A member of Liverpool City Council suggested that local companies should each consider putting up £100 to help ensure the city is ready for 2008's year-long event.

However, the city's branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said that more needed to be done to engage small firms and that those organising the Capital of Culture year lacked understanding of the small enterprise sector.

The FSB's local survey of members found that most wanted to be involved but felt that not enough was being done to bring them onboard, the Liverpool Daily Post reported.