Published at 12:27, Tuesday, 24 July 2012

CUMBRIA Chamber of Commerce is running a new county-wide business start-up support programme with a host of partners.

Working with Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency, Furness Enterprise, West Cumbria Development Agency, Ways into Successful Enterprise and Cumbria County Council, the chamber is offering business advice and support to people in Carlisle and Copeland.

Specialist support will be available to New Enterprise Alliance clients and rural women, with the projects’s partners covering the rest of the county.

Whether people are looking to start their own business, are in the first three years of trading or setting up a social enterprise, the scheme can offer 12 hours of free business support, advice and training.

This can be through a mix of business advice, a three-day business training course or other training. Help with business plans will also be available.

Once their 12 hours of business support and business plans are completed, and they can provide evidence of trade, all new businesses will receive a year’s free chamber membership.

This does not apply to existing businesses.

The business start-up course covers:

• An introduction to self employment, looking at the practicalities of starting your own business, where to go for further information and support.
• What is marketing? How will it work for you? Cost effective advertising and promotion.
• Websites, e-commerce and social marketing.
• Taking the mystique out of financial management and record keeping, cash flow forecasting and profit and loss.

To check the eligibility criteria for the new scheme and to find out more, call 0845 226 0040 to speak with Lesley Robinson.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk