The Art School this Christmas

PAUL Askew and his team are getting ready for Christmas as they celebrate a decade of The Art School in Liverpool. This Christmas, Paul Askew and his team are relishing the chance to be creative with the abundance of seasonal produce available from across the Region as 11 pipers are piping. As they continue to celebrate their 10th Anniversary, the restaurant's ambitions are again reflected in their display of contemporary fine-dining always set to the highest gastronomic standards.

Chef Patron and owner Paul is proud to reveal his selection of menus in the new Christmas brochure. In the Lantern Room, options include:- full festive Taster Menu to prix fixe, through to Excellence, Christmas Eve and finally New Year's Eve with an early prix fixe service followed by a Celebration Menu to see out the year in the finest of styles. There's plenty to choose from with the food matched with fantastic global wines, champagnes and cocktails.

The Art School's beautiful Victorian home on Sugnall Street features The Moriarty Room and The Art School's Tasting Room. They are available to book for private Christmas gatherings, parties and events from the very intimate to more sizeable get togethers. And Paul's Christmas Emporium also returns and includes:- a fantastic selection of gift ideas for loved ones and vouchers are also available. Then downstairs in The Art School Cellars, Afternoon Christmas Tea includes:- sumptuous sandwiches, cakes, desserts, tea and coffee and fizz.

Paul says:- "We've had a truly fantastic year so far as we celebrate our tenth anniversary in September and now we look forward to the festive season and all the joys it brings. We've had many honours and privileges already in 2024, including:- everything from our third year at The Grand National with The Jockey Club to embarking on a new adventure to see our friends in Bordeaux for the spectacular Fête le Vin in June, where I curated the Launch Lunch at The Town Hall for one hundred esteemed guests. And over at The Art School, we've welcomed global dignitaries and Nobel Prize winners to world-class sports figures and leading lights in arts, culture, science and politics. And now, with Christmas fast approaching, we look forward to welcoming you all during this most wonderful time of year."

The Art School is dedicated to creating a world class fine dining experience and never more so than at Christmas. Paul and his team are wedded to the relentless pursuit in refining and enhancing every guest's experience and this remains the heart of all they do, working with the City Region's best independent suppliers, dedicated to seasonality and sustainability. They proudly serve fantastic vintages from around the world, including:- partners Charles Heidsieck, Antinori and Castorani wines which compliment the work in the kitchen to the highest degree, from special occasion bottles and paired wines to a range of more accessible vintages.

Paul adds:- "As you will know by now, my ultimate goal is to help raise Liverpool's reputation as a destination for culinary excellence and maintain capital standards in our wonderful City. My work has always been about celebrating and championing Liverpool, with The Art School helping the City Region grow. I have immense passion and pride for Liverpool. More than anything I want the City to thrive. We should collectively always aim high and for the accolades and awards to keep coming, including:- Timeout naming Liverpool the 11th best City in the world for food this year which is very much deserved for everyone's collective efforts. 2024 has been a vintage year and I hope to see many of you join us at The Art School this Christmas."

All Christmas menus are available at:-The Art School, located on:- 1 Sugnall St, Liverpool, L7 EB.  To book go to:- TheArtSchoolRestaurant.Co.UK or call on:- 01512308600 today!

Rural Economy is a:- 'Sleeping Giant Worth £19 Billion!'

AS the new Government prioritises economic growth, a landmark report published today reveals the enormous potential of the rural economy, which could generate billions of pounds annually in additional tax revenues.

The report shows that with the right policy framework, the rural economy could increase productivity significantly, leading to an additional £9 billion to £19 billion per year in tax revenues. This growth would not only support rural communities but also have far-reaching benefits for the national economy, helping to fund essential public services and drive broader economic initiatives. The Treasury stands to gain substantially from an invigorated rural economy, making this an opportunity too significant to ignore.

Commissioned by The Rural Coalition and developed by Pragmatix Advisory, the report highlights the critical need for focused investments and policy changes to bridge the productivity gap between:- rural and non rural areas. This is a crucial step to ensure that rural England contributes fully to the nation's economic recovery and growth.

For years, rural England has faced chronic underinvestment, resulting in a widening productivity gap with non rural areas. Currently, the productivity of the rural economy stands at just 82% of its non rural counterpart, and without intervention, this figure could drop to 79% by 2040. The report calls for immediate action to reverse this trend, warning that failure to address these disparities could have severe consequences for the national economy.

The report advocates for a comprehensive policy overhaul that addresses the unique challenges faced by rural communities. Key recommendations include targeted investments in rural infrastructure, ensuring fair funding for rural Councils and other public services, and empowering local governance. With the right policies in place, rural England has the potential to contribute far more significantly to the UK's economic future. The time for action is now, and the report highlights that these changes are not just beneficial but essential for national prosperity.

The report builds on the Rural Coalition roadmap, A Better Future for Rural England: an Opportunity for Change, which sets out 9 policy principles to address the structural inequalities and weaknesses facing rural areas and the people who live and work in rural England.

The findings of this report serve as a powerful reminder of the untapped potential within rural England. As the Government seeks to drive economic growth, it must recognise the critical role that rural areas can play in the nation's prosperity. The Rural Coalition's call for action is clear: with the right support, rural communities can flourish, contributing billions to the economy and enhancing the quality of life across the UK. The time for change is now.

Margaret Clark, Chair of the Rural Coalition said:- "This report shows, once and for all, that rural areas are part of the solution to the growth of the nation. It makes economic sense to invest in improving rural infrastructure and tackling existing inequalities. But there is no silver bullet. It requires concerted action across Government and a policy framework that recognises that:- 'thinking rural' and tailoring policies and programmes to meet rural circumstances will reap positive benefits for us all."

Mark Pragnell of Pragmatix Advisory said:- "By examining nations like:- Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, whose rural areas share key similarities with England's, our analysis reveals the scale of opportunity available. The report shows that if the foundations for rural growth matched these Scandinavian countries, it could generate an additional £50 billion annually for the national economy and £19 billion extra in taxes for the Chancellor."