Add your business for FREE to the Allerdale Business Directory
Cumbria Residents' Week
People from all corners of Cumbria are being encouraged to sample the best of the county’s visitor attractions during a special new initiative called Residents’ Week.
The first-ever Cumbria Residents’ Week will take place from Saturday October 2 to October 10, 2021, with more than 75 local businesses signed up to the scheme including Whinlatter Forest, the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway (known as the La’al Ratty), Tullie House Museum in Carlisle, Ullswater Steamers, Kirkgate Arts, The Lake District Coast Aquarium and Barrow’s Urban Extreme Indoor Skate Park.
Cumbrian residents who go to visit a participating business and make a qualifying purchase of £10 or more will be given a code to enter themselves into a draw giving them a chance to win a fantastic prize donated by the businesses taking part.
Prizes include two-night stays, meal vouchers, gift vouchers, food hampers, bottles of champagne, memberships, free cocktails, film tickets and more.
The initiative has been put together through a partnership of Cumbria’s six district councils with the support of Cumbria Tourism and Keswick Tourism Association.
JOBHELP for you
 Refreshed Government Jobhelp scheme
Employer or Employer - facing organisation?
Are you an employer already signed up to the Kickstart Scheme, or an organisation engaging with employers? Why not share how recruiting through Kickstart has helped businesses across the country. By using your own communication channels to recommend the Kickstart Scheme and influencing businesses to sign up, you will help more young people gain valuable job experience, and help businesses flourish and grow by taking on these young people full of energy, new ideas and digital know-how.
The Kickstart Employers Guide is a useful tool for those company's who would like to get involved in the scheme. It guides businesses through the application process, has a helpful and thorough Q&A section and a series of case studies.
More information here: Kickstart Employers guide
Download the employer social media resources which includes helpful script for those looking to hire staff, including a hospitality briefing pack, using the: Kickstart toolkit
For those seeking job opportunities, help with learning and skills
If you are looking for a new job or thinking about making a change, get personalised support, tips, help and careers advice, information on benefits and support, skills and training take the first step towards your next opportunity with JobHelp for you.
Get information and resources to help you find job opportunities in a wide range of sectors, including the NHS, adult social care, retail, food production and logistics. From online tools to job boards and apps, there are some of the most useful resources available to help with your job search.
From boosting your skills to childcare and finances, there is a wide range of government services available to help you find your next opportunity.
Learn how to make the most of your skills and experience as well as how to find new learning opportunities and qualifications.
Continue to learn and develop new skills on-the-job at any stage of your career with apprenticeships and traineeships.
Success for former Forth apprentice
 In-Cumbria reported on the success of a former Forth Engineering apprentice, Chloe Ferguson as she works towards becoming an associate project manager.
Chloe, 19, joined engineering solutions experts Forth in 2019 as an apprentice in customer service and since completing her apprenticeship showed an interest in gaining an Association for Project Management (APM) qualification.
Over the next two years, she will work on projects including CHIMERA2, a robot which inspects pressure vessels, and RESURGAM, which carries out robotic survey, repair and agile manufacturing.
Speaking to In-Cumbria Chloe said: “I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given at Forth, and I’m really enjoying learning while working at such an incredible company.
“It would have been the logical step to do the business administration course after my customer service apprenticeship, but the team acknowledged that I wanted to learn more about the engineering side of the business and they have given me the chance to develop my career here.
“I am being given excellent support to develop my learning, and I can’t wait until the day when I am at a stage where I can lead on projects here at Forth.”
Well done, Chloe.
Forth has main headquarters in Flimby as well as bases in Cleator Moor and Barrow.
Full story and image by In-Cumbria
Join our Allerdale Business Community Facebook Group
Keep up to date with the latest news, join a network of local business people and share your own posts Click the image to join.
Procurement advice
Get help and advice from our knowlegeable team - click on the image to see our video
Tender opportunity - Solway Coast Business Group (SCBG)
SCBG wishes to award a contract for the provision of a promotional campaign to promote the work of the Group and its business members. It is anticipated the initial award will be for five days work not exceeding £3,000 in value. Further details from info@visitsolwaycoast.co.uk
The closing date for receipt of tenders is 4.00pm, Monday, 11 October 2021.Facebook group
|
Messages from the Federation of Small Business
Still not sure why it's in your interest to enter the 2022 FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards - or how best to go about it, what judges look for...and how to promote your success if you are shortlisted or win? Hear some top tips from the experts at the FSB Webinar - Wednesday 29 September 2-pm - 3pm How to be an award-winning business
Workshop: Change your business in 90 days - Tuesday 5 October, 9am – 10.30am more details here.
