Lets talk Business Spring16

SPRING 2016

Let's talk Business

West Lancashire welcomes the Seafood Pub Company

Funding Opportunities

New-build industrial units, Skelmersdale

Economic Regeneration at West Lancashire Borough Council

Let’s talk Business - SPRING 2016

Funding opportunities

Flood Resilience Grant Scheme The Government has announced a one-off scheme to provide grants of up to £5,000 to homeowners and businesses that have been flooded to help fund additional flood resilience or resistance measures.

These resilience grants present an opportunity for those who have been flooded to better prepare their properties for future flood events, both to prevent flood water from entering the property and to speed the recovery if it does.

For further information about the flood resilience grant scheme visit www.westlancs.gov.uk/flood

LEADER programme officially open for business The Lancashire LEADER programme, delivered by Lancashire County Council, is now officially open for business.

The LEADER scheme is part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and is part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The aim of LEADER is to create jobs and help businesses grow, which will then benefit the rural economy.

Nelson’s Farm application approved

What types of projects can be funded?

Grants, mainly for smaller projects, will cover six key priorities: Expressions of interest now being taken in: • Increasing farm productivity • Support for rural tourism • Provision of rural services • Support for cultural/heritage activity • Increasing forestry productivity • Enterprise (call now closed and applications shortly to be assessed) For further information about the fund and to submit expressions of interest contact the Economic Regeneration team on 01695 712692 or email info.edu@westlancs.gov.uk

West Lancashire business, Nelson’s Farm, were affected by the devastation of the floods in December 2015, and applied for flood relief funding through Boost Business Lancashire.

With support from the Economic Regeneration team at West Lancashire Borough Council who assisted with their application, they are the first business in the Borough to have their application approved. Owner Colin Nelson said:

Farming Recovery Fund Farmers affected by flooding can claim grants of between £500 and £20,000 to cover the cost of restoring their farmland. Deadline for applications 1 April 2016 Farmers who want to apply for the Farming Recovery Fund can find the form and guidance on www. gov.uk/government/collections/ the-farming-recovery-fund or contact the Rural Services helpline on 03000 200 301.

I would certainly encourage businesses affected by the floods to apply for funding, with the help of West Lancashire Borough Council the money I received will go towards rectifying the damage to Nelson’s Farm

For further information on other flood funding opportunities contact Anoek Petit (Business Development Officer) on 01695 712559 or email anoek.petit@westlancs.gov.uk

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Issue 12

New-build Industrial Units coming to Skelmersdale!

Ground has broken on West Lancashire Borough Council’s new commercial property development; conveniently located on the well-established Gorsey Place, Skelmersdale. The site will consist of eleven brand new purpose-built industrial units ranging from 1000 sqft to 2250 sqft benefiting from a secure gated facility.

Pat Whearty (Development Surveyor) from the Council’s Estates team says

We are extremely excited to see this development take off and be able to offer bespoke new units to businesses. We’re working closely with our developer Keepmoat on its progress and anticipate that there will be high demand from businesses looking to start or expand

Timescales for completion of the units is June 2016 and the Council’s Estates team are currently taking expressions of interest.

For further details businesses should contact Pat Whearty on 01695 712616 or email: pat.whearty@westlancs.gov.uk

Is your business looking for a new home?

The West Lancashire Investment Centre, Skelmersdale provides flexible, managed workspace and offers the very best start for new and existing businesses, with high-tech, high quality facilities in a purpose-built environment that will help your business grow and flourish.

Conveniently located at Junction 4 of the M58, just over 4 miles from the M6, this vibrant business hub offers easy access to the region’s motorway networks and major conurbations of Liverpool, Manchester and Preston while itself enjoying an attractive rural setting.

Facilities: Over 4300 square metres of high quality office space and incubator units, conference, training and meeting room facilities, which are equipped with audio/visual technology. Virtual office facilities are also available at the centre for businesses which need a professional address without the cost of renting an office.

Benefits: • Full reception facilities • Café Wi-Fi, a dedicated business café with free internet access - open to all • Conference and meeting room facilities • Administration support • 24-hour manned site security and CCTV

OFFICES AVAILABLE NOW range from incubator units of 182 sq.ft and larger suite s from 264 to 1292 sq.ft.

