inBusinessBurnley 15

Sector Special

Oil & Gas – Pipeline Induction Heat pg24

In Focus

Showcasing Burnley in Manchester pg42

News

Safran reports best year yet pg6

InBusinessBurnley Issue 15

Pipeline to Success

1 Burnley Council…supporting business growth

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We can offer you…

Energy Audits for your business to highlight where you can save money by reducing CO2 emissions.

50% match funding grants for the purchase of Low-Carbon Technology for eligible SME’s (Up to £8k Grant) Help with product diversification into low carbon focussed products / services.

Re-engineering of current processes reducing carbon burden.

Welcome from the Editor

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s 2018 comes to a close and 2019 hovers on the horizon we take stock of what has been a whirlwind of a year for Burnley and look forward to 2019 with excitement and confidence.

It’s been another great year for the town with new investments, developments, and further private sector growth.With the new Local Plan and Town Centre Masterplan setting the stage for a further 10 years of growth, with land allocated for quality business sites and quality housing sites, developers can be confident in investing in Burnley. Burnley Bridge South, part of Eshton’s Burnley Bridge Employment Gateway situated at Junction 9 M65, has been allocated as proposed employment land which is set to bring 1,300 new jobs to the town.

The Burnley Bondholders and Burnley Council took Burnley to Manchester with an Invest in Burnley event, showcasing the transformations and economic growth in Burnley to an audience of over 150 key investors and influencers, with a view to bringing new investment in housing, retail and leisure to the town.

This edition brings you stories and features on our businesses and their success, business support information, and details of exciting new business space in the town.

2019 is Burnley Business Awards year and the awards will be launching for entries in January – so look out for the ‘open for entries’ launch in the new year.

To keep up to date with what’s happening in Burnley follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @burnleycouk

06 SAFRAN’s best year yet

11 Booming Burnley

24 Pipeline to Success

Joanne Etherington Editor 01282 477315 jetherington@burnley.gov.uk

32 Hogwarts to Hi-tech

design by: creative-council.net © Burnley Council 15254 Printed by Peter Scotts Printers [t] 01282 452221

42 Burnley in Manchester 3

News

PIH Recruits Burnley-Based Apprentices Burnley-based Pipeline Induction Heat (PIH), the world’s leading specialist field joint coating company, has appointed five new apprentices to work within the business while studying at Burnley College.

Kerrie Appleby and James Gregson are gaining valuable experience within the proposals department, while Emily Edwards is working within the commercial team administrating project contracts. All are studying business administration NVQ Level 3 under a two-year apprenticeship scheme at Burnley College.

Ella Beardsworth and Fraser Davies are studying an NVQ in engineering and are benefitting from hands-on workshop-based experience within the manufacturing and engineering division of the company.

Stephen Culshaw, who has worked as an apprentice within PIH since 2015, is currently in his last year of a three-year electrical engineering apprenticeship.

PIH Managing Director, Paul McShane said: “As the oil and gas sector grows in popularity as a career choice for millennials, it’s important that students get the chance to come and work within the business to see for

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themselves what the industry has to offer.

“Apprentices are an integral cog in our machine and have a vital role within the company. Being able to learn while on the job is a great way of fast-tracking a career and offers students an early advantage on others entering the industry.”

Simon Jordan, Director of Themis at Burnley College said: “Here at Themis at Burnley College we are proud that our hardworking and motivated apprentices are at the very heart of successful businesses such as Pipeline Induction Heat.

“Many young people recognise the advantages of embarking on an apprenticeship through Themis for their chosen career, gaining valuable workplace experience alongside the very best training by our industry-leading trainers assessors. It is a real opportunity for them to take the first steps on the career ladder and show employers

they have the determination, innovation and dedication to become a future boss.”

Providing application equipment and material solutions that protect pipelines from corrosion, heat loss and mechanical damage, Burnley-based PIH, a Stanley Black and Decker company, is the world’s leading field joint coating (FJC) services provider.

The company delivers field joint coating and other custom coating services to the onshore and offshore pipeline construction industry.

Services include application of corrosion protection, foam infill and thermal insulation systems.

Through almost 40 years of experience, PIH has gained a global reputation for successful project delivery through a culture built on safety, passion for innovation, commercial competitiveness, specialist automated equipment and highly trained personnel.

Burnley College Sixth Form Centre Tutor gives expert advice to Government

A talented Tutor at Burnley College Sixth Form Centre has been using her expertise to advise a top Government committee on the future of policing.

Business Studies Tutor Antonia Moran, who specialises in delivering the Law modules on the popular course, travelled to Westminster to appear before the Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry, chaired

by Yvette Cooper, exploring barriers to innovation and reform within the police service.

She said: “The committee were looking at the culture and skillset within the police service; how resources are managed; communications and how to retain talented officers.

Their findings will feed into a wider inquiry and be used to advise Government going forward.”

Antonia’s experience as a former police officer makes her the ideal candidate to take part in the inquiry – and teach Advanced Level students at Burnley College Sixth Form Centre. After graduating with a BA Hons degree in Business from one of the UK’s top universities, Durham, Antonia worked in research before joining the police service at the age of 28.

She said: “I saw an opportunity to take part in the Police Now programme for graduates, bringing new skills and people from different

backgrounds into policing.

I worked as a uniformed police officer in a challenging community in Tottenham for two years: it was an opportunity to use my practical skills and really make a difference in the neighbourhood. I also applied to become a trainee detective and did six months working with the victims of domestic abuse.”

Antonia is now using the knowledge gathered during her time in the police service to help Burnley College Sixth Form students take a step nearer their dream career.

She said: “Helping students to shape their own futures is a great honour. I’m passionate about the subjects I teach and it’s great to be able to pass on some of that enthusiasm to a new generation.

“It was a great honour to be invited to take part in the inquiry at Portcullis House: it was very formal and intense and I hope that I’ve helped to shape the future of policing with my input.”

Tutors at Burnley College Sixth Form Centre are recognised experts in their subject – whether that is at A Level or Advanced Vocational level – and are passionate about sharing their knowledge with students. To find out more about our award-winning, innovative teaching and the wide range of subjects we offer, visit www.burnley.ac.uk.

Michelin Star for Burnley Restaurant Burnley’s reputation as a hot spot for gourmet eating has been further increased by the amazing news that The White Swan, Fence has been awarded a Michelin Star.

Dubbed the Oscars of the food world, The White Swan was presented with the prestigious culinary accolade during a glittering ceremony in London.

Owners Laura Ostick and her husband Gareth said : “This is what we have always dreamed about. All we ever wanted to do was bring fine dining to the masses. It’s about friendly service as well though and all the team here is incredible.”

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News

Michael Rigalle is appointed as Managing Director of Safran Nacelles Ltd Michael Rigalle has been appointed Managing Director of Safran Nacelles Ltd reporting directly to Bertrand Hugueny, Industrial Director for Safran Nacelles. He will lead the UK site of Safran Nacelles in Burnley, which is responsible for the design, development and manufacture of nacelles for a wide range of aircraft – from the business jets to large commercial aircraft.

In 1995, Michael Rigalle began his career with Safran as Manufacturing Engineer and has 23 years’ experience in the aerospace industry. In 2006, he joined Safran Electrical and Power, in Pryor, United States as Site Manager.

He then joined Safran Helicopter Engines in Pau, France in 2008, successively occupying the positions of Centre of Excellence Manager (Pau, France) and then Vice President & General Manager of Safran Aircraft Engines in Rochester, United States for 4 years. He was most recently responsible for Industrial Strategy in Safran Nacelles in Le Havre, France.

Michael Rigalle, 47, graduated from ICAM (Institut Catholique des

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Arts et Métiers) in 1995.

Michael’s Rigalle said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed managing director of Safran Nacelles Ltd in Burnley; a site that is central to the success of Safran Nacelles with its vast knowledge in operations, programmes and engineering.

“It’s an exciting time for Burnley as we are investing £12m in the site over the next four years to enhance our manufacturing capabilities and ensure we successfully increase the rate of production on the Airbus A320neo and A330neo.

“We will also continue to utilise our expertise in engineering design, quality, composite and component manufacturing, and final assembly for our other programmes such as the Trent 700 thrust reversers and the HTF7000 thrust reversers, for which we are a worldwide centre of excellence.

“Having seen the talented workforce here, I know that these challenges will be met with enthusiasm and delivered to the highest standard.”

Facts and figures •

750 employees across 48,200 sqm

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One of the largest private sector employers in Burnley

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Aerospace manufacturing has taken place on the site for 70 years.

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Investing £12m in the site over the next four years

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Have taken on 89 apprentices in five years in partnership with Burnley College

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3,800 employees in 13 sites across the world

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Turnover of £1.3bn

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Over 20,800 devices in service

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Thrust reverser cycle every 1.5 seconds

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Over 125,000 flight hours per day

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210 airline customers worldwide

FAGAN & WHALLEY SELECTS MICROLISE TELEMATICS AND CAMERAS FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE TRIALS Fagan & Whalley Ltd., the Lancashire-based haulier that offers a complete road haulage service, is moving forward with a new Microlise telematics and fleet camera solution across its 170 heavy goods vehicles.

A mature telematics user, Fagan & Whalley has pioneered the use of technology in road transport and has already benefitted from having telematics deeply entrenched in its processes. Now the company is looking to further improve with the implementation of a more advanced solution.

The company, which has a rich history dating back over 90 years, has selected Microlise following an in-depth review of the market and extensive trials of a number of competitive products.

The new solution will help Fagan & Whalley to improve driving style, health and safety for drivers; and increase data immediacy and accuracy to boost its analytical capabilities.

As well as vehicle tracking and driver performance management, Fagan & Whalley is also deploying the Microlise multi camera solution, which will allow footage to be downloaded online and viewed alongside vehicle telemetry and safety information. The Incident Data Recorder will display exactly what was going on in the vehicle immediately before and after any incident including throttle engagement, cornering and acceleration metrics, as well as braking and cruise control.

In addition, the Remote Digital Tachograph Download will help Fagan & Whalley to improve the ease of collecting tachograph data, removing the need to manually collect drivers’ hours information

from each truck.

