|
|
News
Welcome to the news section of our site. Here you can view our latest news items or browse through our news archive. You may also view or download all of our electronic newsletters - E-News - in the Newsletters section by selecting the link in the left-hand navigation column.
Latest News
 | £100 million Upgrade For Blackpool to Fleetwood Tramway
30th June 2009
The scheme, which has now been granted full Government approval, will include new trams, replacement track, extra stops and a new tram depot. This will improve journey times and the accessibility of the tramway for all passengers.
|
 | Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Award Winners Announced
30th June 2009
Photo: Ribby Hall Village
The 2009/10 Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards was a celebration of innovation and creativity, with winners and finalists sharing the limelight with broadcaster, writer and Lancashire champion, the brilliant and entertaining Stuart Maconie.
|
 | £2million Fund for Action on Climate Change
9th June 2009
A £2million fund has been opened, providing grants of between £100,000 and £500,000 to new projects that can demonstrate significant carbon savings - accelerating the Northwest region’s transition to a low carbon economy.
|
 | What a good IDEA!
5th June 2009
Top North West Universities launch New Partnership Initiative Promoting Innovation to regional SMEs.
IDEAS (Innovation Design Entrepreneurship and Science) at Daresbury has been awarded £770,000 of funding from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to deliver a programme to drive innovation into 40 regional SMEs over a 16 month period. This will enable businesses to benefit from the knowledge, research and expertise of the region’s top universities providing a competitive edge for small high-tech businesses in the current economic climate.
|
 | We’re Backing Business
5th June 2009
The current economic climate has demanded a rapid and unprecedented response from organisations working in business support and economic development and local partnership working is more important than ever.
|
 | NWDA grant creates 22 jobs in Lancashire
5th June 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has awarded a £320,000 ‘Grants for Business Investment’ to the Thornton-Cleveleys based Kilgour Group. |
 | Grant Scheme To Grow Heritage Tourism
4th June 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) recently announced a £500,000, 3 year extension to the highly successful Heritage Tourism Improvement Scheme (HTIS), a grant scheme which helps unlock the tourism potential of historic sites. |
 | Water great result!
4th June 2009
Lancashire Wildlife Trust is celebrating completing its work to provide better habitat for the birds and invertebrates at Brockholes Nature Reserve, near Preston.
|
 | BAE Samlesbury Opens New Development
4th June 2009
BAE Systems held an event on 20 May which was attended by local dignitaries and employees to mark the completion of the first phase of a multi-million pound investment at the Company’s Samlesbury site. |
 | Lancashire commits to tackling the climate change challenge
28th April 2009
Photo caption: L-R John Healey MP, Dr John Collins and County Councillor Hazel Harding CBE.
Thursday 16th April 2009 was a significant day for Lancashire with the launch of an ambitious strategy to combat climate change across the county. |
 | Trailblazers in Tourism Awards Shortlist
27th April 2009
The sixth, annual, Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards, which will take place on Wednesday 10 June 2009 at Ribby Hall, will celebrate tourism businesses across the county and the tourist board have just announced those shortlisted in each category - trailblazers who now find themselves deservedly in the spotlight.
|
 | Strategic Consultation Process Underway in Lancashire
26th March 2009
A key element in the development of the first Integrated Regional Strategy for the North West - the RS2010 - is the production of a Principles and Issues Paper. The consultation process on the Paper kick-started in Lancashire with a major event at the Guild Hall in Preston on 5 March 2009. Supported by more than 200 partners representing a wide range of sectors and organisations from across Lancashire, the event provided the opportunity for attendees to voice their opinion on the Paper and help influence the development of the RS2010. |
 | Preston’s Avenham Park Pavilion Wins Top Architectural Award
23rd March 2009
Preston’s Avenham Park pavilion has scooped a major national award. Designed by renowned architect Ian McChesney, the pavilion was the only Lancashire building to win a prestigious Civic Trust Award at Arsenal Football Club’s Emirates Stadium on Wednesday 18 March.
