NW business briefs: Fuelhub; Widdop & Co; NW1 Theatre School; KR8 Advisory; Panache Cruises; BGF; BAE Systems

Warrington-based FuelHub, the online premium meal prep delivery service, is celebrating a milestone year of rapid growth and operational success. With turnover projected to hit £4m by April 2025, the business has achieved an impressive 90% year-on-year revenue increase, driven by a consistent nine per cent month-on-month rise in customer numbers and partnerships with top-tier sporting organisations.

Founded in 2019 by Michelle and James Laithwaite, FuelHub operates out of a cutting-edge 15,000 sq ft facility in Warrington and produces up to 12,000 chef-prepared, high-protein meals weekly for customers nationwide.

It is also the trusted nutrition solution for elite organisations including Matchroom Boxing, Team GB, Chelsea FC, Fulham FC, and the Professional Darts Corporation.

To meet growing demand, FuelHub has made significant investments in infrastructure and team development. The company is preparing for further expansion in 2025, with plans to triple its weekly production capacity to 36,000 meals and turnover expected to pass £7m by 2026.

Michelle Laithwaite, CEO and co-founder, said: “The past year has been pivotal for us, with incredible growth driven by our team’s dedication to delivering the very best in premium nutrition. Whether we’re fueling elite athletes, working professionals, or busy families, we remain passionate about offering sustainable, convenient, high-quality meals that fit seamlessly into our customers’ lives.

“We save people valuable time, with meals ready to eat from the fridge in three minutes, we are making people’s lives easier whilst taking care of their biggest asset – their health. With higher demand, we’re excited to expand further and build on this momentum in 2025.”

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Softies

Home and gifting company Widdop & Co, a fifth-generation Oldham-based family-run business with a proud 140-year history, has launched its latest product range, Softies, a collection of plush cuddly toys and gifts designed to bring joy to children and adults alike.

The new line features characters from teddies to turtles, bunnies to brown foxes. Developed by Widdop & Co’s CEO, Stephen Illingworth, this collection was inspired by the children of the company’s team, including Stephen’s own kids. He said: “This range is close to my heart.

“The names of these cuddly companions, like Talia and Hudson, were lovingly chosen thanks to our team’s children and my own family. It’s a celebration of the creativity and innocence that kids bring into our lives.”

Stephen’s brother, and Widdop & Co Managing Director, Dan, said: “As a family business, we’ve always been about creating products that capture connection and warmth. The Softies range perfectly embodies that spirit. These toys are not just adorable – they’re designed to be cherished companions for years to come.”

According to market research from Statista, revenue in the UK Dolls & Stuffed Toys market is projected to reach £880m in 2025, with an annual growth rate of 4.09% expected from 2025 to 2029. The company says Softies is perfectly positioned to meet this growing demand, emerging as a must-have for retailers across the UK.

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Jonathan Nelson and Christopher Campbell

NW1 Theatre School Limited, a Lytham St Annes performing arts education provider, has secured a five-figure investment from NPIF II-River Capital & GC Business Finance.

Founded in 2016 by Christopher Campbell, NW1 Theatre School has grown from an initial cohort of four students to more than 260 across its four sites. It provides comprehensive training in theatre, song, dance, and production, with programmes grounded in the prestigious LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) curriculum.

The funding will enable NW1 Theatre School to create 10 jobs across its four locations in Lytham St Annes, Blackpool, Kirkham, and Preston, increase marketing activity, and facilitate refurbishments. It will also allow for essential equipment purchases that will lead to an increase in its programmes, including the introduction of new dance classes, such as Acro and Jazz.

Christopher Campbell said: “This investment marks a significant milestone in NW1 Theatre School’s journey. It will allow us to enhance our facilities and expand our programme offerings, creating more opportunities for young people across Lancashire to develop their performing arts skills in an inclusive, supportive environment.”

Jonathan Nelson, Investment Manager at Liverpool-based River Capital, said: “NW1 Theatre School has shown impressive growth and demonstrates strong potential for further expansion. The social impact of their work is significant, providing inclusive performing arts education across different communities in Lancashire.”

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KR8 Advisory MDs

An established team of advisory-led restructuring professionals have launched KR8 Advisory, with offices in Manchester and London. The practice is led by eight Managing Directors, supported by an experienced team of turnaround professionals.

KR8 Advisory, which is rapidly recruiting across both offices and looking to expand into other key UK cities, is focused on delivering advice and support to clients across key areas including Business Advisory, Capital Advisory, Restructuring, Personal Insolvency and Real Estate.

