A ‘KNOWLEDGE gap’ in Lancashire will hinder economic recovery locally and nationally this year, according to a leading consultant.

Philip Shuker, of Rossendale-based yourbusinessline.com is concerned that a lack of skills and training among both the unemployed and local companies, will halt progress in the area. Philip, a solicitor who has spent years advising businesses, now runs his own business consultancy.

He said: “During the recession we saw a lot of people who went from being made unemployed to setting up their own businesses. That is, of course, to be welcomed but by and large their knowledge is based on their core product rather than running the actual business.

“This gap in knowledge will hinder specific businesses but also collectively it will hamper growth”.

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