Cumbria

The first 101 places to benefit from up to £25 million each from the Future High Streets Fund was announced over summer. The latest step of the £3.6 billion investment in towns and high streets is the selection of 20 pilot areas across England that, it is hoped, will lead the way in rejuvenating town centres following the provision of expert and tailored support from the High Streets Task Force.

14 of these 20 pilot areas were announced on 30th December.

During 2020, the Government is planning to invest hundreds of millions of the £1 billion Future High Streets Fund  across the country in projects that have emerged within the initial towns already announced.

The 14 areas identified for tailored support are:

  1. Salford – Swinton Town Centre
  2. Croydon – Thornton Heath
  3. Staffordshire Moorlands – Cheadle
  4. Rushmoor – Aldershot Town Centre
  5. Birmingham – Stirchley
  6. Hyndburn – Accrington Town Centre
  7. South Lakeland – Kendal
  8. Preston – Friargate
  9. Coventry – Coventry City Centre
  10. Hartlepool – Hartlepool Town Centre
  11. Cheshire West and Chester – Ellesmere Port Town Centre
  12. Sandwell – West Bromwich Town Centre
  13. Knowsley – Huyton Town Centre
  14. Manchester – Withington District Centre

for further information click here

Windermere Works offers a great range of accommodation meeting the diverse needs of modern business from Hot Desking, shared Jelly Space to dedicated office space.

If you are looking for a place to meet they offer the  Meeting Place with break out area.

If considering the opportunity that might be  provided by moving your home base to a business address  why not try Hot Desking, a great place to network with other small but vibrant businesses.

If needing dedicated space for a number staff, but not yet ready to take on a lease, have a look at the flexible Jelly Space – a dedicated area within an open office environment offered on easy in/easy out terms.

If you would like four walls and a door that locks at night take a look at the various office suites currently available. Individual fully serviced office space for between 1 and 8 staff available now.

If a self-contained large studio suite might be more your thing they currently have one of those as well.

Finally if you are just looking to do a mornings work whilst visiting the Lake District on holiday or business they can assist with that as well.

At Lets Talk Shop we are pleased to be managing the Windermere Works facility so if we can help  Windermere Works, work for you just give Bill a call on 07766 208082 or email bill@windermereworks.com

Find out more by visiting the Windermere Works website by clicking here.

Download their digital brochure : WW Digital Brochure

 

 

For the last 12 months Lets Talk Shop Ltd has been advising on, and managing, the major refurbishment and transformation of Windermere Business Centre into “Windermere Works”.

The concept to provide more flexible working  space was identified in response to the recognition that many small, locally based businesses work from their spare bedrooms, converted garages or dining room tables. Business meetings are often centered on local cafes which, whilst providing a pleasant social environment, might not be the best of locations to openly discuss complex or confidential business issues.

This  need has been resolved by the creation of a Hot Desk Hub, Meeting Place and Lounge available on a day basis or on a more permanent relationship where a range of bespoke business support opportunities can be incorporated into the arrangements. These could include call handling, mail management, hosting of seminars or special events. The facilities are also supported by a manned reception delivering a professional  first point of contact for those visiting the premises and the businesses working within them.

Add to this the development of two larger fully serviced ground floor office suites, Bake House and Sugar Store and the refurbishment of smaller existing offices on the first floor,  businesses seeking to expand their presence in the town, or even relocate into the area, now have an opportunity to occupy a high standard office environment, very different from other accommodation available locally.

With further phases of development in the pipeline the building, that was for many years  home to Atkinsons Cake Works, is seeing a transformation that will ensure that Windermere Works for Businesswell into the future.

Click here for pdf mini brochure

Contact Windermere Works

Bake House Information Brochure

Sugar Store Information Brochure

 

Windermere Business Centre has been providing managed office space in the heart of Windermere for almost 20 years in addition to a variety of other business ventures.

Following recent developments in the management of this family owned business a major programme of investment is now underway. Ground floor space is being transformed to create a new reception area, a break out/business lounge, meeting space, hot desk provision and three separate areas of bespoke office accommodation providing 660, 720 and over 1000sq ft of modern managed office space.

Once home of Atkinsons Cake Factory, and dating back to the early 1900’s, some of the industrial heritage of the building is being  recaptured in the refurbishment which, once completed, will enable a wider cross section of local business needs to be accommodated than has previously been possible.

Having been associated with the Business Centre for over a decade, and based within it for a number of years prior to establishing Let’s Talk Shop, it is pleasing that Lets Talk Shop Ltd has now been contracted to assist in the management of the Centre going forward and helping to drive development of the opportunities that it will provide for small to medium enterprise development in South Lakeland.

Watch this space for more news of this exciting development.

First floor space of 394 sq ft has recently become available – if you would like more details please email me  on bill@sldt.co.uk or telephone 015394 40020

 

sldcExcellent evening with the team from  Invest in South Lakeland at their Business Event at The Low Wood Hotel in Windermere last night with fellow speakers Nick Comer, Rosetta Brands Ltd and Justin Grammer, PS Business Matters.

Thought provoking and entertaining insight into the effective use of the ever changing world of Social Media from Justin and always  enlightening to hear the story of the online development of Rosetta Brands.

Justin Grammer
Justin Grammer
Nick Comer
Nick Comer

 

and me!
Bill Smith

sldcThe Invest in South Lakeland Team at South Lakeland District Council are holding a free Business and Networking Event on Thursday 10 March at Low Wood Hotel, Ambleside.  

