A number of organisations across Liverpool City Region’s business community have pledged their support to an exciting new festival to celebrate independent businesses and entrepreneurs.
Liverpool Loves is a three-day business and cultural festival taking place for the first time in August 2015; and will provide a platform to celebrate, participate and create everything people are so passionate about across the region.
Liverpool Loves is the brainchild of events company Orb CIC, who created Liverpool Pride 2010 and is co-creator of the Brazilica Festival.
The first cohort of businesses to come on board to support the festival include Liverpool & Sefton Chambers Of Commerce; Social Enterprise Network; The Women’s Organisation; and Downtown In Business. Professor David Gibson from Liverpool John Moores University Centre for Entrepreneurship is confirmed as a guest speaker for the festival.
The free event is being staged between Thursday 6 August and Saturday 8 August on the city’s iconic Pier Head, under the shadow of the world famous Three Graces and Liver Birds, and against the backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In year one, the focus falls on four main areas – Liverpool Loves Culture; Liverpool Loves Business; Liverpool Loves Food; Liverpool Loves Well Being.
Liverpool Loves promises to promote and celebrate all the fantastic things that Liverpool has to offer, in turn supporting new business with profits raised through the event. Thursday 6 August will be more focused on business, while the Saturday is billed as festival day.
Jenny Stewart, CEP of Liverpool & Sefton Chambers Of Commerce, said:
“Liverpool Loves promises to be a vibrant and exciting festival for entrepreneurs across the City Region to showcase their talent and passion for business.
“Inspiring creativity and ambition is key to the development of Liverpool as a thriving economic and cultural city and it’s events like Liverpool Loves which make this happen. I’d encourage any business, large or small, to make the most out of this dynamic events programme.”
Rosie Jolly, Chief Executive, Mayoral Lead for Social and Community Enterprise, added:
“The Social Enterprise Network is delighted to support Liverpool Loves which will be the jewel in this year’s business sector events calendar. Following the success of International Festival for Business last year, it is important that we keep business high on the agenda, particularly local SMEs which make up over 99% of businesses across the Liverpool City Region.
“Local SMEs rarely get an opportunity to promote their business to a wider market and this event will provide a platform for business of all sizes to do just that. We promote ‘buy local, buy social’ first as a way of growing local business and creating opportunity. I urge local businesses to get on board with this event as Liverpool really does love business.”
Liverpool Loves Business, taking place on Thursday 6th August, will serve as a promotional hub for the small business and entrepreneur community of the city region; with seminar stages for guest speakers, a commercial marketplace, networking spaces and work stations – resulting in a varied programme which aims to serve the needs of everyday Liverpool business people. In the evening, the area will be transformed to host the official festival launch party with food, drinks and live entertainment, providing a reason to stick around and network in a more informal setting.
The focus on the Saturday is all about providing a platform for the business community to reconnect with the people of the city. The creative and lifestyle sectors of Liverpool will entertain the public with showcase exhibitions, live performances and demonstrations.
Orb CIC is working to bring business, culture and lifestyle together for Liverpool Loves, with a strong emphasis on support and encouraging Liverpool independents who can sometimes be overlooked within the wider city landscape. Liverpool Loves will endeavour to use local exhibitors, suppliers, produce and staff where possible.
Josh Boyd, Festival Director for Liverpool Loves, said:
“The strong focus throughout creating the Liverpool Loves festival is to give something back – whether that’s offering advice to a business start-up, empowering entrepreneurs, or inspiring others to follow their dream and bring their business idea to life.
“The calibre of the organisations pledging their support to Liverpool Loves is extremely positive, and we hope others will follow their lead and be keen to be part of the inaugural festival. We are striving to give entrepreneurs, social enterprise initiatives, and new talent a springboard to get to that next level.”
Liverpool Loves wants to hear from small business, producers, suppliers and performers who would like to get involved.
Liverpool Loves takes place 6 – 8 August 2015 at the city’s iconic Pier Head.
Get involved by emailing your details to info@orb-events.co.uk
The new Liverpool Loves website is now live featuring regular updates www.liverpoolloves.co.uk