InBusiness Burnley - Issue 22, Nov 2023 by Burnley.co.uk

Feature

Cyber security for your business

In Focus pg36

Burnley’s business stalwarts

News pg53

VEKA one of UK’s great places to work

pg8

InBusinessBurnley Issue 22

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Welcome from the editor

elcome to the latest issue of InBusinessBurnley magazine, bringing together all the latest business news from our borough. In September 2023, we celebrated ten years since Burnley was named the most enterprising area in the UK, an accolade that gained media coverage and helped to change perceptions of the borough. Since then, we haven’t stood still and these developments were celebrated at an event for Burnley Bondholders at Burnley College. While it’s vital to always move forward and look to the future, it’s also important to recognise those who have worked hard over the years to establish Burnley as a thriving place to establish a business. In this issue we talk to three influential figures – Tim Webber, Carole Garrett and Ged Ennis who have done just this. It’s fascinating to hear about their impact on our business community. One huge development this year was the opening of Pioneer Place, which includes REEL Cinema, Nando’s, Heavenly Desserts, Icaro Lounge and Starbucks. As well as adding to the Burnley town centre offering, the companies also play an important role in our community and we spoke to Sunil Suri from REEL Cinema on how the business plans to do this. Growing a company whilst maintaining an ethos of making a difference is something that both Dave Scholes of Six Connections and Andy Henderson from Forward Thinking are passionate about. In this issue, we speak to both business owners about how they combine the two. Of course, we can only share a fraction of the good news stories happening in the borough, so please follow Burnley.co.uk on all our social media channels to read more success stories from our Burnley businesses. And if you have a story you’d like to share please get in touch. If growing your organisation in 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. Email them at business@burnley.gov.uk and find out more online – burnley.co.uk/work-invest

Frontier Park development to create hundreds of jobs

20 Burnley Borough Council chief executive reflects on first months in post

44 REEL cinema - the REEL heart of the community

Katie McGee Editor kmcgee@burnley.gov.uk

54 Carole Garrett a tenacious tale design by: creative-council.net © Burnley Council 19032 Printed by Peter Scotts Printers [t] 01282 452221

News

Velocity Composites gets £1.5 million investment boost from Seneca North West-based Seneca Partners has committed further capital of £1.5m to leading Lancashire aerospace composites manufacturer Velocity Composites as part of a successful £6.6 million funding round. This latest investment will enable the company to accelerate its growth in the UK and overseas following the opening of its plant in Alabama, US, to add to its sites in Burnley and Fareham in the UK. Seneca is an existing shareholder in AIM-quoted Velocity through its £50 million EIS Fund and this additional £1.5 million of funding has been provided through a combination of its Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Venture Capital Trust (VCT) funds under management. Andy Beaden, chairman of Velocity Composites, added: “We are delighted Seneca have backed us again as we continue to grow. Their industry knowledge and reputation as a leading growth capital investor has excited us about having them

on board for the next leg of our journey.” Seneca’s Siobhan Pycroft said: “This investment into Velocity Composites is an exciting and exceptional opportunity for our investors to back market-leading aerospace industry experts here in the North West who have developed a global brand and rapidly growing business across the UK, US and Europe. “This transaction is a great example of what our EIS and VCT funds can be used for and our continued support demonstrates the progress the business has made. We are thrilled to be a part of their long-term growth strategy and look forward to the next stage of the journey.” The proceeds of the fundraise will support Velocity to scale the business, create further fund working capital requirements as well as make further investment in people, mainly based in their Burnley facility through key appointments in engineering, software and business development.

Velocity Composites manufactures advanced carbon fibre and ancillary material kits for use in the aerospace and associated industries from its sites in the UK and the US. The company uses its process knowledge, business processes and proprietary software to reduce the amount of material required by its customers and also reduce the associated material waste when making aircraft parts. Seneca Partners is an award-winning specialist SME investment business and the founding member of a network of companies which operate across the North of England employing over 50 people with offices in Manchester and Haydock. Seneca manages over £170 million in property and tax-advantaged investment funds. As an experienced growth capital investor, Seneca has raised and deployed over £115 million of EIS and VCT funds into over 70 SMEs since it undertook its first EIS investment in 2012.

CheckedSafe announces a monumental new partnership Burnley-based company CheckedSafe, the UK’s leading provider of vehicle compliance and fleet management, has announced a landmark partnership with Network Rail. After almost four years of meticulous planning, bespoke development and negotiation, the partnership officially commenced in January 2023 – and stands as CheckedSafe’s most expansive client relationship yet. Network Rail, the owner of Britain’s vast railway infrastructure spanning over 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels, viaducts, and thousands of signals, encompasses a staggering 650 railway stations nationwide. Their decision to partner with CheckedSafe underscores the Burnley-based software company’s capability to cater to complex, large-scale operations – and strengthens their reputation as an industry leader. Marking a monumental achievement for CheckedSafe, this partnership sees their Fleet Management app now utilised by over 44,000 unique Network Rail employees across a fleet of over 10,000+ vehicles, placing the award-winning SaaS platform at the forefront of Network Rail’s vehicle compliance. The collaboration has also resulted in the creation of numerous custom features and bespoke development. Among these new solutions is an Near-field Communication keyring system designed to offer a secure and efficient user identification mechanism for Network Rail’s extensive 44,000-person workforce. This allows for seamless access to individual CheckedSafe app profiles across a variety of devices without the need for cumbersome email and password login methods. To ensure the fleet management portal works sufficiently for such a large organisation, CheckedSafe have also developed a unique API software that allows Network Rail greater segmentation and insight into their nationwide network of vehicles – as well as numerous other bespoke features.

CheckedSafe’s Darran Harris elaborates on the scale of the project: “This isn’t just a big project for us; it’s an ever-evolving and unique partnership. It’s fundamentally about changing driver behaviour to ensure our roads are the safest they can be. We’ve risen to the challenges of managing one of the UK’s most extensive vehicle fleets by devising tailored solutions, unique new app functions and developing specialised API software.” However, the technological advancements from this collaboration are not just about innovation but also about fulfilling a larger responsibility. Not only does the partnership strengthen Network Rail’s compliance, but it bolsters their commitment to road safety and accountability, supporting their long-term vision of having one of the safest vehicle fleets within the UK.

World’s first fully digitalised goods shipment sent from Burnley in billionpound boost for British businesses The first ever fully digitalised goods shipment recently landed in Singapore from Simonstone, Burnley after the UK introduced worldleading legislation to make trading cheaper and easier for businesses. A valve produced by manufacturer Fort Vale, set off from Manchester Airport on 24th September, facilitated by UK and Singapore based tech company LogChain. For the first time ever, the shipment was processed entirely digitally, rather than via physical customs documents. The news comes following the UK’s digital trade agreement with Singapore, which facilitated electronic trade, as well as the introduction of the UK’s ground-breaking Electronic Trade Documents Act (ETDA). The Act made the UK the first G7 country to place electronic trade documents on the same legal footing as paper documents. It is estimated the move could generate £1.14 billion for the UK economy over the next decade, supporting the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the economy.

News

Frontier Park in Burnley will create hundreds of jobs The development undertaken by Monte Blackburn Ltd is now well progressed with the main contractor, Pendle based Barnfield Construction, having completed the majority of the site enabling work and the steel frame of the first two units. Located immediately off Junction 9 of the M65 the new scheme will provide five new speculative industrial/ logistics units from 39,000 to 158,800 sq ft with the first units being available Q3 2024 and the final units being completed towards early 2025.

Frontier Burnley has been designed with sustainability in mind, targeting BREEAM ‘Very Good’ and a minimum EPC rating of B. The development is adjacent to Network 65 Business Park and opposite Burnley Bridge Business Park, which are now regarded as prime locations along the M65 corridor where occupiers include Exertis and Vodafone. Alex Kenwright development director at Monte Blackburn Ltd, said “Frontier

Park Burnley forms part of our vision to expand Burnley’s Business Park supply and demonstrates our commitment to investing in the borough and the M65 corridor. Our confidence in Burnley and the wider Lancashire area is illustrated by our commitment to the site and the fact that we are building out the scheme fully over the next 18 months. ‘’Early occupier interest is encouraging and is a good indication of the health of the Lancashire business economy.’’

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News

Burnley business VEKA plc is named as one of the UK’s Great Places to Work Burnley uPVC window system manufacturer VEKA plc has been officially certified by the Global Authority on Workplace Culture as a Great Place to Work. A recent survey of staff has shown that 81 per cent of respondents consider their workplace a Great Place to Work, which is a 10 per cent increase on 2022’s results. VEKA’s human resources director, Sally Blades commented: “We have seen positive results and encouraging comments around our people, leadership, culture and more. We recognise the importance of looking after the people who look after our business. Through putting our people first, we know that they will adopt the same approach when it comes to their roles.” The survey focused on areas such as justice, leadership effectiveness and behaviour, communication, empowerment, and reward, which most interestingly took the top spot, with a 23 per cent increase on the previous year. This focus area looked at statements surrounding pay, employees

share of profits and benefits, some of which were 13-32 percentage points above the UK Best Workplace Benchmark. One survey respondent commented: “The company has been very generous over the past year, with cost-of-living bonuses, Christmas gift cards, profit share, etc, which makes you feel like it genuinely does care about its staff and their welfare.” VEKA, which now has a workforce of over 400, has continued to invest in its management team. All frontline managers have recently taken part in ILM training and were encouraged to join onsite Six Connections workshops, to assist them in supporting their teams to maintain good mental health. Results in this area showed a 12 per cent increase on 2022 and indicated that management are seen as approachable and share the same consistent strategic direction. Sally continued: “Achieving Great Place to Work status isn’t something that comes easily, it takes ongoing dedication to improving the employee experience, and it is the only official

recognition that is determined by real time reports of company culture. This wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing workforce. We are extremely proud.” This year the company announced it would be creating 70 new roles across its extrusion, lamination, warehouse, and transport departments. VEKA’s expansion follows the successful acquisition of major new customers, anticipated to boost the company’s turnover by around 25 per cent. This marks a positive stride for VEKA and Burnley’s economy, supporting job security and additional employment prospects. “The upsurge in VEKA’s growth reflects the hard work of our team and the trust our customers, old and new, place in us. We’re committed to fostering careers, supporting families, and contributing to the region’s economy by cultivating talent, and providing those who want, with growth opportunities,” added Sally.

coming soon... If you think your business or organisation is one of the best in the borough, please make a note of the following dates… 15th January - entries open 28th March - entries close 12th April - shortlisted finalists announced 29th April to 1st May - shortlisted finalists present to judges 6th May - tickets go on sale 4th July - The Burnley Business Awards 2024

AWARDS 2024

Please note - Only businesses in Burnley can enter the Burnley Business Awards. The definition of being based in Burnley is you must pay your business rates to Burnley Borough Council and be up to date. This will be verified. We unfortunately cannot accept entrants from businesses who pay to other local authorities, such as Pendle or the Ribble Valley. These local authorities typically host their own business awards and we wish you all the best with entering.