Presentations:

Taking your product to the online market
Nick Comer, Rosetta Brands Ltd

Improving your high street presence
Bill Smith, The Shop Doctor, Let’s Talk Shop Ltd

Social Media & Twitter for Business
Justin Grammer, PS Business Matters

Doors will open from 6pm for networking, refreshments and registration and the event will start at 6.30pm finishing at 8.30pm.

This free event is open to any South Lakeland businesses including those wanting to re-locate to this area. 
Please register online on www.southlakeland.gov.uk/b2b (please note that places are limited to 2 attendees per company).
The Invest in South Lakeland Team at SLDC

 

 

It cannot be easy to see your business devastated by flood water,  and undoubtedly heartbreaking to see the business you have worked so hard to develop  washed away through no fault of your own.

With an understandable desire to get the business back into operation as quickly as possible there is often limited time available to consider whether or not changes to the internal layout of the shop might deliver new business opportunities.

But if you are starting again with a relatively blank canvas do not rush  to reinstate what was there before. An opportunity exists to address layout issues that might have previously impacted negatively on the way customers  ‘shopped the shop’ . Careful placement of replacement shelving might help alter the way  customers circulate; identifying and maximising the impact of new selling hot-spots can help generate additional sales and improving merchandising techniques is easier when you are having to stock the shelves from scratch.

It might even be practical to relocate the counter, just because things have always been in a certain position does not mean that they are in the best position for your business in the future.

Identifying new opportunities, on top of everything else required to get the business up and running again, might deliver some challenges, but it is time that could be well spent.

We would be only too happy to discuss with you how our extensive expertise could help ensure that opportunities are not missed and help identify the silver lining available for your business in the future

The following information has been supplied via South Lakeland District Council.  More general information can be found on the SLDC website link:  www.investinsouthlakeland.co.uk/news/article/590/December-Floods-Information/

SLDC Business Rates – All premises are exempt for 3 months if empty. Industrial premises receive up to 6 months if they become empty. We would only be seeking to confirm whether the flooding had affected the whole premises and preventing any trade from the site. Consideration will be given, where appropriate, to extend these periods via means of a local scheme which is awaiting approval, specific to the flooding. Contact SLDC Taxation Team 01539 793245 or counciltax@southlakeland.gov.uk

Time To Pay – This scheme allows affected businesses additional time to pay taxes to HMRC, including VAT, PAYE and corporation tax. For further details contact the HMRC hotline on 0800 904 7900, set up for those who have been affected by flooding and may have difficulties in meeting their tax liabilities. To apply to the Time To Pay Scheme call 0300 200 3835 and discuss with an adviser.

Federation of Small Businesses For Members: for insurance related issues, irrespective of being a policy-holder, contact FSB Insurance on 0345 762 6158. Contact the Legal Advice Line on 03450 727 727 for any legal aspects to the flood and clean-up. The legal documents section of the website also has useful support (log-in required) www.fsb.org.uk For Non- Members: call FSB Insurance Advice Line on 03450 727 727 and speak to Steve Dawson. For employment support: contact Brian Harrison on brian@bandmharrison.co.uk or 01539 730382 For practical support: contact Paul Foster on paul.foster@fsb.org.uk or 07917 628909.
Cumbria Tourism – Working with FSB to ensure the impact of the tourism sector is fully captured, and assisted with Government financial support. Please complete it here: https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=144948183547
Helpful guidance and updates on the floods are here www.cumbriatourism.org/home/december-floods-guidance. A helpline is available for affected businesses, contact 01539 822222 or info@cumbriatourism.org

United Utilities – Water bills are being suspended for customers who have been forced from their premises, businesses should contact 0345 072 6072. Customers will need to supply a temporary address along with the flooded address. For any water or wastewater issues, call 0345 6723 723. www.unitedutilities.com/emergencies-incidents.aspx corporate.unitedutilities.com/news-media.aspx
Electricity North West – Emergency Contact 0800 195 4141 or email enquiries@enwl.co.uk, tweet @ElectricityNW
Cumbria County Council – contact 01228 606060

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Jamie Reed MP for Copeland had recently asked a parliamentary question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer as to whether he plans to offer deadline extensions for tax due by businesses affected by flooding in Cumbria.

His response:

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) operates a dedicated Severe Weather helpline to offer help and advice on any tax matters to those people and businesses affected by the recent flooding. The helpline is 0800 904 7900

Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 8.00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, excluding bank holidays.

HMRC will also:

  • consider instalment arrangements where customers are unable to pay as a result of the floods;
  • agree a practical approach when individuals and businesses have lost vital records to the floods;
  • suspend debt collection proceedings for those affected by the floods; and
  • cancel penalties when the customer has missed statutory deadlines due to the floods.

If your business has been affected by the December floods the team at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce can almost certainly help, and they have previously helped Cumbrian businesses through Foot & Mouth, the 2005 Floods and the 2009 Floods.

Whether you have been flooded directly or are affected indirectly (for example through staff evacuations or your supply chain), download their Business Continuity Checklist for a list things to think about and do immediately and see their Business Recovery Toolkit for more information to support your recovery. See http://www.cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk/news/article/december-floods

Advisers are available, free of charge, to help you deal with the immediate impact and through the recovery process – call 0844 257 8450 or email info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk