★★★★

BUSINESS SurviveStart

ThriveECH

O

Golfbossteesupanexpansiondrive

LittleThingsmakesabigdifferencePAGES2&3 PAGES4&5

WAVESBIDDINGTOMAKEBIGSPLASHA NEW nationwide support agency forsmall firms has been launched inLiverpool.

Waves Enterprise will offer businessadvice and training programmes tofirms of all sizes and stages ofdevelopment.

It is an extension of the Waves‘Sirolli’ model which created threeprojects across the city in 2007.

Each project funded a businessadvisor, backed by a panel of volunteers

comprising local residents andbusinesses in the area who providedfree advice and support for new firms,through their advisor.

Waves will continue to offer free helpfor firms in central and south

Liverpool, but profits from WavesEnterprise – which is supported by thecity’s economic development companyLiverpool Vision – will help fund Waves’free services for local firms.

David Wiles, chair of Waves and chiefexecutive of Waves Enterprise, said:“There is little doubt that the futuresuccess of our economy will depend onthe success of our small and mediumsized enterprises.

“High quality business support isvital in these times of reduced publicspending.

“We believe we offer supportsolutions that are affordable, effectiveand of real benefit to business.”

He said Waves Enterprise is therealisation of a long-held vision for theteam of business owners andconsultants who have worked withWaves since 2007: “Our first weeks ofoperation have seen our first clientsthrough the doors and they are alreadybeginning to see results.”

Mike Taylor, deputy chief executiveof Liverpool Vision, said: “WavesEnterprise has responded to areduction in public funding bydeveloping a whole range of low costservices businesses will want and canafford, helping to unlockentrepreneurial talent and building onthe city’s growing business success.”

Agency launchesnational servicefor small firms

Enterprisesuccess isSimplistixPUPILS from CarmelCollege in St Helens willrepresent Merseyside inthe next stage of theYoung Enterpriseprogramme inManchester next month.

Their Simplistix teamtriumphed at the recentheat in Liverpool HopeUniversity’s Eden Centrewith ideas for Christmasgifts, a five-a-side footballtournament and theirown version of ‘BlindDate’.

ENTERPRISING: Thewinning Simplistix team

● A 60 Really UsefulMinutes

presentation on how theprinciples of riskmanagement as adecision-making toolmay be appliedthroughout businessoperations will takeplace this Friday, May 27,at Liverpool Chamber ofCommerce in Old HallStreet, from 9-10am. Bookat Liverpoolchamber.org.uk

● A FREE one-daycourse on the

Equality Act is beingoffered by MerseyAdvice, at 4 St AnneStreet, Birkenhead, onFriday, June 3, between10am and 4pm, dealingwith the largest changein discriminationlegislation in the UK. Tobook a place contactmerseyadvice@btconnect.com or phone0151-666 1999.

● MARTYN Best,co-founder of

Liverpool PR agencyPaver Smith andmanaging director ofDocument Direct hasbeen appointed aspresident of theLiverpool Society ofChartered Accountants,one of the four foundingsocieties and the oldestof the Institute ofChartered Accountantsin England and Wales.

● BUDGET hotelsoperator

Travelodge will create 15jobs with the opening ofits first hotel in NewBrighton this June. The66-room hotel is locatedon the seafront, less thana mile from the town’strain station. Arecruitment drive for theWallasey New BrightonTravelodge has begun,aided by local Job Centreoffices.

byNEIL HODGSONIndustry Reporter

LiverpoolCommercialDistrictBIDBallot29thApril–27thMay. VOTEYESFOR

ASAFERCOMMERCIALDISTRICT.

Yourdistrict.Yoursay.www.liverpoolcdp.com/BIDVOTE

YES avibrant business location attheheartof Liverpool

NEWS Wednesday, May 25, 20112 ★★★★

Children’snursery ismakingabignoise

BUSINESSSMALL

of the Week

Alex Turner finds outabout the It’s The LittleThings nursery, in Maghull

INDUSTRYBODY VOWSTO DELIVERASSISTANCEA SUPPORT agencyfor north westmanufacturers hashelped them achievefinancial returns of£1.1bn and safeguard10,306 jobs since 2002,figures show.

The ManufacturingAdvisory Service(MAS) North West,which is delivered bythe ManufacturingInstitute, unveiled thefindings in its annualreport.

MAS operates aproactive policy ofengagement, listeningto manufacturers todevelop initiatives, andpractical assistance.

