Burnley's great sense of pride and resilience

By LBV

17 Dec 2010

Recently, Burnley was said to be a borough most vulnerable to ‘economic shock’. The research, by Experian, identified areas that might be most vulnerable to issues such as business failures and job losses.

The study suggested that factors such as high crime, poor school achievement and low house prices all contribute to Burnley being amongst the least resilient places in the country.

The town was ranked 314th out of 324 local authorities. In the light of forthcoming cuts in public spending, it may be the case that Burnley’s resilience is going to be tested as the largest employment sector in the town is public administration, education and health, accounting for 31.2% of workers.

However, Burnley also hosts 6.5% of Lancashire’s entire manufacturing businesses with more than a fifth of the town’s working population engaged in this sector.

The key manufacturing employers operate in highly specialised fields including aerospace and automotive and it is these companies that may soften the blow of spending cuts.

Burnley has dealt with and overcome many setbacks over the years including closure of a number of key employers (Prestige in 1997, Michelin in 2002 and Shop Direct this year).

It moved on from the riots of 2001 that focused national attention on the town and its community issues. Racial tensions have reduced and 2009 saw the opening of Burnley’s first purpose built mosque.

Between 2005 and 2010 approximately £65m of government investment was poured into the town’s poorest areas.

Whilst research suggests Burnley is not the most affluent borough in the country, there is still a great sense of pride and resilience that endures, and that is why PM+M continue to be associated with the town.

There are developments planned that will do much to develop Burnley’s contribution to the economy of Pennine Lancashire. The town centre is already home to four major retail parks and work on ‘The Oval’, a new £40million shopping centre, is now scheduled to start next year after Primark and Next agreed to become tenants.

In recent times, a number of industrial estates and business parks have been developed with plans for a further development, Burnley Bridge, near Hapton.

However, more of this kind of investment is required so that proposals such as the ‘Weavers’ Triangle’ can move from being just a plan in the pipeline.

Improving Burnley’s transport links is key to regenerating the town’s future and the biggest project is the ‘Todmorden Curve’ to allow direct links to Manchester.

Given the town’s strength in aerospace and advanced manufacturing and the availability of a highly skilled workforce, Burnley would benefit greatly from government money steered to attract manufacturing companies to the area.

Hopefully, the forthcoming Local Enterprise Partnerships will provide such investment.

Stephen Anderson
PM+M Solutions for Business
 

Enjoyed this? Read more from LBV

Latest news

1

Beever and Struthers advise on £1.5bn funding for 2,000 new social homes a year John Jones

Beever and Struthers advise on £1.5bn funding for 2,000 new social homes a year

03 Jul 2025

2

Airframe Designs aligns with US programme for additive manufacturing growth Additive manufacturing technology unit At Airframe Designs

Airframe Designs aligns with US programme for additive manufacturing growth

03 Jul 2025

3

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud James Cole

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud

03 Jul 2025

4

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector Mo Isap Chair Of The Lancashire Business Board Nick Miles National Cyber Force Deputy Director For Samlesbury Annette Weekes Representative Of The NWRDSC

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector

03 Jul 2025

5

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire BAE Systems Radar

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire

02 Jul 2025

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
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin