North West businesses seek funding for growth, despite economic climate

NEARLY 50% of mid sized businesses in the North West will seek funding for growth in the next 12 to 17 months, despite the current economic climate. According to BDO's Rethinking the Economy survey, 47% of companies in the Region intend to look for investment by the end of 2023, with more than a quarter accelerating fund raising plans in the next 6 to 11 months.

The research of 500 mid-sized businesses showed that the top 2 sources of funding for North West businesses are debt finance (38%) and public markets (29%), with Government backed schemes, such as Future Fund and Innovate UK, as well as investment trusts/VCTs also on the financial radar.

James Fieldhouse, M&A Managing Director at BDO in the North West, said:- "Regional businesses are facing a plethora of challenges that keep on mounting in the face of an impending recession. Despite this, there is still a clear appetite to seek and secure investment, as businesses look towards multiple sources of funding to meet strategic aims. With the investor market equally as ambitious in the Region, eager to support entrepreneurial companies that wish to scale up at pace, we expect this level of interest by companies to have a positive effect on investment activity in the North West over the coming 12 to 18 months."

The survey also highlighted the growth intentions of Regional businesses, with nearly a quarter of companies stating that they intend to expand internationally in the future. Of those businesses that currently operate overseas, 24% plan to expand their presence.

Ed Gibson, International Tax partner at BDO in the North West said:- "Operating internationally brings with it a multitude of tax and regulatory considerations that can differ from 1 territory to the next. However, the financial rewards for establishing a strong footprint in complementary markets can be significant if planned and funded in the most appropriate way and North West businesses are clearly keen to capitalise on the opportunities this brings."
 

Community event invites people to consider impact of Pandemic on our mental health

LAN honorary fellow and community ambassador, CEO of the NFHW and chairman of the UCLan Creative Communities Group, said:- "The impact of Covid19 is far reaching and we hope, through this public event, to bring people together to discuss and reflect on how it has affected our mental health. The seminar will be of interest not only to the public but also to a wide range of health professionals, including health care workers and others involved in assessing and managing the long term effects of Covid19 on mental health in wider society. Our last engagement seminar, delivered to a capacity audience at UCLan was in the February of 2020 and since then, due to the Covid outbreak we had to move everything quickly online and engage with a new virtual audience. We are all delighted to be back on campus delivering the 1st face to face public engagement seminar since the Covid Pandemic."

Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at UCLan Professor StJohn Crean added:- "Covid exerted a malevolent influence upon our communities and there remains a residual imprint on our human experience. Community events such as this will bring into focus Covid initiated collective shared experiences and hopefully shine a light on a journey to recovery."

The event will take place from:- 6.30pm to 8.30pm, on Wednesday, 7 September 2022, in UCLan's Greenbank Building, Victoria Street, Preston. It is free to attend and there is no need to pre-register. Parking is available on Campus. For more information about the event, contact Derek Ormerod from the NFHW on:- Derek.Ormerod@NFHW.Org.UK.
 

Damien Moore MP encourages Town to support Southport Football Club at upcoming games

THE Conservative Southport MP, Damien Moore, is encouraging those living in and around Southport who have never seen a Southport FC game in person to consider heading to the Stadium on Haig Avenue over the coming months. His call comes following a recent visit to Southport FC to discuss the Club's performance and hear of the work they are doing to engage the next generation of footballers and football fans. Following a tour of the club's facilities and playing grounds, Mr. Moore met with the Club's Head of Commercial Operations, Steve Dewsnip, to see how the club had progressed since his last visit.

Earlier this year, Southport Football Club announced the re-launch of their Southport Football Club Academy partnership with Christ The King 6th Form, offering Academy players the opportunity to study for a mixture or 3 A-Levels and/or BTECs whilst pursuing their football ambitions.

They also discussed the exciting plans which the club has for the future, and the ways in which Mr. Moore could support these as Southport's MP.

Following the visit, Mr. Moore encouraged people who haven't yet been to see a Southport FC game in person to consider supporting them at 1 of their upcoming fixtures. Southport FC face Chorley, on 10 September, Leamington on 24 September, and Bradford Park Avenue, on 27 September 2022, with tickets available to book online in advance and under 12's attending for free.

Damien Moore, MP for Southport, said:- "It is always fantastic to visit Southport Football Club for a catch up on how the team are doing, the Club's plans for the future, and the support I can provide as their local MP. I was particularly pleased to hear of the work of the Southport Football Club Academy partnership with Christ the King Sixth From, which allows young Academy players the opportunity to progress their football ambitions whilst studying for qualifications. I know how proud we all are as a town to have such a fantastic Club and grounds in Southport, and it's vital that we as a community support them as much as we can. If you're looking for something to do over the coming months with friends and family, I'd encourage you to head over to Southport FC's website and consider getting a ticket for a game or 2!"