seeTantowel on its shelves within

weeks, and the product hasbeen accepted by Tesco andTop Shop to be stocked bythem from early next year.

Stocks are currentlyhandled on a “pick and pack”basis by a Birkenheadwarehouse, but Alan said oncethe big orders begin to roll inhe will set up his ownoperation that will generatesales and warehousing jobs.

He said: “It has taken a lot offootwork and travelling goingto see buyers and retailers.

“But it will explode once ahigh street brand likeSuperdrug gets hold of it.

“In this business, all theother retailers watch eachother and when one gets itthey all want it.

“There’s only a couple ofcompanies doing anythingsimilar, but not the full rangethat Tantowel does.”

byNEIL HODGSONIndustry Reporter

SOCIAL ENTERPRISEwith Jo McGrath,chair of the SocialEnterpriseNetwork

LIVERPOOL'S HopeStreet plays host tomyriad businesses,from internationallyrecognisedperforming artsvenues to award-winning restaurants,but what you mightnot realise is that itis also home to one ofthe country's leadingsocial enterprises.

Nestled in animpressive Grade IIlisted building, youcan find BlackburneHouse using businessmeans to bring aboutpositive social ends.

Initiallyestablished in 1983 asthe Women'sTechnology and

Education Centre(WTEC), it began lifeas a centre forunemployed and low-paid women, offeringtraining andeducation, especiallyin unconventionalsectors such aselectronics, IT andconstruction areas ofthe economy thatcommonly seewomen significantlyunder-represented.

After realising thatsocial enterprisecould be used as ameans of funding andsupporting thisvaluable work withvulnerable andexcluded women,Claire Dove, founder

of WTEC, pushed forintensivedevelopment andgrowth. BlackburneHouse now runs anumber ofbusinesses on siteincluding a bistro,conference centre,health spa, webdesign company(Brava Design) and anursery. Profits fromthese businesses arethen reinvested infurther training anddevelopmentopportunities forlocal women. And itworks! Today, theneeds of womenremain at the core ofeverything thatBlackburne House

does. It remains atraining-ledorganisation thatdelivers a range ofmore than 50courses.

By utilising theentrepreneurial flairand penchant forradical innovation ofthe many differentbusinesses within,Blackburne Househas been able tobreak free from theshackles of fundingand charitabledonations and usethe power of businessto deliver trulyinspirational resultsfor the women ofLiverpool andbeyond.

Business to BusinessECHOCommercial Premises

Eddisonseddisons.com/property

FOR SALE On the instructions of the Joint LPA Receivers

Industrial Workshop Unit

Contact orJohn Shaw James Cole 0161 831 1690

Unit 10Box Works,Heysham Road,Bootle, L30 6UR299 m² (3,217 sq ft)

Good transport links to M57and M58

Established industrial location

AuctionSALEMajor 2 day

Eddisons

Manchester - Wednesday 20 JulyLeeds -Thursday 21 July

162 LOTS including:

Visitfor the online catalogue

eddisons.com/auctions

0845 505 1200

Various Retail, Industrial, Residential Development and landlots on behalf of private clients, LPA Receivers, liquidatorsand administrators including:

Residential properties from £10,000 throughout the Northof England

41 Claude Road, Liverpool, L6 0BT.Industrial investment. Rent £7,800pa.Guide Price £45,000 plus.16 Apartments at Baltic Square,Shaws Alley, Liverpool, L1 8DG. 16 modern tenantedcity centre apartments. Rental income £85-100,000pa.Guide Price £500,000 plus.

NNEEWW LLEEAASSEEFLEXIBLETERMS/

RENT FREE

SHOP TO LETPRESCOT ROAD, LIVERPOOL

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

TO LET Nursery, 3,600sqft. Upto 80 child capacity. Next toBelle Vale Shopping Centre, JobCentre, Police & Fire Station. Fronly £500pw. Cal l 07949689802

3 STOREY OFFICEBUILDING TO LET CrosbyRoad North, L22. 11 OfficesA p p r o x 2 5 0 0 s q f t R e n t£1500pcm Call 0151 9209999 or 07900 424441

BURTON BELL L17 RetailShop with storerooms with flatover. Large yard & warehouse,freehold, vacant £385,000. Tel:0151 427 9653

OFFICES TO LET Next toBellevale Shopping Centre.Singles from £30pw, inc CarParking. Call 07949 689802

