£500 available for consultancy support
Businesses in Cumbria can access £500 which can be used towards working with a consultant of your choosing.
Work funded includes website design/refresh, images, marketing, SEO, legal, accountancy, planning, funding application, mentoring support…….. basically anything you would pay a consultant to support you with we can give you £500 towards.
There is some paperwork to complete but we’ve keep it as straightforward as possible and you only need to get one quote for work under £2,000.
Email info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk for further details
Launching soon – refreshed Cumbria Business Growth Hub website
We’re delighted to be working with Andrew Armitage from A Digital on a new look website for Cumbria Business Growth Hub. The website will be much easier to navigate with a new look and feel.
We hope to launch in November!
New data protection audit framework launched
The Information Commissioner’s Office has launched a new audit framework to help organisations assess compliance with key data protection requirements. The framework enables organisations to identify necessary steps to improve their data protection practices and provides a starting point to evaluate how they handle and protect personal information.
Read more about the framework here
Vinted Pro launches in the UK
Businesses can now register on Vinted as professional sellers for the first time. When signing up for a Vinted account, businesses will be able to declare themselves as a Pro Seller and create their own terms and conditions. Existing business sellers will be contacted by Vinted and asked to upgrade their account.
Read more about the change here
Councils submit devolution response
Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council have recently submitted an Expression of Interest (EoI) to the UK Government – based on their commitment to exploring devolution for their areas.
The joint submission said: “We recognise the opportunity presented by the Government’s devolution agenda to help drive forward inclusive and sustainable economic growth and are agreed that this expression of interest seeks to build on the existing working relationship on the Cumbria geographic footprint. This reflects our shared history and areas of strategic interest, as well as the reality of current devolution arrangements in our neighbouring geographies.”
You can read more here
Free landlords’ training event
Landlords can benefit from a wealth of free training, courtesy of Cumberland Council.
The Council are providing the training to property landlords in the area, with the support of the National Residential Landlords Association.
The event will take place on Friday 25 October, from 9.30am until 4.30pm at Allerdale House, Workington.
For further details and to book click here
UK Shared Prosperity Fund – Town Centre and High Street Grants
Priority B grants – 50% of the costs (max £5,000) are still open for applications. The deadline to apply is Thursday 31 October 2024 so get your applications in soon!
Funding is available to landlords and businesses within the centre boundaries of Aspatria, Brampton, Carlisle, Cleator Moor, Cockermouth, Dalston, Egremont, Keswick, Longtown, Maryport, Millom, Silloth, Whitehaven, Wigton and Workington.
This is a discretionary grant for businesses that can demonstrate that they contribute to the vitality of the high street. Grants will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Council launches new ‘Go Green’ collection in libraries
Westmorland and Furness Council’s libraries launch new ‘Go Green’ collection of books aimed at inspiring local community to take meaningful climate action.
Click here to read more
Survey shows high confidence within Westmorland and Furness business sector
Almost two thirds of respondents to Westmorland and Furness Council’s first business premises survey are confident about the next 12 months.
You can read more here
Future Trends & Innovation Conference
Thursday 21st November 2024, Low Wood Bay Resort
Cumbria Tourism’s extra special Autumn Members’ Meeting is the showpiece event of their 50th Anniversary year and is all about the future of tourism, equipping your business with the must have knowledge and skills you need to embrace new ideas and technologies – and enter 2025 with renewed confidence for the future.
Join them for an inspirational and insightful day as you hear from expert speakers exploring the future trends and innovations set to transform tourism and hospitality in the coming months and years.
A fantastic line-up of inspirational speakers now confirmed includes:
- CEO of UKHospitality, Kate Nicholls OBE – Responding to a changing workforce
- President of the NFU, Tom Bradshaw – Sustainable food futures
- Director of Content at Foresight Factory, Dominic Harrison – Future visitor trends
- Head of Policy at Bitcoin Policy UK, Freddie New – Innovation in the workplace
- CEO of Digital Tourism Think Tank, Nick Hall – Future visitor trends
- CEO of ‘You. Smart. Thing.’ Chris Thompson – Rethinking travel & transport
- Director of Hampton Manor, James Hill – Sustainable food futures
Plus, specialist facilitators supporting debate and panel discussions throughout the day will include England Director at VisitBritain, Andrew Stokes OBE.
You’ll also see first-hand demonstrations of the technology being developed to help tomorrow’s visitors to experience and interact with leading destinations like the Lake District, Cumbria in creative new ways.
Importantly, hear from the next generation of tourism talent who will share their predictions about the future of the industry at this unique event too, with all proceeds going towards Cumbria Tourism’s 50th Anniversary Charitable Fund – set up in conjunction with Cumbria Community Foundation. It’s all about kickstarting training and careers in tourism and hospitality, and helping tackle the recruitment and retention challenges facing our industry.
There will also be plenty of time for networking with other members, suppliers, speakers and panellists, plus refreshments throughout the day including a two course lunch.
