Burnley’s Economy at a Glance

Introduction

Burnley is located in the east of Lancashire, in the north west of England, lying 11 miles east of Blackburn and 25 miles north of Manchester at the centre of Pennine Lancashire.

The whole borough has an area of 11,070 hectares (42 square miles), but the majority of this space is rural or moor land.  The urban area of Burnley itself covers approximately 1,544 hectares (6 square miles) and Padiham covers 316 hectares (1.22 square miles).

The Borough itself has a population of 87,500[1], of which 53,400[2] are of working age.  Commuter flows show people from neighbouring Pendle, Hyndburn, Rossendale & Ribble Valley account for the majority of commuters into the Borough.  In total these areas have a total combined population of 384,8001, of which 233,8002 are of working age.

Population

Population:  88,000

• Males:  42,900
• Females: 45,100

The 2006 ONS mid-year population estimates show that Burnley has lower than the national rate of population for the ages 25 through to the mid 40s.  However, the proportion of the population aged under 20 is higher than the national rate.

Source: ONS:  Mid-year population estimates, 2006

Workforce Information

Economic Activity

Burnley has a lower than average proportion of economically active people that are in employment – this indicates the availability of workforce within the borough.

Source: ONS, Annual Population Survey Jan-Dec 2007

Employment structure

From the annual population survey 2007, of those people that are employed in Burnley, 80 per cent are full-time workers whilst the remaining 20 per cent are part time workers.

Source: ONS, Annual Population Survey Jan-Dec 2007

Occupations

Within Burnley there is a higher than regional average employment in a number of occupations, including managers & senior officials, administrative & secretarial, personal service and sales & customer service.

Source: ONS, Annual Population Survey Jan-Dec 2007

Note: Numbers of elementary occupations for Burnley not available since the group sample size is zero or disclosive (0-2).

Qualifications

As shown below Burnley’s workforce offers a mix of skills from NVQ Level 1 to ther higher, graduate level, NVQ Level 4 and above.

Source: ONS, Annual Population Survey Jan-Dec 2007

Note: Numbers of trade apprenticeships for Burnley not available since the group sample size is zero or disclosive (0-2).

A new state of the art college and university campus, at the cost of some £70 million, opened in September 2009 and is  the new base for Burnley College and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN).   Alongside the college and university a new Knowledge Park is to be built which will provide high quality accommodation for new businesses and for existing small, medium and large businesses in priority sectors to grow.  Work is ongoing to ensure that the campus will provide programmes focussed on the needs of local employment sectors.

Labour Costs

In 2007 the average full time gross weekly wage in Burnley was £378.30[3].  This is significantly lower than the national average of £458.10.  The chart below shows the average weekly earnings for Burnley compare favourably with neighbouring towns of Blackburn, Preston & Bolton.

Business Information

Businesses

The Annual Business Inquiry (ABI) 2006 states that Burnley has a total of 2,850 businesses employing 34,500 people.

The main sectors for employment in Burnley are ‘manufacturing’, ‘distribution, hotels & restaurants’ and ‘public administration, education & health’.

Source:  ONS, Annual Business Inquiry 2006.

Key Sectors

▪ Advanced Manufacturing  ▪  Aerospace  ▪  Automotive  ▪  Construction

 Key Businesses

▪ MB Aerospace Ltd:  Manufacturer of launch systems for the Boeing company

▪ Aircelle Ltd: Manufacturing engine components for commercial aircraft

▪ Futaba-Tenneco UK Ltd:  Manufacturing pressed metal components for the automotive industry

Access to Grants & Finance

Finance for Growth – This scheme offers grants to eligible companies towards a range of projects including purchasing equipment, security improvements, property improvements and much more.

Get Set – This is available to new-start businesses looking for advice and financial assistance to help with set up costs.

Eureka – Eligible businesses, start ups and individuals are all supported under this programme to develop and be more competitive through the effective exploitation of technology and innovation.  An experienced team of business advisors is able to provide assistance ranging from an initial enquiry through to in depth support with project implementation.