2 LARGE RETAIL SHOPSBusy location, elec shutters,Rice Lane & Tuebrook. From£400pcm 07767 888808

PRESCOT SHOPS/OFFICES 1large £400pcm, & 1 small£200pcm. 2 months free rentTel: 07710 815649

L20 SHOP Full take−awayp lann ing . Grea t loca t i on .£100pw. Tel 07710 498311

COMMERCIAL UNIT/WORK-SHOP Rainhill to let £65pw,£750sq ft 0161 980 1912

UNITS TO LET 5,000−15,000sqft. Initial Rent free period.0151 486 0004

S H O P S T O L E T S p e k e -Liverpool, excellent deals. CallMichael. 07538 279150

WELLINGTON RD L15 Varietyof Industrial units available now0151 227 2875

PENNY LANE Small office tolet. £60pw. 07836 369919

CAFE FOR SALE Est 40 yrs,by T J Hughes London Rd. Seats40, fu l ly equipped. Offersinvited 07511 218725

NORTH WEST base HygieneSupply company for sale, suit 2person team, specializing incare homes and schools, lots ofpotential, great opportunity.Call 07887 755882 for details.

Business For Sale

Commercial Property

FOR SALEWarehouse & Storage Land

Contact Rory Dillon or David Murrayrory.dillon@sandersonweatherall.com

0161 259 7000sandersonweatherall.com

Everite Road, Widnes, WA8 8PT

On the instructions of Dermot Power and Tracey Pye of BDO

• GIA 2,113.70 sq m (22,752 sq ft)• Site Area 1.77 hectares (4.38 acres)• £950,000 (subject to contract)• Large Secure Surfaced Yard• Suitable for Waste Management/Scrap or Haulage Yard/Open Storage uses• Suitable for sub-division

Business For Rent

HOT TAKEAWAY FOODSHOPAigburth Rd. Shop has Councilpermiss ion. Needs refurb.07938 877632

Accountancy /Bookkeeping

ACCOUNTS & TAX. Problemsw i t h H M R C ? A c c o u n t s &returns late? For help anda d v i c e f r o m e x p e r i e n c e dchartered accountants cal lBarry or Gavin on Tel: 0151493 9700.

Loans / Finance /Mortgage

CASH LOANS Secured againstyour car. Loans for any purpose.0 1 5 1 2 2 0 4 4 8 8www.mobilemoney.co.uk

Industrial Property

INDUSTRIAL UNIT/YARD TOLET Strand Road, Bootle L20.Approx 3,000 sq ft unit withlarge yard. Rent £1000pcm.Call 0151 920 9999 or07900 424441

BusinessOpportunities

TANNING AND BEAUTYSALON LEASE FOR SALEGreat Georges Road, Waterloo,L22. Includes: Sunbeds, Salonsequipment. Ingoing: £5,000Rent: £500pcm. Call 0151 9209999 or 07900 424441

FORMER HAIRDRESSERSTO LET Prime location, SouthRd, L22, No Business Rates*For all details Call 0151 9209999 or 07900 424441

Taxis/Cab & Plate

NEW E7 & Lpool Plate 6seater, Lpool spec, a/c, good onfuel, £58,995, other used C&Psavailable. Finance available withdeposit. Trade cabs to clear.TX1 £1250, TX11 £2750.Taxifix 0151 482 5101.

SEFTON PRIVATE HIREavailable Focus Estates, fullgarage facilities including sparecars. £160pw fully inclusive.Established 15 years. Over 25’sonly. 0151 526 0470

CITY LONG COLLAR TX1 vgc,£270pw. New badge holders,any age. 07701 017910

KNOWSLEY CAB & PLATEfor sale finance arranged. 0151298 3450

WIRRAL CAB & PLATE forsale finance arranged. 0151298 3450

KNOWSLEY LONG COLLARSAvailable, Peugeot E7 & TX1.07788 755570

LONG COLLAR TX1 Dave07757591836

LONG COLLAR TX1 £260. T:07775 777 900

DAY COLLAR REQUIRED 51Plate TX1 07400 372323

DAY COLLAR with c/o alsolong collar. 07957 636549

CITY CAB & PLATE FORSALE 07500 444600

CITY CAB Long Collar 07809464860

CITY DAYS/NIGHT/LONGCOLLAR 07789 884399

LONG COLLAR 02 Plate07873 200893

TX1 CITY DAYS/ NIGHTS L/COLLAR 07715 172487

BOTANIC CARS Requiresowner drivers 0151 220 2020

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

BUSINESSTOBUSINESS

0151 472 2746