Buy it in Lancashire and bring back a billion!

And it is calling on organisations large and small to sign up to the pledge: “If you can buy it in Lancashire, buy it in Lancashire!”

The event featured leaders from across the county including guest speaker Andy Bounds from the financial times and a business panel including Antony Chesworth, CEO of EKM, Glyn Jones, F-35 development director at BAE Systems, Guy Topping MD of Barton Grange and Ann Jordan, chair of Benetimo.

He said: “It is a simple campaign. We are calling on businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to work harder to keep more money in the county - by spending a little more locally wherever possible.

“We are not in any way looking to stop people doing transactions across boundaries – the campaign is not about protectionism.

“If every business and every private sector organisation spent a little bit more money here in Lancashire, we will grow the economy for everyone’s benefit.”

The campaign has been inspired by the nationally and internationally acclaimed ‘Preston Model’. It encourages ‘anchor institutions’ such as the University of Central Lancashire, to buy more goods and services from local firms.

The ‘Buy It In Lancashire: Bring Back a Billion!’ campaign is based on all local businesses and organisations raising their spending on services and goods in the county. Given Lancashire’s £30bn economy, a 3.5 per cent rise would deliver a £1bn-plus boost.

“The aim is to bring the county and its business closer together, to get those businesses to seek out local suppliers. Our message is a simple one. If you can buy it in Lancashire, buy it in Lancashire.”

See below for photos from the Lancashire Business Day event.