InBusiness Burnley - Issue 20, November 2022

Aerospace company flying the flag for Net Zero pg20 The building of Burnley Place brand pg43

Hycrome’s record intake of apprentices pg6

InBusinessBurnley

EXPECT MORE “ “ MORE

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Welcome from the Editor

Being born and bred in Burnley I am thrilled to have taken up the post of editor of InBusiness Burnley magazine. Despite having lived in the borough most of my life I feel like I’ve learnt so much about the businesses, right here on our doorstep, that are thriving not just locally but across the globe.

Which leads me on to the In Focus section of the magazine – placing Burnley on the map. From the football club’s viral signing announcements to the award-winning Process Instruments who distribute the products they manufacture worldwide – Burnley is definitely going global!

In this issue we’ve also delved into the history of the place brand and why our Burnley Bondholders play such a vital role in spreading the word about Brilliant Burnley.

Ambition is something we’re not short of in Burnley and there’s plenty of examples of this to inspire you throughout the magazine. From Haffner’s Pies’ new ownership to a change of premise for Ellis’s and of course Crow Wood Hotel and Spa’s expansion plans, which you’ve had a glimpse of on our front cover.

And on the theme of inspiration, Eric Wright Group is running a series of talks and site visits of Pioneer Place to inspire the next generation of talent. We went along on a very rainy day to find out more!

With so much to celebrate in Burnley we couldn’t go without marking the amazing Burnley Business Awards 2022. Back after a three-year hiatus the awards were a great chance to get back together and celebrate our local businesses. Turn to the back of the magazine for an awards special where you can see all our winners.

As we mention in our place brand feature, we believe we are stronger together so please follow Burnley.co.uk on all our social media channels, and like and share our posts. As we can only cover a fraction of the good news stories in the magazine this is also where you’ll be able to read more success stories from our Burnley businesses.

If growing your business within our borough is something you are interested in why not get in touch with our Business Support Team to find out how they can help. You can contact them at info@burnley.co.uk and you can find out more online – burnley.co.uk/work-invest

And finally, if you have any feedback about the magazine or ideas of what you’d like to see in the future, I’d love you to get in touch.

McGee Editor

kmcgee@burnley.gov.uk

design by: creative-council.net

Katie

From Barcelona to Burnley

Set up four years ago Miro Products, based at Vision Park next to Burnley College, is proudly flying the borough’s flag, with the business doubling its growth year on year.

“We’re Hapton lads, Burnley FC season ticket holders and we’re proud to have the business in the borough.” These were the words from director Ryan Strange.

“We have a huge customer base right across the UK, as well as local partners such as Clearly Interiors and Stuart Frazer,” Ryan explains.

Set up by Ryan’s fellow director Liam Lord in 2018, Miro are specialists in kitchen extraction, importing most of its cooker hoods (surface, island, ceiling, wall and canopy!) from Barcelona, where it has sole distribution rights with the manufacturer. They supply their products to independent kitchen retailers in all corners of the UK.

Miro was the brainchild of Liam, who

used to work at a similar company but saw a way he could do things better.

The appliance industry is a competitive market, however Liam identified a manufacturer who could produce what others couldn’t. With the growing number of families in the UK making their kitchen the heart of their home and a place to entertain and get together, Miro’s extensive product portfolio includes a fantastic selection of high quality, stylish cooker hoods that are powerful but also quiet. This makes them especially ideal for open plan kitchen living.

Liam explains: “Customers specify Miro because we are extraction specialists. We don’t sell ovens, fridges etc. Open plan kitchens need powerful, quiet cooker hoods. We tick these boxes in addition to supplying quality products and service.”

But after spending £30,000 to exhibit at a giant trade show at Birmingham NEC at the

start of 2020, Miro Products ran into a major hurdle – COVID. This meant they couldn’t get out and visit the new contacts they’d made.

Ryan explains: “We could see things were closing up and supplies would be affected. So, we took a huge risk and ploughed all the money we could into buying as much stock as possible and bringing it to Burnley asap. The risk paid off. Some of the larger appliance brands were struggling with meeting customer demand, but with us being smaller, we had plenty for our clients. And, of course, with everyone at home, many people renovated their homes and bought new kitchens, so our products were selling fast.”

It’s a fantastic story and yet again shows how fast thinking and resilient our Burnley businesses are.

You can read more about Miro’s story on Burnley.co.uk

Apprenticeship joy for trio with new positions at Budweiser and Themis at Burnley College

Three brand new Themis apprentices have secured highly sought-after engineering roles with one of the biggest global names in brewing.

The apprenticeships at In Bev Ltd, the cutting-edge global brewing giant’s £115 million Samlesbury facility, have been the most in-demand roles Themis have ever offered and saw a record number of high-quality CVs flood in from across Lancashire. It’s part of an exclusive deal between Budweiser and Burnley College.

The three successful applicants, range from 16-23 years old; Callum Hamilton, Kian Lynch and Harrison Lyons.

Kian, 16, says he’s really excited to get to work:

“Budweiser is such a huge global company it’s so exciting to be able to go and work with them.

“I’ve always wanted to be an engineer or work in a similar field. I really enjoy problem solving and this is the perfect career for that.”

Themis at Burnley College is one of the North West’s leading apprenticeship training providers, delivering expert-led training in a range of industry areas.

Talking about the partnership with Budweiser Hannah Cutler, head of apprenticeships at Themis says:

“At Themis, we pride ourselves on our links with industry and we’re honoured to be working alongside such a prestigious company.

“It ensures we can equip all of our apprentices with the most relevant skills, the latest industry knowledge and demonstrates we can offer the best opportunities with the biggest names in manufacturing.”

success

Earlier this year Georgina Nelthorpe, took home bronze for Team England’s wrestling team at the Commonwealth Games 2022.

Georgina, who works as a warehouse customer service manager for the Burnley-based warehouse and distribution company, Fagan & Whalley, beat Sierra Leone’s Madsu Koroma in the women’s 76kg freestyle event in less than thirty seconds!

Georgina fell in love with wrestling while living in Canada for nine years, where she was encouraged to take up the sport by her school teachers. When she moved back to the North West in 2016, she pursued the sport at local clubs, with dreams of representing her country nationally.

It didn’t take long for her dreams to come true, as Nelthorpe won her first bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games before being the only person in England to be awarded a medal at the European Wrestling U23 championships in 2019.

Her success in this year’s 2022 Commonwealth Games comes as no surprise to those closest

to her, who witness the hard work and determination she puts into training on a daily basis.

“The pride I feel having won a bronze medal for the England team is unreal,” says Georgina, “The whole experience was overwhelming; I couldn’t believe I’d beat my opponent so quickly, but at the same time, my goal was to go for the gold medal, so it’s all mixed emotions!”

“Nevertheless, I’m exceptionally proud of my accomplishment, and I’m excited to continue training. I train every day, on and off the mat, with a minimum of two hours a day, four days a week on the mat, and the rest of the time in the gym.”

Discussing what’s next on the agenda for her wrestling goals, Georgina explains, “Since day one, I’ve always said I wanted to be an Olympian and bring home the gold medal for England, so I’ve got my eyes set on the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris!”

Congratulations Georgina, and good luck with achieving your next goal!

Fagan & Whalley employee’s Commonwealth Games

Warburtons keep it in the family with appointment of managing director

Jonathan Warburton, the chair of Britain’s biggest bakery brand has stepped into the role of managing director.

The move follows the departure of current MD Neil Campbell who is leaving the business after nine years at the helm. Jonathan has previously held the role of joint MD and commercial director, while cousin Brett took over as MD in 2001.

As well as working hard behind the scenes Jonathan is also a regular feature in the company’s television adverts, starring

alongside Peter Kay, Sylvester Stallone and Kermit the Frog. The most recent campaign saw Jonathan ignoring a call from Hollywood actor George Clooney so that he can enjoy a hot buttered slice of Warburton’s.

Jonathan, alongside his cousins Brett and Ross, are part of the fifth generation at the family bakery, taking control in 1991 following the retirement of their fathers. The company, which carried out a £20 million expansion on its Burnley site in 2015, will be marking its 150th anniversary in 2026.

Hycrome’s record intake of apprentices

Hycrome Aerospace Ltd have a history of taking on apprentices and this year is no exception with nine new apprentices joining the company.

The apprentices are working across various disciplines; project management, human resources, advanced manufacturing and laboratory/materials science technician. This decision to move from working solely with traditional engineering apprentices reflects the company’s evolution.

Stephen Kelly, operations director, explains: “As the business grows, we need to broaden our skill base, which is why we feel it’s so important to have apprentices across the different aspects of our company. Hycrome was established 75 years ago and developed into a specialised protective

coating business working primarily with chrome plating, but this is no longer the case and over the last 25 that we have been based in Burnley we have evolved away from this process and we are constantly looking at using new innovative methods to deliver our products. This means that we need our apprentices to be skilled not just in manufacturing but also in robotics, automation and other modern technologies.”

Hycrome’s commitment to supporting apprentices meant that they were still able to take them on during the COVID pandemic. But why is the company so committed?

Stephen says: “Supporting apprentices has always been important to the company, our own managing director Andrew Bailey started here as an apprentice

40 years ago, which just shows the opportunities that an apprenticeship can unlock. We find that the transferable skills that apprentices gain during their time with us gives them a fantastic base for progressing within the company as well as working across other sectors.

“As members of the Burnley College Engineering Advisory Board for many years we have developed close links with the college and their staff so that we can work together to provide young people with great opportunities in a thriving industry sector.”

This year the company have already seen six apprentices graduate, while four others are currently studying degree apprenticeships.

VISIT BURNLEY MECHANICS THEATRE

Burnley Mechanics Theatre is a modern, multipurpose venue offering impressive performance spaces, state-of-the art technical facilities and several comfortable and relaxing spaces to drink and dine.

Hosting some of the finest talent ranging from Sir Ian McKellen, The Osmonds, John Bishop, Alan Carr, Martin Kemp, the stars of Strictly Come Dancing and our fabulous local societies, Burnley Light Opera and Burnley Pantomime Society.

Burnley Mechanics Theatre is also home to 1855 Bistro & Bar, serving a menu of British staples with some modern twists. Split across the modern Front Room and more intimate Lounge Bar, the 1855 Bistro & Bar is open during the week serving lunchtime favourites as well as two hours prior to most theatre performance, creating the ultimate pre-theatre dining experience.

Marketing agency moves to house growing team

With their business growing and new members joining the team, marketing agency Root Fifty-Two have moved offices.

The team are passionate about building relationships with their clients and feel that their new home at 7 Slater Terrace, Burnley, will be the perfect place to collaborate from.

Managing director Kimberley Thompson explains: “With our team growing to 13 and business doing well, we felt it was the right time to move. The office is a fantastic space for the team to work in, and the new surroundings have helped us to get even more creative.”

One new team member, who is no stranger to the business, is Kimberley’s husband, Barrie. As the business had grown so much over the last few years, the couple felt it was time that it required both of their full-time efforts. So in January 2022, Barrie joined the team as a Root Fifty-Two director, leaving behind a 20-year career within the automotive industry. His new role sees him travelling up and down the country, getting stuck into networking events, and building connections with other businesses across Lancashire.

The team has also recently welcomed talented graphic designer, Molly - who works alongside creative lead, Michael, to produce visually stunning logos, branding,

website design and brochures.

Meanwhile, in July, skilled in-house copywriter, Izzy, joined the team. Izzy’s role consists of creating and capturing a brand voice, to generate engaging content that really shouts about a business and sells their services.

However, it’s the digital marketing team, in particular, that is really stealing the show at Root Fifty-Two. Now consisting of Harriet, Olivia, and their newest digital marketing apprentice - Ellie, and new employee Alex - they’ve never been busier!

Whether it’s driving traffic to client websites, increasing brand awareness through Pay Per Click (PPC), emailing marketing or managing social media platforms, the Root Fifty-Two digital team are always excited to get out the drawing board and begin generating new ideas for their clients.

“The team have loved getting stuck into decorating our new office space - with big plans for what we can do next! But despite changing our location, our values remain the same,” says Kimberley. “As always, we are committed to helping our clients bring their brand vision to life, with honesty and transparency at the heart of everything we do.”

Our creative and marketing agency is an inspired collective of graphic designers, web developers and digital marketers based in Burnley.

To many of our clients, we are seen as the creative and marketing extension of their own team, allowing us to build strong relationships and bring a fresh perspective.

96% of businesses believe that breakthrough creative ideas are more likely to come from an external agency than from within their own organisation*.

UPHOLSTERY FIRM’S MOBILE SERVICES EXPANDING OVERSEAS

From one man in a van a year ago to a team of 20, and growing, Upholstery2u Ltd is now expanding its services with their first overseas van based in Germany.

The mobile van will initially be based in Munich after the company were asked by one of their corporate clients to help with their demand across Europe. From here the company will be looking at expanding further into Ireland, Holland and further afield.

Upholstery2u was set up by Daniel Boyle, who spotted a gap

in the upholstery repairs market.

Daniel explains: “As a gym fanatic I realised how frustrating it was for the business and the customer when equipment was out of service for weeks on end, waiting to be taken away for repairs. I started travelling to gyms around the country repairing equipment, but I realised that there were other industries that would benefit from on-site repairs. While it might be annoying to have a gym bench out of action, for items like hospital beds the need for quick repairs is vital.”

Having items repaired onsite also helps to cut down on unnecessary waste, something companies will be keen to do as they try to be more environmentally and financially sustainable. Repairs can be done and items back in use in as quick as 30 minutes.

“Our vans are fully-fitted workshops and the staff we hire are trained in all aspects of repairs from the mechanical side of taking apart equipment to the upholstery and refitting. This means that items can be repaired

on site with very little disruption to the business,” Daniel says.

For those not needing repairs done as urgently the team can complete the repairs back at their base at Northlight, Pendle.

It’s been a great year for the business with clients such as Crow Wood, JD Gyms, Holiday Inn and an NHS preferred supplier approval added to their impressive success story, as well as the new van in Germany and an expected turnover of £1 million in their first year.

Herb pillow inspires new Burnley gin

In Burnley we are lucky to be surrounded by so much history and now one piece of that has been used to inspire Batch Distillery’s latest gin.

The Burnley company was inspired by an Elizabethan Herb Pillow from the 1500s, which is part of the Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, held at Gawthorpe Hall. The Herb Pillow gin is now on sale via the Batch website, www.batchdistillery.co.uk/product/herb-pillow-gin, and £5 from each bottle sold will be donated to the charity.

Herb pillows were designed to hold a selection of fragrant herbs and dried flowers which when taken to bed could help with sleeplessness. They could also be used to fragrance or to keep away insects from clothes in drawers.

Rachel Midgley, Gawthorpe Textiles Collection curator, said: “This embroidered pillow is one of the earliest pieces in the collection, worked in silk and metal purl on linen with spangles and metal lace edging. It’s not known who stitched this piece, though it is one of two items in the collection potentially connected to the court of Queen Elizabeth I. The design features traditional British wildflowers such as daffodil, honeysuckle, columbine, pink and pea pods, as well as bird, butterfly, snail and caterpillar. The Batch team were really excited about using the pillow as inspiration for a new gin flavour and we couldn’t be happier with the result.”

a

of

“We

and see all of the amazing

right

on our doorstep. We were immediately drawn to the herb pillow and inspired by its bright wildflowers and fragrant herbs. As well as a combination of floral botanicals, distiller, Ryan wanted to use hops – typically found in herb pillows, as he knew it would add a depth to the gin and focus in on the citrusy orange and lemon he had chosen. The result is a light, refreshing gin full of vibrant notes.”

To help tell the story behind the inspiration for the gin four labels have been created, designer Lady Jane explains:

“It was so important to be able to capture the wildlife and intricate details of the herb pillow and we knew a single design wouldn’t do this artwork justice. I wanted people to see the beautiful detail of the embroidery, so I decided to produce four labels, focusing on the different creatures and flowers. It was a pleasure to have such a stunning piece of art to use for the label.”

Gawthorpe Textiles Collection is the operating name of independent museum and registered charity The Rachel KayShuttleworth Textile Collections. You can find out more on the website: www.gawthorpetextiles.org.uk

Phil Whitwell, a director at Batch, said:

were delighted to take

tour

the collection with Rachel and charity fundraiser Christina Cope

textiles

here

197 Bistro & Bar at towneley golf course

Bistro & Bar at mechanics theatre 1955 Kitchen & Bar at prairie sports village

Feature : Haffner’s buyout

Burnley institution continues to grow under new ownership

The co-founder of Businesswise Solutions, a Burnley Bondholder, has purchased the iconic Haffner’s Pies with his brother.

Dean Cockett, who co-founded Businesswise Solutions, the energy management company, has bought Haffner’s with his brother Ted – and he’s exclusively revealed to us some exciting new developments.

Dean told us: “I am delighted we’ve been able to get this deal over the line, it is a Burnley institution so to keep the ownership locally will no doubt be a relief to many. Haffner’s has been trading in Burnley since 1889 with an extremely loyal customer base. We can’t wait to get cracking!

“I’m still as committed as ever to Businesswise Solutions, it’s been my life for the last 12 years. My brother Ted will look after the day-to-day running of Haffner’s, which includes the butchers on Kierby Walk. He takes the role of managing director and has already been rolling his sleeves up for the last four months so as to understand each and every process within the organisation.

“It’s been fantastic to see the reaction to the news, and I’d like to thank everyone for their support.”

Co-owner Ted adds:

“The short-term goal for Haffner’s is very much natural growth. The long term is to take the Haffner’s brand across the UK, building on our current delivery routes and making relationships with local businesses. The main thing for us is to keep the USP of Haffner’s front and centre - quality produce. Check out our Instagram pages to see our new specials, sausages and burgers - we’d like to win awards for the quality of our produce.

I am extremely proud to be the joint owner of Haffner’s. A brand synonymous with Burnley. A family tradition, that our family want to do proud.”

The pair and the Haffner’s team have been busy. Dean exclusively revealed to us that they have employed a new full-time butcher and a new pie delivery driver, with two new delivery vehicles about to be launched.

During August and September, production has been maxed out at 10,000 pies per week – and Dean believes the fact that the pies are a high-quality but affordable meal is potentially one reason why they’ve had a surge in popularity, especially in light of cost-of-living concerns. As such, production hours have been extended to cope with demand.

Another development is that Haffner’s Pies ‘food-on-the-go’ van will soon hit the road to deliver pies to companies in and around Burnley, fresh out of the oven.

The news that Haffner’s was up for sale sent shockwaves across the borough when it was announced, but we’re delighted to hear that significant investment has already been made by the brothers for new equipment, as well as the promise that recipes and staff will be protected.

Keep up to date with the company’s news on their new Instagram accounts @haffnersbutchersburnley and @HaffnersPies.

expansion

Exciting £12m plans for awardwinning resort

Over the last 20 years, Crow Wood Hotel and Spa Resort has become a gem in the heart of Burnley. But owner, Andrew Brown, isn’t resting on his laurels and is set to add to the award-winning resort, with gym renovation, new state-of-the-art kitchen at Bertram’s restaurant and plans to extend the facilities at the Woodland Spa in the pipeline.

Phase one of the developments will see the gym updated with new zen studio, spinning studio with high-tech video screen and new waiting area for the Woodland Spa. So, whether you want a relaxing yoga session in the new zen studio or burn off some energy on the spin bikes, there will be something to suit everyone. This will no doubt delight loyal customers as well as attracting new visitors who are looking to exercise in style.

Anyone who has been lucky enough to visit the Woodland Spa will know it’s a real haven of tranquillity. With circa 47,000 visitors through the spa doors each year and winner of several national awards, including Good Spa Guide Best UK Spa Hotel 2022, the spa is already hugely popular. The second phase of work, due to start in 2023, will see this area expanded to include a new vitality pool and water features, experiential spa and treatment spaces, a new rooftop terrace with an infinity pool and a redesigned restaurant.

The multi-award-winning restaurant is to benefit from a brand-new state-of-the-art kitchen which will have a larger area and improved workflow design. Similarly, the restaurant floor will also be bigger to accommodate a larger footfall whilst the design

will ensure an intimate feel, wherever you are seated with lots of unique features.

Crow Wood will once again be working with ICA, an architecture and interior design studio that worked on the hotel prior to its opening in October 2019. With 76 luxurious bedrooms and suites as well as wedding and conferencing facilities the hotel has become an impressive addition to Crow Wood’s offering. Back in 2019 our Burnley Bondholders were lucky to be some of the first people through the doors at an exclusive event, and will no doubt be looking forward to seeing the new developments across the site.

Speaking about their development plans owner and managing director Andrew Brown said: “Although it’s been a difficult time for businesses, recovering from the pandemic and coping with the cost-of living crisis we simply can’t sit still in our industry. It’s a challenging time, but we are excited to move forward with our plans, which will not only benefit our customers, but will also boost our local economy and further strengthen Burnley’s reputation as an attractive place to visit.”

Safran flying the flag for Net Zero

Environmental issues are a hot topic at the moment, but it’s not just a passing phase, with the government calling on all businesses to play their part in the journey to net zero. While the aerospace industry isn’t one you would naturally associate with being green, Safran Nacelles holds its mission of contributing to safer and more sustainable aviation at the heart of everything it does. We went to the company’s impressive site in Burnley, which covers 48,000 sq.m, to learn more about their partnership with fellow Burnley company Businesswise Solutions.

The Burnley site of Safran Nacelles aims to reduce carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2025, a massive reduction of 10,000 tonnes of CO2. It was no surprise then to hear that the company had called upon Businesswise Solutions, which has grown to be one of the most trusted energy management companies in the UK, to help.

Based at The Energy Centre on the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate in Brierfield, Businesswise Solutions is an energy management consultancy specialising in supporting energy-intensive businesses. The company, set up 12 years ago, has expert staff that help businesses through energy procurement and management, using hardware and software to provide solutions.

Safran Nacelles began working with Businesswise

back in 2021 and since then has made several adaptions to the way they work. Brian Windle, facilities and capital assets manager, explains more about the partnership.

“Aviation and low carbon aren’t necessarily subjects that go hand in hand, but for those in the industry, this is changing rapidly. At Safran Nacelles, we are committed to reducing the carbon generated by both the products we sell and the carbon emitted during the manufacturing process.”

“Reducing our energy is something we’ve always strived to do and has been our main objective in the last months. When we heard from Businesswise about the support they could offer, we felt that this would help us move forward in our journey to net zero.”

