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Gain the insight and knowledge that you need to succeed as a supplier in the booming Defence sector.
For UK manufacturers, the defence sector offers a pathway to stability, growth, and innovation. Defence contracts are highly valued for their long-term security and resilience, often remaining unaffected by economic downturns.

On the day, you will have guidance on defence business development strategy, presentations from defence Prime Contractors on how procurement works and their upcoming requirements, alongside details of support for businesses within the Northwest.

To find our more click here

Free course for employees of Liverpool City Region businesses run by Southport College

In the pursuit of delivering excellent customer service skills to all businesses that attract and serve people visiting our region (the visitor economy), employers across the area are invited to enrol their staff onto this course.

You will learn a host of leadership and customer services skills, techniques and ideas to make your business excel, boosting your local visitor economy.

The 4 week course runs from 9.00am-12.00pm on Wednesdays, with various dates throughout the year. To register your interest use the Book Now! button below and our Employer Partnerships team will soon be in touch to coordinate your start date.

• Our course is tailored to your business and the training could be delivered either on-site at your workplace or at our Southport town centre campus on Mornington Road.
• Suitable for all customer facing staff with the aim of training employees on effective ways to develop and enhance their skills, no matter their existing ability.
• We have industry professionals delivering the course and upon successful completion, candidates receive a certificate.
• The course is free to all employees of businesses in the Liverpool City Region, which includes Sefton, Liverpool, Knowsley, Saint Helens, Halton and Wirral.

Fill in our registration form and our team will soon be in touch.

Sefton Council’s Passenger Transport Open Framework is currently live.

This framework is designed to support the safe and reliable transportation of passengers with special educational needs and disabilities to and from their educational and/or care settings.

Sefton Council would like to promote this opportunity to local suppliers & support local businesses in signing up.

The information session will cover:

• How this framework will operate
• Explore how you can sign up to the framework
• Details on specific requirements for SEND transport services, including meeting the needs of SEND passengers and safeguarding.
• Find out how you can bid for work, take part in mini competitions.
• Access support that is available to you from the Procurement Team / InvestSefton.
• 1:1 chats with Sefton Council’s Procurement team at the session.
• Marketing opportunities via the framework.

The event will be held at The Lake House in Waterloo on 3rd February at 12pm. A complimentary lunch will be provided.

To book your place please visit our events page.

Southport is set to glow this February half term as Lightport, a brand-new free immersive light art experience, takes over Lord Street for three magical evenings to mark the start of Southport 2026, a year-long cultural calendar of events in the town.

Running from 14–16 February, Lightport will invite families, friends and visitors of all ages to step into a vibrant world of colour, sound and movement.

The event marks the opening moment of Southport 2026, a year-long celebration of the town’s Elegantly Eccentric past, present and future. Using cutting-edge lighting technology and immersive audio, Lightport sets the tone for a year packed with culture, creativity and unforgettable experiences.

Sefton Huddle is the networking group for businesses in the digital, creative & tech sectors in Sefton. The group meets three times a year and the next meeting has been confirmed for Tuesday 24th Feb 2026, from 11am to 1pm at Marine Football Club in Crosby.

If you would like more information about Sefton Huddle please call us on 0151 934 3452 or email investsefton@sefton.gov.uk

Book your place at Sefton Huddle here.

2026 is going to be HUGE for Southport with the launch of Southport 2026– a series of cultural events taking place on Lord Street. (Visit Southport 2026) for details on the events).

To ensure businesses make the most of this opportunity, InvestSefton recently ran a series of workshops to help businesses think creatively, promote themselves more widely and help to deliver next level customer service.

The presentations from all the workshops can be found here and we plan to rerun the workshops later in the year- keep an eye on our website for more details.

The University of Liverpool has a strong record in supporting Liverpool City Region based SMEs, through their Liverpool Interns Programme, enabling  the Careers & Employability team, to support companies in improving their business competitiveness, by taking advantage of student talent!

Students deliver meaningful projects, implementing the skills and knowledge being developed through their degree disciplines, by working on projects that make a real impact to a company’s development.

The Careers & Employability Team, works collaboratively with businesses, to design a project that meets the company’s needs, while showcasing just how much value a University of Liverpool student can bring to a business.

Employer benefits:
✅ Fully funded 80-hour projects
✅ Fresh insights, creative thinking, and problem-solving from students
✅ Build a future talent pipeline
✅ Dedicated support from our Employer Connections Team

Benefits for students:
💵 Flexible paid opportunity that will fit around their course commitments
🎓 Enhanced employability and professional confidence
🏢 Real-world experience within local organisations
 
If you wish to explore this offer further, then why not attend their Launch Event, being held on the University campus, on Thursday 4th December (4.00pm to 5.30pm), when the Team will elaborate on how the Programme works!

To register to attend – https://lnkd.in/e2zjWRAE

If you are unable to attend this event, but, would like to explore the offer further, then please email Paul Cullinan, Employer Connections , Careers & Employability and Paul will be happy to meet with you, to elaborate on the offer and how it will work.

Our next Economic Forum will take place on Thursday 27th November at The Lake House in Waterloo. As well a complimentary breakfast there will be interesting & informative talks an also the opportunity for networking and to browse our business support marketplace.

Talks for the morning include:

An economic update from economist Christian Spence

A presentation on the LCR Growth Plan from Adrian Nolan from the Liverpool City Region

Colin Chong from Everton FC will talk about the initial economic impact and opportunities arising from Everton FC’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium

Mark Catherall, Head of Tourism for Sefton Council will provide a summary of ‘Southport 2026’ as well as an update on The Open at Royal Birkdale in July 2026.

Visit our events page for more information and to book your place

As Southport prepares itself for a unique year of extraordinary cultural activity in 2026, InvestSefton wants to ensure local businesses are fully prepared to capitalise on it.

Find out more about the cultural programme of events, including a video here.

InvestSefton have now launched a series of FREE workshops designed to boost your creativity, strengthen your marketing capabilities, and elevate your customer experience – giving your business the confidence to REALLY make the most of what is anticipated to be a never-before-experienced & exciting 12 months for Southport. 

Over 3 workshops, InvestSefton and our Expert Hosts will help you discover the next level for your business, covering 3 key themes, read more about the workshops here.

Applications are now open for the Innervision Business Growth Programme – Phase 2, supporting 25 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic-led businesses across the Liverpool City Region.

Commissioned by the Liverpool City Region Race Equality Hub – this six-month programme includes a compulsory 2-day residential on 23rd & 24th November, 1-to-1 coaching, peer support, investment readiness, ecosystem access, and a £1.5k bursary on completion.

Eligibility:
• Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic-owned or led business
• Based or trading in the Liverpool City Region
• Not taken part in business support in the last 6 months
• Able to attend the residential
• Ready to commit to growth

Apply here: Business Support Programme

Deadline: 5 pm, 17th November

Further information is attached, and if you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with Joanne at Innervision info@innervisionconsultancy.co.uk.