§ Mrs. Curtis-Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps have been taken by the South Sefton Partnership to improve support for businesses. [128880]
§ Jacqui Smith:This is one of South Sefton Partnership's four key objectives. The Partnership has recently prepared a small booklet, "South Sefton Partnership-The Story So Far", which aims to illustrate steps taken to date on these four key objectives.
The steps taken in respect of this objective are as follows:
developing the South Sefton Investment Centre project, which will provide much-needed managed workspace for small businesses and generating income for community projects beyond the lifetime of the Partnership;creating the South Sefton Small Firms Loan Fund, a seedcorn finance scheme run through Merseyside Special Investment Fund;launching two grant schemes for local companies. Gateway to Growth supports investment in capital equipment and Improve Your Lot supports improvements to sites and premises;funding a major study into the redevelopment of Bootle town centre with the aim of attracting investment and jobs to South Sefton and supporting the first phase of the improvement work;supporting an important study into the regeneration of Crosby Marina, creating anew watersports and visitor centre;funding a project providing grant assistance to small retail businesses to enable them to improve the security of their premises;funding the new post of Business Liaison Officer to promote the further development of the South Sefton Business Forum and the Partnership funded grant schemes; andfunding the demolition and clearance of the former Secrets nightclub in Litherland to create a site for possible future use for housing.