Fastest growth gives us something to shout about
HYNDBURN residents and businesses are being urged to ‘stand tall and proud’ and shout about their successes after new figures reveal the borough is one of the fastest growing areas in Lancashire.
Research from Edge Hill University shows that 7.1pc of companies in the area are achieving compound annual growth rate of 20pc - the second highest in the county behind Chorley and above Preston, Burnley, Lancaster and Lytham.
Speaking at the new £125 million Frontier Park development in
Whitebirk, community and business leaders said the borough needs to rid itself of its ‘little old Accrington’ mindset and be ‘positive’ to help promote future growth and investment.
Simon Bolton, professor of innovation and associate dean of enterprise and employability at Edge Hill, said: “Size doesn’t matter. You are punching above your weight. This area has a stable base for future growth.
“Accrington is leading the way. It’s second on the growth hotspots.
“It’s about confidence going forward. We have got to get this message out.
“There’s a lot to promote and a lot of businesses who are successful in this area.
“You are not little old Accrington.”
Alex Kenwright, Frontier Park’s development manager, said the 95-acre site will be completed within the next two years, creating 2,000 jobs and a Hampton by Hilton hotel.
He said: “It’s huge, and it’s all in Hyndburn. We need more people to do this, more people to develop and invest in the area to attract more business.”
Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson finished the meeting with a plea for businesses to get on board with local activities.
He said: “We have heard some fantastic news, some facts about why Hyndburn is flourishing and is a hot-spot, yet I feel the community don’t echo this success, or maybe aren’t aware of it.
“With the help of local businesses, I want to make sure we communicate this properly, everyone here is proud to shout about their Accrington-based business, the public need to be proud too!
“Hyndburn need to stand tall and proud. I urge business to communicate, get on board with initiatives, with local activity and engage with the people of Hyndburn as a business.
“We are working hard to do this as a council and it’s through supporting each other we can really put Accrington on the map.”