The HIVE business network in Blackburn with Darwen has been revitalised through a new partnership with the borough's Youth Zone. The relaunch event took place at the Fusebox extension of Blackburn Youth Zone, where prominent business leaders gathered for the inaugural 'Supporters' Lunch'.
The revamped business network aims to expand on the Youth Zone's successful patron programme by engaging more organisations and fostering fresh opportunities for businesses throughout Blackburn with Darwen. The initiative, dubbed 'BwD: Success on Every Corner', included a panel discussion during the event.
This luncheon marked the beginning of a series of networking events designed to highlight pressing issues local businesses face. Additionally, HIVE will offer updates from Blackburn with Darwen council on significant investment projects and development strategies.
Cllr Phil Riley, leader of the council, opened the event by saying: "We genuinely have a brilliant story to tell here in Blackburn with Darwen.
"It's a story with a proud past – from our role at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution – and one with bold ambitions for the future to improve lives, grow the economy, support local businesses and attract new investment.
"As a council, we are proudly pro-growth – in fact, we're hell bent on it – and we're outperforming national benchmarks for economic growth, business formation and housing delivery.
"With a strong reputation for delivery and genuine partnership working, now feels like exactly the right time to reset our business network offer in collaboration with Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone."
Wayne Wild, chair of Blackburn with Darwen Youth Zone, led the panel discussion.
He said: "Today we've brought together some of the very best businesses in Blackburn with Darwen – organisations that truly value the power of networking and are passionate about the role they play in our communities and our borough's future.
"We're incredibly proud of our patron network – nearly 80 strong – and every single one of them is committed to creating better opportunities for our young people.
"Through this new partnership with the council, we're looking forward to opening the door even wider – giving more businesses the chance to get involved.
Andrew Graham, chief executive of Graham & Brown and founder of Blackburn Youth Zone, said: "The Youth Zone has already proved the power of bringing business leaders together to deliver real change.
He also noted: "Partnering with the council to extend the business network and boost the patron offer with even more free events feels like the perfect next step."
The next HIVE Supporters Lunch is scheduled for September, focusing on the Lancashire devolution deal, local government reorganisation, and the potential implications of these changes for the borough and its businesses.
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