Business support in Cumbria will continue after Brexit, even though much of it is funded by the European Union.

Cumbria Business Growth Hub provides grants and advice to businesses, including start-ups. We have assisted 7,500 businesses since 2012, and 2,700 potential start-ups, boosting the county’s economy by £252m in GVA.

Suzanne Caldwell, Deputy Chief Executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, the lead partner in the Growth Hub, said: “Our services are funded by the Chamber and its partners.

“They include Sellafield Ltd., Carlisle City and South Lakeland Councils, Cumbria LEP, Penrith Industrial BID and, crucially, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

“We can reassure the county’s businesses that Brexit won’t have an impact on Growth Hub services. Indeed, we’re in the process of recruiting more advisers.

“The Government has assured us that funding will continue until 2023. By then, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund should be in place to fill the gap left by the withdrawal of ERDF money.”

She added: “I’d urge businesses to take a close look at the Growth Hub’s offer. There’s a lot we can do to help them grow, diversify and become more productive and profitable.”

The offer includes the BSUS programme for start-ups, grants to help buy-in consultancy services, leadership and development programmes delivered by Lancaster University Management School, and the Cumbria Manufacturing Service.

The funding that supports the Growth Hub comes from a range of sources including Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, the European Regional Development Fund, Sellafield Ltd., Carlisle City Council, South Lakeland District Council,  Penrith Industrial BID and  Cumbria LEP.  The Growth Hub is receiving up to £2,528,767 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.  The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information click here.