in 2019: to ensure more patients are cared for by doctors who understand their community’s challenges. And 80 per cent of the trailblazing cohort are from backgrounds which are often under-represented in medicine.
▲ Plumb Factory is opening a new bathroom showroom in Preston thanks to a six-figure funding boost from NPIF II – FW Capital Debt Finance, which is managed by FW Capital as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. The investment will accelerate the firm’s growth. The independent family-run plumbers’ merchant and luxury bathroom firm was established by brothers John and Warren Gibbs in 2010.
▲ CAPO, a fashion brand based in Accrington, is the North West’s fastest-growing private company, according to the fourth annual Sunday Times 100 rankings. Dan Wilkins, 32, and Adam Morning, 38, dreamt up the idea for the brand while both semi-professional football players for Ashton United. The company’s men’s ‘athleisure’ now ranges from overshirts to trainers and the business has become Blackburn Rovers’ footwear partner.
▲ Bright young students have gone down in history as the first graduates of Edge Hill University’s new medical school. The pioneering class of 2025 are fulfilling an ambition set when Edge Hill opened the school
▲ Walker Fire has cemented its position as a regional growth leader with the acquisition of major players in the UK fire safety sector – Spitfire Protection Services and Blackwood Fire. The acquisitions strengthen the Preston- headquartered fire and security service provider’s national presence, expand its service capacity, and align with the company’s long-term mission: to deliver complete fire and security compliance under one roof.
Brooke Blades Cloud accounting project manager
PierceCA pierce-c.-a.-limited pcaltd
GET READY NOW FOR NEW DIGITAL
TAX REPORTING Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax will come into force in April 2026, changing how self-employed individuals and landlords report their income to HMRC. While this may seem some way off, now is the ideal time to prepare.
▲ Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses’ ongoing recovery in a wake of a devastating fire at its Longridge operation has been revealed in its latest accounts. The fourth-generation cheesemakers suffered when a major fire took place in November 2023 destroying premises used for cutting, packing, warehouses and offices. Latest accounts for the family business show that its pre-tax profits were £13.97m compared to £1.06m in 2023.
DOWN
▼ Businesses in the North West accounted for 21 per cent of administrations in the first six months of 2025, according to analysis by full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau. The North West overtook Greater London as the region with the most business failures, with 165 administrations – up 11 per cent from 2024 – compared to Greater London’s 158 – a 17 per cent drop.
▼ Latest data from the Office for National Statistics show 10,700 jobs were lost in the North West, out of 3,317,722 in total, compared to July 2025. Meanwhile wages continued to rise. Median monthly salaries stood at £2,426, up £131 (5.71 per cent) over the last 12 months. Paul Hebden, director of WageSight, said: “The last few months have seen sharp month-on-month cut backs by employers across the North West, which largely reflects the picture nationally, with companies seemingly cutting back everywhere in the UK.”
▼ Kebabs containing completely different meats to what was advertised have been discovered during food sampling investigations across Lancaster, Preston and Burnley. Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards officers took robust action and prosecuted two food
businesses who, despite prior advice, continued to sell products made up of different meats to those they were described as containing.
▼ New figures reveal that Lancashire, despite receiving £74.9m under the government’s Affordable Homes Programme, has delivered only 127 of its 404 promised homes. Conveyancing solicitors, Bird and Co, analysed the 2022–23 local authority housing statistics, matching each area’s funding allocation against actual new-build starts and completions. It says its findings expose “critical bottlenecks” in planning approvals, land assembly and developer capacity that have held up 277 homes in Lancashire.
▼ Lancashire County Council’s cabinet has been updated on the financial position of the council at the end of the last financial year. The 2024/25 Outturn report covers the fourth financial quarter of 2024/25 (January-March). It shows an overspend of £10.6m. A programme of savings totalling £103m over the next two financial years has been previously agreed. The authority’s cabinet has also agreed to bring forward a review of the council’s finances.
Under the new rules, affected taxpayers will be required to keep digital records, use compatible software and submit quarterly updates along with a final declaration to HMRC. Preparing early ensures a smoother transition and allows time to test systems and processes.
Getting ready might involve selecting suitable accounting software, registering with HMRC and moving from paper records or spreadsheets to digital systems. Some businesses may choose to outsource bookkeeping and submission tasks, while others may benefit from joining HMRC’s MTD pilot scheme to gain early experience and confidence ahead of the deadline.
The advantages of adopting MTD extend beyond meeting legal requirements. Accurate, digitally maintained records reduce errors, while automated bank feeds can save considerable time and cut down on manual input. Real-time access to financial data offers greater visibility, enabling more effective cash flow planning, budgeting and tax forecasting. This improved insight supports better- informed business decisions and can strengthen credibility with lenders, investors and potential partners.
Leaving compliance until the last minute risks unnecessary stress and possible penalties. By taking action now, businesses and individuals can ensure a smooth transition to the new system and demonstrate a proactive, organised approach to financial management.
Early preparation is not only about compliance – it is an investment in efficiency, accuracy and the long-term resilience of your business. We can help.
Tel: 01254 688130 / 01204 388675 Email:
enquiries@pierce.co.uk www.pierce.co.uk
in association with
NEW CATEGORIES FOR 2026
AI AND TECH INNOVATION
CREATIVE BUSINESS DEAL OF THE YEAR
Deadline: 5 December 2025
redroseawards.co.uk @redroseawards #RRA26
LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
IEW.CO.UK
17
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
