Invitation to Disability Confident Event
Julie Minns MP, Carlisle and North Cumbria and DWP would like to invite you to a free Disability Confident employer event on 3rd October at Cumbria House, 117 Botchergate, Carlisle, CA1 1RD from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
The event will explore how businesses can benefit from inclusive recruitment and workplace practices. This engaging session will provide practical insights into becoming a Disability Confident employer, helping you attract and retain talented individuals while fostering a more diverse and supportive working environment. Whether you're just starting your Disability Confident journey or looking to progress to the next level, this event offers valuable guidance, networking opportunities, and real-life success stories.
You can read more and book your place here
UK Export Finance (UKEF) Supplier Fair: Solar Power Project in Türkiye
UKEF in partnership with ECC Environmental (UK) Ltd, is hosting a Supplier Fair for a major solar power project in Türkiye.
This event gives UK businesses the opportunity to supply goods and services to the project, with sessions covering procurement, project briefings, and networking opportunities.
UKEF will also provide guidance on how they can help firms win contracts, fulfil orders, and secure payment.
Attendance is subject to vetting by ECC Environmental (UK) Ltd, as project owner. Find out more and register here
Increase in property valuations for business rates
In April 2026, rateable values of all business properties in England and Wales will increase to reflect changes in the property market. Local authorities use the rateable value to calculate business rates. Businesses can sign up for a business rates valuation account to find out what the future rateable value of their property will be. The revaluations are based on the open market rental value of properties on 1 April 2024.
Read more about the revaluations here
Guidance published for businesses exporting to US
The Department for Business has published guidance for UK businesses exporting low-value shipments to the US following the removal of the $800 (£590) de minimis threshold. Exports to the US, regardless of value, are now subject to tariffs and duties, customs clearance and administrative charges, and data requirements.
Read more about the changes here
Funding to develop agri-tech solutions
Defra has announced £12.6 million in new funding to develop innovative agri-tech solutions that help secure the long-term future of farming. Funding is available for the research and development of solutions that cut costs, reduce seasonal labour needs, improve animal health and tackle wider industry challenges.
Read more about the funding here
Weekly Markets coming to Carlisle
Cumberland Council's weekly markets are coming to Carlisle! The market will take place on Fridays and will be hosted in the newly revamped city centre.
If you are interested in being involved, please fill in the form below. Be quick, they have had a huge amount of interest already and spaces are limited.
Apply here
Operator Lease Opportunities for Millom Town Deal
Three property agents have been appointed to promote operator lease opportunities for two Millom Town Deal projects.
New operators are being sought for the exciting new regeneration sites in the town.
Corrie and Co, Home and Finance, and Carigiet Cowen have been appointed to help find operators for:
• The Old Bank - Millom’s former NatWest Bank now with its new name “The Old Bank” is progressing well, marking another exciting milestone in the £29.3m Millom Town Deal programme.
Located at 4 Market Square, the building is currently undergoing sensitive refurbishment to bring it back into community use. When complete, The Old Bank will provide a vibrant space for local businesses, artists, and community groups, helping to support enterprise and improve access to arts and culture in Millom and Haverigg
The centre will include a café, offices spaces, business enterprise units, and exhibition and retail display areas, creating new opportunities for people to work, learn, and connect. The project is being delivered through the Town Deal’s Reactivating Heritage Buildings project and is designed to preserve the character of the building while delivering new uses that benefit the wider community.
• A new Visitor Centre and Café - a major part of the £10 million Iron Line project in Millom and Haverigg.
The new purpose-built facility, located at Hodbarrow Nature Reserve on the Duddon Estuary, is part of the UK Government funded Millom Town Deal programme.
Designed to eco-friendly standards and set in a stunning coastal location, the two-storey Visitors Centre includes a café with panoramic views, a multi-purpose group and education space, volunteer facilities, and customer toilets including changing places provision. It is served by a formal car park with electric vehicle charging.
The operator will manage the day-to-day running of the café and visitors centre under a lease agreement with Cumberland Council. The building is designed to be flexible and adaptable, with indoor seating for 70 covers and seasonal outdoor seating for 30 covers on a large balcony. The operator will also be responsible for the café and retail offer, with space to shape the group space and display areas to suit their vision.
Find out more here
The 16-19 Education Travel Bursary programme is now open in Westmorland & Furness
This bursary is aimed at helping young people aged 16 – 19 pay for transport for educational and training purposes.
Transport plays a vital role in providing access to education and skills, particularly in rural locations. Westmorland and Furness is committed to reducing inequality in mobility ensuring that travel costs are not a barrier for young people to achieve their potential.
Find out more and apply here
Call out for tourism businesses to register on our new destination websites
Discover Carlisle and the Western Lake District & Coast now have brand new promotional websites to showcase our area to visitors. Businesses can register free of charge by filling out these forms:
Events can also be listed which will help us generate content for our social media channels and promote your activity.