The pavilion was designed and built as part of the multi-million pound regeneration of Avenham and Miller Parks. This scheme was funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Heritage Lottery Fund, Preston City Council and other local partner organisations.
|
 | Leyland Trucks Receives NWDA Training Support
23rd March 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has confirmed a further £1.5m training funding to help support the region’s important automotive sector during the difficult economic conditions. Leyland Trucks in Lancashire will receive a share of the NWDA funding along with other automotive and supply chain companies in other parts of the North West.
|
 | Dragon comes to Lancaster!
23rd March 2009
Rachel Elnaugh of Dragons’ Den fame addressed an audience of 95 local SME owner-managers last month at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS).
|
 | UCLan Awarded £3.828 million Research Funding
23rd March 2009
The University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) excellent Research Assessment Exercise* (RAE) result has been rewarded through a major increase in research funding from the Higher Education Funding Council (England).
|
 | Partnership Sponsors BIBAs
20th March 2009
The Partnership was recently principal sponsor of the glittering Oscar style BIBAs. Over 800 of Lancashire’s brightest business stars gathered together for the 2009 BIBA’s Award Ceremony in March which took place at Blackpool’s world famous Winter Gardens. |
 | Agreement signed for £220m Talbot Gateway project
20th March 2009
Blackpool was celebrating earlier this month after the signing of a major £220m development deal which is set to transform the town centre and create a booming new business district. |
 | Free Help For Manufacturers To Meet Tough Challenges Ahead
27th February 2009
To help North West Manufacturers through recession the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Business Link Northwest, the Manufacturing Advisory Service North West and The Manufacturing Institute have joined together to launch the Manufacturers’ Survival Series. |
| Funding Secured for Job Creation in Rossendale
27th February 2009
The NWDA has announced funding of £820,000 to help develop a new employment site in Rossendale.
The Rising Bridge project will transform vacant brownfield site into a Business and Enterprise Village creating new, high quality business space for Small to Medium Sized Enterprises. |
 | Have your say on Pennine Lancashire
27th February 2009
Residents in Pennine Lancashire are being encouraged to have their say on ideas for new and inspiring public ‘squares’ in their towns. |
 | Join the Prince
25th February 2009
What is the Network?
The Prince's May Day Network is the UK’s largest group of businesses committed to taking action on climate change. Over 1,300 businesses of all sizes and from all sectors have signed-up to date, and collectively they promise to play a powerful role reducing the UK's carbon emissions. |
 | Teenagers get insight into top apprenticeships
24th February 2009
Photo caption:Teenage girls check out Lancashire’s high flying aerospace careers when they take a 3D simulated journey through a jet engine.
Teenagers tested out some of Britain’s top jobs ahead of National Apprenticeship Week (23-27 February).
They saw the work of Lancashire apprentices first hand when they joined in fun activities at the Make It in Manufacturing zone at the recent Skills NorthWest careers event in Bolton.
|
 | Pendle has a thriving future
18th February 2009
Pendle is a great place to live, work and play - that’s the message from the borough’s key business leaders! And they really have something to shout about. |
 | Livestock Programme Underway
17th February 2009
Save money and improve your business by taking advantage of the support and advice available through the North West Livestock Programme (part of the Rural Development Programme for England funded with voluntary modulation money).
Aimed at livestock farmers across the North West, the Livestock Programme includes a range of activities around the themes of Farm Competiveness, Nutrient Management and Animal Health and Welfare.
|
 | Go4SET Scheme
10th February 2009
A new EDT initiative involving students, engineers and companies in exciting projects to stimulate the interest of young people in Science, Engineering and Technology.
Go4SET links teams of six Year 9(England)/S2 (Scotland) pupils with companies and universities
to offer a 10 week Science, Engineering and Technology experience.
|
 | Calling All Tourism Businesses - Your Chance to Shine!
