With just under 900 scaleup businesses located across the county, Boost is on a mission to identify the most rapidly growing organisations. These ambitious businesses are invited to join a fully-funded Scale to Thrive programme, to receive government-backed support targeted at boosting business growth.
It comes as Boost looks to welcome 80 new businesses to its Scale to Thrive programme, designed for those looking to grow by at least 20% year-on-year.
As part of the programme, businesses are assigned a dedicated advisor who helps to identify future growth opportunities and devise a tailored 12-36 month strategy to help the organisation scale. Ongoing mentoring sessions, events and masterclasses then help participants overcome emerging challenges and ultimately accelerate the growth of their business.
Andrew Leeming, Boost Programme Manager for Lancashire County Council, commented: “There are so many brilliant businesses that make up the lifeblood of Lancashire. These ambitious businesses add so much to our local communities and economies, and build a real sense of pride in the town. What we’re hoping to do is find those businesses that have real potential to grow, and provide them with the support they need to realise their ambitions, helping them overcome any barriers they might face along the way. It might be by entering new markets, creating new products or services or gaining more market share. By giving this extra support, not only will local businesses benefit, but that multiplying effect they have across the community will be amplified even further.”
County Councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for Economic Development and Growth, Lancashire County Council, said: “The Scale to Thrive programme is a game-changer for businesses in Lancashire, and it is a huge step forward in offering holistic support for our most ambitious enterprises. Boost will help Lancashire businesses thrive, providing a vital lifeline that empowers Lancashire to journey to the forefront of economic growth in the UK. It’s an opportunity that businesses shouldn’t miss."
Since its launch over ten years ago, Boost has helped over 14,000 businesses across the county, in turn creating over 3,500 local jobs, with support offered through multiple different tailored programmes.
Bare Capital, a Chorley-based company specialising in sustainable property renovation and regeneration, joined the Scale to Thrive programme in March. This strategic move aims to bolster their ambitious growth targets through the specialised support on offer. Managing Director Paul Preston remarked, “The support I’ve received has been invaluable. With the assistance of business advisers Jonny Slater and Joe Twigg, we have been able to identify and capitalise on key opportunities to achieve our growth objectives.”
JRC Specialist Slate & Tile Suppliers, a Colne-based roofing specialist, is one such business, having joined the Scale to Thrive programme in April. Director Rosie Connor shared: “The support I’ve had from Scale to Thrive has been second-to-none. The mentoring sessions have helped us to identify which areas we can focus on for growth and has put us in the best possible position to scale the business at pace.”
To qualify for Scale to Thrive, businesses must have grown over the past three years, be already growing at 20%, or can demonstrate a pipeline of 20% growth over the next three years. They should also be able to record minimum turnovers of £1m or employ ten full-time staff members. Scale to Thrive is open to small, medium or large businesses, including social enterprises engaged in economic activity, that operate in Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyburn, Pendle, Preston, South Ribble, West Lancashire, Wyre.
Since September 1 2023, Boost has been funded by Lancashire County Council, Department for Business & Trade (DBT), and UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocations from ten Lancashire local authorities. Previously the service was funded by Lancashire County Council and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The website uses cookies.
Some are used for statistical purposes and others are set up by third party services. By clicking 'Accept all & close', you accept the use of cookies. For more information on how we use and manage cookies, please read our Cookie Policy.
