By Rob Kelly


SOME TOUGH TIMES DOWN ON THE FARM


As we continue to mark the 20th anniversary of Lancashire Business View, here is a look back at our September/October 2005 issue.


Four years after the foot and mouth epidemic that devastated the countryside, Lancashire Business View put the rural economy under the microscope.


The epidemic that was confirmed in March 2001 at a farm near Chorley swept through the Ribble Valley within weeks.


It also led to sweeping changes in the industry as farmers struggled for survival, with some diversifying into new markets as they looked to see out the storm.


Malcolm Robinson, Barclays Bank’s rural specialist in Lancashire, told the magazine: “Farmers basically battened down the hatches


and auctions ceased trading. There was hardship for a lot of people.”


He explained how some farm operations diversified into areas such as ‘farm shops, outdoor pursuits and property development’.


Fast forward four years and he revealed how the labour market was the latest challenge affecting farmers with a severe shortage of agricultural workers.


There were also challenges when it came to the next generation of Lancashire farmers. Malcolm explained: “The number of young people coming through to take over the farm from their parents is decreasing. They don’t want the long hours for the pay they are going to get.”


Looking at rural diversification we highlighted the story of Richard Drinkall, whose Backridge


Farm in Waddington housed nine other business ventures – ranging from interior design to candle-making.


Our attention was also turned to Blackburn, following the announcement of a £45m extension to The Mall shopping centre. Ken Ford, chief executive of The Mall, labelled it “a very exciting time for Blackburn”. And Kate Hollern, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, declared: “Blackburn town centre is booming.”


The magazine featured an interview with Matthew Riley of Daisy Communications, charting his business story. It’s a success story that has continued over two decades, with the businessman featuring on the cover of this magazine for a second time in this year’s July-August issue.


in association with


NEW CATEGORIES FOR 2026


AI AND TECH INNOVATION


CREATIVE BUSINESS DEAL OF THE YEAR


IN THE NEWS September


• US financial markets are affected by disruptions to the nation’s oil distribution system along the Gulf Coast and concerns for consumer spending in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.


• Google taps into Chinese markets by opening its fifth international local search engine on Google China.


• Panic buying of petrol and diesel is in full swing across Britain, with long queues outside service stations.


Here are some of the headlines attracting attention in September/October 2005


• John de Chastelain, chairman of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, announces in Belfast that the weapons, ammunition, and explosives of the Provisional IRA have been “put beyond use”.


• England beat Australia in the Ashes series for the first time since 1987 after a draw in the final Test at the Oval.


October


• A million French transportation workers and teachers hold a nationwide strike


in opposition to the Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin’s economic and labour policies.


• Angela Merkel becomes Chancellor in Germany after negotiations between the CDU/CSU and SPD conclude with the two parties agreeing to form a grand coalition.


• Vampire novel ‘Twilight’ by Stephenie Meyer is published by Little Brown.


• Saddam Hussein goes on trial in Baghdad for crimes against humanity.


LANCASHIREBUSINES SV IEW.CO.UK Deadline: 5 December 2025


redroseawards.co.uk @redroseawards #RRA26


15


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76