9th February 2009
Enter now to enjoy the benefits of increased profile, staff motivation and new business.
On Thursday 4th June 2009 the sixth annual Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards ceremony will take place at Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green when the winners in thirteen categories will be announced.
|
 | Contracts awarded for Livestock Programme
22nd January 2009
Five organisations have been appointed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to deliver £6.3 million in livestock support work across the Northwest. |
 | £350M Support for Small Business Announced
21st January 2009
Skills Secretary John Denham announced that small businesses will be the focus of £350 million of Government funds to help them train their staff.
The Government’s approach will be reshaped and money will be available to deliver a new package of support to help small businesses get through the tougher economic climate by building the skills and expertise of their workers.
|
 | New Website joins up ICT Businesses
21st January 2009
A new website www.lcictcluster.org has been created to provide a unique central resource for the sub-region’s technology led businesses.
|
 | £35m Business Start-Up Programme gets the green light
21st January 2009
Over the past two months Lord Mandelson has set out his vision for a new industrial activism. Speaking today he explained the crucial role that regions will play in this vision and why initiatives like the Business Start Up programme are so important. |
 | £20m Funding Package For Northwest Tourism Industry
16th January 2009
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has announced a £20.6 million funding package for the region’s tourism industry, which will ensure that the sub-regional tourist boards are in a strong position to support tourism businesses during the current economic climate.
|
 | New Pennine Pathfinder Agreement Signed at Downing Street
16th January 2009
Around a half a million people will benefit following the signing of an historical agreement between all the authorities in Pennine Lancashire.
The new Pennine Pathfinder Multi Area Agreement (MAA) was signed at Downing Street with Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Monday, January 12.
|
| EMBF NW & Awards
19th December 2008
The contribution made by black and ethnic minority businesses in the Northwest is invaluable to the economic, social and cultural development of the region. The EMBF NW Awards is designed to recognise and reward the outstanding achievements made by black and ethnic minority entrepreneurs and businesses in the Northwest. From dynamic young entrepreneurs to well-established veterans, these businesses are making a significant impact to the Northwest society. |
 | Green Infrastructure Workshop
17th December 2008
The Partnership hosted a Green Infrastructure workshop last month at the Globe Centre in Accrington. Over 60 delegates attended the one day workshop to help produce a prioritised action plan for coordinated green infrastructure activity. Delegates from a range of
backgrounds including Local Authorities, Natural Economy North West, Regional Parks, Natural England, Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency attended. |
 | Calling all Green Heroes - The Northwest Business Environment Awards 2009
1st December 2008
Celebrating its seventh year of recognising the crème-de-la-crème of this region’s environmentally-aware businesses, the Northwest Business Environment Awards (NWBEA) 2009 is once again on the search for the region’s green business heroes. PARTNER is proud to be a sponsor of the 2009 awards - the most prestigious event in the region's green business calendar.
|
| New third sector skills body
12th November 2008
The Government today announced plans to create a new Third Sector skills body which will identify and address skills gaps and shortages for charities, voluntary groups, social enterprises and other third sector organisations. |
| £10m High Growth Programme for the Northwest launched
29th October 2008
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Northwest ERDF Programme have today launched a new High Growth business support programme designed to help businesses in the region with ‘Starting a High Growth Business' and provide 'Coaching for High Growth’ that will support and grow the Northwest economy.
|
| £4m Innovation Vouchers Scheme launched
27th October 2008
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Northwest ERDF Programme have today launched a new Innovation Voucher scheme to help support and grow the Northwest economy.
|
 | Sebastian Coe Visits Lancashire
3rd October 2008
Sebastian Coe KBE, Chair of the London Organising
Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic
Games (LOCOG), visited Lancashire on September 23rd
as a guest of the Northwest Steering Group for the 2012
Games to see how the region is engaging with London
2012 and progressing with legacy plans. |
| Lancashire Business Survey - How Does Transport Affect Your Business or Organisation?
