Liverpool and Wirral councils pilot stock exchange initiative

Liverpool and Wirral councils are set to pilot a social stock exchange scheme in a bid to encourage investors to put their money into local firms.

The trial is set to run for 12 months and is a regional offshoot of the national Social Stock Exchange which was launched in 2013 and boasts a membership of 35 firms with a collective market capitalisation of £2 billion.

The local authorities are aiming for the scheme to imitate a direct investment towards local firms so that they do not have to rely on hughstreet banks and financial contributions from family members.

The news comes after Liverpool and Wirral local authorities launched an investigation into the the pilot’s potential, and learnt that a total of 92 per cent of businesses believed the move was a good idea. Of those surveyed, 50 per cent said they would be interested in accessing it in the future while 12 per cent felt it would be right for them now.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “This is a really simple concept that could be a game-changer for responsible businesses. We know that some businesses sometimes struggle to secure funding, particularly when they don’t have any assets such as buildings that they can borrow against.

“This initiative represents the very best of finance, bringing together investors with a conscience with firms that are out to make a difference and improve lives.”

Councillor Phil Davies, leader of Wirral Council, said: “The Liverpool and Wirral Social Stock Exchange will pair up investors with social enterprises in mutually beneficial relationships that will pay dividends for the people of the region as a whole.

“I am keen to welcome new investment into the borough, and the opportunity to build a strong, sustainable Wirral.”