Lancashire has come together to develop a bold vision of a bright post-Covid future.
Lancashire County Council, with support from partner organisations, has been working with regeneration guru Sir Howard Bernstein and his team at Deloittes, to develop a plan to redefine Lancashire so it can form a key part of rebuilding the UK economy.
The plan has now been submitted to Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his consideration, with the aim of safeguarding jobs and encouraging growth across the county as restrictions begin to be lifted.
It focuses on the need to reopen our towns, attractions, countryside and destinations, support industry to restart, stimulate business growth and align the workforce to the jobs that will be created.
Importantly the plan acknowledges that this will not represent a return to business as usual but looks to work with our business sectors and communities to adapt the county’s capabilities, seize new opportunities, re-invigorate purpose and deliver effectively.
It also acknowledges that some of the county’s economic key sectors have been hit hard by the pandemic, with particular impacts on tourism, leisure, hospitality and aerospace.
Councillor Geoff Driver CBE, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “The emotional impact of Covid-19 will take years to address, but we must work quickly to address the economic challenges.
“By taking decisive action around jobs, economic activity and confidence in Lancashire, we can protect what we have whilst also laying the foundations for the next period of our transformation and growth.
“Our staff have worked incredibly hard with Sir Howard Bernstein and his team at DeLoites and we have incorporated some points from Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen councils, and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), to make it a comprehensive document covering the whole of Lancashire.
“We are now ready to recreate, regenerate and redefine Lancashire, and with this plan we are ready to take the first steps to restarting our economy.”
The report was produced by Lancashire County Council, working with Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen Councils, Lancashire’s 12 district and borough councils, the LEP and other partners.
