Cumbria Business Growth Hub was set up by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce in 2012 as a one-stop shop for business support.
We acted to fill the gap created by closure of the Business Link network, which had been providing advice and grant aid to businesses nationwide.
Since then, we’ve worked directly with 7,500 businesses and 2,700 individuals looking to start a business, boosting the county’s economy by an estimated £252m in GVA. It’s a real Cumbrian success story.
The Government was so impressed it adopted the Growth Hub as the model for business support across the country.
The funding for Cumbria Business Growth Hub comes from partners including Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, the European Regional Development Fund, Carlisle City Council, South Lakeland District Council, Penrith Industrial Business Improvement District and Lancaster University.
Suzanne Caldwell, Deputy Chief Executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, the lead partner in the Growth Hub, said: “One of the big attractions for partners is that, when they fund the Growth Hub, we can more than double their investment through the Chamber’s European funding match.
“It means they get a lot more bang for their buck than they would if they spent the money themselves.”
Carlisle City Council sees support for the Growth Hub as an integral part of its strategy to grow the city.
Councillor Paul Nedved, the Portfolio Holder for Economy, Enterprise and Housing, said: “Carlisle is a growing city and we’re keen to support new and existing businesses. We want to encourage investment in Carlisle and are delighted that the Growth Hub is helping to boost local businesses.”
South Lakeland District is contributing £33,000 this year.
Councillor Robin Ashcroft, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure, said: “The Growth Hub does excellent work helping businesses in South Lakeland operate more effectively, increase their productivity and maximise profits, as well as providing crucial support to people starting businesses and those in the first three years of trading.
“South Lakeland has a vibrant and varied economy and we at SLDC are committed to putting into practice measures that will help this continue. Supporting the Growth Hub in this way is a major part of that.”
Sellafield Ltd. is particularly keen to support start-ups in West Cumbria.
Gary McKeating, Head of Community and Development, said: “Starting a business is a big decision for anyone to take.
“It’s vital that people starting out receive high quality support in the early stages. That’s why we’re supporting this initiative.
“We want to see an increase in the number of start-ups and growth in existing businesses in Copeland so that our economy can become more diverse and sustainable.”
Penrith Industrial BID is the latest funding partner to come on board after Eden District Council withdrew funding.
This means that businesses on Gilwilly Industrial Estate, Penrith Industrial Estate and Eden Business Park can access one-to-one support from advisers to review business opportunities and challenges.
There is also a grant scheme to help them buy-in consultancy services, free training on topics such as marketing, sales and pricing and bid writing, and access to programmes such as Cumbria Forum.
Sam Morris, Chairman of Penrith Industrial BID, said: “There are more than 150 businesses across Penrith business parks and we believe this partnership will give businesses a fantastic opportunity for training and business support.
“There is already a lot of enthusiasm and support for this venture and we look forward to working with the team at the Growth Hub over the next two years.”
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce runs other business support initiatives through the Growth Hub – such as it’s ERDF-supported Business Start-Up Support scheme and the LEP’s Cumbria Growth Catalyst – as well as promoting and linking businesses into the range of support available more widely.
Although the ERDF – European Regional Development Fund – has been a major funder, there is no immediate threat to the Growth Hub from Brexit.
Suzanne Caldwell said: “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 procuring 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.”
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, Lancaster University 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.