New offices from Blackpool early years firm

LM Training and Consultancy has taken space at the Business First building off Amy Johnson Way at Squires Gate.

Founded in 2014 by Leanne Docherty to offer training in the child care field, it achieved company status last year with three staff after securing partnerships with two prime providers to allow access to Government funding through the Skills Funding Agency and the Learning Loans.

Now it has expanded with the acquisition of a training company from Preston at the start of August this year and has seven full time staff.

Leanne worked from home and offered training in situ while holding down another full time job as she grew the business, but now the company has moved into offices to help develop further.

She said: “Our focus is on the early years sector and child care. We worked with a group of nurseries in Preston who carried out CPD training and safeguarding first aid short courses. They wanted to change and we bought their training arm off them in August.There was nothing similar in Blackpool.

“We also offer behavioural training courses and courses on autism.

“Our plan is to expand across Lancashire and into Skelmersdale with our training. We have just under 50 apprentices in training for early years at the moment.”

Leanne said starting her own business, while working full time elsewhere was a challenge. She said: “But it very exciting and this new office and training room is a positive move.

“I have had to be very responsive in business, reacting quickly to opportunities that presented themselves.

“You have to take those opportunities, be creative and think on your feet. We are all really pleased to have moved into our new offices. It enables us to have that difference between home and work life, and of course provides us with a professional place to welcome customers.

"We are hoping to be able to open a creche there to cater for people coming for training sessions.”