Under Pressure: The challenges facing Lancashire's sme's

By Ged Henderson

19 Jul 2023

Copy Of 111 Slider

Lancashire Business View’s Hot 100 list of the county’s most profitable SMEs highlights the impact of the challenges and uncertainty of the last year.

The annual insight into the SME sector, the backbone of the county’s economy, features in the latest issue of the magazine, which is out now.

Among its findings are a significant 26 per cent fall in employees compared to the previous year.

However, there is still much to be optimistic about – the profit figure is an impressive £254m and total sales actually by £138m. Total revenues are also at an all-time high.

The removal of Covid government initiatives, such as loan schemes and furlough funding, as businesses continue to recover from the pandemic, has also had an impact on the overall profit number.

Lancashire Business View chairman Richard Slater says: “One key theme from this year’s Hot 100 is the bounce back that companies impacted by the pandemic are seeing.

“However, there is no doubting the uncertainty we’ve seen over the past year and the impact that has had.

“These have been challenging times but once again our businesses have faced them head on to deliver for both Lancashire and the national economy.

“Resilience, innovation and inspiration continue to be the hallmarks of our SME sector.”

In association with Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall Solicitors, PM+M accountants and supported by Limitless Public Relations

The latest issue of Lancashire Business View also features coverage of the magazine’s Net Zero Carbon Conference which brought together experts and leaders to share their knowledge and exchange ideas.

The conference also highlighted the leading part innovative Lancashire businesses are playing in developing low carbon technologies.

In association with AMRC North West, Crowberry Consulting, Fox Group, The Wellbeing Farm, Trident Utilities and supported by Burnley College, Greenarc Vehicles, The Lancashire Colleges and Bretherton Energy Partnership.

The July/August  issue (Issue 111) includes an in-depth look at Preston’s city living strategy, examines Chorley’s success story and a debate on the turbulent times facing Lancashire’s hospitality sector.

There is also an in-depth interview with Burnley business CoolKit’s founder Rupert Gatty and a trip to British Aerospace’s Warton plant to talk to the engineers on a mission to create the UK’s first flying combat air demonstrator for a generation.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer Matthew Ratcliffe CMAC

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer

03 Apr 2025

2

For sale signs at The Villa Villa Wrea Green has been brought to market (Image credit: The Villa Wrea Green)

For sale signs at The Villa

02 Apr 2025

3

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub Anthony Rae Scott Murcott And Adam Lee

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub

02 Apr 2025

4

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy Tom Grattan MD and Daniel Wallace

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy

02 Apr 2025

5

College excellence highlighted in Ofsted report Fazal Dad

College excellence highlighted in Ofsted report

02 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

WHN Charity Quiz Night
Evenbrite Quiz 2025.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
03 Apr 2025 - 03 Apr 2025

WHN Charity Quiz Night

The Stables Country Club, Bury , BL9 1PU

18:00 - 22:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – April
Chamber logo - new-02.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2025 - 03 Apr 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – April

The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster, LA1 1QE

08:00 - 10:00

Lancashire Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880395853-4862066883-1-original.20241022-091152-2.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
04 Apr 2025 - 04 Apr 2025

Lancashire Business Expo 2025

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin