Business Support & Funding

Westmorland and Furness Council’s grant finding tool for communities and businesses

The funding portal is designed to help communities and businesses easily locate available funding opportunities. The tool is part of the council’s ongoing commitment to support local business growth, innovation and development, and to enable community groups and others to flourish, making Westmorland and Furness a great place to live, work and thrive.

We encourage all community members, businesses, and organisations to explore the new grant finding tool and take advantage of the funding opportunities available. With this tool, users can search for available grants tailored to their specific needs and projects, streamlining the process of securing financial support. Click here to start exploring available funding, and navigate to either the community or business portal.

British Business Bank – Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, run by the British Business Bank, offers a range of commercial finance options for small businesses. These include smaller loans and debt finance from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million. It aims to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England. It is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for smaller businesses, providing funds to businesses that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.

Click here for more details.

Enterprising Cumbria – Cumbria Accelerator Westmorland & Furness

Are you an existing business with an ambition to enhance your business, reach new markets or develop a new product or service offer?

The Business Growth & Innovation programme is for businesses looking to capitalise on their strengths and drive their businesses forward. Through a tailored support offer, expert advisors can pinpoint areas within your business with real growth potential to set your business on the track to increased profits and greater productivity.

Alternatively, do you have a business idea but you’re not sure how to develop it and get it off the ground? It doesn’t matter if you’re unemployed, in education, or just looking for a professional change or new challenge; if you are a budding entrepreneur with aspirations to create your own business, then there are the expertise and tools to help you realise your ambitions. You can even apply for a grant to help you get started.

So whether you’re an existing business or a new business owner in the making, enquire about securing a place on this programme by contacting: leslie.rickerby@enterprisingcumbria.org.uk

This will project will receive up to £1,847,933 from Westmorland and Furness Council and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund up to March 2026.

Cumbria Business Growth Hub – Business Support

Capital grants from Cumbria Business Growth Hub, funded by Westmorland & Furness Council and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund, have supported a range of businesses across the area. Applications for the final round of grants from this funding closed in August 2025.

On offer to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the Westmorland & Furness Council area since 2023 were:

• Over 100 capital grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 (based on an average of £12,500) with a maximum grant contribution of 50% of eligible project value. These can be used for purchase of new equipment/machinery (including green/low carbon) and small scale capital improvements to help with growth, diversification, innovation and improved productivity
• 325 £500 consultancy vouchers and 50 £1,000 vouchers which can be used with a consultant of your choice on activity such as marketing, websites, accountancy, legal, agricultural, planning support and more, including to help towards the costs of our mentoring and export consultancy programmes

Grant applications were a competitive process with decisions made by a grant panel. The first stage was submission of an Expression of Interest. For more information please visit Grant funding – Westmorland and Furness UK SPF | Cumbria Growth Hub

Applicants should contact the Cumbria Business Growth Hub directly regarding the status of their application.

This project received £1,908,079 from Westmorland and Furness Council and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund.

Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership – A Social Enterprise Zone for Westmorland and Furness

Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership (CSEP) is now offering fully-funded wraparound business support for social purpose organisations based in Westmorland and Furness.

This programme isn’t simply about accessing funding — it’s about working alongside your organisation to:

• Assess your current business strengths and areas for development
• Identify investable opportunities that could lead to growth and increased income
• Develop a tailored, fundable investment proposal
• Support applications to the most appropriate source of finance — including potential access to capital grants of up to £5,000

All business support and grant activity must be completed and evidenced by mid-December 2025.

This opportunity is open to social enterprises, charities, community businesses, CICs, and other purpose-led organisations who are ready to explore strategic growth and investment.

 To find out more or request an application form, please contact:
becx.carter@secumbria.org.uk

This project will receive up to £861,092 from Westmorland and Furness Council and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund up to March 2026.

 

These projects are funded by Westmorland and Furness Council and the UK Government. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £3.5 billion of funding for local investment by March 2026. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.