Sign up for free sport, news, entertainment and business bulletins from the Lancashire Telegraph

Weekly business briefing 17 May 2013

This week's top business stories

• Blackburn brewery Thwaites pledges charity donation in memory of the Dambusters

  A BREWERY will give away 5p per pint of a special ale to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters.

• East Lancashire engineers in world land speed record bid

  AN ATTEMPT to break the world land speed record will see experts from an East Lancashire engineering firm travel to South Africa next year.

• Pub company JD Wetherspoon hopes to own premises in Darwen by the end of the month

  BOSSES at national pub chain JD Wetherspoon say they hope to own premises in Darwen by the end of this month.

• East Lancashire businesswoman grants special birthday wishes

  BIRTHDAYS are a special time of year, when everybody, regardless of their age should be made to feel a little more special than usual.

• £5 a week 'can bring £8.5m into Darwen'

  A DARWEN businesswoman hopes an initiative to encourage people to shop in Darwen town centre could help reinvigorate the local economy.

• Blackburn workers join national walking scheme

  FOUR Blackburn employers have joined together to take to the streets today for a Walk to Work day.

• Blackburn firm to create 700 new jobs across the country at 69 new Subway outlets

  A PETROL station operator has announced it is to create 700 new jobs across the country over the next three years.

• Power cut hits centre of Accrington

  PARKING congestion is affecting Accrington town centre after a power cut.

• Rossendale company secures 'recession-fighting' deal to make 'One Direction' shoes

  A ROSSENDALE shoe company has secured a deal to produce footwear featuring the logo and images of the world’s biggest boy band One Direction.

• Queen's Speech good news for consumers, say Lancashire Trading Standards bosses

  LANCASHIRE trading standards chiefs have welcomed a draft consumer protection bill in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech opening the new session of Parliament.

• More stories below

• Newsletters Sign up for our other email bulletins

  What's on Events listings for East Lancashire

  Forum Start a debate on any topic

  Comment Opinion from our bloggers and columnists

  Contact us Get in touch

• Couple launch new temperance bar at Chorley's Botany Bay

  A SECOND temperance bar is tickling the tastebuds of county drinkers – with a definite East Lancashire twist.

• £3.5m care home means jobs boost for Colne

  A £3.5MILLION care home creating 80 jobs has been earmarked for Colne.

• Portas project cash injection for Oswaldtwistle

  A TEAM of businesses are joining forces to relaunch a town centre under the Mary Portas high street scheme.

• East Lancashire chefs reach for the stars

  TWO chefs are aiming for the stars after rubbing shoulders with curry kings at a major event.

• French physicist becomes new MD of Burnley firm Aircelle

  A FRENCH physicist is the new managing director of Burnley’s biggest private sector employer.

• Foundations laid for Ribble Valley Hotel to help charity

  STANLEY House Hotel and Spa at Mellor has selected Lancashire cancer fighters, The Rosemere Cancer Foundation, as its charity of the year for 2013-2014.

• Advice for East Lancashire businesses

  MARKET research and how it could benefit your business will be the subject of a workshop at East Lancs Chamber of Commerce.

• Time is called on Blackburn Rovers fans' pub

  A PUB close to Blackburn Rovers’ Ewood Park ground could shut for good after Thwaites put it up for sale.

• Traders in Ramsbottom welcome decision to abandon Sainsbury's plan

  TRADERS have welcomed the news that Sainsbury’s has abandoned plans to build a superstore in Ramsbottom town centre.

• Ex-Dragon backs start-up loans

  BUDDING entrepreneurs are being encouraged to apply for loans of up to £10,000 from a new government fund that supports start-ups with funding and business mentoring.