A programme supporting businesses in Lancashire to set up and grow has created a new range of services after receiving multi-million pound funding.

Boost: Lancashire's Business Growth Hub, has been awarded £3.9 million in funding which will ensure it can continue its work until March 2025 and possibly beyond.

Led by Lancashire County Council, Boost has supported more than 14,000 businesses in the 10 years it has been operational, creating more than 3,500 jobs.

With the fresh cash, its hoped more than 1,000 extra businesses can be supported, creating in excess of 1,000 jobs and helping get 125 start-ups off the ground.

The £3.9m pot is made up of £1.2m from Lancashire County Council, £2.7m from the Department of Business and Trade, and cash from 10 partner boroughs' UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocations.

These include Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, and Pendle.

A new support helpdesk will be created to offer advice and guidance to entrepreneurs and existing businesses.

Companies will also have accesss to a Business Advice Service led by experience advisers who can conduct reviews, implement action plans and provide clinics.

A new Flying Start programme will also be available, as well as Growth Catalyst and Scale to Thrive programmes, plus an Access to Finance service to help firms access funding.

County Councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth at Lancashire County Council, said: “It’s been 10 years of impact for Boost and we are firmly setting the dial towards the future with a comprehensive range of services and programmes to help more entrepreneurs and leaders start, grow and thrive, especially those that have not received support from Boost.

“We are delighted to work in partnership with more local authorities to provide a tailored business support function to meet the unique needs of our local sectors, as well as helping all Lancashire businesses through our new helpdesk.

“Lancashire’s entrepreneurial spirit is thriving. We are seeing a growth in people aspiring to start a business and huge demand from existing businesses to grow, scale and create jobs. We want to feed and fuel that ambition.”

Andrew Leeming, programme manager of Boost, added: “This is a powerful and exciting new Growth Hub partnership offering a rich breadth of business support to owners and leaders across the county.

“We look forward to collaborating with all Lancashire local authorities, public and private sector partners to ensure Lancashire business owners and directors get the right business support to help them solve problems, improve their business and achieve their goals, collectively unlocking the economic potential of our brilliant county.

“If any business is unsure what support is available, our business support helpdesk is here to guide them.”

To access support from Boost, businesses can call 0800 488 0057 or visit its website.