77 2024:18 Barnes DH Developments, Blackburn
This is the holding company for two property businesses: developer Mullberry Homes and Robinson New Homes which buys and sells property and land. It was incorporated in February 2021 and the 2024 accounts show the group’s turnover was almost £6.4m with a profit before tax of £1.6m.
76 New entry
Lancashire Double Glazing Group, Preston
From its purpose-built Preston headquarters, LDG provides a wide range of double-glazed products. It has been at the forefront of the industry for more than three decades and its operation today spans the North West, with more than a million frames manufactured and installed into homes across the region. Its turnover was £19m and profit before tax was £1.6m.
SHOWING RESILIENCE IN A COMPLEX WORLD By Dean Rodgers,
Accounts and advisory director PM+M
This year’s Hot 100 reflects a county that continues to show resilience, even as the wider economy remains complex.
Notably, 56 businesses have maintained their position on the list, underlining consistent performance across the region, with a further eight exiting the rankings this year after surpassing the upper size threshold, reflecting their continued growth.
Once again, manufacturing firms feature heavily in this year’s list, reinforcing the sector’s ongoing importance to Lancashire’s economy. Despite pressures from supply chains, rising costs and global uncertainty, many of these businesses have shown steady performance and employment growth.
75 2024: 51 Amari Supercars, Preston
Amari Lifestyle is the retail operation of the supercar-loving Amari family, led by husband-and-wife team Sheikh Amari and Saba Syed for more than 40 years. The company buys and sells the world’s most exclusive marques, such as Aston Martin, Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and Porsche. Amari operates a 15,000 sq ft showroom which holds around 70 vehicles. Total sales for the year stood at £31.4m.
The construction sector also continues to feature prominently, although there appears to be a shift in its focus. While last year saw a strong emphasis on new builds, this year’s entries suggest more diversity – potentially including refurbishment, infrastructure, and commercial projects.
Notably, there’s a resurgence of businesses tied to the food industry on this year’s list. Whether in food production, processing or distribution, these businesses reflect renewed consumer demand, changing eating habits, and possibly a more localised supply chain approach. It’s a welcome sign of recovery for a sector that
73 New entry
Catchpoint UK Fire and Security, Blackburn
74 2024: 39 Ruttle Group, Chorley
The Ruttle Group, which operates branches in Chorley, Preston, Birmingham and Chesterfield, offers plant including heavy haulage, tippers and dozers for hire and for sale. The group includes a contracting division specialising in remediation and earthworks. Gross profits stood at £1.67m.
Catchpoint UK Fire and Security is a UK- based provider of bespoke fire and security solutions, established in 1997 by managing director Michael Lynch. Today it has clients across the UK and Ireland including national retailers, commercial enterprises and industrial operations. It has a 73-strong workforce.
72 New entry Spencer Clarke Group, Preston
Formed in 2017, this award-winning recruitment agency operates nationwide across both public and private sectors. It provides solutions for permanent, temporary, contract and interim positions. It employs 49 at its Bartle Court Business Centre offices.
71 2024: 9 Skiddle, Preston
Skiddle was co-founded as an online what’s on guide in 2001 by music fans and University of Lancashire students Ben Sebborn and Rich Dyer. Five years later, the website expanded to include ticket sales, and it has since sold more than 17 million tickets and currently serves four million users. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, Skiddle launched bursaries to help promoters and venues to reopen and it has raised more than £200,000 for charities including Macmillan Cancer Support.
Continued on Page 60 LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
IEW.CO.UK
had faced particular challenges in recent years.
Across the 100 businesses, total employment is up by 579 compared to last year – a notable increase in what remains a cautious climate.
While some of this may be attributed to business growth, it’s important to note that these increases are based on accounting periods prior to the recent NI rise and employment law changes, so it will be interesting to see how these developments are reflected in next year’s results.
A noticeable geographic shift this year is the number of new entrants from the Fylde Coast. Whether driven by business relocation, investment incentives, or improved infrastructure, this cluster of growth suggests that the Fylde may be emerging as a new centre of enterprise activity within the county.
Although this year’s Hot 100 doesn’t show dramatic upheaval – it does reflect change. Manufacturing is still dominant, and there are quiet gains in food and regional growth pockets.
Employment is rising, though challenges persist. And while some familiar names remain, the number of new entries and shifting sectors suggest a business environment that continues to adapt to pressures with pragmatism and resilience.
Expert View
59
HOT 100
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