Lancashire’s food and drink manufacturers important in Covid recovery

By Boost Business Lancashire

30 Mar 2021

suzi-wynne-wynne-business.jpg

Lancashire’s food and drink manufacturing sector can play a key role in the county’s economic recovery from Covid-19, a national retail expert has claimed.

Suzi Wynne, managing director at Wynne Business, works with national retailers including Waitrose, the Co-Operative and Tesco. She specialises in helping growing food and drink manufacturers to target contracts with supermarket chains.

She said with people changing shopping and eating habits, there will be new opportunities for growing food and drink firms to expand into retail and develop their Lancashire supply chains.

The comments came with Suzi currently working alongside Lancashire County Council’s scaleup brand Two Zero on a first of its kind scaleup programme for the county’s business leaders which is currently open for applications. Route Into Retail is aimed at helping fast-growing Lancashire food and drink manufacturers gain retail contracts.

Suzi said: “Food and drink manufacturing is one of Lancashire's key sectors but our businesses have felt the wide-reaching effects of the coronavirus pandemic over the past year. People are shopping online for groceries more often and making less visits to the supermarket each week.

“This has limited the opportunities for growing food and drink brands to catch the eye of shoppers on supermarket shelves and these companies have also been hit with the shutdown of the leisure and hospitality sectors, another important outlet for their goods.

“With restrictions easing, growing food and drinks brands have new opportunities to thrive in both retail and hospitality outlets and their success can be an important part of Lancashire’s overall recovery from the current downturn.”

Route Into Retail is aimed at Lancashire food and drink manufacturing leaders already growing their business at more than 20 per cent per year who are looking to accelerate their growth by gaining contracts with retailers.

If features a combination of tailored coaching, quality one-to-one support and focused peer learning sessions to help business owners and managers define their sales strategy, create and hone their pitch as well as advice on launching new products.

The commercial programme is 75% funded by Lancashire County Council with businesses asked to contribute the remaining £495.

Suzi added: “The programme starts in May, which is great timing for business leaders to begin to take advantage of these new opportunities to improve their visibility over the summer months as the UK emerges from lockdown.

“You may already be working with restaurants or local retailers and feel ready to take the next step. Route Into Retail will help you put your brand on a national stage.”

Applications are set to close on April 16 and 10-12 business places are available.

Businesses can find out more about Route Into Retail, including eligibility criteria, and apply via the Two Zero website.

Latest news

1

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

2

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

3

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

4

High street retailers urged to ‘take advantage’ of new funded support programme Brian Moore, Lee Johnson, Anne Williamson and Andrew Leeming

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

08 Sep 2025

5

Beaverbrooks invest in the high street in difficult conditions Mark Adlestone And Anna Blackburn Beaverbrooks

Beaverbrooks invest in the high street in difficult conditions

08 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

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

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

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

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day
MTD drop in session.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day, Blackburn, BB1 5QB

10:00 - 16:00

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