Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has reopened the GSK Enterprise Fund grant scheme.

The GSK Enterprise Fund was established in 2019 as part of a package of measures aiming to address the local economic impact of job losses resulting from the restructuring of the GSK Ulverston antibiotics business.

Administered by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, the fund supplied grants to businesses and start-ups of all sizes in eligible areas.

It encouraged the creation of new jobs and/or safeguarding of existing jobs, and promoted competitiveness, sustainability and growth.

Owing to the challenges which have been facing businesses over the last few years, and continuing challenges, not all of those awarded grants have been able to use or fully use the funding.

As a result we’re now able to reopen the scheme for a short period so that we can reallocate the funds freed up.

The fund offers grants to businesses in the LA post code areas of Cumbria to meet up to 30 per cent of project costs (capital and revenue) which will lead to the creation or safeguarding of permanent jobs.

Businesses looking to apply for a grant should at first submit an Expression of Interest form. You can find out more and download the form here.

Suzanne Caldwell, Managing Director of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce said: “This scheme has made a huge difference to businesses, who have made some great investments in growth and productivity. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, given the challenges of recent years, we’ve had a few who’ve been unable to implement their projects, either in full or in part. So we now have at least £75k available to new applications.”

This is a competitive fund which has monthly deadline for submission for Expressions of Interest and applications.

Forthcoming deadlines are:

· 9am 1st December 2022

· 9am 3rd January 2023

· 9am 1st February 2023

If you’re a small or medium sized business our Growth Hub advisers are available free of charge to support your expression of interest and application, and help with other aspects of your proposed project.

Advisers can also ensure you’re drawing on any other available funding sources and support. Call us on 0844 257 8450 or email info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk.