High street retailers urged to ‘take advantage’ of new funded support programme

08 Sep 2025

Brian Moore, Lee Johnson, Anne Williamson and Andrew Leeming

A funded six-month business support programme aimed at helping Lancashire’s high street retailers attract new customers, evolve and futureproof their business has been launched.

The Retail Renaissance Programme is being fully funded by Boost; Lancashire Business Growth Hub, which is run by Lancashire County Council, and will be delivered by retail industry experts from specialist consultancy, Customer Love, and the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.

The programme is open to independent retailers with a physical store presence in Lancashire. It will feature ten in-person workshops covering topics such as customer experience, optimising online sales, digital marketing and diversification. Attendance via video is also available.

Anne Williamson, founder of Customer Love, has been advising retail businesses on customer experience for more than ten years and is the author of the customer experience book; Are you a one-night stand business?

Anne said: “The high street isn’t dying, it’s evolving. Research shows that 88 per cent of people now spend more time shopping online since the pandemic.

"Despite this statistic, customers want the best of both worlds. They want the convenience of online shopping combined with a high-quality, in-person experience. If independent retailers want to thrive, they must adapt and innovate.

“This programme is designed for any high street retailer or service provider looking to evolve their business, attract and keep new customers, and gain a competitive edge in today’s challenging economy. Retailers should take advantage of the comprehensive programme of funded support.”

Mark Whittle, North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce added: “Look beyond the headlines and the evidence points to a resilient high street sector. In May 2025, the ONS reported a 10 per cent week-on-week rise in high street footfall, followed a month later by three per cent year-on-year growth.

"And in the first half of 2024, PwC reported 4,600 new high street openings in the UK.

 “These are encouraging signals that the sector is very much alive and full of opportunity. But with retail trends, consumer behaviours and high street landscapes continually changing, businesses cannot afford to stand still.

"Programmes like this provide the support and knowledge retailers need to adapt and grow.”

Starting on September 29, the workshops will take place between September and November 2025, and between January and March 2026. They include:

  • Customer journey mapping
  • Confident networking and collaboration
  • Customer experience ‘It’s not about the wow moments’
  • Social selling, digital marketing, SEO and content strategy
  • Diversification, innovation and product development
  • Optimising online sales, market insights and consumer trends
  • Funding and financial guidance
  • Business resilience
  • Workforce development
  • Regulatory support
     

The Retail Renaissance Programme is available to high street retailers and service providers across all of Lancashire.

Participants will also benefit from peer-to-peer learning sessions and have access to one-to-one mentoring support.

County councillor Brian Moore, cabinet member for Economic Development and Growth, Lancashire County Council, said: “Retailers have historically had only limited access to business support through previously funding streams, so we are extremely pleased to have secured some government funding to invest in such a vital part of Lancashire’s economy and community.

 

“With a highly specialist team delivering the programme, retailers attending the workshops will leave inspired, equipped with new knowledge and skills to help drive their business forward.

 

“These are undoubtedly challenging times but my message to retailers is to make the most of this fully funded support. It’s an opportunity to strengthen your business, meet fellow retailers and gain insights from retail experts. Even if you’re not a retailer, you can still support your high street by sharing this with any retailers you know.”

Businesses looking to find out more and book the workshops can do so by visiting https://www.lancschamber.co.uk/retail-renaissance/ or calling the Boost Business Support Helpdesk on 0800 488 0057.

Latest news

1

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win Warehouse Supervisor at Pets Choice Brad Eddleston and McMurrays Sales Manager Rob Spencer. Photo credit: McMurrays Haulage Limited

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win

21 Oct 2025

2

Dragons' Den star to shine on Lancashire Business Day Derry Green

Dragons' Den star to shine on Lancashire Business Day

21 Oct 2025

3

Eden Project Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 marks 25th anniversary Eden Project garden

Eden Project Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 marks 25th anniversary

21 Oct 2025

4

Lancashire farm named 'Family Farming Business of the Year' British Farming Awards

Lancashire farm named 'Family Farming Business of the Year'

20 Oct 2025

5

Breck Homes appoints new managing director Phil Dolan, Breck

Breck Homes appoints new managing director

20 Oct 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
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

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

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Chamber Business Lunch – October
LBV Hub Networking
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – October

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

11:00 - 13:30

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

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 LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin