Growing networking group aims to kick on at Blackpool FC's Bloomfield Road stadium

The Seasiders Business Club was founded to help promote the town’ commerce and community, by a group led by Andy Higgins and Chris Reece of Central Insurance.

They had noticed that Blackpool did not seem to have as many long lasting networking groups as some of its near neighbours and wanted to set up a group that offered value for money to its owner-managed business members.

Andy, who runs Postal and Data Systems in the town, said: “I have done a lot of networking in the past and noticed that Blackpool had always struggled to keep networking groups going.

“We wanted to have a group that was non-exclusive, non-profit making, because some groups are just run as a business, and a group right in the heart of Blackpool to keep business in the area.

“Blackpool FC is at the heart of the community in FY1 and following the end of the Oyston era, we approached the interim board to see if they would let us meet at Bloomfield Road.

“They agreed and we have had great support from the club, the Blackpool FC Community Trust and Blackpool Supporters Trust. We started small but have grown well, now we want to kick on and get more people to come along.”

The group meets fortnightly at 8am on a Wednesday in the Presidential Suite at the ground.

The money raised through its membership fees is used to support local good causes and charities.

Andy added: “You don’t have to be a fan to come along, many of us are and it is great to be able to come back to Bloomfield Road, and we have a non-exclusivity policy welcoming members from similar professions and community based organisations.

“We also have members from the third sector including Trintiy Hospice, which makes us unique. Blackpool itself is a bit unique, with a do it yourself attitude and we wanted to reflect that. We want to support the area and welcome more businesses.”

The group can be contacted through its website at www.seasidersbusinessclub.co.uk