Capital grant scheme launching on 1st June
On behalf of Westmorland & Furness Council, Cumbria Business Growth Hub will be launching a £1m countywide capital grant scheme on 1st June. The grant will cover equipment and small-scale building works with full eligibility criteria, paperwork and deadlines available here from 1st June.
Save the date
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Cumbria Business Growth Hub are joining forces to hold an event focused around AI. With guest speakers offering practical hints and tips, you’ll also enjoy networking and refreshments.
Chamber Partners Armstrong Watson will be hosting the event at their Carlisle office based at Rosehill Industrial Estate on Thursday 15th October. Further details to follow soon.
Female Founder Accelerator - Applications Open
Applications are now open for the Female Founder Accelerator, delivered by Barclays Eagle Labs in partnership with AccelerateHER.
This nine-week programme supports UK based female founders who are beyond idea stage and ready to scale.
It combines expert-led masterclasses, one-to-one mentoring and peer support to help founders strengthen their business, build financial confidence and prepare for the next stage of growth.
Key dates:
Full details and the application link can be found here
British Chambers of Commerce report 20% drop in exports to the Middle East due to conflict
UK exports to the Middle East have dropped by 20% following the escalation of regional conflict, highlighting how quickly global instability can disrupt trade. This sharp decline, reflected in Chamber-issued certificates of origin, signals immediate challenges for businesses trading with key markets.
Certificates of Origin are issued at the start of the export journey, making them a reliable early indicator of trade flows. Certificates for Arab markets fell by 20%, from 15,437 in March 2025 to 12,360 in March 2026. This data puts Chambers at the forefront of real-time economic insight.
For business members, this means potential delays, reduced demand, and increased uncertainty in Middle East markets -particularly for exporters reliant on these routes.
Chamber members can access the Diplomatic Advisory Hub for further advice and share the findings to help businesses assess risk, explore alternative markets, and plan.
You can access export consultancy support, import and export training and export documentation services through Cumbria Chamber of Commerce. To find out more contact Lesley Robinson, Head of Business Growth & Support by emailing lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk
Connect to Work is here – discovery sessions now available
Connect to Work is a new UK Government–funded programme designed to help employers build a stronger, more resilient workforce. It supports businesses to recruit motivated people with disabilities, health conditions, or other complex needs, connecting local talent with local employers and opening doors for individuals who are too often overlooked.
Alongside recruitment support, the programme also offers tailored help for existing employees who may be struggling to stay in work due to health or personal challenges.
Inspira would like to invite you to an online Connect to Work Employer Discovery Session, a small focus group with around 12 trusted employer partners. This session will:
As the chosen delivery partner for Connect to Work Inspira want to understand your priorities, hear your reactions to the programme, and ensure their marketing, communications, and key messages reflect what employers genuinely need. As a valued employer partner, your feedback is essential.
There’s a discovery session in each Council area:
Tuesday 2nd June 9.30am to 10.30am for those in the Cumberland area
Thursday 4th June at 9.30am to 10.30am for those in the Westmorland & Furness area
To express your interest in either session please email Lesley Robinson, Head of Business Support with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce – lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk (please specific which session).
