North West architects set for growth with £100k funding

A Preston-based firm of architects has secured a £100,000 finance package from Lancashire’s Rosebud Fund to help it take advantage of an upturn in the property market.

The firm has seen turnover grow since the property downturn in 2008 and has taken on two new architects in the past nine months.

The funding will support investment in hardware and software to further enhance its 3D modelling capabilities, which are increasingly important to both private and public sector clients planning major construction projects.

Established in 1991 by Andrew Kirkham and Peter Miller, MCK Associates carries out large-scale projects for major housebuilders throughout the North of England as well ascommercial property work.

Among its public sector clients it has recently been appointed by Lancashire County Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership to carry out master planning for the Enterprise Zone at Samlesbury and Warton, and is also involved in projects for Training2000 and UCLAN.

Paul Taberner of Enterprise Ventures, which manages the Rosebud Fund, said: “It is encouraging to see signs of economic recovery, and activity in the housebuilding market in particular is clearly increasing. Given its reputation for innovative, environmentally sensitive design and its experience in working with major developers, MCK is well positioned to take advantage of this upturn.”

Rosebud is a finance package supporting Lancashire firms to grow and expand their business. The scheme is managed by Enterprise Ventures, on behalf of Lancashire County Developments Ltd (LCDL) - the county council’s economic development company.

Rosebud supports growing businesses in the following sectors - aerospace, advanced manufacturing, creative & digital, energy & environment and finance & professional.

County Councillor Niki Penney, Chair of LCDL, said: “Rosebud’s support for MCK will help themto develop and grow in the future, by helping with the costs of new equipment and investment in staff.

“Their work will also contribute to large scale projects, such as the Enterprise Zone, that will bring other benefits in the county by helping to unlock Lancashire’s economic potential.”