Lancashire - The place for growth

Lighting Up Lancashire

Lancashire is a dynamic economic region within the North West and the wider North of England. It has a unique offer to make and role to play in the Northern Powerhouse. Lancashire’s leading international and national position in relation to aerospace, advanced engineering and manufacturing, energy, higher education institution excellence and visitor economy make it a pivotal part of the long term economic growth of the North.

The LEP has made significant progress in recent years in establishing Lancashire’s most comprehensive growth strategy, investment framework and delivery programme. A key priority of the LEP has been to address the area’s long term under performance in positioning and marketing of the Lancashire offer to potential new investors, occupiers and businesses, whilst supporting the effective marketing of Lancashire as one of the UK’s leading visitor destinations.

The LEP wants Lancashire “the place” to not only be more prosperous but better understood regionally, nationally and internationally. Lancashire’s economic base is one of the largest and most important in the north of England, though its profile and capabilities have often failed to be fully recognised.

The LEP has focused on addressing this, with Lancashire’s role and contribution more accurately portrayed in new growth initiatives such as the Northern Powerhouse. A new Lancashire “narrative” has been developed that articulates Lancashire’s strengths and assets, its attractiveness in which to live, visit and do business; a story that defines where the area has come from and where it is going in the future.

The LEP is also enhancing its understanding of the role and impact it has had amongst existing businesses and communities within Lancashire. The LEP has engaged with hundreds of private sector businesses, listening to their ambitions for the place and how those businesses can play an active role in articulating the Lancashire story to attract inward investment, retain the best talent and unlock the area’s potential.

Many Lancashire businesses and institutions are recognised as leaders and innovators in their respective areas of expertise. These partners will promote Lancashire’s successes to leverage new growth and investment opportunities. Lancashire has a global track record of innovation and industrial excellence. With a new unified and coherent message, alongside a strong identity and a clear sense of economic purpose, the LEP is determined in its ambition to drive sustainable economic growth.