A PACKAGE of free, expert advice and support is available in Barrow for budding entrepreneurs and individuals considering a move to self-employment.

Helpful information on practical elements of setting up and running a business will be covered during the special event - held during Global Entrepreneurship Week - to help give people the knowledge and confidence they need to get started.

Places can now be booked for the innovative session, which forms part of the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Business and Enterprise project and is delivered by the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, to be held at The Forum, Duke Street, Barrowm on Thursday, November 16, between 10.30am and 2.30pm.

Email Lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk to secure a place.

Topics covered during the session will be themed around becoming your own boss, budgeting, creating a financial plan, record keeping, sales forecasting, cash flow and understanding tax as well as aspects of successful marketing. 

Lunch will be provided and local entrepreneurs will also attend in the afternoon to share their stories and fascinating insights into turning an idea into a business.

Jo Lappin, Chief Executive of Cumbria LEP and a Brilliant Barrow Board member, said: “This course has been designed to
provide people with the information and awareness that they need to set up their own business or become self-employed.

“There will be many people who have always wanted to turn a hobby into a business or who want to build a business around the skills that they have developed throughout their career but who need the right help and advice to get started.

“This new Brilliant Barrow project is designed to do exactly that – get people on the road to being self-employed. Small businesses are the heart of our economy and as such the LEP is committed to supporting people to deliver new businesses in the area.”

Lesley Robinson, Head of Business Support at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said: “Cumbria Business Growth Hub is really pleased to be running this in-person event, but it’s only a small part of the offering through the Barrow Business & Enterprise Support Project. 

“Anyone with a business idea including those who want to explore turning a hobby into a business or people who are almost ready to trade should get in touch as we can offer one to one adviser support, an introduction to self-employment workshop and a three day business start-up course.” 

The Brilliant Barrow Town Deal secured £25 million from the Government’s Towns Fund to help transform the town for future generations. 

The projects are being delivered by Westmorland and Furness Council alongside the University of Cumbria, Furness College, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and Natural England.

For more information about courses available through the Brilliant Barrow Business and Enterprise project, please visit: Barrow Business and Enterprise Support Project - Cumbria Growth Hub