Spring 2016 The Magazine of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce YOUR EAST LANCASHIRE BLACKBURN Cathedral Quarter - Revisited BIG INTERVIEW CHARLES HADCOCK Sculptor & Manufacturer DEBATING CHAMBER ECONOMY WELCOME & CONTENTS President’s welcome... elcome to the first edition of Business Life in 2016. This year will be an Winteresting and challenging time for East Lancashire businesses. Now that the terms of Britain’s EU membership have been renegotiated it is time for the country to decide and the date has been set for June 23rd. In this edition we look at what the Prime Minister wanted and the view of British Chambers of Commerce as to what was achieved. I DON’T WAIT FOR We include a four page feature on the work of your Chamber and find out what the directors of the Chamber have been doing on your behalf. David Sharpe Our ‘Big Interview’ is with Charles Hadcock, Chairman of Creative Lancashire, renowned sculptor and OPPORTUNITIES Lancashire manufacturer. Our debating chamber looks at the UK economy and gets the views of businesses working across the I CREATE THEM various sectors.. Finally, we highlight those companies who have been successful in our recent International Trade Club awards. AS A CHAMBER MEMBER I’M WELL CONTENTS 04 Business News CONNECTED 10 Debating Chamber 12 International Trade 16 Your East Lancashire 18 The Big Interview 20 CIPS & Training 22 Regional Growth Fund 24 Europe 25 Sector Analysis 26 QES 28 Directors’ Report 32 Chamber News THE BIG INTERVIEW CHARLES HADCOCK 18 usiness Life is published by East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce Band Industry. Editorial contacts: Darren Grantham [email protected] Roger Edworthy If it’s the opportunity to network with like-minded business people, belonging to [email protected] your local Accredited Chamber of Commerce means you are always well connected. Advertising contact: Darren Grantham SECTOR ANALYSIS Visit www.chamberelancs.co.uk to see how we can support your business. [email protected] 01254 356400 FOOD & DRINK 25 Designed by: Jon Thompson Edited by: Roger Edworthy #JOINYOURCHAMBER Photography: Clive Lawrence - Big Interview, Debating Chamber / Jon Thompson - Cover, Your East Lancashire Reporter: Kate Jackson, Viva PR - Big Interview & Sector Analysis Printed by: Media Village Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily shared by East Lancashire Chamber. YOUR EAST LANCASHIRE DEBATING CHAMBER BLACKBURN 16 ECONOMY 10 Spring 2016 | BusinessLIFE | 03 BUSINESS NEWS YOUR CHAMBER WORKING FOR YOU s President of the Chamber I’m accountable to the Council (Board) who in turn are representative of the members. As the ADirectors we are keen to ensure that what we’ve prioritised the Chamber’s activities is in line with the members’ interests both in terms of direct services and in creating a supportive business environment. On pages 28 - 31 we have published a report of the Chamber’s achievements over just the last 6 months and identified some of the continuing areas of activity - we hope that you’ll be pleased and surprised by their range and impact. However, we are accountable to roviding Lancashire you, the members, and would be pleased to hear your views on whether we’ve got the priorities right. P business with more than just accountancy One subject that has come very quickly upon us is services has been one the EU Referendum on June 23rd. As we report, in “Glastonbury of Gastronomy” common with British Chambers of Commerce, our of Mayes’ overarching soundings tell us that there is no single business view principles since its formation on ‘Remain’ or ‘Brexit’. The general message that we forty years ago. are getting is that there is insufficient information (and even less ‘facts’) in circulation. We will therefore be taking a neutral position and endeavour to keep Mayes has made a pioneering effort members abreast of developments as the campaigns to boost growth in the Lancashire develop. his year, at what has become known in the economy with the Business One Page Plan (BOPP). This revolutionary industry as the “Glastonbury of gastronomy” framework provides business T Obsession showcased through an extraordinary owners with the tools to boost their diversity of menus from hugely talented chefs from as profits and improve their work life far afield as Japan; Taiwan; Peru; Mexico along with balance… and those businesses that European and UK representation, in total eighteen have implemented the BOPP with Mayes have seen an average net profit Michelin stars. increase of 92.7%. Best year ever for Chairman of Mayes, Andrew Botham, self-storage company said: “As people, we are habit-driven There was a massive buzz around the hotel and and feel comfortable doing what we you could feel the excitement that motivates and have always done. But the business world moves quickly and if your inspires everyone here. business is standing still, you’re