The Downtown Den Podcast

Downtown in Business CEO, Frank McKenna caught up with Lancashire based entrepreneur and owner of Cotton Court Business Centre in Preston. Frank & Rob discussed the progression from Rob spending 17 years at a previous company, building up from starting out as an apprentice, to today as the owner of a successful business in Lancashire and widely known entrepreneur across the region.

Downtown CEO, Frank McKenna speaks to Founder & Managing Director of Manchester based Marketing & PR Company, Roland Dransfield, Lisa Morton.  Frank and Lisa discuss Lisa's progression from starting work (at just 8 years old) to their joint works with UnitedCity, the newly created group of business leaders from across Manchester, working together to help get the city back on its feet post-Covid.

In the new episode of The Downtown Podcast, Downtown CEO, Frank McKenna spoke with Founder & Owner of Salford Restaurant and Bar Menagerie, Karina Jadhav. Frank and Karina discuss Karina's journey from hospitality worker, to the stepping stones in becoming the owner of the venue visited by international superstars from Justin Timberlake, Drake & even Beyonce's dance troupe, but also how the pandem...

Richard Angell, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the Terence Higgins Trust and the former chief executive of Labour pressure group Progress, was the latest podcast guest to have a ‘Frank Conversation’ with DIB boss Frank Mckenna. In a wide ranging and fascinating discussion, Richard explains the positive impact the drama series ‘It’s a Sin’ has had on raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and the prog...

Downtown CEO, Frank McKenna spoke to Founding Director of Metro Dynamics, Mike Emmerich. Frank and Mike discussed Mikes roles pre-Metro Dynamics, the impacts of the pandemic on business, Brexit and so much more. 

Downtown in Business was joined by a number of the UK's leading Night-Time economy personalities for an in-depth discussion on the nightlife industry and how it has been affected by the pandemic, the 10pm curfew and other restrictions. Thanks to Rich McGinnis, Founder of Chibuku Liverpool; Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Co Founder of Warehouse...

Downtown CEO, Frank McKenna and Managing Director of Make Events, Holly Moore discuss how the events sector has dealt with the impacts of Covid and how this has impacted peoples mental health. Plus, Frank & Holly discuss how they're looking to the future beyond covid and how the events industry will begin to thrive once again.

The leader of Lancashire County Council CC Geoff Driver and the director of economic development and planning Stephen Young joined DIB chief executive Frank McKenna in the Downtown Den to discuss the implications of the county going into tier-3 and their vision for Lancashire’s recovery plan post-pandemic.

Wes Streeting was, up until recently, a member of Labour’s frontbench Treasury team, before being promoted to the position of shadow minister for schools. In this exclusive interview with Downtown boss Frank McKenna he talks about his new brief and his vision for the future of education – whilst explaining the opposition’s approach to the Covid-19 crisis.

The Wirral South MP and shadow minister for sport Alison McGovern joined DIB chief executive Frank McKenna to talk about the latest negotiations between Treasury officials and Merseyside MPs, why the city region is in a much stronger place than it was back in the 1980s -and she has a word about the business of football.

DIB boss Frank McKenna, spoke to the Leader of Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese about the Tier 2 restrictions placed on the region - and what impact the measures will have on Manchester's business community.

Leeds City Council Chief Executive, Tom Riordan joined Downtown CEO, Frank McKenna in the Downtown Den to tell us how he thinks the Northern Powerhouse should respond to the post-Covid-19 world – and what changes he expects to see in cities across the country, most notably in Leeds.

Downtown Cheshire in Business was joined in the Downtown Den by the chair of the Cheshire Local Enterprise Partnership Clare Hayward and the chief executive of Warrington Borough Council Steve Broomhead. They discussed the county's future vision in a post-Covid economy, recognising the challenges business face, whilst focussing on the solutions and opportunities for the future.

Downtown London Chairman, Simon Danczuk spoke with Paul Hodgins, Director at Shared Transport company, Ginger. Simon and Paul discuss what exactly Ginger is and the benefits of Shared Transport, specifically e-scooters, can bring to towns and cities across the UK.

We invited the Head of Regional Affairs at Manchester Metropolitan University, Michael Taylor into the Downtown Den for a chat with Downtown CEO, Frank McKenna. In an in-depth discussion, Michael discusses his time at Business Insider magazines, the future for print publications and journalism, social media and his novel 40 by 40.

Tim Heatley is the co-founder of Capital & Centric. His company has been involved in some of the regions major regeneration projects in recent years. Tim has been a part of Andy Burnham’s homelessness Task Force- and he recently featured in the BBC documentary Manctopia. Here, in conversation with DIB boss Frank McKenna, Heatley discusses the BBC series, his business journey, the future of the pro...

Downtown CEO Frank McKenna & Managing Partner of Sedulo, Paul Cheetham-Karcz discuss Paul's plans for the future of Sedulo, including the opening of their new office in Liverpool, plus the impact of lockdown and Boris Johnson's tier system on mental health and much more. 

Downtown Birmingham chairman, Paul Cadman, caught up with Growhouse Director, Ian Harrison, in the Downtown Den. Ian and Paul discuss the origins of Growhouse and why they do what they do.

Downtown Birmingham Chair, Prof Paul Cadman was in conversation with Prof Carl Chinn in the latest discussion in the #DowntownDen. Carl & Paul took us on a whirlwind tour of Birmingham's history and discussed why it is vital that we remember and honour our past.

Downtown CEO, Frank McKenna was joined in the Downton Den by Cllr. Keith Iddon. The Deputy Leader of Lancashire County Council discussed plans for the £34 million economic recovery package for Lancashire and how they intend to safeguard local businesses and jobs post COVID-19. Keith also reflected on the recent announcement of the proposal for a new combined authority and an elected Mayor for the...

The chief executive of the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership Philip Cox joined Downtown boss Frank McKenna in the #DowntownDen for this exclusive webinar to explore the issues that COVID-19 has had on the county and its economic growth and development. Also on the agenda was Cheshire’s place in the Northern Powerhouse, a possible devolution deal for the area and the recovery plan....

Downtown in Business boss, Frank McKenna caught up with the CEO of Birmingham 2022, Ian Reid in the Downtown Den. This online discussion featured an update of the upcoming games, the growth this will bring to the region and hear what more you and your business can do to get involved.​

The Director of Communications for Liverpool City Council, Camilla Mankabady joined Downtown CEO and group Chairman, Frank McKenna in the Downtown Den. In a frank and informative conversation, Camilla discussed how technology has changed in the comms world, the added pressure on comms team in a 24hr news age and how Liverpool City Council can encourage businesses back into offices in a safe way.

Downtown in Business was delighted to be joined in the Downtown Den by Ciara Keeling the CEO of Bruntwood Works. In this special Birmingham Property Club event, Ciara alongside the excellent as ever host, Phil Oldershaw, discussed a variety of topics including the serviced office and hot-desking models, the change in the way businesses operate from such locations, the effect to the industry post-C...

The Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Frank Rogers joined DIB boss Frank McKenna in the Downtown Den to talk Recovery Plans, transport, devolution and the Northern Powerhouse.