Lets Talk Business | issue 18 | Autumn 2017

AUTUMN 2017

Why Ormskirk Is Good For Business

+ Skelmersdale Ambassadors Network

Lancashire Manufacturing Growth Fund

Small Business Saturday 2017

Economic Regeneration at West Lancashire Borough Council

Support SMALL BUSINESS

S AT U R D AY 2nd DECEMBER

Small Business Saturday highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.

The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses. In 2017 Small Business Saturday is on Saturday, December 2nd.

Customers across the UK are encouraged to shop and support all types of small businesses; those online, in offices and stores in your local town. Many small businesses take part in the day by hosting events and offering discounts.

Small businesses across West Lancashire can raise the profile of their business on the day by signing up to the SBS website and via social media using the hashtag #SmallBizSatUK which is crucial to being seen on the day itself on social media.

3 easy steps to get involved in Small Business Saturday!

Register your business on the small business finder section of the campaign website: www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/smallbusiness-finder Look out for the SBS Bus Tour which will be heading up and down the country, you can meet the SBS team along with other small businesses.

Further information about Small Business Saturday smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com fb.com/SmallBusinessSaturdayUK

Be proactive on social media to promote your business on the days leading up to SBS! Don’t forget to put on any special offers to attract business using the hashtag #SmallBizSatUK

Ormskirk’s Hello Baby Supports Small Business Saturday

Independant baby boutique Hello Baby opened its doors in Burscough Street, Ormskirk in May 2016 selling exclusive baby clothes and accessories. Owner Helen Suarez tells us her story and how she is supporting Small Business Saturday 2017.

Why did you chose Ormskirk to set up Hello Baby?

How will you get involved in Small Business Saturday this year?

Location was a key priority for me!

Being involved in Small Business Saturday will enable me to promote my business to the wider business community as well as locally.

I was looking for a retail unit in an established area with a strong business community. With this in mind Ormskirk ticked all the boxes for me as being a well populated and busy market town with the potential to grow.

Taking up a unit directly in the town centre meant I would be easily accessible for my customers. As well as the twice weekly outdoor market that brings more footfall to the town, which is always good for business!

I will be encouraging people to shop local and support small businesses all year round; not just on SBS, which is crucial to the survival of small businesses and town centres.

To promote Small Business Saturday I will be offering 15% off everything in the shop!

Access the Lancashire Manufacturing Growth Fund

Are you a Lancashire manufacturer looking to increase capacity, drive up productivity, introduce new products or services to your customers, or access new markets?

Would you benefit from specialist impartial advice and financial support to make it happen?

What can it be used for?

The Lancashire Manufacturing Growth Fund provides SME manufacturers in the County impartial manufacturing expertise to assess business opportunities and barriers to growth. They then identify a suitable consultancy project for grant support.

Projects will be £10k in scale and attract a 30% grant.

The Lancashire Manufacturing Growth Fund is looking to support projects with a value of around £10k which would attract a grant of £3k. Eligible projects include those that lead to job creation, help to develop new products or services and bring them to market, plus drive up productivity.

How can your business benefit?

To apply for funding, you’ll need to speak to a specialist advisor. First they’ll check you’re eligible to receive support from the European Regional Development Fund, then they’ll visit you on-site to understand more about your growth ambitions and the steps you want to take to deliver those ambitions.

They’ll act as an impartial set of eyes in your business, helping to identify and define a consultancy project that will unlock your potential and could be suitable for grant support. They’ll also help you search the marketplace, securing three quotes and selecting the most suitable expert for your business.

Successful applications will be those that help to create jobs, introduce new products or services to your customers, reach new markets or drive up productivity.

How much does it cost?

Businesses benefiting from the 30% grant will need to fund 70% of the consultancy project themselves.

To apply for a grant from the Lancashire Manufacturing Growth fund contact the Council’s Economic Regeneration team today on: tel: 01695 712692 or email: lets.talk@westlancs.gov.uk Further information about the fund can also be found by visiting: www.manufacturingnorthwest.com

Ormskirk Town Centre Update from the Town Centre Management Group

Since the launch of the Ormskirk Town Centre Strategy in 2015 the Town Centre Management Group have successfully delivered a number of its key actions; making a substantial difference to the town both visually and economically. Including: The new DiscoverOrmskirk.com website and Facebook page launched in July 17 has catapulted Ormskirk and West Lancashire online, promoting the town and its surrounding areas, events, businesses and good news stories.

The development and promotion of a visual brand for Ormskirk, currently used by the Council, partners and businesses to help promote Ormskirk as a visitor destination. Summer bunting and banners have also been installed to add colour and vibrancy to the town centre.

A planned series of popular events to increase footfall and raise the profile of the town have taken place including, Gingerbread Festival, Love Your Local Market celebrations and the Moor Street Night Markets. The need for events has been recognised and supporting this is a key priority for the management group going forwards.

Improved communication with Ormskirk businesses includes the creation of a new business database and an annual town centre stakeholder workshop, to ensure information is fed back to all partners, businesses and external organisations.

