The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) has struck its first deal in Lancashire with a Blackburn-based company.

Award-winning Littlefair's Wood Finishing Products, Lions Drive, has secured £75,000 from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) and hopes to bolster its ranks.

Littlefair's specialises in eco-friendly wood finishing products and has experienced substantial growth, particularly in the US market.

The funding obtained through NPIF II will allow the company to expand its team and increase production capacity to meet rapidly rising demand.

NPIF II is a £660 million fund launched in March and is available to businesses across the North of England, offering loans between £25,000 and £100,000 to assist with business growth and expansion.

Rob Littlefair, director at Littlefair’s, said: "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."

The investment in Littlefair’s, managed by GC Business Finance and River Capital Smaller Loans, will support the hiring of three new staff members over the next year.

The funding will also enable the purchase of raw materials to boost production, ensuring all products remain hand-manufactured in Blackburn with British-sourced materials.

Littlefair's has expanded online into the US, where their wood finishing products consistently sell out on the Amazon US storefront.

Founded in 2016, Littlefair's initially provided a water-based alternative to typically solvent-based wood stains.

Their dedication to environmentally friendly solutions earned them the ‘Eco-Friendly Wood Finishing Brand of the Year’ award from the IE100 Awards in 2023.

In addition to their eco-friendly ethos, they've built a strong reputation for customer service, as shown by more than 1,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot.

Andy Nichols, investment manager at GC Business Finance said: "Littlefair’s is a great example of a small business making big steps towards a more sustainable future."

Simon Cunnington, director at the British Business Bank, added: "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."

The NPIF II's focus is not only on financial assistance but also on supporting innovation, create local opportunities and promote sustainable economic growth across the North of England.

By providing funds to firms that might otherwise be overlooked for investment, the fund seeks to break down barriers in access to finance.