This opportunity is open to all businesses operating in the visitor economy in Cumberland.
The new websites were funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will be the backbone to all of our future destination marketing activity.
List your business on Discover Carlisle
List your business on Western Lake District & Coast
Mandatory ID Verification for Company Directors and PSCs from November
From 18 November 2025, Companies House will introduce new legal requirements for directors and people with significant control (PSCs) of companies to verify their identities.
Verification can be completed quickly and free of charge via GOV.UK One Login, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
More than 300,000 individuals have already verified their identity during the voluntary period.
Companies House will contact businesses with guidance and support ahead of the rollout.
You can read the full guidance here
HMRC using AI to monitor taxpayers' social media accounts
HMRC has confirmed that it is using AI to monitor taxpayers' social media accounts as part of criminal investigations into suspected tax fraud. AI is being used to analyse social media posts for inconsistencies that may suggest undeclared income. The use of AI is part of wider measures to close a £7 billion tax gap.
Read more about the measure here
HMRC targeting small business expense claims
The Chartered Institute of Taxation has warned that HMRC is focusing its compliance activity on business expense claims to tackle the small business tax gap. HMRC is planning to run a digital campaign to highlight issues related to the reporting of private use adjustments for business expense purposes in self-assessment tax returns and to encourage correct expense claims.
Read more about the campaign here
Self-assessment scam warning
HMRC is urging self-assessment customers to remain vigilant in response to ongoing tax refund scams and phishing attempts.
HMRC has published guidance to help customers verify the authenticity of communications requesting personal details or offering a tax rebate.
Read more about the warning here
West Cumbria Volunteering Fair
Date: Thursday 18th September 2025
Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Where: The Solway Hall, Lowther Street, Whitehaven , CA28 7SH
This event aims to attract the general public to come along and to meet local groups, charities or organisations to find out about local volunteering opportunities and how individuals interested in volunteering can register and become a volunteer.
By attending the event the general public will find out more about which organisations are looking to recruit new volunteers, the wide range of local volunteering opportunities available, when and where volunteers are needed and how to become a volunteer.
You will have the opportunity to speak informally with local organisations at this drop in event to find out more about volunteering.
Organisations attending include:
And more!
Drop in at anytime to find out more about volunteering in West Cumbria. For more information on this event or volunteering in Cumbria CVS, please email: info@cumbriacvs.org.uk or call Cumbria CVS on 01768 800350 or visit: http: Cumbria CVS Events
This event is funded through the Bedrock Basics programme funded through Sellafield and supported by Cumbria Community Foundation
SME Breakfast: Helping businesses to support their employees to stay well in work
A series of business breakfasts have been set up in South Cumbria to help employers support their employees to stay well in work.
The two breakfast sessions will take place in October, bringing together the owners of small to medium enterprises to share current initiatives that businesses can use to support employees physical, psychological and social needs.
The session will cover:
Details of the breakfast events are below.
Kendal Rugby Club, Wednesday 1 October, 8:00am- 10:30am
Barrow Town Hall, Monday 6 October 8:00am- 10:30am
To book your place -
Kendal – https://forms.office.com/e/yMibqWT2Mx
Barrow – https://forms.office.com/e/svHptsTBVE
Access to AI tools to help start-ups unlock growth
NatWest Accelerator is collaborating with Google Cloud to help start-ups access AI tools and cloud technologies to unlock business growth. Start-ups enrolled on the NatWest Accelerator will receive practical training on AI implementation and digital marketing to help identify growth opportunities, as well as help to reduce the cost and technical barriers involved when using AI for business growth.
Read more about the collaboration here
Funding to boost digital skills
The Government has announced a new Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to drive economic growth and help people develop crucial digital skills. Local charities and councils across the UK will receive a share of £9.5 million for digital inclusion initiatives, such as running local workshops and skills training.
Read more about the fund here
Guidance to help organisations avoid data breaches
The ICO has published new guidance to help organisations disclose documents securely, such as when responding to Freedom of Information or Subject Access Requests. The guidance sets out the steps that organisations should take to avoid accidental data breaches when disclosing documents.
Read more about the guidance here
Mitie Business Boost 3.0
West Cumbrian businesses are being invited to apply for the Mitie Business Boost 3.0.
With a focus this year on Digital, Technology and Innovation the fund supports businesses, innovators, entrepreneurs, SME’s and start-ups to evolve and grow their business ideas for local impact through digital transformation.
You could win up to £40,000 to invest in your business alongside free expert mentoring and tailored workshops.
2025 marks the third year of the competition which is a social value initiative.
You can find out more and register here
Tender opportunity
Organisations are being invited to bid to support a new Cumbria-wide scheme that will help people with complex needs into employment.
