The North West CHORLEY: The best of Lancashire in one place
At the heart of Lancashire, Chorley combines a proud heritage with modern vibrancy. Its bustling town centre, characterful villages, historic landmarks and picturesque countryside come together to create a place full of inno- vation, community pride and opportunity — an ideal location to live, work or visit. Rooted in its strong market town heritage, Chorley offers a diverse shop- ping experience, blending well-known national brands with a wide range of independent retailers. This is complemented by an impressive selection of leisure and entertainment venues, ensuring residents and visitors always have something to enjoy, day or night. The town’s lively calendar of cultural and family-focused events plays a major role in its appeal.
Popular attractions such as the award-winning Chorley Flower Show and Chorley Live draw thousands of visitors from outside the borough each year, strengthening both the daytime and evening economy while celebrat- ing the town’s creativity and community spirit. Chorley’s close connection to nature further enhances its identity. Green Flag parks, excellent open spaces and easy access to the West Pennine Moors provide opportunities for relaxation, recreation and wellbeing. Combined with its reputation as a welcoming, family-friendly destination, Chorley offers experiences that are both enriching and restorative.
Continued investment and growth: Ongoing investment continues to enhance Chorley’s offering. Recent years have seen the successful delivery of major developments such as Strawberry Fields Digital Hub and Strawberry Meadows — a modern business community providing state-of-the-art prem- ises close to the M61 motorway. These developments support innovation, entrepreneurship and employment growth across the borough. Within the town centre, the Market Walk extension has strengthened Chorley’s retail, food and beverage and leisure offer, bringing together high-profile brands
and independent businesses in a vibrant central location. Meanwhile, work is progressing at Botany Bay, where new multipurpose units are under con- struction at this highly accessible site adjacent to junction 8 of the M61.
Looking ahead: Chorley is preparing for a landmark £40 million regeneration programme that will transform the heart of the town cen- tre. Supported by a once-in-a-generation £20 million capital investment from the UK Government, the project began in 2025 and will deliver long- term improvements to retail, residential and public spaces. Key elements include the creation of a striking new Civic Square in front of the historic town hall, providing a vibrant focal point for events, community activity and commercial uses. High-quality, energy-efficient town centre homes will broaden housing choice and encourage more people to live and work locally. A new, purpose-built Health Hub will bring essential services into a central, accessible location, while significant public realm improvements will enhance highways, pedestrian routes and landscaping.
An ideal place to live and do business: With excellent motorway links and strong rail and bus connectivity, Chorley offers easy access to Manchester, Liverpool and Preston, without the premium costs of larger cities. Its strategic location, high quality of life and forward-looking invest- ment programme make Chorley an increasingly attractive destination for residents, businesses and investors alike.
For more detail visit
www.chorley.gov.uk/businesssites
SOUTH RIBBLE: A borough delivering growth, regeneration and opportunity
South Ribble is a thriving and ambitious borough of around 116,000 res- idents, known for its strong communities, extensive green spaces and a resilient local economy. Home to towns and villages including Leyland, Penwortham, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall and Longton, the area blends historic character with modern development. Excellent transport links and major employers such as BAE Systems and Leyland Trucks make South Ribble a strategically important location for business and innovation. South Ribble Borough Council is committed to ensuring the borough remains a place where people can live, work and play. Its focus is on supporting economic growth, enabling regeneration, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for residents and businesses.
Supporting successful business: The council plays an active role in helping businesses start, grow and succeed. Through practical advice, tailored guidance and strong partnerships, it connects companies with the support they need at every stage of their journey. This includes access to skills development, funding opportunities, networking, and help navigating challenges. By creating the right conditions for investment and innovation, the council is driving sustainable economic growth across the borough.
Once-in-a-generation regeneration: Transformational regener- ation is underway across South Ribble, with major investment reshaping key town and local centres. The Leyland Town Deal, a multi-million-pound programme, is revitalising Leyland town centre through new homes, mod- ern business spaces and a redesigned market. This once-in-a-generation investment aims to boost the local economy, improve public spaces and support long-term community growth. Key developments include a refur- bished Leyland Market and a new business and skills hub to support start- ups and lifelong learning. Significant progress is already visible, with new residential units, public realm improvements and enabling works for a new market square well underway. In Penwortham, the Penwortham Masterplan sets out a major regeneration programme focused on Liverpool Road,
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MONTHLY 2026
Kingsfold and Middleforth. The plan aims to create vibrant, people-cen- tred local centres with safer streets, improved accessibility and enhanced public spaces. Proposals include redesigned high streets, upgraded pub- lic realm, better cycling and walking routes, and refreshed retail areas. Extensive community consultation has shaped the vision, ensuring it reflects local priorities. The project is now progressing through technical design stages, with phased delivery planned as agreements and contractor appointments are finalised.
Homes for local people: The council is also investing in high-quality, affordable homes. The award-winning Jubilee Gardens extra-care facility, opened in 2025, is the first of its kind to be built and managed by South Ribble Borough Council. It enables older residents to live independently for longer, supported by modern facilities and community-focused design. Alongside this, a range of affordable homes has been delivered across the borough to support individuals and families.
Discover South Ribble: To strengthen local pride and attract visi- tors, the council launched Discover South Ribble, the borough’s official tourism brand. It showcases the area’s parks, events, walking routes and independent businesses through a dedicated website and active social media presence. Major events such as A Taste of Leyland and Longton and Penwortham Live highlight the borough’s vibrant cultural offer. The brand supports the visitor economy, promoting local businesses and rais- ing awareness of all the great things South Ribble has to offer.
Find out more at
discoversouthribble.co.uk
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