
EP.130 | Does Starmer Fear a Burnham Challenge?
Does Keir Starmer and the Labour Party fear Andy Burnham? Will there be a comeback for Andy Street? Should Andy Street and Ruth Davidson join the Liberal Democrats?
We are Manchester Foundation Trust Charity.
We raise funds for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country. Our Trust is made up of 10 hospitals which provide a full range of hospital services to 850,000 people across Manchester, Trafford and beyond. It is the biggest single provider of specialised services in England, with patients coming from across the country to receive the expert care provided in our hospitals.
Our Trust is a leader in healthcare research and innovation and our clinical teams are at the forefront of many major medical breakthroughs. Our Trust is also home to two Local Care Organisations (LCOs) which run NHS community health and adult social care services in Manchester and Trafford.

Does Keir Starmer and the Labour Party fear Andy Burnham? Will there be a comeback for Andy Street? Should Andy Street and Ruth Davidson join the Liberal Democrats?

Tuesday evening saw leaders from across the construction sector come together at the Liverpool Malmaison to hear from Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, Leader of Liverpool City Council, Liam Robinson and Mindflow CEO, Trevor Steven on how the sector must work together to reduce suicide rates and improve mental health.

The Liverpool Business Improvement District and Downtown in Business will lead a delegation of industry leaders from the hospitality sector and wider visitor economy this week, as they launch their national campaign ‘Unlock Britain’s Visitor Economy’ at Westminster next week.

Liverpool-based event planning and styling company The Event Agency has announced a new partnership with Downtown in Business, delivering bespoke event styling for a series of high-profile regional sell out events throughout 2026.

In this week’s blog, Steven discusses taking on the Chester Food and Drink Festival, saving a much-loved Easter tradition, and the ten-week challenge of reimagining it as the Cheshire and North Wales Food and Drink Festival.

On Tuesday 20th January 2026, Downtown in Business was pleased to host the Powering the North: Devolution Lunch at Malmaison, Manchester, convening senior leaders from Lancashire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester for a focused and constructive roundtable discussion.