Small Business Big Skills

In celebration of last week's National Apprenticeship Week 2023, FSB are helping small business owners to train new talent and upskill your business with apprenticeships. A Skills Hub is now available to explore free apprenticeships resources, including an on-demand myth-busting webinar and a downloadable guide to hiring an apprentice.

Visit Skills Hub

How to write an invoice

From one-off freelance gigs to regular contracted work, invoicing is part and parcel of business life and ensuring you get paid on time. Get your invoices right from day one with our guide to how to write an invoice for sole traders and limited companies.

Read guide here

Tax and VAT

In our free downloadable guide, FSB’s tax specialists take you through key information, top tips, and the dates you need to remember every tax year. You’ll also find guidance on complying with new Making Tax Digital rules.

Download guide

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections. This new requirement will apply for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023.

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Supplier Opportunity - Maryport Boardwalk

Allerdale Borough Council would like to appoint a Supplier for the creation of a boardwalk across the top of the beach in Maryport harbour. Organisations are now being formally invited to meet this requirement and the Tender documents will provide the necessary information to enable Tenderers to submit a response.

Further details are available upon registration of your interest to this invitation.

All further correspondence about this project must be directed through the notification link on The Chest. Interested suppliers may also register from the link.

Estimated contract dates: Start date 31/03/2023 - End date 30/06/2023  

Tender submission deadline 20th February 2023 @ 11.00am

Specialists - Taste Cumbria

Allerdale Borough Council invites quotations from appropriately qualified specialists for the

provision of event medical cover, security, and stage and AV at the six organized events in 2023 in line with the specification documents. The contract is for 12 months with an option to extend for a further 12 months.

Further details are available upon registration of your interest to this invitation.

All further correspondence about this project must be directed through the notification link on The Chest.

Disclaimer: Please note any requests for amendments to the wording or clauses within the contract should be made to Allerdale Borough Council Procurement Team before the tender is awarded, material changes to the Contract cannot be made post tender. Any requests for amendments will be posted for all bidders to view and consider.

Procurement Opportunities available

Events: Medical Cover

Events - Security 23/24

Events – Stage and AV

Events – Infrastructure & Marquees

2023 looks as though it is going to be another year of high inflation. Armstrong Watson have released tips to help businesses during this period.

5 Tips for weathering periods of inflation:

1. Be conservative - Where possible, lock in the current cost of capital in anticipation of further interest rate rises. Also, wait patiently for the investment opportunities that are likely to arise as other businesses are forced to sell up
2. Build for continuity - Be creative in building incentives into salary packages to make your firm the one that people want to work for. Also look at new IT systems to help automate operations for the future.
3. Address supply chain disruptions
4. Diversify your income stream - don’t rely too much on one customer type. With your asset and skills base to offer other services that may be more profitable, or a service that would be a great add-on that your customer base would appreciate?
5. Develop a strategic market-sensing function within your business

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The Lake District National Park Partnership (LDNPP) is looking for a new independent Chair: could this be you?

The role is 2-4 days a month and includes joining the LDNPP at a pivotal point in the early phases of delivery of the Partnership Plan. You’ll also have experience of networking and joint working at the highest corporate and public levels, with knowledge of working within a private / public interface.

This process is again open to all, and applications are invited until the closing date of 14^th February.

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Railway improvements  

We’re pleased to see Cumbria County Council submit a bid to the Government to expand capacity on the Lakes Line between Oxenholme and Windermere. CT continues to throw its support behind calls to develop this important branch line.

Help your guests travel for less  

This winter, people can travel around the county for less with £2 single ticket fares on a large number of bus routes across Cumbria, thanks to the Government's 'Get around for £2' fare cap.  It’s a great incentive for visitors and you can share our handy pdf with your customers.

Spark Social Enterprise Safari Event

Learn about the Spark project at our SPARK social enterprise Safari. Visit 2 successful social enterprise businesses operating in West Cumbria.

Agenda:

• 10.00am Always Another Way – Hosted by Lyn Roberts (The Phoenix Project, 3-5 Jacktrees Rd, Cleator Moor, CA25 5BD)
• 11.30am Making Everyone Equal – Hosted by Rebecca Todd (Gordon Thomas House, Northshore, Whitehaven, CA28 7XY)
• 1.00pm Lunch / Networking

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Cumbria Tourism

Lakes Hospitality Trade Show

Wednesday 1^st – Thursday 2^nd March

This free two-day event is a must for all tourism and hospitality businesses looking to grow and innovate. It will include a wide range of exhibitors spanning tourist attractions, food and drink suppliers and support services such as IT technology and catering equipment – from not just Cumbria, but across the North of England.

Register now