The Cumbria Intensive Start-up Support (ISUS) Programme provides support for people starting their own businesses in Cumbria. It is forecast to be worth over £2 million in business support over the next three years until March 2012 

Cumbria County Council are managing the scheme on behalf of funding partners including the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the county’s borough and district councils who are all providing support for the delivery of the scheme. The County Council has taken on the local management of this regional programme to ensure that Cumbrian people get localised support through a co-ordinated Cumbrian programme. 

The scheme is targeted with creating at least 332 new businesses and over 500 new jobs in its first year with the provision of £700k of support, £450k of which is being provided by the NWDA.

People accessing the scheme will benefit from free advice and assistance in starting their own businesses, support for six months before they start trading and then for up to three years after the business is up and running. The support on offer will be prioritised based on locality and the needs of the individual.

Advisors, coachers and mentors will provide personalised support and there will be a range of informative workshops to help entrepreneurs understand and learn about the sorts of issues that can be encountered when starting your own business. 

The programme will be delivered in six localities ensuring that the countywide contract is able to deliver specific local needs. 

• Allerdale - Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency Consortium, with specialist social enterprise support through Co-operative Mutual Solutions.
• Barrow-in-Furness - Furness Enterprise
• Carlisle - Cumbria Chamber of Commerce
• Copeland - Cumbria Chamber of Commerce
• Eden - Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency
• South Lakeland - Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency

For more information and guidance regarding eligibility contact Business Link Northwest (external link) on 0845 00 66 888