Burnley – the most enterprising place in Britain?

The Government has named Burnley as the most enterprising place in the UK.

The town in Lancashire has received recognition for its pioneering culture and economic prospects in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ Enterprising Britain Awards.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills selected Burnley for the honour due to its commitment to supporting small and medium-sized businesses. The Burnley Bondholder scheme unites more than 100 local companies with the common aim of promoting the area as good place for doing business. The initiative has attracted £10 million of investment to the area.  Members contribute financially or in-kind to promote the town as a great place to live, work, visit and invest.

Scheme is changing perceptions

Business and Enterprise Minister Michael Fallon said: “The Burnley Bondholder scheme is reinvigorating the local economy and helping to change perceptions of Burnley. Initiatives like this are working hard to boost growth and thoroughly deserve recognition and the opportunity to represent the UK at the European Awards in November.

“These awards showcase the entrepreneurial spirit that can be found in local authorities, businesses, schools and colleges across the country.”

Councillor Julie Cooper, Leader of Burnley Council, said: “This is fantastic news for Burnley. We are punching above our weight and we have big ambitions.

“Burnley is well on its way to forging a strong international reputation as a centre of excellence for manufacturing, particularly in the aerospace industry.

“This award reflects Burnley’s growing stature in showing the way to the rest of the country in promoting manufacturing in Britain and puts us on the map as a place where enterprise and innovation are thriving.”

Flexible and affordable workspaces

At Bizspace, we already know the Burnley area is a hotspot for great businesses and entrepreneurs.

Our Lomeshaye Business Village on Turner Road offers flexible and affordable commercial premises for rent, including offices, workshops and serviced offices to a wide variety of enterprising companies. It offers 128 commercial units of varying sizes along with meeting rooms, storage units and virtual offices.

The business village is home to a number of successful companies, from start-ups to long-established local businesses.

Awards were also given to Hackney Council in London for promoting exports and Aberdeen College, which won the Community Enterprise category.

Judges picked the winners from 44 entries and they will go on to represent the UK at the European Enterprise Promotion Awards, which are being held in Lithuania in November.