6.13 The Blackpool and wider Fylde Coast area is a key part of the Lancashire economy but one which faces significant challenges. GVA in the Blackpool NUTS3 area totalled £1.7bn in 2008, 7.4% of sub-regional GVA. Growth has been minimal relative to other NUTS 3 areas over the period 2000 to 2008 (17.6% compared to 50% nationally). More recently, growth has out stripped that of only Sefton in a North West context.