Private sector view: more streamlining needed among other agencies

AS CHAIRMAN of business lobby group Downtown Liverpool in Business (DLIB), Frank McKenna gets regular feedback from his members about the level of support they receive.

He says the reorganisation of Business Link does appear to have been successful so far, but adds he would still like to see more streamlining take place among other agencies.

"The experience of our members seems to indicate that Business Link is now much more pro-active than it used to be," said McKenna.

"It used to be the case that you might get help from Business Link if you were lucky and you could get hold of someone. But now that situation is much better.

"However, I still think there is confusion in many people’s minds as to the role of other agencies like TMP and Liverpool Vision. There still needs to be more streamlining – this is something we at DLIB have been talking about for the past four years.

"We still believe there are too many different bodies and agencies out there and that the NWDA should take more of a lead role in cutting the number down."

The Liverpool office of accountancy firm Grant Thornton counts many SMEs among its clients. Its managing partner, Neil Sturmey, believes the early signs following the reorganisation of Business Link are generally positive. He said: "We did go to a meeting at the new headquarters in Preston and have appointed people in our respective offices to explore opportunities.

"They are good people to work with and we understand what they are trying to achieve.

"I think it’s still somewhat early days to judge the effects of centralisation, but where there’s a will there’s usually a way."