And it revealed thatafter consultingalmost 700 north westfirms, financingproblems and cashflow remain the topconcern amongalmost 13.4% ofcompanies.

The second biggestconcern, at 8.8%, isexpansion and growth,with energy andmaterial costs (7.6%)narrowly ahead ofcompetition, lack ofsales and developingnew products (6.5%).

Adam Buckley,MAS-NW head ofprogrammes, said: “Itis very interesting tosee that cash flow andobtaining financecontinue to cause thesame level of anxietythey were during 2010.

“MAS-NW willcontinue its proactivestance by helpinggreat manufacturersbecome even better inwhat is the largestEnglish manufacturingregion.”

Call 0800 458 9585or visit www.mas-nw.co.uk

AWARD SUCCESSFOR PLASTERERA HUYTONplastering firm hasbeen named NorthWest Subcontractorof the Year byKeepmoat Homes.

MerseysidePlastering was set upfive years ago by JeffMurphy and MichaelRedfern and provideswork for 55 staff.

At the presentationin Speke’s CrownePlaza Hotel Keepmoatregional chief DavidWroe thanked 60small firm bosses forhelping them achievetheir most successfulyear.

BUSINESS

TOMATOES: A happy customer atIt’s The Little Things nursery

THREE minutes from SwitchIsland there is a quiet oasis thatis providing relaxation andreducing stress for hardworkingparents.

Not that they spend much timethere, but It’s The Little Thingschildren’s nursery has a string ofawards and accolades commendingthem on their ethos and enthusiasm.

That includes being named the UK’sBest Outdoor Learning Environmentby industry title, NurseryManagement Today, beating thousandsof nurseries across the country.

Scott McCubbin, who co-owns thenursery with business partner LouiseWaller, said: “Our nursery, set in thefamily suburb of Maghull 10 milesnorth of Liverpool, beat ruralnurseries, with significant fundingand investment.

“The awards we have won agreedthat we had spotted an opportunityearly. Our business theory sat betweenthe corporate chains like KidsUnlimited and the small lifestylebusiness set in a semi-detached off abusy road.”

The nursery began based on thetenet of creating the rightenvironment for children, withbusiness concerns secondary. Scottwas confident that with the right offerin place, parents – that is, revenues –would follow.

He said: “When we set out to createour children’s nursery, we had nofunding, no location and no name, butwe had a grand vision.

“We wanted to create a nursery –and business model – which tappedinto being healthy.

“We wanted to be the best at this,not only in Merseyside or the NorthWest, but in the UK.

“We knew if we got this right, therest would follow, we would create agood, profitable business that wasscaleable – as long as we ensured thatwe not only gained credit for thisbusiness positioning butcommunicated and marketed iteffectively.”

Scott believes It’s The Little Thingsset up at just the right time to takeadvantage of the changing attitudes ofparents which were, if anything, areturn to traditional ideas.

“Our principles and messages werekey – we tapped into a shift in mindset– eating healthy and the value of freshnot processed food, the value of gettingoutdoors and fresh air, no matter theweather,” he said.

“There were other elementsuncovered in our research, such asparents’ dislike of young staff, so wemade sure we employed a mix of ageswith plenty of mums among them.

“This reduced staff turnover, whichalso tapped into national andinternational research highlightingthe benefits of continuity of staffing.

“We opened earlier, at 7.45am, andclosed later, at 6.15pm. However, it wasthe outdoor environment that reallyallowed us to stand out. We took threeyears to find and open our firstnursery, set in a 42-acre woodlandpark, on the same parkland as anaviary, a wood and long fields.Squirrels, rabbits and birds roamfreely.

“On our main days, we are 85%capacity, despite charging significantlyhigher fees than our competitors, notonly in the town, but surroundingtowns and villages.”

It is in the outdoor area that thenursery’s ethos comes to live.

“The objective of our garden issimple,” said Scott. “To embrace the

outdoors and stimulate the senses andcreativity of the children.

“We’ve fashioned tree trunks,bamboo and metal into a giantinstrument. Children experiment withthe different sounds, whilst listeningto the breeze whistle through theWillow planted close by.

“Our construction area with realbricks and planks of wood encouragescarefully monitored risk taking.

“Children learn textures, weightsand working together, as they moveplanks as a team and lift bricks inpairs. The longest plank becomes abridge, a seesaw, a seat, a dinosaur –the possibilities are endless.

“A variety of natural surfaces, fromgrass, logs, and bark to manmademetal frames, slides and rubber tyreschallenge children to test themselvesphysically. Climbing, clambering,feeling, jumping and rolling all adds to

their confidence and agility.“The children rub their hands off

the eucalyptus and the rosemary,while the scent of the lavender floatsacross the garden.

“Children plant, water, pick and podtheir own vegetables before feastingon their harvest.”

Five years on, It’s The Little Thingsis also looking to reap its own harvestas it plans to start expanding from itsfirst site.

Scott added: “We are recognisednationally as being an innovator,despite relatively conservativefunding. The aim is to take thisinnovation and role out the concept.”

Small companiesurgedtograspabsenteeismnettleSMALL firms are failing totackle absenteeism issues,claims a north westemployment lawyer.

Employment Law AdvisoryServices (ELAS) says firmswhich train managers tocombat sick-note culture see areturn on their investmentthrough falling absenteeism.

Two thirds of businesses

which set tough targets andmanaged absenteeism are nowable to reduce their overallsick leave, compared with halfin 2007, says ELAS.

As a result, overall sickleave has fallen from anaverage of 6.7 days per personper year in 2007 to five today,although absenteeism stillcosts the UK £32bn a year.

But ELAS argues that smallfirms are failing to follow suit,with as many as two thirdsfailing to recognise or tacklepoor absence rates.

And it says more than aquarter leave line managersnot trained in absencehandling to look after theproblem as an additional taskalongside their main job.

Peter Mooney, head ofemployment law at ELAS,said: “We have always advisedclients that there are lawsthere to help them tackleabsenteeism, if only theyknew how to use them.

“Too many businesses thinkthe law is on the employee’sside and that if they take staffto task they’ll automatically

end up in an employmenttribunal – that’s not the case.

“Providing you’ve gotevidence to back up anyallegations, and that youfollow correct procedures tomake any disciplinary actionfair, then businesses cantackle absenteeism and, insome cases, cut sickness levelsconsiderably.”

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 NEWS 3★★★★

RATES CUTBOOST FORBUSINESSESA MERSEYSIDEaccountant is urgingsmall firms to exploita tax break afterfigures showed thatmore than £400m inSmall Business RateRelief (SBRR) is goingunclaimed each year.

MitchellCharlesworth partnerPaul Durrance said inEngland small firmsare entitled to SBRR ifthe rateable value oftheir premises isbelow £12,000.

Special rules applyfor businesses thatown more than oneproperty, but with atotal rateable valuebelow this limit.

He added businesseswith a rateable valueof up to £6,000 will payno business rates, andthis was extended by ayear to September2012 in the MarchBudget.

This means thateligible ratepayers willreceive SBRR at 100%on properties up to£6,000 rather than50%.

MEET THE TEAM: SimonWaller (left), Louise Wallerand Scott McCubbin at It’sThe Little Things nursery, inMaghull

Do you wantto be our Business

of the Week?Contact Neil

Hodgson 0151 4722451 or emailneil.hodgson

@liverpool.com

For more information contactSouth Sefton Development Trustwww.ssdtrust.co.uk

THEINVESTMENTCENTRE

Special rates on office suitesfrom 780 sq ft to 2,500 sq ft

Now from £9 per sq ft withfree parking spaces

Serviced offices in thei-space - starter units from£30 per week inclusive ofrates and service charge

Meeting and conferencefacilities also available

Grade A officeaccommodationin the heart ofBootle

Call us on:

0151-934 2637for more information

Move into SouthSefton’s premieroffice buildingfor less

The landmark office buildingon Stanley Road offers 26,000sq ft of flexible businessaccommodation, as well asmixed-use areas and a cafe onthe ground floor which is dueto open in late 2011. There isalso parking for 48 vehicles.

A key feature of the five-storeydevelopment is the i-spaceincubator centre, officiallyopened by the Duke of Kent inlate 2009.

The i-space provides managedoffice space for up to 18 start-upbusinesses on easy-in, easy-outterms. Tenants also benefit froma free computer and broadbandas part of the package, aswell as onsite business adviceand support from socialenterprise specialists SouthSefton Development Trust, themanagers of the centre.

The building is also increasinglyin demand from externalorganisations for meeting,seminar and conference use.

The Investment Centre - whichfeatures a transparent facadeand a colonnaded walkway -has some impressive ‘green’credentials.

It is heated by geothermalenergy, a natural ventilationsystem has removed the needfor air conditioning and recycledrain water is used in the toilets.

Tenants of the building includeSefton Council’s EconomicRegeneration Department,

Arvato, Sefton New Directionsand two state-of-the-art dentalsurgeries on the ground floor.

