In summary
Welcome to our FSB Merseyside and Cheshire Small Business Bulletin for March!
Read on to find out about the many ways FSB is supporting YOUR business, including leading on an exciting new initiative to help more small firms win public sector contracts, supporting the huge potential of devolution to boost ailing business confidence and a whole host of networking and educational events and collaborations to put you in the best place to succeed.
Featured news and events
Liverpool City Region to benefit from FSB-led procurement pilot
Liverpool City Region businesses are set to benefit from an FSB-led public procurement pilot scheme - the first of its kind in the UK. The scheme, backed by Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and his Greater Manchester counterpart Andy Burnham, uses an AI-powered digital platform for low-value spend on local authority services by councils where procurement is handled by STAR Procurement, which leading the initiative alongside FSB and Nomia. These include Knowsley and St Helens, as well as four councils in Greater Manchester. FSB Greater Manchester’s Robert Downes said: “This is an exciting opportunity for businesses and it’s something FSB has been campaigning for. “For councils, it means they could and should be getting better value for taxpayers’ money by opening up contracts to many more business, and spending locally which we know helps create wealth in our communities.” FSB research shows most small businesses regard council procurement as overly complicated and time consuming. The pilot will be available initially for contracts under £50k, potentially increasing to £213k as it progresses. It is hoped other councils will come on board what could be a game-changing moment for public sector procurement. Access the portal and enrol here.
Devolution could boost Cheshire and Warrington’s struggling businesses
The Government’s decision to name Cheshire and Warrington as a devolution priority programme could boost ailing small business confidence and growth prospects, FSB is arguing. FSB’s latest Small Business Index (Q4 of 2024) shows confidence fell by more than 40 points on the previous quarter, with record-low revenues and 24.2% of UK firms expecting to downsize in the first three months of 2025 as they grapple with a slow economy, employment tax increases and legal changes affecting recruitment and retention. However, the Government green light for mayoral elections Cheshire and Warrington in May 2026 is a chance to seize the potential of devolution by placing significant power and funding in the hands of local decision makers. “The latest small business confidence figures are deeply concerning, but devolution potentially presents unprecedented opportunities for communities and businesses in Cheshire and Warrington,” said FSB Merseyside and Cheshire’s Phil McCabe. “Making decisions that affect local firms locally, rather than in Westminster, would be a definite step back in the right direction.” A consultation on establishing a Mayoral Combined Authority, which could see a reorganisation of the existing councils across Cheshire and Warrington, closes on Sunday, 13 April 2025.
Unlock AI potential at St Helens Business Bootcamp
Join FSB on Thursday, 1 May at the Totally Wicked Stadium, the home of St Helens Rugby Club, for another power-packed Business Bootcamp! This time, we will focus on the power of AI. A full day of learning at the North West’s foremost annual support event will be hosted again by Gary Johnson, Owner of FrontGuyGary and Radio Presenter at The Cat radio station. Tech giant Microsoft is the headline sponsor, and the event is also sponsored by the Trade Remedies Authority, which since it was established in 2021 has protected UK producers from unfair trade practices across £22bn of UK imports. With refreshments and lunch provided, you can browse the stands in the exhibition space – and even showcase your own business, enjoying a special reduced rate for FSB members. With plenty of opportunities for open networking, dive into a day bursting with wisdom and insights from the best handpicked speakers, sharing with you their knowledge and expertise in one of the most cutting-edge areas of business operations. Propel your business forward with a raft of strategies from a day brimming with take-away actions.
Find out more about speakers, book your place or a trade stand here>
In other news
Liverpool Networking, by FSB and HSBC
FSB Merseyside and Cheshire and HSBC representatives will host a morning of networking at the historic Royal Liver Building on Tuesday, 18 March. Sign up and come along to about the business support provided by FSB and HSBC while enjoying tea and coffee at the Grade I listed venue, one of Liverpool's famous 'Three Graces' (along with the neighbouring Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building). Located at the city's historic Pier Head, it was part of Liverpool's formerly UNESCO-designated World Heritage Maritime Mercantile City and features the two fabled Liver Birds, which watch over the city and the sea. The event follows the first HSBC-FSB collaboration in October 2024. Our aim is to provide a platform for business owners from across Liverpool City Region and beyond to come together in an informal, relaxed yet engaging event, with an emphasis on making key introductions, connect with new contacts and meet old friends. Open to FSB members and non-members, whether you are a regular networker or a newbie you will find a warm welcome and an easy atmosphere for making those valuable introductions.
