Five Pendle businesses secure grants for growth

Pendle Borough Council has issued five local businesses grants totalling £107,000 to futureproof their systems and to safeguard and create new jobs.

The funds have been provided by the Business Resilience and Growth Project, a £2m funding pot for local businesses.

The project is one of seven within the £25m Nelson Town Deal, designed to promote sustainable growth within the area, transform the town, and provide new opportunities for local people.

The Furniture Group in Railway Street, Nelson, has been given £13,000 to buy a CNC machine which uses computer software to dictate the movement of factory tools.

The machine will enable them to employ a new member of staff and safeguard the work of three existing staff.

The same purchase for Agenda Boxes & Packaging (pictured) in Clayton Street, Nelson, worth £32,000, will secure 10 jobs and open up three new employment opportunities.

Six jobs will be created, and three retained, at Aspire UK Interiors, in Southfield Street, Nelson, with the grant funded purchase of a hot oil press and wrapping machine, worth £17,000.

While at Concept Plastics, in the Barnfield Business Centre, Nelson, a new £18,000 injection moulding machine will create two new jobs and safeguard four.

Pennine Labels, in Enterprise Way on Whitewalls Industrial Estate, received funding of £27,000 to purchase a new print machine, which will saving six jobs and create four new ones.

Coun Asjad Mahmood, leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “It is wonderful to see well-known local businesses coming forward for support.

“The grants are here to enable them to grow and prosper in Pendle and we are happy we have been able to support them through the Nelson Town Deal.”

Stephen Barnes, chair of the Nelson Town Deal Board, added: “To see these five local companies benefitting from the grants is extremely positive, especially when the money can help secure jobs and even create new ones, boosting the local economy.

“We have grants of up to £100,000 available for businesses to invest in new machinery, or to carry out improvements to support growth. If you think we can help, get in touch!”

Mike Williams, Pendle Borough Council’s tourism and economic development officer, who leads the Business Resilience and Growth Project, added: “It’s not too late to seek funding – we’ve broadened the eligibility criteria which means that the grants are now open to all sectors of businesses in Nelson.

“We’re keen to hear from any of the town’s businesses that have potential projects that could be supported.

“Grants part fund machinery or improvements such as to reduce their energy use and consumption and businesses need to make a contribution.”