Over time, the InvestmentCentre will also benefit the localcommunity. When the buildingwas created with funding fromSefton Council, it was agreedthat any surplus rental incomewill be reinvested in futureregeneration projects in thearea.

Special negotiable and flexiblerates are now being offeredon the remaining space in theInvestment Centre. Office suitesfrom 780 sq ft to 2,500 sq ft areavailable at £9 sq ft, with freeparking spaces.

Units in the i-space incubatorcentre - open plan workstationsand one and two-person offices- are available from £30 perweek, inclusive of rates andservice charge.

For more information contactSouth Sefton DevelopmentTrust on 0151-934 2637.

Final space availablein landmark buildingThe Investment Centre in the heart of Bootle town centreis south Sefton’s most prestigious business address.

Advertising Feature

NEWS Wednesday, May 25, 20114 ★★★★

BUSINESS

AS THEY battle it out on theworld’s golf courses for theworld number one slot, it’sunlikely Lee Westwood andLuke Donald give much

thought to the North West businessworld.

But their battle for supremacy hasgiven a timely boost to Warringtonchain American Golf.

This week, the specialist golfingretailer announced that sales for theyear to January 31 stood at £86.6m –up 20% on the previous year.

Much of that growth came throughstore openings, as well as thetakeover of a golf website in March.

But Nick Wood, American Golf ’schief executive, says that the strongrecent performance of British andEuropean golfers on the PGA tourhas helped stoke more interest in thesport – and therefore in hisbusiness.

“Europe has got six of the top 10golfers,” he says. “When you have adebate every week as to whether LeeWestwood and Luke Donald is theworld number one, it hits the newsmore than when Tiger Woods was atthe top for eight years.”

Leicester-born Wood went toCambridge University before joiningprivate equity firm 3i, where he soongained hands-on experiencemanaging its investments.

In 1997 he took that experience tothe Dixons Group, where he spent 10years. He ran businesses includingthe Dixons chain of high street storesand mobile phone retailer TheLink.

But in 2008 his career took adifferent turn when he was asked tojoin American Golf.

The company was founded byRobert and Howard Bilton in the1970s. In 2004, it underwent amanagement buyout backed byprivate equity firm LDC.

“I was called by one of the privateequity team looking after theinvestment in 2008,” says Wood.“They were looking to take thebusiness to the next level.

“It was still in that transition frombeing an entrepreneurial business tobeing a professional retail business.That’s what I’ve been working on.

“We already had good knowledgeof golf. Now I want to make thiscompany a better retailer.”

Wood joined American Golf aschairman, becoming chief executivelater that year.

Sales of golf equipment did dip inthe recession, but Wood saysAmerican Golf weathered thedownturn better than itscompetitors.

“We probably saw a 10% fall in themarket,” he says.

“During that time, we performedpretty well. We grew our overall salespartly on the basis of store openings,but our like-for-like sales performed

significantly better than -10%.“We have now started to see some

improvement – partly generated bythis crop of golfers doing well.”

The company has refitted itsexisting stores, backing thatinvestment with advertisingcampaigns. Wood says the firm hasalso been helped by the fact thatmajor equipment manufacturers arepromoting technologicalinnovations to their clubs.

The company has also launched astore opening programme.

“We’ve opened 14 stores in the lasttwo and a half years, including one inAintree,” says Wood.

“The business was started inWarrington. Its first few stores werearound the North West. But then itgrew, particularly into Scotland.

“We are now a national retailer,but there are some towns and citieswe aren’t in – Oxford, Swindon,Reading. They’re pretty sizeableplaces in which we should berepresented.

“We cover the North West quite

well, and we’re OK in Scotland. Butthe big opportunities for us are in theMidlands and the South.

“In time, our proposition couldsupport about 140 stores.”

In 2004, American Golf bought SWGolf, the operator of theonlinegolf.co.uk brand. The groupnow generates 15% of its sales online,with 30% of those sales coming fromoverseas.

Wood says: “There are two areas ofgolf that are growing – one is onlinesales, the other is the Europeanmarket. SW gave us access to both ofthose.

“American Golf ’s website is nowintegrated on the same platform asonlinegolf.co.uk. We’re gettingsynergies from the acquisition andbenefiting from their experience.”

The average handicap ofAmerican Golf ’s retail staff, saysWood, is eight. The enthusiasm theyhave for the sport is passed on tocustomers, which in turn helps drivesales.

“They are there to help theamateur golfer improve their game,”says Wood. “The only way they cando that is if they know more than theaverage golfer. It’s part of ourproposition as a specialist retailerthat we have strong staff knowledge.

“If you’re fanatical about golf,then we’ve got a great job for youwhere you can talk about golf allday.”

Wood is, of course, a keen golferhimself, playing off a handicap of18.

“But my colleagues call me

‘Weareheretohelpamateurgolfersimprovetheirgame’

INTERVIEWBIGAlistair Houghtonspeaks to NICKWOOD, chiefexecutive ofAmerican Golf

‘ThebigopportunitiesforusareintheMidlandsandtheSouth’

GROWTH DRIVE: NickWood hopes to open moreAmerican Golf stores in thesouth of England

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 NEWS 5★★★★

‘streaky’,” he smiles. “I play verywell for about three holes, and thenI’m all over the place.”

Wood prides himself on takingtime to explore the company’s storenetwork.

“Every summer, me and myoperations director visit everystore,” he says.

“We meet the store teams to get afeel for what they deal with day in,day out. It’s a job that’s getting bigger– there were only 65 stores when westarted out.”

Wood spends three days a week atthe company’s Warringtonheadquarters, spending the otherdays visiting suppliers or hise-commerce base in Essex.

Wood is based in London, wherehe has lived for 18 years.

“I get the 5.39am from Euston toWarrington most Mondays,” he says.“I’m still at my desk before most ofthe office.”

Outside work, he spends as muchtime as he can with his wife andnine-year-old twin daughters.

Wood remains upbeat about thefuture of his business, taking theview that if it can negotiate a 10% fallin its market then it is well-placed totake advantage when the economyrecovers.

“We give the amateur golfer theright kit to improve their game,” hesays. “If we get that right, we will getmore people buying from us and ourbusiness will improve.

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved atAmerican Golf, but there’s still a jobto be done.”

GOLFING GIANTS: Luke Donald (above) and Lee Westwood (below)are battling for the world number one slot – and their battle hashelped boost sales at retailer American Golf

PACKAGINGFIRM FLIESFLAG FOR UKA BOOTLE flexiblepackaging specialist isflying the flag for theUK in a Europeanbusiness competition.

Weir & Carmichaelis representing thecountry in theEuropean BusinessAwards sponsored byHSBC and iscompeting for theRuban d’Honneur inthe next round of thecompetition.

The firm, which wasfounded in 1955, is oneof the representativesfor the UK Trade &Investment InnovationAward for theirproduct BritwrapReusable TransitPackaging.

Britwrap is asustainable protectivecover, designed toprotect productsduring transit, whilecutting packagingcosts, waste, damagedreturns andencouraging correctmanual handling.

Weir & Carmichaelcommercial directorMartin Ellioth said“We’re absolutelythrilled to be selectedto represent theUnited Kingdom.”

Adrian Tripp,European BusinessAwards chiefexecutive, said: “Weare looking forward toseeing Weir &Carmichael in thenext round.”

Final categoryaward winners will beunveiled in Barcelonaon November 22.

TAXMAN IN VATCRACKDOWNHM Revenue &Customs (HMRC) istargeting VAT rulebreakers.

A summercampaign will focus onindividuals andbusinesses who aretrading above the VATthreshold, but whohave not yetregistered for VAT.

Mike Wells, HMRC'sdirector of risk andintelligence, said: “Weare already in contactwith a number ofinterested parties andI expect many moreto contact us withtheir views before wefinalise the design ofthe VAT initiative.”

Previous campaignshave targeted offshoreinvestments, medicalprofessionals andpeople working in theplumbing industry, andhave helped raisedmore than £600m.

NEWS Wednesday, May 25, 20116 ★★★★

BUSINESS

IN these times of financialausterity small businesses –despite the claims of the bighigh street banks – are stillstruggling to find viable access

to finance to ensure their survival,or even exploit any growthopportunities the currentconditions may present.

But one source of support, whichsprang from the friendly societies ofthe 18th century, is ideally placed tohelp micro-businesses and is keenlyawaiting a change in the law laterthis year which could extendfunding to the wider small businesscommunity.

Credit unions are not-for-profitcooperative financial institutionsowned and controlled by theirmembers to promote thrift, providecredit at competitive rates andother financial services tomembers.

Surplus funds are shared betweensavers, which means loan interestcan be kept low.

Many exist to further thedevelopment of the communitiesthey are based in.

They grew in popularity in 1979when the Credit Unions Act waspassed.

Current legislation limits them tooperate a single member system.

But this is ideal for the ‘one-manband’ or business that facesdaunting lending criteria from thebig banks unwilling to take a riskon a small, unproven venture.

Restrictions and hurdles facingsmall businesses that, ironically,weren’t in evidence before the great2008 credit crunch, have driven anincrease in sole business ownersturning to credit unions forsupport.

Tracey Fletcher, chief executiveof Liverpool-based Partners CreditUnion, said: “There has been anincrease, and this area is growing,slowly but surely.

“We’re finding more and morepeople who ordinarily wouldn’t goto a credit union are coming to usfor help.

“They complain about theirtreatment from the banks or thefact they wouldn’t go to a bank forfear of refusal.”

She said having that ‘light bulbmoment’ and coming up with abusiness idea is the relatively easypart for entrepreneurs.

“But what is really hard isgetting the investment to enable youto start or expand your business,

because even with the greatest ideain the world, you always have towait to get a return and generallyhave to invest start-up capital.

“Banks don’t necessarily want tohelp because you can’t demonstratesuccess, whereas the credit unionlistens, understands and they don’tnaturally adopt the cold commercethat is performed by banks.”

Individual members who DaleStreet-based Partners – which alsohas offices in St Helens and Bootle –has helped realise their businessdreams with financial backinginclude young women finishingbeauty college training and keen tostart up a mobile business, to theself-employed who need newvehicles or equipment to furthertheir venture.

Enterprise Credit Union has alsonoted a rise in enquiries from soletraders at its Huyton headquartersand its three satellites in Prescot,Page Moss and Dovecot.

Chief executive Karen Bennettsaid members they have helpedinclude mobile hairdressers, mobileDJs, a beauty salon, a cafe, and taxidrivers.

“A lot of taxi drivers contact usfor loans for their annual insuranceand MoT costs on their cabs.”

Lending rates are extremelycompetitive. For example, a £1,000loan over 12 months would attractinterest of just £63, which falls asthe loan reduces.

And while credit unions may notrival someone like Santander as, itclaims, the small business bank ofchoice, many sole traders do bankwith them.

Mrs Bennett said: “A lot of self-employed people save with us. Theysee us as a community bankbecause the money is kept in thecommunity.

“We also have a relationship withBusinessLink and advise ourmembers to go and see one of theiradvisers with any problems.”

Enterprise was set up in 1988 andby 1998 had 500 members and assetsof £47,000.

Today, it boasts more than 8,000members and assets of £4.7m.

But Mrs Bennett said theimpending law change will allowthem to extend their support evenfurther.

Credit unions can only deal withindividual members.

But a Legislative Reform Ordercurrently making its way throughParliament would allow them toextend membership to smallorganisations such as businesses,community groups and socialenterprises, if enacted.

The proposals include somelimitations, such as a 10% limit onthe membership of corporateclients, a 25% limit on the amountof shares corporate members canhold in a credit union, and a 10%limit on loans to corporatemembers compared with total loansto all members.

But another benefit could be asignificant reduction in theinfluence of door step lenders andloan sharks.

Partners Credit Union chiefexecutive Tracey Fletcher said: “Wefeel the changes due and theservices we will be able to offer willbe of great benefit and go a longway to assist businesses, especiallygiven today’s economy and thedifficulties people still have lendingfrom banks.”

FINDINGNEWFOCUS. . . on funding

Neil Hodgsonreports on analternative fundingsource for SMEs

COMPETITIVE: Enterprise Credit Union chief executive Karen Bennett can offer sole trader members loans with an interest rate of just over6%, compared with more onerous terms from established high street lenders

PARTNERS Credit Unionhelped member Jenny Kirkset up her venture,Crosswood Consultancy, inApril 2010.

Jenny, (pictured) fromMelling, said: “Although I wasworking in a job I loved, Iknew I could do more.”

Her idea was a business toprovide bespoke training,such as businessdevelopment, strategicplanning, projectmanagement and marketing.

“We also addressinformation technologymigration issues thatcompanies face whenacquisitions and mergers takeplace.”

Jenny needed £20,000 for

Loanleadstonewjobs

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 NEWS 7★★★★

CREDIT

GROWTH: Tracey Fletcher, of Partners CreditUnion, has seen an increase in funding enquiries

THE majority of Britons willbe using their mobile phoneto manage their money, paybills and make purchaseswithin the next three years,it has been predicted.

