Family business: Growing through the generations

Family businesses remain one of the most powerful drivers of the UK economy.

Figures show that collectively they generate £2,805bn in turnover nationwide, with the North West family business cohort contributing £262bn.

Dave Clarkson, co-founder of The Family Business Community, which collated the results, says family businesses have diversity as one of their ‘greatest strengths’.

He adds: “Together, they create a resilient economic ecosystem that supports jobs, drives investment and underpins communities across the region.

“The North West's family business sector is not defined by one industry or one size of business. It is about generations of entrepreneurial families committed to building sustainable businesses for their future and for their employees.”

Closer to home in Lancashire, family firms are embedded in the fabric of the business community and continue to be a major source of investment, innovation and growth.

We asked our readers to share the growth stories behind their family businesses. The 15 businesses featured here represent just a small cross-section of the family firms making an impact across driving growth Lancashire's economy.

Together, their stories show how family-owned firms are continuing to grow, invest and evolve while retaining the values that have underpinned their success.

These businesses operate across sectors including advanced manufacturing, engineering, hospitality, food production, retail, professional services and emerging technology.

Some are long-established firms that have passed through multiple generations, while others are newer ventures already laying the foundations for future succession.

What unites them is a commitment to long-term thinking, strong relationships and continued investment that has helped drive growth across generations.

They play a central role in their local communities, supporting supply chains, developing skills and contributing to Lancashire's economic identity. Many have adapted and innovated to remain competitive while staying true to the values on which they were built.

Richard Slater, publisher of Lancashire Business View, adds: “Family businesses bring a different dimension to the economy.

“They tend to think in generations rather than quarters, which creates stability, builds trust and encourages sustainable growth.

“In Lancashire, they are not only major employers but also champions of local skills, heritage and community spirit, all helping to give our regional economy real strength.”