Giving a Boost to business

The leader of Lancashire County Council has issued a call to action to businesses in the county urging them to tap into the funded support services delivered by its Growth Hub, Boost.

The call by Councillor Phillippa Williamson is part of a new Helping Lancashire Businesses campaign, aimed at increasing its support to businesses across the county in 2023.

The county council is the lead body for Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub, which has supported more than 12,000 businesses since it started in 2013.

Boost provides a range of fully funded support programmes and advice to small, medium and large businesses, including leadership mentoring, peer networks, business planning, sales and startup support.

All businesses, no matter what challenge they are facing, are being urged to talk to the Boost team.

Cllr Wiliamson said: “It’s a brilliant service that has had a positive impact on thousands of businesses but there are many thousands more that we want to help too.

“Some businesses are facing difficult conditions and there are many that are growing and creating jobs. The support available through Boost and the business support eco-system is vast and no matter what stage of the journey a business is at, we have someone who can help. I am urging businesses to talk to Boost to get the support they need.”

Lancashire County Council also leads a specialist service called Two Zero, for high growth scaleup businesses, and has Rosebud Finance and Access to Finance among its business support portfolio.

Since 2013, Boost has helped create more than 3,000 jobs. This support has helped add £100million to the Lancashire economy.

Cllr Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, pictured here with Cllr Williamson, said: “There are many challenges facing people who run businesses but they don’t need to do it alone.”

Lancashire business owners and managers can get in touch with Boost by calling 0800 488 0057 or visiting the Contact Us page on the Boost website.