For further information or to request a viewing contact the West Lancashire Investment Centre team on 01695 712600 or email enquiries@westlancashireinvestmentcentre.com

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Let’s talk Business - SPRING 2016

Seafood Pub Company sails into Aughton

Q &A Joycelyn Neve founder of the Seafood Pub Company www.seafoodpubcompany.com

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Tell us about yourself?

I grew up in catering; my Dad is a very successful Lancashire fish supplier and having always been around this amazing product, I would cook fish with Dad and we’d talk about owning my own business, combining my two favourite things - seafood and pubs.

I did well at both school and university and worked in catering alongside studying for my degree. I was offered a graduate position after completing my studies, but instead I decided to

gain experience in a Japanese fine dining restaurant in Manchester. I then took a gap year to travel to South America where I wrote a food diary all about my food experiences and on my return successfully ran a friends pub.

Issue 12

Do you use local suppliers?

We are a member of Made in Lancashire and support as many local suppliers as we possibly can. Our fish comes from Dad and our potatoes are from farmland in West Lancashire. We also use local dairy suppliers who deliver to door across all our sites in Lancashire.

Why did you choose West Lancashire?

My plan was always to grow our sites out gradually into areas we knew as nothing replaces local knowledge.

Having friends and family in the area I instructed a property agent and Aughton came up as an option. When I first drove up to the venue I knew it was a great location; I instantly rang my business partner and put an offer in without having even stepped inside! The Town Green Brasserie, Aughton is our 7th venture and will celebrate its first birthday in April.

What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?

Going from one to two sites was definitely the most challenging, having only one team in place and trying to stretch that was putting enormous pressure on them. I did take things too personally and had to learn to accept that although I lived and breathed the business; to other people it’s a job. We’re always trying to find the right people who want to forge a career with us and I’ve learnt to have a more realistic approach rather than taking things to heart.

Have you had any business support assistance?

With regards to the Town Green Brasserie we made a point of contacting West Lancashire Borough Council who assisted us with further knowledge on Aughton and its surrounding areas, which was vital for us to reach out to potential customers. I already had investors to back me financially so I didn’t need to explore funding opportunities; however, by joining the Council’s business database we’re now kept informed of anything business support related that will help us in the future.

Do you employ apprentices and local people?

We currently employ 12 apprentices, spread across our seven sites. Along with our apprentices, employing local people is key to the business, a good personality and local knowledge is what makes our teams so successful. I hold weekly management meetings so my staff can have their say, to tell me what’s working and what’s not, they know our customers’ needs best.

Who are your main customers?

What I love about the Seafood Pub Company is we don’t have a particular customer we welcome and attract different people, being versatile is key to our concept. We cater for all customer needs, whatever their tastes and budgets are; we want every customer to enjoy their own experience. Social media marketing has helped us attract the younger customers who now know we are here and are prepared to travel to us.

Plans for the future?

During 2015 we developed four accommodation blocks at our other sites as well as re-developed some of our outside areas. We’re always looking at how we can invest and make our sites as good as they can be. One of our strengths as a business is that we are very critical of what we do and we’re always looking at how we can do things better. The future is looking good for the Seafood Pub Company, we’re hoping to expand and currently looking at two new sites for 2016.

Town Green Brasserie, Town Green Lane, Aughton, L39 6SE, 01695 420883, info@towngreenbrasserie.co.uk

Are you a food and drink retailer, producer or hospitality business? Do you want to network and connect with other local like-minded businesses?

Made in Lancashire can offer you that and much more!

Now in its fifteenth year, the network has grown significantly from its humble beginnings and now incorporates more than seventy members from across the sector. A host of local producers, retailers and hospitality businesses all enjoy the benefit of being showcased on the organisation’s new sleeker, easier to use website showcasing what local companies offer, growing their businesses, and marketing their products to the consumer.

The network has a nationwide reputation of being people’s first port of call to discover more about what Lancashire offers in terms of food and drink produced within the county, under the slogan of ‘Think, Buy, Eat LOCAL.’ Made in Lancashire continues to drive a great selection of local businesses forward, spreading the message that Lancashire is the place to go for local food and drink.

