Enhanced support for businesses in South Ribble thanks to the council's partnership with Boost: Lancashire's business growth hub

The Boost support offering will include a new Business Support Helpdesk, which offers advice and guidance to anyone thinking of starting a business in South Ribble, as well as businesses already trading in the borough. The Helpdesk will provide business owners with guidance on available local, national and sector business support.

Also, on hand will be access to a Business Advice Service, led by a team of experienced advisers. This service includes a 360-business review, a business support action plan and access to business clinics.

The new services are set to compliment the already extensive business support programme delivered by South Ribble Borough Council - details can be found at www.businessinsouthribble.com

Councillor James Flannery, Cabinet Member for Planning, Business Support and Economic Development at South Ribble Borough Council said, "At South Ribble, we pride ourselves on our programme of work in place to support and nurture businesses and entrepreneurs in the borough.

"Our business community is diverse; with varying needs and the additional services we can deliver through our partnership with Boost will be of great benefit to all those seeking support.

"We're here to help all of our businesses, large or small, and across all sectors, so please get in touch with us on info@businessinsouthribble.com or through the contact form on our website."

Boost has also revealed a new Flying Start programme, delivered by Lancashire-based Selnet, and has appointed national business support provider, the Growth Company, to deliver a Growth Catalyst programme, and a Scale to Thrive programme.

The Growth Hub will also deliver a new Access to Finance service to help businesses find and secure finance and funding. 

County Councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, Lancashire County Council, said: "It's been ten years of impact for Boost and we are firmly setting the dial towards the future with a comprehensive range of services and programmes to help more entrepreneurs and leaders start, grow and thrive, especially those that have not received support from Boost.

"We are delighted to work in partnership with more local authorities to provide a tailored business support function to meet the unique needs of our local sectors, as well as helping all Lancashire businesses through our new helpdesk.

"Lancashire's entrepreneurial spirit is thriving. We are seeing a growth in people aspiring to start a business and huge demand from existing businesses to grow, scale and create jobs. We want to feed and fuel that ambition."

Andrew Leeming, programme manager of Boost, added: "This is a powerful and exciting new Growth Hub partnership offering a rich breadth of business support to owners and leaders across the county.

"We look forward to collaborating with all Lancashire local authorities, public and private sector partners to ensure Lancashire business owners and directors get the right business support to help them solve problems, improve their business and achieve their goals, collectively unlocking the economic potential of our brilliant county.

"If any business is unsure what support is available, our business support helpdesk is here to guide them."

South Ribble business owners and leaders can get in touch about the support on info@businessinsouthribble.com or through the contact form on www.businessinsouthribble.com