Guy Cookson champions Lancashire at 10 Downing Street

Guy said of the visit: “It was a great opportunity to discuss the importance of Lancashire, and in particular Lancaster, to the UK economy. I raised the point that Manchester and Liverpool are buzzing at the moment, the Northern Powerhouse feels tangible there, but the hundreds of smaller towns dotted around the country are just as important.

Guy added: “There are challenges, though - from difficulties travelling East from Lancaster and lack of transport link investment, to a shortage of workspaces for growing companies and poor communications infrastructure, which is why we need central government support and funding.