Motorway at night

News

Useful information, resources & available funding….

Get your hands on a free £500

Businesses in the Westmorland & Furness Council area (except what was Barrow Borough Council) can still apply for £500 to help towards the cost of working with a consultant of their choice – funds however are going fast with a significant number of applications being received and approved.

Businesses can apply for £500 to use towards a whole range of consultancy support for work including:

  • Accountancy – operating more cost effectively and/or adapting to the changes in agricultural funding
  • Legal – Farm & property sales & purchase, partnership matters & disputes, Landlord & tenant law, Basic Payment Scheme & other grant schemes, agricultural wills & succession planning
  • Insurance – reviews, risk assessments, valuations
  • Planning – planning advice, preparing planning applications and helping farming businesses use Agricultural Permitted Development Rights to support farm growth and diversification
  • Architectural planning and design service
  • Marketing – plans, campaigns, website development, PR
  • Agricultural consultancy – specialised advice, support and guidance

You can also use the voucher scheme to fund the majority of our six month’s mentoring programme (£395 +VAT would remain). Having previously supported food & drink businesses under the pilot programme you’d be mad not to consider applying while funds still remain.

No match funding is needed but businesses can choose to add more. We can however only fund work that has yet to start. It’s a really simple application process with only one quote needed (two if applying for over £2,000) and the voucher is paid directly to the business.

Anyone interested in applying should call 0844 2478450 or email info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk

Greening Businesses Scheme

Funded by Westmorland & Furness Council and delivered by the CBEN Partnership, the Greening Business Scheme is now open to applications. Businesses have until 29th November to apply, and must be an SME, located within the W&F area and looking for ways to make their business more environmentally friendly. Successful applicants will receive a free energy audit and carbon footprint report which can be used to implement energy saving opportunities, cut costs and reduce the carbon footprint of the business.

Anyone interested in finding out more and applying need to click here

Zero Carbon Cumbria – Low Food Carbon pages

Whether you’re a farmer, producer, business, chef or home cook this hub is for you!

The aim of the Low Carbon Food Programme is to create a wider awareness of the carbon impact of producing and serving food, and to subsequently encourage people to create, source and enjoy more carbon friendly meals.

Find lots of case studiesexternal resources, inspiration and tips for food related carbon reduction actions and cost efficiency, including alternative recipes, ingredients and supportive networks.

Festive fun, food, drink and more at Taste Cumbria Christmas

Taste Cumbria Christmas is back in Cockermouth on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December and there’s a fabulous festive weekend in store.

From producers’ stalls packed with food, drink, crafts and homewares, to family entertainment including a visit from Santa, a snow globe, children’s book and film characters, and fairground rides, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Click here to read more