Downtown in Business has warned that the government’s review of local government reorganisation must not be allowed to derail Lancashire’s wider devolution and economic growth agenda.
Downtown in Business welcomes plans from Prime Minister Andy Burnham to move key economic responsibilities away from the Treasury and towards No 10 North, the Government’s new hub in Manchester.
With devolution firmly top of the agenda, Britain’s cities and regions are expected to drive economic growth over the coming months and years. Ahead of a busy series of conferences and events to explore the opportunity, Downtown in Business asked business and media commentators from across the network for their thoughts on how regional growth will be shaped and delivered.
On 2nd July 2026, Downtown in Business, in partnership with PLMR, welcomed business leaders, policymakers and stakeholders to Fogo de Chão Birmingham for an engaging Devolution 2.0 lunch, exploring how greater regional powers are driving economic growth across the West Midlands and what the next chapter of devolution could look like.
Downtown in Business was delighted to host a high-profile roundtable discussion at the Holiday Inn Preston on 25 June 2026, bringing together business leaders and key political figures to discuss the future of devolution and what it could mean for Lancashire.
As Lancashire prepares for the most significant restructuring of local government in half a century, alongside plans for a new Combined Authority and the potential introduction of a directly elected mayor, DIB is urging ministers and local leaders to focus on creating councils with the scale and capacity to succeed.
Downtown in Business will host a unique and potentially provocative Leaders Lunch next month as Lancashire business figures hear directly from the two politicians hoping to become Cheshire’s first elected mayor.
Downtown in Business will host a special and unique Leaders Lunch on Thursday 25th June 2026 as Lancashire business leaders hear directly from the two politicians hoping to become Cheshire and Warrington’s first elected mayor.
Downtown in Business Group Chair and Chief Executive Frank McKenna reports on DIB’s recent Northern Power Towns Parliamentary Reception in Westminster – and the growing frustration of Lancashire business leaders at the lack of progress on the long-standing issue of establishing an elected mayor for the Red Rose County.
With new powers for mayors and combined authorities firmly on the agenda, this is a timely discussion on how the evolving devolution landscape could shape regional economies, investment decisions, and growth opportunities.
With new powers for mayors and combined authorities firmly on the agenda, this is a timely discussion on how the evolving devolution landscape could shape regional economies, investment decisions, and growth opportunities.
On Tuesday 20th January 2026, Downtown in Business was pleased to host the Powering the North: Devolution Lunch at Malmaison, Manchester, convening senior leaders from Lancashire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester for a focused and constructive roundtable discussion.