The new website features specific sections focussing on three main areas:

• Where to buy • Where to eat • Where to stay A full, easy to navigate directory sees every member enjoying a photo listing that includes their full contact details, address and link to their own website.

In addition, prospective new members can find out much more about how they can join the network and the benefits that their membership will provide them; as well as featuring the latest industry news and up-to-date listings of events and markets throughout the north-west, that members may wish to attend.

If you would like more information about Made in Lancashire or would like to join, visit: www.madeinlancs.co.uk, tel: 01995 642255 or email madeinlancashire@myerscough.ac.uk

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Let’s talk Business - SPRING 2016

Top student springs into business Q &A

WIN

of the NER Stude Edge Hill nt En Awar terprise d 201 5

Hi I’m Greg Anderton, aged 20 from Lytham St Annes. Currently studying: Business Management at Edge Hill University

Inspiration

I’ve always had a strong interest in gardening and business as a whole. As well as it being my hobby from an early age, I was always excited and interested in pushing it forward to become a meaningful business concept. My business Leafy Lytham was formed in 2015.

Whilst working part-time I had a very inspirational boss who gave me the verve for business and inspired me to take my business idea forward.

Leafy Lytham encompasses three

www.leafylytham.co.uk

different divisions; an online garden shop, bespoke displays, as well as garden design. I knew I had a market that demanded high quality and uniqueness, right through from the initial garden design to the finished job.

Challenges

I’ve faced many challenges, managing stress and sticking to my core principles can be challenging, however, one I thrive in overcoming.

I like to take on new challenges proving that young people can be dedicated and ambitious in business.

I’ve accessed support from Edge Hill who also pointed me in the direction of Unlimited, a social enterprise organisation where I received a grant, one of the best things to happen to the business.

We developed a Social Enterprise division on the side of the business; going into primary schools were children make up small planters for special occasions; the school makes a small profit as well as the business.

The Future

I intend to spend the next few years focusing on the core of Leafy Lytham, which is design and bespoke displays in our garden shop.

Within a time frame of 3 and 5 years I hope to develop a new concept garden centre, completely different to what’s been seen before. I’m really looking forward to surprising customers with what can be done. It’s a big commitment but you only live once!

Edge Hill University is open for business There is no better time to be talking about the value of universitybusiness collaborations.

Whether through developing workforce skills, through bespoke programmes, sponsoring degree courses, or in support of innovation or other business challenges, engaging with your local university can bring a multitude of benefits to businesses.

Edge Hill University’s Business School is located on its Ormskirk campus and is a vibrant hub of activity, offering businesses a comprehensive range of

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accredited programmes to enhance productivity, leadership and competitiveness. In addition the school can offer competitively priced consultancy and work with you to access government funds to help improve products and processes. With specialisms in leadership, marketing, tax, accountancy and import and export, the business school can work with your business to foster innovation and improvement.

For more information on how the Business School can help your business visit, www.edgehill. ac.uk/business or contact Susan Hodgkinson, Business Development Manager on 01695 654338 or email hodgkins@edgehill.ac.uk

Issue 12

Business Views Creating a destination brand for Skelmersdale The Economic Regeneration team at West Lancashire Borough Council is leading on an exciting new project to create a strong brand for Skelmersdale which delivers a clear and consistent message and positions it firmly on the map as a place to do business.

West Lancashire Annual Stakeholder Survey 2016 West Lancashire Borough Council is inviting local groups, organisations and businesses to give their views on a number of important issues including possible reductions in spending, satisfaction with the Council and use of technology. Complete the survey at westlancs.gov.uk/yourviews

Business Finance Did you know?

Restrictions lifted on invoice finance A ban on anti-invoice finance terms in contracts will come into force early 2016. This will help more small businesses secure finance against money owed to them in invoices.

Easier to access finance will help speed up economic growth and create opportunities for employment.

