Cumbria Growth Hub Assessing Value For Money Of Business Support Services

Due to Cumbria’s rural and mountainous nature, the Cumbrian population is fairly dispersed and accessibility and broadband infrastructure challenges exist. These factors, amongst others, make the economic and business environment in Cumbria challenging.

The Cumbria Growth Hub and Business Start-Up Support (BSUS) projects were established as a place for SMEs and entrepreneurs to get useful support and advice, addressing information failures after the demise of Regional Development Agencies and closure of Business Link.

Forever Consulting was appointed to undertake ERDF Summative Assessments for the two projects to inform future policy development and learning.