VIPS from all over Merseyside gathered at Business Net Solutions, St Helens, to celebrate the official launch of the Centre of Excellence.

The launch marked the culmination of a six-month, multi- million pound information and communication technologies project by the Department for Education and Employment.

The project, which brings cutting edge technology to the businesses of St Helens, will form the foundation of Business Net Solutions, a partnership between St Helens Chamber and St Helens College. Local businesses can benefit from a design kiosk, video conferencing, state-of-the-art seminar facilities that will underpin the emerging information-based economy.

The event was officially launched by St Helens Council leader, Mike Doyle and St Helens North MP, Dave Watts, via a live video-conferencing link-up between St Helens and Westminster.

Councillor Doyle, said: "The partnership between St Helens Chamber and St Helens College will enable businesses to remain competitive, modernise and reach new markets in this changing world. It has provided businesses with a focal point of technology at an affordable price and has created a live forum in which businesses can learn the importance of technology in informal surroundings. It is a credit to all those who have worked on it.

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