Lancashire business owners advised to use wealth of support options to bounce back in 2021

Lancashire business owners and leaders have been urged to use the wealth of funded support available in the county to help with their business planning in 2021.

The county’s public sector business leaders have issued a reminder there are support programmes available for companies at every stage of their recovery to help them with a range of challenges.

They advised business owners and managers to contact Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub as their first port of call to discuss their key challenges or opportunities and the support available to them.

Boost has four core fully-funded programmes including; support for new business owners or those looking to start a business to define their growth plan and create a strong environment for sustained success; a mentoring programme which matches business owners and managers with specialist knowledge and experience to overcome key challenges.

There is a programme to help established business owners and managers including to improve resilience and develop an effective senior management team. There is also a relationship management service, featuring an expert team who can advise business leaders and direct them to the most relevant support around Lancashire.

County councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning, Lancashire County Council, said: “We have a hugely resilient economy in Lancashire and our businesses have now weathered almost a year of uncertainty and turmoil.

“While many are still facing daily struggles due to the pandemic, others are beginning to think of their recovery and some are even further along the recovery path with thoughts turning to sustained long-term growth.

“In Lancashire, we have high quality fully-funded support options whatever situation your business is in. We urge business leaders to get in touch with Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth as your first port of call and discuss how Boost can help make 2021 a year of real change for your business.”

Boost is Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub. It is led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council and supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund and Lancashire County Council.

In addition to the core programmes, Boost can direct to over 75 partner support programmes across Lancashire including funding support, EU Exit expertise and innovation programmes.

Boost’s programme manager Andrew Leeming said: “We have supported Lancashire business owners and managers throughout the coronavirus pandemic by offering expert advice and guiding them to funded support from around Lancashire whatever their situation.

“Our #AskForHelp campaign, which was launched as lockdown began last March supported more than 7,000 people in business across the county through telephone and online advice and support.

“Although it’s a new year, many business owners and leaders are still struggling with the ongoing effects of the pandemic while others are now looking to the future and returning to sustained growth. Wherever you are on your recovery journey, Boost is here to support.

“We’re also working with a host of public and private sector partners in Lancashire on a range of resilience support options funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial strategy to guide business owners and leaders through both Covid-19 and EU Exit transition. Call us for a conversation and find out how we can help.”

Businesses can get in touch with Boost by calling 0800 488 0057, by emailing [email protected] or by visiting the Boost website.