support capital schemes directly benefitting our residents and businesses.
“Future business support will be outlined in our new economic plan, which is currently under consultation.”
In a statement to Lancashire Business View, Rossendale said: “As with all councils we are working under extreme budgetary restraints, and we have to make sure that we are allocating our spend as effectively as possible.
“Rossendale Borough Council felt that having a business advisor employed directly by the council gives Rossendale businesses direct support without any red tape or restraints on the amount of support they can receive.
“It allows us to tailor the advice, support, workshops, and events, based directly on the feedback we get from the businesses we work with ensuring they are targeted and effective. We felt that was a more efficient use of our budget in this instance.”
Explaining Blackpool’s decision, a council spokesperson said: “We will be running a new specific Blackpool business support service in the near future using our Shared Prosperity Fund allocation.
“The service will support all our local start- ups and growth companies to expand, take on new contracts, hire new staff and meet carbon reduction targets, from advanced manufacturing and aviation companies all the way through to leisure and hospitality.”
Lancaster City councillor Nick Wilkinson, cabinet member with responsibility for business support, said: “Lancaster City Council carried out an open competitive grant application process for UKSPF support for local business projects.
“Robust evaluation of all applications took place to ensure that business support projects aligned with the council’s key priority to develop an inclusive and prosperous local economy.
“To help deliver on this priority, the council’s UKSPF has so far contributed to the development of a fresh and collaborative approach to employment and skills in our area.
“We will provide a one-stop-shop for businesses contributing to the development of an economic strategy for the district and lead on sector skills development and partnership working to promote economic growth and inward investment.
“To achieve this, the team will also play an essential role in co-ordinating, signposting and developing long lasting partnerships.
“This support extends to nurturing sector growth, promoting sustainable practices to contribute to a greener economy, and fostering social economy initiatives that champion under-represented groups, such as women in business.
“So far, we have committed £733,558 of our UKSPF to business support including local provision via Electech Innovation Cluster, Lancaster and Morecambe College, The Growing Club, Tech Lancaster and East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce – new low carbon technology and business support for net zero. Further allocations are planned in year three of the fund.
“Our UKSPF programme is not just investing in businesses; it’s investing in the future prosperity and inclusivity of our district.”
LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
IEW.CO.UK
AN ACADEMY APPROACH TO DELIVERING SUCCESS
In the same month that Lancashire unveiled its fresh Boost offering, Blackpool launched two ‘business academies’ offering tailored advice to new and growing businesses and practical help to lower carbon emissions.
The Blackpool Growth Business Academy is designed to “foster entrepreneurial spirit” by helping new start businesses to chart their future success.
It will also provide advice and mentoring for more established growth-ambitious businesses to “expand their operations, scale their impact, and drive innovation and job creation”.
Blackpool Council says it will feature executive coaching, specialist growth expertise, workshops and events.
Academy advisors will work closely with
qualifying businesses to develop and implement company-specific growth plans. Each action plan will support the best route to growth, whether that’s adopting new technology, refining a process, entering new markets or launching new products.
The Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy will help local businesses in their journey to net zero, assessing their carbon footprint and creating detailed plans to reduce carbon emissions, drive down energy costs and develop “sustainable business practices”.
The £850,000 initiative is funded by the government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) and is led by the council’s Business Growth Team. It forms part of Blackpool’s £5.7m SPF investment programme to March 2025.
The academy programmes will be promoted through the Blackpool Unlimited gateway, the business growth team’s website and alert service that has been signposting relevant advice, funding support and regeneration news to local businesses for more than 15 years.
The council says it has secured a wide range of specialist advisors and mentors to help deliver the academy offer.
Coun Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for levelling up with responsibilities for business growth, said: “We are committed to nurturing our town’s economic development and job creation. This funding allows us to extend the range
of advice and support available to a diverse range of businesses and sectors, whether large or small, hospitality or manufacturing.
“The advisors will work be working with companies to realise ambitions and grow sustainability. The establishment of the Blackpool Growth Business Academy and the Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy signifies the council’s commitment to empowering local businesses and steering the town towards a prosperous and environmentally conscious future.”
Following on from the academy launches, Blackpool also announced the key appointment of Angela Kershaw as its new head of business growth.
She has held senior roles in economic development at Wyre Council and most recently at county hall, where she supported foreign owned companies across Lancashire and fostered relationships with businesses from around the globe including the USA, Italy, and Chile.
A £7.5m renovation project which will convert Blackpool’s historic Stanley Buildings into a business growth hub has also been granted planning approval.
It means vacant and derelict upper floor space can now be converted into 44 modern offices and state-of-the-art meeting facilities.
Parts of the ground floor will be altered to create an extensive co-working space featuring flexible hot desk and meeting spaces. The work is set to be completed by spring 2025.
Angela Kershaw
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BUSINESS SUPPORT
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