Business leaders have spoken of their growing, but tentative, optimism heading into 2026 at the county’s first Economic Breakfast of the year, hosted by the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.
Once again, they have called for clarity and leadership from the government on its economic plans while highlighting the new year as a time to look forward.
Following a run through of the latest Quarterly Economic Survey, which highlighted a dip in domestic and export sales, the ongoing issues with skills and recruitment and challenges regarding cashflow, delegates were asked to share their thoughts on the economic year ahead.
Hosted by BBC reporter Mike Stevens and sponsored by leading independent law firm Brabners, the Lancashire Economic Breakfast was told by several guests they were more optimistic about 2026 following a difficult past year, despite continuing concerns about factors such as the increasing cost of employment.
The quarterly event heard from the Bank of England’s deputy agent for the North West, Lydia Reid, as well as a panel of experts, including John Winstanley from Story Homes, Darren Ingram from Baxi and Robert White, chief executive of Brabners.
The panellists pointed to recent political events such as the lead up to November’s Autumn Budget, and how this had affected business confidence toward the end of last year, which is reflected in the QES results. They also expressed the need for stability from government policy and to link short-term priorities with the long-term ambitions in order to deliver economic growth.
Darren Ingram highlighted ‘cautious optimism’ among the business community and suggested 2026 could be a turning point for the economy, while John Winstanley spoke about Lancashire’s entrepreneurial culture but highlighted the need for political leaders to work with the business community to support economic growth over the coming years.
Robert White echoed this, highlighting the importance of business confidence to the economy as a whole.
He said: “Business confidennce is the fuel for economic growth. When taking a longer-term view, there is evidence in this quarter’s QES that the government’s key themes, including devolving more economic decisions locally and supporting that with place-based
regeneration and infrastructure investment, such as this week’s announcement of £45bn funding for Northern Powerhouse Rail, are starting to influence Lancashire business confidence.
“However, the challenge to translate that into sustainable and consistent short-term business confidence remains. Not helped – for example – by what we observed in the weeks leading up to and following the Autumn Budget.
“If these needlessly competing strands could be brought together, through a clear, collaborative pro-business approach aimed at building confidence, there is a blue touch paper waiting to be lit – for short-term and long-term economic benefit. I’m confident that in 2026, business remains ready to play its part and – on that basis – we can start to deliver the economic growth and inclusive prosperity that is so desperately needed.”