It’s almost time to enter the Burnley Business Awards 2024.

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News

Local businesses get creative to support charity

Each year, Pendleside Hospice aims to raise over £4.3 million in donations to cover its running costs. As well as support from the local community, our borough’s business community plays a huge role in helping them achieve this goal. The Corporate Challenge is an annual event, which sees local businesses take part in a range of fundraising activities over a four month period. The 2023 challenge launched in June 2023 was sponsored by MKM Building Supplies and Enable Payments. Over 60 businesses took part this year and an incredible £167,926.74 was raised.

MORE THAN JUST FUNDRAISING From bake sales and quiz nights to the more daring challenges of skydives and 48-hour static bike rides, the challenge is a great opportunity for businesses to get creative and bond as a team. Johdi Dinsdale from Batch Distillery explained why they decided to take part: “We are proud to have supported Pendleside Hospice for many years, but I think I can speak for the team when I say this year’s Corporate Challenge was by far the most nerve wracking. However, the 15,000ft skydive was an absolutely phenomenal experience for us all, and it was such a great day for the team. We supported each other with some of our fears - heights being one of them, but our short 3 mile fall from the sky was nothing compared to the lengths that the Pendleside team go to in caring for its patients and their families.” Joanne Collins from Unique Boilers made over 800 scones and 200 jars of homemade jam as part of the challenge. It was the community aspect of the fundraising that she particularly enjoyed: “I’ve never taken part in a fundraising event like this before, so I had no idea what to expect. I soon realised that this was something on another level as the warmth, positivity and empowering energy rippled across the whole challenge community. “As the challenge began, I decided to do something that I love - baking! So, with the help of community and supermarket donations, I embarked on the biggest ‘sconathon’ of my life selling to family, friends and networking colleagues, and the support I received was incredible! Along the way, I visited the hospice, armed with cream teas, and saw first-hand, just how amazing its work is.”

VITAL SUPPORT Businesses of all sizes from the Burnley and Pendle area take part in the challenge and Elaine Middleton from Pendleside Hospice explains why their support is so vital: “Every year, I am in awe at the lengths in which people go to raise money for our local hospice. Not only is it the perfect way to bring your employees together, it’s also an ideal opportunity to network with like-minded businesses, raise funds for a fantastic charity - whilst having fun too! This year, many of our challengers have spent time at the hospice, volunteering and getting involved in our day services, which has been lovely to see. It’s important to see first-hand the incredible support which Pendleside provides, and to really understand where your fundraising efforts are going.” To celebrate everyone’s achievements, an awards night was held on 2nd November 2023 at The Crow Wood Hotel & Spa. Awards were given for various categories including ‘Fundraiser of The Year’ and best ‘Laugh Out Loud’ moment. If you’d like to put your name down for next year’s Corporate Challenge, please email Pendleside’s Head of Corporate Fundraising, Elaine on elaine.middleton@pendleside.org.uk

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Institute of Technology expertise and equipment boost for Burnley College Cutting-edge, industry-leading equipment has been installed and facilities transformed at Burnley College to deliver a series of pioneering programmes focussed on Advanced Manufacturing, Digital Technologies and Healthcare Science as part of the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology. Burnley College is one of the leading partners in the new Institute of Technology (IoT), which is one of several across the UK, created by the Government to provide high-quality, higher-level technical education and training in a range of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) occupations and industries. As part of the new Lancashire & Cumbria IoT Burnley College will: • Work alongside employers to create the workforce of the future • Empower learners with exceptional technical education to become career-ready • Enable the North West to become a world leader in future technologies and manufacturing excellence.

Developed with industry in mind, an exciting and pioneering range of IoT programmes have been launched and are now available for learners to apply, with start dates this autumn and early 2024 at Burnley College’s £115 million, town centre campus. Combined with a massive investment in new technology including 5 Axis Mazak CNC machines; a cutting-edge tool management system; the latest in robotics and mechatronics technology; a groundbreaking security operations centre and state-of-the-art laboratory, it offers learners seeking careers in highly-skilled roles fantastic new learning pathways, as well as local businesses training opportunities. Neil Burrows, director of Skills and Innovation at Burnley College, said: “Burnley College has a proud reputation for being at the very forefront of training and industry developments, staying ahead of the curve to ensure employers across the North West have access to the very latest technologies. “Being home to the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology allows us

to take that experience and expertise to the next level through substantial investment in equipment and ensuring our staff are sector leaders in the latest skills and knowledge needed by the workforce pf the future. “Every development made at college to create these state-of-the-art workshops and facilities has been guided by collaboration with employers who are working with us to create a ‘talent pipeline’ for the future.” Burnley College is partnering with Blackpool and Fylde College, Nelson and Colne College Group, Blackburn College, Lancaster and Morecambe College, Runshaw College, Preston College, the University of Central Lancashire, Edge Hill University and Lancaster University, as well as industry partners East Lancashire Health Trust, Blackpool Transport, Leyland Trucks and Nybble, to form the Lancashire and Cumbria IoT. To find out more about how the IoT programmes hosted at Burnley College can transform your future – as a skilled professional or an employer at the forefront of your sector – visit www.burnley.ac.uk/institute-of-technology

BURNLEY MARKS 10 YEARS SINCE MOST ENTERPRISING ACCOLADE

In 2013, Burnley was named Most that have happened in the years since, Enterprising Area in Britain in the Enterprising as well as looking to the future. Britain Awards for the borough’s ongoing Compered by Simon Brierley from the commitment to support its businesses. It was East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, also recognised for successfully reframing guests heard from a variety of speakers perceptions of Burnley and for the way the who outlined the ways in which Burnley Burnley Bondholders scheme had engaged has progressed since receiving the award. both the public and private sector to work Strategist and writer Alistair Campbell joined together to deliver its ambitious plans. the event via Zoom to share his thoughts on In September, an event for Burnley how young people can help shape the future. Bondholders was held at Burnley College A prestigious panel made up of to mark the ten-year anniversary of the Lukman Patel, chief executive of Burnley accolade andA5tolandmark celebrate the Council, Carrie-Anne Kay, founder Rene 1 1057180 IBB FUNdevelopments adverts v3.qxp_Layout 1 25/10/2023 16:11 of Page

K Couture, Matt Williams, COO of Burnley FC and Emma Morris, executive editor of the BBC's One Show and Morning Live covered an array of topics, not least how perceptions have changed of Burnley both internally and externally. The young people taking part in the bondholder’s Future Leaders programme also took to the stage to explain what they have learnt since joining the innovative 12-month personal and professional development programme. The event was concluded with a tour of the college’s robotics suite.

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News

RecycleIT awarded for its green credentials

Burnley Bondholder RecycleIT has been recognised for promoting the use of existing products and materials, rather than always buying new. It won the Carbon Low Chamber award for Best Circular Economy Business in Lancashire and Environmental Sustainability Award at the Best of Lancashire Awards. Based on Manchester Road in

Burnley, the company is one of the UK’s leading IT disposal and asset management service providers. RecycleIT was recognised for the way it helps our communities through its hugely popular National Sustainability Project. The project offers a range of services which saves public and private sector clients money on their IT equipment by up to 50 per cent. Clients can also get

money back on their redundant IT equipment, with RecycleIT reusing or disposing of the equipment in an environmentally friendly way, all with zero per cent landfill. The unique project also offers a carbon offsetting programme, which supports a number of charities in Lancashire with IT donations and sponsorship. In the last two years RecycleIT has donated over £50,000 worth of IT

equipment to its chosen charities including Derian House Children’s Hospice, Healthier Heroes, Curry on the Street and many more. On top of this, they plant one tree for every ten units sold and plant one tree for every tonne of e-waste collected. Congratulations to RecycleIT! Find out more www.recycleit. co.uk/services/sustainability

Fagan & Whalley team help raise over £65,000 in London-Paris cycle challenge

Fagan & Whalley, a leading name in logistics, has raised over £65,000 by taking part in Transaid’s 25th Anniversary European cycle challenge. The team made up of Sam, Laura, Stephen and Graham Fagan, alongside 40 other riders from the logistics sector, cycled over 187 miles from London to Paris, collectively raising money for Transaid’s mission to improve road safety and healthcare access in rural communities throughout Africa.

The journey kicked off on the 22nd of September with a 65-mile ride from London’s Greenwich Observatory to Newhaven, followed by a ferry to Dieppe. On the second day, the team covered 70 miles to Beauvais, enduring over 20 punctures in a single day, before completing the final 54-mile stretch to the Eiffel Tower on the third day. Sam Fagan, commercial managing director at Fagan & Whalley, said, “We’ve actively

supported the mission of Transaid for a number of years now. Their dedication to increasing road safety and supporting the career development of drivers closely aligns with our own in-house values.” “Just last month, we donated a vehicle to the ITC and Transaid in Zambia, which is now being used to train new HGV drivers and enhance road safety across subSaharan Africa. We’re incredibly proud to support this organisation

and couldn’t turn down the chance to come together with fellow industry partners to show our support for such a great cause.” Florence Bearman, Transaid’s head of fundraising added, “Once again, we’ve shown how the industry comes together to support Transaid, raising vital unrestricted funds which will help us to save more lives through our vital road safety and access to healthcare projects.”

Root Fifty-Two celebrates 15 years of creative and marketing excellence

Burnley business Root Fifty-Two is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Founded in 2008 by Kimberley Thompson the business, which started as a print-design studio, has now grown to a team of 15 and offers the full range of creative and marketing services. The team work with businesses across various sectors including Burnley Bondholders Fagan & Whalley and Equestrian Surfaces. Kimberley says: “I never thought when I started Root Fifty-Two as a small design business it would grow into such an incredible agency. We’ve gone from strength to strength and have more ambitious growth plans for the future.” While the business continues to grow and gain clients from across Lancashire and beyond it has remained firmly part of the borough’s business community and this year three of the team generously donated their time to run sessions on branding and email marketing during Burnley Business Week. To celebrate reaching this milestone, Root Fifty-Two held a number of fundraising events for The Brain Tumour Charity, including a cake sale, sponsored silence and a birthday party for its employees, clients and friends at Penny Black Bar in Burnley. Altogether the events raised over £2,200 for the charity which is a cause close to founder Kimberley’s heart, having lost her father to a brain tumour in 2020.

News

Burnley business wins Lancashire contract to upskill residents of the county

Burnley’s Transport Training Academy (TTA) has secured a contract from Lancashire County Council to upskill residents from its training hub at Network 65. TTA is a training organisation, specialising in logistics, warehousing and construction, such as driver training, forklift truck training and a number of construction courses, along with compliance, health and safety and manual handling. TTA has been selected to deliver the Skills Bootcamp in HGV for the county council, training 61 people to acquire their Category C licence and all the relevant components to equip them with the knowledge and skills to become professional LGV drivers in the logistic sector. Rachael Scanlin-Davis, director at TTA, said: “We’re delighted that out of everyone who responded to the tender, we were selected. We believe a key reason is that for us, this isn’t just about getting someone their lorry licence. This is about providing them with the skills, knowledge and mindset to either re-enter employment or to secure themselves a more prosperous career.

“Lorry drivers are in high demand and our training will be rigorous. From medicals and hazard perception to theory and of course the high-quality and safe driving itself, we’ll make sure those selected to enter the programme come away with everything they need to have a rewarding career.” The Skills Bootcamps offer free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks for adults aged 19 or over and who are either in work, self-employed, recently unemployed or returning to work after a break. They give people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with a local employer. TTA is delighted that the bootcamp will be based at its Burnley premises, and whilst open to people across Lancashire, they suspect many individuals will be from the local area. Lauren Scanlin, director and head of contracts at TTA, explained: “We’ve made sure there is a set criteria in place so we attract the right people. We’re working with job centres and partners such as Maximus and Fedcap to ensure the six cohorts have shown interest in logistics and are committed to this career. “This is important for many reasons,

but mainly because this offer is for people who actually want to be a professional lorry driver. Local businesses know that when they hire someone from our programme, they are fully trained with additional skills and ready to go, which saves them time and money too. It is win-win for both the employees and employers.” TTA has already partnered with local businesses including WH Bowker, Matthew Kibble Transport, One Stop Hire, AM Bracewell Transport, JJO Plc and James Hall (Spar) and is looking forward to expanding these partnerships as a result of the programme, which is fully funded. “We’re excited to bring this opportunity to Burnley and the people of Lancashire. The business was established because there was a gap in the market for an organisation that combined outstanding training delivery alongside excellent customer service and we’re thrilled that Lancashire County Council has recognised and understood our holistic ethos and chosen us as the successful provider,” David Coupe, managing director at TTA, added.

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Burnley Borough Council chief executive Lukman Patel reflects on his first few months in the role

Lukman Patel has been in his role as chief executive of Burnley Borough Council since August 2023. Despite only having been in the role for a short time, he’s seen plenty of exciting achievements and developments in the borough.

Lukman shares some of his experiences from his first months in role: Thank you to everybody who has made me feel so welcome as I have stepped into my new role. I have been captivated by the passion that our businesses share for growing Burnley’s economy. You are the backbone of our economy, the engine of our progress, and the source of our pride. You have shown that Burnley is not only a place of enterprise, but also a place of excellence. Having worked for Burnley Council for over eight years, I have developed some excellent relationships with our local businesses. As chief executive, I am looking forward to building on these relationships. I know I haven’t been

able to catch up with all of you that make Burnley brilliant so far, but I hope to do so over the coming months. As we look ahead to the future, I am confident that Burnley will continue to thrive and prosper as one of the best places to do business in the UK.

10 years of enterprising Burnley In September, I was delighted to be part of the Burnley Bondholder event celebrating ten years since Burnley was announced as the most enterprising area in the UK. The event, held at Burnley College, was a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the last ten years but also to look forward to the future. Receiving the accolade in 2013 was not only a recognition of the brilliant work that had happened in the Burnley business community, but also a significant catalyst for more impressive achievements in the succeeding decade. If the government had continued with these awards, I’m confident that we would have

been contenders for the award again or a higher accolade. As a place we continue to punch above our weight. Listening to the next generation of our Future Leaders was inspiring, even if they did make some of us feel a little old! I would like to thank everybody involved in the preparation and delivery of the Future Leaders programme as well as the participants who have been instrumental towards its success. You will be pleased to note that preparations are underway to deliver it again next year. It was an honour to be given the opportunity to be on the panel to answer excellent questions from business leaders. I was joined on the panel by Carrie-Ann Kay (designer and founder of Rene K Couture), Emma Morris (BBC executive editor - The One Show and Morning Live) and Matt Williams (chief operating officer, Burnley FC) to discuss why emotional and financial investment in the North is important.

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News

Pioneer Place Isn’t it great to see Pioneer Place (or Leo’s Car Park to us oldies!) finally completed? REEL Cinema has relocated to the site and Nando’s, Heavenly Desserts, Starbucks and Icaro Lounge are also open and thriving. There is a positive aura about the place, and it is wonderful to see some further vibrancy in the town centre. We also hope to be able to announce the tenant for the final unit shortly. This project demonstrates how hard work, and collaboration between the public and private sectors can help energise our borough.

Newtown Mill With support from the government’s levelling up programme, the council, the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Barnfield Construction continue to work together to deliver this important renovation to accelerate the borough’s university expansion. It was great to see some of the scaffolding being taken down over the last few weeks to unveil the majestic building that was hiding behind it. Behind the scenes, it has been brilliant to hear how UCLan are working hard preparing the quality courses that will be delivered from this building next summer. This historic ‘Mill Town’ is fast transforming into a proud university town.

50 years of the Burnley Youth Theatre I can’t believe that the Youth Theatre celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. This was a momentous occasion for the theatre and the community it serves so holding a Bondholder collaboration at the theatre was very fitting. The young performers who opened the event were very impressive.

Burnley Youth Theatre has been a beacon of creativity and inspiration for the past 50 years. It has been a place where young people can come together to express themselves, learn new skills, and build lifelong friendships. The theatre has produced countless plays, musicals, and performances that have entertained, and moved audiences of all ages. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we must also look to the future. Burnley Youth Theatre will continue to be a vital part of our community for many years to come. I am confident that it will continue to inspire young people, nurture creativity, and bring people together.

Burnley Business Week back for eleventh year One week, 27 sessions and over 300 people accessing free support - Burnley Business Week was back for the 11th year in September 2023’. The week, organised by Burnley Borough Council with University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) as its partner, gives valuable free support to businesses in the borough on a range of topics from financial wellness, email marketing and starting your own business. During the week, over 100 people also attended a mock tribunal run by Forbes Solicitors and Hays, giving them an insight into how the process runs. And, for those wanting to wind down and network with other local businesses, the week ended with a day of fitness and fun, including a Toptracer driving range experience and mini golf at The Prairie Sports Village.

Leon Calverley, director at Door4, ran the See Think Do Care – a framework for marketing success session. Leon has supported business week for a number of years, and says: “Being a part of Burnley Business Week is valuable for me, and Door4 - on a number of levels. We’ve been around 23 years now, but I remember how valuable it was to receive advice and guidance when we were setting out. I still attend a lot of events and seminars, many of which help shape our own strategy. Contributing to the local economy and knowledge base is crucial, and if we can help one business along their path to growth, then it’s been worthwhile.” If you are interested in being involved in Burnley Business Week 2024 please contact business@burnley.gov.uk

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Feature News News : Haffner’s expansion

HAFFNERS the pies the limit!

whirlwind year for brothers Ted and Dean Cockett... Within 18 months they had purchased the Burnley staple, Haffners pies and butchers, the Colne-based Pasture Farm Foods, with the online brands of justmeats.co.uk, meat2u.net and now added the wellknown Whitesides Bakery to the list. All the businesses now sit within the A & A Food Group, established by Dean Cockett; and are to be led by managing director, Ted Cockett, and operations director, Neil Wood.

On the road The acquisition of Pasture Farm Foods will enable the company to meet customer demands for Haffners products, as Ted explained: “We are asked every single day if we do pie deliveries, both locally and nationally, but until now we have not had the capacity at our bakery and we did not have an online ordering function, nor the logistical capability to make deliveries consistently. “All of these challenges have been dealt with through the acquisition, which will come as good news to our loyal Haffners customers, who will soon be able to get next day or workplace deliveries throughout Burnley and Pendle for all meat and pies.

