Colne Market Hall takes centre stage at LBV launch

Guests at the launch of the latest edition of Lancashire Business View were the first to attend a corporate event at the new-look Colne Market Hall.

Around 70 delegates attended the event, held just two weeks after the venue reopened following its multi-million pound transformation.

Jane Turner, from Colne Market Hall, introduced the venue and shared the response from the local community.

She said: “It is such a great space to be in. The market traders are doing more business than they have ever done and have made up for the three weeks it was closed for refurbishment.”

Jane also highlighted the hotdesking and networking opportunities now available to businesses at the venue.

Aneesa McGladdery, from Pendle Council, discussed the new-look Pendle Vision board. She said: “It is a group of strategic leaders from across Pendle in different sectors and they inform policy at the council and advocate for the area.”

Tracey Clavel-Bate, from Barnfield Construction, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and was the main contractor on the Market Hall, said: “People are coming from other areas, it has become a real focal point.”

The event also shone a spotlight on the re-launched Sub36 Awards, which take place later this year and will celebrate ‘Gen Next Lancashire’.

Former winners Tom Grattan, from EXP; Paul White, from Patch App; Carolann Thompson, from Amplify Success; and Lolli Molyneux, from LolliWrites, shared their experiences and discussed the benefits of nominating young professionals.

Lolli said: “You have to invest in your people, they are the ones carrying your businesses forward.”

Paul added: “The recognition of putting employees forward makes them feel that they are well respected in their field, and shows that you as an employer value their contribution.”

Carolann said: “It is about putting your people on the map, showing they are happy in the business and celebrating them.”

Tom said: “As a business, the application process is a good reflection point to look back at the past 12 months, so there is no reason not to apply.”

Longridge based ticketing platform Skiddle features in the magazine celebrating 25 years in business. The company’s Sarah Mitchell said: “We are a primary ticket agency and provide a platform for event organisers to list and sell tickets.

“We have two types of customers and we are always putting them first. Event organisers and event-goers are at the heart of what we do.”

Sarah also discussed Skiddle’s future, including a new local partnership with OnSide, the charity supporting youth zones across the country.

Francesca Houldworth and Phil Turner, from Chorley-based digital agency Bespoke, were also celebrating their silver anniversary in print.

Francesca said: “Bespoke has such long-standing relationships with clients. You get a personalised approach with us, and the people you meet in the initial pitch meetings are those you will be communicating with throughout your time with us.”

Phil spoke about the recognition the agency has received, including being named in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work and receiving Investors in People accreditation.

He said: “The reason we value both of those is because you don’t get them for putting in a fancy application.

“It is about those organisations talking privately to individuals to draw out how excited they are to work for us.”

Mark Edwards, operations director of Burnley-based managed security service provider Seriun, which powers the magazine launch events, delivered a live demonstration showing how Microsoft Copilot and AI can help businesses improve efficiency.

He demonstrated how AI could support department and company-led processes, reducing tender writing time by more than 80 per cent.

Pendle Council, Skiddle and Bespoke were presented with commemorative framed features at the event.