Lancashire Growth Hub Pulse | August 2026

10 positive economic takeaways for Lancashire from August  

Lancashire Growth Hub Pulse | August 2026

The Lancashire Growth Hub Pulse, written by Andrew Leeming, programme manager at Boost, is a summary of monthly intelligence gathered by the Growth Hub from private sector partners, local authorities, business support providers and universities. Alongside 40 UK Growth Hubs, this intelligence informs a national report shared with government and the wider Lancashire business support community.

August’s intelligence paints a picture of a Lancashire economy that remains resilient and ambitious, even as businesses continue to navigate cost pressures, skills shortages and wider uncertainty. Across the county, there are examples of major investment, regeneration progressing, businesses expanding internationally, new innovation activity and growing opportunities in some of Lancashire’s strongest sectors. 

Here are 10 positive economic takeaways from August.

1 | Major manufacturers are investing in Lancashire

One of August’s standout announcements was Mapei UK’s commitment of more than £40m to a new manufacturing and distribution hub at Frontier Park in Burnley. The development is another major vote of confidence in East Lancashire’s manufacturing base.

Frontier Park itself has now reached 93% occupancy, with around three-quarters of occupied space linked to manufacturing. Together, these are strong signals of demand for high-quality industrial space and Lancashire’s continued attractiveness as a location for manufacturing investment.

2 | Lancashire businesses are expanding beyond the county  

There were encouraging examples during August of Lancashire companies pursuing growth in new markets. Blackburn-headquartered, EG On The Move, completed the acquisition of 260 fuel retail sites in France, one of the county’s most significant international expansion stories of the month. 

Elsewhere, Lancashire businesses continue to explore overseas markets and exporters remain positive about the role international trade can play in future growth. 

It is a positive sign that, despite geopolitical uncertainty and changing trading conditions, Lancashire businesses have not stopped looking outward. 

3 | Aerospace and defence opportunities continue to build  

Lancashire’s aerospace, defence and advanced engineering base remains one of the county’s strongest long-term economic assets.

August intelligence from the North West Aerospace Alliance highlighted continued momentum around Future Combat Air, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing and increased SME participation in defence supply chains. July’s £708m investment in next-generation air combat technology remains particularly relevant, with around 600 British companies expected to benefit from the wider supply chain.

The Aerospace Technology Institute also reported £313m of joint government and industry investment during 2025/26 into aerospace research and innovation, including projects involving SMEs working in areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing and lower-emission technologies.

Lancashire is well placed to capitalise. 

4 | AI is firmly delivering in the workplace  

AI remains a recurring Growth Hub pulse theme and over the past 12 months, we have seen businesses move from AI pilots to practical applications that are improving productivity. 

Lancashire businesses are using AI for production planning, scheduling, documentation, engineering support, customer communications, reporting and administration. Feedback also points to a trend of businesses outside the technology sector using AI to free employees from routine tasks and move them into more valuable, customer-facing roles. 

5 | Lancashire’s innovation ecosystem is strengthening

There is growing evidence of new innovation infrastructure and partnerships developing around the county.

Burnley is progressing plans for a town-centre Innovation Hub, while Rossendale is set to gain a new digitally focused coworking space supported through Pride of Place funding.

Blackburn College has successfully participated in a multi-partner bid to develop a defence innovation-focused learning space, while Northern Reach is partnering with Lancaster University Management School to pilot a new Cyber Growth Lab.

These initiatives are helping to build stronger links between businesses, education, technology communities and innovation support.

6 | Regeneration and culture continue to create economic opportunity

Major regeneration projects across Lancashire continue to provide an important source of confidence and physical change. 

In Morecambe, progress towards the first phase of Eden Project Morecambe represents a major economic opportunity for Lancaster district and supply chains across the county. 

Preston’s regeneration programme also continues to move forward, including the Park Hotel redevelopment, while Amounderness House and Friargate North projects continue to make good progress. 

Meanwhile, Blackpool has become one of nine places to make the longlist for the UK City of Culture 2029. If successful, Blackpool would receive £10m to host a year-long celebration of arts and culture for local people to enjoy, as well as boosting the visitor economy and creating new jobs.

7 | Business confidence remains stronger than the headlines might suggest

August intelligence gives some encouraging indications that Lancashire businesses are continuing to look forward. Burnley’s 2026 Business Survey found that 73% of respondents rated their performance over the previous 12 months at seven out of ten or higher, while three-quarters expected performance to remain the same or improve over the following year.

More than half had introduced new products or services or diversified their operations, while 58% had invested in staff training and development. Almost four in ten businesses had increased their use of AI.

8 | Lancashire businesses continue to make the headlines   

August brought a steady flow of good news from individual businesses across the county.

Blackpool payments provider Tap & Go secured investment from fintech company Cashflows to support its future expansion. 

In Rossendale, manufacturer Melba Swintex opened a new 52,742 sq ft distribution facility at Ewood Bridge to increase warehousing capacity and support future growth. 

Preston-based Warden Construction also strengthened its skills pipeline, welcoming five new apprentices while five existing apprentices completed their qualifications. And in Ribble Valley, a Gisburn restaurant reported a 35% increase in turnover following recognition in the Good Food Guide. 

Different businesses, sectors and parts of Lancashire, but collectively they show companies continuing to invest, grow their teams and attract external investment. 

9 | Investment networks continue to grow

Access to equity funding remains difficult, particularly for early-stage companies, but Lancashire’s investment ecosystem continues to show signs of strength. Fhunded Angels reached the milestone of 50 angel investors during August. Fhunded has also been meeting Manchester-based funds to showcase Lancashire deal flow and has secured future collaboration activity with investors including Beringea, Ascension VC and Fuel Ventures.

That continuing engagement gives Lancashire founders more opportunities to build investor relationships and increase visibility beyond the county. 

10 | Businesses still want to connect, collaborate and grow 

More than 250 businesses were involved in the Ultimate Network event at Samlesbury, bringing together Lancashire’s chambers and wider business community. 

Morecambe businesses also voted to renew their Business Improvement District, signalling continued private-sector commitment to supporting the town centre. 

Boost itself dealt with more than 125 enquiries during the month, with 83% from businesses new to Boost. That appetite to seek advice, build relationships and pursue opportunities is an important measure of underlying business ambition.

August’s intelligence does not suggest Lancashire businesses are ignoring the challenges around them. Costs remain high, recruitment is difficult and uncertainty continues to affect investment decisions. 

But neither are businesses standing still.

We are seeing investment, international expansion, regeneration, innovation, practical adoption of AI and growing opportunities in sectors where Lancashire already has significant strengths.

There is a determination among Lancashire businesses to keep moving forward, even if they are doing so more selectively and carefully than in previous years.

Boost is Lancashire’s business support service. We’re here to help. 

Running a business is a journey and, no matter what stage you are at, there is support available. Our funded service is designed to help Lancashire businesses find and access the right support. 

The Boost website features a comprehensive Business Support Finder, a dedicated Business Support Helpdesk, the latest events from across Lancashire, and useful insights to help business owners move forward.

If you are new to Boost, visit our website to find out more. If you are already familiar with Boost, keep checking our website for fresh content and information on new support.

Thank you for reading.

👉 www.boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk