Business advice

Business support and advice

For details of vacant land and premises go to http://www.carlisle.gov.uk/premises

Business Link North West http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest  The primary source of advice for businesses and access to Government funded business support schemes.

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Industry http://www.cumbriachamber.co.uk/   The body that represents the interests of all businesses in Cumbria.

Federation of Small Business http://www.fsb.co.uk/  The national small business organisation that has an active branch in Carlisle. The FSB can offer an extensive range of member services and benefits.

North West Development Agency http://www.nwda.co.uk/ The regional body charged with the economic development of the North West region including business support, skills, infrastructure and ICT.

Carlisle and Eden Business Environment Network can provide advice to businesses on how to reduce costs through better environmental management practices. Businesses can work towards Bronze, Silver and Gold Standards. http://www.crea.co.uk/

Envirowise offers free, independent support to your business helping you to become more resource efficient and save money. http://envirowise.co.uk

District Valuation Office http://www.voa.gov.uk/ Responsible for setting Business Rates and handling appeals.

Made In Cumbria http://www.madeincumbria.co.uk/ Represents the interests of craft and specialist food businesses.

Invest in Cumbria http://www.investincumbria.co.uk/ Responsible for attracting new businesses to Cumbria.

Quality Guild http://www.qualityguild.co.uk/  A county-wide association of quality assessed businesses.

Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) http://www.defra.gov.uk/  Includes details of grants for rural businesses.

Inland Revenue http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/ Information on Self Assessment, PAYE, Sick Pay and Maternity payments. New businesses can register with the Inland Revenue on line.

Action with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) supports rural communities and businesses in Cumbria. Includes the Rural Women's Network and the Enterprising Communities initiative. http://www.cumbriaaction.org.uk/

The Environment Agency is responsible for environmental regulations and can provide advice to businesses. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/

Cumbria Tourism http://www.cumbriatourism.org/

Hadrian's Wall Heritage can provide help to tourism businesses along the World Heritage site. The Hadrian Means Business project can help suppliers of gifts and food products. http://www.hadrianswallheritage.co.uk/

Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency provides advice to rural businesses and to farmers on diversification. http://www.crea.co.uk/

Cumbria Vision http://www.cumbriavision.co.uk/  is the strategic body for economic development on Cumbria.

University of Cumbria http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/

Cumbria Community Asset & Reinvestment Trust Ltd (CART) provides loans designed to help new businesses start up and grow, established businesses expand or to set up social enterprises such as co-operatives or other voluntary organisations that have social benefit or community development as their objective. http://www.ccart.org.uk/