Sign up to our Newsletter

Welcome Return of Business Breakfast Networking Events

With Covid restrictions now firmly behind us, it was a delight to bring so many local businesses together for the return of our BID Business Breakfasts with two events taking place in the space of a week.

The first Business Breakfast, sponsored by Baines Wilson LLP, welcomed Sir Tim Smit KBE, Executive Vice Chair and co-founder of the Eden Project to share an update on progress with Eden Project North and discuss how local businesses can prepare themselves to maximise the benefits the project will bring. This was a long-awaited event as it had originally been scheduled for March 2020!

Together with his colleague, Tim Narey, Sir Tim shared their vision to unite the whole district through Eden Project North. Planning permission is in place along with agreements with Lancaster City Council and private funding secure. The outcome of a bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund is expected in the autumn. A positive result should see work starting on site by early 2023.

When the project opens, there are anticipated to be plenty of opportunities for local businesses to join the supply chain with a commitment to use a minimum of 80% local suppliers. Businesses should look out for details of how they can sign up with recruitment of suppliers set to be the next key goal once work on site is underway.

The whole district is set to benefit from increased visitor numbers with considerable planning going into managing traffic flow and ensuring visitors extend their visit to explore the wider district. Timed ticketing will avoid significant congestions whilst regular electric buses will provide a transport link from the M6 Park and Ride. Buses will follow a circular route taking including Lancaster to encourage visitors to Eden to also stop off to explore the historic city centre.

Throughout the event it was clear that Eden Project has conducted careful planning during the development of this exciting new initiative which looks set to be a huge asset to the Lancaster district.

The second Business Breakfast event, just a few days later, focused on various Lancaster University initiatives and explored how they could benefit businesses and make stronger links between the University and the city centre.

With over 10,000 students studying in Lancaster and a wealth of knowledge and skills amongst the staff, there are huge benefits to be had all round from working more closely together. It was great to see Lancaster University reaching out to businesses to discuss how to work more closely together.

Our Newsletter

Keep up to date with regular news, events and improvements here at Lancaster BID by signing up to our monthly newsletter.

Click here to read our Latest News