Business In South Lakeland

Cumbria Tourism New Rural Northwest Tourism Connect Scheme

Following on from the successful Cumbrian Tourism Connect pilot programme, Cumbria Tourism is delighted to announce that a further round of funding has been secured to run a second grants programme for local accommodation providers. 

The scheme is designed to help serviced accommodation businesses improve their facilities, increase competitiveness and raise productivity.

Grants will be available to tourism operators providing serviced accommodation in areas of Cumbria eligible for RDPE funding - this excludes the urban areas of Carlisle and Barrow but includes Kendal.  Available to small businesses with less than 50 employees, and must be matched with funding from the applicant of at least 50% of the total value of the project. 

Full  details are available at  www.cumbriatourism.org/business-support/rural-nw-tourism-connect.aspx or contact Catherine Webb on 01539 825058 or Dianne Furness on 01539 8250467

Train to Gain

Train to Gain funding is available for 2010 for employers in all sectors with between 5 and 249 full time or equivalent staff.  The Leadership and Management grant offer has been put in place to develop the skills of senior leaders/key decision makers within businesses, to help them grow both professionally and personally within their sectors and the economy.  Training can be tailored specifically to your needs.  Contact Business Link on 0845 600 9006 or visit http://www.traintogain.gov.uk/

Unite with Business - Business Placement Service Offered by University of Cumbria

Aimed at helping SME’s, this project will provide business support for a period of 20 days, via graduates and final year university undergraduate students. There is no cost to the business as graduates and students will have their salary paid for directly by the project.  With the academic year about to end, the timing is right for businesses to benefit from the wealth of new ideas and talent emerging from our Universities.

For more information visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/business/BPS

Free Public Procurement Course for Businesses

The Government has launched an on-line procurement course called "Winning the Contract".  This is a FREE resource to help businesses (and in particular SMEs) learn about public procurement and how to bid for public sector contracts. 

The course can be accessed on the Business Link website

The LEAD Programme in Cumbria

LEAD is an innovative leadership programme specifically created for owners of small businesses with up to 20 employees. The 10 month programme provides hands-on advice, expert coaching and practical support to help you tackle real-life issues, and enable you to make decisions with confidence. LEAD is being delivered across the North West by 13 providers, supported by the NWDA. The University of Cumbria is the only provider in Cumbria.

The programme will be running in five locations in Cumbria over the next three years: Workington, Carlisle, Penrith, Ambleside and Furness. LEAD requires 2-3 days commitment a month for 10 months. This is a high value course supported by the NWDA resulting in a maximum cost to your business of just £2,000. Several funding opportunities may be available to reduce this cost further, subject to meeting relevant eligibility criteria.

For full details of the programme visit the University of Cumbria website.