The destination branding project has now commenced and a significant amount of work will be taking place over the coming months to help foster even stronger business relationships, identify and bring together ambassadors for the town and create a strong visual identity for Skelmersdale. We will shortly be engaging with businesses on this important piece of work through a variety of methods including focus groups, workshops and one to one discussions. If you are interested in participating please contact Kathryn Mulhearn (Senior Economic Regeneration Officer) via email: Kathryn.mulhearn@westlancs.gov.uk

Are you struggling to pay your business rates?

We can help you!

The business rates team at West Lancashire Borough Council is committed to preventing arrears whilst making sure that businesses that are experiencing financial difficulties and cannot afford to pay their business rates, get the support they need. We can help to ensure you don’t fall behind with payments and incur further costs, and also see if you are eligible to receive discounts and reliefs. If you are having problems paying your business rates you can get free, confidential advice from experienced officers so don’t delay, contact us today!

For further information and support call 01695 587158, email business.rates@westlancs.gov.uk or visit www.westlancs.gov.uk/businessrates

For further information visit www.gov.uk 7

Let’s talk Business - SPRING 2016

Useful business contacts Economic Regeneration Team

Dates for your diary Let’s talk Growth and Networking

Let’s talk Business

West Lancashire Borough Council is hosting a business networking event for West Lancashire businesses; register today and find out about: • Support available to grow your business • How young entrepreneur Joycelyn Neve, founder of The Seafood Pub Company, has successfully grown her business Date: 10th March 2016 Venue: West Tower, Aughton Time: 8.00am – 10.30am Places are FREE but you must register to attend by emailing your details to: info.edu@westlancs.gov.uk or call 01695 712692.

Breakfast with

Lancashire Business View in partnership with West Lancashire Borough Council are hosting a special business breakfast event with a focus on Skelmersdale.

Further details to be released soon, check out the networking and events page on the Council’s website for updates and how to register: www.westlancs.gov.uk/business

Date: 9th June 2016 Venue: West Lancashire Investment

Centre, Skelmersdale Time: 8.00am – 10.30am

Lancaster University Management School Lancaster University Management School are running a series of master classes at the University with some of the UK’s top businesses. Supported by Natwest the master classes are open to all business owners across the North West and give an insight into the stories behind the success of their companies.

Loyd Grossman CBE Entrepreneur Date: 26th April 2016 Venue: Lancaster University Management School Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm

Andrew Graham Graham and Brown International Growth and Success Date: 19th May 2016 Venue: Lancaster University Management School Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm

Places are free; however, numbers are limited and must be booked in advance by contacting Eve Tinker at Lancaster University on 01524 510703.

Economic Regeneration team welcomes new Business Development Officer Hello my name is Anoek Petit, I’ve recently joined the Economic Regeneration team at West Lancashire Borough Council in a newly appointed role as Business Development Officer.

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Paula Huber Economic Regeneration Manager Tracey Shaw Business Engagement Officer Anoek Petit Business Development Officer Kathryn Mulhearn Senior Economic Regeneration Officer Lisa Ratican Economic Regeneration Officer Dominic Carr Senior Planning Officer (Regeneration) Portia Taylor-Black Economic Regeneration Support Officer For Business Support www.westlancs.gov.uk/business info.edu@westlancs.gov.uk 01695 712692

Council Services Council services can be accessed online at: www.westlancs.gov.uk or by calling: 01695 577177 Business Rates www.westlancs.gov.uk/rates Planning and building control www.westlancs.gov.uk/planning Estates and property www.westlancs.gov.uk/business/ business-location-links Licensing www.westlancs.gov.uk/licensing Refuse and recycling – trade waste collections www.westlancs.gov.uk/refuse-recycling/ trade-waste-collections.aspx If you have any news you would like us to include, or to find out about advertising opportunities in future editions, please email: lisa.ratican@westlancs.gov.uk Please note that not all contributions can be used and information may be edited to fit.

My job is to support businesses in West Lancashire, providing help and guidance to access relevant business support products and services. I can also help your business apply for grant and funding opportunities and provide one to one support with application processes.

If you’re looking to develop your business or have a project idea that you wish to take forward please get in touch, I would be happy to come and meet with you to discuss your business needs.

Tel: 01695 712559 or email Anoek.petit@westlancs.gov.uk