Ormskirk Business Action - Businesses of Ormskirk have formed an ACTION group, focused on the delivery of key events in the town centre and to create a positive message for Ormskirk. To get involved with Ormskirk Business ACTION contact Dave Coyle (Cricketers, Ormskirk) on 07714 712736.

The installation of the footfall monitoring system in 2016 has provided vital information on visitor numbers to Ormskirk. This data helps to monitor the strength of the town centre, evaluate how interventions are performing and provides evidence to assist with funding applications to support the town in the future.

Recent highway improvements to Moor Street to allow for future expansion of the market and additional events to take place.

Ormskirk Market has new gazebos and more stall holders are being introduced to help improve the offer and appearance of the market, as well as create a more cosmopolitan atmosphere and shopping experience.

With support from local partners and businesses the Ormskirk Town Centre Management Group can proceed to build on the success that has already been achieved and continue to make Ormskirk a great place to live, work and visit.

Call out to businesses in Ormskirk and West Lancashire!

If you haven’t already listed your business on DiscoverOrmskirk.com here’s how you can do so in two easy steps and at no cost to your business!

1: Visit discoverormskirk.com/submit-listing 2: Enter your business details. (Please note terms and conditions apply).

Don’t forget to attach fabulous images to showcase your business, a min of 2 and max of 6 is acceptable.

Wheatsheaf Walk Improvements

Moor Street Night Markets It was wonderful to see the success of the Moor Street Night Markets held on the 29th July and 1st September.

The purchase of Wheatsheaf Walk by the Borough Council in 2016 was a major investment in Ormskirk; having direct control over 15 retail units.

With only one unit available to rent, Wheatsheaf Walk is in a prime position in Ormskirk town centre for businesses to locate too.

Check out the events page at DiscoverOrmskirk.com for this and other local events.

If you want to get involved in future events in Ormskirk or to submit a new event email: hello@discoverormskirk.com

Plans are also in place to make improvements to this area, to animate and make better use of the space for visitors and businesses located there.

Work will commence in the new year.

Thank You Ormskirk Businesses Thank you to those businesses of Ormskirk who completed surveys regarding a sustainable future for Ormskirk Town Centre and the potential of forming a BID (Business Improvement District). Consultants Groundwork were appointed to undertake a feasibility study and findings from their report will be available soon.

For further information about a future BID for Ormskirk contact: Kate Pierce (Principal Economic Regeneration Officer) on: tel: 01695 712617 or email: lets.talk@westlancs.gov.uk

Ormskirk Branding The vibrant Ormskirk branding is continuing to be rolled out and has already been used by a number of organisations and partners in a variety of ways.

If your business or organisation would like to access the branding as well as great images of Ormskirk (FREE of charge) to help promote your business contact the Discover Ormskirk team on: tel: 01695 712608 or email: hello@discoverormskirk.com

Christmas is coming to Ormskirk Do you have a retail or hospitality business?

Would you be interested in the possibility of a stall in the town centre marquee, as part of the Christmas lights switch-on celebrations?

These will be held on Friday 24th November.

If so, contact the Discover Ormskirk team: tel: 01695 712645 or email: hello@discoverormskirk.com

UNIT TO LET 8 Wheatsheaf Walk, Ormskirk L39 2XA £13,950 per annum For further details or to request a viewing contact the Council’s Estates team on: tel: 01695 712617 or email: chris.deane@westlancs.gov.uk

For further information on how your business can be involved in Ormskirk town centre initiatives contact the Economic Regeneration team on: tel 01695 712645 or email: hello@discoverormskirk.com

Message from: Steve Jones Fairbanks Environmental and Chair of the Skelmersdale Place Board Since the formation of the Skelmersdale Place Board in August 2016 we’ve made great progress with our plans to actively promote Skelmersdale as a great place to invest in and be proud of.

Through the work of the Skelmersdale Ambassadors Network, which has grown considerably in the last 12 months (with over 100 members) and the development of a strategic Place Plan for Skelmersdale, we can continue to improve business relations and encourage new investors to the area. We should all be proud of what has already been delivered in this short period of time and continue to build on the successes to ensure Skelmersdale is promoted and talked about with passion and pride.

Looking ahead, with the new Skelmersdale Town Centre development and, longer term, the future rail station being planned it is important to take up new opportunities, embrace change and remain positive about the place and look forward to a new and ambitious Skelmersdale. On behalf of the Place Board we thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you at the next Ambassadors event on the 11th October!

How to be a great Ambassador for Skelmersdale • • • • • •

Sign Up Wear your badge with pride Be a proactive advocate for Skelmersdale Champion the place professionally, publicly and with pride Encourage others to become Ambassadors Support Ambassador events

Save the Date! - 11th October 2017 Join the Ambassadors for another inspirational business breakfast event to be held at the Lancashire Manor Hotel, Skelmersdale.

Turn to the back page for details on how to register your place(s). We look forward to seeing you there!

Get Networking!

Joining the Skelmersdale Ambassadors network can open up even more opportunities for you and your business than simply collecting new business cards.

Networking establishes business connections but how do you make that long lasting impression to others? Here’s our top tips to work on before the next event!

• • • • • •

Have a memorable handshake!