As the COP26 climate talks take place in the UK this November, this gives us the perfect opportunity to explore the significant role small businesses will play in the transition to Net Zero. Join in this free conference to find out what’s in it for you.
Virtual Conference: The Journey to Net Zero - Tuesday 2 November, 10am - 3-30pm more details here.
FSB and Allerdale Borough Council are working together to offer subsidised membership to small businesses. All the benefits at an exclusive price.
For a limited time, you can get the full benefit FSB membership at a subsidised rate. Businesses can benefit from £80 off the normal price of joining FSB in their first year, thanks to a collaboration between FSB and Allerdale Borough Council. Click below to sign up or find out more.
|
Messages from Cumbria Chamber of Commerce
More opportunities for senior leaders to network and develop
The Directors Club, is a Cumbria Chamber of Commerce members exclusive group that invites together business leaders, directors and senior managers to open doors, create high quality introductions and facilitates individual personal and professional development through a trusted partner network. The Directors Club is free to join until the end of the year.
Monday, 20th September saw the first in-person Directors Club ‘Monday Night Business Talks’ which invited business leaders to a networking dinner where the Chamber heard from two members discussing their current business challenges.
Cumbria Chamber has been working hard in the background to bring valuable and interesting events to Directors Club members. Having now secured a legal sponsor, Muckle LLP, who are on hand to ensure your business is on top of current legal issues and can offer best practice advice and legal insight.
Muckle LLP are also offering online training and a series of employment masterclasses that Directors Club members can attend either free, or at a discounted rate. These training sessions include Directors Duties, Contracts Training and Employment Masterclasses.
So, if you’re interested in becoming a member and getting involved, please register your interest. If you’d like more information on the Directors Club, please click here or email info@cumbriachamber.co.uk.
*To become a member of The Directors Club you must be a member of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce. Please note: Allerdale Businesses can receive FREE Chamber membership, click here for more information: Allerdale
British Chambers of Commerce at COP26
COP26 will bring together heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change. BCC will be acting as a Hub for the network of Chambers across the world. Chambers of Commerce Climate Challenge
College and school governor volunteers make a difference to the lives of students by contributing to the strategic direction of the organisation. They also gain all the professional development associated with operating on a strategic board, and valuable insights into the work of educational establishments and skills providers.
These opportunities may be of particular interest to mid-career employees, including those on targeted development programmes for under-represented groups. See more information about Inspiring FE Governance here, and Inspiring Governance here.
|
A message from the Lake District Foundation
This month the LDF are sharing news on two grant funds available, the Real Hedge Fund and the re-opening of the Low Carbon Lake District Grants.
Grants awarded to local projects in 2021
LDF have awarded grants to 13 projects across Cumbria which is part of our latest grant funding initiative in 2021. The successful projects have each been awarded between £250 – £500 from the small grants fund.
The projects which have been successful share the charity’s goal; that the Lake District and Cumbria will be an inspirational example of sustainable development in action, to support a prosperous local economy, world-class visitor experiences and in a place where vibrant communities come together to sustain its spectacular landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage. See more here.
Cumbria Tourism are hosting a webinar at 2pm on Thursday 30th September, where the Low Carbon Lake District team will be available to provide more information and answer your questions - click HERE to register your free space.
Read on to find out more about the Lake District Foundation
|
Taste Cumbria is coming to Wigton on 23 October
Well, what an incredible welcome back for Taste Cumbria Cockermouth this weekend!
A fabulous combination of food & drink, music, entertainment and fun.
See and hear what visitors and local businesses had to say in this clip from ITV News
Following on from the enormous success of our flagship event, we're delighted to tell you there will be a first ever Taste Cumbria in Wigton on Saturday 23 October 10-4pm.
Taste of Wigton, will go beyond just food and drink and also highlight all the businesses and heritage this pretty town has to offer.
The full programme will include FREE ticketed events:
'In conversation with Redmayne'
As part of the inaugural Taste of Wigton event, we are offering an afternoon with Redmayne 1860, based in Wigton, Cumbria’s oldest tailors: Get free tickets
And the Maryport Taste event was a great success
 The evaluation report into Allerdale Borough Council’s Taste of the Sea Festival, held in Maryport on 14–15 August has given the event a big thumbs up.