Before launching KR8 Advisory, the team worked together for more than 10 years within the restructuring division of a global financial services business, from where they led the growth of the largest restructuring team within the North West.

The practice joins multi-disciplinary professional services firm, Bolton-based K3 Capital Group in the Restructuring division – one of four divisions, which also comprise Business Sales, Tax & Transaction Services and Technology Solutions.

The eight Managing Directors are: Annika Kisby, Paul Greenhalgh, Martin Gray, Jimmy Saunders, Paul Carter-Bell, Mike Lennon, David Fleming and Joanne Wright. David Fleming, Managing Director at KR8 Advisory, said: “I’m thrilled at the opportunity to work again with the team which has achieved so much success and built tremendous client relationships through providing excellent client service as trusted advisers to corporates and stakeholders across the UK.”

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James Cole

Chorley-based luxury cruise retailer, Panache Cruises, has expanded its team and reported a record start to 2025.

The company had a record-breaking 2024, growing turnover by more than 50% to more than £25m. January is a crucial month in the travel industry and Panache Cruises has seen a surge in bookings.

By the end of the third week in January 2025, the business had already surpassed its overall sales of January 2024. Sales have been strong all month with luxury ocean cruises being up by more than 60% versus last year. Long haul river cruises have seen triple digit growth.

To meet demand the firm has expanded its team in the UK by five to 62 and by two in the US to 10. Panache Cruises is targeting £100m turnover by 2027/28. The company is also investing £500,000 in additional office space at Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, in Lancashire, and larger premises in the US.

CEO James Cole, who launched Panache Cruises in 2020, said: “Along with the rest of the travel industry, January is a massive month for us as we see it as a springboard to the rest of the year. All the signs are that January and February will be record months for us with people booking cruises all the way through to 2027.”

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Barry Jackson

BGF, one of the largest and most experienced growth capital investors in the UK and Ireland, has invested £130m across the North of England in 2024 through a combination of new deals and follow-on investments supporting growth across the portfolio. 

In the North West, BGF backed software solutions business, Elite Dynamics; sports marketing company, Eleven Sports Media; construction tech firm Datascope Systems; IT solutions company, Evolve Business Group, and fire protection and facilities management business Besseges. BGF also made a follow-on investment into social media agency KOMI Group to support its international expansion and strategic M&A plans.

Barry Jackson, Regional Partner at BGF, said: “Reflecting on 2024, it’s encouraging to see the breadth of Northern deals across the North East, Humberside, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire, as well as our key city regions. It’s also been fantastic to see our investments being deployed into such a wide range of sectors, with a particularly high focus on technology over the last 12 months, cementing the North’s position as a powerhouse of innovation and a driving force in the UK’s tech industry.”

Across the region, BGF completed a number of strong exits in 2024. Highlights include the successful exit of BGF’s 12-year partnership from Yorkshire-headquartered Springfield Healthcare Group Ltd, securing one of the largest ever gains for BGF, and North West software company Driveworks which was acquired by Bechtle AG, a €6bn revenue tech group.

Jackson added: “Despite the economic pressures, we will see good businesses continue to thrive in 2025. We’re looking forward to building on our unique position in the market and backing more Northern businesses looking to scale.”

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Hundreds of children across deprived areas in Fylde, Blackpool and Wyre will gain crucial literacy skills following BAE Systems’ £61,000 donation to Fylde Rugby Community Foundation.

The funding, spread over three years, will enable the foundation to expand its Rugby Reading Champions programme in Lancashire. This partnership continues BAE Systems’ investment in community organisations and projects in the North West, which last year totalled more than £500,000.

Gareth Edwards, Finance Director, BAE Systems Air, said: “As a business in Lancashire, we have a duty to support the young people within our communities. We’re proud to be partnering with the Fylde Rugby Community Foundation and its Rugby Reading Champions programme, so more children can develop essential skills which will take them through their education and future careers.“

Last academic year, the programme was delivered in 15 primary schools across Blackpool and five primary schools in Fleetwood, delivering a one-hour literacy session and one-hour tag rugby session over the course of 10 weeks to 300 children in years five and six. 

Phill Mills, Foundation Manager, Fylde Rugby Community Foundation, said: “After the success we’ve seen over the past four years, it’s incredibly rewarding to see such tangible results. With the support of BAE Systems, we’re excited to expand the programme, reaching even more young people, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of children across the Fylde Coast.”