Prepare your pitch in advance Ask open ended questions that ask Who, What, Where, When & How - to discourage replies of Yes and No Follow up referrals quickly Keep in touch with your new contacts DON’T FORGET YOUR BUSINESS CARDS!

Join the Skelmersdale Ambassadors Network For further information visit: www.westlancs.gov.uk/skelmersdaleambassadors or contact Tracey Shaw (Business Engagement Officer) tel: 01695 712555 or email: lets.talk@westlancs.gov.uk

Business News Grow your business with the Lancashire Forum Lancashire Forum is for directors and managers of Lancashire-based SMEs (small to medium sized enterprises) with real growth ambition. Over six months you will learn the business development skills and tools needed to drive your business forward, form a trusted network of like-minded SMEs and gain access to talks from inspirational experts.

What’s Involved?

Who is Eligible?

This six month programme includes: • One day workshops on developing strategies • Overnight Experimental - to build on trust in the group • Access to master-classes for inspiration • A regional company visit to learn best practice

This fully funded programme is available to eligible European Regional Development Fund companies. To meet this criteria your business should be: • Based in Lancashire • Trades business to business • Employ fewer than 250 full-time employees • Has received less than £160,000 of publicly funded support in the last 3 years.

Start Dates: October 2017, January 2018, March 2018

Support for Research & Development Realise your ambitions for growth through funded R&D! The Centre For Global Eco-Innovation is part of the Environment Centre and the Scientific and Technical faculties located at Lancaster University.

Funding is now available to support research and development for SME businesses in West Lancashire and across the North West.

For further information on the Lancashire Forum or Centre of Global Eco-Innovation contact the Economic Regeneration team today: tel: 01695 712692 or email: lets.talk@westlancs.gov.uk

Celebrating Business Success West Lancashire businesses came out top in Lancashire Business View’s Hot 100 listing!

Eleven local businesses made it into the HOT 100 list of the most profitable SME’s in Lancashire, with an Ormskirk business hitting the No.1 spot.

Congratulations to: • Direct Accident Management Ormskirk - No.1 • • • • • • • • • •

All About Food, Skelmersdale Stackright, Skelmersdale Aqua Fabrications, Skelmersdale Bryan’s Salads, Tarleton Computionics Group, Skelmersdale BS Property Holding, Ormskirk PTJ & R, Skelmersdale Lifting Gear UK, Skelmersdale J Mallinson, Lathom Direct Tyre Management, Skelmersdale

lancashirebusinessview.co.uk

Skelmersdale business Brownlow Utilities wins top award at the Energy Live Consultancy Awards winning:

Shaun McClaren, Managing Director said: “Winning this award clearly demonstrates the way we do business, the manner in which we treat our customers and suppliers and the value that we add to their business is the correct way to work in this industry”

Celebrations Date for your Diary

WWT Martin Mere, Burscough Proudly announced as: Guinness World Record holders for the World’s Largest Bug Hotel

An exclusive event for Skelmersdale Ambassadors only is being held on: 7th December 2017

Congratulations to everyone involved!

Skelmersdale Ambassadors are invited to attend an exclusive social event.

Where you can enjoy a drink, spend time networking with fellow ambassadors and mix with members of the Skelmersdale Place Board.

Hotter Shoes, Skelmersdale Winner of Best Newcomer Exhibitor Award 2017 at the International FN Platform Exhibition 2017 Awards held in Las Vegas

To attend contact the Economic Regeneration team for further information about the event on tel: 01695 712692 or email: lets.talk@westlancs.gov.uk

Moor Hall, Aughton Celebrating more success after being listed in the Top 50 Restaurants in:

For further information about joining the Skelmersdale Ambassadors Network visit: LetsTalkSkelmersdale.co.uk

The Good Food Guide Awards 2018 Making Moor Hall the best restaurant in Lancashire and one of the best in the country

Congratulations Portia

Total Reuse, Skelmersdale Winner of the Green Apple Awards 2017

West Lancashire Borough Council’s Economic Regeneration team are extremely proud to announce that our fantastic Apprentice Portia Taylor-Black has successfully made it through to the regional stage of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2017, as a finalist for the North West region!

The winner of these awards will then go through to the National Awards to be held later in the year.

Paula Huber, Economic Regeneration Manager said: “Portia has been with West Lancashire Borough Council for almost 3 years and has excelled in her apprenticeship; we value the work she undertakes and her attitude to work is second to none.

We wish Portia the very best of luck at the upcoming awards, whatever the outcome Portia should be very proud of her achievements!”

Watch this space for updates!

If you have an apprentice who would like to join the growing Lancashire Apprenticeship Ambassador Network email: lets.talk@westlancs.gov.uk

for Environmental Best Practice

The Economic Regeneration team at West Lancashire Borough Council are fully committed to supporting businesses across West Lancashire and offer a personal and bespoke one to one support service in a number of areas including: • • • •

Finance and Funding Skills and Employment Land and Property searches Networking Events and much more...

To discuss your business needs contact us today, we are happy to come and meet you at your place of work or have a chat with you over the phone. tel: 01695 712692 or email: lets.talk@westlancs.gov.uk