Community & Business Partners CIC in Blackburn, Lancashire

We deliver business support on a local, national, and global level whilst making an impact on our local communities and environment.

For over 30 years we have built a bank of approximately 100 business mentors and coaches with experience of supporting thousands of businesses to achieve their growth plans. We have specialists in all areas of business from marketing, sales, finance, leadership, and manufacturing, to name just a few.

In addition to our business support services, we also deliver several high impacting community services supporting those in need with food distribution, volunteering opportunity to reduce isolation and mental health and several environmental initiatives. 

CBP’s purpose is to inspire, empower and nurture people and businesses, to remove barriers and make a positive change to their future.

Below are some of our services we provide:

CBP Membership Programme:

Become a Community & Business Partner Member today and be part of an award winning community designed to give you the very best in business support. We support business across the country to start up, grow and tackle issues they face through our network of business specialists and experts.

Access a range of benefits for your business including, discounted business support, free monthly workshops, exclusive networking events with other members, discounted events tickets, discounted room hire, free SAMS membership and much more.

Because we’re a not-for-profit, we invest our surplus back into our community, environmental and skills programmes great for your CSR & ESG commitments. 

When you become a Member, you’re not just helping your business, but your wider community too.

Business Mentoring and Coaching: 

Looking to start a business? Wanting to grow your existing business? Facing challenges with growth, expansion or pivoting? You’re in the right place. For over 30 years we have been at the forefront of innovative, responsive support services, delivering to a range of businesses, utilising our network of over 150 business Mentors, Coaches and Consultants – one of the largest teams of business specialists in the Northwest.

Our specialist Mentors, Coaches and Consultants come from a wide variety of backgrounds; they have founded successful companies, acquired and sold businesses or currently run their own company – all with one common goal; a passion to give something back, sharing and exploiting their vast collective knowledge and expertise along the way.

Our specialists are your critical friend, there when you need them, non-judgemental and someone to bounce ideas off, helping you mitigate risks or accelerating your business success in a smarter way – someone who’s been there, done it and owns that t-shirt! We can help any sector and support any need; from finance, sales and marketing to lean manufacturing, supply chain and procurement.

The best part about working with one of our business specialists:

We are an ethically driven, not-for-profit organisation with CSR and ESG at the heart of everything we do. This means, whilst we work on supporting your business, we re-invest a percentage of our surplus into our local communities, making a direct impact improving our neighbourhoods. Making a huge difference to the everyday lives of families and businesses on a huge scale.

So, if you’re looking for ethical, professional, tangible business support – get in touch with us today, we have packages to suit every need.

Our North West HR Employers Forums are supported by HR professionals who are at the forefront of developing and delivering best practice in their field. Our Forums are organised twice a year with regular slots from Forbes Employment Solicitors, Co-Creation Group Leadership and Management Specialists, and guest speakers who present on relevant HR and employment topics. The Forum also offers attendees an excellent networking opportunity with business owners and HR Practitioners.

SAMS (Scrap Art Material Store): An Aladdin’s cave of creative goodies SAMS collect, display and offer back to the whole community a huge assortment of recycled goods. With the help of donations from public and private organisations, SAMS places the spotlight firmly on reuse, actively encouraging environmental awareness within the local business community.

From fabrics and ribbon to cardboard cones and zips, SAMS has it all under one roof, creating a unique environment for the community to engage in. Donating companies reduce their carbon footprint, develop corporate social responsibility and minimise disposal costs so improving profit. SAMS has created a network of companies and members across the region and works tirelessly, creating partnerships with other recycling projects across the whole country.

Food Distribution: Our facility where anyone can come to get food, some subsidised and some free of charge – without referral from a statutory agency or service.

We have some weekly food portion for £6 and also collect the end of day bakery produce from our local Lidls and give it away on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 2pm, whilst stocks last.

Community RePaint: Unwanted surplus paint is diverted from the waste stream and redistributed for reuse by community groups, charities, voluntary sector organisations and individuals in social need. We sell the paint at a reasonable and affordable price from as little as £1.

Blossoms at CBP: In the face of rising inflation and economic uncertainty, Blossoms aims to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our community. The ‘new to you clothing’ store offers a wide range of quality, affordable clothing items for all ages, ensuring that everyone can access essential clothing. This project is in the face of the cost-of-living crisis and is designed to support our community at a time when it is never more needed.