Managing grant funding schemes on behalf of Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Councils (UKSPF and REPF) we’ve been able to provide vital and transformative financial support to over 450 businesses by distributing a number of grant funding pots and £500 consultancy vouchers.
Read below to see how grant funding has helped 3 businesses.
Papaya Trading founded in 2014, is a wholesale furniture business based just outside Kirkby Lonsdale. The company specialises in manufacturing and importing high-quality indoor oak furniture and garden furniture. With a broad customer base ranging from small family-run shops and garden centres to major retailers like Wayfair, Papaya Trading has established itself as a key player in the UK furniture wholesale market.
Having experienced significant growth Papaya needed a way of transporting samples to potential clients to let them see the product up close without having to travel to Cumbria. The business also needed a reliable method of delivering orders to their new customers in the South.
Co-owner of Papaya Trading, Sarah Crombie, decided to purchase a new van and contacted Cumbria Business Growth Hub about grant funding support.
The grant enabled Sarah to purchase a specialist Maxi Mover furniture delivery van and since acquiring the van in September, Papaya Trading has already seen significant benefits. The ability to showcase furniture samples to customers directly is expected to contribute to a £1 million increase in turnover. The van has also been used for deliveries and is expected to deliver further benefit during peak-season in April and May.
Read the full story here
West Port is a leading manufacturer of high-performance timber windows and doors, based in Maryport. Established in 1997, the company has grown from a small joinery workshop into a nationally renowned manufacturing business.
Today, West Port operates from a 175,000-square-foot, purpose-built facility, supplying products to a wide range of clients, including Center Parcs, public sector organisations, and luxury hotels across the UK.
After more than 20 years of operation, some of its equipment had aged significantly, make it less productive and energy efficient.
This impact on productivity was compounded in recent years by rising energy costs which placed further pressure on the business. West Port’s annual electricity bill has substantially increased.
To address these challenges, West Port decided to upgrade some of its older machinery, starting with its CNC machine. One of the most important pieces of equipment to the fire door business, the CNC machine is used for making precision cuts in wood to produce doors.
Now in operation, the new CNC machine is already having a huge impact on the business. With the support of this grant, West Port has ensured it can continue to meet the growing demand for its products, while reducing operational costs and energy usage.
Read the full story here
Larch Cottage Nurseries, an independent family business based in Melkinthorpe near Penrith, was founded in 1985 by Cumbrian landscape designer Peter Stott. Initially established to grow hardy plants for Peter’s landscaping business, the nursery has since flourished into a renowned visitor destination.
In recent years, Peter has been working to reduce the nursery’s environmental impact by transitioning away from peat-based compost. This aligns with the UK Government’s directive to phase out peat use due to its carbon emissions.
The transition has been particularly challenging for Larch Cottage which specialises in rare, acid-loving plants which traditionally rely on peat-based compost.
Peter explored alternative solutions and landed on a soil sterilising machine as the answer. This equipment removes weeds and pathogens from old compost using steam, allowing it to be recycled. This removes the need to continuously produce new peat-based compost.
Thanks to grant support, Peter was able to commission a prototype soil sterilising machine. At 8 meters long, it is significantly smaller than traditional machines, making it well-suited to the nursery’s needs.
The machine is now undergoing trials, with its output being compared to traditional peat-based compost. Peter anticipates that within the year, Larch Cottage will fully transition away from using peat.
This investment has already made a significant impact on the business. By reducing carbon emissions, Larch Cottage Nurseries is able to support the Government’s sustainability goals; while maintaining the high-quality compost it needs to produce hardy plants.
Read the full story here
Lesley Robinson, Head of Business Support at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce commented: “We’re thrilled to see the real impact that grant funding has had on so many businesses within Cumbria. Supporting businesses to expand, innovate, create jobs, and strengthen their market position is exactly what Cumbria Business Growth Hub is here to do. I’d encourage any business looking for support to check out our website: www.cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk.Further funding will be available from 1st April and we’ll continue to share good news stories over the coming weeks and months.”