FSB and Colony Networking events
We are delighted to be collaborating with Colony Networking to host face-to-face networking events for businesses and across the North West. The events are hosted by Colony’s Simon Edmonson with open networking over tea and coffee, followed by interesting educational seminars and an outline of FSB member benefits courtesy of FSB Membership Advisor Darren Gallimore - all in relaxed, pressure-free environments. FSB members receive a special discount by entering a code upon registering. You can also make a personal appointment with Darren by contacting him directly on 07772056263 and [email protected]
In Cheshire, our next early-evening events take place at ONE London Rd, Alderley Edge on Monday, 17 March 2025 (sign up here) and The Queen at Chester Hotel, opposite Chester Railway Station, on Wednesday, 19 March (register here) Don’t forget – you can also join us online at our Virtual Networking events for Liverpool City Region and Cheshire and Warrington, which take place every month and draw local attendees and those from further afield, who are able to introduce their business and hear from fantastic speakers before entering the virtual ‘breakout rooms’ for more intimate networking.
Still in the news
FSB launches business building workshops with Ways to Wow
FSB has launched monthly business building workshops with Liverpool’s Ways to WOW, which provides customer experience, leadership, and personal and professional development, specialising in creating impactful WOW moments. February’s launch event, ‘Build a Brand,’ featured Ways to WOW’s founder and Managing Director of Ways Jamie Wray on the tools and knowledge that can help turn small businesses into a big brand. Under Jamie’s guidance, attendees were equipped to take steps towards building a brand in the right way, learning how to automate business processes and procedures to create consistent experiences that drive excellence, brand loyalty and sales. These ideas will be developed at Ways to WOW's Build a Brand Summit on 20-21 May, with FSB members who book by Wednesday, 14 March eligible for a 40%, £100 discount! Join us each month at INNSiDE by Meliá Liverpool, Old Hall Street in the heart of the city's business district. Alongside the main workshop you can network over tea, coffee and cakes, with panoramic views of the Liverpool skyline from the venue's Sky Bar. Make sure you add the workshops to your diary and sign up now to reserve your spot. For all upcoming events across the North West and the UK, keep an eye on the FSB event calendar here.
Join FSB at Liverpool Business Fair
FSB Merseyside and Cheshire is exhibiting at Liverpool Business Fair, to take place on Tue 25 Mar at St George’s Hall. Come along and join us on our stand at the annual business-to-business exhibition alongside 60-70 other exhibitors and with numerous opportunities to network. There will also be business support advice and services and a host of interesting and educational business seminars on offer, which last year included:
- ‘Demystifying Apprenticeships with Liverpool Business School’s Dr Emma Hill;
- ‘Unlocking LinkedIn’s Potential: Boost Your B2B Sales with AI Insights’ from Ian Nicklin,
- IN Social and;
- ‘The not so secret world of Business Duck Herding’ from Business Coach and Trainer Andy Guile.
Liverpool Business Fair is now in its 23rd year after being first held at Liverpool Town Hall in March 2002, and more recently at Liverpool Football Club. This year’s venue, the magnificent Grade I listed St George’s Hall opposite Lime Street railway station, was called one of the finest neo-Grecian buildings in the world by the architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner. All business visitors that attend on the day benefit from free post-event promotion via the online event guide - just choose ‘Event Visitor Promo Ticket’ when registering here.
More news and activity near you
- Lancashire and Cumbria
- Greater Manchester
- More from FSB North West
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for Merseyside & Cheshire is Phil McCabe. If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.
- email us: [email protected]
- follow us on x: @FSBMerseyside
- follow us on Facebook: @FSB.Merseyside.Cheshire