Getting started

One of the first things Businesswise did was to apply wireless trackers to monitor how much energy was being used by Safran Nacelles’ assets at different times. The specialist engineers review the data at Businesswise and Safran Nacelles and then investigate what it means and what changes can be made.

This support gave the Safran Nacelles’ team an insight into which areas they should focus on to have the most impact. It became clear that some areas had relatively low but consistent energy usage, while others would have big peaks and troughs. They made several adaptations, including scheduling work over a shorter working week and shortening the time between shifts to reduce the downtime of assets (which must remain on during handovers).

Switch it off campaign

The data from Businesswise showed that a third of energy wasted was through assets not being turned off. This prompted a campaign to remind staff of the importance of turning off lights and equipment when not in use, with signage on display across the site. By 2023, 90 per cent of the site’s lighting will be on LED technology with occupancy sensors to ensure it only turns on when the area is in use.

Small changes

Across the site are three clean rooms, which are energy intensive as they have very specific conditions to meet. Safran Nacelles found that they were controlling the humidity of the rooms because they could, not because they needed to. Rather than controlling the humidity, they now monitor it and de-humidify if required. They also found they could safely decrease the temperature of the rooms by one degree. These small changes will save 40 tonnes of CO2 a year.

Renewable energy generation

A decision has been made to install canopies over the car park, which covers approximately 5,650 sq m. Once installed, these will provide 14 per cent of the site’s electrical demand. A study was also made to install solar panels on the roof of the building. However, it was established that the roof wasn’t strong enough.

Educating staff

Of course, however insightful the data is, staff must be fully on board for change to happen, and Safran Nacelles has an innovative way of educating them. All staff participate in “the climate fresk”, an interactive training session to help them understand the cause and effect of carbon emissions. This session involves an interactive card game where staff are encouraged to challenge their thinking and knowledge of the issues due to carbon emissions.

Staff are also encouraged to cycle to work and car share, with priority parking available for those who share their car with colleagues.

The 550 staff at the site are also served locally sourced food in the staff canteen, which now hosts ‘meat-free Mondays’, giving good carbon savings associated with the meat industry.

Getting suppliers on board

Safran Nacelles ethos is something that they also ask of its suppliers. Brian says: “We’ve learnt that it’s always worth asking the question of your suppliers about what they can do. From using electric vehicles to recyclable packaging, our suppliers must share our goal of becoming more sustainable.”

What next?

These measures are just part of Safran Nacelles’ long-term plans as Brian explains:

“Next, we will be channelling our efforts to eliminate gas for our heating on-site, for unavoidable emissions. But in the meantime, we are already making good progress. Safran Nacelles and all our staff are on track to reduce energy consumption. Furthermore, the actions launched will continue to reduce our CO2 emissions, and we can already see the benefits.”

So what is Net Zero?

Here’s a quick guide from Businesswise Solutions’ director of sustainability, Peter Catlow, to help get you started.

What does Net Zero mean?

Carbon Net Zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas (Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapour and Methane) produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. We reach Net Zero when the amount we add is no more than the amount taken away. (National Grid)

What is a Net Zero target?

To achieve Net Zero it is necessary to address the three levels of emissions created by a business (or individual). These levels are known as Scope 1, 2 and 3.

Scope 1 - Directly created by your business.

Scope 2 - Created by your use of fossil fuel-generated energy.

Scope 3 - Created by your supply chain.

What’s driving companies to set a Net Zero target?

Mandatory Reporting

A number of mandatory reports are driving businesses to set Net Zero targets. SECR requires circa 12,000 UK companies to disclose information about their energy consumption and carbon emissions. TCFD has been created to improve and increase reporting of climate-related financial information.

Government policy

UK government has set a target of being carbon neutral by 2050, and are incentivising businesses to make this a reality. Bans on gas-powered vehicles by 2030; investment in renewables; tax breaks for EV cars are just some of these incentives.

Customer attitudes

Consumers are taking into account the footprint of the businesses they buy from, not taking this into account could be fatal to your cash flow.

Climate change is a serious threat Rising sea levels, extreme weather, wildfires and droughts are symptoms of climate change.

Cost reduction

Cutting your consumption also cuts costs, lending a helping hand to the cause can actually save you money.

When should companies aim to be Net Zero?

Current Government targets are to be Carbon Net Zero by 2050, although the sooner you set out on the road to Net Zero the sooner you reap the benefits, environmentally, reputationally and economically.

What’s the first step to Net-Zero?

Measuring your carbon footprint and assessing areas of improvement is key. Start with Scope 1 and 2 emissions as they are under your direct control, then look to understand your Scope 3 emissions.

Which internal stakeholders should be involved?

Short answer: everyone. Net Zero is a large scale operation and for it to be successful, everyone needs to be involved. It speaks to a wider purpose, relating to the future of our upcoming generations, our environment and the planet.

Feature : Advice on energy costs

Small steps to make BIG savings

Rising costs are on everyone’s minds and for businesses the impact can be devastating. But, there are some steps you can take and saving energy is one of the easiest ways for you to cut business costs. Even making small changes to the way that your business uses energy can mean big savings.

1.

Involve your staff

The most effective energy saving programmes involve everybody within a business. Savings of five to ten per cent are common - often through employees suggesting and implementing the measures detailed below.

5.

the lights to that area only. Make sure switches are labelled so staff only turn on the lights they need. You could also consider installing presence and daylight sensors to turn the lights on and off automatically.

Switch off office equipment

8.

and left running when not in use. Save energy by identifying and turning off motors during breaks or job changes. To make further savings, motors driving pumps and fans can often be controlled with ‘variable speed drives’.

Shut the cold room door

2.

Control your heating

Try to reduce heating temperatures in the winter by one degree, as this can cut your heating bill by up to eight per cent. Conversely, in summer, increase the set point for your air conditioning. Ensure that thermostats are accurate by positioning them away from draughts and direct sunlight.

3. Avoid wasting heat

Keep doors and windows closed when heating or air conditioning is running. Fitting draught excluders and making sure your premises are well insulated should be very cost effective, with short payback times.

4. Minimise artificial lighting

By keeping windows and skylights clean, you can cut the amount you spend on lighting. If you are only working in one part of a room, isolate

6.

A single computer and monitor left on 24 hours a day can cost over £50 a year. Switching it off out of hours and enabling standby features can reduce this to £15 a year. You could also fit seven-day timers to ensure equipment like printers, copiers and water chillers are turned off overnight and at weekends.

Compress your air costs

Compressed air is often generated at maximum pressure. Reducing pressure by ten per cent can lead to five per cent savings in energy. Make small, incremental reductions, checking that operations aren’t affected. Also, regularly test for and fix leaks - even a tiny leak could cost you more than £700 a year in wasted energy.

9.

On average, it will cost you £4 every hour a freezer door stays open. For refrigerated cabinets, consider fitting low cost PVC curtains or night blinds.

Maintain your equipment

One common factor across all the measures above is the need to maintain your equipment to make sure it’s operating efficiently. This can range from cleaning light fittings and windows, to keeping ventilation and compressed air filters clean, to checking door seals and repairing holes and leaks.

10.

7.

Don’t forget about motors

Because motors are hidden within machinery, they are often forgotten

Measure your savings

Make sure you read your meters regularly. This will enable you to identify how your company is using energy and where it’s being wasted.

Find out more at www.carbontrust.com

Access support through the Chamber Low Carbon programme

The Chamber Low Carbon programme helps businesses looking to reduce their energy costs to access a fully funded energy and environmental review. This review will identify opportunities to improve both energy and resource efficiency.

As well as the chamber’s own team of advisors they have access to over 20 additional advisors and technical experts who will assess your specific needs.

The review will also include a calculation of the company’s carbon footprint and a prioritised action plan. The review can be modified to include a carbon reduction plan in line with the Government’s Procurement Policy Note 6/21 to assist businesses bidding for public sector contracts or Frameworks .

For further advice call the Chamber Low Carbon Team on 01254 356487 or email info@chamberlowcarbon.co uk

Debbie Treadwell, from the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce shares ten ways you can help lower your costs.

Work on Burnley’s first extra care housing development is underway

In the last issue of InBusiness Burnley we went on a whistle-stop tour of some of the projects that the Calico Group carry out. As we found out, the group may be most well-known for housing but their expertise span much further than this also covering healthcare, support, employability and construction.

And now the group is adding to its impressive roster of support by leading on the development of specialist extra care assisted living accommodation at Burnley General Hospital.

Due to be completed in 2024, Dovestone Gardens is the first project of its kind in Burnley and will transform derelict land at Burnley General Hospital into 90 apartments for people aged over 55 with extra support needs. It is one of a series of programmes where the Calico Group is investing in new and existing accommodation across the area.

Talking about the development Helen Thompson, executive director of operations for the Calico Group said:

“This development, which is the first of its kind for the area will bring much needed extra-care accommodation for people who need homes with additional support and safety. We are pleased to be working with our customers and the local community to make sure these homes help people from our communities to continue to live their best lives.”

With funding from Homes England, the development will cost £16 million. Work is being carried out by Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction and is expected to be completed in 2024.

Calico is working in partnership with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Lancashire County Council and Burnley Council to deliver the project, with project management and quantity surveying services provided by Identity Consult.

What is extra care?

Extra care is a type of accommodation for people aged 55 and over with a care need. This could be anything from mobility issues or sensory impairments. The housing scheme will have care and support available on-site to ensure people can get the support they need 24 hours a day.

Extra care is different to a traditional residential home as people live in their own home, which typically could be a one or two-bedroom apartment, with its own kitchen, lounge and bathroom. Support is personalised to meet people’s needs as they change over time so they can live independently for longer.

Community is key

As with many of Calico’s projects, the community will be key to this scheme and the development will include a community hub meeting place. This will be used for community groups and local events that benefit the area. Its location also means that residents will have easy access to shops, the town centre and community facilities.

Food and drink offer

Also onboard with the development is Burnley Leisure & Culture (BLC), a not-forprofit registered charity that operates leisure, health, wellbeing, arts, culture and hospitality venues in and around Burnley in partnership with Burnley Council.

The Calico Group approached BLC to work in partnership to develop a food and drink offer within the new facility for residents of the apartments, to service the hospital estate including employees and visitors along with the general public living in the local area. BLC’s not-for-profit ethos means every penny made at the new hospital site will get re-invested into the venue along with increasing the investment in vital health and wellbeing services in Burnley.

BLC are working with Calico to develop a vibrant and exciting food and drink offer that will use local, fresh ingredients supplied from the Burnley food wholesaler Birchall Foodservice, again supporting our local economy.

The new food and drink offering will be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It will feature a deli-style freshly-made section, hot food counter, grab and go express counter, fresh coffee and hot drinks and will be licensed to serve alcohol. BLC will consult throughout the development phase to ensure the food and drink offer is varied and covers all dietary needs.

Consultations

Throughout the process there will be consultations on various aspects of the development from ensuring the food and drink offer is varied, to the interior design of the building and the way support is delivered. You can find out about the ongoing consultations on the Calico website and social media.

Feature : Burnley Business Week 2022

Back for its 10th year

23 events over 7 days, Burnley Business Week had something for everyone.

Burnley Business Week is organised by Burnley Council with The University of Lancashire (UCLan). It provides firms with free support at sessions and venues across the borough.

Over the week nearly 200 people attended events ranging from starting your own business to how to succeed on social media. The events catered for businesses of all sizes, from those starting out to the more well-established organisations. As well as hearing specialists share best practice the week also gave people the opportunity to make new connections. With businesses facing increasing financial pressures the free support couldn’t have come at a better time.

