New and established businesses are continuing to start up and continue to thrive thanks to a partnership between South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) and Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.

Since the SLDC began funding business support through the Chamber, 322 existing businesses in the district have been supported by the Chamber’s Cumbria Business Growth Hub and 300 businesses and individuals have been given start-up support, with 87 businesses created.

As well as this, 166 jobs have been created and a further 169 safeguarded, with an estimated increase in GVA (Gross Value Added – a measure of the value of goods and services regarded as a key indicator of solid economic activity) of £4,601,765.

In the six months up to December, 70 businesses were supported and 35 assisted by the Growth Hub; 73 businesses or individuals supported, with six new businesses formed and seven jobs created.

SLDC’s funding for the continuation of the Growth Hub and Business Start-up Support (BSUS) means that potential new and existing businesses in South Lakeland can access free advice, support, training and a match-funded subsidy for specialist consultancy support.

A network of experienced advisors is available with expertise in a wide range of different business areas.

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 Cumbria Growtrh Hub in this way is a major part of that.

“Successfully starting up and maintaining a business is a huge task and our businesspeople in South Lakeland who are working hard every day to do that deserve our praise and support if they need it.

“Anyone running a business in South Lakeland, or thinking of starting one, should get in touch to find out more about the great support the Growth Hub offers.”

Suzanne Caldwell, deputy chief executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, the lead partner in the Growth Hub, said: “South Lakeland has always placed a high priority on supporting and nurturing businesses, which is one of the reasons it has the fastest growing economy in Cumbria.

“We’re delighted that they’re continuing to support the work we do, which means we will be able to assist even more start-ups and growing businesses going forward.”

She added: “We can use SLDC’s contribution as match funding to draw down very significant European funding – more than doubling SLDC’s contribution.”

SLDC’s contribution for the current financial year is £33,000.