The survey found that 65% of those interviewed had made their trip to Maryport specifically for the Taste Festival, and that the event had a wide appeal to many different people, including couples, extended family groups, and groups of friends. Some 60% of people at the event were with their partners, and 36% with other family members. Around 17% were with friends.
The event attracted both local people and visitors from elsewhere in Cumbria. More than 60% of the people were from the Allerdale area and a quarter were from elsewhere in Cumbria, with one in ten from outside of the county.
Overall, satisfaction with the event was very high. 93% of visitors rated the event very good or good. When asked to rate individual aspects of the event, ratings were also very positive. Asked if anything would have improved the event in any way, the majority of people gave positive feedback, saying it was great to see the town busy, that they want to see more events, and that it had made them stay longer in town.
Festival visitors made the most of their day out too, with 71% of those interviewed had been to the hot food court and beer tent on the harbourside, and two thirds had listened to the live music at Shipping Brow. Around 64% had visited the Producers’ Market, and almost half the food market stalls. A fifth had visited the children’s fairground and other family entertainment that was on offer.
The total economic impact of the 2021 Taste of the Sea event at Maryport is estimated at around half a million pounds to the local economy. Return on investment (ROI) is calculated at £11.11. This means that for each pound invested in the Taste of the Sea Festival, over £11 was generated for the local economy. See more about the Taste of the Sea festival success.
Peer Networks
Peer Networks are facilitated by action learning specialists. They allow business owners and senior managers to address their business opportunities and challenges and identify practical solutions in a supportive setting.
Groups meet six times over a 10-week period for 3-hour online sessions and 1-2-1 advice between sessions is also available. Funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), delivery is on behalf of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership.
Cumbria Business Growth Hub has had tremendous feedback from previous participants, like Ryan Park from Go Low Carbon for example. Ryan was initially sceptical about the group and was concerned about the time commitment but soon realised the potentially valuable opportunity and found the experience worthwhile.
Ryan said: “There was so much business knowledge and experience in the group…I came away with a whiteboard full of fresh ideas and objectives and a new structured plan for my business.” Find out more about Ryan’s Peer Networks experience here.
The first 2 cohorts have now been filled however there’s still space on other cohorts. Find out more about the groups, the eligibility criteria and hear from other previous participants here.
To access free Cumbria Chamber of Commerce membership in association with Allerdale Borough Council, please click here.
|
Messages from Cumbria Tourism
Showcasing Cumbria at national trade events
The Cumbria Tourism team have been representing the county at this week's British Tourism and Travel Show (BBTS), the first major domestic tourism show to take place in over 18 months.
Branded as Visit Lake District, Cumbria, this event was a key part of their #theperfectplacetobe recovery marketing campaign, building on the momentum of the summer months to inspire shoulder season visits and support your business through to 2022 and beyond.
CT will also be attending the Group Leisure and Travel Show on the 7th October, a 'must-visit' event to help shape the upcoming schedules of coach and tour operators. Learn more HERE.
Sustainable grant funding now available
A new round of funding to help businesses go green is now open (until 5pm on Thursday 14 October).
Open to a range of sectors (including hospitality, retail, transport and manufacturing), businesses can apply for up to 60% of project costs. Examples include:
-
Low carbon energy use and generation, such as solar photo voltaic, solar thermal, biomass, anaerobic digestion, small hydro power, ground and air source heat pumps.
-
Energy efficiency projects, including variable speed drives, voltage optimisation, infrared heating, LED lighting and upgrading to efficient appliances.
Click HERE to learn more and apply.
#theperfectplacetowork recruitment campaign
The Cumbria Tourism team continues to support you through the current recruitment crisis. Alongside their popular jobs page and upcoming recruitment fair - they are also working with local colleges and training providers to develop a pipeline of tomorrow’s employees.
They particularly want to invite industry representatives to meet and talk with students and to work with them to provide placements. To find out more please contact Suzanne Wannop – swannop@carlisle.ac.uk
|
Allerdale Business Website - advertise your vacancies
Did you know you can advertise your vacancies or apprenticeship opportunities on our Business Website? Click on the image for details.
HSE Health and Work Conference 2021
Save the date for the Health and Work conference on Thursday 16 November.
Join the HSE's free, interactive, full-day virtual event which aims to inspire better prevention, management and control of the common risks and causes of work-related ill-health across Great Britain.
The conference will provide delegates with an exciting opportunity to explore how health and work is evolving. This is a unique opportunity to engage with HSE’s regulatory inspectors, scientists and health topic specialists as well as hear from HSE Chair, Sarah Newton, HSE Chief Executive Sarah Albon.
