HOTSPOT Paul Sharples Business solutions manager

@ThemisBurnley /company/themis-burnley/

MAKING THE WINNING BID TRAINING BURNLEY TRANSFORMS YOUR BUSINESS The world of training can be hard to navigate.

Which courses and programmes are the most cost-effective and will have the greatest impact? What existing skills do your workforce have that can be developed or adapted?

We all know effective training is the recipe for business success and can:

• Future-proof your business Pioneer Place leisure and retail development • Motivate your workforce and aid staff retention

is a member of the Burnley BID Steering • Help with innovation and problem-solving Group. He believes it will “push forward The Burnley Town Centre BID will • Streamline manufacturing processes some real change.” start in April 2020 and concentrate • Update the latest, sector-specific health and on three main themes: He says: “It brings real focus. Places like Colne safety and legal requirements that already have this in place have seen big • Create a modern, vibrant • Help your business diversify. improvements. We’re hoping it will have a real and connected town centre, impact that people will be able to see. including a dedicated year-round Themis at offers bespoke

48 programme of marketing and 48 “I got involved because I want to help create business solutions to audit your current skillset; a place that people want to come to live and promotional campaigns to attract identify your future training needs and create 49 Businesses in Burnley town centre have “represents a major change in how the town “The BID will be essential in enabling the work in and be proud of.” more shoppers and visitors a tailored package of specialist training to come together in an ambitious ‘bid’ to build centre is managed, attracting more visitors and business community to maximise these Many of Burnley’s neighbours, including • Create a Better Burnley for match, delivered by industry experts with a brighter future. new businesses”. opportunities and create an exciting and vibrant Blackburn, Preston, Colne, Keighley and Business by encouraging the experience and passion to ensure your retail and leisure destination to be proud of.” The town’s new Business Improvement District She says: “It will help build on the wider Skipton, already have BIDs. the growth of independent business can adapt and grow in a constantly- regeneration of the town centre and the ongoing businesses, providing business (BID) will start in April. At the end of 2019 There’s certainly a buzz around the town Blackburn established its BID in 2013, evolving industrial landscape. businesses voted in favour of proposals that work to build a brighter future for Burnley.” centre, much of it fuelled by the expansion of support and working more closely providing the mechanism for £1.5m to be with town centre firms to create Industry-expert training is available in the could see a £1m investment in the town centre Almost three-quarters of Burnley’s town centre the University of Central ’s (UCLan) invested in the town centre over five years, new investment opportunities and following areas: over the next five years. businesses voted in favour of the idea and presence and plans to grow the number of its addressing issues and delivering projects tackle barriers to growth The BID will concentrate on creating “a modern, students studying in Burnley to 4,000 by 2025. and initiatives which benefits its businesses. • Engineering vibrant and connected town centre”, with a Added to that there is the Pioneer Place leisure • Create a Responsive and Pro- The BID includes around 355 traders, • Construction Trades dedicated year-round programme of marketing and retail development. An £18m regeneration active Burnley by tackling anti- commercial organisations and charities social behaviour and crime and and promotional campaigns aimed at attracting scheme being delivered by Maple Grove that in the town centre. They identified three • Health and Safety more visitors. received the green light in January. creating a safer and more secure priorities: marketing and promoting town centre, day and night • Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace The growth of independent businesses and tackling Funded by the council with support from Blackburn as a vibrant town centre; creating • Business Administration anti-social behaviour are also on its agenda. Lancashire County Council, it will include a safer, more secure town centre; and creating a sustainable, cleaner and more BIDs are business-led partnerships which an eight-screen Reel Cinema, as well as with the theme of children’s TV favourite • Accountancy restaurants, bars, retail units, a public realm attractive environment. are created to deliver additional projects and Paw Patrol – which attracted thousands of • Leadership and Management. services to benefit businesses in an area for a and a 125-space car park. Work could start In November 2018, The BID celebrated families last August. limited period, usually five years. early next year. a ‘yes’ vote with 86 per cent in favour of Another important development at the continuing its work. A small levy is charged to all businesses in that Burnley has been awarded a share of the national end of last year was the appointment and Discover how professional training, area to fund the initiatives, typically between one Historic High Street fund which will be invested in Nicola Clayton, who chairs the initiative, funding of two town centre police officers, delivered by the experts, can helping to revitalise lower St James’ Street. says: “Blackburn Business Improvement to two per cent of a business’s rateable value. in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen futureproof your business and Kate Ingram District (BID) continues to make a positive Council and Lancashire Police. Supporters of the BID philosophy, which The BID aims to build on all these opportunities contribution in the town centre and will give you a competitive edge. has been adopted successfully in town by bringing the business community together to Scott Rimmer, manager of the town’s continue to benefit town centre businesses centres across the country say it “empowers” deliver a programme of “added value investment”. Debenhams store, says: “Being a Blackburn Visit www.burnley.ac.uk/themis there is much enthusiasm for its aims and the until at least 2023. businesses. Since 2004 more than 300 have 01282 733005 opportunity it can provide. Backing the BID launch, Debbie Hernon, Charter BID member gives you access to a number call been approved. “Last year marked an exciting start to the of benefits, like a more joined-up approach Dan Hunt is manager of the town’s Primark Walk shopping centre manager, said: “The BID or email [email protected] BID’s second term. We welcomed a new BID for the town centre, and the chance to be Typically, BIDs have come together to undertake store. He says: “The BID has the potential to will give businesses a greater say in how Burnley manager, Catherine Price, who has brought part of additional events and activities activities, projects and services that will make have an incredibly positive impact on Burnley town centre is managed and promoted, working energy, enthusiasm and new ideas for the taking place. their town centres more economically vibrant, closely with the council and other partners to town centre. town centre.” increase footfall and support the creation of a make Burnley a more attractive and vibrant place “The retail sector is seeing seismic “Primark came to Burnley because we saw the safer, cleaner and greener environment. to shop and visit.” A number of projects have helped raised the changes in the way consumers use our town’s potential for growth and, having grown up town’s profile locally and nationally. They services and the BID helps us to increase Kate Ingram, Burnley Council’s strategic head here, I know there are many more opportunities Laurence O’Connor is managing director of include ‘Brickburn’ – a brick model trail business opportunities.” of economy and growth, believes the BID on the horizon for the town centre. Financial Affairs, based in the town centre, and

LANCASHIREBUSINESSVIEW.CO.UK THE BONDS A SPECIAL BREW THAT TIE Real ale lovers will have raised a glass or with senior roles at Thwaites and Marston’s. two to the news that Moorhouse’s Brewery He says: “The business and the brewery were Mark Crabtree looks back at how it used to is back in profit after seven years. performing well in terms of sales, but that really be. “If you were from Burnley and you were wasn’t transferred to the bottom line. talking to someone you’d get in there first The Burnley-based business, creator of cask “Moorhouse’s had a great reputation, especially and say ‘it’s not too bad’, he explains. ales such as Pendle Witches and Black Cat, has undergone a major rethink of its operation locally, for some fantastically brewed, well BURNLEY Times have certainly changed. Some 10 years which is beginning to pay off. respected beers. BURNLEY since the launch of the Burnley Bondholders It reported a £37,000 pre-tax profit for the “But there was a lack of mix in terms of where Lee Williams scheme, pride and confidence in the borough is Burnley FC manager Sean Dyche at the 10th anniversary gathering last financial year compared to a pre-tax loss we were selling and who we were selling to. high. Its people have a strong story to tell and of £275,000 in 2018. Annual turnover has Also, the business was geared up for tomorrow, they aren’t afraid to shout it from the rooftops. journey. Lee says: “The majority of people remained constant at around £4.5m. but tomorrow never came.” bought into this and bought into the change. Business and political leaders in other towns and country and he says: “Over the years I’ve formed in keeping young people in the town. Moorhouse’s is led by Lee Williams, who was He adds: “The turnaround programme, which They can see the benefits.” cities look with envy at the Bondholders and its the view that it’s the spirit of Burnley people and Mick Cartledge, chief executive at Burnley appointed managing director in April 2017. The started back in the summer of 2017, is starting to Challenges remain – not least the current success at promoting Burnley far and wide. their confidence and ability to get things done Council, says the Bondholders came out of a company is in year two of its turnaround plan pay real dividends and much of its success is down tax regime. Currently 43p of every pound that makes the difference. desire from people in the borough to change The scheme brings together business and which has seen a full rebrand of the business as to the efforts and dedication of the entire team. Moorhouse’s makes goes to the Chancellor. Lee “All the many and various initiatives, awards, unfair perceptions and portray the community organisations that have the passion, drive and well as a cost saving programme of initiatives. “Along with all of the logistical and cost saving is not alone in hoping to see the government commitment to champion the borough. With promotions, activities, perception changes and “as they saw it”. He adds: “Bondholders are real This has included working more closely with key initiatives that have been brought in, we have make changes in the way beer duty works to some 200 members, it is a networking scheme growth hang off the back of that.” ambassadors for Burnley.” members of its supply chain and implementing also created an environment where the team can help the industry. and so much more. Mark says the group works to bring together He points to the fact meetings are held at new and more efficient ways of working. now play an active role in assuming responsibility Looking to the future he says new product The aim from the outset was to inform more of and links the borough’s SME community. They venues across the borough, such as the newly- for making the changes that were needed to turn The business, which can trace its history back development will continue and Moorhouse’s, the “right people” about Burnley’s assets, to in turn can retell Burnley’s success stories. He opened impressive £13m Crow Wood Hotel the fortunes of the business around.” to 1865, has also invested in new product which runs two pubs at the moment, will look to work to attract more investment and support to describes its role as “a never-ending job”. and Burnley FC’s training complex and, as a development as well as equipment and He adds: “The cask beer sector is incredibly operate more of its own outlets. Lee points to the town, and to change outdated stereotypes. result, “businesses can see for themselves He also jokes that Bondholder membership it infrastructure including new vehicles, IT systems challenging with the highest number of the recent growth of the micro-pub the investment and change that is happening The companies involved also pledged to work is a bit like being “in a gang” and adds: “We all and solar panels. breweries on record chasing a market that across the town.” Lee adds: “We are delighted the business is together to address issues such as education know each other and what is going on. We have is in decline, so central to our strategy has Lee has also overseen major changes to the now back in profit, this has been a real team and connectivity. events at each other’s factories, we know who Mick also highlights the growing links been maintaining Moorhouse’s long-standing sales mix and improvements to customer effort but this is just the start. to talk to about things.” between businesses and local schools being reputation of brewing quality beer.” The Bondholders got behind the successful service - most notably re-vamping the delivery “Our focus is on building on these solid Attracting people to Burnley, so they can see spearheaded by the group. campaign to restore direct rail services between function and opening new distribution channels He adds: “There has been a lot of change and foundations to make Moorhouse’s as strong as for themselves what it has to offer has been an Mark Wiggan, is managing director at M65 Manchester and Burnley – lost some 40 years which have seen the brewery securing its first we kept our staff regularly updated about what possible. We have to continue this momentum important part of the work, he says, adding that Recruitment. The business was launched in earlier. Their efforts also had a hand in the town export order since 2016. was expected of them.” and new product development alongside some being named the most enterprising place in Britain. many of the businesses that have made their Blackburn and opened its Burnley operation in Before joining Moorhouse’s he had worked in Today the business has a 25-strong workforce new retail bars will be at the heart of how we home in the town wouldn’t have done so if it June 2018. He says: “Burnley is so vibrant and And the group is also playing its part in the the beer drinks industry for nearly 25 years, and most have been on the transformational create a sustainable future for the brand.” wasn’t for the Bondholders’ efforts. successful that we had to be part of it. University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) 50 50 ambitious plans that are transforming Burnley Mark’s latest project is The Landmark. He has “We’ve been Bondholders for over 12 months into a university town that will be home to 4,000 spearheaded the transformation of the former and it is absolutely brilliant. It reflects the 51 Burnley Grammar School building into a tech success of Burnley and the passion of the Units 7 & 8 Union Court, Block 4 Vantage Court, students by 2025. Spring Garden Mill, hub and co-working space. people in the town. You can feel the energy in Alan Ramsbottom Way, Riverside Business Mark Crabtree, chairs the Bondholders and is Turf Street, Burnley the room, there is a real buzz about it all.” Hyndburn Park, Pendle one of its founder members. He also created The aim is to create a digital community AMS Neve, award-winning makers of digital and where businesses can support each other He adds: “There is a close-knit community here, analogue audio equipment found in the world’s and continue to grow, delivering more job and everyone seems to look after each other, they know most prestigious recording studios. education opportunities locally within the sector. each other and support each other in business. Ask him what makes the Bondholders different Mark sees it as an extension of his Bondholder “If you could bottle what they have in Burnley and to other similar initiatives in other parts of the work and believes it will play an important role take it to other towns it would be unbelievable.” Always LET SOLD LET

