Funding for livestock farmers in England
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025 is now open for applications. The fund will provide grants to livestock farmers in England to enhance livestock health and welfare. The grants, which range from £1,000 to £25,000, can be used to buy more than 100 equipment and technology items. Applications will close on 10 July.
Read more about the fund here
Quit Smoking Easily
Cumberland Council has introduced a clinically proven, drug-free intervention method to help residents quit smoking with ease through its Smokefree Cumberland service.
The Council has introduced Allen Carr’s Easyway method, an innovative approach that combines cognitive behavioural therapy with live group seminars.
The method is endorsed by both the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for its effectiveness in helping smokers quit long-term.
Studies show that the programme can help 1 in 2 smokers quit smoking long-term, with more than 50 million people having successfully used the method globally over the past 40 years.
The programme is available to Cumberland residents looking to kick the habit.
Cumberland residents can easily access the Allen Carr programme through a dedicated link. Simply visit the Allen Carr website.
Cold Caller Alert - Carlisle Area
Trading Standards have been made aware of numerous cold callers operating around Carlisle recently offering gardening, tree/hedge removals and other landscaping services.
Rogue traders are likely to conduct poor workmanship and overcharge residents.
Advice from Trading Standards is:
You can report cold callers to us on 0808 223 1133.
Westmorland & Furness Council Business Survey 2025
The 2025 Westmorland & Furness Council Business Survey is now open for responses. This survey is critical to the work of the Council, as it provides insightful feedback on the supply and demand for business premises across our geography. This helps the Council to better plan for future employment development and also to understand the opportunities and challenges facing our business community.
Please click on this link to complete the questionnaire. All responses should be submitted by Monday 30 June 2025
This survey is conducted by the council’s Economic Development and Regeneration team, who lead on our Invest in Westmorland and Furness programme to support our businesses to grow and thrive. If you have any questions on the survey, please email: invest@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Survey results will be available here If you have any questions on the survey, please email invest@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.
Check out the Council’s website for the latest information on business support and advice, current investments, and available land and premises. This online resource is designed for both existing businesses and those looking to invest, grow, or relocate.
Defra Farming Innovation Investor Partnership 2025
UK registered SMEs can apply for a share of up to £5m to develop innovative farming solutions. This must align with private investment from selected investor partners.
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will work with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to invest up to £5 million in innovation projects. This funding is linked to Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme delivered by Innovate UK.
The aim of this competition is to:
Your proposal must be able to demonstrate how the project will benefit farmers, growers or foresters in England.
To be offered grant funding your project must be assessed as eligible for grant funding and must have secured aligned investment with a lead investor from the pool. You can view the areas of expertise and investment preferences for the pool of investors.
Successful UK registered SME’s will receive:
The fund is open until 2nd July – find out more and apply here
Teenage Market in Maryport
After the success of the Teenage Market in Carlisle we are thrilled to be able to bring the market to Maryport and to offer more young people an opportunity to take part in this fantastic event.
Working in partnership with Taste Cumbria our ‘Pop-up’ Teenage Market will be held as part of the Taste of the Sea festival which is being held in Maryport on the weekend of the 9th and 10th August.
The Teenage Market is open to any young person aged between 8 and 25 years of age and it is completely free to take part.
Do you know a young person who is passionate about business or who loves to craft, bake, make jewellery, 3D print? Then this is the event for them.
To sign up visit Sign Up - The Teenage Market or contact teenagemarket@cumberland.gov.uk for more information.