ASK A BONDHOLDER

Burnley Business Week also saw the first ‘Ask a Bondholder’ event exclusively for Burnley Bondholders. The panel consisted of four Burnley business owners – Andrew Brown from Crow Wood, Sean Redfearn from Red-Fern Media, Kimberley Thompson from Root Fifty-Two and Lisa Sourbutts from CUBE HR.

The session was chaired by Dharma Kouvurri from UCLan and held at the beautiful Crow Wood Hotel. Recruitment, skills, staff loyalty and retention, pandemic recovery, wellbeing and apprentices were just a handful of topics.

Around 30 fellow bondholders asked plenty of questions, as well as sharing anecdotes from their own businesses.

THE EXPERT PANEL

Andrew Brown talked about the difficulties Crow Wood faced during the pandemic and the impact of rising costs. Andrew also spoke about the importance of treating staff as you would like to be treated yourself and how they celebrate staff successes with the employee of the month scheme. They also have a management programme in place to develop the next generation of great leaders.

Sean Redfearn discussed the importance of investing in staff and the training budget that Red-Fern Media staff are given to spend as they wish. He also explained that despite Red-Fern initially joining the Burnley Bondholders as a networking opportunity they quickly realised that they could use their involvement to help shape Burnley’s story.

Root Fifty-Two’s Kimberley Thompson shared her experience of recruiting staff during the pandemic and of employing apprentices. Kimberley also placed high importance on staff wellbeing and discussed the staff benefits scheme they had implemented.

Lisa Sourbutt’s explained how Cube HR had grown during the pandemic because businesses needed to understand what furlough meant. They also used this time to help 60 businesses for free who would have struggled to pay, and they were all new companies they hadn’t worked with before.

Lisa also talked about staff loyalty and gave the example of how while many cruise liners are struggling to recruit, Virgin Cruises have a waiting list for people wanting to work for them because of their culture.

Do you have a specialism you would like to share with other businesses at out next business week? Or perhaps you’d like to host an event at your venue? If you are interested in being involved please contact MSarveswaran@burnley.gov.uk

AiProcess resides in a beautiful former corn mill, and the business has sympathetically restored the externals of the building but added a contemporary setting internally.

Located in The Corn Mill, in the centre of Barrowford, the offices of Ai Process are filled with wooden beams, giant windows and large open spaces. At first we couldn’t believe that an engineering business was situated in such a wonderful building. But why not, when the Burnley area is filled with former mills being renovated for modern-day requirements.

So, what does Ai Process do? In a nutshell, this Burnley Bondholder are process engineers. They design process facilities for manufacturers and project manage the installation. Typical client industries range from manufacturers in pharmaceuticals and healthcare products to paint, inks, and adhesives on a worldwide basis – anywhere where organic and inorganic raw materials are mixed to make an end product.

Lee Parry, sales and marketing director, explained: “We assist manufacturers to update and improve their current facilities to increase efficiencies. We also assist with expansion works and relocation projects, whilst considering efficient process techniques to reduce the impact on the environment.”

One USP of Ai Process is that they are independent to equipment manufacturers, so have the freedom to choose the best value for money equipment for its customers.

With a drive to being green, how does that fit with the need to travel globally?

“I can see why travelling the world might seem counterintuitive, but this is now minimised by the advent of Zoom / Teams Meetings,” Lee said.

This is where working at Ai Process could be an attractive move to make. As well as being located in a strikingly designed building, set in a beautiful location, staff do have the chance to travel to regions of the world such as the Far East, Middle East, America, Europe, to name just a few. 3M, Annie Sloan and BASF are a handful of their clients.

THE COMPANY IS GROWING QUICKLY

Historically, annual turnover at Ai Process has been around £5-£7 million, but in 2022 they’re on track to more than double that. How have they managed such growth?

KEEPING A WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Whilst the business is growing quickly, the company understands the importance of maintaining a good work/life balance. And what better area to spend your free time in than Burnley.

“I love starting my day seeing Pendle Hill on the drive in, I’m also an avid Burnley FC fan so enjoy spending my spare time on the Turf too. The work-life balance is fantastic and I’m proud to see how Burnley’s reputation and its ability to attract investment has been a major factor over the last ten years. To see the area you are from and the improvements made, makes me very proud, which is why it’s important for us to be part of Burnley Bondholders too,” Lee stated.

Ai Process are looking to retain and grow their overseas client base, but perhaps travel a little closer to home too.

Lee added: “Burnley has some excellent manufacturers, and we’d love to work with more local businesses where possible. We know many of these companies are so busy, they perhaps don’t have the time to dedicate to largescale efficiency improvements and that’s where we come in.”

Find out more about Ai Process, including their current recruitment opportunities, on the website www.aiprocess.com

“We’ve actually increased turnover following the lifting of the COVID restrictions. Thankfully, we were able to operate during COVID and are proud to have excellent client retention.”

Feature : Made it in Burnley

Meet Vanessa Halstead

Located

Tell us about yourself Vanessa…

“I’m a Burnley girl who lives in a farm on top of a hill in the middle of nowhere, which I love. I’ve got lots of animals which I love, look after and then bring them on the grill.”

What made you want to set up The Pendle Grill, in addition to your busy life on the farm?

“I am busy on the farm, but I always wanted to have this farm shop and put my produce into people’s hands and share it.

I’m a vegetarian away from

home because I know exactly what the process is with my own produce, whereas I don’t at the supermarket. I’m from farming stock, so we all work hard, always have done. Even as kids, we all had a job to do when we came home from school.

I’m one for grabbing the bull by the horns and see if it works. And if it doesn’t work, you’ve had a go at it.”

How important is keeping things local

for you?

“All our meat is from the farm to the slaughterhouse, butchered and back here and it’s all local

businesses. I think it’s really important to support each other. That’s the benefit of keeping it local. There’s no carbon footprint, or very little carbon footprint.”

How has your business expanded?

“A good example of how we can expand locally is we’ve got a good relationship with Burnley Council and we’ve recently taken over the temporary little kiosk which we’ve called Picnic in the Park, which is within Scott Park. We serve hot drinks, cakes, toasties, toasted teacakes, crumpets, sandwiches and ice creams.

But it’s about being friendly and chatting to people, seeing what they’re wanting as well. You know, it’s not about this is what we have and that’s all we’ve got. It’s about what do you want from us as well? Picnic in the Park will shut at the

end of October and will reopen in the Spring.”

How does you measure success and what has been the key to achieving it?

“Some would say money, but it’s not the money for me. It’s about making something work, putting your mind to it. And it actually pays off. Yeah. If you get money, then brilliant. But I just like a challenge. And if it pays off, it’s brilliant.

It’s really important being your own person and having your own opinion and having a go at anything. I’ve achieved a massive achievement, I really felt that when I was out walking my little dog and I thought, you know what, I’ve done this. I have worked really hard, but it’s paid off. And that’s what advice I give to kids. Definitely. Whatever you want to do, have a go at it.”

on Rossendale Road lay-by, Burnley, The Pendle Grill is a mobile catering van with a focus on local, high-quality produce. As well as opening from 7.30am to 2pm during the week the van is available to hire on weekend, covering a multitude of events from weddings and birthdays to music festivals and horse shows.

Owner, Vanessa Halstead, puts her success down to a work ethic instilled as a child growing up on a working farm. We met up with Vanessa to find out more.

urnley Van Hire provides a Vehicle Rental Solution for Car & Van hire to the general public and corporate customers. We offer a wide range of vehicles including Cars, Vans and Luton Box Tail Lifts. As Part of the CVS Group, we are the region's leading independent Vehicle hire company, operating from key locations in Burnley and Colne.

To complement and support our eet, we also have an in-house Vehicle maintenance team, which offers workshop Services (including MOT) for both the general public and trade.

Van Hire - we are proud to have one of the best commercial vehicle eets locally. We pride ourselves on a modern, reliable eet ranging from Small Vans to 3.5ton Luton Box Tail Lifts and all variants in between.

Car Hire - a varied range of vehicles from Small (City) Cars to the larger estates and SUVs. We offer a minimum hire period of 1 day with deals tailored to short term hire needs.

Flexi Hire - You have the ability to Flex-Up your eet without the commitment of a Purchase or Lease Agreement. With a wide range of vehicles on offer and access to some of the best purchasing deals in the market. These are available from just one month up to three years.

Burnley

Van Hire Car Hire Flexi Hire

PROCESS INSTRUMENTS:

Tucked away on Turf Street, opposite Turf Moor, Process Instruments (Pi) could look unassuming from the outside. But step inside, and you’re inside a business that has grown its turnover from £352,000 in 2008 to £4 million in 2022. In October 2022 alone, the company is on track to turnover what it did during the entire of 2008.

So, what does Pi do? In a nutshell, it makes the technology that monitors water quality including the pH and chlorine in water. It is a leading global supplier of water analyser instrument solutions and since its inception in 1998 has seen the emergence of subsidiaries in France and Ireland alongside its laboratory, offices and production facility in Burnley.

The technology is used in everything from swimming pools to water sources owned by utility companies across the world. One of the largest local clients is fellow Burnley Bondholder Crow Wood Hotel and Spa, which uses the Pi technology to manage the quality of its current eight bodies of water within the spa. Although, as you will also learn within this issue, Crow Wood Spa is about to undergo an incredible transformation to expand its spa and leisure facilities even more so. Having strong local connections is important to managing director of Pi, Mike Riding.

Pi’s SoliSense product uses parts from fellow Burnley business Sparta and whilst these parts can be made cheaper in China, Mike says it makes more sense to keep the expenditure within Burnley. It’s certainly an approach we’re delighted to see.

The business that has put Burnley on the map across the globe

Mike explained. “We have an unwritten policy that if we can buy it in Burnley, we buy it in Burnley. If we cannot, we go a little bit further out until we find what we need, staying as local as possible. We have a positive trade balance with China, for example. We ship £600,000 worth of products to China and purchase just £6,000£7,000 of materials from the country. We have the trade balance the right way round”

TWO ENGINEERS WITH A BIG IDEA

Pi was the brain-child of Mike and cofounder Jonathan Cook, two engineers with a big idea. At the time, Mike was a teacher and was only working on the business at the weekend.

“My son has autism and as he got older, his needs became more complex, so I went into teaching so I had the holidays and shorter working hours to support my wife and son. By 2006, the company was ticking over, distributing products rather than manufacturing. However, we had been developing a product that would turn us into manufacturers, which was our goal,” Mike said.

Funding was needed to realise this ambition, and it came from three significant parties; Roger Heise, a private angel investor who is now chair of Pi, Rosebud, a Lancashire business loan provider and Michelin, which used to have a huge footprint in the borough.

When Michelin announced it was leaving Burnley, it lent money to companies to ensure the area remained economically strong. Michelin opened in 1960 and was a driving force for the engineering sector in the borough. Its

purpose-built factory on Heasandford Industrial Estate spanned 36 acres and had around 1,000 workers at its peak. Of course, the industrial estate is now a thriving hub once again, with Boohoo, Safran, Peter Scott Printers and Hycrome just a handful of businesses which reside there.

In 2007 Pi took the leap into becoming manufacturers and that leap of faith was certainly a success. Aside from the pandemic, when growth was flat, the company has recently enjoyed 20 per cent year-on-year growth and has grown from six employees to 40. It sells its products across 60 countries.