Access to the powerful Microlise e-learning platform, the Knowledge Portal, was also instrumental in the company’s decision to adopt Microlise technology. The platform makes it possible to build specific courses for staff and monitor how drivers and fleet managers are engaging with the course content online.

Martyn Richardson, Compliance Manager at the company said the time was right to switch supplier to take advantage of the latest tools on the market.

“We have very high standards for our drivers and believe that the implementation of Microlise will help us to take our use of technology to the next level.

We wanted a market leader which would be able to deliver even greater accuracy and enable us to provide even better driver support through training.”

Microlise, which is one of Europe’s largest telematics companies, has more than 350,000 active vehicle connections worldwide and works with 13 of the UK’s 15 largest retailers delivering telematics, technology and transport management solutions.

“We’ve seen the great work Fagan & Whalley is already doing, using the telematics data to support a strong ethos of training and support. We know our solution will deliver even more capability to understand how and where improvements can be made which will make a real difference to the operation. It’s great to be working with them,” said Microlise Chief Executive Officer, Nadeem Raza.

For further information about Microlise products, visit www.microlise.com/products.

The Placebo Experiment: Burnley supplement firm supplies BBC documentary A Burnley-based supplement manufacturer has provided 20,000 capsules for a BBC 2 documentary on the placebo effect.

The BBC horizon documentary, called ‘The Placebo Experiment’, which aired in October which was a special investigation looking into the power that the placebo effect can have on individuals suffering from chronic back pain, with Blackburn Distributions supplying the thousands of capsules to the Windfall Films production company, who were working on the project.

“Our products being used in such high-profile settings demonstrates our standing in the industry,” said Ben Blackburn, Founder and CEO of Blackburn Distributions, with the company having been chosen due to its top of the range facilities and industry-leading status.

“It was a quick turn-around for our team from receiving the order, manufacturing it and delivering it to the client.

“Using our state-of-the-art equipment and processes, we manufacturer our products on-site in our class seven clean rooms, ensuring the highest quality of supplement is produced and maintained,” Ben added.

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News Mint Business Travel launch travel app The initiative is designed to help companies fulfil their legal and moral duty of care for their staff when travelling abroad. It provides a range of services to SMEs and employees, from itinerary management and the logging of expenses to identifying local points of interest and checking visa requirements.

Steve Hall, founder of Mint, said: “There is a growing burden placed on employers to constantly review health and safety policies for staff who travel and this new app offers a really convenient way to help them mitigate risk.

“In addition, the app provides 24/7 support to those travelling as they can contact us for advice through the chat facility at any time.

This is immensely reassuring and means that business travellers can fully concentrate on the job in hand, rather than worrying about their travel arrangements.”

Based at Empire Business Park, Mint Business Travel is a sister company of Mint Holidays, which Steve launched last year to provide luxury and long-haul travels.

Cyber Security - ignore it at your peril!

An East Lancashire technology expert has warned businesses that there is ‘no hiding place’ from the increasing threat of cyber attack. Matthew Metcalfe, managing director at Burnley-based Holker IT, issued the stark warning at a special seminar held in Manchester and organised in conjunction with NatWest bank.

Dozens of NatWest business and personal customers heard that a staggering 90% of UK companies have been victims of cyber crime in the past year - many of them

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more than once! Mr Metcalfe, whose firm is recognised as a cyber security specialist, explained the dangers involved when firms fail to pay due attention to system security.

“Cyber attacks are happening right here, right now and cyber criminals are becoming more and more sophisticated,” he said.

“Anyone who feels it won’t happen to them is living outside reality. Protection that may have been good enough a year or so ago is no longer sufficient. It is imperative, therefore, that businesses fully understand

the size and scale of the threat and take the necessary action.” Kim Ogle, premier banking manager at NatWest (Sale) said: “We strive to keep our customers - business and personal - fully aware of the perils posed by hackers and to guide them on how best to protect their networks, data, systems and staff. Cyber security is clearly of great importance and the presentation from Holker IT was very well received. It was enlightening to hear an expert take on what is the biggest threat to business these days.”

Project Digital has launched for apprentices – have you considered employing a digital apprentice?

Employing a Digital Apprentice will provide an abundance of opportunity for you and your company; Project Digital apprentices are driven and dedicated individuals, with a genuine zest for success.

With the dawn of a daring and dynamic digital generation, Project Digital are pioneers in their field, dedicated to delivering diverse and decisive training to driven individuals.

Project Digital is the definition of disruptive; developing intense and innovative training programmes provided by industry professionals.

Their aim is to revolutionise the Digital Industry, by providing a distinguished and driven workforce of the future, delivering intense, industry-standard training programmes to individuals keen to thrive within the Digital Industry.

A rigorous recruitment process takes place every month which is tailored to ensure their candidates are the best of the best.

A Bespoke Employability Bootcamp provides their candidates with the skills and knowledge they need to dive into industry and become pioneers in their profession.

Candidates will spend a day each week in their industry space, gaining the skills and knowledge necessary to begin a career in the digital industry. This programme is one year and is tailored to provide candidates with the essential tools to become a vital asset to your business.

If you would like to know more about employing a level 3 or 4 apprentice in Digital email info@project-digital.co.uk or call 01282 733005

Purpose built canalside student accommodation proposed to meet huge university student growth UCLan has outlined its intention to work with Burnley Borough Council to bring forward a plan for student accommodation in the town.

The partnership follows the university’s recent purchase of Victoria Mill as part of its plan to increase the number of rooms available. It hopes to increase the number of Burnley-based students from 400 to 2,000 by 2021 and up to 4,000 by 2025.

Pro-chancellor and chairman of the university board David Taylor believes that by working with Burnley Council, it is developing a “cohesive, long-term plan for a significant presence in the town”.

“Purpose-built student accommodation is a vital element in attracting students to the area and ultimately providing the skills supply needed to maximise Burnley’s economic resurgence and help fulfil its stated masterplan ambitions,” he added.

Leader of Burnley Borough Council Mark Townsend added: “Over the last year we have been working with UCLan and other partners on a masterplan for the town centre and canalside. UCLan’s proposed growth will be a key driver in the town and the council is committed to ensuring that we have the infrastructure and amenities in place to support that growth.

“This agreement is the next step to realising the plan.”

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News Burnley Textile designer Becca Who inspired by Burnley’s Nature and Landscapes

The countryside and nature around Burnley and Lancashire has inspired emerging Burnley textile designer’s exquisite clothing and accessories range.

Talented Burnley artist and textile designer Becky Shaw, designs exquisite clothing and accessories for her Becca Who range, which is in demand across the globe.

Becky’s Becca Who collection is inspired by her deep love of Lancashire’s landscapes, nature, history and folklore, which can be seen in her creative distinctive hand drawn pieces.

Becky has been passionately creative since the sunny days of her elaborate chalk drawings on the pavement as a little girl at the age of 4 – and is now creating luxury clothing, accessories and homewares using delicate fabrics such as fine silks and velvets which are featured by a number of UK Style Bloggers.

Becky says: “I am immensely lucky that my home studio in Burnley is surrounded by vast wild countryside, rolling hills and breathtaking skies. Much of my creative inspiration comes from being outdoors in this beautifully wild landscape, sprawling woods and barren moorland – areas that I have loved to explore since childhood – a landscape steeped in Gothic history and Folklore.

“I studied a wide range of aspects of Art & Design at College, including Fashion & Textiles.

My higher education was specialised in design which I studied in Manchester, where I also

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spent an awful lot of my days inside amazing little vintage recycled clothing boutiques or browsing the eclectic street styles in fashion, which really influenced my design, taking inspiration from several era’s – I love browsing in vintage shops.”

“My artwork tends to begin life as hand drawn ink work on paper, often then being scanned, before I work digitally to add colour.

I take inspiration from my total love of nature, wildlife and Botanics – with just a dash of Surrealism.

“My focus since the beginning of Becca Who has been on square silk scarves, as they are an ideal way to showcase artwork – and a timeless accessory that, without the need for any sizing, makes them the perfect special gift.”

Adding: “Art & Design has forever captivated me and I am grateful every day for the chances to create! I sell my unique art prints, silk scarves, accessories and homewares – and I am always happy to receive commissions for custom work.”

“My customers are across Europe, Australia and the USA with several orders coming from California. I have as many worldwide customers as I have in the UK and love knowing my scarves and accessories are worn across the world – international customers love the #MadeinBritain brand.

“I’ve also recently designed for a large homewares company, creating designs for

bedding and wallpaper and I’m looking to expand that side of the business too. I am excited to be diversifying into new products and I am currently designing a range of ladies’ Kimonos.”

All of Becky’s designs begin with artwork which is hand drawn in ink on paper, before she adds colour and turns it into textile design for high quality digital printing onto luxury fabrics for people to love!

Becky recently had a photoshoot for her range in Burnley’s stunning Towneley Hall, as the historic hall, its grounds and its many museum collections have influenced many of Becca’s designs.

See the full Becca Who collection at www.beccawho.com

MOORHOUSE’S TO PRODUCE ONE MILLION PINTS PER YEAR THROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY It’s all about timing and following one of the UK’s hottest summers and longest sunny spell since 1976, Moorhouse’s Brewery saw the installation of 169 solar panels at its brewery in Burnley.

In July solar power briefly overtook gas as the country’s number one source of energy and now Moorhouse’s much-loved beers will be brewed with its own source of ‘Lancashire’ solar energy.

The panels sited on the Brewery’s roof, will produce enough energy to brew the equivalent of one million pints of beer each year, including its best-selling Blonde Witch, White Witch and the keg craft beer, MALKIN Pale Ale. The 50 KWp solar panel system will offset over 400,000 kg of CO2 over the next 20 years. Installed by Energy Gain UK Ltd it will actually produce approx. 42,000 units of electricity per annum – the equivalent of powering almost 250 homes for one year.