Celebrity fans Within their short time at the helm of iconic Burnley business Haffners, established in 1889, they have supplied special pies for the movie premiere of the Bank of Dave, won three industry awards and secured a spot in Burnley Football Club’s FanZone to sell their award-winning pies. Haffners pies even got a thumbs up from NFL legend JJ. Watt and his US soccer star wife Kealia, who recently invested in Burnley Football Club and attended the team’s first game of the season against Manchester City. Haffners was making its own season’s debut at the club, selling its award-winning pies in the Fan Zone, and they had hoped J.J and Kealia would make an appearance. Ted explained: “We’d heard rumours that J.J. and Kealia would be visiting the Fan Zone, but we didn’t want to get our hopes up. Yet true to their word, there they were and they were so incredibly friendly. My brother and business partner, Dean, went to meet them and they were really keen to come visit our bakery on their next visit

The future The brother have some exciting plans in the making for 2024. Ted said: “We want to deliver the best possible service and products to our retail and wholesale customers alike. And are there are more acquisition in the pipeline? Dean said: “Should further opportunities present themselves with the right synergies in the right locations, we would certainly be interested in taking a look, with a view to adding them into our group.”

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Feature : The story of Forward Thinking

THE STORY OF

FORWARD THINKING 28

“I left sixth form after six weeks – and now help businesses become a success” Andy Henderson quickly realised the further education system wasn’t the route he wanted to take. “I attended Habergham Sixth Form for six weeks and decided it wasn’t for me. I took a job at what was then Lanway, an IT solutions and managed services provider at 17 and it’s a business I stayed at until I was 35,” Andy said. Fast forward into his career there, and Andy ended up becoming managing director – but it was a rocky start. “I’d just finished my first year as MD and could clearly see my leadership style wasn’t working. The business had been losing money, which is why I was asking to step in as MD, but I still hadn’t turned it around. It was terrible; I knew some of the staff just didn’t like my approach, but thankfully I just had a total mindset flip. “I adopted a ‘servant leadership’ style and started to ask employees what they wanted and what solutions they had to our challenges. It might sound simple, but so many businesses operate from a top-down approach and it’s what I’d learnt for more than 17 years. We operate in a different world now and you MUST put your people at the heart of decisions. It worked and the company doubled its revenue,” Andy explained.

Helping other Burnley businesses Andy stayed at the helm for another six months, before leaving in 2017 to set up Forward Thinking. He started as a business consultant, before working with an initial four businesses. Now, the Forward Thinking brand has helped 450 businesses over the last five years. Forward Thinking offers two services. There is Success GPS, a strategy-led consulting programme that guides driven but unfocused and time-constrained business leaders to clarity, unity and purposedriven development and growth. There is also Your Affordable Board, a network community of business owners who use the time together to troubleshoot one another’s problems using the skills and experience in the room.

“We want to work with businesses that want to make a difference. A better culture leads to a highly motivated team, which in turn leads to happier customers and bigger profits. We’ve worked with so many businesses in Burnley and beyond and it’s great to see that passion and entrepreneurial spirit,” Andy concluded. Andy is also joined by several other team members, including Chris Ball, who specifically focuses on East Lancashire. We love to see business supporting business in Burnley and Lancashire, and long may this ethos continue.

Feature : Six Connections Feature : xxxxxx

How one conversation about mental health can start a chain reaction...

Henry, starting the conversation even before he can speak...

ave Scholes, founder of Burnley’s Six Connections, was looking surprisingly perky when we met in Towneley Park considering he’d recently become a new dad to his baby boy Henry. “He’s doing really well, he’s a great sleeper actually and my wife Gemma is doing amazing. But when you love what I do for work like I do, it’s easy to have that energy,” Dave said. It’s important work; Dave is founder of Six Connections, a community which believes that if one person has conversations with six friends, colleagues or even strangers about how they are feeling, and they each went on to have six conversations and so on, the world would be a healthier and better place. Dave launched Six Connections after his friend Ian sadly took his own life in 2011. Dave struggled to talk about his emotions, but realised how a simply chat over a brew or beer was helpful. The pandemic shone the spotlight on mental health and in 2020, Dave launched Roast & Toast, a safe space where people could share their challenges. It took off and soon Dave launched a range of Six Connections products with a QR code on which took people to a page of useful information. Dave originally wanted to address the imbalance of men speaking up about mental health and sales of beer, coffee and biscuits took off. But of course, the conversation is for everyone.

Changing mental health perceptions in Burnley and beyond “Once restrictions eased, we could take Six Connections to the next level. I’m proud that we’ve gone into many Burnley businesses as part of mental health workshops for colleagues. We’ve done a huge project with VEKA, we’ve also just had 20 senior leaders from Forbes on our programme. We’ve also worked with 12 local headteachers so that can trickle down into schools. “Young people are not just our future, but the key to successful mental health engagement. They take mental health seriously and expect their current and future workplaces to do so too. They have the power to speak loudly in their businesses about it,” Dave continued. One thing that Burnley is good at is sports: from our Premier League football team and our raft of community clubs to Burnley College’s elite athlete facilities. Dave believes there is a huge gap in professional sports about mental health and it’s an imbalance he wants to tackle via Six Connections. “We’re in close talks with Burnley College to see what we can do together; we’re working with Themis apprentices and also the esports students. Esports can be very isolating, and we cannot forget this community too,” Dave explained. However, one huge step has been taking the Burnley message across the world – as far away as Italy, New Zealand and the USA.

How has Burnley got round the world? Dave was contacted by Mystery Shirt in a Box, who had spotted him on Instagram. The young male founder started the business in 2021, selling “jazzy” old or pre-season football shirts online. All shirts are new, but the buyer doesn’t know what they’ll receive. Sadly, he had also experienced a male friend commit suicide and liked what Six Connections is trying to do. He asked Dave if he could brand up a shirt with the official Six Connections strapline #PoweredByMates and a code the customer could scan to find out more. The shirt ended up being bought by people as far away as the USA and Italy; “we really are putting Burnley on the map!”, Dave proudly said. Dave has also launched a range of merchandise on the Six Connections website and partners with Park London to also sell a range. His items have been bought by customers as far away as New Zealand.

So, what next for Six Connections? “We of course want to get as many conversations going as possible. At home, at a match, in the pub, in schools, at work – my goal is 62 million people in the next six years. It might seem an impossible number, but all it would take is one viral TikTok, for example, to make that happen,” Dave concluded. So, if you’re reading this, get in touch with your friends and family and let’s get as many conversations started about mental health as possible!

Feature : Petty Real

Petty Real diversifies in an unexpected way In late 2019, Petty Real acquired the Old Red Lion building at the bottom of Manchester Road, Burnley. Despite the building being derelict at the time, the team recognised its underlying beauty. This came straight after Charlotte Hagan, alongside her father, Chris Hagan, and four sisters, took charge of Petty's (which has been established in Burnley for over 90 years) and subsequently rebranded it as Petty Real. Operating under the Real Big Group banner, they embarked on a strategic journey, expanding their portfolio to encompass several other enterprises, including a legal team, financial advisors, and a property letting company. The overarching goal was to create a comprehensive destination for customers, offering a one-stop solution for their various needs.

A central hub Given that their businesses were spread across Burnley, the acquisition of the Old Red Lion building was pivotal in establishing a central hub right in the heart of the borough. Recognising that the enormous Grade II-listed building was more than they needed for Petty Real alone, the team decided to get creative and think outside the box. Their solution was unexpected yet innovative: they carved out a section to introduce a brand-new coffee shop venture known as Real Coffee Bean. We spoke to Charlotte, who oversees the coffee shop and apartment complex above: “The coffee industry is taking off and people treat it as a luxury, so we thought if we have it next to the estate agents’ people can come in for a coffee, talk about housing or legal or whatever else the brands offer. “We try to use local people, we used local builders, local artwork and we’ve just hired a really good coffee shop manager. We’re learning about the industry more and more. We’ve also launched a Real Coffee Bean app – where you can collect reward points.” The purchase of the Old Red Lion building came right before the first Covid-19 lockdown, which was understandably a difficult time for businesses making huge strategic decisions. But Charlotte assured us

that they came out of the other side with their big ambitions still intact: “Covid was a real challenge after such a big purchase and change, but Petty Real is still number one for sales in Burnley and the aim is for the coffee to be number one as well.” Real Coffee Bean is placing a strong emphasis on the sourcing and quality of its coffee beans. They've curated a range of coffee beans from distinctive origins, carefully selected and locally roasted including coffee roasted in Padiham by local company DC Coffee.

Apartments In addition to their coffee venture, Petty Real have utilised the upper floors of this landmark building. Through a meticulous renovation process, they've transformed these spaces into ten high-end apartments, thoughtfully furnished and all-inclusive of utility bills. These apartments are not only upscale but also costeffective, with skirting heating which is inconspicuous and space efficient. It's fantastic to see the transformation of the well-established Burnley powerhouse, Petty Real, as it embraces a new branding direction and introduces a range of complementary brands. Equally noteworthy is their utilisation of a striking town centre building, presenting an unexpected yet welcomed diversification into the world of coffee.

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Feature : Cyber security

CYBER SECURITY

The protection of sensitive data is imperative for organisations of all sizes. In our quest to shed light on the vulnerabilities that businesses face, we spoke with Wayne Fulton, head of cyber security at Seriun.

CYBER AS A SERVICE

‘Cyber as a Service’ is Seriun’s range of cyber security solutions for businesses of any size. Seriun is an official IASME Certification Body and Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus assessor, carried out by a team of highly qualified experts, including Wayne. By leveraging their expertise, cutting-edge technologies, and suite of services – they help businesses protect their critical assets from a whole host and variety of cyber threats. Join us as Wayne helps us understand the ever-evolving threats and vulnerabilities that organisations must contend with, and discover the robust solutions that the Seriun team recommends.

