LEP chairman discusses job creation and initiatives in Lancashire

The chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Edwin Booth, has shed light on the organisation’s progress with its various initiatives, which look set to create thousands of jobs.

Edwin took the opportunity to discuss the initiatives with Andy Walker, the head of business growth and innovation for Lancashire County Council’s Economic Development Service, at an event in Preston last week (July 8).

They talked about the Lancashire growth deal, a £250m programme launched to create up to 5,000 jobs and safeguard 3,000 more over the next six years, as well as deliver as many as 5,500 new homes.

Additionally, Edwin and Andy discussed Boost Lancashire, which was launched two years ago to provide a single access point for SMEs requiring business support. So far, the scheme has brought £10m (gross value added) to the region’s economy. It will continue for a further three years, with another £8m already committed to help enterprises unlock growth.

Edwin said: “We’ve made significant progress over the past four years and have laid excellent foundations to continue this. We have demonstrated to our partners and government that we can deliver projects that produce tangible economic benefits, which has given us real credibility for future initiatives.

“The LEP has built a strong partnership across both public and private sector bodies and has a strong and experienced board, which again gives us a great foundation for further growth.”

He added: “One area we aim to improve on is our communication with the business community. We haven’t really shared our successes and we have put plans in place to engage with the SME community in particular and create open dialogue with this crucial growth element of our local economy.”

The speakers also brought attention to the sites being developed at Samlesbury and Warton, which it is hoped will create 6,000 jobs over the next 25 years.

Part of the day’s debate likewise covered the Northern Powerhouse, and Edwin talked about establishing a board that would hold direct discussions with the government, as well as broadening the initiative’s reach to northern spots like Liverpool, Carlisle, Leeds and Hull.

Held at Preston’s Tickled Trout hotel, the ICAEW Chartered Accountants North West-hosted event was attended by dozens of professionals from across the country.