PENDLE has poached a top UK beauty company from the bright lights of London.

Stylebase UK Ltd has moved into the new Pendle Innovation Centre in Brook Street, Nelson, and managing director Derek Kane says businesses do not need to be based in London to survive anymore.

He said: "I set the company up in Stansted because I jumped on a plane from Ireland and that was where I landed.

"The flexibility of the Pendle Innovation Centre's location means we are near major airports, cities and motorways. We have sales people who are able to cover the South on a day-to-day basis."

The new centre, which cost more than £1million to create and has the latest technology and support services for businesses to use, will be officially opened next week.

Stylebase UK sells Imaginail - a machine using inkjet technology to spray designs on to nails - to health and beauty salons across the country.

Mr Kane soon found Pendle Innovation Centre's location was not its only benefit.

He said: "Moving to Nelson gave the business a great headstart because we were able to keep our initial costs low.

"I am committed to keeping Stylebase here in East Lancashire. We have had a great headstart with these facilities at the Pendle Innovation Centre.

"There's a network of like-minded companies here so it's the right environment for us."

Mr Kane now hopes to expand the business, which currently employs five staff at Nelson.

The Innovation Centre helps a drive to bring more businesses into Nelson. A study by consultants brought in by Pendle Council to breathe new life into Nelson's housing market found limited employment opportunities for people with higher education or skills.

The company hopes its plans for the town, which will be unveiled at the Civic Theatre, Stanley Street on Friday, will create more office space and opportunities for between 800 and 1,700 new jobs.