Connect to Work is a new government-funded programme to break down barriers to employment.
Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council are collaborating through Enterprising Cumbria on the new initiative which is set to launch in January 2026.
The Connect to Work Invitation to Tender (ITT) is now live and open to submissions.
You can access the tender here with a deadline of 10am on 29th September.
Sending low value packages by post to the US
When posting low value packages to the US, the British Chambers of Commerce are advising you now need to:
Planning for the future in Cumberland
Cumberland Council are preparing a new Local Plan and want to hear from you.
The Issues and Options consultation is a chance to tell the Council about any planning issues and opportunities in the Cumberland area. They also welcome ideas regarding how planning policy might address them.
The Council are holding drop-in events across Cumberland, with the opportunity to speak to Council officers and ask questions.
You can choose to attend from the below:
• Aspatria Library – Friday 29th September – 11.30am to 3.30pm
• Carlisle The Lanes (East Tower Lane) – Friday 17th October – 9.30am to 4.30pm
• Cleator Moor Civic Hall – Tuesday 16th September – 9am to 12noon
• Cockermouth Library – Thursday 25th September – 10.30am to 3.30pm
• Dalston Victory Hall – Tuesday 30th September – 1.30pm to 7pm
• Egremont Market Hall – Tuesday 23rd September – 10am to 4pm
• Frizington Library – Monday 20th October – 2.15pm to 4.45pm
• Longtown Library – Monday 6th October – 1.30pm to 4.30pm
• Silloth Library – Wednesday 22nd October – 11am to 3pm
• Whitehaven United Reform Church – Thursday 16th October – 10.30am to 4.30pm
• Wigton Market Hall – Monday 13th October – 9.30am to 4.30pm
• Workington Carnegie Theatre – Thursday 18th September – 9.30am to 4pm
You can view the consultation documents, an easy to use online survey and a list of FAQs here
Consultation on the Issues and Options for the Cumberland Local Plan will run between Monday 1 September and Friday 31 October.
The School of Social Enterprise 2025
Ready to launch your social enterprise?
The School of Social Enterprise 2025 is a free programme designed to help you start or grow a business that creates real impact to your community. With expert guidance, support, and connections, this is your chance to make it happen.
Barrow – The Bridge
Monday 29th Sept / Monday 6th Oct / Monday 20th Oct / Tuesday 28th Oct / Monday 3rd Nov / Monday 10th Nov
Kendal - Riverside (Foyer)
Wednesday 24th Sept / Wednesday 1st Oct / Wednesday 8th Oct / Wednesday 15th Oct / Wednesday 22nd Oct / Wednesday 29th Oct
Penrith – Methodist Church
Thursday 6th Nov / Wednesday 12th Nov / Wednesday 19th Oct / Wednesday 26th Nov / Thursday 4th Dec / Wednesday 10th Dec
Find out more here
The School of Social Enterprise is a Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership programme, delivered in partnership with the Centre for Leadership Performance and funded by Westmorland & Furness Council, who secured UK Government funding.
DECOM CONNECT powered by iSH
Save the date: Thursday 27th November – 8.30am to 4pm (with 1:2:1 slots and networking reception 4pm to 6pm) – Energus
An event hosted by iSH and supported by Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster Nuclear Group, tailored for supply chain companies in the nuclear decommissioning sector. Showcasing Cumbria’s capability in manufacturing, robotics and advanced technologies, and digital.
DECOM CONNECT will provide the opportunity to hear from leaders from across the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) Estate operating companies and will be presented with opportunity pipelines and real live opportunities relevant to the iSH Clusters.
Additionally, supply chain companies involved in collaborations will have the chance to showcase their capabilities and success stories.
More details to follow.
Skills Bootcamps
There’s a great range of Skills Bootcamps on offer through Enterprising Cumbria’s delivery.
You can view the monthly programme here
Are you a Cumbrian employer looking to upskill your workforce in project management? The University of Cumbria are delighted to announce that applications are now open for their January 2026 intake.
To help you learn more about the programme, the University are hosting a series of online information sessions where you can:
• Find out what the Skills Bootcamp involves
• Meet our team and ask questions
• Understand how the programme can support your career
uocskillsbootcamps@cumbria.ac.uk
Delivered by the University of Cumbria, this 13-week, part-time, online programme includes the Association for Project
Management – Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) at no extra cost.
This heavily subsidised opportunity, supported by the Department for Education via Enterprising Cumbria, is designed to help local employers strengthen capability and productivity through nationally recognised training.
Congratulations to Pure Lakes Skincare
We’d like to congratulate Pure Lakes Skincare who are finalists in The Licensing Awards 2025.
Their Beatrix Potter range has been shortlisted for the Best Sustainable Licensed Product. With over 4,000 products entered across 12 product categories, it’s an incredible honour for them to be recognised among such inspiring work.