PHISHING

USB ATTACK

Phishing is a go-to move for hackers looking to break into an organisation’s systems. In a specific version known as “man-in-the-middle,” they send deceitful emails with harmful links. When someone clicks these links, they end up on a fake Office 365 login page. They then type in their login details, and the hacker can see these details in plain text. With this info, the hacker can bypass security measures like multi-factor authentication. These hackers often pretend to be someone from the organisation. They might claim your password needs resetting and ask you to click a link, which leads to a fake server that looks just like the real thing.

Another frequently employed method is the USB attack. Picture this scenario: You attend a business event, and in the goodie bags, you discover a USB drive. However, unbeknownst to you, someone has secretly replaced this USB drive with one harbouring malicious code. While the malicious code on the USB drive could potentially include a keylogger, it does not automatically run upon plugging in the drive. Instead, for the keylogger or any other malicious software to become active, the user would need to interact with the contents of the USB drive, such as opening a file or running a program. Once initiated, the keylogger records every keystroke made and sends this data to a remote server, potentially capturing sensitive information like login credentials and banking details. The concerning aspect is that this can all happen if the user unwittingly launches the malicious code by interacting with the USB drive’s contents.

Solution – The best defence against phishing is educating and training your employees. They need to know how to spot phishing emails. Using strong email filters can also help. These filters can tell if someone is pretending to be a colleague or someone else. But remember, it’s crucial for every employee to be alert and aware – if an email seems strange or unexpected, it might be a phishing attempt.

THE RUBBER DUCKY

INTERNATIONAL THREATS

The Rubber Ducky represents an advanced evolution of USB attacks. It cleverly masquerades as a standard USB drive while functioning as a USB keyboard. Concealed within its pen drive appearance is a chip that emulates a keyboard. What sets the Rubber Ducky apart is its pre-loaded arsenal of commands, poised to execute the moment it’s connected to a computer. Crucially, the Rubber Ducky can be used to swiftly initiate various commands, including keyloggers. When plugged into a computer, it can launch a keylogger and start capturing keystrokes without requiring the user to click or interact with any files. These pre-loaded commands execute within milliseconds, rendering them too rapid for the victim to react. Even if the Rubber Ducky is removed mere seconds after insertion, the potential damage caused by the autostarted keylogger is already done.

Conditional Access is a smart way to tackle this very real problem. Most hackers come from countries like China, the United States, Turkey,* and many phishing attacks originate from Nigeria. So, it’s a safe bet that most threats to your organisation come from outside the UK. Here’s how Seriun deals with it: if anyone tries to access a client’s business network from another country, they don’t even get to the point of entering a password or multi-factor authentication. Conditional Access means they are simply blocked. It’s a common practice used by many organisations to keep out potential threats from beyond the UK.

Solution - The most effective defence against the Rubber Ducky and similar threats involves comprehensive user training. In today’s digital landscape, using pen drives for file storage is considered outdated and risky. Additionally, user privileges play a crucial role. Traditionally, computer owners logged in as administrators, but this practice has evolved over time. Now, users typically log in as standard users, a crucial shift in response to threats like the Rubber Ducky.

*Craw Security (2023) www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-nations-mostdangerous-hackers-world-crawsec/

Feature : Cyber security Feature : xxxxxx

BRUTE FORCE A Brute Force attack consists of an attacker submitting many passwords or passphrases with the hope of eventually guessing correctly. The attacker systematically checks all possible passwords and passphrases until the correct one is found. If your password is feeble, it’s likely to be found in readily available word lists, such as in ‘Rock You’. In such cases, your password becomes a vulnerable target for hackers. It’s astonishing how swiftly a hacker can infiltrate your network, even from your company’s car park, all due to a weak password. Solution - The key to preventing Brute Force attacks lies in employing robust, lengthy passwords. A passphrase spanning 14 characters, infused with special symbols, becomes a formidable challenge for hackers to crack. In fact, it’s nearly impossible. Another strategy that organisations adopt is the use of a ‘honeypot’. The organisation will set up a guest network with a weak password, enticing potential attackers. When an intruder takes the bait, cracks the network, and finds nothing of value, they leave. This proactive approach can outsmart potential attackers while preserving the integrity of the main network.

SHOULDER SURFING Brute Force case study “On a penetration test recently, we were brought to a farm building in the rural outskirts of Birmingham. We pulled up to the building and it was surrounded by loads of Land Rover Defenders. So, having that hacker’s mindset – the first thing that comes to mind is that ‘defender’ is a potential password. “Before we even had a chance to chat with the client, we parked in the lot, laptops in hand, and set up our gear to tap into the wireless network. We managed to capture something known as a ‘handshake.’ What this does is temporarily disconnect everyone from the network and gather a four-way handshake. This gives us an encrypted version of the wireless network’s password, which we needed to crack.” We had a quick search on ‘RockYou’, which has about 15 million different leaked combinations on, for ‘Defender’, and, lo and behold, there it was. As we headed inside to meet with the client and began our introductions, our system was already hard at work. By the time we’d settled at the table, it had successfully found the correct password: “Defender.” “What’s funny about the whole situation is that when we asked the client for the wireless password, he confidently provided ‘Defender60.’ We thought, ‘what is he on about? No it isn’t?’. “It turns out, he wasn’t even aware of his own password, and we had the pleasure of informing him of what it actually was.”

Shoulder surfing is the rather devious practice of spying on someone over their shoulder while they use their device. Interestingly, during the same pen test discussed in the earlier case study, Wayne shared an incident where he skilfully manoeuvred around the building’s perimeter, navigated through some nettles, and managed to capture a picture of the client’s laptop screen as they worked. This is because the laptop screen was positioned in such a way that it faced a window. Solution - To protect against shoulder surfing, it’s vital to avoid having your screen face a window or any open area, especially in public spaces. Additionally, when leaving your computer unattended, always remember to lock it to prevent unauthorised access. These simple precautions can go a long way in preserving your data’s security and privacy. From phishing, USB attacks, and the ingenious Rubber Ducky, we’ve learned the importance of user education and strong passwords. Wayne’s case study showed how even a minor vulnerability can lead to data breaches. International threats underscored the need for tools like Conditional Access to block unauthorised access from abroad. Shoulder surfing serves as a reminder to protect your screen’s privacy. As we navigate this ever-evolving digital landscape, awareness, vigilance and employee training are our best allies in keeping cyber adversaries at bay. Stay informed, stay secure, and be the guardian of your digital realm.

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Feature : Scope Fire & Security Ltd Feature : xxxxxx

The 3-year-old business already turning over millions

he first few years in business are always seen as a challenging time, with many saying to expect slow growth and even financial losses. One Burnley business has proven this adage wrong, with Scope Fire & Security turning over £500,000 in its first year and increasing its revenue by the same amount year on year since. Scott Chapman, managing director, explained that he established the company with business partner Pete in March 2020 (“not many people realise Scope is the merging of Scott and Pete!”). Having each worked in the fire and security sector for over two decades, the pair knew there was a growing need in the market for great customer service backed up by reliability, strong communication and excellent technical knowledge… and they chose their hometown of Burnley as the place for it. “There are many fire and security firms out there, with some turning over

tens of millions. But my experience is that customer service and in particular communication, often deteriorates the bigger you get. At Scope, we pride ourselves on our customer communication; we update them every step of the way and they’ll never be left guessing or worrying,” Scott explained. In fact, despite substantial growth and being on track to turn over £2.1 million in 2023, Scott admitted he has turned down business to ensure they don’t grow too quickly too soon. “People might think we’re mad; we’ve had opportunities in many places, with some well-known brands, far away from Burnley, but we want to ensure we grow the right way and not rush it. We won a big social housing contract in Trafford in 2021 and that allowed us to invest and lay the foundations for our growth. Since then, we have developed into a team of 20 and recently relocated to larger business premises,” he continued.

A family affair…but not a family business In fact, Scott roped in some family members to help. Brother Adam is the service manager and came on board in October 2020, whilst dad Robert helps with the rapidly increasing demand for stock control – he joined in June 2023 to help Scope settle into their new premises next to Warburtons on the Billington Road Industrial Estate. “He plans to retire in six months, though, and we joke that the others in the team will be worried we’re turning into a family business – we’re not!” Scott laughed. Both Scott and Adam have taken the growth of Scope Fire & Security seriously. They have both recently secured business and management degrees from The

University of Central Lancashire Burnley, which they (somehow!) fit around work. The Scope team’s efforts have paid off. They’re winning new customers every week and in 2022, they won the Lancashire Business View Award at the prestigious Red Rose Awards. The fact the judges and publication chose Scope Fire and Security out of all entries clearly means a lot to the team. “We were so surprised, to be following in the footsteps of previous winners such as the Eric Wright Group so soon in our journey, but it gave us so much exposure and further reinforced our credibility as an organisation. We’re so proud to partner with

and support a wide variety of businesses such as Moorhouse’s Brewery, British Wool, Boundary Mill, Altrincham Football Club and James Hargreaves,” Scott noted. The awards didn’t stop there as Scope were crowned the Service Business of the Year at the 2023 Biba’s award ceremony at the prestigious Blackpool Tower Ballroom. With such success under their belts after just three years we can’t wait to see how they grow over the next three years, and beyond.

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Feature : Pioneer Place Feature : xxxxxx

Pioneer Place proving popular The multi-million pound Pioneer Place leisure complex is now in full swing with REEL Cinema, Starbucks, Icaro Lounge, Nando’s and Heavenly Desserts open and already proving popular with visitors to Burnley town centre. After years of planning the complex has finally come to fruition thanks to funding from Burnley Borough and Lancashire County Councils, the government’s Getting Building Fund administered by Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), and fashion company and the borough’s largest employer boohoo. Here’s a closer look at some of the businesses which have now opened at the complex…

Feature : REEL cinema Feature : xxxxxx

REEL Cinemas has been in Burnley since 2013, when the independently owned cinema chain bought the old Apollo Cinema site on Manchester Road. Today, REEL Cinemas has now relocated to Pioneer Place, positioning itself firmly at the heart of Burnley’s entertainment offer. For REEL, the move also signifies its ambition to further embed itself in the heart of the local community. Sunil Suri, director at REEL, spoke to us about the company’s plans for the future.