Moorhouse’s MD, Lee Williams, commented: “This is all about our commitment to reduce our carbon emissions and investing in renewable energy like this is a key part of our strategy. Quite rightly there is a greater expectation from consumers for companies to act more responsibly and they can now make a positive difference through the beer they drink, without compromising on quality. The power generated from the new solar panels will help the brewery to brew in a more sustainable way for years to come.”

Moorhouse’s has experienced a positive 2018 with the brewery undertaking a rebrand to appeal to a wider audience whilst announcing it was launching a series of new hop-forward keg beers and unveiling a new look for its much-loved cask beers. The new beers and revitalised branding was underpinned with sales and marketing activity which included a PR and social media campaign, and Tap Takeovers in over 50 pubs and bars across the North West and Yorkshire.

For more information on Moorhouse’s Brewery visit: www.moorhouses.co.uk

Burnley’s economy is booming says top BBC presenter Christian Fraser, presenter for the BBC News 100 days programme (formerly the foreign correspondent in East Africa, Rome, the Middle East and Paris) reported live from Burnley last month.

The BBC were in town to report on the Brexit feeling on the ground and Christian was fronting the 100 days programme, from locations across Burnley.

A Burnley lad himself, Christian left his hometown 20 years ago to pursue his career in television and journalism, and this was the first time he’s been back to his home town since moving away and he was genuinely so proud to see the huge transformations that have taken place.

He reported from Burnley Bridge Business Park highlighting the number of new businesses opening in the town and said: “It’s great to be back in Burnley – there are some very impressive developments in aviation, digital and telecoms. The economy is booming - Burnley is booming – it is a TechTown today and not definitely not a Mill Town anymore.”

“..the economy is booming Burnley is booming...”

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News

Town centre and canalside masterplan to provide £100m boost to the local economy Consultation has been sought on the draft Town Centre and Canalside Masterplan that is set to provide a £100m boost to the local economy and create 1,000 new jobs.

Earlier this year, the council announced plans to bring forward a major new leisure development.

This will include working with Reel to relocate its cinema into the town centre. The draft masterplan, provides further details on this and a range of other projects that are proposed over the next decade.

Burnley Council leader Mark Townsend said: “We have completed the improvements to the pedestrianised area, and the private sector has invested with new openings and improvements to shop frontages. But this was just the start. The masterplan aims to build on that.

“It’s not all about the economy and jobs. A brilliant town centre is also good for local pride. When I walk through town today, I feel a buzz about the place that wasn’t there 10 years ago. This plan is about making sure that in 10 years from now, even more people are enjoying it.”

Councillor Asif Raja, executive member for economy and growth added: “Burnley Football

Club, the University of Central Lancashire, and the county council are right behind the plan with us. A lot of what we want to achieve is possible because the council owns the land. The council’s job is to bring together investment from the council, the wider public sector, and business, so we can deliver aspects of the masterplan in the very near future.

“Other proposals in the masterplan are more aspirational.

Nevertheless, we need to plan for all the changes we want to see in the town centre, so that if and when funding becomes available, we can target those resources at schemes that are part of a coherent plan. We want local businesses and residents to give us their views, so that the whole borough can get behind the changes that are coming.”

Leader of Lancashire County Council, Geoff Driver CBE, is also backing the future of the town centre: “Following our investment in the pedestrianised area with Burnley Council, the response of shoppers and traders has been really positive. I agree, however, that we shouldn’t just stop there and expect the growth to continue. Towns like Burnley are part of what makes Lancashire special. It is key to the county’s economic future, so we need to plan for the next phase of

“...I walk through town today, I feel a buzz about the place...”

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Burnley’s transformation.”

Dr. Ebrahim Adia, Provost of UCLan, said: “This is a really exciting time for Burnley.

The masterplan shows what tremendous opportunities there are here. Our aim is to educate 4,000 students in Burnley by 2025; that is a 10-fold increase on current numbers. We’ll need new accommodation and leisure facilities to accommodate that growth.”

Alex Wagstaff, speaking on behalf of the owners of Charter Walk, added: “There are regular news reports about how town centres are dying on their feet.

Don’t always believe it. Burnley is one of those areas that is finding its niche and still has room to grow. We are investing in Charter Walk because the town centre is getting better and better. That doesn’t happen by accident. It requires good design and good public spaces. With this plan, Burnley is keeping the momentum up.”

Looking further ahead, the draft masterplan advocates other proposals, including: • An office quarter located on the former Thompson Centre site.

• Town Centre and canalside living, making use of existing buildings, as well as new build.

• A Youth Zone facility located at nearby Croft Street. If realised, the Youth Zone would be a new service run

by Burnley Football in the Community and Burnley Leisure, and would include activities for young people in the heart of the town centre close to public transport connections.

“...the town centre is getting better and better.

That doesn’t happen by accident. It requires good design and good public spaces...”

In the next four years, the key proposals are: •

•

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A major new leisure development: ‘Pioneer Place’. The plan is for Reel cinema to move from its current site in Manchester Road, on the edge of the town centre, to a new multi-screen complex at Curzon Street. The new site will also include new food, beverage and retail units. The council previously announced that a national supermarket chain would take over and convert the existing cinema site. The masterplan proposes that as part of the development of the new cinema site at Curzon Street, a new public square is built to connect the site into the wider street network, with improved pedestrian access around that part of the town. The council will announce further details on the Pioneer Place project before the end of the year.

Continued improvement to Charter Walk shopping centre, including new frontages for the shops facing Market Square and the relocation of the market hall access stair.

The development of a university campus site. The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has taken ownership of Victoria Mill on Trafalgar Street so it can expand in Burnley. The priority, then, is to create student accommodation around Sandygate Square. A longer-term option is to develop the George Street Mill site, which is between the Town Centre and Sandygate.

Largely derelict at present, the area could become a future university campus site, including additional teaching buildings for UCLan, with more student accommodation, and a small number of food and drink outlets.

Another long-term aspiration is to revamp Yorkshire Street.

This could include improving pedestrian access to Turf Moor. The masterplan says “the large roundabout junction arrangement at the Church St / Centenary Way / Yorkshire Road junction is very unhelpful to pedestrian movement across all junction approaches and the pedestrian subway is uninviting.”

The masterplan proposes a redesign of the junction, with additional space given over to pedestrians: “There is also great potential to formalise the processional route to Turf Moor with lighting columns, signage/ flags, and tree planting, which

would add to the sense of occasion on match days.”

Dave Baldwin, chief executive of Burnley Football Club, said: “Visiting football fans already come away from the town with a great impression. What they find is good mix of high street and local retailers, craft beer bars, and vibrant cafés. The enduring memory for many is how friendly and helpful the people are. We’ve got a town centre to be proud of and the football club wants to be part of making it even more special. If we are able to deliver on the suggested improvements around Turf Moor, it would really enhance the match day experience.”

“Towns like Burnley are part of what makes Lancashire special”

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News

University achieves major milestone with educational expansion plans for Burnley

T

he University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has reached a major milestone in its plans to generate a ten-fold increase in the number of university students studying at its Burnley campus by 2025.

The official signing of the lease to acquire Victoria Mill, the former University Technical College building, kick-started the University’s educational blueprint for the town and the wider East Lancashire region. Numbers of University students in Burnley are set to rise from under 400 to 2,000 by 2021 and up to 4,000 by 2025.

Working in collaboration with its strategic partners Burnley Borough Council and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, and alongside the Burnley Bondholders group of influential local business leaders, the University’s education strategy for the region is designed to meet the existing and emerging skills’ needs of Burnley and East Lancashire.

David Taylor, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the University Board, said: “The acquisition of Victoria Mill captures the University’s ambitions and aspirations for the future prosperity of Burnley and the wider region.

“We will invest in state-of-the-art technology to provide new opportunities for talented people from all walks of life and

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provide a skills supply that will maximise the University’s social, environmental and economic impact.”

From its existing Burnley Campus at Princess Way, operating alongside Burnley College, the University already delivers a range of courses at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate level with students on the University’s prestigious MBBS medical degree also being taught at the campus.

The University’s vision for Victoria Mill is that it will play a major role in the expansion of UCLan Burnley’s course portfolio which by 2025 will include undergraduate and postgraduate courses focusing on advanced manufacturing; healthcare, fitness and social care sectors; aerospace; the creative and digital media sector; social sciences; business services and leadership and management.

Degree apprenticeship programmes, linked closely with local employers and skills needs, will play a major part in the University’s educational offer. Targeted research investment in a number of relevant areas, including advanced manufacturing, digital, health, business and community leadership, will also be a priority.

Dr Ebrahim Adia, Provost at UCLan Burnley, added: “Acquiring Victoria Mill means we are entering a new era in our educational

vision for Burnley. We will invest in flexible learning spaces and a new clinical skills lab supported by the latest technology to deliver a truly customised learning experience.

“Overall the University aims to provide a step change in extending its successful work to raise the educational aspirations of young people and under-represented groups from Burnley and beyond so they can reap the lifelong benefits that higher education can bring.”

Councillor Mark Townsend, leader of Burnley Council, said: “It’s wonderful to see the former UTC building be brought back into use by UCLan as part of its ambitious expansion plans to increase student numbers in our town to 4,000 by 2025. Victoria Mill is a landmark building in the historic Weavers’ Triangle and no-one wants to see it lying empty and unused which is why the council warmly welcomes this move which has come about thanks to our work with the university and its commitment to Burnley.

“The council fully supports the drive to make Burnley a university town with all the positive impacts that will have for our borough. We’re working closely with UCLan to raise education and skills levels among our young people so they can help drive forward our future local economy with their enthusiasm and imagination.”

Burnley Hosts Federation for Built Environment in the stunning setting of Towneley Hall Burnley was delighted to host the Federation for the Built Environment (Lancashire) event in October at the stunning Towneley Hall. It was a glorious autumn morning, which provided a great day to showcase #BrilliantBurnley to business guests from across the region.

Guest Speaker Dave Jones, MD, VEKA, gave guests a great insight into VEKA’s growth and Mick Cartledge, CEO Burnley Council, updated delegates on Burnley’s economic growth and exciting plans for further development in leisure, retail and housing going forward.