There will also be the chance to connect with peers and delve deeper into the topics that are of interest to you. This includes a selection of elective workshops on our health and work priority areas: work related stress and mental health, occupational health, musculoskeletal disorders, occupational lung disease, COSHH and more.
To view the outline programme and secure your space: register your place at the Health and Work Conference 2021 today.
|
Good news stories from this week
Was great to see this article in The Independent
A couple who gave up their jobs to convert the steam train used for filming Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express film into a Lake District tearoom have spoken about their role as “custodians of a lovely little piece of heritage”.
Di and Si Parums were working in health and safety when the derelict Bassenthwaite Lake Station in Cumbria came up for sale in 2019.
The unique experience is open to the public serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and cakes in both the restaurant carriage of the train itself, and the restored station building.
See the full story and great images The Independent: Tea on the Orient Express
See the Bassenthwaite Lake Station Facebook page here.
|
Lakeland Artisan gets ten awards at the Great Taste awards 2021
In-Cumbria reported that Lakeland Artisan had a successful haul at this year’s Great Taste awards.
Out of 5,383 products worldwide to receive a Great Taste 1, 2 or 3-star accolade on Tuesday, September 21, Lakeland Artisan received ten awards-the highest of all producers in Cumbria.
Geoff Monkman, managing director said “We are thrilled to have received ten awards this year, and highly delighted that our latest product Yan Gin by Herdwick Distillery, has been recognised.
Established in 1994, Great Taste is organised by the Guild of Fine Food and is the world’s largest and longest-standing food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food producers. 14,113 different products were entered in 2021 from 108 countries.
Lakeland Artisan has 5 Cumbrian based shops, including Cumbrian Gifts in Keswick. Lakeland Artisan
In-Cumbria: Lakeland Artisan awards
|
Workington woman sets up business inspired by the Lake District
In-Cumbria reports that It was a combined love of the Lake District and creativity which inspired Rachel Gaw to start her business Go Your Own Way three years ago.
Now, with a little help from dad Jim, her products sell throughout Cumbria and beyond.
Rachel studied 3D design at Staffordshire University, specialising in contemporary jewellery.
She then did a PGCE at University of Cumbria and was working in pastoral support as deputy safeguarding officer at Workington Academy when she started the business.
Rachel, who lives in Workington, also makes bespoke products for specific businesses, such as a gingerbread man shaped ornament with a map of Grasmere on it for the gingerbread shop, an idea she hopes to expand for other Cumbrian food producers this Christmas. See the Go Your Own Way website here. Story by IN-Cumbria: Rachel Gaw
|
Upcoming events
Cumbria Chamber Events
Excel training with Lake Mill Consulting (in person training
Introduction to Excel – Wednesday, 6th October 2021 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at Carlisle Racecourse. Book Here
Advanced Excel – Wednesday, 1st December, 9am-4pm, Carlisle Racecourse. more.
Further Cumbria Chamber events and workshops here.
|
Cumbria Business Growth Hub events for Allerdale businesses
The Growth Hub has two workshops running in October:
Tuesday 5th Oct – 10am to 1pm
An introduction to digital marketing: Link to event
Thursday 14th Oct – 2pm to 5pm
Increase the profitability of your accommodation business: Link to event
|
Cumbria LEP
Performance
Wednesday 10 November 14.00 – 16.00
It takes courage to be a business leader. This is especially true when it comes to managing (under) performance. Accountability is so much easier said than done and no one really likes to upset people.
How can you manage performance in a less stressful, more effective way? How can you make your people and teams more responsible for their own performance?
In this practical 2-hour workshop you will:
- Hear about a simple, proven model for organising a performance conversation.
- Learn how to contract performance so that they, not you, are 'on the hook'.
- Discover the value of talking about disappointed expectations.
- Plan out a 'put off' performance conversation that will help your business.
Please Register here:
If you have any queries, please contact Jen Hewitt on 07979 844 877 or via info@thecumbrialep.co.uk
|
Cumbria Tourism - Experiential tourism and how to develop your own visitor experience
Join Unmissable England's Chris Brant and discover the essential ingredients needed to develop unmissable experiences alongside learning how to identify opportunities to reach new markets and increase bookings.
Book your places below
Wednesday 6th October, 09:30-11:00
- Session 1: Introduction to experiential tourism Book HERE
Wednesday 3rd November, 09:30-12:00
- Session 2: Experiential tourism - Experience maker Book HERE
|
 |
|
Funded by the Welcome Back Fund - funded by ERDF |
|
