Winners of Business Boost 2015 are urging businesses to enter this year’s competition.
CN Group, publisher of The Cumberland News, launched Business Boost 2016 last week in partnership with sponsors Lamont Pridmore and Bendles Solicitors.
Six businesses – two each in north, west and south Cumbria – will win £10,000 to spend on advertising in our newspapers and websites.
They also get mentoring and support from the sponsors, including an extended business consultation programme from accountant Lamont Pridmore.
Applications are invited in two categories. One for new businesses – up to five years old – and one for established businesses with fewer than 250 employees. All entrants must be based in Cumbria.
Six Degrees Recruitment, at Warwick Bridge near Carlisle, was among the ‘new business’ winners last year.
Mark Connor launched the recruitment agency in 2012 and was soon joined by Helen Landy. They found Business Boost to be invaluable.
Mr Connor said: “We wanted to improve brand awareness and reach out to a larger geographical area.
“We made contact with a number of new clients and prospective clients through the advertising process, enabling the business to grow.
“We took on another member of staff in January and have another starting in May.”
He added: “Business Boost is well worth doing. It’s an opportunity to step outside the day-to-day business, think about your goals and plan for the next couple of years.”
The holiday lettings agency Sally’s Cottages, in Keswick, was one of the ‘established business’ winners.
Owner and founder Sally Fielding said: “The really good thing was that we could experiment with our advertising. We could do different things and see what worked.
“We did one lot of advertising for owners of cottages, who might be interested in renting them through us, and another campaign inviting people to come and stay.
“Last year was our best ever and Business Boost had something to do with that. To anyone thinking of entering this year I’d say, ‘Go for it’.”
Entrants should outline how their businesses will grow and how they might use a £10,000 advertising campaign.
The closing date is March 25.
Judging takes place early in April – details of the judging panel will be announced shortly – when shortlisted finalists will be invited to make a Dragons’ Den -style pitch.
Winners will be announced at the end of April.
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