Turning ideas into the businesses of the future

If you have ever thought of setting up in business but need ideas on where to start, Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency and Barclays Bank are running an Ideas Workshop at CREA’s Business Centre at Redhills on Thursday 16 October (10am-1pm) that could be just the inspiration that you need.

Jerry Bennett, a CREA business advisor who has worked in this area for over 20 years, will be leading the workshop and it is free to participants, thanks to funding from Barclays Bank.

"The Ideas Workshop format is ideal for anyone who has considered going it alone but needs to start at the very beginning,” explained Jerry. “We start by looking at their skills and interests and then think through who might be their customers and next steps.”

“People need to consider a range of options and it often makes sense to look for ways of making a start without completely giving up their current employment. There are usually ways of starting towards the dream without committing 100% and this workshop is ideal for people who are looking for those first steps.”

As well as the Ideas Workshop in October, Eden District Council are also supporting a number of Business Skills Workshops in Penrith, also run by CREA, later in the year.

“We’ve offered a range of business support for over 20 years,” said CREA Business Development Manager, Lynne Fox, “and these workshops with Barclays Bank and Eden District Council have always been great ways of encouraging people to explore their options. Even if self-employment doesn’t turn out to be the best choice for them, people often come up with alternative approaches that can be just as successful and satisfying.”

To enrol in either or both of the forthcoming workshops or to talk to someone about other rural business support, please contact Christine or Jeanette at CREA’s Penrith office on 01768 891555 or Joan in Kendal on 01539 726624.

For further information, please contact

Sally Seed
Stoneleigh Communications
01539 624732

Lynne Fox
Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency
01539 726624