Burnley Town Centre Café awarded title of Best Italian Café in Britain

Bellissimo Café in Burnley Town Centre is delighted to have won the prestigious Award for Best Italian Café in Britain for the third year running at the English Italian Awards, which took place in Manchester last week.

Manager and owner of Bellissimo, Lynn Scibetta said: “I’m over the moon with the award. We had to go through quite a tough judging process and were up against many quality Italian cafes from across England.”

“The judges love our unique café and tell us to keep on doing what we are doing making our delicious pizzas and our special Italian desserts. The judges said they travelled the length and breadth of England but couldn’t find another café that was as unique as ours.

“...we love bringing a little bit of Italy to this lovely Lancashire town...”

“My husband Giovanni, originates from Sicily, where he worked learning the art of Italian cooking in hotels and restaurants, he then spent some time working in France learning the art of French cuisine, and then moved to the UK with his family where he gained a Master Bakers Degree and a Teachers Degree in Catering – and this varied background enables us to offer a unique homemade menu of delicious pizzas

and pasta and our wonderful desserts.”

Adding: “We’ve been running our café for 10 years and we’ve been together for 41 years. I’m from Nelson originally and met Giovanni in Nelson’s Column which used to be a popular nightclub in Nelson, and the rest is history really – we make a great team and love running our café.”

“I’d like to thank all our valued

customers too for making this possible – we love bringing a little bit of Italy to this lovely Lancashire town.”

Catherine Price, Burnley’s Town Centre Manager, said: “I’m so pleased for Bellissimo, it is well deserved, recognising their lovely food and service, and it’s great for the town centre too.

“Burnley Town Centre has some lovely cafes, restaurants and bars, and awards such as this recognise the quality of the offer and really help to promote Burnley’s vibrant and varied town centre.”

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News Award winning filmmaker and star of BBC3 support Burnley Literary Festival Award winning filmmaker Aaron Dunleavy from East Lancashire, whose latest film Alfie the Odd-Job Boy is an internet sensation, and the star of his film, Alfie, lent a hand to the organisers of Burnley Literary Festival.

Aaron and Alfie appeared at two of the Literary Festival seminars organised by Burnley Film Studio. The Smart Art Short Film Making seminars were hosted by Kevin Furber of Burnley Film Studio and detailed what goes into making a film or documentary using only bare wit, raw talent and smartphone or device. Aaron and Alfie were on hand to offer advice on their unique style and to share their passion for film making.

Kev Furber, MD, Burnley Film Studio said: “Aaron and Alfie are a real inspiration, and will inspire anyone who wants to be a filmmaker.

They’ve gone out and made their own film, which has been on BBC 3 and received world recognition. It is award winning and has 11 million views on Radio 1’s social media site alone.”

Aaron, film director, said: “I’m a local lad, I’ve been making films for three years, this is the first documentary I did. It’s a powerful story about working class, and about getting up off our backsides and telling a story we felt we had to tell.”

Chess strengthens partner focus with acquisition of TMS Burnley based Chess ICT, one of the UK’s leading technology solutions providers, is delighted to announce its acquisition of TMS, an independent channel-focused expert in billing solutions, hosted voice and data connectivity solutions for IT and telecoms suppliers.

TMS is the latest addition to the Chess family, which ranks #1 in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work. The business brings Chess a range of voice and data solutions, including a secure and scalable managed billing solution, a highly experienced WLR3 integration team and a stable of trusted relationships with over 100 channel partners and resellers.

The existing team including Operations Director, Helen Booker, are remaining in place.

The acquisition further strengthens Chess’s commitment to its partners, who will now have access to an “out of the box” managed billing platform and WLR3 centre of excellence renowned for outstanding service.

Chess Founder and CEO, David Pollock, commented: “I’ve always been an admirer of the TMS business. For a long time now, we’ve had an aspiration to acquire the company if the opportunity presented itself. Their experience and reputation will really enhance relationships with our partners.”

“We look forward to working with Helen, the TMS people & partners and very much welcome them to the Chess family.”

With over 100 acquisitions to its name, Chess continues to seek companies that will enhance its product portfolio and bring new people, skills and expertise to its growing team.

Commenting further on the acquisition, Suzanne Chappell, Chairman and Founder of TMS who is retiring and setting off on a new sailing adventure said: “The next stage of TMS’s journey is going to be exciting as part of team Chess.

“I know that our senior management and team members will thrive as part of Chess, with its greater scale in sales and support and award-winning workplace ethos. With our years of channel focus and expertise and 112 loyal partners, we bring real value to Chess’s partners.”

TM Solutions were advised on this transaction by Knight Corporate Finance.

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New Local Plan for Burnley sets blueprint for further economic growth

Burnley’s local plan was recently adopted setting the blueprint for Burnley’s economic growth for the next decade.

The town has seen huge levels of investment in the past ten years, putting Burnley consistently in the top ten for private sector jobs growth, and most recently second in the UK for digital jobs growth with Burnley being cited in the top 16 tech towns in the UK. The adoption of the new Local Plan will enable Burnley to build on this growth with the allocation of new employment sites, including the 13.32 hectare (32 acre) Burnley Bridge South, providing the potential to create 4,400 new jobs, and the allocation of new housing sites for 3,880 new high quality homes.

The plan also supports the growth of the retail and leisure sector in Burnley town centre.

Councillor Leader Mark Townsend said: “It is great news for the future of our borough that we have agreed this plan.

The plan sets the framework for the borough’s economic growth.

For years residents have told the Council they want to see a wider choice of housing, more job

opportunities and better shops balanced with quality green spaces. This plan, developed on a ‘brownfield first’ approach, helps us to achieve those goals.

Kate Ingram, Head of Burnley Council’s Economy and Growth Team said: “We’d love to talk to housing developers about our key housing sites and attract new housing developers to Burnley to provide a variety of high quality housing to meet the demands of our growing economy. We are transforming Burnley’s housing offer and with the new direct rail link to Manchester, Burnley is becoming a serious commuter belt option.”

Adding: “Burnley is 80% rural, but just 45 minutes from Manchester and provides an affordable, quality lifestyle offer.

With new businesses moving in, new development land allocated, which is set to create hundreds of new jobs, the new housing development sites in attractive rural locations are a strong investment opportunity for quality housing developers. ”With the growth of the University of Central Lancashire campus in Burnley with student numbers forecast to rise from 400

to 4,000 by 2025 there’s also a growing student accommodation market for developers to take advantage of.”

Burnley Bridge South, part of Eshton’s Burnley Bridge Employment Gateway situated at Junction 9 M65, has been allocated as proposed employment land in the Council’s next Local Plan and is set to bring 1,300 new jobs to the town.

James Chapman, Managing Director of Eshton who are delivering one of the largest employment sites in the Local Plan said: “To date, the three-phase Burnley Bridge development off the M65 carriageway has brought more than £50million in investment to Burnley and the surrounding area.

“The new Burnley Bridge South scheme will provide a similar mix of warehousing and industrial accommodation to the existing site, with a flexible range of quality units tailored to meet

the needs of its occupiers. Sitting adjacent to the A679 Accrington Road, the indicative plans for Burnley Bridge South are for units totalling 600,000 sq ft.

“The three developments, clustered around Junction 9 of the M65 motorway, already comprises Burnley Bridge and Titanium Park, which together span 80 acres and has 735,000 sq ft already occupied with room for a further 135,000 sq ft. “ James added: “Burnley Bridge South forms part of our vision to expand Burnley’s business park presence and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to investing in Burnley.

“Our strategy of continued growth is on track and we’re confident that the next 12 months will bring further significant milestones for the business park and Burnley.’’

Copies of the adopted plan and the accompanying Policies Map are available to download at: www.burnley.gov.uk/residents/planning/planning-policy To discuss the housing development opportunities contact Burnley Council’s Economy and Growth Team on 01282 477245.

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News

UCLan Burnley students celebrate ‘first class’ results

Dedicated students at UCLan Burnley are celebrating after reaching the end of their university-level studies and receiving their first-class results, helping them to build new futures and opening up a world of opportunities.

Hard work and commitment has paid off for the students who are now embarking on new careers in their chosen industries or have their sights set on promotion in their existing roles, whatever their sector.

Simon Jordan, Pro-Vice Chancellor at Burnley College, said: “Huge congratulations to each and every one of our 200-plus UCLan Burnley students who have received their results: it is a time for celebration and reflection after all the effort and dedication they have shown to reach their goals and to become future leaders in their fields.

“UCLan Burnley are proud of the achievements of our students – whether they have come to university-level study straight from college or sixth form or if they have returned to education after a break. Their combined effort, alongside our Lecturers’ subject and industry expertise has firmly established Burnley as a university town with an enviable reputation for its close links with local Employers.”

UCLan Burnley students studying for full BA and BSc Honours degrees, Foundation Degrees, HNDs and HNCs received their results this month with many earning first-class, Grade 1 and Distinction accolades in a diverse range of subjects from PGCE teaching qualifications to Community Theatre and Performance, Mechanical Engineering to Children, Young People and Their Services.

Among those earning a Distinction is Vicky Mason, from Burnley, who has completed her Foundation Degree in Business and Management at UCLan Burnley. Vicky is a former Army medic who

runs her own businesses. She said: “I’m over the moon with my Distinction and I’m now planning to top up my qualification to a full BA Hons degree at UCLan Burnley.

I’ve been able to arrange my studies around my work and family commitments and the support I have received from Student Services and my Lecturers has been outstanding. They’ve helped me to fulfil my ambitions and a full degree is within my reach now. It’s great to be able to study on a university campus in my home town and it’s given me opportunities I never thought existed to shape my own future.”

Also receiving a Distinction in her HND (Higher National Diploma) in Mechanical Engineering is Nabeela Desai, a Themis at Burnley College Mechanical and Manufacturing Higher Apprentice. Nabeela (21), from Blackburn, is a former pupil at Our Lady and St John Catholic College and is a key member of staff at Paradigm Precision, Burnley. She said: “Engineering is my passion: it has been great to be taught by Lecturers who share that same love and have years of industry experience behind them. I’m really pleased to have received a Distinction in my HND which will help me progress my career and succeed in the industry I’ve chosen.

