4 PUBLISHER’S VIEW
MEET OUR TEAM
Ged Henderson, editor
ged.henderson@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295585
Stephen Bolton, commercial director
PUBLISHER’S VIEW Richard Slater, publisher
t: 01254 295584 e:
richard@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk www.lancashirebusinessview.co.uk
In these days of increasingly polarised opinions, isn’t it refreshing when people come together to find some middle ground?
Our columnists Frank McKenna and Antony Higginbotham come from different sides of the political divide, but both have remarkably similar views when it comes to the positives that devolution can bring.
These are reflected in their pieces for this issue, which both look at The Northern Research Group (NRG) as it met for its very first conference.
As Frank, a former Labour deputy leader of the county council, reports, the enthusiasm among Tory MPs from so-called Red Wall seats for a genuine shake-up of the way in which the country is governed was “palpable”.
Antony, Conservative MP for Burnley and one of those in the Red Wall, also highlights the acknowledgement among his fellow MPs of the need to level up investment in the regions, along with accelerating the devolution agenda.
The need for change has been articulated many times before. As Antony says, Lancashire has much going for it. He believes the challenge is to ensure our asks are communicated clearly and persuasively to government.
While it is important Lancashire begins to speak with one voice, there is also a clear challenge there for government, to listen and to act.
Levelling up remains an important topic, and in our debate on Blackpool we look at the work being done in a town whose motto is ‘Progress’.
We brought our panel to the new £30m Winter Gardens conference centre to discuss what is driving investment and how it is impacting on the resort and its levelling up ambitions. It is a story of determination and an increasing urgency to get things done.
The fabulous Winter Gardens was once again the venue for our annual celebration of the very best of Lancashire businesses. And once again the evening, and the shortlisted and winning entries in the Red Rose Awards, did the county proud.
We can also take great pride in the work of our SMEs in all sectors of the economy. Our eagerly anticipated annual list of the county’s most profitable also features on the pages of this edition. Profits generated by this year’s Hot 100 stand at an impressive £290m, up from £208m last year.
The Hot 100 is a list like no other. Not only does it act as a thermometer taking the temperature of our economy, but, like our Red Rose Awards, it underlines the breadth and depth of our business talent.
Both highlight how Lancashire businesses have risen to the challenges of the pandemic, price rises and Brexit to deliver for the county’s economy once again. Was that ever in doubt?
stephen@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295583
Rachael Norris, head of marketing and events
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Editorial: Ged Henderson, Tim Aldred Photography: Clive Lawrence, Ian Robinson, Liz Henson Photography Artwork and layout: Magnificent Studio Printed by Peter Scott Printers, Burnley
Lancashire Business View is written, designed and produced by Northpoint Publishing. Lancashire Business View and LBV are registered trademarks. The views expressed by our columnists are not necessarily shared by Lancashire Business View.
Northpoint Publishing: East Park Lodge, East Park Road, Blackburn BB1 8DW. t: 01254 297870 | f: 01254 295581 e:
info@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk
ISSN: 1757-479X
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