The Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency Limited was incorporated on 1st December
1987, in Kendal, to assist people who wanted to become self-employed in Eden and
South Lakeland. It then extended its services to assist any business needing
advice or training, having a permanent staff of 3 people. It is one of three
enterprise agencies within the county which service the Cumbrian business
community, and comprise the Cumbrian local enterprise agency.
With the development of the idea of the “one stop shop” a policy of providing assistance to businesses of all sizes was adopted by the Board which led to the establishment of Business Link Cumbria in 1994.
CREA became established as a Partner in Business Link Cumbria which became recognised as the local delivery company for Eden and South Lakeland. During this time, Cumbria Farm Link began offering support to farmers throughout the county. CREA still continues to deliver Business Link services as well as a range of other regeneration programmes.
Over the years it has increased it’s portfolio of services and now operates from two sites, Kendal and Redhills Penrith. The current projects and services include Business Advice (Start Up, Existing Businesses), Cumbria Farm Link, Farm Tourism Initiative, Distinctly Cumbrian, and Rural Planning Facilitation Service, Cumbria Orgaincs, and Cumbria Business Environment Network.
The organisation is always looking for new opportunities to achieve its mission statement which is:-
“To regenerate and strengthen the rural economy creating sustainable employment”.
Up to date information on the services currently on offer can be seen on the web site, or by reading various in-house information leaflets.
As an organisation we are committed to IIP (Investors in People), and ISO 9001:2000 which is a Quality Management System applicable to the provision of specialist business advice, information, training and general support to SME’s, micro-businesses and start-up businesses.
CREA's management recognises the effects that delivery of its activities has on the environment. An Environmental Policy provides a framework by which to manage these effects.
The Policy also forms an integral part of the Award Scheme operated by the Cumbria Business Environment Network. This Award is in recognition of a range of actions to manage and reduce the environmental impact that business activities create. The requirements of the Award include energy and waste reduction, recycling, demonstrating environmental responsibility.
CREA has recently achieved the Gold Award from the Cumbria Business Environment Network as a result of its commitment to the environment.
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