“The HND really suited my learning style: it was very practical and I could relate “I’m over the moon with my it to me career every stage, plus it is highly Distinction and I’m now planning to valued by employers and will help me to top up my qualification to a full BA stand out from the crowd.”

The successful UCLan Burnley students Hons degree at UCLan Burnley. are now looking forward to a graduation ceremony at Burnley Mechanics in September following a procession through the town centre from the UCLan Burnley Campus on Princess Way. You can boost your career options through university-level study, starting this Autumn.

Visit our website at www.burnley.ac.uk/UCLan or call 01282 733400 for guidance from our specialist team on how we can support you in your academic journey.

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Simply Corporate Insolvency Practitioners launches and opens office in Padiham Business Rescue and Recovery specialists Simply Corporate Limited are delighted to announce their launch and the opening of their office at Ribble Court, Padiham.

The new practice has been founded by Natalie Hughes, Alison Butler and Andy Platt.

Natalie and Andy have worked together for the past 10 years playing fundamental roles in establishing a successful insolvency practice in the Greater Manchester area. Prior to qualifying as an insolvency practitioner Alison was an experienced corporate and personal insolvency solicitor and for the last 18 years has provided advice to company directors and business owners amongst others. The three have now decided to set up their own practice providing a much needed specialist service to company directors and business owners throughout the region.

Natalie Hughes, Licensed Insolvency Practitioner and Director at Simply Corporate commented: “We're doing things differently.

For too long insolvency practitioners have been considered the last resort, the end

Bright Spark Themis Advanced Apprentice Electrician Kane is one of the best in the UK

of the line, assisting only with liquidation or bankruptcy.

We are committed to solving a director’s problems; and by solving their problems, treating them fairly and being totally transparent, we provide a service that isn’t just timely and accurate but demonstrates the genuine care we have for each one of our clients”.

Andy Platt, Director added: “Our new practice will also enable professional advisors in the region such as accountants, solicitors and financial advisors, direct and local access to our Insolvency Practitioners and turnaround specialists to assist their clients.”

Simply Corporate specialises in business turnaround, working closely with directors of small to medium sized businesses that

are experiencing any form of cashflow or financial challenge. Taking time to help them understand their options and any obstacles they may face. However, they do acknowledge that time is of the essence and the earlier a director speaks to them, the more options they can explore and the better the outcome is likely to be.

The new office can be found at Ribble Court, 1 Mead Way, Padiham, Lancashire, BB12 7NG.

A determined Themis Advanced Burnley Apprentice has shown he is one of the top young electricians in the UK by securing a place in the finals of the prestigious SPARKS contest.

Kane Barker (23) made it live circuit, so the pressure was my field and Themis, working through the regional heats really on, too.” closely with my Employer, has to reach the final of the elite While Kane narrowly missed enabled me to be just that. ” contest to identify the most out on victory on the day, he Simon Jordan, Director talented electrical Apprentices and his Trainer Assessor, Kevin of Themis at Burnley College, through a gruelling day of Ashton, were first over the line added: “Congratulations challenges to test their technical in the go-karting challenge day to Kane on his excellent abilities, time management, he won for coming top of his performance at the SPARKS character and commitment. regional heat. His victory there finals: he has been a great Kane currently works for earned the pair a day at a race representative of Themis Clemson Electrical Contractors track, testing their skills in highat Burnley College and has in Burnley, and is entering powered racing cars, with Kane inspired other Apprentices the final year of his training again earning a medal for his to follow in his footsteps. programme with Themis at skills behind the wheel.

We’re proud that our Themis Burnley College.

He said: “It was great to Apprentices are ranked among He said: “The competition share both the SPARKS and the very best in the UK. was intense and it was a great racing car experience with “Kane is a great example of opportunity for me to test my Kevin. He is an expert in his field everything a Themis Apprentice skills against some of the best and, as well as passing on his stands for: commitment, hard in the UK. The challenge on the wealth of industry knowledge, work, determination, innovation day was to wire up four-way has motivated and supported and a thirst for success. We lighting controls, complete with me to be the very best I can. have no doubt whatsoever that switches and trunking: it was It has always been important he will excel in his chosen career the first year SPARKS used a to me to be at the very top of and become a futureboss.”

Could your skills take you to the top of your chosen profession? Does a career as a highlyskilled Electrician appeal to you? Themis at Burnley College can help you take a first step on the career ladder to becoming a #futureboss. Contact us on 01282 733005 or email themis@burnley.ac.uk.

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News

Landmark former Burnley Post Office building opens as trendy Brazilian restaurant in Burnley Town Centre Burnley’s former central Post Office building has been transformed into a Brazilian style rodizio grill restaurant.

The beautiful Grade II listed Edwardian building has been sensitively transformed creating a wonderful restaurant and trendy bar to rival top city restaurants.

The 4,000 sq.at Brazilian rodizio grill restaurant, Carnivoro, with industrial styling and mezzanine, opened its doors in September adding to Burnley’s town centre leisure offer and food scene.

The landmark red brick Edwardian building in Hargreaves Street closed as a Post Office in

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2014. It was acquired in July last year and following a radical refit the 4,000 sq.ft restaurant and bar space it opened to the public on Saturday, September 29th.

General manager Adam Foster said: “The whole concept of the restaurant is that we invite guests to try a selection of 15 different meats including sirloin, fillet, chorizo sausage, chicken in bacon.

“Staff members called ‘Passadors’ will work closely with the kitchen bringing these meats to the table where they will carve them for you.

“The nearest venue that offers something like this is in

Manchester. What we are hoping is that this brings people into Burnley from out of the area.

Kate Ingram, Strategic Head of Burnley Council’s Economy and Growth said: “The Carnivoro restaurant is a fabulous addition to the town centre restaurant offer, bringing this lovely town centre building back to life.

“The level of private sector investment underway in the town centre at the moment reflects the huge confidence in Burnley right now.

“New investments include Carnivoro, The Corkhouse Wine Bar, The Palazzo Italian restaurant, Kelly’s Bar, and Quick

Crepes, the town centre is buzzing.

Mark added: “We are working hard to transform our town centre leisure and high street offer. Trendy bars and restaurants are opening up and the evening offer is shifting. We want to expand the range of leisure and entertainment facilities and to establish Burnley as a vibrant shopping and leisure destination.

“A recent report by independent experts said Burnley has ‘punched above its weight’ in terms of maintaining and growing the number of shops in the town centre over the past decade, when other similar towns have

“We are working hard to transform our town centre leisure and high street offer” struggled, and the opening of another top class restaurant reinforces that message.

“With plans for the new leisure and retail complex Pioneer Place moving forward, the recent investment in public realm, and the arrival of high street giant Primark we are confident in the future of Burnley’s centre.”

The investor wanted it to be a bar initially but my business partner Tom said it needed to be something more than that, something that Burnley hasn’t seen before.

Manager Adam, added “We want people to walk in and go ‘wow’; we want them to feel special, like they are walking into a bar or restaurant in the middle of Manchester centre.

“We are keeping it local as well though.

We’ve hired from around here, we’re working alongside Batch and we are sourcing our meat from Riley’s Butchers.

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News Celebrating 90 years Local Estate Agents Petty’s are celebrating their 90th anniversary this year and have been marking the occasion with various events throughout the year. As part of their 90th year celebrations Petty’s stated that all residential properties listed between 1st April 2018 and the 30th September 2018 would be entered into two quarterly draws where the successful winners would pay a sale commission of only £90.00. The first draw took place in July and Sara and Michael Alexander from Barnoldswick were the lucky winners.

The winner this time is would be property developer Chris Hargreaves from Rossendale. Chris bought a house in Burnley and totally refurbished it in order to then sell the property. Paramedic Chris said “It’s taken almost 11 months of late nights and weekends to refurbish the property. I’ve done all the work with a colleague and with the help of family and friends in order to try and keep costs

down. Winning this is a real boost and I’m already thinking that the money I’ve saved with this win I may just re-invest and buy another property!”

Simon Morgan a Director at Petty’s said “Petty’s success is built on the relationships we’ve had and continue to have with our client’s, those relationships have built us up and defined us. We are tremendously grateful to our clients – it is because of their steadfast loyalty and trust that we are still here. This is a bit of fun really but we felt it important to give a little back and it’s great that this may have just given Chris the boost to buy another property and start the process all over again” As well as the £90 offer Petty’s have had numerous events throughout the year to mark their 90th year tying in many of the events with raising money for Pendleside Hospice, themselves marking 30th years, and have raised over £13,000 so far.

Mann & Hummel Promote Life Skills at Cherry Fold Primary School Burnley based manufacturing company, Mann & Hummel have proudly donated a Problem Solving Box to Cherry Fold Primary School in the town. The Problem Solving Box, which has been created by Outdoor Elements contains 32 problem solving challenges that are designed to help young people: •

To gain confidence in their ability to make good decisions

•

To enhance creative thinking which allows the generation of new ideas, the ability to experiment and a willingness to take risks

•

To learn how to logically think a problem through, which will reduce impulsive decision making

•

To work as part of a team and recognise different individuals’ strengths

Mann & Hummel are members of Burnley’s Bondholder Scheme which brings together organisations that have the passion, drive and commitment to champion Burnley Bondholders pledge to do this either financially or through in-kind support.

Mann & Hummel have sponsored and donated the Outdoor Elements Problem Solving Box because they understand that solving problems is a necessary part of life; both in everyday life and in business. Having

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a team of people who can logically work through problems allows for greater productivity, increased confidence and stronger teams. Joanne Koval, HR Officer of MANN+HUMMEL says “Establishing these skills at an early age can have a lasting impact. We want the young people of Burnley to thrive both in their education and life in general. There are many great job opportunities in Burnley and we wanted to support Cherry Fold Primary School in their role of developing the young people to be great employees of Burnley businesses in the future.”

Following a presentation of the box during a school assembly, Outdoor Elements gave a training session to teaching staff to show how the box can be used effectively. “We are delighted to have been chosen by Mann & Hummel for their generous donation. The problem solving resources will be used as part of our enrichment programme to develop skills such as communication, leadership, listening and patience” says Helen Smith, Assistant Headteacher, at Cherry Fold Primary School.

