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Support programme for entrepreneurs and businesses launches in Barrow

A programme of support to help individuals, new entrepreneurs and businesses in Barrow to grow and prosper is underway thanks to funding from the ambitious #BrilliantBarrow Town Deal programme.

The Barrow Business and Enterprise Support Project is now offering free, tailored support through a range of workshops, webinars, training, help to access wider supply chain opportunities and 1-2-1 adviser support which includes a business review/diagnostic.

Cumbria Business Growth Hub and Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership are working together to deliver support which runs until 31st March 2024.

Lesley Robinson, Head of Business Support at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said: “We’re really excited to be able to support individuals and businesses in Barrow through the Barrow Business and Enterprise Support Project.

“We’re keen to hit the ground running and will be working to forge links with referral organisations and key groups in the area to ensure we can offer this free support to as many individuals and businesses as possible.

“Through our partnership with CSEP we can also extend the offer to social enterprises.”

Rob Randell, CSEP Chair: “CSEP is pleased to be working in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce to deliver business support to further develop our local Social Enterprise sector in Barrow and as part of the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal. Social Enterprises in Barrow run some vital local services across the borough at a community level. They provide employment and training opportunities, often to people who may struggle to find these elsewhere. This programme will give the chance to create new Social Enterprises and further support the existing sector.”

Starting in January we’ll be running a 2hrs online ‘Introduction to self-employment’ workshop aimed at those thinking about running their own business. Then in February we’re also running our first three day business start-up course at The Forum on Wednesdays 15th and 22nd Feb and 1st March.

We’ve also got the below training session booked.

Back to basics – understanding your accounts

Date: 26th January 2023
Time: 10am to 1pm
Venue: Online

There are three accounting terms you really need to understand when running a business: balance sheet (statement of financial position), profit and loss account (income statement) and cash flow statement

In this three hour, practical, back to basics workshop Maria Ramsdale of Maria Ramsdale Finance Ltd will help you answer questions such as:

  • What is turnover?
  • What are the elements in my cost of sales and how to calculate the margins?
  • What is gross profit?
  • What’s included in my administrative expenses?
  • What is net profit and how to calculate it?
  • How to calculate your stock days and debtor days
  • How much do you really take from your business – understanding dividends
  • How to calculate important KPI’s for your business
  • Can your business pass the Acid Test?
  • Understanding of terms like EBITDA

With 3hrs or 12hrs of support on offer, we’ve already signed up a number of individuals and businesses. To take advantage of this free support please call 0844 257 8450 or email info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk