Through the Cumbria Accelerator programme delivered on behalf of Enterprising Cumbria we have three two-hour training sessions running in January.

Growth and Opening New Revenue Channels

Date: Wednesday 14th of January 2026
Time: 10am to 12noon
Venue: Online

In today’s dynamic retail landscape, growth requires more than just optimizing existing operations—it demands strategic exploration of new revenue channels. This training session is designed to equip you with the insights and tools to identify, evaluate, and activate new opportunities for your business.

What You’ll Learn:

• Understanding the Retail Environment
  Explore the full spectrum of retail channels—from traditional brick-and-mortar to emerging digital platforms—and understand how each can serve different customer segments.
• Evaluating Channel Opportunities
  Learn a structured approach to assess which channels align with your business goals, customer needs, and operational capabilities.
• Actionable Tips for Channel Activation

Gain practical guidance on how to start trading in new channels, optimize performance, and avoid common pitfalls that can hinder success.

Whether you're looking to expand into marketplaces, social commerce, or direct-to-consumer models, this training will help you think strategically and act decisively.

Book your place now

How to Use AI to Save Time Marketing Your Business

Date: Thursday 15th January
Time: 10am to 12noon
Price: Free
Venue: Online

Marketing is one of the most essential, yet time-consuming parts of running a business. But with the right tools and approach, it doesn’t have to take over your day.

This session will help business owners discover how to use AI to save time, spark creativity, and make their marketing work harder. You’ll learn how to use AI tools confidently and effectively, so you can focus more on running your business and less on staring at a blank screen.

• By the end of this 2-hour session, you’ll be able to:
• Understand how AI can (and can’t) assist in marketing your business
• Identify and use time-saving AI tools to plan, write, and design content quickly
• Boost creativity and confidence in your marketing approach
• Recognise the common pitfalls of AI, how to spot them, and how to avoid them
• Analyse performance and track success using AI-powered insights and reports
• Use AI ethically and safely

NOTE: It is advisable that delegates have a basic understanding of social media, although the course will include an overview of the essentials.

Book here – only 3 places remaining

Boost Your Bookings: A 2-Hour Deep Dive to Grow Sales, Revenue & Repeat Business

Date: Wednesday 28th January
Time: 10am to 12noon
Price: Free
Venue: Online

Running a small accommodation business means juggling a lot — and marketing often gets pushed down the list. This practical, hands-on session is designed to help you take control of your bookings, revenue, and repeat business without overwhelm.

You’ll learn how to audit your business, identify growth opportunities, and create a simple marketing plan using easy-to-use tools — including AI and social media — to save time and boost results.

• By the end of this 2-hour session, you’ll be able to:
• Understand how a business audit can reveal hidden opportunities
• Review the 3 key areas that impact bookings: visibility, pricing, and guest experience
• Create a simple, effective social media strategy using Meta Business Suite
• Use AI tools to write content, respond to guests, and generate ideas quickly
• Turn audit insights into practical actions that increase revenue
• Build a 3-step action plan tailored to your business
• Leave with templates, planners, and tools to keep improving month after month

Book here

You can only book to attend one of the above sessions. As the sessions are fully funded you will be required to meet with the trainer to complete the necessary paperwork in a 1 hour 1-2-1 session.

If the above don’t fit with your current needs there’s one to one adviser support still available until the end of January. Perhaps you’ve had a chance to digest the updates from the recent Autumn statement and are beginning to consider the impact on your business. You don’t need to navigate these changes on your own.

Cumbria Business Growth Hub can offer free one-to-one adviser support to help you plan your next steps. Whether a review of your HR policies and procedures feels timely, or you’re exploring new bidding and tendering opportunities, we have experienced advisers in these areas—and many others—ready to offer guidance.

So what’s stopping you? Reach out today, and let’s put plans in place to stay ahead as you start planning for January 2026. To express interest in support email info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk