Business and Economy

The Good Business Festival marks the launch of general release tickets today with a creative advertising campaign on the streets of the Liverpool City Region, highlighting the event themes of housing, ethical consumerism, sustainable food, and inclusion.  

Commissioned by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, the Good Business Festival is a not-for-profit three-day event, which will take place Wednesday 7th to Friday 9th July at venues across the Liverpool City Region.

Aiming to tackle the world’s greatest challenges, the event will bring together the smartest minds to think big, galvanise our ambitions and focus on progress and not perfection. 

All ticket revenue will be donated directly to LCR Cares – a local community fund established by Mayor Rotheram – with tickets priced from as little as £10 for a one-day pass. Purchase your tickets here: https://thegoodbusinessfestival.com/tickets/

With more than 70 sessions in six boroughs across 10 venues with leading business experts and creative minds, the festival will explore the economic, environmental, consumer and technological challenges our society faces, as well as offering ideas, inspiration and practical solutions.  

Watch this space for more information about Sefton’s role in the business event and how the Council’s InvestSefton service will be highlighting how they can support businesses across the borough.

InvestSefton leads on and supports economic growth in the borough and is the Council’s enterprise, business support and inward investment service. To find out how InvestSefton can help your business contact 0151 934 3452 or email investsefton@sefton.gov.uk or visit www.investsefton.com.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said: “The Coronavirus pandemic has dealt a hammer blow to people and businesses across our region and around the world but, with the rollout of vaccines gathering pace, there is now hope that the end is in sight. 

“Throughout the last few years, we’ve invested in an unprecedented package of support to protect and grow the local economy and launched projects like the Good Business Festival to reimagine, improve and reshape the way that we do business.

“We’ve also been leading the way in getting back to in-person events, so it would be fantastic to see as many people as there as possible to help us debate and imagine the positive, ethical future we want.” 

Also running from 7-9 July, The Good Business Festival Youth Summit will delve into themes including climate change, food production and distribution, oceans, activism and role models. More than 1,110 primary and secondary school children have been invited to attend across two days in the spectacular Knowsley Hall and Safari Park.

Hosted by TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham the event will feature inspiring interactive sessions from partners including the UK Youth Parliament and the British Antarctic Survey.

Mayor Rotheram added: “For too long, leaders have made decisions about the future without consulting with the young people whose future it really affects. I want to change that. It’s fantastic that we’ll be joined by Chris Packham and some local young people, who will be bringing their enthusiasm, ideas and vision for how we can build a better future.”

Wayne Hemingway MBE, Creative Director, The Good Business Festival, commented: “The Good Business Festival will tackle the big challenges that our society faces, from creating sustainable food to better housing, and examining how business can become a force for positive change.  Tickets are now on sale from only £10 and all proceeds go to local Liverpool City Region charities. We’d all be daft not to be a part of it!”

Preventative healthcare company PAM Group has made a £3m investment in new premises in Aintree, bringing 25 new job opportunities to the Borough.

PAM Group has acquired Fortune House, a 30,750sq ft warehouse on the Sefton Business Park at Aintree. It was built in 1989 as a call centre for Vernon’s Pools. The site on Deltic Way includes an area earmarked for seven smaller units covering a further 18,700 sq ft. Plans for these additional units have been submitted to Sefton Council’s Planning Department.

InvestSefton, the Council’s enterprise, business support and inward investment service, will be assisting the company to help recruit new employees through its Sefton@Work advisors. InvestSefton will also establish a strong working relationship that supports the business as they establish their new home in Sefton.

The warehouse will be the main storage and distribution centre for PAM Health, which sells exercise, fitness, sports, ergonomic, physiotherapy and rehabilitation equipment.

Fast-growing PAM Health supplies consumers as well as professionals such as physiotherapists, and healthcare providers. It has expanded through acquisitions as well as organically, with revenues on track to reach £5m this year.

Following a fit-out of the warehouse, the company plans to install video recording and photographic studios there alongside a technical support unit.

James Murphy, founder and chief executive of PAM Group, said the investment would initially generate 25 new jobs across PAM Health’s warehousing, sales and customer service operations, rising to 50 over the next couple of years.

James said: “We are delighted to have completed the purchase of this site, which doubles our existing warehouse capacity and will enable us to support the expansion of PAM Health.

“There is a huge increase in demand for its vast range of products, particularly as people work more from home and have more neurodiversity needs.

“Our new warehouse means we will be able to hold more stock and ensure continuity of supply for our growing customer base.

“The site is ideally located, being near to the motorway network and a large population from which to recruit talented staff as we bring employment opportunities to the area.

“This investment marks the latest exciting chapter in the growth and development of PAM Group as we continue to build for the future.

“We look forward to progressing plans for the seven smaller units at the site, which will be used for further PAM Health operations including a specialist clinical laboratory, creating more jobs in the area.”

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “It is great news for the Borough that another successful business has chosen to expand its footprint here in Sefton and we’re extending a very warm welcome to them right here in Aintree.

“Not only is this a great asset in terms of creating new jobs for our area but it also demonstrates that businesses can really thrive here.

“InvestSefton play a key role in supporting businesses moving into the Borough like PAM Group, which is vital for Sefton’s future economic growth. Our specialist officers will be providing their expert local knowledge to aid staff recruitment and support the business as they expand their offer from their new Sefton based home.”

InvestSefton leads on and supports economic growth in the Borough. To find out how InvestSefton can support a local business contact 0151 934 3452 or email investsefton@sefton.gov.uk 

For further information visit www.investsefton.com

For more information on PAM Group, visit www.pamgroup.co.uk