Sunil Suri,

director at REEL

A FAMILY BUSINESS Sunil’s father, KC Suri, founded REEL in 2001 after buying an old Art Deco cinema, which he originally planned to redevelop. He quickly found himself falling in love with the industry and decided to keep it as a cinema, and so REEL was born. The family-run business currently has 15 sites across the United Kingdom. Sunil was 11 years old when his dad started REEL and would help out by writing emails and going to meetings with him. His late brother was also involved for many years, while sister Rachna provides the family with a different perspective as she works in the production side of the industry, having most recently directed two episodes of the BBC Drama The Woman in the Wall. Over the years, Sunil has turned his

hand to many jobs in the cinema, from usher to selling popcorn, something his dad was keen for his children to do: “My dad is a firm believer that if you are going to ask someone to do something you should be willing to do it yourself. It’s a value that we all hold dear,” he explains. Whilst at university, Sunil took a step back from the business and once graduated he found himself drawn to social entrepreneurship, working in a homelessness shelter and developing programmes to help people live more stable lives. Most recently, he co-founded a start-up getting people into ‘green’ jobs. It’s these diverse experiences that Sunil now intends to bring with him as he steps back into the business.

So how does Sunil feel about working alongside his dad? “My dad’s worked in this industry for over 20 years and has been an entrepreneur for four decades, but he is always looking for new ideas. He’s a natural experimenter and innovator so we work well together, and I get the benefit of his wisdom and his experience. He’s progressive and open-minded enough to know that the new generation access entertainment in a different way and he’s given me the space to reimagine what we do,” he says. There are three areas of focus for REEL: community; value and responsibility and while talking to Sunil it’s clear that he is passionate about achieving them.

Feature : REEL cinema Feature : xxxxxx COMMUNITY VALUES

RESPONSIBILITY

“We have a tagline – ‘the REEL heart of the community’ and that means different things for different places and each community that we are situated in. Places like Burnley can often get forgotten about by people located in London, but there is a beating heart and spirit in Burnley, and we are committed to being a part of this community. We want our cinema to be a place where people in Burnley can gather, whether that’s to watch a film or to spend some quality time together.” “We are seeing public spaces and places where people come to connect closing across the UK, and we want to help combat this. We see our venues as a shared community asset, for example in Burnley we’ve got a great foyer space, and over the coming months we will be looking at different ways to utilise it. This isn’t something we’ve fully achieved yet but it’s very much what we are working towards, and an important part of our journey,” says Sunil. As well as the foyer space, Sunil explains that the business also wants to make the most of the screens so will be reaching out to places like charities, community groups and schools to see how they can work together. They also plan to introduce REEL ambassadors, who will be supported to set up film clubs in the local area. The ambassadors will get benefits such as free tickets and REEL will help them to generate interest in an alternative film programme. “All of these plans are very much in the initial stages at the moment, and we are keen to hear from businesses, partners and the community about ways we can work together,” Sunil explains.

“We have a duty when we locate a cinema that we aren’t just there for a short time, we are making a long-term commitment to being part of that community. We want our cinemas to be financially sustainable as we know the devastating effect empty units can have on towns and we want to help encourage young people to be proud of the areas they have grown up in and be inspired to live and work there,” says Sunil on REEL’s value of responsibility. The company is also committed to being environmentally responsible, and the Burnley cinema is one of the first in the country to use laser projection on all its screens. Not only is this reducing the company’s impact on the environment, but it also provides high-quality viewing for cinemagoers. While REEL has been in the borough for several years, it’s clear that the site move has reinvigorated the company’s commitment to the community, with Sunil describing the opening as “the end of the beginning” and we look forward to seeing how this story unfolds. If you would like to contact Sunil about any of the initiatives mentioned or to suggest an idea you can email: sunil@reelcinemas.co.uk

VALUE FOR MONEY Tickets at REEL start as low as £3.49 and making the cinema experience accessible is something close to the Suri family’s hearts, as Sunil explains: “My dad grew up in Northern India with not much money. A cinema ticket was the equivalent of pennies, and he would go as a treat to escape the real world. We believe that culture should be accessible to everyone, and we aim to give a first-class experience at an affordable price. “Cinema is evolving, we know that numbers are decreasing as people stream movies at home. We could make up for those lost admissions by charging higher prices, but we have gone the other way and decided to offer people a great experience at affordable prices, which we hope will help people rebuild the habit of going to the cinema. Although it’s nice to sit in the comfort of your home and watch a film, there is something special about having the communal experience of visiting a cinema.” The seven-screen cinema has certainly been fitted out to the highest standards, with lots of natural light from the huge windows and a vibrant colour palette in the foyer to welcome visitors. For a VIP experience, the REEL Lounge offers a premium viewing experience with plush sofas and armchairs.

Feature : Heavenly Desserts

Aiming for sweet success at Pioneer Place Upmarket artisan desserts restaurant Heavenly Desserts is another venue to have joined the Pioneer Place complex. It followed national chains Starbucks, REEL Cinema, Nando’s and Icaro Lounge. Heavenly Desserts provides top-quality desserts and promises customers the best possible experience thanks to its creative team which brings unique mouth-watering creations to life. The result is a winning combination of taste, appearance and quality. The venue is an inclusive option for those preferring an alcohol free treat. The company has sites in major cities such as London, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and York. Councillor Mark Townsend, Burnley Council’s executive member for economy and growth, said: “Pioneer Place is fast filling up and it’s wonderful to see another expanding business coming to Burnley. Pioneer Place promises to be a great night out.” Mohammed Imran, managing director at Heavenly Desserts, added: “We’re delighted to be in Burnley. The expansion of The University of Central Lancashire and the central location of Pioneer Place, means it’s a great space for us to be based. We also benefit from the impressive Burnley College campus across from the complex. “We operate across 50 locations in the UK and are delighted that Burnley has joined our family.”

Feature : Nando’s Feature : xxxxxx

5 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT NANDO’S Nando’s has opened in Pioneer Place and is arguably most famous for its PERi-PERi vibes and South Africaninspired chicken dishes but what you might not be aware of is just how much they do for local communities. Here are five facts you might not know about Nando’s.

Richard Craft, community lead Nando’s said:

“We’re delighted to have opened a restaurant in Burnley, especially in such a vibrant new leisure complex. Like our other restaurants, it is important to us that we embed ourselves within the communities in which we operate. We look forward to finding out even more about Burnley and we’d encourage any charities and community groups to pop in for a chat.”

It is a SEN and Disability Confident Employer Nando’s prides itself on its approach to inclusive recruitment, with a particular focus on those with disabilities and special educational needs (SEN). Disability Confident is creating a movement of change, encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. Nando’s provide a nurturing and safe environment where people can develop both personally and professionally and their differences are valued. It is also keen to work with schools in Burnley, whether via mock interviews or supporting those SEN students who may come across barriers in traditional routes into employment.

It works with food banks and charities to donate AND recruit ‘No Chuckin’ our Chicken’ is a food donation initiative that helps minimise waste too. Nando’s has donated 4.3 million meals to date, and this year is donating on average 124 meals every hour. However, it goes one step further than just donating food. It works with many charities to address the issue of employability as well, by breaking down barriers into work.

It builds inspirational projects in the places it opens restaurants Nando’s doesn’t just build a restaurant and then exit. Wherever it builds, it takes its team of designers and contractors to develop a community project within the new location. In Barnsley, it built a dementia-friendly pub. Other projects include community gardens and a shop for neurodiverse individuals who find it difficult to navigate the high street. In Burnley, Nando’s is investing in the facilities of St. Catherine’s Community Centre, following water damage from a previous roof leak. Nando’s has teamed up with the restaurant’s building contractors, Interiors UK, to complete the works, repairing where necessary, re-decorating throughout and donating upcycled furniture from the restaurant.

4 It supports young South African artists Nando’s is South African and if you have eaten at the Burnley restaurant, you can’t help but notice the eclectic artwork on the walls. Each piece of art is chosen for each restaurant and you’ll never see the same one twice. Every year, it spends £3.5 million supporting young and up and coming designers and artists from South Africa. Over 350 artists have been supported in this way.

It buys ALL of the Bird’s Eye chilli grown especially for Nando’s by African farmers Nando’s uses African Bird’s Eye chilli, also known as PERi-PERi, creating the ultimate marinade. The chilli is grown by farmers in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique. Nando’s supports the cost of irrigating the fields and buys every single chilli grown by the independent farmers at above market rate. This has provided a sustainable income for the farmers and ensured that their children, and importantly their daughters, are able to afford to go to school. It has completely changed the lives of those farmers and their families and communities.

In Focus

BURNLEY’S BUSINESS STALWARTS

A key theme for Burnley at the moment is passing on the baton to the next generation of future leaders. We’ve enjoyed incredible success in the 15 years since the Burnley.co.uk place brand and Burnley Bondholders was born.

e’ve noted key milestones in a previous issue of InBusiness Burnley, such as the opening of the direct rail link to Manchester, being named most enterprising area in the country, and seeing the opening of assets such as Crow Wood Hotel, The University of Central Lancashire’s Victoria Mill, Pioneer Place and The Landmark, to name just a handful. With any success story, you cannot rest of your laurels, which is why our Future Leaders programme was established in spring 2023 to create a pipeline of younger ambassadors who can take this passion, vision and determination well into the future. However, it is also important we recognise those who have worked hard for the last 15 years and in many cases, many decades earlier than that, to establish Burnley as a place in which to work, invest, study, live, play and explore. Within this In Focus section of the magazine, we recognise and celebrate some Burnley stalwarts who have put our borough front and centre. This list is by no means exhaustive, but we interviewed three experienced business leaders who have paved the way for others.

