'Penwortham is already a vibrant, bustling place' New Town team has its first meeting
The inaugural meeting of the newly established Penwortham Town Team has taken place with a pledge to ‘bring people together’.
The ‘Town Team’ was formed following conversations MP Paul Foster held with local business owners, who expressed a strong desire to work more collaboratively to develop events and activities that boost trade and strengthen community engagement across the town.
More than 20 people attended the meeting, including representatives from Penwortham Town Council, South Ribble Borough Council, and Paul Foster MP’s office.
At the meeting, two co-chairs were elected to help shape and drive the team’s vision - Liam Stemson, Co-Founder of Fairham Gin and Fairham’s Bar, and Carol Rialas, owner of Lime Bar. Their role will be to lead the development of initiatives that attract more visitors to Penwortham while supporting the local economy.
Liam co-founded Fairham Gin in 2021 alongside his business partner Ellis McKeown, with Fairham’s Bar launching in 2023. He said: “Penwortham is already a vibrant, bustling place with so much to offer, and that’s a big part of why I’m so passionate about becoming Co-Chair.
“We have an incredible mix of independent businesses, a strong sense of community, and a town that people genuinely enjoy spending time in. What excites me most about the introduction of a Penwortham Town Team is the opportunity to elevate that even further—bringing people together, supporting local businesses, and creating initiatives and events that attract more visitors into the area all year round.”
Carol brings over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to running her own venue, she worked as a National Director for a large corporate leisure company, specialising in business development and event management.
She said: “Having lived and worked in the area for many years, I’ve had the pleasure of watching Penwortham grow and evolve over the past decade. I got involved with the Town Team because I’m passionate about the local community and want to see Penwortham continue to thrive.
“We already have some fantastic events, such as Penwortham Live and the Christmas markets, but I’d love to see even more happening throughout the year—taking inspiration from places like Leyland—to bring people together and support local businesses.”
The Town Team is now looking to build on this momentum, with future meetings planned and opportunities for others to get involved. The group is currently seeking a secretary, a treasurer, and additional volunteers.
Looking ahead, the team will work closely with Penwortham Town Council, South Ribble Borough Council, the MP’s office, and other stakeholders. Their shared goal is to ensure that businesses thrive and that Penwortham continues to flourish as a vibrant and welcoming town.