A former wholesale retail Those tribe members include Carrie-Ann Kay committed Substantial portal frame A 5,000 sq ft detached warehouse extending to who has dressed TV personalities Gemma warehouse with two storey modern two storey office A SOCIAL 18,000 sq ft with large gated glazed offices and large building fully LET to two Collins and Charlotte Cosby at the NTAs, BBC yard was LET to Process to securing gated yard sold in December separate companies on Radio 1 presenter Jordan North and Love Instruments Ltd in early 2020 2019 for a seven figure sum. three & five year leases. ENTERPRISE Island contestant Dean Overson. the best by way of a seven year lease. Burnley Social is on a mission – to make the Burnley Social also partners with businesses town the coolest place in the North West. to highlight its aerospace and advanced Units 51 - 53 Churchill Poplar House, Unit 2 Yorke House, manufacturing sectors. possible Way, Lomeshaye Industrial Chestnut Business Park, Manchester Road-Yorke The award-winning project, commissioned by Estate, Pendle Burnley Street, Burnley the Burnley Bondholders in 2018, is described And its Talk of the Town show last November as a “one-stop-shop” for young people in the celebrated Burnley’s best entrepreneurs and deals for borough. Its aim is to bring more young people businesspeople across a range of categories. to the area to live, work and study. Burnley Social’s Talk of the Town show Mark Crabtree, founder of AMS Neve and our clients. As part of a wider town rejuvenation project, UCLan Burnley has set its sights on attracting chair of Burnley Bondholders, says: “Burnley and career development opportunities for Social is a great way for young people to be 4,000 students to the town by 2025 – it’s a young people in the area – to show that careers LET LET LET connected with the town and all it has to offer goal which the university is on target to exceed. can be built in this part of East Lancashire. – they are its future, of course. The university has the courses – but what Within 18 months of the project’s conception, 01282 428486 A semi-detached double A 25,000 sq ft warehouse A Georgian Grade II Listed does the town offer for students? That’s where Burnley Social has created what it describes “The platform is a mine of information on bay warehouse with large positioned next to the M65 stone built office premises [email protected] Burnley Social comes in. as “a tribe of influencers, entrepreneurs and not just the best places to eat, play and be gated yard LET on behalf motorway on a modern extending to 1,675 sq ft was Its website points out the best places to eat, business owners” that together have a reach entertained, but also how and where to forge a www.whiteacres-property.co.uk of Barnfield Construction gated business park was LET LET at the beginning of 2020 great career for themselves in Burnley.” in December 2019 by way to a cargo company on a six on a new 5 year lease to Kip shop and play and the project highlights job of well over a million people. of a new five year lease. year lease in February 2020. McGrath Education Centre.

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