We’ve already got some great training and programmes arranged, all with a focus on business survival.

Ignite Your Brand: Build your Blueprint for Growth! 

Date: Tuesday 15^th July 2025
Time: 10am to 3pm followed by optional networking (lunch and refreshments included)
Price: Fully funded by Cumberland Council 
Venue: The Library, The Halston, Warwick Road, Carlisle, CA1 1AB

Ready to make your Cumbrian business truly shine? 

Has your amazing business ever blended into the background more than you’d prefer? 

Ever feel like your passion isn't quite translating into customer loyalty? You're not alone! 

Many SMEs focus on what they do, but forget the magic of who they are and why it matters. Join us for an exciting, super-practical day designed to transform your business from "just another option" to a must-have brand! This isn't about fancy logos (though we'll touch on them), it's about building a compelling identity that attracts your ideal customers, builds unwavering trust, and sets you up for growth. Get ready to ignite your brand, discover your unique sparkle, and create a blueprint that keeps customers coming back for more.

What Will You Take Away? Not just theory; it's a hands-on, actionable and enjoyable day. 

You'll leave with:

• Brand Brilliance Unlocked: understand what a brand truly means (it's more than a pretty logo) and why it's your secret weapon for competitive advantage
• Your Brand's DNA Defined: Dig deep to uncover your business's true purpose, core values, and pinpoint who your absolute ideal customers are. No more guessing games!
• Message Mastery: Learn to craft irresistible, consistent messages that truly connect with your audience across every touchpoint
• Actionable Brand Power-Ups: Discover smart, low-cost (and even free) ways to weave your brand into your marketing and customer experience, making every interaction count
• Your Personal Growth Blueprint: You won't just learn; you'll do. Start building a clear, tailored action plan to immediately apply these insights to your business

Delivered by Richard Dancy - Richard is a seasoned brand strategist with a wealth of experience across the board. Richard has worked for and with global powerhouses like Pepsi, Walkers Crisps, LVMH and L'Oréal, bringing that big-brand thinking to Cumbria with businesses including James Cropper, Hogarths and Barking Mad. Richard's passion lies in demystifying branding and empowering businesses of all sizes to build strong, compelling identities that truly resonate. His practical approach ensures you'll leave with actionable insights you can implement immediately.

With only 3 places remaining book here 

Business survival programme delivered by Box Box Solutions

Take Control – Get Cash Flowing – Move Forward

If you’re lying awake worrying about money, struggling to make decisions, or feeling like you’ve lost a grip on your business, this four day in person programme is for you.

Over 4 powerful sessions, you’ll tackle the four things that actually shift a small business out of survival mode:

1. Understanding your cash

2. Bringing in the right clients

3. Selling with purpose (not panic)

4. And turning it all into a 90-day action plan

You’ll get practical support with:

• Reading and understanding your Profit & Loss (no accountant needed)

• Creating a simple cash flow forecast that tells you what’s coming

• Identifying urgent gaps, and fast actions to fill them

• Clarifying your message and packages so they attract paying clients

• Sales tools that feel authentic and doable

• A 90-day plan that gives you structure, direction and calm

This is for you if:

• You’re constantly firefighting and feel like you’re making it up as you go along

• You know you need leads and sales by don’t have a clear plan to get them

• You’ve lost confidence in your ability to move forward

• You just want someone to help you focus and show you where to start

This isn’t ‘just survive and hope’

This is Get clear, get clients, get cash and get moving again.

To express your interest in this 4 day programme email Lesley Robinson – lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk 

ON iT programme delivered by Thomas Jardine & Co

Are you a Cumberland business looking to strengthen your leadership resilience and build a business plan that works in today’s evolving landscape? 

We are launching an exclusive programme designed to support you in navigating change, making strategic decisions, and ensuring long-term success.

We will bring together a cohort of 10 businesses, creating a unique opportunity to work on individual plans while benefiting from peer learning and expert guidance. Over several months, Thomas Jardine & Co will lead you through a structured mix of face to face and online peer sessions, strategic one-on-one discussions, and targeted business insights designed to keep your business adaptable and future focused.

What to expect

We begin with an in-person onboarding session, where participants scope out their opportunities and establish meaningful connections with fellow business leaders. This sets the foundation for a collaborative and supportive learning environment.

Following this, we facilitate three online peer group sessions, encouraging mutual support, shared progress, and fresh perspectives on leadership and business planning. A dedicated online group chat ensures ongoing discussions, keeping ideas and momentum flowing between sessions.

We will complete the journey with an in-person celebration session where we will set plans for your business’s future.

To provide tailored guidance, each business will receive a three-hour, one-on-one strategic planning session, either face-to-face or as three separate one-hour online discussions. These sessions will help refine business strategies, strengthen decision-making, and create practical action plans.

Below are some quotes from food & drink businesses who took part in a similar programme, this programme is open to any business sector and we encourage a diverse range of businesses to come forward to express interest.

“I found that as a group you really helped us trust and feel like we were in a safe space to talk about our business, the bit that surprised me the most was how much I actually got from working with the lego! I feel like I left the programme with the tools to move forward my ideas.” Amanda Wilson (Pie Mill)

“Before the course I hadn’t spent time with other food business owners, and it was a great source of comfort and inspiration to see that we all face similar challenges and obstacles. Jacqui and Keith are so friendly and extremely knowledgeable in the field of business. I’ve learned lots of new strategies and the programme has motivated me to accomplish goals faster and more efficiently. The one to one’s were very useful in discussing areas I needed advice on. I look forward to keeping in touch with everyone I’ve met and am very grateful to Jacqui and Keith for the opportunity. It’s been a valuable experience for me and my business.” Gill Hutton (Nacho Nacho)

“Being part of a peer group has been invaluable and has enabled me to grow through discussion and active problem solving. Our group was diverse, but everyone was keen to learn so we could all prosper. Jacqui and Keith were always supportive and have amazing connections in the food and drink industry which they generously shared.” Kathryn Graves (The Toffee Shop)

Take the next step in your business journey

This is your opportunity to develop a business plan that works, strengthen your leadership resilience and collaborate with a cohort of like-minded Cumberland business owners. Join us on this journey and gain the insights, skills, and connections needed to navigate change with confidence.

Express your interest in joining this programme by emailing lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk – only 10 places available. This programme is free thanks to funding by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through Cumberland Council.

Sign up today and future-proof your business – let’s move forward together!