Selective Finance for Investment (SFI) – This is a scheme run by the North West Development Agency and is a grant assistance programme available for businesses in Burnley. These grants are available for projects in certain qualifying areas of the region (called Assisted Areas). Businesses of all sizes are eligible to apply and are assessed against specific criteria.

Rosebud – This is a versatile scheme run by Lancashire County Developments Ltd (LCDL), the County Council’s economic development company.  Loans and equity funding is available for sums from £5,000 upwards – no business is too small or too large to qualify. Proposals are considered on their individual merits and all types of business investment are eligible for consideration. The fund is only available for companies either already based in Lancashire or those re-locating to the county.  The best thing is that rosebud offers more than just finance – rosebud clients benefit from professional advice and help through their relationships with local support agencies.

Conference facilities

Burnley can offer a range of venues to suit various business meeting and conference requirements, ranging from country house hotels, a first class football ground or an historic house.  Just some of the conference venues on offer are listed below:

• Alexander Hotel
• Burnley Football Club
• Burnley Mechanics
• Coldwell Activity Centre
• Higher Trapp Hotel
• Lancashire Digital Technology Centre
• Northbridge House
• Oaks Hotel
• Sparrowhawk Hotel
• The Holiday Inn
• Towneley Hall

Sites & Premises

Burnley has a varied stock of industrial and office premises ranging in size and affordability.  New developments at Network 65, Empire Business Park and Burnley Bridge Business Park all benefit from excellent access to the road network and can offer a range of accommodation to employers.  Further information on the availability of commercial sites and premises in Burnley can be obtained from the Councils Regeneration & Economic Development Unit.

 Lifestyle & Leisure

 Housing

Housing in Burnley is generally a lot more affordable than at either the regional or national level.  The average cost of a house in Burnley in 2007 was approximately 4.8 times average earnings.  This compares with a figure of 6.9 times average earnings for Lancashire and 8.8 times average earnings for England and Wales.

A large amount of new housing development is planned in Burnley, through the housing market renewal programme, which will see a range of accommodation brought to the market.

 Tourism

Burnley is a special place to visit. At the heart of Pennine Lancashire, historic houses and industrial heritage sit along side more quirky attractions such as a working forge and a brewery. Fun and exciting events take place all year, including the Burnley Balloon Festival, Heritage Open Days and the Classic Car Show as well as over 150 other galas, fairs, exhibitions and festivals.

Shopping

You can shop for bargains on the market or in our mill shops; find the latest high street fashions in the modern town centre stores then have relaxing drink or bite to eat in one of the trendy coffee shops along the high street.

Burnley and Padiham have officially been recognised as Fairtrade towns and actively promote Fairtrade products at many of the shops, café’s and restaurants in the area.

Burnley’s Pennine Countryside

The South Pennines countryside is a haven for wildlife; is great for walkers, horse riders and cyclists and there is an abundance of waterways – canal, rivers, reservoirs and lakes where you can do anything from fishing to windsurfing. The amazing panopticon high on the moors above Burnley has wonderful views over the town from Pendle Hill to Worsthorne Moor with Padiham and the surrounding villages in the distance.

Leisure

Whether you are a player or a spectator it’s guaranteed that you will find some activity in the town to suit your requirements. Swimming, riding, tennis, bowling, squash, badminton, wind surfing, canoeing, cricket and football; in fact the list is endless – you can choose to get fit or just watch others try.

Outdoors you can learn how to windsurf or dinghy sail at Rossendale Valley Sailing Club; play tennis or golf in the parks or private clubs; ride, cycle or walk along the Mary Towneley Loop; watch Lancashire League Cricket at Burnley Cricket Club or cheer on the Clarets at Turf Moor.

Top class indoor facilities for swimming, badminton, squash, keep fit or dancercise are available at St. Peter’s or Crow Wood Leisure Centres, you can enjoy the biggest skate board bowl in Europe at Interact Skate Park or go bowling at AMF Bowling.

[1] ONS Mid-year population estimates, 2007