3rd October 2008
We want your feedback on how the transport network
affects the performance of your business. The
consultation is part of a wider study by the local
transport authorities in Lancashire to understand how
the transport network currently affects the Lancashire
economy. This is an opportunity for organisations to
influence and inform future transport policy. |
 | LRRAP Wraps Up
4th September 2008
The Lancashire Rural Recovery Action Plan completed with the official opening of Greenlands Waterside Garden Park in Brock by the Princess Royal, Princess Anne. Greenlands was one of thousands of businesses supported by the Lancashire Rural Recovery Action Plan (LRRAP).
|
 | Key Manufacturing Publication Launched
31st July 2008
A new publication by LEP aims to improve public sector alignment with the manufacturing sector to support its transition to higher value activity. |
 | LEP flies the flag for Lancashire at
30th July 2008
The Lancashire Economic Partnership joined the North West Aerospace Alliance in showcasing Lancashire’s Inward Investment, Aerospace and Manufacturing strength and potential at the 2008 Farnborough International Air Show. |
 | Board Member Celebrated in Queen's Birthday Honours
30th June 2008
The Chief Executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and Vice Chairman of the Partnership board, Michael Damms, was honoured for his services to business with an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours. |
 | Lancashire Green Infrastructure Strategy
30th June 2008
Lancashire Economic Partnership (LEP) is working with a range of partners in Lancashire and the North West to develop a Green Infrastructure (GI) Strategy to fully develop the potential of this key Lancashire asset. |
 | Balfour Beatty Acquires Blackpool Airport
6th June 2008
Balfour Beatty, the international engineering, construction,services and investment group, announced on the 6 May that Regional and City Airports (RCA), its specialist airport investment and development group, has agreed to acquire 95% of Blackpool International Airport for £14 million in cash.
|
 | Lancashire has Strength in ETS Study Reveals
6th June 2008
A study commissioned by Lancashire Economic Partnership to investigate the opportunities for local manufacturing firms in the fast growing Environmental Technologies and Services (ETS) sector has now been published. The work concludes that compared to other parts of the UK, Lancashire has particular strengths in manufacturing which provide it with a competitive
advantage in terms of exploiting ETS markets. |
| BCC Chamber Awards 2008
7th May 2008
The British Chambers of Commerce Awards 2008 sponsored by NatWest and RBS.
£50,000 Prize Money |
 | Lancashire website means business!
23rd April 2008
A new Lancashire-wide business support website with vital investment information was demonstrated yesterday to over a 100 key commercial agents and developers, partners and staff from the 15 local authorities across Lancashire. The website was demonstrated at the Lancashire Commercial Property Expo and Networking Event at Blackburn Rovers Football Club on Tuesday 22 April 2008. |
 | Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards
10th March 2008
On Wednesday 18th June 2008 BBC North West Tonight's Ranvir Singh will be announcing the winners at the fifth annual Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards ceremony which will take place at Ewood Park, Blackburn. |
 | Blackpool's iconic tram set for £85 million upgrade
3rd March 2008
Plans to move forward with a £85.3 million refurbishment of the historic Blackpool and Fleetwood tram system were announced by Transport Minister Tom Harris in February, with the Government contributing £60.3 million to the scheme.
|
 | Creative Industries: Application of Digital Technologies
11th February 2008
The Technology Strategy Board has allocated an indicative amount of £7 million to invest in highly innovative collaborative research in the
application of digital technologies – for creation, preservation, interaction, personalisation and increasing the competitive advantage of creative industry products, services and experiences. |
 | NWDA gets £1bn green light from Europe
25th January 2008
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) - as the new administrator of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the Northwest – recently announced the adoption and approval of the Northwest Operational Programme (NWOP) from the European Commission. |
 | Lancashire’s new business support website goes live!