To book your ticket click here
Age Friendly Employers and Business
In celebration of the International Day for Older People (1 October), Cumberland Council are proud to announce the formation of a dedicated Age Friendly Board to support services for residents aged 50 and over. This important initiative marks a key step in the journey for Age Friendly Cumberland, a place where older people can live healthy, active, and fulfilling lives.
Alongside Age UK the Council aim to also highlight the importance of organisations becoming age-friendly employers and businesses, promoting practices that welcome and support older employees and customers alike.
As the population ages, it is increasingly vital for businesses and organisations to adopt age-friendly practices that meet the needs of older employees and customers. Becoming an age-friendly employer involves recognising the unique strengths and challenges that older workers bring to the workplace.
Organisations are encouraged to implement flexible working arrangements, training and development opportunities, and supportive policies that allow older employees to remain in the workforce for as long as they wish. By doing so, businesses can harness the experience, expertise, and loyalty of older workers, fostering a more diverse and resilient workforce.
In addition to supporting older employees, businesses can also benefit by becoming age-friendly to their customers. Age-friendly businesses prioritise accessibility, with clear signage, accessible facilities, and customer service that is sensitive to the needs of older patrons. These businesses not only contribute to the well-being of older individuals but also open themselves up to a growing market of older consumers who value organisations that understand and cater to their needs.
The Council remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where people can thrive regardless of age. They invite residents, organisations, and businesses across the region to join them in celebrating the International Day for Older People by supporting these initiatives and helping to build a stronger, more age-friendly community for everyone.
For more information or to get involved, please contact Joanna Coleman at joanna.coleman@cumberland.gov.uk
British Chambers of Commerce Employment Trends Report 2024
For businesses to succeed they need engaged and skilled workforces. That’s why it’s crucial that employment trends are closely monitored as the economy evolves.
The BCCs award-winning Insights Unit has unrivalled access to tens of thousands of businesses in our Chamber Network. Every week their researchers are talking to companies the length and breadth of the UK. As part of BCCs ongoing partnership with Pertemps they have published the Employment Trends Report 2024 focusing on the skills businesses need for the future, what employees need from employers and how businesses are coping with the increasing role of AI.
You can download the report here
Sustainable infrastructure an energy trade mission to the UAE
UK businesses are invited to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) for a trade mission to the UAE, designed for businesses who operate in sustainable infrastructure, energy and associated supply chains.
Running from Monday 25th to Friday 29th November the mission programme will provide you with an exclusive package of support, designed to facilitate connections with key buyers and decision makers in the UAE and beyond.
Find out more and register here
Cost: Free. Delegates are required to book and pay for their own, travel, accommodation, and in-market expenses.
Late payment support for small businesses
The Government has announced measures to support small businesses and the self-employed by tackling late payments. The measures include a new Fair Payment Code and a requirement for large businesses to include payment reporting in their annual reports.
Read more about the measures here
New Industrial Strategy to be published in 2025
The Chancellor has announced that a new Industrial Strategy will be published in Spring 2025. The strategy will focus on delivering long-term change by breaking down barriers to regional growth and building a secure and resilient economy. A green paper will be published in October 2024 outlining the long-term sectoral growth and priority industries, ahead of the final strategy which will be published following a consultation with business.
Read more about the announcement here
Apprenticeship Levy to be replaced
The Government has announced that a new growth and skills levy will replace the existing Apprenticeship Levy. The growth and skills levy will allow funding for shorter apprenticeships, giving learners and employers greater flexibility over their training than under the existing system.
Read more about the new levy here
Co-op launches accelerator scheme
Co-op has announced a brand accelerator scheme alongside its Apiary incubator programme to boost brand development and growth for smaller suppliers. The accelerator scheme is open to both new and existing suppliers and will provide access to learning opportunities and buyer support.
Read more about the scheme here
New start date for Skills Bootcamps
Delivered by the University of Cumbria, the start date for two of their Skills Bootcamps have been pushed back, further details are below.
Skills Bootcamp in Supply Chain & Procurement – Starting 22nd October
Further details can be found here
Skills Bootcamp in Leadership & Management for the Visitor Economy – Starting 11th November
Further details can be found here
To apply click here
CITB drop in clinic
Are you a construction employer who has taken on an apprentice?
Carlisle College are holding several drop-in clinics where employers can meet with Carlisle’s local CITB advisors and Carlisle College apprenticeship experts to discuss all things funding, training and apprenticeships.
Please note: your apprentice must be enrolled to claim any grants through CITB.
The sessions take place on Thursday 21st November and Tuesday 14th January from 4pm to 5.30pm.
If you have any questions please email apprenticeships@carlisle.ac.uk
Warm Spots Fund now open
Cumbria Community Foundation working in partnership with Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council is pleased to be able to offer grants of up to £500 to community groups and venues offering a place for people to go and keep warm this winter.
Funding can be used to cover energy bills, additional staff time, volunteer expenses, provision of drinks and venue hire, as well as other relevant costs.
To find out more click here