High-end glazing solutions firm Anglezarke Designs carried out major improvements to its premises and expanded its workforce by 30 per cent, thanks to a £40,000 loan from Lancashire County Council’s Rosebud Micro fund.

Based in the historic, Grade II-listed Abbey Mill in Abbey Village, Chorley, the company is now poised to continue growing its £1.5m turnover and 14-strong workforce.

Established in 2010 by Martin Haslam, Anglezarke Designs manufactures and installs bespoke architectural glazing solutions for residential and commercial buildings, such as schools, universities, retail outlets, public buildings, art galleries and luxury residential properties. Notable end-users include Manchester City Art Gallery and Lancaster University. 

Martin, a former Merchant Navy navigation officer, was introduced to Rosebud by Access to Finance North West, when Anglezarke Designs was looking for development funding.

Martin said: “We had just taken on the old mill and needed funding to get it up to the required standard for the high-end customers we were attracting. We required a new showroom and offices, along with additional staff, but this was at the end of the recession when traditional funding wasn’t easy to come by and Rosebud was an ideal solution.”

Martin added: “The process was efficient and straightforward. Any application for significant funding involves a detailed business plan, and we had no issues with the guys at Rosebud.”  

Rosebud is delivered in association with Boost; Lancashire's Business Growth Hub. Led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council, Boost is supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). 

Martin continued: “The Rosebud funding was critical to our success. It was a catalyst, a shot of adrenalin when we were emerging from the recession that enabled us to complete a lot of work in a short space of time, as well as safeguarding existing jobs and creating new ones. I can’t emphasise enough how important the funding was.

“Now we are in a position where we can look to grow our turnover and workforce still further and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Rosebud to any ambitious business that wants to access funding in order to grow.”

County Councillor Michael Green, Cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning, said: "Smaller companies have great growth potential and we’re always proud to hear of success stories where Rosebud's involvement has helped to kickstart the company on their next growth stage.

"It's also great to hear that companies are growing and creating new jobs for local people, which brings wider economic benefits.

"Rosebud Micro is part of Boost, Lancashire's business growth hub, which offers many different ways to help companies to find the support for their growth and ambitions that works for them. Boost should be part of your Growth Conversation."

Boost Business Lancashire has received £3.8m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.  For more information, visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.