Business Funding Blackpool – Funding the Fylde Coast

Business in the Community would like to invite you for the official launch of a brand-new Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) called Business Funding Blackpool.

Hosted by John Fallon, former CEO of Pearson Plc and chair of the Blackpool Pride of Place Partnership, you will hear from Chris Sood-Nicholls, Managing Director, Regional Development Sustainability & Client Advisory of Lloyds Banking Group and local business network leads on how this is good for business and the community.

This is a unique opportunity to learn how Blackpool’s CDFI will help drive inclusive growth, support entrepreneurship, and unlock opportunities for our local economy.

You will also hear from a local entrepreneur(s) who turned down money from Dragon’s Den and used this fund instead to scale their business.

What is Business Funding Blackpool?

Over the past 12 months local business and charity network leaders, brought together the Blackpool Pride of Place Partnership, have been working with Business Finance NW to bring this to Blackpool so people’s ideas for start-ups and scale-ups have better access to finance.

Under the umbrella of Business Finance NW, Blackpool’s CDFI is a not for profit, purpose focused organisation, which will become a key part of the finance ecosystem.

Known for its grassroots approach to finance, Business Finance NW has for over 20 years supported businesses across the North of England to access finance they could not find elsewhere. Not because their ideas were not good enough. But because traditional lenders often say no to businesses without long trading histories, assets or the “right” postcode.

Lloyds Banking Group have invested £43 million of funding to support Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs), with this commitment aiming to invest in 800 businesses, supporting around 10,500 jobs. We are delighted to share that £3 million of funding is now available to support businesses and social enterprises across the North West who need it most.

Business Finance NW offers loans of up to £250,000 for entrepreneurs and SMEs who make a positive local impact but struggle to access mainstream finance. Backed by 20 years of lending expertise, this initiative will help businesses with:

• Start-up and growth funding
• Cashflow support
• Investment in space or equipment
• Job creation and safeguarding

Book your place