It recognised the efforts taken to address areas such as skills gaps, helping high streets adapt to shifting consumer habits, helping local firms on their way to net zero and nurturing future entrepreneurs.

The national awards scheme recognises and celebrates councils that have achieved excellent results through the work they do with small businesses by highlighting outstanding partnerships and projects.

As part of Lancaster City Council’s objective to aim for Net Zero by 2030 and its ‘Housing Retrofit’ action plan, the council has actively engaged with small businesses to ensure they have the skills and information they need to be able to bid for tenders and deliver this work.

As part of the post-Covid recovery work, the council, in partnership with training providers, is working with businesses to offer a range of training to help them develop their business models to adapt to shifting consumer habits and address skills gaps.

This is all part of a programme of future-looking business support, which includes training and education around social value and sustainability. This also extends to young entrepreneurs, recovery sector and future sector support.