Aspiring business owners and growing enterprises across Fylde are turning their ambitions into reality thanks to a free programme helping local people build thriving businesses.
The Fylde Growth Programme, delivered by The Small Business Academy and funded through Fylde Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation for 2025/26, has already supported 79 entrepreneurs across the borough, with 26 completing startup plans, 26 completing growth plans, and two brand new businesses launching as a result.
The programme offers free one-to-one mentoring and popular workshops covering everything from digital marketing and social media to finance, SEO and AI tools, with sessions regularly reaching capacity.
One local success story is NW1 Theatre School, which has expanded to new premises and now supports over 200 additional young people through performing arts since receiving support.
Their founder said: “My experience has been incredibly positive. I genuinely attribute a huge amount of my success over the last two years to The Small Business Academy. It’s not just business advice – it gives us accountability, structure and genuine support. We certainly wouldn’t be where we are today without this funded support.”
Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “It’s wonderful to see so many local people taking the leap into business ownership and established enterprises going from strength to strength. This programme is a fantastic example of how we’re investing in our community’s future, giving Fylde residents the tools and confidence they need to succeed. I’m incredibly proud of what our local entrepreneurs are achieving.”
Nikki Hesford, Managing Director at The Small Business Academy, added: “This programme has been a lifeline for people trying to navigate the complexities of starting a business, from obtaining premises to understanding taxes and legalities. But we have also supported 37 Fylde businesses to scale up, helping them to adopt new technologies that help them become more commercially competitive. This may be using Ai, creating automations that save time or reaching new customers using Facebook paid advertising.”
A packed schedule of workshops continues this year, covering topics including selling on Amazon, Meta advertising, leadership and AI in business. Fylde-based businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs can access free support by visiting: https://thesmallbusinessacademy.co.uk/
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