With a £1m capital grant scheme launching on 1st June, it seems like ideal timing to share three case studies from businesses based in the Cumberland Council area who benefitted from funding last financial year.

J G & D E Hodgson Strengthens Growth with Key Investment

J G & D E Hodgson, a long-established engineering and fabrication business, is celebrating significant growth and diversification following a strategic investment supported by grant funding from Cumbria Business Growth Hub.

Operating since 1971, the company has built a strong reputation for delivering general steel fabrication and repair works, alongside the design and construction of agricultural buildings. Offering a full turnkey service, J G & D E Hodgson manages projects from initial site clearance through to completion, including concreting, shuttering, land drainage, bulk haulage, aggregate supplies, and engineering repairs.

The recent grant of £5,000, a Rural England Prosperity Fund provided by Cumberland Council, has enabled the business to invest in a range of advanced equipment, including a press brake, guillotine, HGV inspection pit complete with brake tester, and a scissor lift access platform, significantly enhancing its operational capabilities.

The funding allowed J G & D E Hodgson to purchase higher quality, more reliable machinery much sooner than would have been possible through existing cash flow alone. As a result, the business has expanded its service offering, improved productivity, and strengthened its long-term sustainability.

Since introducing the new equipment, the company has reported clear improvements across multiple areas.

Efficiency has increased, allowing for better use of time and resources, while the broader service range has reduced reliance on agricultural customers, helping to spread risk across a more diverse client base.

The investment has also supported business growth, with increased capacity enabling J G & D E Hodgson to take on more work and secure new contracts. This has helped safeguard existing jobs and created opportunities for further employment as demand continues to grow.

Without the grant, the business estimates that reaching this stage of development would have taken several more years. Expansion plans would have been delayed, and the company would have remained reliant on a narrower market, increasing exposure to risk.

Looking ahead, the future is positive. As awareness of the company’s expanded services grows, workloads are steadily increasing, driving profitability, reducing costs, and improving efficiencies.

Vaughan Hodgson from JG & DE Hodgson said:

“The grant has enabled us to move forward with key investments that have strengthened and diversified the business. We’re now able to offer a wider range of services and reduce our reliance on a single sector, which is important for long-term stability. It’s already helping us win new work and improve how efficiently we operate.”

Major Investment Fuels Growth at Jennings Brewery

Jennings Brewery is celebrating a significant boost in production and growth following a grant-supported investment in new brewing equipment.

With a proud heritage dating back nearly two centuries, and a 200th anniversary on the horizon in 2028, the brewery has long been known for producing some of Cumbria’s finest beers. Now, thanks to this latest investment, it is entering an exciting new phase of expansion.

The grant of £35,000, a Rural England Prosperity Fund provided by Cumberland Council, has enabled Jennings

Brewery to install additional brewing equipment, allowing the business to scale up production at a critical time.

Previously operating at full capacity, the brewery was unable to meet growing demand for its beers.

This investment has transformed operations. The brewery now runs two brewkits alongside multiple fermenters, meaning up to 10 different beers can be produced simultaneously - a major step forward in both flexibility and output.

The impact has been immediate and substantial. Production capacity has trebled  and the expansion has also created two new jobs, with further roles expected as sales continue to grow.

Efficiency has also improved, with reduced waste, lower energy usage, and greater variety across the brewery’s range. This has not only strengthened day-to-day operations but also enhanced the overall quality and consistency of its beers.

Without the grant, the brewery says this level of expansion would have taken significantly longer to achieve, delaying growth and limiting its ability to respond to demand.

Looking ahead, Jennings Brewery has ambitious plans. The new equipment is expected to support growth over the next two years, during which time customers can look forward to both brand-new beers and the return of popular brews from the archives.

Chris France from Jennings Brewery said:

“The difference this investment has made is huge. We’ve trebled our capacity, reduced waste and energy use, and created new jobs, all while improving the quality and variety of our beers. Without the grant, this level of growth would have taken much longer, so it’s had a real impact on the pace of our expansion.”

Strawberry Cottage Landscapes Marks 30 Years with Investment Boosting Efficiency

Strawberry Cottage Landscapes is celebrating 30 years of transforming outdoor spaces across Cumbria, marking the milestone with a smart investment that is already delivering real benefits to the business.

Founded in 1996, the company has built a strong reputation for high-quality landscaping work throughout the region. As it approaches its 30th anniversary this September, the business is not only reflecting on its success but also looking ahead with a focus on improving efficiency and resilience.

During the pandemic, Strawberry Cottage Landscapes identified a need to reduce reliance on supplier deliveries by collecting materials directly. To test the approach, the business initially purchased an older trailer.

While this proved the concept, it quickly became clear that a more reliable and higher-capacity solution was needed.

With support from grant funding of £2,256, a Rural England Prosperity Fund provided by Cumberland Council and accessed through Cumbria Business Growth Hub, the company invested in a new, larger-capacity trailer from Alan Tuer Trailers.

The new trailer has made an immediate difference. With an additional 700kg carrying capacity, it allows the team to transport larger loads safely and efficiently, reducing the number of trips required. Improved towing performance has also enhanced day-to-day operations, while the addition of cage sides has made transporting pruning waste significantly safer and more practical.

The impact on the business has been clear. The new equipment is saving an estimated two hours per week on average, while fewer journeys have also helped reduce fuel costs - a valuable efficiency gain in day-to-day operations.

Without the grant support, the investment would have been much more difficult to justify and may not have gone ahead. Instead, the business is now benefiting from improved productivity, lower costs, and a more streamlined way of working.

Darren Johnston from Strawberry Cottage Landscapes said:

“As we approach 30 years in business, it’s important for us to keep improving how we work. The new trailer has helped us save time, reduce fuel costs and work more safely on site. Without the grant support, this investment would have been much harder to justify, so it’s made a real difference to the business.”