Solicitors firm relocates growing team to new Clitheroe office following Boost support

An East Lancashire solicitors firm has moved into a new town centre office after outgrowing its old base following strategic support from Boost; Lancashire's Business Growth Hub.

Burys Solicitors has taken on four new staff, growing the team to six, and moved from its previous rural location into Clitheroe town centre in June.

The firm, which specialises in family law including wills, power of attorney, probate as well as residential conveyancing, received support through Boost’s Bespoke programme to develop and implement a strategy for sustainable business growth.

Burys director Joanne Bury was matched with Boost business coach Hayley Caine, who helped Joanne to plan the move to the new location to accommodate its growing staff base, as well as managing the effects of Covid-19.

Joanne Bury, director, said: “The coaching support to develop our business strategy and people plans really helped to change our thinking and reassured us that our decisions and risk taking were helping us move in the right direction.

“Covid-19 affected our cash flow and ability to take work on. The housing market could not operate effectively which hit parts of our business and other areas such as wills also suffered.

“Having tailored support through that period was amazing. Hayley was hugely receptive to the fact it was a busy time and worked within mine and the business’s limits to support us.”

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

As a funded business support service, Boost helps Lancashire business owners and leaders navigate the local, regional and national public and private sector business support landscape, to find the right support for their business. Boost also delivers a number of funded programmes for start-up, established and fast-growing businesses.

The Boost Bespoke programme is a tailored funded support programme available through Boost. It is managed by Winning Pitch and includes tailored coaching workshops to help accelerate growth and peer-to-peer board networks to help business owners and managers build a network of trusted advisers.

After undertaking a full review of Burys, Hayley worked with Joanne on a one-to-one basis as well as working with the business’s leadership team as a whole to help implement the company’s ambitious growth strategy.

“We had also invested in another business, our estate agency Fardella and Bell,” added Joanne. “This took headspace and investment.”

“Having support through Boost and accessing their experienced coaches will help you to achieve clarity and reach informed decisions with less risk. If you want to grow you need to explore their help and they will match you with your perfect coach.”

Burys has now taken on two junior legal staff, a business development manager and a receptionist to support its growth.

“The sales culture has improved how we have reacted to unprecedented demand in conveyancing and wills and lasting power of attorney,” adds Joanne.

The team is now operating both firms from the new Clitheroe town centre location and having grown substantially over recent months, the focus is now on sustainable growth while retaining a personal, friendly approach with clients.

Hayley Caine added: “Burys had all the right components for sustainable strong growth, but the leadership team needed some guidance and support to understand their goals and how to achieve them.

“Working with Joanne and the team, we’ve developed and implemented a robust plan to support the company’s expansion in their new office over the coming years. I’m also continuing to work with the team to help them achieve their ambitious plans, including a range of finance options to provide the investment to reach their growth targets.”

Boost has received £3.65m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union, ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.  For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.