dropping behind the crowd. “Growth strategies and actions don’t Northcote’ Manor’s Chef Patron, Nigel Haworth was joined by some have to be hugely time-consuming or of the greatest names in gastronomy. Nigel said, “It was an incredible complex, and the Business One Page international line up once again. Obsession has grown from four nights in 2001 fast growing company which is revolutionising the UK Plan brings simplicity right to the core to sixteen nights and eighteen chefs in 2016 – it is truly a special time for the self-storage industry enjoyed its best ever year in of the plans and aspirations you have team at Northcote” He added “There was a massive buzz around the hotel and 2015. Store First now has 14 purpose-built self-storage for your business.” you could feel the excitement that motivates and inspires everyone here.” facilities across the UK, with its 15th due to open this summer in St Helens and company scouts always on the W: www.mayesaccountants.co.uk Each guest was treated to a 5-course signature menu together with a lookout for new prime locations. E: [email protected] Louis Roederer Brut premier and canapé reception. Craig Bancroft, T: 01254 300050 "WeA had a great year in 2015," said Oliver striving to meet their needs in new and managing director, match a different wines to every single course Kitson, Operations Director for Lancashire- innovative ways we are enjoying record throughout the 16 nights. based Store First. "Every one of our self- growth and confident of an even better year storage facilities recorded significant increases in 2016." in occupancy levels and, when taken as a whole, our overall occupancy all but doubled As more and more people are using self- in 2015, showing an outstanding 97.8% storage, Store First is doing better by being growth. That gave us record growth rates way different. Put simply, it gives its customers above the national average. more for less by keeping rental rates low and constantly adding value through extra "Our customers are at the core of our business benefits at its modern, clean self-storage and by listening to them and constantly centres. Spring 2016 | BusinessLIFE | 05 BUSINESS NEWS BUSINESS NEWS Ribbon cutting sets new> press rolling at PSP> orth Lancs Training N Group is one of the largest training providers in the country and we pride ourselves on the quality of our services to our learners VEKA scoop national business award and companies. NLTG has been training young people for over 45 years and has a wealth of experience when supporting ocal company and ong-established Lancashire firm Peter Scott Printers has greatly them. Currently we have over 2300 Chamber member, Apprentices on one of our many increased its production capability with a £500,000 investment in AN IMPRESSIONABLE The VEKA UK Group, programmes and provide training to a new printing press and a 4,500 sq.ft facility to house it. L over 1200 companies. L has been named a British GENERATION manufacturing champion after While much has been done to encourage more We are committed to the continuous Cutting the ribbon was former Burnley FC striker Paul Fletcher MBE, so I was delighted to be asked to set the new press rolling, especially with my girls into Stem subjects new findings from O2 improvement of our service and we show that gender stereotypes are continuing to who later became the club's chief executive and one of Europe's leading family connections to the print industry." scooping a prestigious national employ a team of professional people experts on the design and development of football stadiums. He is now impact the career aspirations of young people. business award. More worrying still, despite efforts to break the who are constantly undertaking one of PSP's high profile clients as co-founder and director of UCFB - the "This new Heidelberg six-colour press runs 25% faster and more efficiently," glass ceiling, when it comes to leadership roles, training and development. University and College of Football Business. said PSP's Production Director Tom Gaughan. "It enables us to meet our customers' needs by delivering a first class and The Burnley-based firm, which employs 400 suits and briefcases continue to dominate, He also has printing in his blood, as his father fast turnaround one-stop-shop printing service." staff and designs and manufacturers window with one in four young people believing that We deliver Intermediate Level 2, running the country is a job for a man. was a printer in Bolton, his mother was This new Heidelberg six-colour press and door PVC-U profiles, saw its success Advanced Level 3 and now Higher involved in printing for Bolton Council and he PSP's Commercial Director Joanne Hindley recognised by judges at the EEF/Aldermore Research among 2,000 under 18-year-olds found Level 4 Apprenticeships in a wide even ran his own small printing business to runs 25% faster and more efficiently..