Around 10% of consumersare already managing theirfinances through theirmobile, double theproportion of people whowere doing so two years ago,according to a report bythinktank the FutureFoundation.

It expects the number ofconsumers using mobilemoney services to exceed50% within the nextthree years, as banksand retailersincrease the servicesthat are available topeople using their mobilesfor financial transactions.

The report, which wascommissioned by mobilebanking services groupMonitise, said a major factordriving the uptake ofmobile banking would bethe emergence of so-calledtap-and-go paymentsystems.

These enable people to payfor low-value transactions bytapping their mobile phone

against a contactlesspayment reader.

Barclaycard and Orangebecame the first group in theUK to offer contactlessmobile payments last week,with customers able to usetheir phone to buy things inmore than 50,000 shops andfood outlets across the UK.

Another factor in thegrowth of consumers usingtheir mobile to manage theirmoney is likely to be theirdesire for convenience, with

many people opting to usetheir mobiles for billpayment and financialtransactions even when theyare at home, where they haveaccess to a computer.

Among those who alreadyuse mobile banking, 57%said they were using it morethan they did a year ago,while 68% said it was moreconvenient than using theinternet.

Seven out of 10 people alsosaid they were keen to beable to use their mobilephone to pay for items inshops.

Alastair Lukies, chiefexecutive of Monitise,

said: “This researchgives a real insightinto how quickly and

completely Britonshave made mobile

banking a part of theireveryday lives.

“The fact that morethan half of Britons areexpected to be using

mobile money services inthe next few years

compared to one in 20two years agodemonstrates anexceptional rate of

growth.”

MONEY

equipment and said: “I knewthe credit union was a viableoption for me and they wouldlend me the money, but notonly that, because of the waythe credit union calculates itsearly redemption on loans,this would be of great

advantage to my business.“As well as this, I knew

both my savings and loanwere insured for free.”

Last November Jenny wasoffered a nine monthcontract with Lloyds TSB:“Ironically, this was the first

bank that turned me downfor a loan.”

She added: “Althoughearly days I have two parttime employees and amenjoying continuing interestfrom companies interested inthe services I provide.”

MATTERS with NICKYBURRIDGE, personalfinance correspondent

PHONE BILLS: Most people already use their phones for more than just talking – noware using them to pay bills and manage finances, according to the Future Foundation

GET SMART: Phones such as the iPhoneare helping people manage their finances

NEWS Wednesday, May 25, 20118 ★★★★

BUSINESS

HIGHCOSTOFOILHITTINGGROWTH

Femaleentrepreneurs’grantextended

NWfirmspay£10mmorefor their fuel

GUSHER: High fuel costs continue to hinder businesses across the region, despite recent falls in the price of a barrel of oil

BUSINESSES across the regionare paying almost £10m more forfuel today than they were a yearago.

Research by Liverpool invoicefinance specialist Bibby FinancialServices has revealed almost500,000 small and medium-sizedfirms throughout the north westare collectively paying £9.4mmore on fuel now compared with12-months ago, as the averageprice of a gallon of fuel has risenfrom £5.50 to £6.31.

And the survey revealed morethan half of firms (54%) who havebeen hit by the price rise will passthe extra cost on to the customer.

Bibby says the findings

highlight the extent to whichrising fuel costs have impacted onbusinesses and what actions havebeen taken to absorb the costs.

More than a third of firms(36%) have decided to reduce theamount of time spent on the roadto cut costs and 27% of businessmanagers and owners arereviewing company vehicles andplanning to introduce moreefficient models.

The research, based on the AAFuel Report and Department of

Transport commuting andbusiness travel survey, calculatedthe number of small and medium-sized businesses in the region andhow much fuel is consumed ataverage prices, which revealed atotal of £70.8m will be spent thisyear based on current rates,compared with £61.3m in 2010.

Bibby Financial Servicesspokesman Dave Golding said:“Our research clearly shows thesoaring cost of fuel is having asignificant impact on profitmargins, customer relationshipsand employee benefits of northwest businesses.

“Business managers andowners have had some difficultdecisions to make as they decidewhether to pass the extra fuelcosts on to customers byincreasing prices, which

threatens loss of trade, oralternatively, try to absorb thecosts internally, which couldaffect the financial stability oftheir business.

“The rising price of fuel is justthe latest in a line of challengesfirms are battling to overcome,putting further pressure on cashflow management andhighlighting the importance offinancial liquidity.”

