Over half the tickets have already been snapped up for a Google event in Barrow on December 1.

The internet giant will lead a ‘digital garage’ at Furness College’s Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Centre, hosted by in-Cumbria.com.

The free event features presentations from some of Cumbria’s leading digital businesses with sessions from Google staff to help businesses build an online presence and grow their business with digital tools.

Kathryn Farrow, marketing managing at Furness College, said: “Furness College is delighted to support this CN Group event that will bring the globally-recognised brand Google to our Channelside campus and we’re sure that business leaders and our students are looking forward to hearing more about the latest innovations in ecommerce and online.

“We’re particularly pleased to be able to host it in our new £4m Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Centre, which houses cutting-edge technology facilities and is focused very much on the future, reflecting the ethos of this event.”

It is being staged with the support of Connecting Cumbria, the county council-run project that has rolled out superfast broadband around the county.

Phil Ruston, digital inclusion project manage for Connecting Cumbria, said he hoped businesses would make the most of the opportunity.

He added: “Having Google come to Barrow’s digital garage event will help raise awareness for businesses in Cumbria about the benefits of the improved internet access we now have in the county.

“Anyone attending will get some really good advice about how to make the most of online business opportunities and find out about new solutions and services that will support their business ambitions.

“Using online tools can be a way to cut costs and support investment and hopefully it will be an opportunity for small businesses across Cumbria to start explore ways of collaborating.”

The day will begin at 8.30am when Cumbrian firms will reveal how digital opportunities have helped them grow, and then it continues with two sessions led by Google before closing at around 12.30pm.

Nick Turner, digital strategy manager at CN Group, said: “We ran a similar event at Carlisle Racecourse in July that saw over 150 businesses attend.

“Attendees were given an insight into how to make the most of digital opportunities and we’re looking forward to bringing this event to the business community in Barrow.”

You can sign up for the event here: