Free event for commercial property landlords
A free event offering practical advice to commercial property landlords is taking place in Carlisle in January.
Landlord Rights: What You Need to Know About Your Commercial Property will feature an expert panel from Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors and Dodd & Co offering advice on everything from drafting contracts to dealing with defaulting tenants.
The breakfast event takes place on Thursday 16th January at The Auctioneer on Rosehill Industrial Estate from 8am to 10.30am and includes networking and breakfast butties.
To book your place call Cartmell Shepherd on 01228 516666 or email rsvp@cartmells.co.uk
North West Family Business Awards 2025
Do you know an incredible family business that deserves to be recognised? Now’s your chance to shine a spotlight on their achievements!
There are a number of categories open to nominations - Categories - North West Family Business Awards
Nominations are open here
Digital Maturity Self-Assessment & Transformation Workshop
Tuesday 17th December - 9am to 12.30pm - University of Cumbria, Brampton Road Campus, Carlisle
Guest speaker: Sarah Woodhams, 30 years’ experience in IT and Manufacturing sectors and is now using this experience as a Technology Adoption Specialist for Made Smarter.
Are you ready to take your business to the next level?
Do you want to help amplify digital growth in our region?
Join the University of Cumbria’s Business Digital Maturity Self-Assessment and Transformation Workshop—a must-attend event for businesses at all stages of digital maturity.
The University of Cumbria, in partnership with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Enterprising Cumbria, is dedicated to helping regional businesses thrive through digital transformation. We want to understand your current digital capabilities and help you achieve your future goals.
What You’ll Gain:
Digital Maturity Assessment: Evaluate and discuss your business’s digital maturity.
Expert Insights: Gain valuable knowledge from guest speakers who have successfully implemented digital transformation in our region.
Strategic Action Plans: Develop actions and goals tailored to business, individual, and regional needs.
To find out more and register to attend click here
Money Talks: small business insights podcast
Money Talks: small business insights is a new podcast from the British Business Bank that gives practical tips from an accountant, commercial finance broker and lawyer to help smaller businesses navigate some of the most common questions they may have on their business journey.
Making business finance work for you guide
This guide from the British Business Bank is designed to help small businesses make an informed choice about accessing the right type of finance for their business.
You can access the guide here
Our Access to Finance adviser Maria Ramsdale is on hand to help businesses – drop an email to info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk to find out more about the range of support Maria can offer.
New rules for businesses selling to customers in Northern Ireland
New EU product safety rules are due to come into force in Northern Ireland from 13 December 2024. Under the EU General Product Safety Regulation, small businesses in Great Britain selling to customers in Northern Ireland will have to name a 'responsible person' based in Northern Ireland. They will be an official point of contact for product compliance and safety issues.
Read more about the regulation here
Driving International Trade Conference
On Thursday, 20 March 2025, British Chambers of Commerce are exited to host their inaugural Driving International Trade Conference in Central London. This exclusive, free-to-attend event is specifically designed for C-suite leaders and senior executives who are keen to expand their international presence and navigate the complexities of global trade.
The event is open to business owners and senior executives from a range of organisations, including:
Small and medium-sized businesses with the potential and capacity to scale up.
Businesses of any sector, revenue, and turnover that are looking to grow.
Spaces are limited, so complete the expression of interest form here as soon as possible. Eligible businesses will be sent a registration link upon meeting the criteria.
Borderlands Energy Investment Programme – Call for Projects
The Borderlands Energy Investment Programme aims to identify suitable projects from businesses and organisations in Westmorland & Furness and the wider Borderlands area who are considering significant and strategic investment in developing or improving commercial, community or domestic energy systems to help accelerate the region’s transition to net zero.
This investment will support carbon reduction, local businesses, skills development and the creation of local high value jobs. Capital funding of circa £1.5m to £3.5m per project is potentially available, with a full business case assessment to follow the expression of interest process. For more information click here
The Borderlands Energy Investment Programme is part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, a £452m partnership investing in sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the South of Scotland and North of England.
Poundland founder backs investment initiative to grow UK franchising
Poundland founder & entrepreneur Steven Smith is supporting a major investment initiative to support the growth of franchising in the UK.
Franchise Angels is the brainchild of Joel Bissitt, a leading franchising entrepreneur & founder of Infinity Business Growth Network, Franchise UK & the Quality Franchise Association.
Ian Townsend, an entrepreneur, COO of the Quality Franchise Association & franchising legal expert makes up this impressive trinity of entrepreneurs.
Franchise Angels will invest in ambitious businesses with a proven business model & strong branding. Working alongside business owners they will provide comprehensive support to assist with franchising the businesses, ongoing operational support & exit strategy. Businesses will be selected to pitch to the Franchise Angels at a "Dragons Den" style event following a successful application.
To find out more and apply click here.
Heathrow Relaunches Grant Programme for Exporters
Heathrow Airport is relaunching its World of Opportunity Programme which helps exporters get their goods and services sold in international markets.
The initiative offers £2,000 grants to 12 SMEs (one per UK region/nation) to aid in trade missions, research and training.
The programme is open until Monday 23rd December, and 12 applicants will be chosen by a panel of experts.
You can find out more and register here
British Business Bank announces new funding programme
The British Business Bank has launched the Community ENABLE Funding programme, which will support up to £150 million of lending over the next two years. The programme is aimed primarily at Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and will increase the supply of debt finance to smaller businesses.
Read more about the programme here
Finance code to support disabled entrepreneurs
The Government has launched a new code to break down barriers and increase access to finance for disabled-led businesses. Under the Disability Finance Code for Entrepreneurship, banks will offer accessible and practical support for disabled founders, such as mentoring, networking events, finance readiness education and business planning.
Read more about the code here
Fair Payment Code launched
A Fair Payment Code has been launched by the Small Business Commissioner to address problems with late payments. The code introduces a gold, silver and bronze system to reward best payment practices and help smaller firms identify reliable and trusted partners. It aims to boost cash flow for small businesses by tackling late payments and lengthy payment terms that can lead to financial strain and business failure.
Read more about the code here
Guide to energy management and net zero
edie has published a guide to energy management and net zero for small and medium-sized businesses. The guide identifies some of the first steps small businesses can take to improve energy management and create sustainable strategies for cutting carbon and reducing costs.
Read more about the guide here