Tim Webber, MD of Barnfield Construction, had quite the journey to the success story he is today – and it all started with being newly married and made redundant. It is impossible to travel in and around our borough without seeing a Barnfield project and we’re sure you’ll agree his story is one to be admired. We also spoke to Carole Garrett, who runs consultancy Profit Optimiser and has been instrumental in the success of many of our businesses. However, the path to where she is now was filled with obstacles, many because she is a woman! Make sure you read Carole’s tale of tenacity. Finally, Ged Ennis openly admits he didn’t know a lot about renewable energy when he started The Low Carbon Energy Company. It might be a surprising fact, but green just wasn’t on the agenda all those years ago. In our interview, you’ll discover how Ged kept pushing, even when it meant sacrificing a salary. We wouldn’t be where we are today without all our Burnley stalwarts who have taken us on our journey to this point. In issue 23 of InBusiness, we will learn more about our young business leaders who are ready to take the fight forward for Burnley.

In Focus : Burnley’s business stalwarts

Carole Garrett A Burnley businesswoman who champions yet challenges you in equal measure. As we sit down on a sunny afternoon at Finsley Gate Wharf to grab some lunch for our interview, it seems a little daunting to know where to start with the conversation. Carole has paved the way in Burnley for decades and it feels like no feature could ever do justice to her contribution to the borough.

A TENACIOUS TALE Carole and colleagues, including now husband Joe, at Lucas Aerospace.

er far-reaching career begins in 1967 at the age of 15, when she left school to take a job in an engineering drawing office - “my dad approved, so despite school wanting me to stay on, I left”. Carole was really interested in engineering, which she acknowledges was rare for women back in the 1960s. A male colleague took her under his wing and encouraged Carole to start an engineering course at Burnley College, one that he had completed. However, this being the 1960s, Carole quickly hit her first hurdle. “They wouldn’t let me on! They had never had a request before from a female and almost did not know how to handle it, but the excuse for not accepting me was there were no changing rooms or toilets for females in the engineering section (unbelievable today)! I had already taken O And A level engineering drawing, so they suggested I do the theory only. Which I did but complemented by someone at work helping me with the practical in his own time. I know it sounds crazy now and of course Burnley College is a wonderful, progressive place to

learn now, but this being the 60s, you just didn’t question it and took what was available,” Carole explained. If you’ve ever met Carole, you’ll know how persistent she is, and she passed her City and Guilds Mechanical Engineering Technicians course against all odds. During this time, Carole joined the drawing office in Research and Development at the then Lucas Aerospace, after her then drawing-office-colleague-turnedmentor Ivan Dean, had joined the business and spotted a vacancy he thought would be just up her street. “I spent ten years in Research and Development at Lucas and yet there was still a barrier for females in engineering and I was out to prove them wrong! I decided the only way to progress was to leave technical departments and go into commercial, where my background could add value. I ended up in purchasing - a stationery purchaser nonetheless!” Carole continued. So how did buying paper and pens set Carole upon her goal of continuing to develop in engineering? “It’s a good question,” she laughed.

“It was a means to an end. I decided I would continue my education at 38 and completed a degree in logistics and supply management, quickly proving I was serious about the role, and moved on to buying subcontracted engineering services. This led to being appointed to supplies manager.” The promotion saw Carole fly all over the world, working with Westland Helicopters, Gulfstream, McDonald Douglas and Rolls Royce. Being responsible for the procurement of all the parts for the Trent 700 reverser meant a monthly trip to France to attend the regular project meetings usually on a light, five-seater aircraft. “I relished sitting in the co-pilot seat and learning about flying (my male colleagues weren’t so keen!) This interest continued, with me taking flying lessons for a time at Blackpool Airport.” She enjoyed fantastic opportunities and training at Lucas and being placed on the fast-track management course in Birmingham gave Carole the confidence to take the leap into the role of director and general manager at AIT, which was previously one of the Lucas aerospace sites.

In Focus : Burnley’s business stalwarts

Finally, a female in leadership…but not the expected result One might think that’s the end of the story – a tenacious Carole finally securing the leadership position she’d worked hard all her career to achieve. Not quite. As has been well documented, AIT experienced three takeovers in five years, and it was Carole’s job to lead the inevitable downsizing. “I absolutely hated this side of management, but over this period under three different owners we were taken from 650 workers to 300. The aircraft market was turbulent at this time and there was a point where for 12 entire months, I spent almost every day in industrial tribunals. I really did hate every minute of it – it was soul destroying. I was here trying to promote jobs in engineering, especially in Burnley, not take them away. So, I moved into the automotive sector,” Carole detailed. She bravely admits a preconception she had of automotive – “I thought it was going to be second-class compared to aerospace, but my eyes were opened, and I couldn’t have been more wrong”. Carole had chosen to work with a company who partnered with Fiat and loved the ethos behind it. The owner of Fiat was a racing driver who had suffered an accident and was left with physical disabilities which meant he was unable to drive his cars. He made a pledge that every Fiat would be accessible for those with disabilities, whether in original form or retrospectively altered to suit. However, the constant travel took a toll on Carole, and she decided a new change of direction was required. An excolleague suggested that after 30 years in manufacturing and engineering, Carole had all the experience and qualities to

make her a fantastic business support coach. Carole took some convincing, but eventually applied for a role at the North West Development Agency (NWDA) and, in her words, “I never looked back”. Carole excelled in her part-time role at NWDA, using the rest of her week to build her own portfolio of private clients to coach, mentor and support. For the past 15 years, Carole has fully worked with businesses under her own company Profit Optimiser, partnering with brands such as Cherrytree Bakery and BCW Manufacturing in Burnley, although she supports organisations across the north west. “My day-to-day job is never the same. I could be helping with strategy, HR issues, finance problems. If I can’t help, I’ll always know someone who can. When I go back and think about my mentor Ivan, if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I can’t thank him enough, although he would never have thought he had such an impact. It’s so important, having a mentor is something that should be valued,” Carole said. It was this invaluable mentorship Carole has provided to businesses - many of whom were startups, and now are part of Burnley’s thriving business community - that saw her receive the very impressive British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2015 for ‘Services to Enterprise in Burnley’. “My dad Harold had strong values and always purported it was important in life to help others and give back. I have always tried to do this, and he was clear it was always done without expectation of something in return. But being awarded a BEM was so uplifting and a wonderful feeling - I wouldn’t mind being nominated for something else now please!” Carole joked (we think!).

Burnley’s biggest cheerleader? Carole grew up ten yards from Slater Terrace and described the canal bank as her and her three sisters’ and one brother’s playground [“my dad made sure we could all swim just in case!”]. She used to look at the derelict Slater Terrace and wonder why such an eyesore wasn’t pulled down, but now applauds the decisions on the renovation, creating a unique space and a slick home for many creative businesses including fellow Burnley Bondholders Root Fifty-Two and Redfern Media. “Over the years, I’ve seen so many incredible changes. The transition of engineering out of Lucas sites into smaller

organisations like BCW, Pursuit Aerospace, HycAero to name a few all have benefitted from the Lucas start, as have many individuals, Mark Crabtree, founder of AMS Neve, being one (the Lucas legacy carries on with Safran and Pursuit). “The shopping centre has come on leaps and bounds and is almost unrecognisable from not many years ago and the housing mix is wonderful to see. I like the fact you can buy sixbedroom houses on the same estate as two-bedroom ones; planning decisions like that has meant my nephews have got on to the housing ladder, something which would have been impossible for them trying to purchase in somewhere like Manchester. We have an eclectic leisure provision and super green space on our doorstep,” Carole stated. Carole’s son, Christopher, followed in his mother’s footsteps, taking the plunge at 50 to change career from many years in banking to now working with Calico to improve the aspirations of Burnley’s young people to get them into meaningful employment.

And Burnley College? “If I had my time again, I’d love to go back! I’m so impressed with what Neil Burrows [director of skills and innovation] is doing to establish the college as a centre of excellence. The facilities there are incredible, what an asset for our young people,” Carole added. “I have had a great life and career with so many opportunities that I can’t name them all; being involved at the cutting edge of new and disruptive technologies, having involvement with take overs at international level. I am excited to see the up-andcoming new generation of businesses involved in technologies that were the thing of Sci-Fi films and are now becoming reality. But most of all, I have had the opportunity to work with some really great people. “I am often asked how I measure my success; I look around at some of the many thriving businesses I have helped, even if only in a small way on their journey and see this as my success.” We could have easily continued our conversation, with the sun beating down on us on the Finsley Gate Wharf terrace. But as you may have gathered, Carole is a busy lady who had a busy day ahead. Maybe one day she’ll focus on herself more, but as we parted, she made very clear she wasn’t ready to retire any time soon!

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In Focus : Burnley’s business stalwarts

Ged Ennis Ged and Maura Ennis may have built a multi-millionpound green energy business, but when they first looked at starting The Low Carbon Energy Company, they weren’t sure in which area to even develop the business.

