Liverpool’s London Embassy success planned to continue until Spring 2013
The first phase of Liverpool’s London ‘Embassy’ has been hailed a success as it moves to new premises at the home of the former Royal Mint.
The embassy, a public private sector collaboration to promote Liverpool to London investors, had been based in New Broad Street, in the heart of London’s financial district since January.
At the end of July, the embassy in New Broad Street closed as Liverpool Vision moved towards securing a more suitable long term location for Liverpool’s presence in the capital.
Liverpool’s embassy is now located at Royal Mint Court and will be fully operational from Monday, September 5 and planned to continue until March 2013
City Council leader, Cllr Joe Anderson said: “The embassy has been such a success that I wanted us to continue our London mission. Having examined a number of options to ensure that we achieved the best deal for the city and for our private sector supporters, the decision has been taken to base our operations in this prestigious Central London location with easy access to the City and to Westminster.”
Situated opposite Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, the Grade II listed Royal Mint Court is just a few minutes’ walk from Tower Hill underground, Tower Gateway Docklands Light Railway, five minutes from Fenchurch Street Station and a short stroll to Liverpool Street Station.
Cllr Anderson added: “During the first half of this year, we have shown our ambition and confidence by going to the financial heart of the UK. We have been making our case to investors and we have built relationships with many of the most influential decision makers in the UK.
“These people have gone away with a real sense of the city’s renaissance, of our offer, our areas of excellence and the opportunities for investment. It is clear to most, if not all, that Liverpool is a modern can-do city and a place where your business can thrive.
“The embassy has been achieving its aims of raising the city’s profile and helping Liverpool representatives earn the right to sit round the table with high level London investors and decision makers and I’m very pleased that it will continue. In a very competitive market Liverpool is now on their shortlist as a place to invest and do business.”
Originally a three month project, the embassy has now been running for more than double that time. It has been the venue for more than 100 business meetings, some of international significance for Liverpool.
Additionally, more than 650 people have visited the embassy and more than 15 events have been held, resulting in several serious investment enquiries.
Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, which has been partnering the City Council to deliver the embassy project, said: “The embassy is part of a wider mission to sell the city in a more co-ordinated and compelling way.
“What has been so encouraging is the collaboration that we have enjoyed with our business sector. Together we have helped raise the city’s profile and together we will ensure that the relationships we have established in London will be maintained and strengthened.
“During August we are carefully managing our new networks of investors, decision makers and business leaders and continuing our work of promoting Liverpool as a great place in which to invest, work, live, visit and study.”
Guy Wallis, a founding partner at respected Liverpool law firm DWF, whose idea the London embassy was, said: “I am convinced that the work that the city and the embassy’s sponsors have been undertaking is succeeding in changing widely held inaccurate perceptions about Liverpool.
“The fact of having a presence in London has of itself been a major contribution towards changing perceptions. It has surprised people in London and has given additional force to Cllr Anderson’s oft repeated statements that Liverpool is a can-do city and one that is genuinely open for business.
“I have visited the embassy many times and can vouch not only for the dedication of those involved in running it, but that the door to other markets is beginning to open. I have sat opposite London business leaders and seen the penny drop.
“This though is a continuing process. The good work must go on. This is why I’m delighted that the city and Liverpool Vision has shown great leadership in continuing to have a presence in London despite, but more importantly because of, the current economic climate we find ourselves in, making it all the more important that both the public and private sectors continue to push relentlessly the wide-ranging Liverpool offer and the many opportunities for inward investment that exist here.”
One of many people who have been impressed by Liverpool’s mission is Chris Lewis, national Head of Occupier Agency for Drivers Jonas Deloitte. He said: “I attended the event in the Gherkin and my perceptions about Liverpool were turned on their head.
“Some of the facts I learned about Liverpool surprised me and I was given the strong impression that Liverpool means business with a very credible offer and is clearly a place in which you can make money.
“I was further impressed by the extent of Liverpool’s ambition, the evident professionalism from the city’s public and business leaders and the knowledge and expertise that exists in the city in a range of diverse sectors.
“Liverpool is now on our radar and I suspect on the radar of many others too.”
Ends
For further information please contact Jonathan Caswell, head of Public Relations at Liverpool Vision on 0151 600 2946 or jcaswell@liverpoolvision.co.uk
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