New figures reveal Cumbria Business Growth Hub’s jobs and GVA impact

Almost 7,000 jobs have been created or safeguarded by Cumbria Business Growth Hub since 2012, according to new figures.

The organisation, set up and operated by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, has worked with 6,800 companies in the last six years.

It said its efforts to date have helped businesses add £280m in GVA to the county’s economy.

The deputy chief executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Suzanne Caldwell, said: “We set up the Growth Hub after the national business support network, Business Link, was wound up.

“We identified a gap and moved to fill it, with further support delivered by partners. It’s fair to say the Growth Hub’s performance has exceeded expectations.”

When Cumbria Business Growth Hub was founded, another was set up at the same time by the Greater Manchester Chamber. As the two business advice services were so successful, the Government decided to adopt the model as a blueprint for business support and roll it out across the country.

Cumbria Business Growth Hub is able to call on 60 advisers to provide one-to-one support, advice and mentoring.

Its website, meanwhile, offers information for businesses on topics such as startups, marketing, sales and productivity, as well as product development, acquisitions, exports, finance, employment and sustainability.

The Growth Hub’s digital portal also offers a Supply Chain Gateway that aims to help SMEs secure contracts with large businesses.

The organisation’s latest statistics were published in its Supporting Success report.

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