LBV Hot 100: Lancashire’s hottest businesses growing on all key measures

Lancashire businesses have punched back from recession with significant growth in turnover, profits and jobs.

An overview of the 2015 list, which is compiled by Haworths Chartered Accountants, Accrington, reveals total sales, profits and employment figures are significantly higher than a year ago.

In other words, sales are up nine per cent, profit is up 16 per cent and employees are up five per cent in the last 12 months alone.

“Each summer, we list the county’s best performing SMEs and rank them on the measure that most value highest: the sanity index of profit, and they have achieved great things in the past year.

Mark Schofield, immediate past president of the North West Society of Chartered Accountants, and head of Haworth’s Chartered Accountants, Accrington said: “The results not only reflect the national recovery, but also the regional recovery taking place in Lancashire which is amongst the best in the entire country.

Clair McMeeking, area director of business banking in Lancashire and Cumbria for HSBC, said: “Business in Lancashire are vibrant with a strong desire to grow.”

“What is really striking is the diversity of businesses represented, with activities in the top ten including retail, energy, sign-making and furnishings to name a few.”

“Those in the Hot 100 are continuing to develop ground-breaking products and practices, driving the efforts to put the region on the national map.”

Haworths Chartered Accountants compiled a league table of the top 100 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Lancashire, ranked by pre-tax profit. Figures were compiled using the latest data publicly available from Tracker, with additional research based on accounts filed at Companies House.