In this blog entry, Richard Neal from Robinson & Neal explains the benefits of 25 years of Liverpool Chamber membership.

As a local Owner Managed business, I have found our membership to the Chamber has been of great value over the years in various respects.

Liverpool Chamber does offer so many sources of help, to a business of our size, which otherwise we could not enjoy.

For example, I have found the “Legal Helpline” very valuable for various aspects of commercial, employment and consumer rights law.

It helps ensure we make sound business decisions, and avoid pitfalls.

In addition we have made great use of Chamber Training Services, in the appointment of an Apprentice, who we have since taken on, and in a comprehensive and detailed NVQ program for members of our team in Customer Service, Management Skills and various other aspects of our business.

Over the years, I have attended many Chamber functions, such as the very popular “Construction Lunches”, which have been a useful source of contact for business purposes.

These are just a few of the various benefits, that our membership has given to Robinson & Neal, helping us maintain a successful business in Merseyside and the North West.

Liverpool Community Health (LCH) NHS Trust’s Alcohol Team is encouraging all Merseyside residents and employees to think about what they are drinking during Alcohol Awareness Week.

Taking place from 19-25 November, the awareness week aims to encourage people to think and about the health risks and social problems related to regularly drinking more alcohol than the recommended safe amounts.

The government advises that people should not drink more than the daily guidelines of 3-4 units of alcohol for men (equivalent to a pint and a half of average strength beer), and 2-3 units of alcohol for women (equivalent to a medium glass of wine).

That is equivalent to 21 units a week for men and 14 units a week for women, but contrary to popular belief, you cannot save up your daily allowance of alcohol units for a night out.

However, in the United Kingdom, just under a third of men (31%) and one in five women (20%) regularly drink more than this recommended safe amount.

The short term health risks of drinking too much alcohol can include impaired judgement leading to accidents and injuries, sexual difficulties such as impotence, short term memory loss, vomiting, and a loss of consciousness.

Drinking heavily on a regular basis can also lead to weight gain, and is frequently associated with mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

It can also contribute to far more serious health problems, such as liver disease, osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), stomach ulcers, infertility, heart disease, raised blood pressure, strokes, dementia, cancer and  brain damage.

Kellie Cureton, Health Promotion specialist for Liverpool Community Health, explained: “Whilst there is nothing wrong with enjoying the occasional drink, during Alcohol Awareness Week, we want to encourage everyone to think a bit more about how much, and how often, they are drinking.

“Often people think that sensible drinking advice is just for those who are binge drinking binge in bars and clubs at the weekends, but regularly drinking even just a little bit over the recommended daily amount of alcohol can also seriously affect your health.

“Making changes to your drinking habits doesn’t necessarily mean giving up alcohol altogether.

“Often, making just a few small cut backs to how much and how often you are drinking can make a big difference to your health.”

Five simple tips for making sure you’re drinking sensibly during Alcohol Awareness Week include:

• Try not to drink more than the recommended daily amount of units which is 3-4 for men, and 2-3 for women
• Aim to have at least two completely alcohol-free days every week
• If you are out drinking with friends, don’t buy “rounds” - drink at your own pace
• Stick to drinks that are lower in strength if you are having a few
• Try to drink a soft drink or glass of water between each alcoholic drink

It is also recommended that pregnant women or women who are trying to conceive should not drink alcohol at all.

For further information and advice on alcohol, including how many units of alcohol and calories are in different types of drinks, plus lots of tips on safer drinking, visit www.whatsyours-liverpool.nhs.uk.

The volume of retail sales in October 2012: down 0.8% on the month, up 0.6% on the year

Commenting on the retail sales figures for October 2012 that were published by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “The fall in retail sales is disappointing, and supports our view that GDP will see a sharp slowdown in the fourth quarter of the year, following the recent 1% increase.

“Annual inflation in the retail sector accelerated further in October, and although it is still modest at 0.9%, the trend is a concern.

“Low store price inflation supports consumer spending at a time when the UK is facing difficult challenges, and it is important that the upward trend in inflation is reversed before too long.

“Falling inflation will benefit the UK economy as it will reduce the squeeze on businesses and consumers, and underpin domestic demand.

“While this should not add to unnecessary gloom, it supports the tough message conveyed by the Inflation Report.

