Business First’s Northlight reports 75% occupancy within three months

By Scott Dawson Advertising

02 Mar 2021

image-2-drone-shot.jpg

Business First is the Burnley based provider of fully serviced offices and shared workspaces. The company has reported an astonishing growth in occupancy for its latest development, a Grade 2 listed mill restored to its former glory.

Just three months after opening its flagship Business First Northlight offices and coworking facility, in Pendle, East Lancashire, the development has reached 75% occupancy. It’s a vote of confidence for Business First, and an encouraging sign for a post covid bounce back in the local economy.

The fully appointed reception area 

Ten years ago, if you visited the historic Brierfield mill known today as Northlight you would have seen vast empty buildings in a serious state of disrepair. English Heritage had officially designated the estate as “listed buildings at risk”.

Last November work on the Business First renovation was completed and the historic buildings firmly restored to their rightful place as a centre of business and industry in East Lancashire. The result has been incredible and is testament to the strength of the business community. Companies looking for new offices have been quick to relocate to this very special location.

The impressive entrance to Northlight

Business First operates shared offices and coworking spaces around the North of England and into Scotland. Its latest development, Northlight, has been finished to the highest standards, creating luxury office spaces from what was until recently a brownfield site with an uncertain future.

Many local residents will have fond memories of working at the establishment which was a powerhouse of the Lancashire cotton industry right up until 2007.

With such positive feeling towards this development and the brilliant renovation job carried out by Business First, it is little wonder Northlight has had such an enthusiastic uptake.

One of the coworking spaces at Northlight

A spokesperson from Business First commented: “We’ve been blown away by the response from the public and the business community. It’s been so encouraging.

“When you take on a big project like this, one that carries so much historic and cultural importance, there’s always an element of pressure to get it right. We knew this was an important building to local residents. Now we’re seeing such a positive response, it feels like a vote of confidence from the business community.”

A good deal of their success is down to the state-of-the-art facilities on offer with superfast broadband throughout, and flexible office spaces to suit all kinds of businesses. Northlight is ideally located two minutes’ drive from the M65 corridor with a railway station nearby. It’s like a modern city centre office space in rural Lancashire with commanding views of the iconic Pendle Hill. Being based on the Leeds and Liverpool canal there are plenty of opportunities for exercise, relaxation, or to take lunch in the green spaces around the building.

For more information about Business First and their Northlight development, visit the website www.businessfirst.co.uk, or call 01282 330 330 / 07929 035 517 to speak to the team.

                                            

Latest news

1

Toy Story is the latest chapter in FWP's Mill Farm masterplan Mill Farm

Toy Story is the latest chapter in FWP's Mill Farm masterplan

30 Mar 2026

2

Preston appoint new director of environment and property Sarah Robinson

Preston appoint new director of environment and property

27 Mar 2026

3

Public consultation for proposed merger of Blackpool and The Fylde College and Furness College Blackpool and the Fylde College

Public consultation for proposed merger of Blackpool and The Fylde College and Furness College

26 Mar 2026

4

Preston Council invests £1m in plans NW Mutual Bank NW Mutual Bank

Preston Council invests £1m in plans NW Mutual Bank

26 Mar 2026

5

BAE boost as UK signs Typhoon support contract with Turkey Typhoon aircraft new

BAE boost as UK signs Typhoon support contract with Turkey

26 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

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

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Header (31).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Apr 2026 - 16 Apr 2026

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Blackburn, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

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

Freelancer Meet-Up April
April Freelancer Instagram size.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Apr 2026 - 23 Apr 2026

Freelancer Meet-Up April

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 00:00

Vibe Coding: "Who owns what when no one wrote the code?"
April PTC Banner.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
28 Apr 2026 - 28 Apr 2026

Vibe Coding: "Who owns what when no one wrote the code?"

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Dazzle & Decadence
Dazzle & Decadence TryBooking Header.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
30 Apr 2026

Dazzle & Decadence

Ainsworth Jewellers, 57-59 Darwen St, Blackburn, BB2 2BW

18:00 - 20:00

Blackburn Beer and Gin Festival 2026
Blackburn Beer and Gin Festival 2026
LBV Hub Social
01 May 2026

Blackburn Beer and Gin Festival 2026

BB1 8NB

17:00 - 23:00

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