Fylde Council continues to progress their three town centre projects, which are at various stages of planning and execution, as well as other smaller regeneration projects. From recent studies, there is a need for office and retail space in Fylde, and its town centres are growing in popularity for this. The Economic Development (ED) team has identified first and second-floor space above many retail outlets in St Annes, as well as other properties in the borough, that are sitting empty and not on the market. These Landlords are being encouraged to speak to the team to explore all options, particularly those with potential shared workspace initiatives from production kitchens to workshops, offices to wellness studios.
There has been an increase in the requests for property searches this last quarter, particularly for industrial, retail and office space in Fylde; those searching are predominantly new business start-ups, those expanding within the district and those wishing to relocate within the Borough. If you need assistance with a business property search, please use the form further below to contact the ED Team.
The Shop Local in Fylde Loyalty Card Scheme, one of the business collaboration projects of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, has experienced fantastic success, with over a hundred independent town centre businesses signing up and shoppers being rewarded for their patronage. The three main business groups and their participating businesses have done a superb job of running with and promoting the scheme, with private sponsorship being found to pay for the nine prizes for each draw.
In November, an event was held whereby Business Owners and Senior Managers were invited to speak to all the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UK SPF) business support delivery partners. The roadshow event which was led by the Chamber Low Carbon scheme team, was held in three locations across Fylde during the day.
Experts from the delivery partners were on hand to provide advice. Attendees were able to seek advice from BOOST Lancashire on various forms of business support available to them through Fylde Councils UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation, such as strategic growth planning and overcoming sector challenges. The Aerospace, advanced manufacturing and engineering, automotive and space businesses were able to speak with a specialist advisor from the Northwest Aerospace Alliance team regarding further networking opportunities. The AFC Community Foundation also provided information on their available alternative recruitment and back-to-employment schemes, including the new apprenticeship grant offer via Fylde Council.
Several businesses that attended have now started their ISO 14001 journey (a growing prerequisite to supply public sector organisations) or are progressing their plans with a business support advisor; others are looking at future skills training requirements within their business and talking with potential delivery bodies.
Business Support in Fylde available includes:
- Access to finance for all businesses, providing first-hand advice on all available schemes, from loans to investors.
- Apprenticeships for all ages are available, for Fylde borough based employers there is potential grant support for those eligible.
- Skills Bootcamps for those looking for work or switching careers from agriculture to engineering. Employers could benefit from work experience placements.
- Pre-start and Start-Up support – a hands-on approach providing all the skills required to nurture a talent, skill or product and turn it into a new thriving business.
- Scale to Thrive is a service for those with notable scale-up aspirations, with flexible support for their business to meet emerging scaling needs.
- The Growth Catalyst is a programme of support aimed at established and ambitious businesses that are ready to take their business through planned strategic growth.
- Community Social Enterprises (CiC’s) starting out, growing and taking on staff can be assisted.
- Support for Event organisers looking to establish a new event in St Annes or Kirkhams new Town Square, including local community groups, should get in touch with the ED Team.
- Aerospace, Advanced Manufacturing, and Space and Automotive businesses can gain sector support or introductions into the supply chain, maybe through pivoting.
- All businesses can access the Chamber Low Carbon programme, offering various forms of support for those looking to lower their carbon footprint and, importantly, attaining ISO 14001.
- Tourism and Hospitality businesses can speak to several departments at the Council, but the ED team can ensure you speak to the right team for their need.
- The rural sector is a key employer for the Borough; the Economic Development team have experience working with rural businesses and would welcome more conversations to discuss their diversification ideas, skills & training, and apprenticeships or be put in touch with specialists.
- The four business groups, St Annes Enterprise Partnership, Kirkham Business Group, Lytham Business Partnership and St Annes Independent Retailers, all openly invite all businesses from their towns surrounding business parks to join them; there are no membership fees. The groups disseminate business support information and the presenters at each meeting provide invaluable peer-to-peer and local support, there are also socials and events to support and partake in.
If you are unsure of what your business needs are, please contact Julie Ellington, our Business Engagement and Town Centres Officer, by completing the form below.
