A BOLTON woman who set up an online platform involving hundreds of companies is inviting local businesses to help celebrate Lancashire Day this month.

Lisa Edge, who went to Bolton College and worked for local companies before moving to Darwen, started Lancashare two years ago after a career in the public sector spanning 17 years.

She became heavily involved with local businesses working in employer engagement at Blackburn College and Preston College but felt strongly that companies needed to share their knowledge and opportunities.

“Companies were facing the same challenges again and again and the answer was to work collaboratively,” explained Lisa.

So, she set up the online platform “to change the way the county does business by pooling the county’s resources in one place to make everyone’s business journey that bit easier.”

The site offers a wealth of free information on funding, jobs, tenders, events, awards, networking groups, local supply chain and businesses throughout the county. The initiative is growing daily with start-ups to SME’s and £350m turnover companies involved.

Membership boasts all three Lancashire Chambers of Commerce, Boost, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Hive, Blackburn Rovers, solicitors, banks, manufacturing firms, colleges, and universities.

So far, Lancashare has been nominated for 10 awards and this year, Lisa launched a Manchester platform, Mancheshare. Both platforms are linked to the Northern Powerhouse.

Lancashire Day on Tuesday, November 27, was chosen as a “natural way to celebrate two years of Lancashare’s success” and Lisa has arranged a special day at The Villa in Wrea Green.

This involves a “buying day” with opportunities to pitch to buyers from across Lancashire, followed by a three-course lunch, entertainment and plenty of opportunities to network and celebrate Lancashire Day.

To book and find out more about the event go to www.trybooking.com/uk/book/event?eid=3802.

For more information on Lancashare go to https://lancashare.co.uk.