Earlier this week an AA reportclaimed that UK motorists arestill being ripped off at the pumps,despite a slide in oil prices.

A fall in the oil prices in earlyMay took $10 off the cost of abarrel and could reduce the pumpprice of petrol by 4p a litre. Butrapid price rises in late April stillleave petrol car owners worse offthan in mid-April.

A SCHEME offeringfemale entrepreneurs a£200 cash boost has beenextended.

The Women’sOrganisation, formerlyTrain 2000, previouslymade the start-up grantoffer to women living inLiverpool and Knowsley.

Now the scheme hasbeen extended to Sefton.

The money can beused towards any start-upcosts, from marketingthrough to businessstationery.

Enterprise directorJackie Williams said: “Weare delighted to be ableto offer this start-upgrant. It will be extremelyhelpful in the initial stagesof business start-up when

there are often costsincurred.”

In addition to the grantthe organisation alsooffers a range of freeservices such as one-to-one business advice andbusiness-related courses.

Business advisers canalso assist in accessingfurther funding forbusiness start-ups.

The Women’sOrganisation recentlyrelocated to its newstate-of-the-art base inthe Baltic Triangle area ofLiverpool.

The centre includes‘incubation’ units for newand high growth femaleenterprises, office spaceincluding ‘virtual offices’,and an international

research and knowledgecentre focused onwomen’s enterprise andwider economicdevelopment issues.

Further details from0151-236 6601, orfreephone 0800 587 0383,or by emailing info@thewo.org.uk or visitingwww.thewomensorganisation.org.uk

byNEIL HODGSONIndustry Reporter

Business to BusinessIndustrial Property

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

CommercialPremises

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

FOR SALE Large empty shopunit in Knowsley. 15yr lease,with options. Busy parade ofshops. Planning permission forhair salon, beauty & sunbeds.Call for details 07802 887588

LIVER IND EST AINTREEWarehouse units, 2,500 sqft,vgc suitable retail/wholesale/trade counter/storage. Up to 6months rent free period. Leasenegotiable 0784 3379997

OFFICE TO LET Knowsley In-dustrial Estate, 1st flr, s/c,brand new decor, 1500sqft,£400pcm 07572 956272

KNOWLEY IND EST 600sqftlock up unit 07587 130170 or07572 956272

OFFICES TO LET fr £30pwful ly inc. Easy in easy out07785 562496

SHOPS TO LET Smart condi-tion, very secure, roller shutters07785 562496

WELLINGTON RD L15 Varietyof Industrial units available now0151 227 2875

Business For Sale

THE SQUARE Allerton Rd,prime location, Cafe/Deli Bar.Licensed premises 9am−10pm.Offers over £50k, £21k p.a.rent. No time wasters 07711320203

KHANS For Sale SmithdownRd. Licensed Est business goodt/o £250pw 07919 992132

RESTAURANT Heswall. Busyest restaurant £30,000. Goodwill & fix/fit 07776 152200

Business For Rent

THE GEORGE PUB TO LETBreck Road, Anfield, L4. PrimeLocation − Currently TradingRent: £500 per week Call 0151920 9999 or 07900 424441

SHOP With permission for hottakeaway food. Aigburth, veryb u s y r d £ 2 0 0 p w . 0 7 9 3 8877632

A D V A N C E D C L U T C HGARAGE Bedford Rd Bootle£300pw 07780 009537

RESTAURANT/BAR L7 Newrefurb, 34 covers. Equipped &ready to trade 07763 400728

KING HARRY PUB by LFC£3,000pcm 07577 626321

BusinessOpportunities

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

LATE NIGHT OFF LICENSETO LET Prime Location onSouth Road, L22. Licensed until12am Midnight. For all detailsCall 0151 920 9999 or07900 424441

Taxis/Cab & Plate

DANTOM SETTLE CARSSettle Cars/Settle Buy available.0151 733 5500

LIVERPOOL PLATE for salering for offers. 07979 438423/0151 495 9205

NEW & USED CABS &PLATES f inance arranged.0151 922 3626

CITY NIGHT COLLAR 0151287 9465 OR 07510 930056

CITY DAY NIGHT OR LONGCollar 07789 884399

BOTANIC CARS Requiresowner drivers 0151 220 2020

TAXI & CITY PLATE For sale08 TX4 07740 148537

Business Services

T Y P I N G A l l t y p i n g w o r kundertaken. 07941 284286.

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

BUSINESS TOBUSINESS

A-K TEL: 0151 472 2746L-Z TEL: 0151 472 2573

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