The Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency Limited was incorporated on 1st December 1987, in Kendal, to help people who wanted to become self-employed in Eden and South Lakeland. We then extended our services to assist any business needing advice or training, originally with 3 or more employees. It is one of three enterprise agencies within the county which service the Cumbrian business community, known as the Cumbrian Local Enterprise Agency Network - CLEAN.
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. Over recent years we have built up a highly skilled Environment Team helping businesses save money through resource efficiency and renewable energy. We now offer a range of funded services, commercial business consultancy, training, incubator offices and kitchens, meeting and conference rooms.
Over the years we have increased our portfolio of services offered throughout Cumbria and beyond and now operate from two modern business centres at Kendal and Redhills Penrith just off Junction 40 of the M6. The current projects and services include Business Advice (Start Up, Existing Businesses), Cumbria Farm Link, Business Mentoring, Rural Planning Facilitation Service, and Cumbria Business Environment Network.
The organisation is always looking for new opportunities to achieve its mission:-
“To regenerate and strengthen the rural economy creating sustainable employment”.
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 proudly holds the Gold Award from the Cumbria Business Environment Network demonstrating our commitment to the environment.
View CREA's Environmental Policy
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