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

£8.2m Pleasure Beach ride to open in less than two weeks The Aviktas pendulum

£8.2m Pleasure Beach ride to open in less than two weeks

08 May 2026

2

Manufacturer moves to £14m riverside headquarters Opening of GVS Filters Technology

Manufacturer moves to £14m riverside headquarters

08 May 2026

3

Blackburn shopping plan for EG On The Move Zuber Issa, pic provided by EG On The Move

Blackburn shopping plan for EG On The Move

08 May 2026

4

Katie Day takes lead role at Transport for the North Katie Day

Katie Day takes lead role at Transport for the North

08 May 2026

5

World security threats drive strong performance at BAE Systems Typhoon aircraft

World security threats drive strong performance at BAE Systems

07 May 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
LBV128 May/June Magazine Networking Event
Canva - Mag Launch
Networking
19 May 2026

LBV128 May/June Magazine Networking Event

Colne Market Hall, Lancashire, BB8 0HS

08:30 - 10:30

Funding Summit
Funding Logo Canva Mid
Summit
17 Jun 2026

Funding Summit

Village Hotel Blackpool

08:30 - 11:00

LBV129 July/August Magazine Networking Event
Nov/Dec Networking Event
Networking
16 Jul 2026

LBV129 July/August Magazine Networking Event

Brysdales, Britannia Buildings Drumhead Road, Chorley, PR6 7BX

16:00 - 18:00

LBV130 September/October Magazine Networking Event
Jan/Feb Networking Event - Entrance
Networking
17 Sep 2026

LBV130 September/October Magazine Networking Event

The Beehive Blackburn, Shadsworth Business Park, BB1 2Q

08:30 - 10:30

LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event
Jan/ Feb Networking Event - Talking
Networking
19 Nov 2026

LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event

Lancashire

08:30 - 10:30

Fire Warden Training
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
11 May 2026

Fire Warden Training

Bell Lancaster, Cleveley House Farm, Miller Brow, , Forton, PR3 1DR

09:00 - 15:00

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
14 May 2026

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Longridge House, Preston, PR3 2TB

11:30 - 14:15

Research and Knowledge Exchange Festival 2026
Spark 2026 newsletter v3-5 (1).png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
18 May 2026 - 22 May 2026

Research and Knowledge Exchange Festival 2026

University of Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

10:00 - 20:00

Culture, Community & Commerce in the City # 1 - Northern Dough Co x WASH Studio
8.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 May 2026

Culture, Community & Commerce in the City # 1 - Northern Dough Co x WASH Studio

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

How to handle an underperforming employee
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
20 May 2026

How to handle an underperforming employee

The Longlands Hotel, Carnforth, LA6 1JH

08:00 - 10:00

U35 Networking Event
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
20 May 2026

U35 Networking Event

The Royal Hotel & Bar, Lancaster, LA1 1YD

17:30 - 19:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
LBV Hub Networking
21 May 2026

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR13LT

10:00 - 12:00

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