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BAROMETER UP
A variety of Lancashire businesses have flourished during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown as the UK population takes on new hobbies. Blackpool-based dog treat manufacturer Barking Bakery recruited four new staff to meet a surge in demand for its treats after more than 2.2 million puppies were purchased during lockdown. Preston-based approved inspector Ball & Berry recorded triple-digit growth in turnover thanks to increasing demand from homeowners wanting to improve their properties. This also benefited Blackpool-based kitchens and appliances specialist Hibberd Distribution, which has taken on 32,000 sq ft of extra warehousing and recruited six new employees.
Lancashire County Council approved a
£10m loan fund to attract inward investment from companies working to address significant social and environmental challenges, such as artificial intelligence, the ageing society and future modes of transport. Organisations will also be able to draw on the expertise of Lancaster University’s Health Innovation Campus and the University of Central Lancashire.
WEC Group, the Darwen-based engineering
and fabrication company, won the Large Employer of the Year category at the National Apprenticeship Awards 2020.
The Blackpool Opera House within the
Winter Gardens complex hosted the 2020 Royal Variety Performance. It is the third time the venue has hosted the show, which raises funds for the care of retired entertainers and their dependents.
Lancaster-based data science specialist
Miralis won the Digital Catapult UK-Germany Global Challenge for its AI project which tackles multinational supply chain challenges, such as carbon emissions and traffic congestion.
CityFibre appointed Telent to deliver its £389m full fibre rollout in Blackpool, Preston and Chester. Including additional work in South and West Yorkshire, the current phase of the programme will connect three million premises in 27 towns and cities, creating 970 network construction jobs.
Northern Trust acquired 50,000 sq ft of
multi-let industrial space across three sites in Leyland. They will be managed by Whittle Jones, and take the company’s North West portfolio to more than 2.5 million sq ft across 75 estates.
Chorley-based engine performance tuning specialist Tunit created four new jobs after securing a £25,000 loan from Lancashire’s Rosebud fund.
Preston-based Redmoor Health moved
into new offices and will expand its team after a busy lockdown period. The agency, which uses technology to engage with healthcare professionals, carried out 270 training webinars and supported 500 GP practices during the pandemic.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH:
Haydock Commercial Vehicles
Lancaster-based Utter Creatives designed a range of Advent of Change products which went on sale in major high street retailers to raise £350,000 for 48 good causes at Christmas.
A £25m plan to reintroduce passenger
trams to the city of Preston for the first time in 85 years is one step closer after Preston Trampower won planning approval to build a 200-metre long demonstrator line. PWA Planning has advised on the planning application and Eric Wright Civil Engineering will undertake the work.
Farnell Land Rover Nelson completed a £3.6m upgrade of its dealership at Lomeshaye Business Park. The new building includes a six-vehicle showroom, barista bar and electric charging points for its new hybrid range.
Robinsons Holidays, the Great Harwood-
based family firm which has been offering tour packages for more than a century, has been acquired by Daish’s Holidays. The deal includes hotels in Eastbourne and Torquay along with a fleet of 13 coaches.
The government approved Blackpool’s pitch
for £39.5m of regeneration funding, which will kick-start programmes including investment in infrastructure at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone and the £300m Blackpool Central leisure facility which is predicted to create 1,000 jobs.
The management team of Inspired Energy’s SME division completed a buyout for £10.5m. The division accounted for seven per cent of group revenues in the first half of 2020, but performed poorly during the coronavirus pandemic.
invested £2.7m in a new Scania service centre at Walton Summit, Preston, featuring seven workshop bays for trailers and double-deck buses.
Beaverbrooks, the Lytham-based jeweller,
recorded the best-ever financial results in its 101- year history. For the full year to February 2020, turnover increased 12.4 per cent to £143.2m, with operating profit up from £12.8m to £17.2m.
Blackpool-based Multi-Ply Components, which manufactures a range of carbon fibre components for medical equipment around the world, has been acquired by MedCap AB, a Swedish investment firm specialising in medical equipment.
Blackburn-based Limitless PR won the contract to provide a brand-building campaign for clothing manufacturer Whispering Smith, which produces goods under its own Brave Soul label, as well as on behalf of ASOS, Zalando, La Moda and Namshi.
Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom received a
£764,000 grant from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund. The money will be invested in repairs and renovations, including work on its period plasterwork ceiling.
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