West Lancs rural businesses to reap rewards of Council’s funding boost 

· Council supports rural businesses with Rural England Prosperity Funding (REPF)  

· £280K awarded to six businesses from the West Lancashire  

· Funding supports rural innovation and business growth 

West Lancashire Borough Council has awarded £280,000 to rural businesses funding through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), helping them to diversify, grow and explore new economic opportunities. 

The REPF provided vital support to rural businesses across the Borough. 

In 2023, the Council received REPF funding as a top-up to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to tackle rural challenges such as business diversification, job creation and improving local services.    

In September 2023, the Council launched the West Lancashire Rural Business Grant, providing small-scale capital grants to help rural businesses develop new products, facilities and economic opportunities that boost the local economy.  

This funding also supported farms wanting to diversify into new income streams. 

The grant was delivered in partnership with Lancashire County Council (LCC), using their rural funding expertise. In October 2023, six rural businesses across West Lancashire were awarded a total of £280,000. 

Since receiving the funding these businesses have completed a variety of projects that have improved sustainability, created new income opportunities and boosted the rural economy, particularly in the visitor and tourism sectors. 

The six businesses who benefitted from the funding are: 

· Stone Hall Farm Luxury Glamping – Two new glamping pods, two hot tubs and groundworks 

· The Secret Garden Glamping – New battery storage, improvements to parking and walkways and cleaning facility upgrades 

· The Retreat – Structural works, a new kitchen and plumbing and roof works. 

· The Ship Lathom – New kitchen extension and septic tank 

· Windmill Animal Farm – Installation of a sixty panel Solar Array roof mounted 

· Ralph’s Wife’s Coffee and Bar – A new kitchen extension 

This funding has helped businesses increase productivity and create a stronger visitor economy across West Lancashire. The success of this programme highlights the importance of collaboration in ensuring rural businesses thrive and prosper. 

To see first-hand the impact of the funding, Councillors and Senior Officers from the Council visited the funded businesses. 

During their visit, they met with business owners, discussed the positive changes made possible by the grants and saw how these projects are benefiting the local economy. 

Councillor Melissa Parlour, lead member for Economic Regeneration and Green Growth at West Lancashire Borough Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see how the West Lancashire Rural Business Grant has helped our local businesses grow and thrive. These projects are making a real difference, not just for the businesses themselves but for the wider business community and local economy. 

“Supporting innovation, sustainability and economic growth in our rural areas is something we’re really passionate about. We’re so pleased to see these businesses flourish with this funding and we’ll continue working to support rural enterprises in every way we can.” 

Aidy Riggott, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Growth at LCC, said: “Lancashire County Council are delighted to have supported the delivery of the Rural England Prosperity Fund to support West Lancashire rural businesses.  

“Partnership working has been key to this activity and we’re delighted that the programme has been such a great success creating local jobs and economic growth.” 

West Lancashire Borough Council remains committed to supporting rural enterprises and is actively exploring opportunities to boost the local economy through strategic funding and partnerships. 

For more information about the programme and wider business support, contact the Business Engagement team at [email protected]