A major business support programme in Lancashire has secured a fresh £3.9m funding deal, enabling it to continue helping businesses across the county to start, grow, and thrive until at least March 2025, with a potential extension beyond that date. Boost, Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub, has announced a new range of services as part of this funding, which will help even more entrepreneurs and established businesses achieve success.
A Decade of Support and Success
Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2023, Boost has been instrumental in supporting more than 14,000 businesses since its launch in 2013, resulting in the creation of over 3,500 jobs across Lancashire. The new funding will enable Boost to build on this legacy, with plans to assist a further 1,000 businesses, help launch 125 new enterprises, and create more than 1,000 additional jobs in the coming years.
The £3.9 million programme is backed by contributions from Lancashire County Council (£1.2m), funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund distributed by 10 partner local authorities, and support from the Department of Business & Trade (£2.7m).
Expanded Business Support Services
As part of this funding boost, Boost is launching several new services aimed at meeting the diverse needs of businesses throughout Lancashire:
- Business Support Helpdesk: A new service offering advice and guidance to anyone thinking of starting a business in Lancashire or those already trading in the county. This helpdesk will guide business owners through the wealth of local, national, and sector-specific support available to them.
- Business Advice Service: Available to businesses within the 10 partner local authority areas, this service includes a comprehensive 360-business review, tailored business support action plans, and access to business clinics. This will be delivered by a team of experienced business advisers.
- Flying Start Programme: A programme specifically aimed at start-ups, delivered by Lancashire-based organisation Selnet, designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs launch their businesses.
- Growth Catalyst and Scale to Thrive Programmes: Delivered by national business support provider, the Growth Company, these programmes will help established businesses grow and scale.
- Access to Finance Service: Helping businesses navigate the often complex world of securing funding and finance to fuel growth.
Supporting Local Entrepreneurs
County Councillor Aidy Riggott, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Growth at Lancashire County Council, expressed his enthusiasm for the new funding, saying: “It’s been ten years of impact for Boost, and we are firmly setting the dial towards the future with a comprehensive range of services to help more entrepreneurs and leaders start, grow and thrive, especially those that have not received support from Boost.”
Riggott highlighted the growing entrepreneurial spirit in Lancashire, with increasing numbers of people seeking to start new businesses and many existing businesses eager to scale and create jobs.
Collaboration Across Lancashire
Andrew Leeming, Boost’s Programme Manager, also shared his excitement about the next phase of the Growth Hub’s development. He noted: “This is a powerful and exciting new Growth Hub partnership offering a rich breadth of business support to owners and leaders across the county.” Leeming emphasised the importance of collaboration between Lancashire’s local authorities and public and private sector partners to ensure business owners and leaders receive the right support to solve challenges and reach their goals.
Partnering for Success
Boost’s expanded range of services will be delivered in collaboration with its 10 partner local authorities: Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Pendle, Preston, South Ribble, West Lancashire, and Wyre. Together, they aim to provide a tailored and comprehensive support network for businesses across the county, ensuring that Lancashire remains a hub for innovation, growth, and entrepreneurship.
For businesses unsure of where to start, the newly launched Business Support Helpdesk is available to offer guidance on the best support available to help them thrive.
For more information on Boost and how to access its range of services, visit Boost Lancashire.