As Fylde Council marks the conclusion of its UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) 2025/26 programme, it is celebrating a remarkable year of investment that has transformed communities, supported local businesses and changed the lives of hundreds of residents across the borough.
The 2025/26 programme channelled £857,692 of government investment into three core areas: communities and place, supporting local businesses, and people and skills. In that time, it helped deliver three phases of the St Annes Masterplan, completing improvements in St Annes Square, Pier Link and Garden Street, supported a vibrant programme of new events that drew visitors in record numbers, and enabled the Shop Local loyalty scheme to drive footfall to independent retailers throughout the borough.
The impact on people and skills has been equally impressive. Partnerships with AFC Fylde Community Foundation and Blackpool & Fylde College delivered hundreds of positive outcomes for residents facing barriers to employment, while the Council’s apprenticeship programme helped young people build careers right here on the Fylde Coast. The Small Business Academy provided free expert support to local businesses, equipping entrepreneurs with the skills and confidence to grow.
Whilst the UKSPF programme has now concluded, Fylde businesses and employers can continue to access a range of support through Invest in Fylde, the Council’s dedicated economic growth service. Invest in Fylde offers tailored advice and guidance for businesses looking to start, grow or invest in the area, including support with business planning, accessing funding, finding premises and connecting with training and skills provision. The service is free to access and available to businesses of all sizes across the borough.
Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “The UKSPF programme has been a genuine game-changer for Fylde. We have seen communities come together, businesses grow stronger and residents transform their futures; and every single one of those achievements is something we should be enormously proud of. This investment has made a real, lasting difference to people’s lives across our borough, and I want to thank every partner, business and resident who played a part in making it such a success.
“Although the UKSPF programme has now ended, our commitment to supporting Fylde’s businesses and people absolutely has not. Through Invest in Fylde, we are continuing to make sure that anyone who wants to start a business, grow their enterprise or find their next opportunity in this wonderful borough knows exactly where to turn to for help.”
Fylde employers can also access support through Connect to Work, a free, voluntary programme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and available across Lancashire. The programme is designed to help people overcome barriers to employment or remain in work through personalised, expert guidance – and for businesses, it offers a practical route to building a stronger, more inclusive workforce. Employers who partner with Connect to Work can benefit from access to a new pool of job-ready candidates and improved staff retention and wellbeing, all at no cost to their business.
To find out more about business support available through Invest in Fylde, visit www.investinfylde.co.uk or email invest@fylde.gov.uk.
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