News - May 2005

Distinctly Cumbrian announces an Innovative Internet Support Programme for rural businesses

Distinctly Cumbrian, which is part of Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency based at Redhills, Nr Penrith, has launched a new scheme aimed at helping rural artists, crafts people and food producers to develop effective web sites for their businesses. The programme offers tailored business advice and financial support.

The programme has been developed by Lorraine Whinn, ICT Development Officer, who said:

“Over the course of the programme we will support almost 200 projects. These will range from businesses developing their first web site, secure e-shops, through to innovative uses of the Internet that can develop new markets for products and help the adoption of new business processes.”

“With on-line sales growing six times faster than overall retail spending and one in four consumers now shopping on-line, a professional and effective web site has become a necessary marketing tool for most businesses.”

“Distance selling is also a great way to overcome rural remoteness and with millions of tourists visiting the area each year, it is good to be able to offer visitors the ability to continue to buy Cumbrian items when they return home.”

The ICT Development Programme will offer project funding of up to 50%, together with impartial advice for eligible businesses. The advice can cover areas such as the content and structure of the web site, the use of images, the development of a brand for use on the Internet, the legal implications of selling online, and which software solution may be appropriate for the business.

Distinctly Cumbrian has a proven track record of working with rural businesses and understands their needs, time and budget constraints. The ICT Development Programme has been designed to take these issues into account. The small team of ICT specialists within Distinctly Cumbrian will work closely with each participant to discuss the different options available and to help the business to select the solution that is most appropriate for their current and future needs.

Distinctly Cumbrian will also be delivering a series of practical workshops covering: E-commerce, Internet Marketing, Photography for the Internet and Website Maintenance.

The programme will create opportunities for creative web designers within Cumbria . “We do not have in-house design resources – so this activity will help to generate more work for professional design companies. We have worked with 6 different design companies so far, and would encourage web designers to contact us to find out more about how they can become involved with this project. With 200 new projects before the end of 2007, there will be opportunities for all types of web sites”

Distinctly Cumbrian 01768 891555 Or email Lorraine Whinn Lorraine@Crea.co.uk

New logistics website puts Cumbria ’s producers way ahead of the rest

BRITAINS’ first ever website linking small producers to existing corridors of distribution will be unveiled in Penrith, Cumbria on 18 April 2005 by Distinctly Cumbrian

The new ‘Distribution Web Site’ has been in R&D stages for six months by Distinctly Cumbrian at their base in the Redhills Offices of Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency. Using local website designers, DC say there is no other website like it in the UK , and it will be a free service to Cumbria ’s small producers with the aim of reducing distribution costs.

In an evening workshop on 18 April between 6pm and 9pm at CREA’s Redhills offices the new ‘Distribution Web Site’ will be launched inconjuction with a Manufacturing Institute seminar. The idea is that in one session producers can look to improving their manufacturing processes and reduce their distribution costs, making them more competitive. The whole evening, which involves practical exercises as well as theory, is being sponsored by North West Food Alliance.

Andrew Collis of DC said: “The seminar will enable producers to critically evaluate their production methods. Many small producers do not cost distribution properly and spend too much time and money organising it. Distribution tends to be reactive and therefore not well planned. By pooling resources they will save money and leaving more time to produce and market their products”.

Now based in the Penrith offices of Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency (CREA) BEN offers a FREE environmental audit by an expert to advise and guide businesses to achieve more from their resources and gain a greener reputation.

BEN project coordinator Sam Gyllenspetz says: “BEN helps business to reduce costs by introducing sound environmental performance. We guide you through the maze of environmental rules and regulations which now affect almost every business in the country.”

BEN can help with a structured waste and energy minimisation programmes:

- improve environmental management, skills and practices.
- increase the level of recycling
- cut operating costs by reducing waste and making better use of raw materials
- benefit the environment by reducing waste going to landfill
- reduce the risk of pollution
- ensure awareness of relevant environmental legislation
- contribute to the achievement of Local Agenda 21 objectives of a sustainable economy
- develop best practice by reducing, reusing and recycling waste

Contact Mrs Sam Gyllenspetz on 01768 891555 or email cben@crea.co.uk

CUMBRIA small business guru Richard Knowles has joined Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency to head-up their new Business Mentoring Service which will operate Cumbria wide.


The former director of Made in Cumbria has just returned from a 14-month trip travelling Europe in a motor home with his wife Heather. Richard is now on the hunt for volunteers to act as business mentors to small Cumbrian enterprises.


Richard said: “I’m recruiting 20 or more potential mentors who could help people within the county who are starting their own businesses. In particular, I’m looking for retired business people or those that could offer half a day each month to help with understanding business problems and finding solutions.”


He explains that business mentoring is not the same as business advising and counselling. It’s more a hand-holding service for new and young businesses where an experienced business person becomes a regular contact and sounding board.

“Mentors could help with the plethora of issues facing a small business such as marketing, finance, administration, regulation, personnel, and strategies, and I will aim to match the strengths of the mentor with the needs of the business.”

The Business Mentoring Service will operate from the Kendal Offices of CREA with support from Cumbria Local Enterprise Agency Network.

Bob Clark, executive director of CREA said:
“Richard is already very widely known for his flair and entrepreneurial skills during his time at Made in Cumbria"

“He will be a great asset to our team and add another service to the growing portfolio of help for new and existing businesses”

Anyone interested in becoming a business mentor can contact Richard Knowles on 015242 63100 or email: richard@bvmcumbria.co.uk .