Pi used to fill a small unit on Billington Road and in 2013 moved to a location near Asda, but in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic it moved to its present location which is 20,000 sq ft. It’s committed to upskilling and training local employees, which includes apprentices. It has five apprentices on site at present and promotes internally where possible. Wes, for example, started as an apprentice 12 years ago and is now their chief engineer.

MORE GROWTH AND INNOVATION IN THE PIPELINE

Everywhere you look inside the building, including the staff uniforms, you will see the two Queen’s Awards that Process Instruments won and are very proud of – Innovation and International Trade. They were officially handed the awards in November 2021 by the LordLieutenant of Lancashire, Charles Kay-Shuttleworth. No Lancashire company has ever won two Queen’s Awards in a single year before.

The company was recognised for selling its highly technical products across six continents, firmly putting Burnley on the map far afield. Mike and Jonathan joined fellow winners at a reception at Windsor Castle meeting the then Prince Charles, after earlier celebrating with a party at Burnley Football Club.

However, the company isn’t slowing down despite securing such accolades. It has hired two new female chemists to expand the team to help develop new products while it launches its new patented Chloribrid, which measures the chlorine in water in two different ways so it can check its own results are accurate.

A look on their website shows just how many products they manufacture and export and we’re delighted to see that Process Instruments have worked with the Department for International Trade (DIT) to expand their offering further still.

It recently launched Autopool, a product for controlling chlorine in pools, and the system has been designed to reduce the level of chemicals and maintenance required. To help target new markets for Autopool, Pi accessed support from the DIT’s Internationalisation Fund, which helps businesses explore and develop overseas markets. The fund runs until March 2023 and has been designed to give Lancashire SMEs access

to match-funded grants of between £1,000 and £9,000.

Mike commented: “Our business has an established reputation in water analysis, and the development of Autopool was a logical progression for the business.

“Demand for the product is strong, and we’ve already had substantial orders placed, but we expect to generate sales of over £500,000 within 18 months. Although we have customers in many countries, we needed support from the DIT to help us establish links with new sales outlets.

“The nature of our business means exporting has always been a priority, but the DIT’s support has made it easier, especially with our plans for Autopool. We intend to build on the traction we have in English-speaking territories such as the US, Australia and South Africa, and then move into Asia Pacific markets.”

Vera Grantham is the international trade adviser working with Pi, who added: “The Internationalisation Fund grant provides match-funding to enable exporters like Pi to take new products and develop new overseas markets. It helps companies undertake vital market research and look at the best way to reach new audiences.

“It’s been great to help play a part in Pi’s success as the DIT has been able to provide export services that’s stimulated the business’ growth.”

So, what’s next for Pi? It plans to launch three new products this year to the water industry and further enhance its products to the pool industry by introducing new sample handling mechanisms and Bluetooth connectivity to hand-held measurement devices.

We’re delighted to have such an innovative company in Burnley flying the flag across a global stage.

WE’RE TRUSTED BY THE BEST

Celebrating 20 years of BCW Manufacturing Group

BCW Engineering was founded in 2002 by three business partners, in a small unit on Smallshaw Industrial Estate, Burnley. Original owners Paul Biggs, Alec Cassie and Andy Whelan (BCW) set off with the ambition to grow the business to a £10 million turnover in ten years - and they succeeded. Now 20 years on and the company is going from strength to strength, so we took the opportunity to take a look at BCW’s history and their plans for the future.

Over the last 20 years BCW has seen significant changes from one machine growing to over 100 machining centres with the addition of robotics, vision systems, 3D printing and advanced surface treatment including paint application. One thing that has remained the same however are owners Alec Cassie and Andy Whelan. While they no longer have an active role operationally, they head up the holding group Anuska, and their legacy and vision remain at the heart of the business.

Claire Whelan, group managing director says: “We’ve always had a long-term vision for the company and worked hard to reinvest profits back into the business over the past 20 years. Our vision is now one of continuous profitable growth built on a proud heritage driven by innovation, knowledge, and dedication of our staff. This enables future investment in people, facilities and processes for a healthy and sustainable future.”

Claire adds: “Our priority has always been about people and building our team, giving back to the local area and providing opportunities to people. This allows us to make high-quality parts and provide an excellent service to our valued customers, securing repeat business thus enabling growth and Tier One status with major original equipment manufacturers (OEM).”

This commitment to their staff shines through and they have 37 individuals who have achieved long service status ranging from ten to 20 years, something the company are extremely proud of as Claire explains: “Loyalty and continuity are extremely valued by BCW and we hope many more will reach the same milestones. We are immensely grateful to all our employees who have helped to shape and grow the business over the last 20 years.”

Defining milestones

The company have had many achievements over the years and becoming a Tier One supplier in 2008 with their main customer base was certainly a defining moment for the company. Their first customer was Jaguar Land Rover who they still work with today, alongside prestigious OEMs such as Aston Martin, Lotus, WFEL, Perkins, LEVC, Borg Warner and more.

Having moved to Innovation Drive, Burnley in 2014 the company expanded to 250,000 sq ft of manufacturing space developing this into a progressive multi-disciplined manufacturing capability, including a state-of-the-art treatments facility.

BCW’s Centre of Excellence was added to the site in 2022 and was purpose-built to support the programme for an iconic British car manufacturer across the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles. They built a dedicated automated manufacturing line, with bespoke inspection equipment and developed TiZr Passivation Surface Treatment to customer specification, totalling a £6.6 million investment and significant advancement in how they manufacture with the use of robots.

As a group, acquiring API in 2020 out of administration introduced new customers and added design and tooling to their capabilities, and allowed them to protect jobs and grow the team’s skillset.

Claire says: “These strategic developments have helped us to reach a £45 million turnover and employ over 350 employees across the group. During this significant growth we have received fantastic support from our partnership with Burnley Borough Council and Barnfield Construction for which we are very grateful for their continued support.”

Challenging times

For companies who have been around as long as BCW, with longevity comes challenges and they have survived significant impacts on the economy such as the 2008 financial crash and the Covid pandemic. These challenges meant that despite a strong order book, the company needed to react and downsize at various points, and they had to remain agile and reactive. They say their main challenge during the 20 years has probably been financing the fast growth to ensure they have been able to take on business opportunities.

So how have BCW overcome these challenges? Claire explains: “We have overcome challenges through a clear strategic vision, being able to adapt our strategy and being able to find the resources to enable our plans. Being based in Burnley has also helped us manage labour cost and rent versus our Midlands based competitors, allowing us to pass on savings to our customers, making us their chosen supplier. We are in a great position within the UK logistically and the benefits Burnley has to offer has been immeasurable to us as a business. Our difficulty has always been getting customers to visit but once they arrive, they are always impressed with the site and our capabilities.”

What will the next 20 years bring?

For BCW the plan is to continue to work with customers to look ahead and drive process improvement, and to continue evolving.

They recently reached a deal with Lotus cars to take over their surface treatment facility in Wellingborough and not only has doubled their anodising capacity, but it has also provided a base within the Midlands and closer to their OEM customers.

Greener initiatives are at the forefront of their minds, in fact, they are looking forward to the installation of solar panels on our factory roof space in early 2023. These weren’t considered 20 years ago, and they certainly didn’t have the roof space back then either!

As a key employer within the area BCW aim to continue to be a company that people want to work for and having already implemented a cost-of-living wage increase and increased pension contributions, they are now looking at additional staff benefits such as a cash back health plan.

They also pride themselves in having established strong relationships with the college both from an apprenticeship side, providing training courses for the team through to supporting their research and development facilities.

We love to hear of Burnley businesses prospering and we’re sure there’ll be plenty more success stories from BCW as they enter their third decade!

Feature : New premises for Ellis’s

Burger and milkshake extraordinaire moves into huge former Wetherspoons

It’s no secret that hospitality businesses have struggled over the past two years. However, one Burnley restaurant has adapted throughout the pandemic and has since managed to expand into a larger premises due to its thriving success.

Ellis’s is a popular burger restaurant and bar which used to reside in a small venue on Standish Street. Its ever-increasing popularity means that it’s expanded into the former Wetherspoons owned venue on 31-39 Manchester Rd. We spoke to owner, Kyle Ellis, about his reasons for the move:

“We’d massively outgrown our old premises in terms of size but it also restricted the possibility to expand the menu and offer live entertainment. We were turning away scores of people away every week and wanted a better bar area where people could come and have a more comfortable evening with us. We also passionately believe in enhancing Burnley as a town and this new premises gives us a lot more opportunity to do so.”

Ellis’s’ new Manchester Road location is situated much nearer to the circuit of bars in the town centre, thus meaning an enhanced offering for Burnley’s evening and night-time economy overall.

“Leaving Burnley was never an option for uswe love doing business here! There were several factors that influenced us choosing the Manchester Road premises, size being a very important one, but the location closer to the bar and restaurant circuit and the iconic history of that venue were also deciding factors…we absolutely love the place!”

The story behind Ellis’s’ growth is quite an uplifting one. It first opened its doors eight years ago and exclusively sold milkshakes. After constant yearon-year growth they decided to start serving food in April of 2018 and the success was immediate.

They were fortunate enough to build up a sizeable following and again expanded, this time investing in a licensed bar aspect to the business in January 2020. The pandemic hit shortly after, but Ellis’s adapted with

their ‘Ellis’s At Home’ range along with their hugely poplar ‘Lockdown Kits’ which allowed customers to build some of Ellis’s’ signature dishes at home.

After bouncing back extremely well from the pandemic they began looking for a new premises. When the Manchester Road location came up, they had a burning desire to bring the good times back to this classic venue and decided to seize the opportunity. Having grown from 32 covers to 116,they have since added ten new employees to their existing staff and are currently on a recruitment drive to add more.

From a small milkshake bar to a huge bar and restaurant with an expansive social media following (around 11,500 on Instagram and 18,000 on Facebook) -this is one hospitality business bucking the trend and truly thriving through hard times. We asked Kyle if he had any advice for other bars and restaurants trying to follow Ellis’s path:

“It all boils down to the customer experience - if customers have a good time whilst there, they will come back! We put a lot of time into making sure we get the little things right, from service and atmosphere, to obviously serving delicious meals. We also market heavily on social media, which for our targeted demographic (and arguably all demographics) is absolutely essential. We’re lucky enough to have one of the largest followings in the area and this allows us to constantly reach a sizeable number of people.”

“Being located in Burnley is non-negotiable for us, our roots are firmly planted in this town. It’s got such a huge selection of amazing businesses and we’re proud to be a part of that! We’re lucky that the town we’re so passionate about is also very fairly priced and has some very exciting expansion projects on horizon such as Pioneer Place and the impressive student plans and we can’t wait to see what the future holds here…”

The building of Burnley Place brand

In 2009, Burnley took control of its own destiny and launched a place brand. Since then, perception of the borough is changing, hundreds of millions of public and private investment has been made and the Burnley Bondholder initiative is seen as the benchmark to aspire to. We take a look at Burnley’s journey…

Burnley is famous for many things; its football team, it’s economic clout as a main cotton producer during the Industrial Revolution and its warm and friendly residents. However, like many places that were built upon an industry that has since passed, Burnley unfortunately experienced some economic and social challenges that meant its perception as a place to work, study and live took a hit.

Many talented people thought they had to leave the borough to build a successful education, career or family life and this perception stayed amongst some, albeit not all. What many didn’t realise,

however, was the abundance of incredible businesses in the borough, the higher and further education facilities here, the hardworking talent pool and of course, the beautiful setting, which has come into its own with a renewed sense of appreciation during and following the pandemic.

The ingredients have always been there, but perception is important (as long as it matches reality on the ground), so in 2008 Burnley Council appointed place brand consultancy thinkingplace to carry out market research and extensive stakeholder engagement.

When people were asked what they thought of Burnley, some of the answers included “small and grim”, “smog and chimneys”, “empty and boring” and “a dinosaur – it’s not moved on”. Others said they didn’t know anything about Burnley. Alongside negative opinion, no opinion was also a problem. With Burnley “punching below its weight” (the economic clout has always remained, just under the radar), it was time to be a little less humble about our strengths and shout about them that little bit louder. And the Burnley place brand – Burnley.co.uk - was born.

We’re taking inspiration from the words of John Till, founder of thinkingplace, for this part. A place brand is (or should be!) a public and private partnership that reconnects or connects organisations and people to the place in which they live and work.

The place becomes the “hero”, with a clear and shared narrative. It means the place needs to think differently, act

differently and do things differently. It meant asking questions such as why is Burnley special, what is its ambition and who is it for? But it can’t do it alone, it requires a team of public and private sector ambassadors that spread the narrative not just far and wide, but locally too. Cue the Burnley Bondholders.

Interview with...

John Till [thinkingplace]

Tell us about thinkingplace and what you strive to achieve?

thinkingplace was established 16 years ago now, and amazingly we’ve worked with over 80 places. I suppose we saw a gap in the market where there was lots of commentary about place-making and place-shaping, but nothing really about how you brought these together with place-branding as well; thinking about widening the leadership in a place, in terms of how you use the stakeholders to promote the place.

So I guess we brought all of those together, and at the heart of it is creating that story of place from the stakeholders, inspired by them, so local people can actually relate to that. Using the story as a catalyst for change in a place.

How did you get involved in the Burnley place brand story?

Burnley is a really special place for us as it was one of the first pieces of work that thinkingplace were employed to deliver.

The reason it was initiated is that Burnley was thinking it was punching below its weight, that it had quite a lot of development going on but it wasn’t known about, that it needed to grow in terms of the economy, in terms of the population. Yet it had a negative image, was still seen as rooted in the industrial past. It wanted more collaboration, spokespeople for the place, as well as that narrative. We were thrilled to get the piece of work.

What would you say the three most pertinent findings were from your market research into perception of Burnley?

I guess when we got involved and started to do the research and listen to the stakeholders in the place, but also outside it, I think the main bits were that it was seen as quite backward as a place, insular, people couldn’t explain why you would consider going there, or living there. It was grimy, post-industrial, a dinosaur that’s not moved on; generally, people knew nothing.

Where was the market research conducted - locally/nationally?

Whilst we talked with plenty of people in Burnley, quite a few conversations were with its key people regionally; location consultants, regeneration specialists, investors. And if they are thinking that, it’s obviously a great concern for the place. I think the most important element the work did and achieved was it gave Burnley a fresh story to tell, it highlighted the assets, it highlighted the opportunities, and it was the stakeholder’s story – so they really felt they owned it.

Why was a place brand essential to turn around the perception of Burnley and attract investment?

The work also created the Burnley Bondholders, who really are ambassadors for the town and area. They have been coming together every couple of months for 15 years now, to hear about what’s going on in the area, and in them hearing about developments, they can then tell and sell that place story. The approach was really pivotal, it helped in terms of getting government investment to put a little bit of the rail track back that halved the journey time to Manchester, and economically that was transformational.

So I think yes it helped with image, and it helped with messaging, but it has helped very practically and I think what it’s done is that it’s

The Burnley Bondholders

The Burnley Bondholders is a private-sector led, private/public partnership dedicated to raising the prosperity and profile of the borough; an innovative and successful scheme which is now made up of over 200 members.

In short, it is a consortium of businesses in the borough that are passionate about the benefits of being based in Burnley and where the town is heading. They share best practice, ideas, suppliers, resources and have been instrumental in key milestones,

such as lobbying for the opening of the Todmorden Curve direct rail line to Manchester.

created that leadership beyond the council, it’s created that collaboration. And you know, you just feel that buzz when you’re in a Bondholders meeting, it feels like the place has got a direction of travel, it has enthused the stakeholders who are really up for it and want to make a difference.

Why was the Burnley Bondholders an essential piece of the puzzle?

When it comes to the promotion and development of a place, the one thing that is absolutely clear is that it cannot just sit with the Local Authority. Councils don’t have the resources and they don’t have the contacts needed when you’re looking at building relationships and moving a place forward. Of course, the Council are a key player but it goes beyond that, and the ability to galvanise the stakeholders on this journey and get them helping to get the message out is absolutely critical. And that is where the bondholders have come in, with really diverse backgrounds, really diverse contacts and networks. They bring an energy, they bring ideas, they bring dynamism to the whole approach.

You mention the bondholders are seen as a scheme to aspire to. Why do you think that is?

It’s interesting when we go to other places and talk to people, how many have heard about the Burnley Bondholders and see it as an exemplar programme, and something they want to replicate. Its longevity speaks to its success. I had the pleasure of going back to a bondholder meeting recently, and that energy and buzz, that interest in the place was still there, still outstanding. And people are actually paying for the privilege of being a bondholder, and still they’re selling the place, still they’re learning what’s going on, and lots of people and places would absolutely love to have that level of collaboration going on within the place.

We firmly believe we are stronger together – a solid business network helps Burnley to flourish, which in turn attracts further investment and growth, benefitting our place, residents and businesses. The success of Burnley Bondholders has attracted attention across the UK from the press, local authorities and business leaders and we’re proud to be seen as the

benchmark of place brand ambassadors.

The Burnley Bondholders launched with five founding members in 2019. It has now grown to over 200 members, with the majority of new sign ups coming from referrals from other bondholders or as a result of the strong online presence the Burnley.co.uk brand has. People see the sector and #madeitinburnley videos and constant positive posts of what is happening in Burnley and want to be part of that story too.

Claire Whelan managing director of Ansuka Group & subsidiaries

Burnley on the map

When did you become a bondholder?

When it was first incorporated. We thought it was an excellent idea right from the start.

Why did you decide to join Burnley Bondholders?

From starting our first business in Burnley back in 2002 we have always valued the help provided by the business support team at Burnley Council along the way. It is so important to have the right support around you when doing business and we thought the Bondholder scheme was a great idea to organise the collective business community of Burnley. We all run very different businesses but we are joined together by our place! Being involved with the Lancashire LEP I see just how vital these organisations can be to the economic progress of a region.

What do you love about being a bondholder?

I like the group spirit and drive of the scheme. It gives you access to local businesses to either do business with or share your ideas and experience, something which without being part of an organisation is hard to access. All the businesses small and large have a common goal – to grow and strengthen our collective businesses for the benefit of the Burnley people and its economy.

What are the benefits of being based in Burnley?

Being a significant Manufacturing employer we have a treasured skill set in Burnley and good engineering courses on offer at college to ensure that skill level is coming through in future years.

We have good access of national road networks which makes it easy to do business countrywide. We can offer not only good employment but a good standard of living for those working in the area with low house prices compared to the national average, lovely beauty spots and plenty of great places to eat and drink.

Neil Welsh financial planner & BDM, PM+M Wealth Management

When did you become a bondholder?

As a firm almost from outset in 2010, although my involvement only began after I joined PM+M in early 2016.

Why did you decide to join Burnley Bondholders?

PM+M aims to be the number one form of finance professionals in the North West with activity coming from our office bases in Blackburn, Bury and Burnley. To be able to have visibility and participation in the shaping of local business in Burnley and to join the strength of its collective voice continues to be an opportunity too good to pass up.

What do you love about being a bondholder?

The energy. I struggle to put my finger on quite what it is but it has a certain something, I don’t know what (the French probably have phrase for it). The reality is the bondholder platform brings a significant number of passionate people and their businesses of all shapes and sizes to unite together behind the Burnley brand. It encourages mutual collaboration with an almost altruistic feel that in helping others without asking for anything in return there will be reward anyway. Personally, I love the chance to network with representatives of companies I admire and to act as a disciple for the town, replacing the generational memories and narrative of past negatives with contemporary positives and calling out the naysayers. It makes me proud to be from Burnley and to work for a company that shares that same belief.

What are the benefits of being based in Burnley?

Access to Bondholders, to a town in the ascendancy with good

HAS IT BEEN A SUCCESS?

In a nutshell, yes. Of course, there are always things to improve on and the place brand should never rest on its laurels. Feedback is regularly gathered from the Focus Burnley group, a group of bondholders who the Burnley place brand manager runs strategy and budget past, as well as gathers feedback – both the good and the more constructive!

However, there have been some huge wins for the borough as a result of Burnley Council and the Burnley Bondholders working together, such as securing the recent Levelling Up Fund money of almost £20 million for huge projects like the conversion of the derelict Newtown Mill into an impressive new facility for The University of Central Lancashire. The opening of the direct rail link to Manchester was also partly down to bondholder lobbying.

Leon Calverley, managing director at digital marketing firm and Burnley Bondholder Door4, which relocated to Burnley from Pendle in 2017, said: “I’m from Burnley so I know first hand how business-friendly the town is. When space became available at Burnley Wharf next to the canal, we immediately expressed an interest. Not only is it in a beautiful location, but it is close to Manchester Road train station and the bus station, which played an important part in our decision.

“In addition, we knew we would have access to Burnley’s larger talent pool as the town continues to solidify itself as an impressive digital hub. Being connected to Manchester provides us with the ability to do business daily in the city, whilst maintaining Burnley headquarters.”

New bondholders join the initiative regularly and the bondholder events can easily attract 100 people or more. When you attend

a bondholder event, you know there will be people across all sectors and levels, opening up a hugely influential network who support one another.

In 2022, Neil Evans, managing director at VEKA, became the Burnley Bondholder chair. He followed in the footsteps of Mark Crabtree OBE, founder and managing director of AMS Neve and former bondholder chair of eight years. We asked him his thoughts on the bondholders and why he took up the opportunity of becoming chair.

In 2018, the burnley.social sister brand was launched. Market research showed that the demographic the most negative about Burnley was the younger generation, some of whom still believed they had to leave the borough for successful education and career prospects. This brand has a goal of raising aspirations of younger people in Burnley, showing them the education and work opportunities that exist here and hopefully encouraging talented young professionals back to Burnley who have perhaps moved away.

Interview with...

Neil Evans [VEKA MD & Bondholder Chair]

Did you know much about Burnley before you became MD at VEKA? If so, what was your perception?

I didn’t know much. Just that the town had a Premier League team and a history of manufacturing. I had never been or passed through.

VEKA was one of the original Burnley Bondholders. Why do you think being part of the story is important to the company?

The company set up its first UK base in Burnley in 1986. Even prior to bondholders we recognised the need to be a good citizen and to add some value to the town, above and beyond providing jobs.

When I joined the business in 2016 I was struck by the fact that Burnley mattered to VEKA.

What made you decide to apply for the position of chair of Burnley Bondholders?

The impression I had was that there was a desire for the new chair to be from one of the borough’s larger employers and I had also seen, through the Burnley Focus Group, the passion of other business leaders alongside Burnley Council. At the same time there was an appetite to make bondholders even better and I wanted to be involved in helping that happen. Finally, it is also a great chance for me to learn from the great people I meet.

