Blackburn Youth Zone hosts energy debate

Representatives from 80 local businesses which all support the youth zones in Blackburn and Darwen came together for a networking event featuring a discussion on the future of energy.

The business networking lunch was attended by patrons and supporters of Blackburn Youth Zone and Youth Zone, Darwen, including Accrol Papers, Blackburn Chemicals, Fagan & Whalley, Pets Choice, Senator, Nybble IT, Suez and more.

Guests were welcomed by Blackburn Youth Zone Trustee Marcus Saxton who highlighted the importance of bringing the business community together to secure a better future for young people in Blackburn with Darwen.

A panel debate featured Andrew Graham, CEO at Graham & Brown, Miranda Barker, CEO of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Ebrahim Sidat, CEO at Signature Tax, David Ford from Businesswise Solutions and Nicolas Butcher from Emerson & Renwick. Richard Slater, publisher of Lancashire Business View, hosted the discussion. 

The panellist gave their perspective on exploring the role energy has played in the past, with their view on current market trends and the importance of energy right now; it also included what might happen in the future from both a cost and environmental perspective regarding policy, legislation, markets and support.

Wayne Wild, Trustee of Youth Zone, then presented certificates to new patrons from Blackburn and Darwen and gave an update  on how the Patrons of Darwen are supporting the transformation of the town.

The event then came to a close with remarks from Hannah Allen, CEO of Youth Zone and Rt Hon Jack Straw, chairman, informing the local businesses how Blackburn and Youth Zone Darwen. 

Jack Straw said: "We are proud to bring together over 80 local businesses who share the same vision to invest in the next generation; we really value our patron network and want to be there as a network for guidance and support to all of the East Lancashire business leaders."