Ambitious Lancaster firms win funding

Three businesses based at Lancaster's White Cross Business Park have received funding to help their future growth.

The White Cross Business Awards were open to all business tenants on the site. A total of £10,000 in prize money was available, with £5,000 for the best idea capturing the business' growth and expansion plans.

Compact Caddy has an ambitious plan to reach out to new markets, with the aim of doubling turnover in the next year and increasing its profits. The company uses 12 suppliers who are all based within a 50-mile radius of Lancaster, which bring added benefits to the local area. The company has already launched in Germany and is now targeting Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

County councillor Niki Penney, chair of LCDL, said: "The White Cross awards are part of our Property Management Plus initiative, to give businesses added benefits that will encourage business growth and innovation."

The second prize of £3,000 went to Shadowcat Systems Ltd, ! which provides bespoke software development, management and integratio n, and software consultation for developing intricate systems.