30th November 2007
An all new Lancashire-wide business support website with vital investment information has recently been unveiled. Promoting Lancashire as a prime business investment location, www.makeitlancashire.com, is a fully comprehensive independent service, and is provided completely free of charge. |
 | £6 billion set to shape a bright future for Lancashire
3rd October 2007
A revolutionary £6 billion economic development plan; the biggest ever investment in the Lancashire economy, has been unveiled by the Lancashire Economic Partnership (LEP) following widespread consultation across the sub-region throughout the summer months. |
 | International flavour for Halo launch
26th September 2007
'Halo', the fourth and final Pennine Lancashire Panopticon, situated on Top o' Slate, overlooking the town of Haslingden in Rossendale, was launched on Thursday, 20 September at a celebratory event directed by international theatre company WildWorks, and involving many local people and community groups. |
 | Exploiting Lancashire's Unique Countryside
12th July 2007
Lancashire Economic Partnership recently hosted a seminar that explored how we can maximise the benefits of living and working within a stone’s throw of the outstanding countryside that is unique to Lancashire. The seminar looked at how our superb countryside can be made more accessible to Lancashire’s residents and visitors and also what the economic as well as social and environmental benefits would be from creating a more linked network of green spaces. |
 | Summer Guided Walks to Officially Open Nature Reserve to Public
10th July 2007
A series of summer guided walks will introduce the local community to Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Nature Reserve – the Lancashire Wildlife Trust-owned site that is the latest to be purchased through Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) regeneration funding as part of the Newlands scheme. |
 | Launch of Lancashire's Economic Blueprint
2nd July 2007
A highly-credible, evidence-based £1.6 billion blueprint has been drawn up to boost Lancashire’s economy and create more than 50,000 jobs by the end of the decade. |
 | Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards Shortlist
22nd May 2007
The shortlist for the 2007/08 Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards organised by Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board has been announced. It comes a fortnight after two of last year’s winners won their national categories at the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2007. |
 | Institute of Directors Event
3rd May 2007
Partnership staff this week attended the UK's leading business conference - the Institute of Directors’ Annual Convention - at London’s Royal Albert Hall. |
 | Chief Executive Addresses All-Party Parliamentary Group
3rd May 2007
Partnership Chief Executive, Dennis Taylor took time off from the Institute of Directors convention at London’s Royal Albert Hall last week to make a whistle-stop lunchtime presentation to the Local Environmental Quality All Party Parliamentary Group’s House of Commons Reception in the House of Commons dining room. |
 | BAE SYSTEMS Celebrate as F-35 Fighter Jet Passes Major Milestone
5th April 2007
The Partnership’s Director of Economic Regeneration, Janet Barton, was this week (3 April) invited to attend celebrations at BAE Systems Samlesbury to mark the official handover of the first aft fuselage of the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet. |
 | Winners of the BIBAs 2007 Unveiled
29th March 2007
The winners of The BIBAs (Be Inspired Business Awards) 2007 were unveiled at a glittering, Oscar style ceremony held at The Empress Ballroom, The Winter Gardens, Blackpool on Friday March 16 2007. |
| Talks on Racecourse Plans Underway
26th March 2007
A series of public meetings are currently underway to discuss plans for a state-of-the-art racecourse in East Lancashire.
|
| Regional Park Plan for Ribble Coast and Wetlands
26th March 2007
Bold plans to create new jobs, provide new visitor opportunities and enhance wildlife habitats are at the heart of proposals for a Ribble Coast and Wetlands Regional Park, announced last week (Friday 23 March).
|
 | Welcome to East Lancashire!
21st March 2007
People visiting or moving to East Lancashire will have no problems settling in to the area with the help of a new welcome booklet, which covers everything they need to know about the region. |
 | UCLan students impress
12th March 2007
Business leaders of the future from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) have triumphed in the regional leg of a national business competition. |
 | Blackpool Looking to the Future
26th February 2007
The Casino Advisory Panel may have recommended that the first super casino be located in Manchester, but Blackpool is now looking ahead and building on its existing strengths.
|
| MPs urge Blackpool casino rethink
7th February 2007
The government is being urged to reconsider the decision to award a super-casino license to Manchester, at the expense of Blackpool.
A Commons motion expressing "surprise and regret" that the Casino Advisory Panel rejected Blackpool's application has been signed by 18 MPs.
|
| Central Government Visit to Central Lancashire City Region
30th January 2007
The Partnership recently co-ordinated a successful three day visit to the City Region by representatives from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and Communities and Local Government (CLG). |
 | £2.6 million Boost For Northwest Aerospace Industry
29th January 2007
The North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) is poised to launch its largest ever assistance package for the region’s aerospace sector thanks to a £2.6 million package from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). The NWAA is based in Nelson and exists to support the hi-tech industry in the area
including firms such as BAE Systems in Samlesbury and Rolls Royce’s Barnoldswick factory. |
 | Diversity Calendar 2007
22nd January 2007
For the third year running ELT is delighted to be working with the Equality and Access Team at Burnley Borough Council to produce and distribute the annual Diversity Calendar. |
 | Dragons’ Den series four in the making
6th November 2006
Dragons’ Den series three has just ended on BBC TWO and it’s proved to be the most successful series to date.
The production team is now working towards series four and are currently looking for more great entrepreneurs. The programme is once again searching for business ideas, inventions or products with serious business potential that are investment ready and looking for funding.
|
 | Apply now for six-star scholarship opportunity
6th November 2006
The Manufacturing Institute is inviting scholarship applications for its prestigious MSc in Manufacturing Leadership which is run in partnership with the six-star Lancaster University Management School.
|
 | Kick It Out
30th October 2006
Week of action against racism in football. 17 - 30 October 2006 |
 | Be Inspired Business Awards Launched
28th September 2006
The BIBAs are back!
Put your business in the running for Lancashire’s biggest and most prestigious business awards – and win one of just thirteen exclusively designed trophies! |
 | Ribble Estuary Project Gets off the Ground
27th September 2006
One of Europe’s largest projects to counter the effects of sea level rise due to climate change has taken a step closer to reality thanks to funding from the Lancashire Rural Recovery Action Plan. |
 | Shaping the future of rural Lancashire
27th September 2006
A first blueprint for the future of rural Lancashire has been formally adopted by the Lancashire Rural Development Board and the Lancashire Economic Partnership’s Board and Forum. |
 | Official opening of Pendle’s Panopticon, Atom
27th September 2006
Pendle’s Panopticon ‘Atom’ was officially declared open by Mayor of Pendle, Councillor George Adams and designer Peter Meacock at a celebratory event in Wycoller Country Park on 22 September. |
 | Accrington Stanley Diversity Forum
21st September 2006
An ambitious plan to communicate with diverse communities has been put in place by Accrington Stanley Football Club. |
 | New Economic Blueprint for Lancashire Agreed
25th July 2006
Following a major consultation event at the beginning of June at the Guild Hall in Preston, the Lancashire Economic Strategy and Sub-Regional Action Plan 2006-09 has been formally endorsed by both the Lancashire Economic Partnership’s Board and Forum, at their respective meetings held on the 11th and 18th July. |
 | New EU Objective 2/3 Cross Cutting Themes Website
10th July 2006
A new web site has been launched which sets out to share the best practice gained within the North West of England over the life of the EU objective 2/3 programme so far, to guide and shape any current or forthcoming projects and to ensure that future programmes (regardless of funders) have the benefit of these experiences.
|
View Archive news >> |
|
VACANCIES
| |
There are no vacancies at present |
|
ABOUT LEP
ABOUT LANCASHIRE
STRATEGIC ACTIVITY
STRATEGY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC REGENERATION
TOURISM
MEMBERS' AREA
NEWS
EVENTS
OPPORTUNITIES
DOWNLOAD CENTRE
