Burnley is a boom town bucking national trends, says council chief

By Lancashire Business View

18 Jul 2017

Burnley Council chief executive Pam Smith has praised the town's warmth, 'get it done' mentality and economic prosperity.

Addressing an audience at Towneley Hall, Pam Smith talked of The Times newspaper headline calling Burnley an "oasis of warmth" and the town's ranking as the 11th most business-friendly location in the UK.

She said: "Burnley has a reputation for getting things done and has a strong package to offer investors – a proactive and supportive business environment and a great transport infrastructure.

"We are growing above regional trends and have been named a top five Boom Town in the North West by economic experts. We are bucking the national trends – we have ambition, strong business partnerships, and the results are there for all to see.

She added: "Our ambition was to be recognised for growth and a good place to do business; to change how people think and feel about Burnley and to do things differently and get noticed for all the right reasons – and we are achieving all these things.

"I’m passionate about creating a confident, skilled and aspiring up-and-coming generation and I think we are achieving just that. “

Pam Smith was speaking before an audience of 600, gathered for the the annual Burnley Business Awards where companies from across the town were recognised for their excellence over the last 12 months.

2017 Burnley Business Award Winners:

Small Business of the Year (5-19 Employees) Winner - Ian Mankin Highly Commended - Seriun

Small Business of the Year (20-49 employees) Pickup Systems

Medium Business of the Year Crow Wood Leisure

International Business of the Year Award Panaz

Manufacturing Excellence Award Coolkit Ltd

Innovation Award CheckedSafe

Young Employee of the Year Winner - James Wright Highly Commended - Carrice Dickinson

John Kennedy Apprenticeship Award Paradigm Precision

Digital Impact Award FDM Digital Solutions

Employer of the Year VEKA

Chief Executive’s Special Award Primary Engineer

Longstanding Contribution to Burnley Award Fagan and Whalley Business of the Year Birchall Foodservice

Latest news

1

Bowker Motor Group marketing team wins National BMW and Porsche Awards Amy Lancaster-Hall, Marketing Manager; Freya Hesketh, Marketing & Social Media Executive; Chloe Robinson, Graphic Designer and Ellie Shaw, Social Media Expert

Bowker Motor Group marketing team wins National BMW and Porsche Awards

20 Mar 2026

2

First phase of major Blackpool town centre £17m road upgrade starts Aerial image of Blackpool town centre

First phase of major Blackpool town centre £17m road upgrade starts

20 Mar 2026

3

Breck submits planning for 64-home affordable housing scheme Bolshaw Road layout

Breck submits planning for 64-home affordable housing scheme

20 Mar 2026

4

Barons Contract Furniture announces strategic expansion with major investment in Leyland Barons Furniture expansion

Barons Contract Furniture announces strategic expansion with major investment in Leyland

19 Mar 2026

5

Pleasure Beach Resort urges support for the tourism sector as it launches its 130th season Late night at Pleasure Beach resort

Pleasure Beach Resort urges support for the tourism sector as it launches its 130th season

19 Mar 2026

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
AI & Cybersecurity Summit
AI and Cybersecurity Logo
Summit
28 Apr 2026

AI & Cybersecurity Summit

Dunkenhalgh House , Blackburn Road, Clayton Le Moors, BB5 5JP

08:30 - 11:00

Sub36 Networking - Outdoor Elements
Sub36 Outdoor Elements Logo1920x1008
Networking
29 Apr 2026

Sub36 Networking - Outdoor Elements

Outdoor Elements, Pump House Dean Wood, Trapp Lane, Burnley, BB12 7JD

09:00 - 11:00

LBV Magazine Networking Events - SAVE THE DATES
Jan/ Feb Networking Event - Talking
Networking
14 May 2026

LBV Magazine Networking Events - SAVE THE DATES

Lancashire

08:30 - 10:30

Exploring Debt Finance: Unlocking SME Growth
LCC Event Logos
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Mar 2026

Exploring Debt Finance: Unlocking SME Growth

Farleys Solicitors, 3 Mead Way, Shuttleworth Mead, Padiham, Burnley, BB12 7NG

09:00 - 12:00

Invest in Pendle: A Live Celebration Event
Northlight photograph
LBV Hub
25 Mar 2026

Invest in Pendle: A Live Celebration Event

The Leisure Box, Northlight Mill, Glen Way, Nelson, BB9 5NH

12:00 - 14:00

The Marketing Meetup Lancashire
TMM Lancs - 27th Jan.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
25 Mar 2026 - 25 Mar 2026

The Marketing Meetup Lancashire

Six Connections, One Slater Terrace, Burnley, BB11 1BU

18:00 - 20:00

The Employment Rights Act 2025: What you need to know
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Mar 2026 - 26 Mar 2026

The Employment Rights Act 2025: What you need to know

Lancaster & Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 1TZ

08:00 - 10:00

90 Day Business Planning Workshop
LBV Hub Networking
27 Mar 2026 - 27 Mar 2026

90 Day Business Planning Workshop

The Holiday Inn, Bolton, BL1 2EW

09:00 - 16:30

The Ultimate Music Quiz
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Fundraisers
27 Mar 2026 - 27 Mar 2026

The Ultimate Music Quiz

Morecambe Football Club, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 22:30

Lancashire Business Expo 2026
SE, Lancashire 2025.png.png
LBV Hub Exhibitions
27 Mar 2026 - 27 Mar 2026

Lancashire Business Expo 2026

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - a tailored 6 month leadership programme for women across the North West
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Apr 2026 - 15 Apr 2026

RISE - a tailored 6 month leadership programme for women across the North West

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Sickness Absence: key actions for your business
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Apr 2026 - 22 Feb 2026

Sickness Absence: key actions for your business

The Longlands Hotel, Carnforth, LA6 1JH

08:00 - 10:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin