Business leaders hail impact of county growth hub

By Boost Business Lancashire

25 Jul 2014

An ambitious business support project aimed at growing Lancashire’s economy has helped 1,000 businesses access support in its first year.

Boost Business Lancashire, the county’s £7.2m growth hub, provides free or part-funded business support in areas such as mentoring, leadership, access to finance, innovation and skills.

By targeting support at ambitious, growth-hungry businesses and start-ups, it aims to grow the county’s economy by £20m and create at least 1,200 new jobs and safeguard 700 more by 2015.

County councillor Jennifer Mein, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “We’re very proud that Boost has already provided support to 1,000 growth-hungry businesses over the past year. We're already seeing lots of positive results, with job creation and new growth here in Lancashire.

“By using expertise from the public and private sectors, Boost has brought together specialists, who all have a track record of supporting growing businesses. This mix of advice and support is proving to be both useful and successful.”

Edwin Booth, chairman of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “Boost is helping companies with high-growth potential, by giving them the support they need to realise their ambition.

“This is an exciting project - the biggest of its kind for ambitious businesses in Lancashire. Businesses have been getting the right support, which is already acting as a catalyst for growth in the county’s economy.”

South Ribble corporate catering business Moss House Farm Caterers has created two new jobs as a result of the mentoring support it has received from Community & Business Partners as part of the Boost programme.

Meanwhile, Finton Doyle, a start-up accountancy practice based in Preston, has gained HR coaching as part of the Lancashire LEAP programme, as well support from the Growth Skills Assist programme to equip the team with the skills to grow the business.

Phil Bevan, owner of Moss House Farm Caterers, said: “I have certainly felt the benefit of the mentoring programme as it has given me time to step outside the business and look at it with greater objectivity. The systems I have put in place have made it much easier for me to monitor the business and work out a more planned and sustainable approach to growth. I really enjoyed the programme and would recommend it to any business that fits the criteria.”

Kerry Lunt, practice manager at Finton Doyle, said: “As a business that has been trading for less than three years, it is important for us to ensure our HR procedures are up-to-date and that we have the range of skills required to grow our business. Support from Boost Business Lancashire has played a major role in helping us to achieve growth.” Boost Business Lancashire is being delivered through a partnership between Lancashire County Council, Community & Business Partners, Lancaster University, Regenerate Pennine Lancashire, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Winning Pitch. £3.6m has been provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Latest news

1

fulfilment crowd delivers profitable, double-digit revenue growth LeeThompsonfulfilmentcrowd

fulfilment crowd delivers profitable, double-digit revenue growth

01 May 2025

2

Leyland Trucks celebrates more than 1,700 years of combined long service Leyland Trucks staff celebrating

Leyland Trucks celebrates more than 1,700 years of combined long service

01 May 2025

3

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

4

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

5

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
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
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

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

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

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

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

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 Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin