Business support and advice

Businesses looking for support and advice should use GOV.UK (external link) which offers a single gateway to a wide range of services.  

Vacant Premises

Carlisle City Council operates a Vacant Commercial Sites and Premises Search Service.

This service, which includes an online search facility, provides information on vacant properties and sites from over 30 local agents, developers and property owners as well as details of all City Council commercial properties currently available.

Business Start-Up Advice

Cumbria Chamber of CommerceCumbria Chamber of Commerce is offering a mix of flexible start-up business advice and support through one to one advice, modular daytime or evening courses, online support and e-learning, networking events and seminars, workshops and master classes.

The comprehensive "Intensive Business Start Up Programme" covers:

  • An introduction to self employment
  • Market research
  • Finance and record keeping
  • What an accountant can do for you
  • Internet & e-commerce
  • Sales and promotion

All sessions are delivered by expert presenters.  You can attend as many or as few sessions as required and can also mix and match between day and evening – whatever is most convenient for you.

Anyone wishing to discuss this support further should contact Lesley Robinson on 0845 226 0040 or email Lesleye@cumbriachamber.co.uk

Visit http://www.cumbriachamber.co.uk/ (external link)

New Enterprise Allowance - business support for jobseekers

If you've been getting Jobseeker's Allowance for at least six months, you could get help and financial support to set up your own business

Enterprise Clubs - help to become self-employed or start a business

An opportunity to get information and advice if you are unemployed and thinking about setting up a business, or becoming self-employed

Find further information on schemes that will enable you to recruit and develop your workforce at GOV.UK (external link).

University of Cumbria Business Placements Service

The Business Placements Service (external link) works with all types and sizes of businesses in Cumbria and North Lancashire to find current EU students or graduates with the skills required to complete short-term business projects (between 2 and 13 weeks).

Community Funding

If you are a community organisation you can get advice about grants and funding from the following organisations.

  • Cumbria Community Foundation
  • Carlisle Council for Voluntary Service 
  • Action with Communities in Cumbria

Business Support Services -

Capita Symonds Ltd is one of the UK's largest multifaceted consultancies, delivering property and infrastructure projects on a local, national and international scale. We have over 4,000 staff at 50 offices in the UK, as well as an international presence. We offer a vast range of professional and technical expertise across an unrivalled number of services. The breadth and depth of our experience ensures that we are able to add value to any project, regardless of its size, complexity or sector.

Capita Symonds is a national company with a local presence in Carlisle. We are a multi-disciplinary organisation that has a range of services available to public and private sector clients. We are interested in assisting new businesses within the area with startup accommodation and/or a full interchangeable service provision from basic administration - typing, copying, reception services, franking and other back office services, advice on health and safety, environmental management, financial management and website production. In addition we can provide assistance with specialised services such as software development, legal advice and effective procurement for your business. We can offer accommodation and assistance with all of the above with no initial start up cost or deposit required for the first 2 months. The only fees that would be incurred would be the variable costs for franking, stationery, use of Conferencing facilities and other items procured on your behalf.

Contact 01228 673000


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Contact us

 01228 817000

Carlisle City Council
Civic Centre, Carlisle, Cumbria,
CA3 8QG