New partnership is boost for local businesses during pandemic

The public-private sector partnership will see a prolonged campaign drawing together timely advice and essential information as well as expert comment and stories of resilience, innovation and corporate kindness.

At its heart is the #AskForHelp message designed to reassure business that ongoing support is available from a multitude of experienced providers and can be accessed through a single call to Boost.

Advice will be given direct or through Boost’s network of partner organisations which have specific sector or niche expertise.

Boost is Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub. It is led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council and supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Steve Fogg, chairman of Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, said: “Boost’s traditional role has been to help Lancashire businesses of all sizes achieve their growth potential.

“While that remains at the heart of what Boost does, a shift in emphasis towards support during the coronavirus crisis was the right thing to do.

“Business is as tough now as it has ever been, but we want Lancashire owners and managers to know that we are here to help and we have advisers available to provide the best business guidance – all with a single call.

“By partnering with Lancashire Business View we can engage with the widest possible business audience. Whatever your reason for needing it, all you have to do is #AskForHelp.”

Over the next three months, Boost will be the lead partner online at lancashirebusinessview.co.uk which will see:

· #AskForHelp messaging on every page directing readers to the 0800 488 0057 Boost helpline

· Timely advice, guidance and expertise delivered daily through email and social channels

· #AskForHelp as the key message on the magazine’s website and its Wednesday Weekly news round-ups

· #AskForHelp online video discussions monthly featuring expert advisors answering questions from county businesses

Andrew Leeming, Boost Programme Manager, said: “This is a going to be a tough journey for businesses but it’s important that those running firms in the county understand that they are not alone.

“It is also important to stress that the situation is moving. Businesses need to react, reset and eventually recover and we are here every step of this journey.

“We’re delighted to have the support from Lancashire Business View which will help us reach out to more businesses across the county. This is a time for the business community to come together.”

Richard Slater, publisher of Lancashire Business View, which already hosts a dedicated online Coronavirus Hub, said: “For the past 15 years our role has been to connect, inform and champion Lancashire business. While it’s not business as usual, that remains at the heart of what we do and we’ll keep the conversations going.

“Like so many others, we’ve had to adapt and innovate quickly and through this period we will continue to be as useful as we can for our fellow Lancastrian businesses, proudly using whatever channels we can to engage Lancashire businesses with the #AskForHelp message.

Support for businesses is available by calling Boost on 0800 488 0057 or by visiting boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk