Lancashire Growth Hub Pulse | September 2026

Changing seasons: How Lancashire businesses are leading in a shifting economic landscape

Lancashire Growth Hub Pulse | September 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 37 UK Growth Hubs, this intelligence informs a national report shared with government and the wider Lancashire business support community.

As summer makes way for autumn, change is in the air across Lancashire's business community. Beyond the changing seasons, businesses are dealing with plenty of change of their own. Rising costs, recruitment challenges and economic uncertainty remain familiar concerns, but there are also opportunities emerging in technology, investment and new markets. September's intelligence gathered by Boost, Lancashire's Business Growth Hub, shows a county that remains ambitious, even if businesses are having to work harder to turn that ambition into growth. 

While some are understandably cautious, others are leading the way, investing in their people, developing new products and finding better ways of working.

Here are some of the stories and trends from September that show how Lancashire businesses are leading through change. 

Leading the way in business growth 

September brought more good news from Lancashire businesses investing and growing, both here in the county and further afield.

Chorley-based fulfilmentcrowd reported a 19% increase in EBITDA to £3.7m, on annual revenues of £23.7m. Transaction volumes increased by 25%, with international expansion contributing to strong performance in Europe and the United States. Overseas operations now account for almost 39% of the company's revenues.

Meanwhile, Lancashire-based Len Wright Salads secured a landmark 10-year agreement worth £250m with Asda, building on a relationship stretching back more than 35 years. The deal gives the business long-term security and the confidence to invest further.

In Darwen, Hakim Group, which operates almost 600 independent optical and hearing care practices, was recognised in Deloitte's UK Best Managed Companies 2026 Awards.

Three very different businesses, but all good examples of Lancashire companies getting things right, investing for the future and showing what's possible.

Changing how businesses work 

Artificial intelligence continues to feature heavily in our monthly intelligence, and September was no exception. What we're increasingly hearing is that businesses want to know how AI can actually help them. Where can it save time? Where can it reduce costs? And where can it make a real difference to the bottom line?

There are some good Lancashire examples of businesses putting new technology to work.

Clitheroe-based YUDU Sentinel secured £295,000 of Innovate UK funding to develop AI-assisted technology that helps organisations respond to cyber incidents when their normal IT systems are unavailable.

A new partnership between Edge Hill University and Lancashire IT specialist Seriun aims to help around 120 businesses and 200 students each year improve their understanding and use of AI.

And East Lancashire software business NoralIQ launched a new digital platform to help tradespeople and contractors manage jobs, paperwork and customer information more efficiently.

However, feedback from some of our manufacturing partners shows that not everyone is moving at the same pace. Concerns about costs, security and whether the investment will pay off are still holding some businesses back.

That's understandable. Technology has to earn its keep, especially when margins are tight.

Leadership in changing times 

Another familiar message from our September intelligence is the pressure being felt by those people owning and running businesses. Many aren't short of ideas or opportunities. They're short of time, experienced people and the capacity to make things happen.

Turnkey Corporate highlighted how owners and directors are often still involved in too many day-to-day decisions. It means they have less time to work on the business, develop their teams or pursue new customers.

We're also hearing that recruitment challenges aren't always down to a lack of people. It's often about finding people with the right skills and experience, particularly supervisors, middle managers and those with technical expertise.

There are some encouraging examples of businesses and education providers tackling this.

The University of Lancashire reported a successful September apprenticeship intake, alongside strong employer interest in training and workforce development.

Blackburn and Bury-based PM+M also welcomed nine new trainees, while independent law firm Brabners, which has a Lancashire office, has launched a new partnership with the Aldridge Foundation, which has strong links to Lancashire through its schools in Blackburn with Darwen, including Darwen Aldridge Community Academy. The initiative aims to connect young people with employers through mentoring, work experience and career opportunities.

For me, the message is clear. Businesses can invest in all the technology they like, but having the right people, with the right skills and confidence to lead, remains just as important.

Changing places

Our towns and cities are changing too. In Preston, work continues on the £10m transformation of Amounderness House, which will provide 26 offices, four studios and meeting and event space when completed in summer 2027.

Improvement works are also progressing around Friargate South, while Virgin Wines has taken 82,000 sq ft at APTUS, adding to the city's growing industrial and logistics offer.

In Hyndburn, work continues on the transformation of Accrington Market and new managed workspace.

Leyland is also making progress on its £34m Town Deal regeneration programme, which is transforming the heart of the town centre. The scheme includes new homes and public spaces, a refurbished market, new commercial buildings and major improvements to Hough Lane. 

The Quin Street housing phase is due for completion in autumn this year, with the market, commercial buildings and Hough Lane improvements scheduled for autumn 2027.

And there was more positive news for East Lancashire manufacturing, with Clayton Park Bakery receiving approval for an expansion expected to create around 60 jobs.

As well as improving our towns and creating better places to live and work, these schemes bring opportunities for local suppliers, contractors and other businesses.

Leading through collaboration 

One thing that comes through time and again in our intelligence is the value of businesses and organisations working together. 

Lancashire has some outstanding companies, universities, colleges and specialist organisations. The opportunity is to make more of those connections. 

Innovate Lancashire reported promising discussions involving Myerscough College, the University of Lancashire and industry partners around a potential DEFRA-funded project exploring how drones and digital technology could help farmers.

The idea is to bring together expertise from farming, research and technology to tackle practical challenges around biodiversity, water management and animal welfare.

Our aerospace and defence industries also have plenty to be positive about, with major investment in new technologies and advanced manufacturing.

But the North West Aerospace Alliance has raised an important point. While there are big opportunities on the horizon, smaller businesses are still finding it difficult to turn investment announcements into actual orders and contracts.

Greater collaboration between major manufacturers, smaller suppliers, universities and support organisations could help bridge that gap.

We have much of the expertise here in Lancashire. The challenge is making sure more businesses get the chance to benefit from it.

Confidence in a changing economy

Of course, it would be wrong to suggest everything is positive. Rising wage bills, energy costs and business rates continue to put pressure on profits. Cashflow is tight for many businesses, and customers are taking longer to make decisions. Retail, hospitality and tourism businesses are also seeing the effect of people having less money to spend.

But there's plenty to be encouraged about too. Figures released in late September show Lancashire's economy was worth an estimated £43.2bn in 2024, growing by 4.3%, ahead of inflation. 

September also saw more than 1,000 people come together at Blackpool Tower Ballroom for the BIBAs, celebrating some of Lancashire's best businesses.

And here at Boost, our Helpdesk dealt with more than 149 enquiries during September, with 81% coming from businesses new to us. That tells us there are still plenty of people looking to start businesses, solve problems and find ways to grow.

As we move towards the end of 2026, I think the message from September is an encouraging one.

The challenges aren't going away overnight, and businesses are rightly careful about where they spend their money.

But across Lancashire we're seeing companies invest, develop their people, try new technologies and find new customers. We're also seeing our towns change and organisations working together to bring forward new ideas.

Change is inevitable in business. What matters is being prepared for it, making the most of the opportunities it brings and, where possible, being the one leading it.

Boost: Lancashire's business support service for changing times

Business is, and always will be, subject to change. But no matter what direction your business is heading, 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, have a look around our website to find out more. If you are already familiar with Boost, keep an eye out for fresh content and information on new support.

Thank you for reading.