Cumbria Accelerator

25/10/2026

Come and chat to the Cumbria Accelerator Business Support Team at The Bridge, Barrow-in-Furness.

Whether you're looking to grow, improve how your business operates, or explore new opportunities, drop in every second Friday and chat to us about the support available through the Cumbria Accelerator Programme.

📍 The Bridge, Barrow-in-Furness
🕙 10am–3pm
📅 Every fortnight, this Friday, 30th October.

No booking required; just pop in and say hello.

23/10/2026

👋 Meet Lesley Robinson

As Head of Business Growth & Support at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Lesley oversees Cumbria Business Growth Hub and leads the Chamber's delivery of the Cumbria Accelerator programme.

With over 12 years' experience in business support and 17 years at the Chamber, Lesley helps businesses access the guidance they need to grow.

Through Cumbria Accelerator, Lesley supports businesses with:

✅ Business support programmes
✅ Project delivery and management
✅ Business growth support
✅ Funding and recovery programmes
✅ Connecting businesses with the right support

One of Lesley's proudest achievements was overseeing the distribution of over £818,000 in COVID recovery grants in just six months.

💬 Her advice for businesses looking to grow:

"Seek support at the very early stages, before you begin to implement any plans. An impartial pair of eyes and ears are crucial, you don't have to do it alone."

Your business could be eligible for support. Register with Cumbria Accelerator to find out more: https://cumbriaaccelerator.co.uk

22/10/2026

📢 The latest Enterprising Cumbria newsletter is here!
Across Cumbria, businesses are growing, new talent is being developed and communities are coming together to create new opportunities.

From supporting local businesses and developing skills to new initiatives, events and inspiring success stories, there’s something for businesses, individuals and communities to get involved with.

✨ Catch up on the latest news, discover new opportunities and see what’s happening across Cumbria.

👉 Read the latest edition here/via link in bio: https://cumbriaaccelerator.co.uk/2026/10/22/enterprising-cumbria-newsletter-21st-october/

21/10/2026

📱 Rethinking social media for 2026: What’s changed, what matters, and how AI can help.

Social media is constantly evolving, and keeping up with the latest changes can feel like a full-time job.

From how customers discover local businesses to the growing role of AI in content creation, knowing where to focus your time is more important than ever.

Join us for a free, two-hour online workshop exploring the latest social media updates, what they mean for your business, and how to use AI to create content that stays true to your brand.

Led by Dan McAulay from Carlisle-based marketing agency Twenty Twenty Studio, you’ll discover practical tools, effective AI prompts and simple ways to make your social media work harder for your business.

💡 What you’ll learn:
✅ The latest social media changes and what they mean for businesses in Cumbria.
✅ Where to focus your time and effort on social media in 2026.
✅ How to use AI to create engaging, on-brand content.
✅ The risks of relying too heavily on AI and the checks to make before publishing.

📅 Wednesday 11th November
⏰ 9:30am–11:30am
💻 Online | Free to attend

Funded by Cumbria Accelerator and delivered by Twenty Twenty Studio.

Ready to make more of your social media? Book your place today!
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GZZO

20/10/2026

🌱 Planning the future of your agricultural business?

Whether you're looking to diversify, improve efficiency, strengthen your business, or prepare for long term growth, Cumbria Accelerator offers fully funded, one-to-one support tailored to your goals.

No complicated process. No cost to your business. Just relevant, personal support from people who understand what it takes to run a business in Cumbria.

We're here to help.

Access support today: https://www.cumbriaaccelerator.co.uk/

19/10/2026

👋 Meet Lateef Badat

Lateef works on behalf of Shout Connect, helping entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs develop practical strategies for sustainable business growth.

With over 20 years' experience, Lateef brings a wealth of knowledge across business planning, sales, marketing, leadership and business development.

Through Shout Connect, Lateef supports businesses with:

✅ Business planning
✅ Sales and marketing
✅ Leadership support
✅ Business development
✅ Strategies for sustainable growth

With a tailored and practical approach, Lateef helps businesses overcome challenges, identify opportunities and take the next steps towards achieving their goals.

💬 Whether you're building your business from the ground up or looking to take it to the next level, Lateef can help you develop a clear strategy for growth.

16/10/2026

Building an organisation that delivers real community impact requires strong foundations behind the scenes.

For Cynthia Waggah, founder of Afrikana CIC, that meant gaining clarity on governance, structure, and balancing social impact with sustainable growth.

Through one to one guidance from Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership via Cumbria Accelerator, complex challenges were broken down into clear, practical steps.

This support helped Afrikana CIC move forward with confidence, strengthening its structure, securing funding, and building partnerships across Cumbria 🤝

💬 “The most valuable part of the support was having one to one guidance that helped me fully understand how to structure Afrikana CIC correctly, both legally and operationally.”

Read the full case study here: https://enterprisingcumbria.org.uk/latest-news-4/2026/case-study-afrikana-cic

15/10/2026

What does it take to build a successful business?

Good ideas are just the start. You need a clear plan, the right team and the confidence to lead.

That’s what Help to Grow: Management helps SME leaders develop.

🎥 Hear from K2 founder Kevin Horton: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/g-73QNDt1bQ

In this episode of the Help to Grow: Management Podcast, host Denis...

14/10/2026

Drop-In Session This Friday – 16th October.

Whether you're looking to attract new customers, improve cash flow, strengthen your marketing, or plan for growth, running a business comes with plenty of challenges.

That's where Cumbria Accelerator can help.

Join us this Friday, 16th October, at our next Drop-In Session and find out about the free support, expert advice, and growth opportunities available to help your business move forward.

📍 The Bridge, Portland Walk, Barrow-in-Furness
🕙 10:00am - 3:00pm
✅ No appointment needed
✅ No booking required
✅ Free, impartial business support
✅ Just drop in and chat with our team

Can't make it this time? Explore the support available and register your interest via our website: https://cumbriaaccelerator.co.uk/

Take the next step for your business with Cumbria Accelerator.

Enterprising Cumbria

13/10/2026

👋 Meet Andrea Whigham

Andrea is the founder of The Hospitality Counsellor, specialising in hospitality, tourism and customer-facing businesses.

With more than 40 years' experience, Andrea brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insight to help business owners strengthen their businesses and plan for sustainable growth.

Through The Hospitality Counsellor, Andrea supports businesses with:

✅ One-to-one business support
✅ Strengthening business foundations
✅ Creating clear action plans
✅ Business growth support
✅ Connecting with the right support

With a practical and personal approach, Andrea helps business owners make sense of their challenges, identify opportunities and take confident steps towards long-term success.

💬 Whether you're looking to strengthen your business or plan your next stage of growth, Andrea can help you turn your ideas into action.