Hospitality has traditionally been an introduction to work for many. Slamming that door shut is not good news as we look to build our workforce for the future and tackle a worrying increase in youth unemployment.


Leaders in the sector want to see more support from a government they believe has little understanding of the world in which they operate.


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The much-promised overhaul of the business rates system has to happen and a look at reducing VAT rates for the sector would also be widely welcomed. Resilience can only stretch so far. Support is needed and it is needed now.


Resilience is also a fitting word when it comes to describing Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses – the subject of our Big Interview this issue.


A devastating fire at its office and packing operation in November 2023 saw it razed to the ground and hundreds of tonnes of stock destroyed, just six weeks before Christmas. The future looked uncertain.


In February, two years after the blaze, the family business received a royal seal of approval for its recovery, with a visit from King Charles to officially open its new state-of-the-art dairy in rural Lancashire.


Resilience is a word that features in almost every issue of this magazine. We use it to describe the capacity of Lancashire businesses to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties.


That toughness and determination have been vital in getting them through the massive challenges they have faced in recent times – from banking crashes to Brexit and global pandemics and wars, both in trade and on European battlefronts.


And, as we report in this issue, that resilience is being called on once again, as the hospitality sector buckles under the weight of large-scale hikes in national insurance and the national minimum wage, coupled with business rate increases.


For many businesses the situation is serious. The pressure is immense. It has been described as “an unprecedented tsunami” of additional


Richard Slater publisher richard@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295584


Ged Henderson editor editor@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295585


Abbey Coates operations and events director abbey@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295585


Anna King


senior administrator anna@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295582


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Adam Varnom graphic designer adam@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295585


overheads. Our report reveals some staggering numbers when it comes to the size of the bills that businesses in the county are facing.


Nationally there are warnings that business closures could rise to as many as six a day this year. There have already been casualties in Lancashire and we fear there will be more.


As hospitality businesses struggle with rising overheads, they are less likely to hire. And that will have a knock-on effect on young people’s job prospects.


The Hall family’s fightback has been impressive but not surprising. As third generation cheesemaker Gill Hall says, it was not the first crisis Butlers had faced in its history. It has been around for more than 90 years and is looking to be here in 100 years’ time – and that is resilience.


There are many other examples among our Red Rose Award winners. The annual celebration of Lancashire business excellence once again showcases the determination of the winners and finalists to forge a brighter future for themselves and our county. We salute them!


As businesses struggle with rising overheads, they are less likely to hire. And that will have a knock-on effect on young people’s job prospects


Joanne Hindley sales director joanne@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295585


Rob Kelly multimedia journalist rob@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 297870


Farah Cheema marketing lead farah@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295587


Abigail Swarbrick administrator abigail@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295582


Paula Walsh finance assistant paula@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 297870


Lancashire Business View is written, designed and produced in Lancashire 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.


Photography: Clive Lawrence, Paul Adams, Liz Henson Photography.


Printers: Peter Scott Printers, Burnley


Northpoint Publishing East Park Lodge, East Park Road, Blackburn BB1 8DW


t: 01254 297870 ISSN: 1757-479X


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