Preston invests £2m in business support packages

By Tim Aldred

13 Dec 2023

Preston Business Support

Preston City Council is backing six business support programmes to the tune of £2m, financed by its £5m UK Shared Prosperity funding.

The support will include free advice and practical help for all types of companies, from newly registered sole traders to established small to medium-sized enterprises looking to grow. 

For companies looking to innovate or test new markets, UCLan, along with partner universities, will provide access to industry and academic expertise, plus its state-of-the-art technology. The project will help with research and development, product testing and a range of related advice and guidance. 

For others new to exporting or already exporting and wishing to grow, the North and West Lancashire Chamber of Commerce is offering a free wraparound service. Specialised advisers will equip local businesses with the right tools to develop export plans and find the right countries for their products and services.  

The Chamber Low Carbon project aligns closely to the council’s own Net Zero ambitions. It will support Preston businesses to save money, reduce their carbon footprint, develop low carbon products and progress their decarbonisation journey. 

People who are contemplating how to set up a community business and do it in a fair and democratic way can now get expert help from Preston Co-operative Development Network (PCDN). PCDN has also begun to promote how co-operative models work through small renewable energy and insulation projects across neighbourhoods.   

Recently relaunched, The Preston Partnership aims to brings together businesses and the public sector in a bid to make Preston a prosperous city in which to live, work, visit and invest. Members can join masterclasses, network Wondering about how to set up a community business and do it in a fair and democratic way, then you and have a real say on Preston issues and local policy. 

Finally, for businesses looking to start, grow or upscale, there’s a wide range of help on offer from Boost, Lancashire's Business Growth Hub. The established team have already helped over 14,000 Lancashire businesses and are keen to help many more.  

Coun Valerie Wise, cabinet member for community wealth building, said: “We are dedicated to helping grow the local economy and build prosperity in Preston through a range of measures, including supporting local businesses who in turn support those in their supply chain, their employees and families.  

“With our successful bid for UKSPF funding, I am delighted we can provide such a breadth of tailored support that promises to make a real difference to so many local businesses, whatever their query or ambitions.

"It’s been great attending some of the recent lively launch events and I look forward to keeping abreast of how the projects are progressing and hearing some of the success stories. I would urge any local business to explore our dedicated business webpages and take advantage of the free support on offer.” 

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Growth Plan maps out £20bn-plus investment journey Mo Isap from the Lancashire Business Board with the plan

Growth Plan maps out £20bn-plus investment journey

18 Sep 2025

2

Post Office future secured as council explores new options Abington Street Post Office

Post Office future secured as council explores new options

17 Sep 2025

3

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent Jerrod Hartley

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent

17 Sep 2025

4

Fox Group makes second acquisition since Stellex Capital backing Roger Thistlethwaite, managing director NMS Civil Engineering Limited. Paul Fox, CEO Fox Group. John Flood, Executive Director Fox Group

Fox Group makes second acquisition since Stellex Capital backing

17 Sep 2025

5

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family The Villa Wrea Green courtesy of The Villa Wrea Green

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family

16 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
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

Ladies Lunch
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Sep 2025 - 18 Sep 2025

Ladies Lunch

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

12:00 - 16:00

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

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

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

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

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25
Metris 25.09.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

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

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

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