Cumbrian businesses continue to grow and develop despite Covid-19 restrictions and multiple lockdowns. There’s also been an increased interest in self-employment with a number of new businesses successfully launching during lockdowns.
Cumbria Business Growth Hub has supported more than 18,000 businesses across the county since its launch in 2011. The Growth Hub is now urging businesses who have not yet benefitted from support to get in touch.
With a great range of flexible, business led support on offer from one to one business adviser support from a range of experienced and knowledgeable business owners, free workshops or a part funded subsidy for specialist consultancy support. Also included is Cumbria Forum, run by Lancaster University Management School, which helps business leaders hone their management and leadership skills.
The Growth Hub should be the first port of call for business support in the county, whether that’s those thinking of starting a business, young businesses looking for direction and support to grow, access to peer networks and international trade support right through to established businesses looking to develop and grow or access supply chain opportunities. And if the Growth Hub can’t help directly, we can signpost to wider business support.
Much of the support offered is free thanks to funding from Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and its partners Carlisle City Council, Penrith Industrial BID, Sellafield Ltd., South Lakeland District Council, Lancaster University Management School and the European Regional Development Fund.
Suzanne Caldwell, Managing Director of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, and lead partner of the Growth Hub said: “Thousands of businesses throughout the county have benefited from the Growth Hub. And there’s probably never been a more important time to access all the help you can get to address the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities.
“There’s a great range of support available and, on top of what we deliver directly, the Growth Hub can link you into what’s most appropriate to you – whether we deliver it or someone else does. So you can concentrate on your business and don’t have to spend time looking for what help’s out there”
Joyce Hadwin of R B Woodall Ltd said: “Support through Cumbria Business Growth Hub enabled us to purchase new equipment. Our adviser was an enormous support, assisting with all aspects of our grant application.”
Dee Ashman of Predator Experience said: “The assistance provided by our adviser was practical and always professional. We would highly recommend any young business take advantage of this essential service.”
Darius Darwell received a subsidy from the Growth Hub: “It’s been a challenging year to start a drinks business so when I was offered a subsidy from the Growth Hub, it couldn’t have come at a better time. We used the capital injection to support a PR campaign and it has been a huge success.”
Full details of all these schemes are on the Growth Hub website: https://cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk/
