Northern Power Towns Group Welcomes Boost to Rail Infrastructure
15/01/2026
Downtown in Business partner, The Northern Power Towns group, have welcomed the government’s latest announcement for rail investment.
DOWNTOWN IN BUSINESS WELCOMES MAJOR RAIL INVESTMENT – URGES GOVERNMENT TO “GET DIGGING, NOT JUST TALKING”
15/01/2026
Downtown in Business has welcomed this weeks announcement of significant government investment into rail infrastructure, including the long-awaited Northern Power Rail programme and a new high-speed link between Liverpool and Manchester.
“Lancashire Must Get Out of Its Own Way” – Downtown in Business Warns of Barriers Holding Back the County’s Growth
15/01/2026
Downtown in Business group chair and chief executive Frank McKenna has warned that Lancashire risks “missing its moment” unless political leaders across the county urgently address the long-standing structural barriers that continue to stifle economic growth, inward investment, and the wider regional economy.
Martin Liptrot joins Downtown in Business as Director of Strategic Partnerships
15/01/2026
Downtown in Business today announced the addition of Martin Liptrot as its new Director of Strategic Partnerships, strengthening the organisation’s leadership team as it continues to expand its influence, membership, and national footprint.
EP.128 | Global Tensions Ignite the New Year
12/01/2026
Happy belated New Year and welcome back to the Downtown Den Politics Podcast. We barely stepped away and the world went straight back to chaos with international tensions involving Iran Venezuela and Ukraine.
An open letter to the Chancellor : Business Rates Change Must Go Further – Or the High Street Pays the Price
08/01/2026
Downtown in Business and Liverpool Business Improvement District have written an open letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer raising serious concerns about the current design of business rates reform.
Liverpool Business Improvement District and Downtown in Business launch national campaign to “Unlock Britain’s Visitor Economy”
05/01/2026
The campaign will bring together business leaders, BIDs, hotels, retailers, cultural venues, and parliamentarians to press government for a more pro-growth, business-led approach to supporting the visitor economy.
EP.127 | Listener Questions & 2026 Predictions
29/12/2025
Frank, Jim and Jo, look back on some of the highlights from their involvement with politics throughout the years, answer listeners questions and put together their Fantasy Cabinets.
EP.126 | 2025 Review
22/12/2025
Welcome to the latest episode of the Downtown Den Politics Podcast, that is going to try and makes sense of what has been a turbulent year in the world of politics.
Downtown in Business Welcomes Godfrey Group Facilities as Strategic Partner
17/12/2025
Downtown in Business are delighted to welcome Godfrey Group Facilities to our partner portfolio as a year-long strategic partner, working with the Downtown in Business team to strengthen their presence across the hospitality and visitor economy.
P J Livesey join DIB as partner for 2026
17/12/2025
We’re delighted to welcome PJ Livesey as a Downtown in Business partner for 2026. PJ Livesey are one of the UK’s most respected regeneration specialists, with an outstanding track record in breathing new life into historic buildings and places.
Season 5. Episode 5. | Hospitality | Hyatt Regency & INNSiDE By Meliá
12/12/2025
In this episode DIB boss Frank McKenna chats with Sarah Matts from Hyatt Regency in Manchester and Annabel Lax from INNSiDE By Meliá Manchester.