Heseltine to speak at Downtown event

Lord Heseltine will address 50 of the city's business leaders and entrepreneurs at a Downtown Liverpool in Business event on Thursday 2 December.

The former Tory Deputy Prime Minister and 'minister for Merseyside' will discuss how Liverpool can secure its future prosperity.

The event, at the Crowne Plaza hotel, will also offer an opportunity to find out more about the £1.4bn Regional Growth Fund, the advisory board for which Lord Heseltine is chairing.

Frank McKenna, chairman of Downtown Liverpool in Business, said: "This will be the first time Lord Heseltine has met with Liverpool's business community since the city region's Local Enterprise Partnership bid was given the go-ahead.

"It's not only a great chance for our members to learn more about the RGF, but also to gain insight into what other cities are doing to drive growth, encourage business investment and promote economic development."

Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, which is sponsoring the event, said: "Lord Heseltine will be able to witness the extent of continuing Liverpool's physical and economic renaissance and the increased confidence of the city council and the private sector, which have been working closely together for a number of years.

"Liverpool has phenomenal opportunities, assets and capacity for growth but we still have much to do. Increasing the number of private sector jobs will be key to the good future prospects for the city's communities."