Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II Makes First Lancashire Investment

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) has made its first investment in Lancashire since launching the £660 million fund in March 2023. Blackburn-based Littlefair's Wood Finishing Products, an award-winning and eco-friendly brand, has secured £75,000 from NPIF II through GC Business Finance and River Capital Smaller Loans.

NPIF II offers businesses across the North access to smaller loans ranging from £25,000 to £100,000 to support start-ups, scale-ups, and ongoing growth. This latest investment will enable Littlefair's to expand its team and boost production to meet increasing demand in the UK and abroad. The company plans to hire three new employees within the next 12 months and use the funding to purchase raw materials, with all products being hand-manufactured in Blackburn from British-sourced materials.

Littlefair's has seen significant growth, particularly in the US market, where its products have been consistently selling out on Amazon. Founded in 2016, the family-run business specializes in water-based, environmentally-friendly wood stains as an alternative to traditional solvent-based options. Recognized for its innovation, the company recently won the "Eco-Friendly Wood Finishing Brand of the Year" award at the IE100 Awards 2023. Littlefair's also prides itself on its customer service, boasting over 1,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot.

This investment marks a significant milestone for NPIF II and highlights its ongoing commitment to supporting businesses in the North of England.

"We’re proud to produce hand manufactured wood finishing products, made right here in Britain. Our products combine high-quality with sustainability, formulated to be kinder to the environment.

When we faced barriers in accessing other streams of finance, Boost Lancashire referred us to the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II who guided us through every step of the application process. This funding will catapult our business into its next phase of growth, allowing us to add to our team, build on our success and reach our full potential." Rob Littlefair Director, Littlefair’s.

"Littlefair’s is a great example of a small business making big steps towards a more sustainable future. Iain Duncan at Boost Business Lancashire was a great help for Littlefair’s and has worked closely with the business before introducing them to us for investment. Rob and the team have built a brand that is proudly British and produced with the utmost care. With a strong presence in the North West, and a successful storefront on Amazon UK and US, we are excited to see Littlefair’s grow their team and develop further." Andy Nichols Investment Manager, GC Business Finance.

"Accessing finance is vital for ambitious small businesses like Littlefair’s, and the NPIF II investment illustrates that, with the right support, sustainable growth is achievable. As one of the first deals for NPIF II, Littlefair’s success will encourage other business owners to access finance and look towards the Fund as a valuable resource to achieve their growth goals." Simon Cunnington Director, British Business Bank.