Sporting city ‘suits’ invited to join street party for 800th celebrations

Jul 11 2007 by Tony McDonough, Liverpool Daily Post

COMPANIES in Liverpool’s central business district are being urged to take part in a street party being held to celebrate the city’s 800th birthday.

The Liverpool Commercial District Partnership (LCDP) is organising the event, to be held on Tuesday, August 28 and supported by the Liverpool Daily Post, and the festivities will include a parade, music and performances by local artists.

People will have the opportunity to discover more about the history of the business district through special exhibitions and local restaurants will also compete against each other in a cake-baking contest.

The highlight of the day will be an inter-business school sports day when local “suits” will regress back to their childhoods by taking part in events such as the egg and spoon race.

LCDP chief executive, Paul Rice, appealed for local businesses to enter teams for the event.

He said: “We are looking for local businesses to enter a team of four staff to compete in the sports day events, at a cost of just £40 per team. The competition will be held between 12 noon and 2pm on the day. The winners will be presented with a trophy and the following Friday will receive a lunch at the Radisson SAS hotel.

“Everyone is more than welcome to attend the party, even just to make up a crowd and laugh at the competitors. Please come along and find out more about the Liverpool Commercial District Partnership. Look out for the promotional literature and expect a call from the event organisers very soon.”

Many of the city’s birthday celebrations are taking place on August 27 – Bank Holiday Monday – but LCDP wanted to give the business community an opportun-ity to play its part in the event.

To that end, firms in the commercial district are being urged to allow their employees extended lunch hours so they can take part.

Dougal Paver, managing director of Old Hall Street-based public relations firm, Paver Smith, which is supporting the event, said: “It would be fantastic if local employers could show their support for this event by being a little bit flexible about what time people get back from lunch.”

LCDP was set up last year to encourage investment in the central business district. To find out more about the organisation log on to www.liverpoolcdp.com.

tonymcdonough@dailypost.co.uk