Eden District Council’s Hardship Fund
This fund has been set up to support businesses in the Eden, North Pennines and Ullswater who can demonstrate that they are in significant financial need due to their individual circumstances.
Businesses seeking support of this kind will be first referred to Red Kite who will assess the business on the Council’s behalf and put forward a recommendation for what kind and level of support package should be offered.
Contact Charlie Thornton (Economic Development Officer at Eden District Council) on 01768 212181 or email charles.thornton@eden.gov.uk
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce also has funding through Eden District Council to be able to offer businesses in Eden a year’s free Chamber membership giving access to a great range of money saving member services and events/networking opportunities. To find out more or express your interest please email info@cumbriachamber.co.uk
Storm Arwen Community Resilience Fund
Communities throughout the North West have an opportunity to be awarded a share of £500,000 through a fund designed to improve resilience.
The region’s power network operator, Electricity North West, has launched a new Storm Arwen Community Resilience Fund and is now welcoming applications.
The fund is aimed at groups and organisations which supported communities throughout one of the worst storms the North West has ever seen.
Grants of up to £10,000 are being made available and in exceptional circumstances, grants of up to £15,000 will be considered.
The fund is eligible to local volunteer-led organisations, not-for-profit community organisations, local registered charities and parish councils. Examples of projects supported could be permanently installed generators, new or improved hot food and drink facilities or an improved community communications hub.
For more information about the fund including criteria please click here
A hand-up for start-ups: 33,000 new loans for small businesses as £900 million government scheme widened
The Business Secretary has widened eligibility of Start Up Loans scheme to businesses trading for up to 3 years.
- Start-Up Loans of up to £25,000 now available to start-ups that have been trading for up to 3 years, up from 2 years
- New ‘second’ loans available for businesses that have been trading for up to 5 years
- Loans to provide much-needed support for the UK’s innovators and entrepreneurs
Start Up Loans provide a fixed interest rate of 6% as well as mentoring, support and funding to aspiring business owners across the UK, providing support to those who might find it difficult to secure loans from traditional lenders.
Anyone interested in applying or finding out more please email info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk – we have a wealth of experience within our adviser team and also through our Access to Finance service.
CLEP Innovating for Success programme
Delivered by Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, Innovating for Success is a new £1m grant programme focused on supporting projects in private sector Cumbria SMEs that:
- Support additional or enhanced innovation in SMEs in Cumbria
- Contribute to carbon reductions in Cumbrian SMEs (ie reduction on the carbon footprint of business activity including energy usage)
Innovation – Minimum grant of £20,000 up to £50,000 at 50% of total eligible project costs
Type of eligible expenditure includes staff costs; training support; plant and equipment (including IT hardware and software)
De-carbonisation – Minimum grant of £10,000 up to £20,000 at 33.3% of total eligible project costs
Type of eligible expenditure covers expenditure directly leading to a reduced carbon footprint from the business’s activities including renewable energy generation.
Expressions of Interest are now open until 28th October – to request an EOI form and guidance notes please email info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk – we’re also able to help with the completion of the EOI and the grant application if successful.
CITB drop in clinics
CITB are running a drop in clinic at Carlisle College – advice session for construction based industries to find out more about apprenticeship grants, funding, training and more.
Tuesday 25th October – 4pm to 5.30pm
Sign up for Making Tax Digital for VAT
If you’re a VAT registered business, from 1st November you’ll only be able to submit your quarterly or monthly VAT returns suing Making Tax Digital (MTD) compatible software.
You won’t be able to use your existing VAT online account anymore. To make sure you’re ahead of the deadline and compliant click here