Laurence Hancock
their problems. I prefer when the narrative is around communities rather than just around housing, so the wider community, the wider access to services, open green spaces.
“We need to amplify the voice of the people who are experiencing these challenges to make sure that we’re solving the right thing and not just imposing our view of what we perceive to be the right thing.”
Adam Short, Fylde coast branch manager of Handelsbanken, has a number of clients on the area’s two enterprise zones. He says: “The businesses we deal with are often owner- managed, family run businesses.
“Recruitment is a challenge for them and those that tend to attract and retain people are the ones that have a good culture and provide opportunities in terms of development.”
He says the bank has worked to meet its own recruitment challenges by “growing its own” and he adds: “We work with the local college and we have a summer intern programme to give people opportunities to experience what
Adam Short
we do and to open their eyes in terms of what opportunities there are.”
Skills are also important when it comes to business development. Blackpool Unlimited, the borough’s business support hub, has set up its Growth Business Academy, to help both companies looking scale-up and start-ups.
There are challenges. Angela Kershaw,
Laura Weldon
le-Fylde. She says: “A lot of small businesses in the area have the ability to grow but don’t really recognise what they need to do.
“The work by Blackpool Unlimited to show them the ability is there and there is so much opportunity for them is important.
“It is about that educating people so they know there is that support here, that you can grow
It is about that educating people so they know
there is that support here, that you can grow and be proud to be local. That’s a huge thing in this area
Blackpool’s head of business growth, says: “We’re getting people who have an idea and the passion to start something. They struggle part way through the process because they don’t have the skill set or support when it comes to things like completing paperwork or actioning something.”
Laura Weldon leads the team at branding agency Studio LWD, which is based in Poulton-
and be proud to be local. That’s a huge thing in this area.
“I think the danger sometimes is we focus too much on manufacturing and tourism but actually on the Fylde coast there’s a lot more opportunity.
“That’s definitely what we’re seeing when it comes young people and recruitment, retention of talent is a real struggle for us.”
PRESENT:
Martin Booker Blackpool FC
Joshua Keen RKMS
Chris Brown Brown & Co
Angela Kershaw Blackpool Unlimited
Michael Dugdale Trident Utilities
Martin Long Napthens
Rob Green
Blackpool Enterprise Zone
Adam Short Handelsbanken Sarah Hall
Blackpool and The Fylde College
John Sullivan Backlot Cinema
Laurance Hancock The Boathouse Youth
Laura Weldon Studio LWD
LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
IEW.CO.UK
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