Fund for property developers celebrates tenth anniversary

By Ged Henderson

07 Aug 2023

Blackburn Catherdral Quarter

An initiative which lends money to developers to bridge vital funding gaps on major property schemes in Lancashire is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

Since the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Growing Places Fund was launched in 2013, the government-backed programme has invested more than £40m in developments of all types and sizes across the county.

This in turn has unlocked a further £100m of private investment, enabled the delivery of nearly 800 new homes, and helped to create more than 2,000 jobs.

Notable projects it has supported include Burnley’s On the Banks, one of the largest heritage-led property schemes in the North West; the regeneration of the Chatsworth Gardens estate in Morecambe’s West End; 30 new homes and public realm at Langroyd Place in Colne; and the 1m sq ft Burnley Bridge industrial site.

The Growing Places Fund has also contributed to the success of two of Lancashire’s most significant urban regeneration developments in recent years.

In Blackburn, it was utilised by Maple Grove Developments to help bring forward the £20m Cathedral Quarter project which saw a rundown 25,000 sqm district transformed into a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood.

And in Preston it backed Etc Urban’s ambitious plan to convert a former Victorian warehouse on Guildhall Street, into The Union Carriageworks.

The loft apartments and offices scheme has been widely credited with kick-starting Preston’s current city living movement.

The fund continues to welcome applications from Lancashire businesses with viable proposals who find they have a gap in their financing.

The latest beneficiary is Walker & Williams, a Preston-based developer specialising in contemporary boutique hotels. It successfully applied for £1.6m of Growing Places finance to help bring forward the conversion of a historic magistrates’ court in Ormskirk into a five-star aparthotel.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

Appley Bridge consultancy wins third industry award in USA EPIC Award Win

Appley Bridge consultancy wins third industry award in USA

17 May 2024

2

Navigator completes £131m takeover of Accrol accrol-papers-500x328.jpg

Navigator completes £131m takeover of Accrol

16 May 2024

3

Law firm grant to fund new children’s sensory projector at hospital Kathryn and Rebecca.jpg.jpg

Law firm grant to fund new children’s sensory projector at hospital

17 May 2024

4

Four new director promotions for MHA article placeholder listing image

Four new director promotions for MHA

17 May 2024

5

NLTG donates new commercial toaster to Hyndburn Food Pantry Eddy O Brien Chair of Hyndburn Food Pantry with their donation of a new toaster from NLTG.jpg.jpg

NLTG donates new commercial toaster to Hyndburn Food Pantry

17 May 2024

Lbv116 Ltb Strip980
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Reach 50,000 members of the Lancashire business community

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Company profile
Social reach
Magazine coverage
Sign-up
Events
Wedding Dress Shopping Weekend
wedding12.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Fundraisers
18 May 2024 - 19 May 2024

Wedding Dress Shopping Weekend

St Catherine's Hospice, Preston, PR5 5XU

10:00 - 16:00

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour
EVENT LISTING SIZING Endeavour.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 May 2024

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour

Oak Royal, Bury Lane, Chorley, PR6 8SW

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista
EVENT LISTING SIZING Vista.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 May 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond
EVENT LISTING BNI Diamond.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond

The Marriot Hotel, Garstang Road, Broughton, PR3 5JB

07:15 - 09:00

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network
EVENT LISTING Eden Business Network.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network

The Borough, 3 Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

18:30 - 20:30

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus
EVENT LISTING SIZING Zeus.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2024

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus

The Mill House, Corn Mill Yard, Accrington, BB5 5HX

06:45 - 08:30

Your Business Bootcamp
CBP-logo LBV.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2024

Your Business Bootcamp

Burnley Football Club, Turf Moor, 52-56 Harry Potts Way, Burnley, BB10 4BX

08:30 - 13:30

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos
EVENT LISTING BNI Kudos.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 May 2024 - 23 May 2024

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos

Prairie Sports Village, Windemere Avenue, Burnley, BB10 2FU

06:45 - 08:30

Creative Lancashire Networking Social
Untitled design-4.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 May 2024

Creative Lancashire Networking Social

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

17:30 - 19:30

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle
EVENT LISTING BNI Castle.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 May 2024 - 23 May 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle

Vale of Lune RUFC, Powder House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 2TT

06:45 - 08:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 May 2024 - 23 May 2024

Chamber Breakfast Networking

HIC, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AT

08:00 - 10:00

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 May 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Hotel, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

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 LBV116 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin