Mayor Steve Rotheram says North Docks scheme could extend city centre towards Hill Dickinson Stadium

A major new regeneration body designed to turbocharge developments along the edge of Liverpool city centre is ready to deliver “one of the UK’s most dramatic renaissance stories of the 21st century.” Subject to approval, Liverpool’s emerging Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) is seeking to convert 174 hectares of brownfield land into a dynamic extension of Liverpool city centre, with 5m sq ft of new commercial space and 17,700 new homes.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram will confirm to the MIPIM property conference, in Cannes, France how a business case is now in development for the transformation of the city’s North Docks. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, with Liverpool City Council, is to launch a statutory public consultation on the proposed MDC by the summer.

The Combined Authority, which announced earlier this week it was establishing a landmark £2bn Investment Fund to fast-track development projects, is expected to consider the formal creation of the MDC following work on the business case in the autumn. The scheme includes a roster of major projects along the North Docks area.

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This includes the Liverpool Waters development The Central Docks, including a new urban park, supported by a £55m government grant and £26m investment from Peel Waters, site preparation due for completion in 2028. Mayor Rotheram’s announcement on the MDC’s business case timetable comes less than a day after developer Beetham Davos revealed how their new Kings neighbourhood, which falls within the emerging MDC boundary, would connect the northern fringe of the docklands with the city centre’s commercial business district.

Mr Rotheram said: “This Mayoral Development Corporation has the potential to inspire one of the UK’s most dramatic renaissance stories of the century, so I’m delighted to say our foot is firmly on the pedal to make this happen. For far too long, vast swathes of the city’s historic docklands have been left to rot and the impact on North Liverpool and the communities surrounding it is clear to see.

“Now with the arrival of Everton’s new stadium and exciting plans from developers such as Peel Waters and Beetham Davos coming out the ground, the timing to create such a body has never been better and the full business case should be ready for the Government to assess within the next six months. Momentum and confidence in the private sector is building and this MDC is the perfect body to capture that and provide the tools to accelerate it.

“Working alongside Liverpool Council, we have a clear roadmap ahead of us to turbocharge much needed investment in a number of schemes which will transform this area from a brownfield wilderness to a dynamic extension of Liverpool city centre.” The zone’s future will be guided by a strategic masterplan vision and delivery framework that is being co-produced with Homes England, in conjunction with key stakeholders in the area.

This framework will also incorporate existing initiatives for housing-led regeneration under the Pumpfields SPD, working with businesses in the Ten Streets area, and will align with aspirations set out in the council’s waterfront plan for enhanced connectivity between the city centre and North Docks. Subject to approval, the business case approval would enable the corporation, which will involve collaboration between the Combined Authority, Liverpool City Council, Homes England, national agencies and private sector partners such as Peel Waters, to progress towards full legal establishment once national consent is secured.

Once completed, the results of the consultation will inform the full business case, which will set out the financial, economic, commercial and governance reasons for its establishment. It will then be sent to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, for consideration by the government.

Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council, said: “This is a hugely important moment for the future of Liverpool’s North Docks and our wider city. Working with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the proposed Mayoral Development Corporation gives us a powerful opportunity to accelerate regeneration on a scale that simply hasn’t been possible before.

“By building on the momentum created by major investments such as the new Everton stadium at Liverpool Waters, we can unlock long term growth, deliver thousands of new homes, and create high quality jobs in a part of the city with enormous potential. Just as importantly, we are committed to engaging residents, businesses and partners as plans develop, so that this transformation delivers real benefits for Liverpool and its communities.”

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Global oil markets remain on edge as geopolitical tensions in West Asia continue to disrupt the vital Strait of Hormuz, a key route through which a significant share of the world’s crude oil supply passes. The ongoing confrontation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States has injected fresh uncertainty into energy markets, with traders closely monitoring the situation for any signs that shipping activity could safely resume. The volatility in crude prices has also begun to spill over into global equity markets, where investors are reacting sharply to developments on the geopolitical front.

Speaking to ET Now, market strategist Ed Yardeni from Yardeni Research said the biggest factor driving oil market sentiment is the uncertainty around the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. “Well, a lot of it is, of course, the Strait of Hormuz. Right now, it is effectively closed and everybody is trying to guess when it might be opened again.”

According to Yardeni, stability will depend largely on how quickly the conflict de-escalates and whether the threat to tanker traffic diminishes. “As long as Iran does not concede or agree that they have lost the war, there are still going to be missiles and drones flying in the Middle East.” He added that tangible signs of normalcy would only emerge once ships begin moving safely through the strategic passage. “I will turn more optimistic when I see that a few tankers actually make it through the strait without any incident.”

Financial markets have also been rattled by mixed signals from Washington over whether the United States Navy is escorting oil tankers across the strait. Such statements and subsequent denials have triggered abrupt swings in both crude prices and global stocks. Yardeni noted that even if Iran’s ability to deploy ballistic missiles is constrained, drone attacks could still pose a major threat to shipping operations in the region.

“Yes, drones can do plenty of damage and can effectively continue this blockade.” He also pointed out that the risks for ship operators and crew members remain considerable. “Even if you can get insurance, you may not want to subject your tankers to that kind of risk.”

Looking ahead, Yardeni warned that markets may be underestimating the uncertainty surrounding the conflict. “It is a dangerous situation and there are still a lot of surprises that could happen. It is the fog of war.” For now, he believes investors are largely betting on a favourable outcome. “The market has chosen to discount the best outcome — a short war and an open Strait of Hormuz with oil flowing.”
The International Energy Agency has indicated that its member countries could release additional supplies if disruptions worsen, a move aimed at calming the market in the short term. However, Yardeni cautioned that such measures would only provide temporary relief if the geopolitical situation fails to stabilise. “Oil from strategic petroleum reserves can help in the short run, but if the war does not end quickly, it would not help much.” For investors around the world, the direction of oil prices — and by extension financial markets — may ultimately depend on whether tensions ease enough to allow safe passage through one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

Workplace benefits are changing with modern working life

Workplace benefits have evolved well beyond salary, annual leave and pensions. Over time, flexible working, wellbeing initiatives and other practical forms of support have become part of what employees expect from a good employer. Businesses have realised that people judge a workplace not only on pay, but on whether it feels current, useful and responsive to everyday life.

That same shift is now reaching workplace facilities.

As electric vehicles become more common, employees are starting to think differently about what makes a workplace convenient. For EV drivers, charging is not a novelty. It is part of planning the commute, managing weekly travel and making day-to-day life run smoothly. In that context, access to charging at work is beginning to emerge as a meaningful benefit rather than a niche extra.

For employers, the principle is straightforward. The most valued workplace perks are often the ones that remove friction. A charger in the car park may not be flashy, but for staff who drive electric, it can make a noticeable difference.

Why businesses are beginning to install workplace charging

The Full EV, a UK specialist in home, workplace and commercial charging solutions, works with organisations that are adapting to the rise of electric vehicles and the infrastructure demands that come with them.

From that perspective, businesses are not adding chargers simply to appear progressive. They are responding to a practical change in employee behaviour. As more people switch to EVs, companies are increasingly asking whether their sites are properly set up for how staff and visitors now travel.

As electric vehicles become more common, businesses are beginning to rethink how their workplaces support employees who drive EVs. Installing EV charging for businesses is increasingly being seen as a practical step for companies looking to support staff while preparing for the future of transport.

This marks an important change in mindset. Charging is no longer being treated purely as an environmental gesture or a project for later. It is becoming part of the broader conversation about what makes a workplace fit for purpose. Just as employers adapted to new expectations around flexibility and wellbeing, they are now starting to respond to changing transport habits too.

Why the rise of EVs is changing expectations around workplace facilities

The growth in EV ownership is gradually reshaping what employees notice about a workplace. Facilities have always mattered. Parking, accessibility and cycling support all affect how a business is experienced day to day. Charging points are increasingly becoming part of that same picture.

Expectations rarely shift overnight. They build steadily. What begins as a thoughtful extra can soon become a point of difference between employers. Over time, it starts to feel like a sensible feature that a modern business should at least have considered.

For employees who drive electric vehicles, workplace charging can reduce reliance on public chargers and make commuting easier to manage. Even for staff who mainly work from home, having the option at work offers added reassurance and flexibility. It can help a workplace feel more supportive of how people live now, rather than how they lived ten years ago.

There is also a wider message behind it. A company that provides charging infrastructure signals practical thinking, future readiness and a willingness to adapt. Those qualities matter, especially in competitive sectors where attracting and retaining good people depends on offering a workplace that feels relevant and well considered.

How EV charging can support employees, fleets and visitors

One reason workplace charging is gaining traction is that it supports more than one need at once.

For employees, the benefit is immediate. Charging during the working day can make EV ownership easier and reduce pressure around commuting routines. That convenience often matters more than novelty.

For businesses with company vehicles, charging also supports fleet planning. Whether an organisation already uses electric vehicles or is only beginning to consider them, having infrastructure on site makes future changes easier to manage. It allows businesses to prepare steadily rather than rush later.

Visitors matter too. Clients, suppliers and partners are also making the switch to EVs, and a workplace with charging provision can be more convenient for the people coming and going. That may seem like a small detail, but it helps shape the overall impression a business leaves behind.

Why forward-thinking companies see EV charging as part of the modern workplace

Forward-thinking companies know that a workplace is judged by how well it supports the people who use it every day. That is why EV charging is starting to join the wider conversation around meaningful workplace benefits.

As more employees drive electric vehicles, and as businesses plan for long-term operational change, charging is becoming an increasingly practical part of the workplace mix. It supports staff, helps prepare for fleet changes and signals that a company is keeping pace with modern expectations.

In that sense, EV charging is not simply about vehicles. It is about creating a workplace that feels useful, relevant and ready for what comes next.