Navigating a complex funding landscape

With more sources of funding to consider than ever before, it’s not easy to determine the best option for your company. It’s even more difficult to secure it.

There has been a huge increase in private equity interest in North West companies over the past five years as these organisations increasingly look outside of London.

This, twinned with asset based financing options, public sector funds such as Rosebud and the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) and an ever-increasing number of so-called challenger banks,  means Lancashire business owners can quickly feel overwhelmed when considering external finance.

Each of these types of organisations offers something different and there is a lot more for businesses to consider than simply the cost.

It’s important to have a clear picture of their service levels, their understanding of your business and sector, flexibility and a range of other factors.

With growing economic uncertainty, we are seeing more Lancashire businesses assessing their need for external finance and attempting to navigate this complex market.

Pressure on business costs

Inflation, rising energy prices and the increasing cost of doing business mean companies are looking for ways they can have greater certainty over their input costs.

For example, we have seen an increase in recent months of businesses looking for finance to buy their premises so they can benefit from the certainty of fixed rate mortgages and mitigate potential rental increases.

Amid this picture of increased costs and a complicated funding landscape, having a trusted, independent adviser who can help you understand and navigate the finance market is crucial. Access to Finance Lancashire has a team of five finance experts who can provide that advice.

The team is made up of finance specialists including formers bank managers and equity specialists with the service being fully-funded by Lancashire County Council. That means it is impartial and there’s no cost to accessing the support.

We’ll help you assess your options, prepare for your application and support you through the process.

Are you ready?

But before assessing the most suitable funding option, businesses should always ask whether external funding is the right option for them.

Many companies are still repaying government-backed loans made available during Covid-19 which could mean adding further debt to their balance sheet may not be the answer.

Access to Finance’s Finance Simplified service can help you understand the principles of business finance.

Our new fully-funded programme, the first of its kind in Lancashire, has been developed to provide business owners with the knowledge to analyse and understand financial statements, to evaluate performance and make a positive financial impact.

The programme will also explore the funding landscape and better position businesses to access funding.

You can find out more about Finance Simplified on the Access to Finance website.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Mark Gibbons, Access to Finance

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrates 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrates 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 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
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

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

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

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin