Grant funding boost for Cumbria rural businesses

Ten small rural businesses across Cumbria, are reaping the benefits of £140,986 of grant funding.

Its helped them to invest in visitor experiences, solar panel projects, and a new events space amongst other projects. The grants are from Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (Cumbria LEP), through Cumberland Council’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), funded by the UK Government.

The grants met up to 50% of the costs of developing new products and facilities, which also benefit the local economy, and diversifying farm income streams. Grant recipients are in the Cumberland Council area, who are now responsible for administering the REPF scheme.

Projects to get backing included improvements at two of the Lake District’s most famous tourist attractions, Muncaster Castle and Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway (pictured). A grant also helped provide a second glamping railway carriage at Eden Valley Glamping, convert a farm building into offices and build a specialised straw storage facility.

A new event space in Whitehaven also got backing.

Jo Lappin, Chief Executive of the Cumbria LEP, said in total the LEP has provided REPF grants of over £319,000 to 21 businesses, which levered in over £500,000 from the businesses, themselves. The grants to individual businesses ranged from £4,200 to £20,000 and all were successfully delivered by the end of May 2024.

She said: “The LEP was really pleased to be selected to deliver the REPF programme in Cumberland. We know how important capital grants are in helping businesses to reach an investment decision, given the economic challenges that we have faced over the past few years. The REPF funding really has been a necessary catalyst which is good news indeed.”

The 10 businesses to get REPF funding, in alphabetical order, are:

1. DW Whitson Caldbeck, Wigton who have renovated an existing farm building into an office and storage space. The total project cost was £23,438 with 50% met by a REPF grant of £11,719.
2. Eden Valley Glamping were able to add a second glamping railway carriage. The total project cost was £35,500 with 50% met by a REPF grant of £17,750.
3. Greenwood Holidays in Wigton used their grant to install solar panels onto a Grade II listed self-catering guest house. Their guests benefit from costs saving and being able to stay in eco-friendly accommodation. Total project cost was £12,452.90 with 50% met by a REPF grant of £6,226.45.
4. Holly House Sebergham, Carlisle now has a wood-chipper, improving productivity and creating additional work for one full time equivalent person. The total project cost was £19,500 with 50% met by a REPF grant of £9,500.
5. Holmrook Service Station, near Drigg, now has an innovative solar project providing 31% of the total onsite power and feeding 6,950 kWh back into the grid. It also means they will be able to install Electric Vehicle Chargers in the future. The total project cost was £32,269.85 with 49.98% met by a REPF grant of £16,130.
6. Muncaster Castle have used their grant help enhance a visitor experience in their meadow vole maze. The total project cost was £78,200 with 25% met by a REPF grant of £19,800.
7. Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Co have refurbished their Ravenglass café which can now cater for  up to 70 people in a much improved setting. Total project cost was £40,000 with 50% met by a REPF grant of £20,000.
8. T G Norman (Timber) Ltd, Carlisle, suppliers to both the trade and public, have installed solar panels. The panels will reduce the energy costs and carbon emissions for this energy-intense, family-run sawmill and solid fuel business. The total project cost was £67,200 with 44% met by a REPF grant of £20,000.
9. Thornton Agri Services, Ravenglass now have a bespoke storage building for the straw they supply to over 200 customers. Total project cost was £45,866.48 with 44% met by a REPF grant of £20,000.
10. Whitehaven Harbor Commissioners have a new events space for live events and it can be hired for private functions. Total project cost was £39,720 with 50% met by a REPF grant of £19,860.
    

    Muncaster Castle

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