What do you think the place brand and bondholder network does well...?

First of all it is very active on a number of fronts. Events that showcase success stories and provide a platform to share future plans are well received. And there is a real focus on looking at how businesses (big or small) can access support from the huge experience and talent within the businesses of Burnley. It continues to build assets that should enable our voices to be heard well beyond Burnley.

...and what can it do even better?

Make it even easier for bondholders to understand and grab the message and spread it far and wide.

What changes have you been most impressed with in Burnley in the last two years?

The commencement of Pioneer Place due to open in 2023 was a long-standing ambition (and need) for the town. The conversion of Newton Mill as a UCLan campus will also transform that part of town.

In Focus : Placing Burnley on the map

Film in Burnley

Over the years we’ve welcomed numerous film crews into the town, and regardless of the size of the production they are all greeted with a warm Burnley welcome.

We work closely with Filming in England and other partners to ensure film crews have everything they need when filming in our borough. Brassic, the Bank of Dave Netflix film and Jordan North’s Comic Relief Rowing Home challenge are just some of the projects we assisted on within the first few weeks of 2022 alone.

Key filming locations

We have so many filming locations, that it’s difficult to narrow down to key ones. We believe Burnley and Padiham (the two towns that make up the borough of Burnley) are unique in that one minute you can be on an aerospace manufacturing floor and within ten minutes be at a global-award winning luxury spa resort. One moment you could be filming at an historic hall and the next a bustling high street.

Here are the ones we believe are particularly fantastic for filming.

Historic assets

Burnley is home to not one but two historic halls – Towneley Hall and Gawthorpe Hall.

The 16th-century Towneley Hall is set in 445 acres of parkland and is owned and managed by Burnley Council employees, along with the green space and golf green. It regularly hosts weddings and exhibitions, while the grounds host large-scale events such as Retro and Wile Out festivals and the Burnley Business Awards, the latter of which see 500 guests enjoy celebrations in a huge marquee. There is also woodland and a large children’s play area, along with a garden centre.

Gawthorpe Hall is often referred to as the Downton of the North. It marks the start of the Bronte Way, a linear walk from Burnley to Wycoller, Haworth and finally Oakworth, near Bradford. Part of the National Trust and co-managed with Lancashire County Council, this Elizabethan gem was redesigned in the 1850s by Sir Charles Barry, designer of the Houses

of Parliament and the ‘real’ Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle. It is also set in far-reaching grounds which include play areas and woodland. Interestingly, the training ground of Burnley FC also lies within the estate.

Like our historic halls, the borough is home to two beautiful town halls –Burnley and Padiham. Burnley Town Hall is the main HQ of the council and dates back to 1888. It has beautiful stained glass, period meeting rooms, large council chambers and still has the old cells and gated staircases when it operated as holding cells and a court (some of the cells still have prisoner graffiti, a bed and a toilet!).

Padiham Town Hall has recently undergone a complete renovation to turn it into modern flexible working space. However, it still retains many of its period features, such as a stunning central staircase that splits into two, a ballroom and parquet flooring.

All assets except Gawthorpe Hall are managed within the council, which make requests and filming convenient.

However, we have an excellent relationship with the county council and National Trust to facilitate filming at Gawthorpe Hall.

Queen Street Mill Museum is one of the world’s last remaining operational steampowered weaving mills, which has been used as a set for many well-known films and historical dramas. It has starred in the King’s Speech, the 2019 BBC adaptation of a Christmas Carol, and most recently starred in the Netflix drama The English Game. Acting stars such as Colin Firth, Tom Hardy and Sean Bean, have filmed famous scenes in Queen Street Mill Museum.

The mill is managed by Lancashire County Council’s Museum Service, with whom we have a proactive working relationship. Preserving the mill and machinery is of national importance.

Our beautiful countryside

We’re not just claret and blue, we’re green too. Burnley is 80% rural, so whether crews need to film generic countryside, hiking, kayaking, golf, horse riding, cycling… the list in endless.

Parks

Many of our parks have been awarded Green Flags for their high standards. The council’s Green Spaces team maintains these parks and organises both internal and external events within them. We are home to:

• Queen’s Park is 28 acres and dates back to 1893, with many of its traditional design and features still in place

• Thompson Park is a registered historic park and gardens, and is home to a charming boating lake, a recently refurbished children’s playground and paddling pool, a putting green and popular miniature railway

• Ightenhill Park dates back to 1912, and houses a bowling green and tennis courts

• Scott Park has a giant draughts board, woodland walks and a Victorian bandstand

• Memorial Park in Padiham provides beautiful walks along the River Calder

• Towneley Park is the largest within our borough, as outlined in the historic assets section

The Forest of Burnley

One million trees were planted between 1997 and 2001, creating a 2,000-tree arboretum and 400 hectares. There’s

32km of footpaths, bridleways, sculpture trails and cycle routes to film within.

The Singing Ringing Tree

Designed by Anna Lui and Mike Tonkin the Singing Ringing Tree on Crown Point Moor is one of the top ten pieces of sound art in the world. Standing 3m tall, it is made of galvanised steel pipes which make both an incredible and eerie noise in the wind. You can also enjoy breathtaking views across Burnley, which is surrounded by Pennine countryside.

The Leeds-Liverpool Canal

We are proud of our industrious past and a key player in that was the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The Burnley stretch of the canal includes one of the Seven Wonders of the British Canal system – the Straight Mile. This embankment carries the canal 60ft above town, from Reedley Marina to Hapton Boat Yard via the Weavers’ Triangle.

Our vibrant sectors

We’re the first to admit that sometimes it surprises people just how many vibrant sectors call our town home. Below are just a handful of the thriving sectors in which you can work and invest in Burnley. We have some incredible premises that would provide filming locations, from giant engineering buildings and luxury spas to striking fashion backdrops and interactive university spaces.

• Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering

• Digital and Creative

• Leisure, Retail and Tourism

• Logistics

• Education and Training

• Fashion and Textiles

• Rural and Agriculture

You can see videos about our thriving sectors on our YouTube channel.

Our two high streets

We are home to not one but two thriving high streets, both within a ten-minute drive of one another.

Burnley high street has a mix of bigname brands and smaller independents. It has a large open square below a market with bustling food hall, a mix of modern and heritage buildings and construction materials, cobble streets, modern open public realm areas and everything else in between. Pioneer Place,

a new cinema and restaurant complex, will open in the second half of 2023.

Padiham high street is picturesque, with the main stretch set in a heritage area on a gradient which provides the perfect backdrop for period productions. The beautiful town hall has a large split marble staircase, whilst several of the nearby residential streets house period properties.

We enjoy a fantastic mix of residential housing. Whether crews require an apartment, a new build, rows of terraces or cottages, we have varied properties.

Burnley has prime central location in the UK. Crews and actors can easily travel to and also within Burnley – most locations within the borough are no more than 15 minutes between one another.

Burnley – better connected

Situated around junction 10 of the M65, Burnley has connections south to the M66 and then on to the M62, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool. Along the M65 to the west are Blackburn, the M6, Preston, Blackpool, the Lake District and beyond.

Our motorways are fast flowing so we measure miles in minutes. Within five minutes of Burnley centre is rural splendour. Within one hour are the three international airports in Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.

Accommodation

Burnley and Padiham have a fantastic mix of accommodation for crews and actors. All are within a few minutes’ drive from both Burnley and Padiham centres.

Dedicated support

Burnley benefits from a dedicated full-time Burnley Place Brand Team. Their position as the bridge between private sector and Burnley Council means film crews have access to both the public and private sector. They will be more than happy to help with any enquiries relating to filming, as well as assist with location ideas.

Anyone wanting to find out more can contact Rachel Bayley, Burnley Place Brand Manager by email: rbayley@burnley. gov.uk or by calling 07583 121 120.

FOLLOW

Follow Burnley.co.uk on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and visit us here to keep up to date with our borough and potential opportunities and locations for filming.

WE INSOLVENCY

Burnley FC’s brand strategy

– HOW POP CULTURE AND HUMOUR HELPS THEM GO GLOBAL

Burnley’s Football Club is beloved by fans inside and out of Burnley. Clarets are often prided as the most passionate fans in the country, and the iconic Turf Moor grounds are many people’s ‘Happy Place’.

After Alan Pace’s takeover of the club in December 2020, we’ve seen a noticeable change to Burnley FC’s digital presence. Their social media strategy is one that outshines even the largest of clubs and truly reflects Burnley FC as a modern, digital-era innovator.

The football club recognised how large the international market for football really is and by drawing in global audiences through social media virality they can massively increase the fan base.

So, going viral was the aim, but what did they do to achieve this?

Not only have they increased the output of footage on their socials, including behind-the-scenes footage and clips in their Clarets Uncut series, their iconic signing announcement videos have been an absolute favourite amongst fans!

The club has leveraged pop culture references to harness organic engagement across all of their social media profiles. The content they’ve created is downright hilarious and this has resulted in a huge uptick in engagement.

Some of the highest engaged posts include:

• A clip from 1999 horror film ‘Sixth Sense’ where the character Coel –played by Haley Joel Osment – says that he can “See new Signings”, before the cleverly edited clip shows their new signing Halil Dervişoğlu.

• A clip from the ‘Generation Game’ TV game show presented by Bruce Forsyth, where the conveyor belt of items ends with Burnley’s new signing, Nathan Teller.

• A clip from the hit Netflix show ‘Breaking Bad’ where Burnley FC’s the character Hank – played by Dean Norris – announces Denis Franchi. This particular video reached 2.1 million views on Twitter.

All of these, plus the thirteen other witty announcements, received amazing feedback from the fanbase. As YouTuber and avid Claret fan @OfficalViseh Tweeted: “Breaking Bad references now my Football Club!!”

These clever announcement videos have to be watched to be truly appreciated. We’d recommend heading to Burnley FC’s social media channels, such as on YouTube or Twitter, and watching all of these July and August announcement videos to truly appreciate their magnificence.

This isn’t just to get a laugh out of fans either. Organic growth on social media from engaging posts like these can have a tangible impact on a brand and its growth.

As Rebecca Stubbs, social media manager at Burnley Football Club has said:

“My second transfer window in the job and possibly the maddest period any of us have had. 16 incomings, 15 outgoings, three hectic months and one new era.”

“It’s been one to remember and with every signing, we upped our game. 83.7 million impressions, 8.6 million engagements and 17.6 million views” “When the aim is to go viral, I think we nailed it.”

Burnley FC’s strategy of using humour to go viral is a strategy any business should look into implementing, and not just in the sporting world. Organic growth is free and all it takes is a little creativity for your brand to be projected across the world

“...with every signing, we upped our game. 83.7 million impressions, 8.6 million engagements and 17.6 million views. When the aim is to go viral, I think we nailed it.”

Rebecca Stubbs, social media manager at BFC

Young people in

Young people in Burnley are shaping the development of the £23 million Pioneer Place retail and leisure scheme, which is due to open in autumn 2023.

The huge project is being built by Burnley Council’s development partner Maple Grove Developments, part of the Eric Wright Group. It will include a seven-screen REEL cinema, five retail and leisure units and a 226-space carpark.

And the group have shown their commitment to young people by recruiting Themis apprentices and offering valuable work experience opportunities, working closely with Burnley College students to allow learners regular access on-site to gain knowledge about how developments of this size progress.

