The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) has marked a significant milestone with its first investment in Lancashire since its launch in March 2024. This investment, facilitated with support from Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub, underscores the value of strategic guidance, which began with our very own Mike Reece.
Mike connected with Rob Littlefair, founder of Littlefair’s Wood Finishing Products, in November 2023, referring the business to Boost’s Access2Finance team to support their funding application. This collaboration has culminated in a £75,000 investment from NPIF II’s Smaller Loans fund, managed by GC Business Finance and River Capital.
Growth Through Innovation
Founded in 2016, Blackburn-based Littlefair’s was established to offer a water-based alternative to traditional solvent-based wood stains, providing a more environmentally friendly product for consumers. The company’s wood finishing products, renowned for their quality and sustainability, are sold online through major retailers, including Amazon.
With the NPIF II investment, Littlefair’s is poised to embark on its next growth phase. The funding will enable the company to expand its team, hiring three new staff members over the next 12 months to meet increasing demand both in the UK and overseas. In addition, the investment will support the purchase of raw materials to ramp up production, with all products being hand-manufactured in Blackburn using British-sourced materials.
A Vision for Sustainable Growth
Speaking about the investment, Rob Littlefair, director of Littlefair’s, expressed excitement for the company’s future:
“We’re proud to produce hand-manufactured wood finishing products, made right here in Britain. Our products combine high-quality with sustainability, formulated to be kinder to the environment. This funding will catapult our business into its next phase of growth, allowing us to add to our team, build on our success and reach our full potential.”
This investment will also bolster Littlefair’s expansion into international markets, particularly the US, where its products have experienced significant demand, consistently selling out on Amazon US.
Encouraging Local Business Growth
The success of Littlefair’s showcases the critical role that NPIF II plays in supporting ambitious small businesses. Simon Cunnington, director at British Business Bank, highlighted the importance of accessing finance for growth:
“Accessing finance is vital for ambitious small businesses like Littlefair’s, and the NPIF II investment illustrates that, with the right support, sustainable growth is achievable. As one of the first deals for NPIF II, Littlefair’s success will encourage other business owners to access finance and look towards the Fund as a valuable resource to achieve their growth goals.”
A Brighter Future for Lancashire Businesses
With Boost’s guidance and NPIF II’s funding, Littlefair’s Wood Finishing Products is on track for a bright and sustainable future, setting an inspiring example for other Lancashire businesses looking to expand, innovate, and thrive. The collaboration between Boost and the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will continue to be a powerful driver of growth across the county.