New help for Blackpool businesses to access growth money

A new way for businesses and charities across the Fylde Coast to access finance has launched in Blackpool.

Business Funding Blackpool – Funding the Fylde Coast, which has opened in the heart of the town, has access to £3 million that has been made available in the North West through its umbrella company, Business Finance North West.

Business Funding Blackpool – Funding the Fylde Coast was encouraged to set up on the Fylde Coast by Business in the Community’s Blackpool Pride of Place Partnership,[1] with the support of one of its Board members, Lloyds Banking Group. This initiative will make it more attractive for people to bring their business ideas to the town, with start-ups and scale-ups now having better access to finance.  

Business Finance North West supports small businesses, entrepreneurs, and social enterprises to access the funding they need to start, grow, and create jobs. The community loans will support local firms that have been overlooked when trying to access money and funding. 

Today, business and charity leaders from across the Fylde Coast convened in Blackpool Tower Ballroom to hear how this new funding opportunity will help drive growth, support entrepreneurship, unlock opportunities for the local economy, and increase social impact. Network leaders from Pink Link, Blackpool Business Leadership Group, Federation of Small Business, Blackpool’s voluntary sector, North and Western Chamber of Commerce, Blackpool Council’s Blackpool Unlimited service, and The Fylde Coast Responsible Business Network also collectively helped to encourage Business Finance North West to expand its operations to Blackpool.  

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, said: “We have some fantastic businesses in Blackpool that we want to grow so they can hire more people and help us make Blackpool better. “The council supports start up loans for new businesses and offers net zero and growth advice, but this fills a vital funding gap that will allow companies to finance expansion in a way that is affordable, and not reliant on bidding to big banks.”