Iqra Shafqat, 17, is currently on a work experience placement to learn about site management. She is studying

Advanced Level Construction and the Built Environment at Burnley College Sixth Form Centre. She initially thought she wanted to go into architecture, but enjoyed working on large projects and the organisation that goes into them. She works with Eric Wright on the Pioneer site one a day a week and the other days are at college.

“I’m the first in my family to go into site management, several are in medicine or law. As a young female in construction I’ve not faced any preconceptions about going into what may be seen as a maledominated role. It’s been a really positive experience. I was initially working with the Eric Wright Group for 45 days, but three weeks into the role they’ve asked me to stay on until Pioneer Place is built, so I’m really pleased,” Iqra said.

The second apprentice taken on by the Eric Wright Group is Thomas Astley, 17, who

is an apprentice joiner. Thomas trains at Themis at Burnley College one day a week, then spends four days at Pioneer Place gaining valuable skills and experience.

“I’m also staying on until the end of the project – big projects are what I want to work on. In fact, my grandad is a joiner and at some point during the build he will come on site to carry out work, so it’ll be good to work together. I’m hard working and determined, and competition was tough to get an apprenticeship, but I managed it and I’ve made my family proud,” Thomas explained.

Corporate social responsibility is at the forefront of culture and policy at the Eric Wright Group. It recognises the social and environmental implication of its activities and takes responsible action to ensure staff and the local communities in which they work are considered and supported.

PARTNERS WITH BURNLEY COLLEGE

One way in which the Eric Wright Group does this is through its partnership with Burnley College. Students across several courses have had the privilege of going on site to see progress and ways of working, with more planned visits as the work reaches each stage.

In October, students on vocational and T-Level construction programmes were taken round the site by Peter Harrison, project manager for Pioneer Place. The visit enables students to put health and safety into context, see the various boarding techniques used, as well as get a closer look at the steelwork and subfloor.

“It’s really important for us to work with young people and the local community in Burnley as this project is important to them and getting outside of a classroom to see real-life examples of projects of this size is fantastic experience,” Peter said.

“It’s been great working with Burnley College and the students, and we have several more visits arranged for those studying subjects including joinery and tiling. Along with our partners, such as Smith Love Planning Consultants, AEW Architects and Booth King Structural Engineers, we’ve also gone into college to present on topics such as the role of planning in shaping the design and the survey work and site preparation.

“It’s important to the Eric Wright Group to give something back and to leave a lasting positive impression as a company, so local communities feel empowered and part of the project. We’re also working with the food bank initiative led by Burnley FC in the Community, which has been a great partnership too.”

David Lord, head of Burnley College’s Centre for Construction and Future Technologies, said: “Many thanks to the Eric Wright Group for facilitating this great learning experience for our students. We pride ourselves on offering industry-focussed opportunities for all students and the chance to see their learning come to life on such a prestigious project was invaluable.”

It is estimated the construction of Pioneer Place will support around 180 jobs, with a further 100-plus new jobs being created in the cinema and supporting food outlets.

Councillor Mark Townsend, Burnley Council’s executive member for economy and growth, said: “It’s fantastic that young people are getting this opportunity to learn new skills on an active building site and help create this exciting new development. When they go to the cinema they can tell their friends ‘I helped build this.’ How great is that!”

Iqra Shafqat

Thomas Astley

Return of the

BURNLEY BUSINESS IS BLOOMING

After a three year break the Burnley Business Awards returned in style in 2022 with a glittering awards ceremony in the grounds of Towneley Hall. Organised by Burnley Council, with The University of Central Lancashire as headline sponsor, the awards celebrated the entrepreneurship and achievements of our local businesses, and what a lot there was to celebrate!

Once nominations for the awards opened it was clear businesses were eager to share their successes, and nominations for all 11 categories came in thick and fast. Judges from the category sponsors and independent third parties met at the Holiday Inn Express to whittle down the entries. Finalists were then invited to present to the judging panel to help them make their final decision.

A team e ort

Following the rigorous shortlisting process, it was time to plan and ASP Events were tasked to create a memorable event with the theme of ‘Burnley in Bloom’. Hospitality students from Burnley College worked with the events team on the evening, while the college’s construction department, built and donated the planters, that were filled with flowers planted by the council’s Green Spaces apprentices. Following the awards, the planters were donated to Pendleside Hospice and the SafeNet women and children’s refuge to brighten up their outdoor spaces. Burnley business stalwart John Spencer Textiles and Burnley College Art & Design students also joined forces to deliver part of the décor for the awards. John Spencer Textiles, which has made

quality woven textiles in Burnley since 1871, were table arrangement sponsors. When they were set a challenge by Burnley Council, to help create décor for the evening following the awards theme of ‘Burnley in Bloom’, they knew what needed to be done.

“We have a long-standing partnership with Burnley College and try to ensure any textiles waste is made use of. The students were tasked with creating beautiful floral displays using the waste fabrics from our fabric retail brand Ian Mankin. This could be scrap from the sampling process, waste yarns and even selvedge. It’s a win-win– waste fabric is put to good use and the textiles students have a hands-on project for their portfolio”, Samantha Sully, marketing assistant at John Spencer Textiles, said.

It was great to see these partnerships come together on the night and exemplify the #BrilliantBurnley spirit.

A flamboyant welcome

On the day of the Burnley Business Awards 500 people from the borough’s business community headed to the historic grounds of Towneley Hall. Despite rain threatening to stop play earlier in the day the sun made an appearance just in time for guests who were greeted by giant butterflies(!) and music from Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, whilst enjoying a champagne reception.

Once inside the marquees Simon Brierley from East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and Anna Jameson, BBC presenter, journalist and reporter took to the stage to get the awards underway.

Throughout the evening guests were entertained by singer Dan Taylor, while local DJ Matt Robinson got the after party started with a mix of dance floor hits. The party didn’t end there with an ‘after after party’ held at Illuminati in Burnley town centre, with music provided by local band In Bloom and sponsored by Burnley.co.uk and burnley.social.

Food was provided by renowned chef Adam Reid, chef-patron at The French, based at The Midland Hotel in Manchester. Adam, who is two-time winner of TV’s The Great British Menu and holds four AA rosettes, delivered a Lancashire-inspired menu that was thoroughly enjoyed by all!

But of course, the most important part of the night was the awards, read on to find out more about the fantastic finalists and see who took home the prizes on the night…

Small

Supporting businesses and the people that work in those businesses is at the very heart of what they do. While they were doing what they do best, they also developed themselves and grew the business by a significant percentage. The judges were impressed by their passion for people and how they wouldn’t have their business anywhere else but Burnley.

Small

The judges were very impressed with FloControl, they clearly demonstrated significant growth, resilience, and a commitment to their staff. They have a very clear strategy for growth and are in the process of planning their future expansion.

FloControl showed their commitment to reducing energy requirements and working towards net zero not just for themselves but for their clients too.

Medium Business of the Year Award

With several product launches, employee growth and a 100 per cent increase in turnover, the judges were impressed with the continued growth of AMS Neve. Distribution networks have increased across the globe, putting Burnley further on the map.

CONGRATULATIONS

Birchall Foodservice | Coolkit Ltd | AMS Neve Limited

Large Business of the Year Award

FINALISTS

CONGRATULATIONS

WINNER: VEKA plc

VEKA plc stood out for having revolutionised its approach to its people over the last 18 months, with an attractive employee package. The business also demonstrated innovative projects to diversify its product range into new sectors and a commitment to the green agenda.

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort | Fagan & Whalley | VEKA plc | The Calico Group

The judges were impressed with Process Instrument’s approach to the efficient use of technology and their ability to adapt to a global shortage of components. In doing so, it ensured the company’s survival. Their commitment to the local supply chain also stood out.

FINALISTS

This was another tough category to judge, and all finalists should be proud, but the panel were impressed were Pendleside Hospice’s detail to positive leadership, with an ethical culture apparent. This remained firm, even during a very difficult two years.

Employer of the Year Award CONGRATULATIONS

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort | Birchall Foodservice | VEKA plc | Pendleside Hospice

Young Employee of the Year Award

FINALISTS

Pendleside

FloControl Ltd - Aaron Lundie (sales administrator)

Schofield

Batch

WINNER: Toby Uttley-Muldoon

financial adviser, Schofield & Associates Financial Planning Ltd

The judges said this category was highly competitive and it was a pleasure to meet so many talented young people. Unfortunately, there could only be one winner and Toby was noted for his impressive application and interview, enthusiasm and can-do attitude. His presentation was described as “outstanding”, whilst the level of respect he has towards his customers and colleagues impressed judges.

CONGRATULATIONS

Hospice - Adrianne Laird (health and social care apprentice)

& Associates Financial Planning Ltd - Toby Uttley-Muldoon (financial adviser)

Brew Limited (Batch Distillery) - Ryan Evans (head distiller)

In a competitive category in a borough with some incredible international businesses, two applications stood out above the rest. Both finalists faced significant challenges during COVID, but with incredible agility and innovation excelled during this period. It was almost impossible to decide between the two, both would have been worthy winners, but the passion and team spirit of Process Instruments shone through to give them the edge..

International Trade of the Year Award CONGRATULATIONS

This was tricky to judge because all of the finalists are innovative in different ways in their different sectors. The judges selected Birchall Foodservice, who has been a disruptor in their field, with e-commerce taking a huge slice of their total sales. An impressive upselling campaign to educate their customers has been a huge success also.

FINALISTS

| Illuminati Restaurant & Bar | Burnley Leisure & Culture Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort

WINNER: Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort

This sector has especially faced some challenges over the past couple of years. The judges recognised this and was impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit of all finalists, especially the newer businesses. However, only one can take home the award and Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort has demonstrated outstanding excellence in everything it does and an incredible commitment to employees and customers.

Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality CONGRATULATIONS

Ellis’s

FINALISTS

WINNER: The Low Carbon Energy Company

This was an extremely close decision for the judges, however for The Low Carbon Energy Company the renewable energy agenda is not only its business ethos, but it’s also committed to educating the community.

Key to this business’s success is its strong leadership, focussed not on just developing their own team, but the community at large.

Environmental Excellence CONGRATULATIONS

RecycleIT | The Low Carbon Energy Company Limited | Burnley College

Headline Sponsor

Business of the Year Award

CHOSEN

BY

Mick Cartledge, chief executive o cer of Burnley Council and Dharma Kovvuri, dean of the UCLan Burnley campus

CONGRATULATIONS

WINNER: The Calico Group

A surprise category, Dharma Kovvuri, dean of UCLan Burnley and Burnley Council’s chief executive Mick Cartledge looked at all of the finalist applications and were blown away with the entries. It was nearly impossible to compare the different categories and businesses, but the one thing which stood out to both of them, was the way The Calico Group had gone above and beyond during the pandemic and stepped up to the plate. They supported the most vulnerable residents during the pandemic and were instrumental in establishing Burnley Together.

A night to remember

Following the awards Burnley Council chief executive officer Mick Cartledge said: “The evening was a celebration of the resilience of the people and businesses in our borough. It was an incredibly uplifting event and I know myself, UCLan and all of the judges and sponsors were blown away by the tenacity shown, as well as the incredible success stories. After a three-year break, the 2022 Burnley Business Awards will certainly be remembered. A huge congratulations to everyone who entered, who was shortlisted and who took home a coveted award.”

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners and a big thank you to the Burnley Business Awards 2022 sponsors and partners.

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