The problem Solving Box is a complete kit to facilitate problem solving activities for

1 to 100+ people. It is provided with briefing cards for each task and facilitation guidelines on how to run a problem solving session.

The tasks can be presented in different ways to cater for ages 5 to adult in both indoor and outdoor settings. A number of groups can work simultaneously rotating around the tasks. The tasks can be revisited and used as a tool to measure progression of a group’s team work skills. Full ‘train-the-trainer’ sessions are available.

If you are interested in becoming a Burnley Bondholder visit burnley.co.uk/ bondholders/ If you are interested in donating a Problem Solving Box to your local school visit outdoorelements.co.uk

Paradigm Precision welcomes new MD Matt and bids a fond farewell to Carl After 34 years with Paradigm Precision, Managing Director, Carl Wheeler, is looking forward to retirement, and handing over the reins to the new MD Matt Pemrick.

Matt is looking forward to taking over the role of MD, and shares some of his engineering background with us, saying: “I started my working life as an Apprentice at Edbro Plc in Bolton (now Jost Group) and qualified as a Miller-Turner. Following a further 3 years in the factory as a Team Leader in the FMS cell, I moved into a procurement role and held numerous positions of increasing responsibility, mainly in the commercial vehicle and off-highway sector.

"From this base, whilst at PCC I was put through a Leadership Development program and became General Manager for the BladesMachining (Leeds) and Nozzle Guide Vane (Leicester) facilities. After 5 years, I moved back to the North West where I was the General Manager at Senior Aerospace-Weston

Airfoils Division, prior to being promoted to the Operations Director of the Group, again spending 5 years at this company.

"The past two years have been at Arconic; holding the position of Manufacturing Director for the legacy Firth Rixson sites in the Sheffield and Glossop area. During this time we successfully deployed Operational Excellence and other best practice tools.

"During my career I have also gained a Degree in Business Studies and Management and attended both Cranfield and Ashridge Schools of Management.

"I am very much looking forward to this new challenge at Paradigm and working with the Burnley workforce and colleagues around the world."

Outside of work, Matt has two daughters aged 18 & 16. He lives in Bolton with his fiancée and in his spare time likes to compete in Triathlon events. He completed two Full Ironman Events during 2018, with a best time

of 10 Hours 37 minutes, which, he says, is much easier and less arduous than his other ‘hobby’, that is supporting Bolton Wanderers Football club!

Carl Wheeler said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed working in engineering over the years, and enjoyed the camaraderie in engineering. I started as an apprentice with GE Clayton, then became a general machinist, became supervisor and then moved into Engineering Project management. I also had a spell as Purchasing Manager which I really enjoyed. Then became General Manager, Business Development Director, MD of Composites at Kaman and then back to Paradigm as General Manager, totalling almost 34 great years with Paradigm.

"I'd like to wish Matt every success in the role. I'm looking forward to travelling, walking, golf and gardening."

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Feature : Pipeline to Success

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Burnley is home to one of the world’s leading and largest oil & gas pipeline field joint coating businesses Pipeline Induction Heat has its hi-tech manufacturing, R&D & test facilities here in #BrilliantBurnley - they’ve also trained one of the youngest qualified NACE standard inspectors in the world!

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Feature : Pipeline to Success Award for Burnley based world leader in field joint coating

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ne of Burnley’s largest and world leading businesses, Pipeline Induction Heat (PIH), has been awarded The Long Standing Contribution to Burnley Award, by Burnley Council Leader, Mark Townsend, and Chief Executive, Mick Cartledge, who visited PIH to present the award to recognise the 30 years PIH has been based in the town.

The council representatives were given a tour of the impressive 75,000 sq ft PIH facility and briefed on the latest developments underway in one of the world’s largest and leading pipeline ‘field joint coating’ companies.

Council Leader Mark Townsend said: “This company is definitely a hidden gem.

You might expect to find specialists in oil and gas pipeline coating technologies in the US, Russia or China, and surprised to hear that one of the world’s largest pipeline ‘field joint coating’ contractors is based in Burnley. We are delighted PIH has its world class manufacturing, test, R&D and demonstration facility in one of Burnley’s most established flagship business parks, from where it supports the global pipeline industry. This is another fantastic example of the range of world class businesses we have based in the town creating highly skilled jobs.”

Burnley Council Chief Executive Mick Cartledge said: “We were delighted to present the award to PIH to recognise the company’s commitment to both Burnley and to growing and developing its Burnley workforce. The company has adapted well to market conditions and you can feel the positive culture within the business when you are on site.

“It was fascinating to tour and great to hear about the work and the company’s commitment to upskilling its workforce, as well as its dedication to training locals in the various locations across the world where a project may be based.

“One country cited specifically was Angola, where the company employs local people and offers specific training, leaving them with qualifications and experience to better themselves once PIH has completed its scope of work. The company has also recently worked on the major TANAP project which included a 2,000km pipe that ran the entire length of Turkey!”

Adding: “It was also wonderful to hear about its commitment to recruiting and training young apprentices. One of the youngest apprentices who started in administration has now moved into the technical department and is the youngest qualified NACE standard inspector in the world!”

Paul McShane, Managing Director, Pipeline Induction Heat said: “We were delighted to receive the award in recognition of our commitment to delivering our global services from our Burnley facility. PIH didn’t originate in Burnley, it actually started in High Wycombe in 1988, and the company was approached by Burnley Council who were actively seeking to attract inward investment and promoting the opportunities in Burnley for growing businesses. The council approach worked, PIH was offered a grant to move to Burnley, the relocation took place and here we are today growing PIH in the town for the long term future.”

“We are committed to promoting the oil and gas sector as a great career choice for millennials and we work closely with Burnley College to recruit apprentices who have gone on to be hugely successful.”

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“Geographically Burnley has been an excellent location for us. Global clients are able to reach us easily and our loyal dedicated local workforce has very much helped grow the business.”

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P

roviding application equipment and material solutions that protect pipelines from corrosion, heat loss and mechanical damage, Burnleybased PIH, a Stanley Black and Decker company, is the world’s leading field joint coating (FJC) services provider. The company delivers field joint coating and other custom coating services to the onshore and offshore pipeline construction industry. Services include application of corrosion protection, foam infill and thermal insulation systems.

Through almost 40 years of experience, PIH has gained a global reputation for successful project delivery through a culture built on safety, passion for innovation, commercial competitiveness, specialist automated equipment and highly trained personnel.

Pipeline Induction Heat is a winner of the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement.

The company has been awarded the International Safety Award for the last 10 consecutive years

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Feature : PPD Move to Vision Park

Leading UK Digital Print Production supply company move to prestigious new address on Vision Park

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ision Park, Burnley’s latest hi-spec business space, is delighted to welcome one of UK’s leading digital print production companies, Production Print Direct Limited (PP Direct), to the innovation hub.

PP Direct signed up for their 2,500 sq.ft. hi-spec unit earlier in the year and they’ve created a modern showroom, offices, and a large service space with a mezzanine for future expansion and events since taking up occupation of their unit.

Managing Director, Mike Ashforth said: “We’ve taken quite lot of space at Vision Park to prepare us for the next stage of our growth. One of the aspirations for moving into Vision Park was to give us room to grow and allow us to open up from supplying and servicing the commercial print market into the office market.”

Adding: “The prestigious aspect of the site is what attracted us to Vision Park. It’s got the look and feel of a prestigious location. We liked the development from the outset– it had the space we needed to create our vision, with no constraints, and Burnley Council were extremely flexible in supporting our plans.

“The proximity of Vison Park to Burnley College and the UCLan university campus was another influential factor as we felt it was something that could help the business in the future, being located in such close proximity to such a good resource and possibly our future workforce.”

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“We’ve taken quite a lot of space at Vision Park to prepare us for our next stage of growth.”

MD, Mike Ashforth, PP Direct 29

Feature : PPD Move to Vision Park

Service Director, Tony Molloy added: “The main reason behind the move and investment is to allow us to set the ball rolling with our next stage of our planned growth to move into the office print market.”

Mike and his team have a strong history in the digital print industry and the business growth is attributed to this strong background and the understanding of how the machines need operate in the environment where they are being put to work.

Established in 2012, Production Print Direct specialise in providing a quality service led/service response based delivery to the commercial print industry. With highly skilled and highly trained engineers who understand what commercial print operators need their equipment to do.

Mike talks about the fast-changing market for digital print requirements, saying: “Digitally printed pages continue to grow at a rate that exceeds the decline in litho and will continue to do so for many years. Print buyers need their print service provider to have on demand capability, responding to their fast-changing communication requirements. The trend that is set to continue for years is that digital volumes are growing rapidly due to the on-demand nature of customer needs. Order today- print today -deliver tomorrow is fast becoming the norm.

“Our technicians are trained to the highest standards and work within the print for pay industry giving our customers the confidence to explore machine capabilities and work with us to overcome challenging medias, files and timescales. Transferring these skills and experience to the office print market will ensure that all customers always receive a ‘best in class’ service provision.

“Our range of new cut-sheet presses and multifunctional devices (MFD’s) from Canon and Develop along with roll fed and flatbed inkjet devices from Mimaki provides professional printers and MFD users alike, with a huge range of industry leading technologies that offer quality, reliability and productivity to grow your business.

“The opportunities for commercial printers to be part of this exciting revival are enormous and having the right equipment is critical.

For office print users, PP Direct offer industry leading service levels, equipment and expertise under our newly created Office Print Direct (OP Direct) branding.”

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Vision Park represents an opportunity to relocate to one of the most exciting commercial developments in the Lancashire region.

The 5 acre (2.02 hectare) development provides a high quality industrial accommodation and advanced manufacturing hybrid accommodation for a wide variety of occupiers with bespoke design and build solutions to suit.

Phase One was completed in January 2018 providing a range of industrial units from 825 sq. ft. to 5,500 sq. ft.

The quality of built environment and finished product will be underpinned by the skilled and diverse labour pool within the region. Vision Park represents an opportunity to relocate to the most exciting commercial development in the Lancashire region.

The Vision Park Development has been supported by a grant from LEP’s £320m Growth Deal.

For details of space at Vision Park call: Martyn Hardacre on 01282 477213

DIGITAL EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS OFFICE DIGITAL PRINT New and Used Multifunctional Devices Print Audits Secure Printing Educational Printing Solutions Document Management Managed Print Service Wide Format Plotters/Printers In-line and Off-line Finishing Solutions

COMMERCIAL DIGITAL PRINT Cut Sheet Digital Press Sales and Servicing New and Refurbished Presses Digital Finishing Equipment Prepress Software for Imposition/Numbering/Variable Data High Volume Digital Solutions for Direct Mail, In-house Print Rooms, Public Sector Repairs and Servicing to All Makes and Models of Wide Format Equipment Trade In Your Old Machine

WWW.PPDIRECT.CO.UK / 0800 774 7145 Unit 14 Vision Park, Whittle Way, Burnley, Lancashire, BB12 0BJ

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Feature : Building the Future

...TO HI-TECH

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How the iconic former Burnley Grammar School has been skilfully transformed into a spectacular new state-of-the-art digital work space for the tech stars of the future.

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Feature : Building the Future

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t’s 7.30am on a crisp, autumn morning in Burnley. The imposing Gothic building that sits close to the centre of the town, a familiar landmark to so many, looks different on this particular day. Beams of technicolour light cascade out, the effect of a unique 64-channel computer controlled lighting installation.

People are making their way inside.

Travel through Burnley and you will have seen the place. A local? Then you will have known perhaps one or two of its more recent incarnations. What you may have heard on the local grapevine is that something BIG is happening to the old Burnley Grammar School. Something so huge that it is set to change the landscape of Burnley’s thriving business community and burgeoning digital sector forever.

We are inside The Landmark, to give this historic Grade II building its new name.

More precisely, we are in the aptly named event space, The Assembly Hall, where the magical light show is happening. Many decades ago, school pupils stood in this hall to hear from their head teacher. Today, it is packed to its newly renovated rafters with the movers and shakers of Burnley’s business world, all eagerly anticipating news of how The Landmark will help shape Burnley into a “Tech Town” now and for the future.

One of the speakers addressing the 120 strong Bondholder delegation, is Alan Cross from the European Space Agency. Not the roaring rocket, mission-to-mars type of space, but everything else that makes use of the hemisphere above our heads.

GPS, big data, space has created new markets, new technologies and business opportunities that the European Space Agency programme want to know about and will help businesses take to market.

It’s apt that Alan should choose The Landmark to make his first presentation to the North West business sector. This is going to be the place where things happen, where bright young minds brimming with creative and digital know-how will collaborate with others to realise the commercial potential of their skills and ideas.

Alan Cross from the European Space Agency addresses the guests on supporting new technologies

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“...something BIG is happening to the old Burnley Grammar School...”

The revealing statistics emerging from the government-funded Tech Nation 2018 report issued earlier this year, found that the turnover of digital tech companies rose 4.5 per cent in 2017, compared with a 1.7 per cent rise in GDP. Most significantly, Tech Nation identified Burnley as being one of only 16 “tech towns” in the UK that have a higher than average number of digital businesses.

From the lone worker setting up his micro tech business with a laptop on his kitchen table to digital en-trepreneurs eager to collaborate with others, what they all need is the space to grow and flourish, together.

Keeping Burnley’s digital talent in Burnley is vital to the town’s econo-my and to its place as a rising star in the technology-led business landscape of Britain.

By the time the Tech Nation report came out, The Landmark was already on its way to becoming Burnley’s most outstanding workspace for tech businesses. The builders were on site, led by local developer Dave Albin of Ivy House Developments. Plans had been passed, the heritage statements precisely prepared and the building itself became the focus of wide spread attention.

The Landmark is poised to attract new and existing tech talent as well as the likes of digi-tal giants Google and Facebook

holding seminars there. Opportunities to share information and connections with the likes of The Landing at Salford’s Media City will be created. If freelancers want a desk for a day with unrivalled high spec connectivity including gigabit wifi it’s here in Burnley.

Digital Lancashire will have a home here too as Mark Thwaite, managing director announced at the Bomdholder event.

There really was no other person better suited to transforming this atmospheric building into a hi tech hub for Burnley’s digital sector, than Mark Crabtree OBE. Mark is the Chair of Burnley Bondholders and well known globally, as the MD of AMS Neve who dominate the world in producing digital sound recording consoles and equipment for film, televi-sion and the music business. He knows a thing or two about the digital world, not to men-tion having once been a start-up business, tinkering around with electronic gadgets in the bedroom of his childhood home in Burnley.

Walking through the near finished corridors and rooms of The Landmark the day prior to the Bondholder event, there is a flurry of activity from the posse of local tradespeople and skilled craftsman who have nurtured and nudged this impressive property into the 21st century.

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Feature : Building the Future

Building the Future The building exudes atmosphere and character. There is something distinctly spell-binding about the place, hence the allusion to a sprinkling of Hogwarts alchemy.

Step through the silently gliding glass entrance doors, into the contemporary reception and be sure to glance to the wall on your left to see a slice of Burnley’s academic heritage. The old school honours board, names with a certain ring of familiarity, carefully etched in gilt. A nod to nostalgia with relevance to the future.

Mark is clearly delighted at the results of months of hard work, not to mention huge per-sonal financial investment. “I would have loved to have had a space like this to come and work in, especially with other like-minded people,” he remarks. “Nobody wants to be laden with long leases on office space or huge rents when you first start out. You don’t always know if your ideas are going to work. You also need access to support and advice, a place to share ideas and chat things through over a coffee.”

“It was the magic of the Bondholders at work again that started all this,” Mark tells the au-dience at the Bondholder meeting marking the near completion of Phase One of The Landmark. “Dave Walker of +24Marketing said he wanted a place where like-minded businesses could be together. He wanted to move into what was the crèche part of the building. Things blossomed from there to a full-scale Digital Tech hub, and as a former Burnley Grammar School student, I felt an affinity, fell in love with the place really and bought it.”

History is in the very fabric of this building, around every corner and has been lovingly coaxed out to blend seamlessly with the ultra modern work spaces. The collaborative ar-ea with its mezzanine floor, is spectacular, flooded with natural light whilst other break out spaces and separate offices share the same ambience.

Dave Walker and his team of 15 from +24Marketing will be the first tenants to move in with space now being offered with an official opening date of January 2nd.

Dave is an established, successful, growing digital business who can share his knowledge with other up and coming creative entrepreneurs by being located at The Landmark. People like Sam Gadd are the reason The Landmark now exists.

Sam launched Suave, a brand strategy and design house two years ago, specialising in branding, print & packaging, digital design and environmental design.

Sam explains. “I started the company in 2016 from a passion to create and work with ambitious brands and helping them communicate effectively to their audience.

Since starting I’ve primarily worked from home but as I’m growing I want to move into a small space that is affordable but also available on short term contracts. I don’t want to rush things and move too quick-ly into a permanent space I am not ready for.”

“I need to connect with other creatives and small business owners to expand my network and potentially collaborate and share skills. The Landmark is a perfect place for me to base Suave as I am keen to grow my business in and around #BrilliantBurnley.

The en-terprise community is amazing here and there is a strong common goal to make this town a great place to be. The Landmark will be a breath of fresh air in the town.

Helping small businesses like myself to grow in an environment that is purpose built to facilitate creativi-ty, entrepreneurship and growth. There will be access to a network of other small busi-nesses to build connections with, which is always a bonus.”

I definitely see The Landmark as a stepping stone in my growth plan as I want to have a place to work that inspires me and allows me to build my company surrounded by a community of others that are on the same journey.

The first tranche of businesses will start operating from The Landmark within weeks.

Open now, The Assembly Hall is being hailed as Burnley’s premier event space for conferences, seminars and parties, available to hire with or without catering and licensed bar.

Phase two of the conversion which features a stunning glass atrium and lift, will com-mence next spring. Developer Dave Albin, 70, came out of retirement when Mark asked him to take on the project. “He phoned me up and said could I meet him at the old school. Well, I had to tell him what a magnificent building it was. Then he said he had bought it and what he wanted to do with it. I couldn't say no. You cannot help but have passion for a building like this. Now it has another life as part of the future and the future ls all bout technology isn't it?”

For more information visit www.landmarkburnley.co.uk

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“It was the magic of the Bondholders at work again that started all this...�

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Feature : Award winning hotel

Burnley Hotel Celebrates Landmark Anniversary

Council Leader, Mark Townsend; Mayor of Burnley Councillor Charlie Briggs; Paul Callingham owner Starboard Hotels; Steve Walmsley | General Manager, Holiday Inn Express Burnley

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Feature : Award winning hotel When hotel developer and owner Paul Callingham sought to build his first hotel from the ground up as a flagship for Starboard Hotels, the London based hotel business he founded, Burnley may have seemed an unlikely destination.

But a decade later, Paul’s vision for a globally recognised, branded hotel offering first rate accommodation and service for the business and leisure traveller in East Lancashire has just been celebrated in spectacular style.

Burnley’s Holiday Inn Express has recently marked 10 years of delivering award winning hospitality with an anniversary event at the hotel hosted

by Paul and the hotel General Manager Steve Walmsley.

This special evening of music, entertainment and Lancashire themed hospitality for over 70 guests, proved to be a fitting showcase for the hotel’s significant birthday. Burnley’s Mayor Councillor Charlie Briggs, commented on the hotel’s importance as a leading hotelier in the region, it’s important status as an employer and the hotel’s strong links with the local community.

The Holiday Inn Express has a long-standing reputation for working closely with the community on a host of projects, often resulting in young people beginning their careers in the hospitality sector. To mark the hotel anniversary

and endorsing its continuing support of groups and charities in the area, the hotel made a surprise donation during the evening to Burnley Youth Theatre’s Raise the Roof campaign.

Paul Callingham presented a cheque for £1,000 to the Youth Theatre Artistic Director Karen Metcalfe, before the theatre’s young performers entertained guests with a brand new special revue of Burnley - the last 10 years.

The hotel was the first to be built and opened by Starboard Hotels, as Paul explained to guests how the company now has over 20 properties in its portfolio across the UK. “Burnley will always be very close to my heart,” said Paul. “It was the first hotel we opened and built from scratch, in fact this was during the recession. It continues to be a successful hotel and to be very much part of the wider Burnley community.

Supporting groups like Burnley Youth Theatre is really important to us. We are thrilled to be celebrating 10 years with friends of the hotel and guests.”

During the evening, visitors emjoyed tasty Lancashire themed food prepared by local chef Steve Peel including Fleetwood fish pie and mini Lancashire hpt pots whilst musical entertainment came from professional quartet Graffiti Classic.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating 10yrs with friends of the hotel and guests” 40

Young actors from Burnley Youth Theatre’s repertory group received warm applause for a very special premiere of a specially written “Brilliant Burnley” short play, showcasing the rising, positive position of Burnley in the UK over the last decade.

Hotel General Manager Steve Walmsley also announced a new initiative, partnering Burnley Youth Theatre for a year of fund raising. Steve said: “We are really delighted to be announcing our spe-cial partnership with Burnley Youth Theatre. When we heard of their difficulties following a devas-tating flood during the summer, we wanted to help and came up with a project that not only intro-duces the theatre to the hotel but allows them to show their artistic skills. It seemed only fitting to have a cast from the youth theatre create a special revue for the hotel’s 10th anniversary, telling the story of Burnley.”

Karen Metcalfe, Burnley Youth Theatre artistic director said: “The donation to our Raise the Roof fund is just amazing. We need to raise £10,000 for a new roof at our theatre and the Holiday Inn Express has really helped to kick start this campaign. Our rep group absolutely loved the oppor-tunity to perform at the anniversary event, it has been an incredible experience for them to create and then perform a brand new piece. “We are delighted to be entering into a partnership with the hotel as their chosen local charity of the year. We are looking forward to a year of exciting events, fundraisers and support to ensure we can continue to deliver a high quality theatre and arts offer to local children, young people and families in Burnley and the surrounding areas.”

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Feature : Burnley in Manchester

Invest in Burnley Event in Manchester attracts leading investors

B

urnley Bondholders in partnership with Burnley Council took Burnley to Manchester, holding an Invest in Burnley event hosted by Place North West, at the Museum of Science and Industry.

160 key decision makers and property industry influencers attended the event entitled ‘Burnley – 10 years of growth’ to

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hear about Burnley’s growth, key success stories, development opportunities, and the latest stats which put Burnley in the UK top 10 towns and cities (OMS) for private sector jobs growth.

With commercial development land unlocking space to create more than 4,400 new jobs, a university set to grow to 4,000

students, new housing land for 3,880 new quality homes, all coming on stream in Burnley, the event was held to highlight development opportunities and to attract new developers to get involved in these opportunities for the next decade and beyond. The event also highlighted the new Town Centre & Canalside Masterplan

and proposals for the Pioneer Place development with the aim of attracting occupiers in the retail and leisure sector to this development.

Speakers included Dr Ebrahim Adia, Provost at the University of Central Lancashire; Caroline Baker, Head of Office, Cushman and Wakefield; Ian Scott, Director

and Head of Build-to-Rent at Lambert Smith Hampton; Tim Webber, chairman of Barnfield Construction; Kate Ingram, Strategic Head of Economy & Growth at Burnley Council; David Walker, Managing Director of 24 Marketing and Co-Founder of The Landmark; Debbie Hernon, Manager of Charter Walk Shopping Centre; Andrew

Dewhurst, director of Maple Grove; and Burnley Council chief executive Mick Cartledge. The event was chaired by Place North West editor Jessica Middleton-Pugh, Place North West.

The event opened with an address from Burnley Council Leader, Mark Townsend, who said the last few years had been about

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Feature : Burnley in Manchester “changing perceptions of the town” and now it was gearing up for a period of strong growth, driven by “huge investment” from both the public and private sectors.

Councillor Townsend said: “I was really pleased with the event, which we delivered in partnership with the Burnley Bondholders. We had some key decision makers in the room, giving us a great platform to talk about Burnley’s catalysts for growth, Burnley’s burgeoning tech sector and job creation, and key investment opportunities, and we came away with some quality leads.”

Mick Cartledge, chief executive of the council, also addressed attendees with details of the recently adopted Local Plan highlighting the opportunities available following the release of 175 acres of employment land and 195 acres of housing

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land. He also detailed Burnley’s draft Town Centre and Canalside Masterplan, and the vision to deliver a “much broader offer” for Burnley Town Centre, identifying priorities for leisure, office and residential investment.

Mick Cartledge then joined a panel featuring Andrew Dewhurst, Cllr Michael Green of Lancashire County Council; David Walker; Debbie Hernon; and Dr Ebrahim Adia.

UClan’s Dr Ebrahim Aida said: “We made a strategic decision about 18 months ago to expand our campus in Burnley based on analysis – there’s a population around Burnley of half a million people but it’s the only area of its size that doesn’t have its own university.”

Dave Walker, MD, Plus 24 Marketing said: “There has been significant growth in the digital economy in Burnley but we need

to fly the flag more and this event was a great way to showcase our tech presence.”

The event also focussed on the new town centre Pioneer Place development, led

by Maple Grove, which will grow Burnley’s the night-time economy targeting “specific occupiers” for each of the development’s 10 restaurant and retail units, which will sit alongside the Reel cinema.

Housing was also a key focus of the Manchester event - with the town’s growth increasing opportunities for locally-based, high-wage jobs, seeking developers to provide a wider choice of quality housing within the borough including four and fivebed homes.

Caroline Baker, partner at Cushman & Wakefield and head of the firm’s Manchester office, presented an outlined housing strategy for the area and

residential development opportunities in the borough.

Average house prices in Burnley are currently at the lower end of the spectrum at around £150,000, but recent research

by Lloyds Bank and the latest Halifax House Price Index show significant recent growth indicating renewed confidence in the borough and higher values in immediately surrounding areas. There has been a recent upturn in completions over the past three years with housing delivery way above levels achieved in the last ten years. The local plan allocations which respond to demand and opportunity and is starting to create confidence with some sites already being optioned. Our evidence

shows that detached homes are achieving a premium. Where new, quality products are being introduced to the market, such as McDermott Homes Sycamore Grove, then above average values are being achieved due to latent demand.

Kate Ingram, Strategic Head of Burnley Council’s Economy and Growth team said: “We made some key contacts at the event who were very interested in the upcoming development opportunities, and we’ll be following these up over the next few weeks.

We want to attract developers that will bring a quality product that’s sensitive to the local environment and diversity of the borough’s offer.”

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News MOORHOUSE’S BREWERY CRAFTS ARMISTICE ALE IN SUPPORT OF ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Moorhouse’s Brewery, crafted a special commemorative ABV 4.2% cask ale to mark 100 years since the First World War Armistice in 1918. In support of the Royal British Legion, 10p of every pint sold of Moorhouse’s ‘Armistice’ will go to ‘Whalley Remembers’ – a series of fundraising commemorations held to remember those who fought in WW1.

Whalley resident Cliff Ball had the idea for ‘Whalley Remembers’ in early 2017 and called a public meeting in Whalley Primary School hall in February this year to discuss the idea. Over 50 people attended and a committee was formed to create a programme of events fitting to remember the 60 young men from Whalley, Barrow, Wiswell, Billington and Mitton lost in the First World War and the contribution made by the Queen Mary’s Military Hospital at Calderstones which treated some 60,000 wounded servicemen.

The ‘Whalley Remembers’ programme of events comes in two parts. Firstly, the Saturday before Remembrance Sunday will be a lighter occasion with a Heritage Walk including the ‘unveiling’ of blue plaques at places associated with WWI, a Lantern Walk led by the uniformed organisations, a WW1 concert in the village hall and finishing with the lighting of a beacon on the Nab with fireworks.

Remembrance Sunday will be more contemplative as the group remembers the fallen from WWI, WWII and Northern Ireland. There will be a Service of Thanksgiving in Whalley Parish Church followed by a parade to the war memorial where there will be an act of remembrance including two minutes silence. The parade will

then return to Whalley Abbey where there will be a community hot pot lunch.

Upon receiving a call from Event Coordinator, Cliff Ball, Burnley-based Moorhouse’s Brewery decided to pledge its support by brewing an ale with part of the proceeds going to the Royal British Legion.

The amber ale is a sweet malt, citrus on the nose with a hoppy aftertaste. It will be available in a select number of pubs for a limited time, including: The Dog Inn - Whalley, The Railway Inn Hapton, The Strawberry Gardens - Fleetwood, Pendle Witch Atherton and more.

Moorhouse’s Brewery Managing Director Lee Williams said: “We wanted to both recognise those men and women who have served for their country and also raise money for this great cause with our Armistice ale. "‘Whalley Remembers’ has brought the local community together, and the work which the team has done has been remarkable. We’re happy Moorhouse’s can contribute to this in whatever small way.”

‘Whalley Remembers’ Event Coordinator, Cliff Ball, added: “We’re enormously thankful for the support of Moorhouse’s Brewery and have enjoyed sampling the Armistice beer in our local pub, The Dog Inn. "Over the past few months we’ve seen a tremendous effort from our local community to honour the 100th anniversary of the Armistice and we’re grateful to each and every person who has contributed along the way in raising money for the Royal British Legion. We hope many will join us on Sunday November 11th to commemorate our fallen heroes.”

For more information on Moorhouse’s Brewery visit: https://www.moorhouses.co.uk/ And for more information on Whalley Remembers visit: https://www.facebook.com/Whalley-Remembers-556632281380965/

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PHASE 1

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Units from 75sq m (807sq ft) Flexible Terms Available

Michael Cavannagh michael@tdawson.co.uk

Chris Cheap chris.cheap@gva.co.uk

Martyn Hardacre mhardacre@burnley.gov.uk

01282 477213

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