Making sure Pendle businesses get the support they need

The area's leading providers came together to explore ways to do this at a business lunch on Friday February 12.

They met at the Enterprise Centre - the top two floors of the £6.5m Arts, Culture and Enterprise (ACE) Centre in Cross Street .

Councillor Allan Buck who leads on Pendle's Economic Development and organised the meeting explained:

"There's lots of help and support for businesses in Pendle but it's not always obvious where to find it.

"We're keen to make it easier to access training, mentoring, capital grants and business premises."

The meeting was hosted by Hamill Investments Ltd, which manages the state-of-the-art office space on behalf of Pendle Enterprise and Regeneration Ltd (PEARL).

The Enterprise Centre has 32 managed workspaces of varying sizes which are of the highest quality, light, airy and spacious.

The offices have relaxed lease arrangements and the rent is subsidised - just one example of the support local businesses can tap into.

Hamill was joined by representatives from Business Link; Pennine Lancashire Enterprise Trust; Community & Business Partners; Colne Commercial Centre; Enterprising Pendle; Pendle Council's Economic Development team, Stephen Barnes, Pendle Council's Chief Executive and Councillor Allan Buck.

Chris Neill , Managing Director of Hamill Investments Ltd, said: "It was good to bring everyone together to see how we could help Pendle companies to grow and make it easier for anyone who wants to start their own business.

"There's a wide range of options for business support and accommodation within Pendle and we want to make sure that businesses and start-ups know about it all."

For more information log on to http://www.pendle.gov.uk/

For information about office space at the ACE Centre contact Hamill Investments Ltd on (01204) 498 040.