“Businesses are adjusting to a difficult environment, but the government must step up and pursue more policies to boost growth.

“Only then can the private sector drive a sustainable economic recovery.”

Haines Watts is urging local taxpayers with undisclosed HSBC bank accounts in Jersey to seek advice as a matter of priority.

The warning has come just days after a list, containing the names, addresses and account balances of 4,388 UK residents with offshore accounts, was given to HMRC by a secret source.

Collectively, they have £699 million in current accounts at the bank.

Partner Des Veney said the team had already been contacted by individuals and companies that suspect they are on the list: “This investigation is going to have an impact on a lot of people and some of those will be based in the North West.

“Since the news broke, I have been contacted by a handful of individuals who suspect they are on the list and who are unsure of what they should do next.

“Those HSBC account holders who have not complied with their UK tax obligations need to act quickly and get the professional help that they need.

“If they do so, they could avoid a heavy penalty in the form of a fine.”

The leaked list of HSBC clients is reported to include names from the oil and mining industries as well as doctors and some celebrities – all groups that typically have significant overseas earnings.

Des added: “If you have an offshore bank account whether in Jersey or elsewhere and you suspect there may be a problem, my advice would be to be proactive and take the relevant steps to make a disclosure before you are approached by HMRC.”

For more information, telephone 0151 227 3463 or visit www.hwca.com/accountants-liverpool.

A local drama production company has visited Kirkby Sports College to deliver an innovative drugs and alcohol awareness programme to local teenagers.

Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT), part of Symphony Housing Group, commissioned four performances throughout the month of November across Liverpool to issue warning messages and educate young people about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and peer pressure in local neighbourhoods.

The issue based drama called ‘A Night 2 Remember’ is a one-man performance by Carl McFarlane, a 25-year-old actor and writer from West Derby.

Carl said: “I’m proud that I’m able to use my acting and writing skills to connect with young people.

“I really believe these kinds of programmes are the best way to get the message across to young people, because it makes it real and relevant to them.

“Many are shocked by what they see, but come away with the strength to resist these kinds of temptations.”

Julie Mulligan, LHT regeneration officer, commented: “Carl McFarlane’s play ‘A Night 2 Remember’ is an innovative way to help young people understand how drugs and alcohol can have a negative impact on their lives.

“This is a great example of how we work in partnership to help engage with young people in our neighbourhoods.”

A student from Kirkby Sports College said: “The play was very realistic and the workshop gave us some great advice.

“We were able to talk to the people in the play to find out about different lifestyles choices and why people act the way they do.”

Danny Byrne, from Kirkby Sports College, added: “The use of humour and language in the play meant that the students could relate to it, and in turn gave them the confidence to share and discuss their own experiences.

“After the performance, the students left with plenty of information and advice from being signposted to external agencies that could support them with any of the issue arisen.”

Brabners Chaffe Street has expanded its private client team with the appointment of Louise Scholes as Consultant.

Louise will be based at the firm’s Liverpool office on Exchange Flags and joins from DWF where she headed the Liverpool private client team.

Louise specialises in trusts and tax planning as well as wills and estates and is STEP qualified.

She also has a particular interest in court of protection work and has wide experience acting as professional deputy.

Mark Brandwood, Managing Partner of Brabners Chaffe Street, said: “Louise’s appointment reflects our commitment to continuing to grow our team and expand our offering to clients and she will be a valuable addition to the firm.”

Louise Scholes added: “I am delighted to join the strong private client team at Brabners Chaffe Street.

“There is a great synergy between the work the team at the firm carry out and my practice and I intend to add to and strengthen the already high profile of the team in the market.”

Holland & Co Chartered Accountants have bucked the global economic trend by recruiting two more staff.

Christian Hignett has been taken on to help out in Holland & Co’s busy Accountancy office.

Christian from Skelmersdale will help complete financial statements and tax returns.

Christian has completed accounting technician exams and is currently training at Kaplan.

He hopes to complete his Certified Accountancy qualifications in due course.

Christian enjoys playing rugby in his spare time.

Claire Shard, who used to work for Holland & Co several years ago, has rejoined to help out with the admin and marketing side of the business.

Claire lives in Widnes and is in the process of arranging a free business networking/cocktail evening which will take place at Holland & Co’s offices at 5pm on Friday 7 December 2012.

If anyone is interested in attending this event, email Claire at claire@hollandandcompany.co.uk.

Nigel Holland said: “I am pleased that we have been able to sign up two more very professional people to our growing team.

“Both Christian and Claire will be great additions to our firm and I look forward to working with them.

“Christian is a very dedicated person who shows great attention to detail.

“He is very keen to get through his exams.

“Claire is a people’s person and inter reacts well with customers and staff a like.”

For more information, visit www.hollandandcompany.co.uk.

Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT) tenants have helped local artist Ken Storey with a Liverpool Waterfront painting.

Ken Storey sketched the outline of the Liverpool Waterfront onto a canvas and brought it to the LHT Supported Housing Tenants Annual Conference, so that tenants could help the artist complete a small section of the canvas as part of an art project.

Ken Storey then completed the canvas and the finished piece was revealed to staff and tenants at LHT and those who took part they could sign their name.

The Waterfront Painting has now been framed and is ready to be displayed at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.

Ken Storey commented: “It was a great privilege to receive this commission from LHT as I was able to paint the largest picture I had ever done, and perhaps encourage others to get into some expressive artwork.

“I looked upon the project as a partnership, I gave the LHT tenants an outline, and they then gave me their colour interpretation of that outline.

“I then used their work to complete the painting, all the time endeavouring to incorporate and enhance the work they had done in the way the final image was produced.

“I am very pleased with the finished painting and hope they are too.”

Jane Carter, an LHT tenant from Moreton, Wirral said: “I am very glad I helped with the painting, it is very beautiful and colourful and I am very proud of myself.

“I would also like to thank all the staff at LHT for the great time I had at your annual conference, a lot of thought went into making it a perfect day for everyone.”

Jon Metcalfe, LHT Supported Housing Team Leader, added: “We really love the Waterfront Painting that has enabled us to collaborate with a great local artist.

“The idea behind the project was to showcase the talents of our tenants and we are absolutely delighted with the finished result.

“The fact that it is going to be displayed in such a prestigious venue as the Anglican Cathedral is a great testament to the work of the contributors.”

Pink was the new blue for Warrant Group after staff recently took part in Breast Cancer Campaign’s ‘wear it pink’ event.

Employees at the supply chain specialist’s Liverpool headquarters donned all shades of pink for the charity day and raised an impressive £285.

Breast Cancer Campaign aims to be the leading specialist in breast cancer research across the UK and Ireland, making a significant impact on breast cancer for the benefit of patients.

Ian Jones, Managing Director of Warrant Group, said: “We were delighted to support Breast Cancer Campaign’s wear it pink day – everyone looked great, especially next to our corporate colours of blue and grey!

“We hope to make the charity fund-raising day a regular event in Warrant Group’s calendar.”

Peel Airports, the owners of Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield, recently submitted their response to the government’s consultation on its Draft Aviation Policy Framework.

In a detailed response, Peel Airports highlighted the need for a coherent national aviation policy which places the industry and regional airports at the heart of the economic drive for recovery and rebalancing of the national economy.

Current government policies mean that the UK aviation industry is stagnating.

Peel Airports believe that the Draft Aviation Policy Framework is a missed opportunity.

It fails to address a number of core issues such as growth, a vision for connectivity and the economy, airport capacity, the importance of regional airports, aviation taxation and regulatory costs.

Peel Airports advocates an aviation strategy which addresses the barriers to regional competitiveness and supports increased regional and international connectivity.

The Company’s response also highlights the damage to the industry and regional economies caused by policies which include Air Passenger Duty (APD) and the support given to other transport modes at the expense of aviation.

Craig Richmond, CEO of Peel Airports Limited, said: “Airports such as ours have the opportunity to get the UK regional and national economy back on track; however, we need Government policy to work with us, not against us.

“In its current form this Draft Policy Framework will do nothing to improve the current situation.

“There must be no further delays – Peel Airports joins with others in the industry and calls for an independent study of the economic impact of APD on the industry and the economy, as suggested during a Parliamentary debate on the subject.

“We also need to see a joined-up approach by the Treasury, the Department for Transport and the industry on resolving the APD issue in the interest of regional economies and UK plc.”