Edge Lane
Liverpool City Council (LCC) are seeking to better understand local business needs and dynamics in Edge Lane/Wavertree Technology Park (WTP) – together areas of Liverpool that are recognised for their active and diverse business economy.
There have been recent discussions between the council and businesses close to the Littlewoods development and Wavertree Technology Park which have flagged key challenges and priorities. These include the disconnect between individual businesses in the area and, more so, the disconnect between Edge Lane/WTP and the local authority. LCC wanted to work with businesses in Edge Lane/WTP to try to address these challenges and priorities by starting conversations and co-producing plans for business growth and development in the area. This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as the lead authority.
Through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Business Support Service, LCC commissioned PLACED (Place Education CIC) to deliver a programme of engagement that captures views and informs the nature of support that could help businesses in the area and enable them to grow.
What did we do
PLACED’s engagement programme for the Edge Lane/WTP Business Stakeholder Engagement project took place between April and July 2024 and included online engagement, pop-ups events at Liverpool Innovation Park, and 121s with individual businesses.
Liverpool City Council (LCC) are seeking to better understand local business needs and dynamics in Edge Lane/Wavertree Technology Park (WTP), together areas of Liverpool that are recognised for their active and diverse business economy. They invited PLACED to deliver a programme of engagement that would offer a range of opportunities for local businesses and individuals to share their views. Over three months, the PLACED team showed commitment to reaching out to those across the area, offering a range of opportunities and ways for people to share their views. PLACED continuously reviewed their approach to ensure we had the maximum impact, and that people’s voices would be heard. The findings they provided in their final report are already shaping our approach to working and supporting local businesses. We wouldn’t hesitate to work with PLACED again!”
– Cathy Skelly, Business and Economic Support Manager, Liverpool City Council
Outcomes
The findings from our engagement programme will inform ongoing work LCC and the Business Support Service are delivering in the Edge Lane area to help its business community to grow and thrive. Following our engagement, in October 2024, LCC delivered a networking and business support event with Liverpool Chamber to give local businesses the opportunity to connect and meet organisations who can offer support.
