Trading gossip

Jun 13 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

IT HAS been a difficult week for Liverpool City Council leader, Warren Bradley, the city’s self-styled “business champion”.

No doubt Labour leader Joe Anderson’s decision to quit the board of the Culture Company has caused some upset, and Cllr Bradley’s suggestion for a Capital of Culture whip-round has not gone down well with members of the local business community.

However, our favourite fire bobby may be averse to putting his hand in his own pocket, we hear.

Warren made a small wager with the city’s director of regeneration, John Kelly, that Everton would finish above Tottenham Hotspur in the Premiership.

Spurs fan Kelly was delighted when his beloved Spurs came out on top but it seems that, several weeks after the season’s end, Warren has still not stumped up the cash.

* CURIOUS email sent last week from the Sir Thomas Hotel in Liverpool, a rather up-market establishment owned by Liverpool businessman, Paul Flanagan, above.

With Ascot races fast approaching, the venue is trying to attract those race fans unable to make it down to the Berkshire course.

The message reads: “Dreaming of long summer days sipping champagne and Pimms whilst enjoying Ascot Races? Our expert planning team can make your dreams come true.”

For just a tenner, Sir Thomas is offering private tables, Pimms, fine wines and afternoon tea and is putting up a large screen so punters can watch all the races.

It also boasts you won’t have to leave the bar to place a bet. Are they, we wonder, bringing back that old tradition of Liverpool pubs, the bookie’s runner?

* TRADING Gossip braved its fear of heights to attend the official opening of the new offices of Liverpool PR firm Paver Smith, on the 14th floor of the Plaza, in Old Hall Street.

The party eventually saw most of the attendant punters crammed on to the balcony with some seen to be edging nervously along with their backs to the wall.

No such fears for boss Dougal Paver who, at the end of the month, will lead a team of city professionals to climb Ireland’s five highest peaks in just one day, in aid of Claire House.