Groundswell Innovation bolsters Preston’s bid for £25m

By Groundswell Innovation

02 Oct 2020

When lockdown came into force earlier this year, Lancashire-based Groundswell Innovation found itself in a strong position, as much of its work could be switched to the virtual realm. Managing Director Jane Dalton explains how its key strength has been the business’s agile approach to project execution. In fact, by adapting to a rapidly evolving environment, they have grown the business during the last few months.

“Just before lockdown, we had several projects scheduled with innovation workshops and face-to-face discussions. We quickly made the most of available technology and were able to switch these to virtual channels. It was really important for our clients to keep a sense of momentum.  Many businesses on our Two Zero : Female cohort for example, found new opportunities to grow in lockdown from ideas spawned during virtual sessions. 

“Other projects had hard deadlines, one of which was the work that we did with Preston Council to support their Towns Fund bid on 31st July 2020. The Towns Fund is a new scheme established by the Government to help develop towns and cities. Preston is one of just 100 places eligible to bid for up to £25 million worth of funding to improve the economy, develop the city and attract jobs and long-term investment.

“We were able to build on insight gained during the #WhatsYourPreston listening project to inform strategy and to develop a stakeholder engagement and communication plan for this vitally important project. Preston was able to demonstrate excellent levels of engagement using multiple channels in the bid, despite lockdown preventing any face-to-face meetings.

“We worked closely with Preston Partnership and Preston City Council teams.  As always we were aiming for quality of engagement and cross-sector communication here – getting to grips with what was really important to people and what Preston residents were most proud of.  With so many different perspectives – from business owners to the vibrant artist community – it was really important to us to find common ground and build out from that.  We worked with a local artist to create bespoke sketches for each of the key themes, creating a strong visual connection with the bid – all part of making sure that this bid was distinctive and distinctively Preston. At completion, and even now, a Google search for ‘Towns Fund’ brings Preston Council website on the first page of results. We now await the response back from Government to see what the next steps are for Preston.

“In fact, our contribution to the bid submission has been widely recognised, and we are delighted to be working with Crewe on their Towns Fund submission in the coming weeks,” concludes Jane.

IMAGES

Chris Dorning, The Cunning Craftsmanwww.thecunningcraftsman.co.uk

ABOUT

Groundswell Innovation help people get the right ideas to market, faster and fitter for purpose - new products and services that solve customer problems, profitably. Breaking out in to new territory means diverting energy away from core business. As you take the step to expand, Groundswell Innovation bring that extra spark - informed energy that boosts growth by listening intently to what your customers need.

CONTACT

All enquires Jane Dalton, [email protected], tel +44 (0)7809 436 072.

Latest news

1

PM+M welcomes ten new apprentices for 2025 intake Lucy Field, Kate Walsh, Ellie Fisher, Zainab Aswat, Reece Jones, Aisha Bibi Patel, Finley Vila, Uzair Zariwala, Richard Prest, and Charlie Harrison

PM+M welcomes ten new apprentices for 2025 intake

11 Sep 2025

2

ROCCIA strengthens commercial division with senior appointment Andrew Grove

ROCCIA strengthens commercial division with senior appointment

11 Sep 2025

3

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November Gary McEwan managing director of Interfloor

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November

10 Sep 2025

4

Lancashire Combined County Authority unveil plan to Get Lancashire Working Lancashire Combined Authority

Lancashire Combined County Authority unveil plan to Get Lancashire Working

10 Sep 2025

5

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration Collaboration between BAE Systems FalconWorks and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration

09 Sep 2025

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
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

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

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

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 LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin