National Business Support & Information
Business Link is the government's online resource for businesses. It is now enhanced with new, easy-to-use tools to help you start up, improve and grow your business.
www.blackpool.ac.uk
Creative England supporting the development of full-length feature films to seed-funding the most exciting new digital SMEs, Creative England’s remit is broad and growing. The lead national agency for supporting creative industries.
www.creativeengland.co.uk
GrowthAccelerator is a service provided by the country’s leading business growth specialists, known for delivering uniquely tailored advice to high-flying businesses – advice that gets hard results. It’s a partnership between private enterprise and government (supported by BIS).
www.growthaccelerator.com
Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) is funded by BIS (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills – see below). It provides support for manufacturing businesses based in England to help them improve and grow.
www.mymas.org
Technology Strategy Board Innovation is vital for business growth. The UK's innovation agency aim is simple – to accelerate economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation.
www.innovateuk.org
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) works with UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international markets, and encourage the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice.
www.ukti.gov.uk
VisitBritain is the national tourism agency, responsible for marketing Britain worldwide & developing Britain’s visitor economy. A non-departmental public body, funded by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, we work with partners in the UK & overseas to ensure that Britain is marketed in an inspirational & relevant way around the world.
www.visitengland.com
Membership Organisations for Business
Blackpool Premier Holiday Association merged with Blackpool Hotel & Guest House Association in June 2007 to become StayBlackpool. StayBlackpool is part of Blackpool Hotel & Guest House Association a limited company for 60 years. Stay Blackpool’s membership is made up of over 400 approved members from large 4 star hotel to guest houses and Bed and Breakfasts one of which was awarded the Best Bed and Breakfast Award from VisitBritain.
www.blackpoolhotels.org.uk
Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is the UK’s top business lobbying organisation. With offices across the UK as well as in Brussels, Washington, Beijing and Delhi, the CBI is the voice of British businesses in the UK and around the world.
www.cbi.org.uk
Marketing Lancashire , formerly Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, was established in April 2012. Activities include marketing and communications, commercial membership, `Welcome to Excellence` training designed to grow the visitor economy and develop the destination as a great place to visit, work and invest.
www.lancashireandblackpool.com
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is the UK's largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has 200,000 members across 33 regions and 194 branches. Its HQ is based in Blackpool.
www.fsb.org.uk
The Institute of Directors (IoD) is the longest standing organisation to serve and support business leaders, with over 100 years of service in raising professional standards worldwide.
www.iod.com
Local Business Support
Blackpool Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) is a partnership of all town centre businesses and organisations working for the improvement of business and the environment. There are currently over 500 businesses contributing to Blackpool’s BID.
www.blackpoolbid.org
BlackpoolUnlimited.com An online portal that brings together information from a range of public and private sector organisations that provide business support including government-funded programmes. Includes a directory of over 1,600 registered businesses that receive regular free e-alerts and news items.
www.blackpoolunlimited.com
FYCreatives (FYC) Low cost easy-in out office space for the creative businesses, aligned with business advice, networking and events. Collaborative links with Creative Lancashire. Also centre of generic business start up advice and courses.
www.fycreatives.com
Lancashire County Developments Ltd (LCDL) is Lancashire County Council's economic development company set up to support businesses and help boost investment within the county. Offers a range of support including finance e.g. The Rosebud Fund.
www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/lcdl/
Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP)was established in April 2011 to provide leadership for the county's economy and be a catalyst for job creation and economic growth. It is a Government-endorsed partnership between the private and public sectors, with a board comprising representatives from some of Lancashire's biggest employers, chambers of commerce, local councils and academic institutions.
www.lancashirelep.co.uk
Lancashire Innovation Network scheme is delivered by a team of experienced, independent advisers who provide free impartial advice, guidance and financial assistance to businesses with potential to grow through the use of new technology and innovation.
www.regeneratepl.co.uk/regenerate
Marketing Blackpool A Marketing company set up to promote and market the resort as a destination as well as organising some of Blackpool’s key events under the guise of Visit Blackpool. Facilitates joint marketing initiatives between the public and private sector.
www.visitblackpool.com/marketing-blackpool/home
NW Access to Finance service is a free and impartial assessment of finance products available to eligible North West based businesses.
www.a2fnw.co.uk
Local Business Networks
Social Enterprise Lancashire Network (SELNET) is the recognised voice of the county's social enterprise sector and delivers targeted support programmes, and regular networks including one for Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.
www.selnet-uk.com
South Beach Business Forum A business forum for South Beach district traders, part of Blackpool’s South Shore area.
www.visitsouthbeach.co.uk/
Wyred Up for Business started in 2008 and holds regular networking events to encourage local companies to trade with each other and take advantage of significant inward investment opportunities.
www.wyredup.co.uk/
Local Authorities
Fylde Borough Council the district Council for Fylde covering Lytham St Annes and rural areas including Kirkham and Wesham.
www.fylde.gov.uk/
Wyre Council the district Council covering Fleetwood, Thornton-Cleveleys, Poulton-le-Fylde and over Wyre.
www.wyre.gov.uk
Key Government Departments
Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) is making a difference by supporting sustained growth and higher skills across the economy. BIS: working together for growth.
www.bis.gov.uk/
Communities & Local Government (DCLG) sets policy on supporting local government; communities and neighbourhoods; regeneration; housing; planning, building and the environment; and fire.
www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/
Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) works to make sure the communications, creative, media, cultural, tourism, sport and leisure economies have the framework to grow and have real impact on people’s lives.
www.culture.gov.uk/
Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for welfare and pension policy and is a key player in tackling child poverty. It is the biggest public service delivery department in the UK and serves over 20 million customers.
www.dwp.gov.uk/
Department of Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) the UK Government department tasked with issues such as the environment, rural development, the countryside, wildlife, animal welfare and sustainable development.
www.defra.gov.uk/
Home Office is the lead government department for policies on immigration, passports, counter-terrorism, policing, drugs and crime.
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/
Local MP’s & MEP’s
Blackpool North & Cleveleys Paul Maynard is Member of Parliament for Blackpool North & Cleveleys.
www.paulmaynard.co.uk/
Blackpool South Gordon Marsden is Member of Parliament for Blackpool South and Shadow Minister for Further Education, Skills and Regional Growth.
www.gordonmarsden.co.uk