HOW A CHANGE OF INDUSTRY HELPED HIM CREATE A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS 58

t’s quite the admission for the beginning of our conversation about how they have built a renewable energy giant in Burnley, but he told us exactly why this was the case. “Back in 2007 I had a construction company with my wife Maura, and we were fed up with the industry. I had an idea to recycle leftover building materials rather than it going to waste in a skip, with the intention of renting space off Burnley Council and re selling them. In discussions about that idea, a friend recommended we should get into renewables, but we didn’t know enough about renewables and various technologies in the sector! However, we decided to do some more research and a year later The Low Carbon Energy Company was born. In year one, we turned over £34,000. “It was tough. People thought we were tree huggers and the whole concept of renewable energy took longer to land than we had hoped. We had some months where we didn’t even pay ourselves a salary, but we knew the idea was a good one and we also knew we couldn’t ever go back to working for someone else,” Ged told us. Ged and Maura, who took the role as financial director, persevered and with a young family to support they were determined to keep going. In 2010 they entered into commercial solar energy and the tide started to turn. With a growing reputation behind them, companies trusted The Low Carbon Energy Company, and the volume of contracts started to increase. The business joined the Burnley Bondholders, which was invaluable in growing their network, and they took the plunge and entered some awards. In 2015, the company won both a Burnley Business Award and a Red Rose Award – and this year proved to be a gamechanger.

2015 - the year that changed everything

With two big award wins behind them, Ged admits that their mindset changed, and they decided to stop doubting themselves. They secured bigger jobs around the 400KW mark and in 2019 won the Computer Centre plc contract which was seven times bigger than they had ever installed. How did this growing Burnley business win such a prestigious contract? “They chose us as they saw us as technicians, not just out for the hard sell. We’d been in the sector since 2007 before anyone was really talking about green energy. If you’re not authentic in what you’re saying, you’ll get found out. I always had that interest, when I realised how wasteful the building sector could be, and it had progressed into green energy,” Ged said. Like 2015 turned out to be a gamechanger, a further step change followed the award of the Computer Centre plc contract. boohoo quickly followed - The Low Carbon Energy Company has installed a 2.7MW commercial solar PV system at boohoo’s huge Widow Hill site - as did a second job for Cherrytree Bakery and projects with Panaz, Birchalls, Liquid Science solutions, CoolKit, John Spencer Textiles and Crow Wood. There’s clearly a theme in that impressive client list and whilst working across the UK and Ireland, a

good number of clients are Burnley Bondholders. “I am absolutely certain that being a Burnley Bondholder has helped us secure these contracts. People buy from people. Before my brothers and sister came to the Burnley Business Awards with us in 2015, they thought the town was, to put it plainly, a ‘backwater’. They were absolutely blown away by the business community here. I’m a Burnley lad and a huge advocate of the bondholders,” Ged continued.

From no salary to turning over millions

So, Ged, Maura and the team had won awards, secured huge contracts and things were looking good. What happened next? The business hit £1 million in turnover during COVID and, incredibly, leapt to £8.6 million year end 2023. It is on track to reach £10 million by March 2024 and boasts a team of 14. Those sleepless nights as a married couple with young children must seem a million miles away? “Not exactly. Yes, we’ve made it work and of course green is firmly on the agenda. Rising energy prices and environmental, social and corporate governance have certainly turned attention to reducing carbon emissions. Climate change can no longer be ignored. But we’re never complacent and we will always work hard to serve our customers. For me, the buzz comes from great customer feedback and when they recommend us to others, rather than the value of the contract. However, it is time for us to move on….” Ged stated. Ged and Maura have decided with the business in the strong position it is, now is the time to hand over the reins – and their son Benedict, 26, is the person for that job. That process has been nearly three years in planning and should be complete early in 2024. Benedict joined The Low Carbon Energy Company at 21, but taking over from Ged as managing director was never a given. “He’s got loads of energy, is knowledgeable, confident and our clients really like him, but we’ve always been cautious. We needed to make sure he understood the business inside and out and was fully committed to taking over. He’s proven to us over the past few years he can meet the challenge, so he’s earnt it, it certainly hasn’t been given to him on a plate,” Ged was keen to point out. Will he find it hard to switch off from the company he has lived and breathed – “no!”, he replied, before we’d even finished the question. “I learnt early on that I had to delegate if I was to focus on strategy to allow us to grow. So, it’s not suddenly a huge change, I’ve been stepping out of the thick of it gradually. We have a house in Gallway, Ireland, which we took us over ten years to complete because of our commitments. We’d like to spend more time over there and finally get to enjoy it.” And who can blame them? Their belief and resilience have paid off and we wish the couple all the best in their upcoming retirement and Benedict good luck in his new role taking The Low Carbon Energy Company forward further still.

In Focus : Burnley’s business stalwarts

Tim Webber Tim Webber MBE, MD of Barnfield Construction, is arguably one of Lancashire’s most successful businessmen. And yet when his meeting before ours overruns by 15 minutes, he couldn’t be more apologetic.

BUILDING BARNFIELD 60

“

I’m so sorry, I absolutely hate keeping people waiting, have you been offered something to drink?” he asks. There’s always something a tad disarming about someone at Tim’s level who still remains humble and warm, but when you hear how Tim built Barnfield Construction into the giant it is today, it’s clearly important to him that he never forgets that journey. Barnfield Construction has reached over 1,000 jobs and in its 47 years, has built a large proportion of Pendle and Burnley - boohoo, AMS Technology Park, Network 65, Burnley Football Club’s Barnfield Training Ground and thousands of homes, to name just a handful. Then there’s the recently completed one million sq ft Frontier Park in Blackburn together with a further 850,000 sq ft Frontier Park in Burnley. Also in Burnley it’s impossible to miss the latest project - Newtown Mill. Newtown Mill was a former foundry that most people will admit was quite the eyesore on a prominent main road stretch in the centre of town - not the most welcoming view for visitors and our growing student population. Drive or walk past now, and the transformation alone since the start of the year has been incredible. It’s not an easy project - complexities surrounding the heritage structure with the need to make it an innovative building for The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) by September 2024 mean it’s been challenging at times; “we aren’t strangers to this type of work, having previously completed the iconic historic mill in the Weaver’s Triangle, now home to UCLan”. But it’s clear from our conversation that Tim isn’t one to turn away from a challenge. “I was working as a civil engineer in my twenties when my employer went bankrupt. I’d just got married and I needed the income, so it was a scary moment losing my job to be honest. I couldn’t hang around waiting for the next opportunity, so I spent two or three years doing residential bathroom and kitchen extensions. I progressed on to contracts for the NHS and local authorities. This was all in the 1970s and I realised I was really building a business,” Tim explained.

The beginnings of a house building empire

Moving into the early 1980s and Tim told us something that is hard to believe considering Barnfield is now a multi-millionpound business – lenders wouldn’t take a chance on him and provide him with loans. “I had the opportunity to purchase a site in Colne for 75 houses, but I couldn’t get the money to buy it! Thankfully, the bank manager at NatWest in Nelson saw my vision and passion and backed me when no one else would. I still use NatWest for my business banking and have only ever had four bank managers - their characters have certainly reflected the decade we were in!” Tim laughed. The housing site was a success and Tim, still only in his twenties, hit his next game-changing opportunity. Pendle Council, impressed with his work, asked if he would form a joint venture with them to build bungalows. Bungalows were in demand and the council needed a partner they could trust to deliver the project. Whilst Barnfield Construction was quickly becoming known as a reputable housebuilder, Tim and his growing team were also being pulled in another direction. A London developer wanted to build an enterprise zone on what is now the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate and where the Barnfield HQ is based. Being the 1980s, the M65 wasn’t yet built, but businesses were popping up in the area.

In Focus : Burnley’s business stalwarts

Although we’re a large business and our projects span nationwide, we are proud of our local heritage and we have built long-term relationships with local clients, partners and councils.

Tim is quite open with what happened next.

“The developer - who won’t mind me saying this - had quite frankly made a bit of a mess of the units. He realised the quality wasn’t going to cut it and asked me to help him. So, we partnered together, and I began to build for him. We built enterprise zones from Plymouth, Swansea, Birmingham, Sunderland and into Scotland. The government were really pushing them, but by the mid-1990s, enterprise zones had become full,” Tim detailed.

And the story continues

At this point, Tim may have wondered where the next big opportunity was coming from, and it didn’t take long for it to materialise. The government decided to heavily invest in social landlords, so Barnfield worked with several housing associations to build new developments. In fact, many of Barnfield’s projects have been as a joint venture with local authorities, which many people might not realise. Barnfield and Burnley Developments Ltd is a joint venture between Burnley Council and Barnfield. The heritage buildings along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal have been transformed into innovative business and educational spaces, whilst the purpose-built Sandygate Student Accommodation is another string to Burnley’s bow in becoming a vibrant university town. There have been other joint ventures with nearby local authorities too. The partnership with Hyndburn Council has seen The Globe Centre built, along with 40 houses, 50 apartments, a cinema, bowling alley and McDonald’s. In Pendle, PEARL has stacked up over £100 million in regeneration, the biggest

flagship being the 380,000 sq ft Northlight in Brierfield, a major living, working, learning, leisure and cultural hotspot. The Northlight building is home to Burnley FC in the Community, FUNDA, Lancashire Adult Learning, In-Situ Garage for arts, Store First Self Storage and most recently Batch Gin. One thing is clear throughout this conversation and that is Tim never takes anything for granted and is grateful for every opportunity that has come his way. He also has kind words for the Burnley Bondholder scheme; “it’s looked upon in envy and really is a great model”.

So, what’s the next big opportunity for Barnfield?

Tim explained: “Although we’re a large business and our projects span nationwide, we are proud of our local heritage and we have built long-term relationships with local clients, partners and councils. Looking forward, our Barnfield and Burnley Developments joint venture will continue to expand the UCLan campus in Burnley, a development made possible thanks to the levelling up funding. We will also complete Frontier Park and Titanium Park in Burnley, together with our partners EG Group. “Further afield in Preston, we are working with one of the largest contractors and developers in the country, Henry Boot plc, on a number of joint venture projects to deliver sustainable and fit-for-the-future industrial buildings. In the residential sector, the housing market within the private rented sector is growing and this is something we look to expand on in 2024 through our Barnfield Homes division. “ Tim clearly has no intention of winding down just yet then!

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