What’s it all about?
Burnley Bondholders is a private sector led, private/public partnership dedicated to raising the prosperity and profile of the borough; an innovative and successful scheme which has been growing for ten years and is made up of over 200 members.
In short, it is a consortium of businesses in the town that are passionate about the benefits of being based in Burnley and where the town is heading. They share best practice, ideas, suppliers, resources – and no doubt a coffee or two at one of the many networking events we hold throughout the year. Likewise, we support our bondholders through PR, marketing materials, networking events and trade visits.
We firmly believe we are stronger together – a solid business network helps Burnley to flourish, which in turn attracts further investment and growth, benefitting our town, residents and businesses.
The success of Burnley Bondholders has attracted attention across the UK from the press, local authorities and business leaders. We are proud that ten years later, we are still leading the way stronger together.
What’s in it for me?
The question should be, ‘What’s in it for Burnley?’. Hopefully the above has convinced you of the benefits of becoming a Burnley Bondholder. You will join a group of the most influential businesses in our town who want to work together to accelerate economic growth, putting Burnley further on the map as a thriving and vibrant destination for business and investment.
You will be regularly updated via newsletters, events and our online platforms as to what your fellow Burnley Bondholders are doing, opportunities to work together and the economic progress the town is making. You’ll have your finger on the pulse and your ear to the ground, whilst our dedicated Specialist Business Team will support you with everything from relocation to new commercial premises to advice on available financial support.
(An added bonus: We like to host our events at our different bondholders’ premises and use a range of local catering suppliers, so if you want to have a peek at what other businesses are up to and try our mouth-watering Lancashire produce, this is the business network for you!)
Don’t just take our word for it
Neil Welsh, Financial Planner and BDM, PM+M Wealth Management
When did you become a bondholder?
As a firm almost from outset in 2010, although my involvement only began after I joined PM+M in early 2016.
Why did you decide to join Burnley Bondholders?
PM+M aims to be the number one form of finance professionals in the North West with activity coming from our office bases in Blackburn, Bury and Burnley. To be able to have visibility and participation in the shaping of local business in Burnley and to join the strength of its collective voice continues to be an opportunity too good to pass up.
What do you love about being a bondholder?
The energy. I struggle to put my finger on quite what it is but it has a certain something, I don’t know what (the French probably have phrase for it). The reality is the bondholder platform brings a significant number of passionate people and their businesses of all shapes and sizes to unite together behind the Burnley brand. It encourages mutual collaboration with an almost altruistic feel that in helping others without asking for anything in return there will be reward anyway. Personally, I love the chance to network with representatives of companies I admire and to act as a disciple for the town, replacing the generational memories and narrative of past negatives with contemporary positives and calling out the naysayers. It makes me proud to be from Burnley and to work for a company that shares that same belief.
What are the benefits of being based in Burnley?
Access to Bondholders, to a town in the ascendancy with good transport links, great value accommodation (commercial and residential), a local council with commercial vision and appetite, a Premier League football club and the global spotlight this shines, world-class engineering and technology and a people unafraid of rolling their sleeves up to get things done. Oh and the chance of working with me and PM+M of course.
Andy Brown, MD of Crow Wood Leisure
When did you become a bondholder?
We joined in 2013.
Why did you decide to join Burnley Bondholders?
The bondholder network has been hugely influential in galvanising the leaders of business, the public sector and not for profit in changing the perception of Burnley. Many councils have tried to emulate the bondholder network without success; Burnley’s growing prosperity is most definitely helped by the bondholder network.
What do you love about being a bondholder?
The fact that all of the members can share news, celebrating with one another the good and supporting their fellow members during the bad. Everybody strives to lift up one another. It’s also a great forum to share ideas – it’s always fantastic to try and draw upon resources in the town wherever possible and promote fellow Burnley businesses. The social events (both online and offline) help establish and maintain trade within the local economy.
What are the benefits of being based in Burnley?
We have excellent access to the Motorway network and approximately one hour’s drive to Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds Bradford airports. We benefit from immediate access to the open countryside with affordable housing and superb further education opportunities with Burnley College and UCLan.
David Collinge, Chairman, John Spencer Textiles
When did you become a bondholder?
We’ve been a bondholder since 2018.
Why did you decide to join Burnley Bondholders?
The bondholders have done an amazing job to boost the profile and image of the town across the country, which has helped us to attract talent from all over the nation.
What do you love about being a bondholder?
Being a bondholder makes us feel part of a community, all pulling together for a common cause to champion Burnley as a great place to work and live.
What are the benefits of being based in Burnley?
Being located in Burnley gives us access to a workforce where textiles is in the blood and we are surrounded by great local companies to provide us with support such as IT and engineering.
Simon Brierley, Membership Director, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
When did you become a bondholder?
Since the outset, so 2010.
Why did you decide to join Burnley Bondholders?
I’m a Burnley boy born and bred, and proud to be part of the Burnley business community. Why wouldn’t I want to support growth and collaboration in my home town?
What do you love about being a bondholder?
I love being part of a collective that works together for the good of our town and its people. To see businesses of all shapes and sizes getting behind a common goal with an entirely altruistic motivation is life-affirming and generates a real sense of pride.
What are the benefits of being based in Burnley?
It’s not just a strapline, Burnley really is a great place to live, work and invest. A collaborative approach from the council, great links between business and education, a business community that works together, all set in such a beautiful part of the world make my town a perfect base.
Trevor Shanley, MD of Alert Fire and Security
How long you’ve been a bondholder?
We joined in 2011.
Why did you decide to join Burnley Bondholders?
We wanted to be part of the local business community and Burnley Bondholders was the obvious choice.
What do you love about being a bondholder?
Being a bondholder allows us to stay connected to other businesses in the area, share good news and support each other in both the good times and more challenging.
What are the benefits of being based in Burnley?
Burnley has many thriving businesses from a range of sectors that work together and support each other. The events allow every business to come together, network, share experiences and achievements.
Like what you hear? Join us!
If you want to find out more, you can read our short Burnley Bondholder guide here:
The guide includes the membership annual fee depending on the size of your business. Those who may be unable to financially commit to us, such as charities, schools and voluntary groups, are encouraged to get involved.
If you want to talk to someone about it in more detail, you can get in touch with us here:
Burnley Bondholder Resource Hub
You have access to;
- The Burnley Bondholder logo
- Burnley Bondholder 10 years promotional video
- Invest in Burnley pack
- And any other materials we may be able to provide.
To request a link to the Dropbox folder containing these assets, please get in touch here: