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How to Start a Business in Carlisle

Free start-up resources and useful local contacts.

Improve your chances of success!

How to Start a Business in Carlisle

Starting a business in Carlisle

If you are thinking about starting a business in Carlisle or would like to grow your existing business, we would love to help you.

Start Your Own Business in Carlisle contains resources and the information that will help give your venture the best chance of success. It also highlights organisations who offer friendly advice and the services that you are likely to need as a new startup or local business owner.

Grants | Networking groups | Business advice | Mentoring | Co-working spaces

Starting a business in Carlisle

Local help for startups

There is plenty of help for startups in Carlisle but where can it be found?

Select classification:

Local partners

We are happy to promote anyone who is prepared to offer friendly support to local start-ups.

Our local partners have been kind enough to help us and are keen to help you too.

Free Startup Resources

Getting it right from the start can help to prevent problems later.

To help you with this we have created a vast selection of resources and they are all completely free!

Latest articles

You don't know what you don't know!

The prospect of starting a new business can be incredibly exciting but should be approached with care. You have probably heard scary stories about how many start-ups fail in the early stages. You can make sure that you are not one of them by learning as much as possible before you launch. Over the years, we have collected lots of articles which will show you what has worked well for other start-ups and the putfalls to avoid.

Free Startup Guide

Start Your Own Business in 2021

Download the 2024 edition of our Free Start Your Own Business guide

An interactive step-by-step guide which also includes all of the most important subjects covered in an easy-to-read way with links to useful online articles and relevant contacts.

The idea of starting your own business can be incredibly exciting and who can blame you for being tempted?

However, the sad truth is that far too many new enterprises fail in the early stages. Our aim is to make sure that you don't become one of them.

This guide explains the key start-up subjects in simple English.

There is also plenty of help available in the area and much of it is free - please do make the most of it.

Read more about what our Free guide contains and how you can download it.
Starting a business in Carlisle

Key Contacts in Carlisle

'You don't know what you don't know' is a phrase that is so applicable to starting a new business.

Carlisle is a great place for start-ups but your chances of success are dramatically improved if you make the most of the support that is available locally. Click on logos to visit their websites.

HR

Your Jobs in
Your Jobs in UK connects people to employers. Our unique service is not about targeting one particular group of people it is about promoting employment opportunities for a wide variety of people. FOR EMPLOYERS Advertise your vacancy with Your Jobs in today. An employment advert published on our pages can reach thousands of serious job seekers faster and for less cost than using a printed recruitment advert in local newspapers. There is no better way to reach serious job seekers than with Your Jobs in. Our established service provides an alternative choice that is user-friendly, eco-friendly, and cost-friendly. We reach serious job seekers every day using easy to access social media. Your Jobs in has more than 80,000 active members. To find out more please see: www.yourjobin.co.uk
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Accountancy

Graham R Turner
We prepare Accounts/Self Assessment Return & specialise in Sole Traders, Partnerships, Income from Property, Tax Enquiries – We are here to help! Established in 1997 and with over 36 years combined experience, Graham R Turner accountancy and taxation services specialise in Sole Traders and Partnerships. We bring a depth of experience and knowledge when it comes to managing your self assessment, tax returns and accounts preparation as well as getting prepared for implementation of ‘Maxing tax digital’ (MTD) which starts in April 2021, we are ready, are you? If you are considering being self-employed or are currently self employed as a sole trader or partnership looking for a bespoke service in and around the Carlisle area or in the Tyne Valley, Northumberland or North Tyneside. We can arrange to come to you at work, home or a convenient location to discuss your individual requirements in more detail.
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Web design

Business Toolbox Cumbria
Cost-effective, smart solutions to make your business stand out without breaking the bank! I have a passion for designing websites that work as an excellent “shop window” for your business, that deliver smart and stylish solutions, but that do so in a cost-effective and functional way. I offer you joined up thinking and solutions across different marketing services under one roof, whether this is web design, brand, digital or print marketing, assistance with social media or a mix of these elements. I work with you to give you the right results and to work as part of your “toolbox” throughout the project, and for as long as you need support and services. I love doing this because I learnt through the years of developing sales and marketing teams and business strategies that websites need to be an integral part of what you do, and not an expensive ornament that just look smart. If you would like to work with someone who has “been there and got the t-shirt” on marketing and finding cost-effective solutions to raise the profile of a business do get in touch. I would love to chat.
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Networking

The Lonely Middle Club - From Startup Hive
Starting a business is exciting, and succeeding is rewarding, but what about the bit between? You know, that bit that’s full of self-doubt, endless repetition and feelings of being out of your comfort zone? We call it ‘The Lonely Middle’ and it’s one of the hardest parts of creating a successful business. We know, we’ve been there. So, we created The Lonely Middle Club to help you through it. Each month you get exclusive content to help give you the knowledge and inspiration to succeed. Plus, you get access to a private members-only Facebook group where you can get advice and network with small business owners who are going through similar challenges to you. If you want even more, you can download our 51 worksheets, guides, and journals all designed to do one thing, and one thing only… help you get through ‘The Lonely Middle’ and achieve your business goals. Visit our website today to join the club and benefit from our members price lock and full no questions asked money-back guarantee.
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Advice

Cumbria LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership)
Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership provides a strategic lead in all activities contributing to the growth and vibrancy of the countys economy and where appropriate takes positive action, using the skills, capabilities and networks of the LEP partners. Its aim is to develop Cumbrias economy while maintaining its uniqueness in terms of landscape, culture and quality of life. The partnership is about much more than allocation of funding and supporting applications for the Regional Growth Fund. It wants to create new working practices, making the most of opportunities to support private sector led investment and initiatives.
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Networking

FSB Lancashire & Cumbria
FSB Lancashire & Cumbria is the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). It was formed in 1974 as the National Federation of Self Employed and represents the interests of small and medium-sized businesses locally and nationally. They offer a great package tailored to your needs if you are thinking about starting a business in the area. Contact: Paul Foster Development Manager paul.foster@fsb.org.uk
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Networking

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Our Aim is to be innovative, committed and financially strong business organisation for cumbria, seeking opportunities to support and represent business whatever their size and sector. Address: 3rd Floor Broadacre House, 16-20 Lowther Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8DA
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Advice

Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency
We help both new and existing businesses in the Eden and South Lakeland districts of Cumbria. We also support farmers and rural businesses producing distinctive, Cumbrian products throughout the county.
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Start-up articles

100's of free startup articles

We have created a collection of 100s of startup articles to help anyone with whatever stage they are on with their business journey. Hundreds of thousands of people have gone before you and we can learn from what they got right and avoid the things that have been proved not to work so well.

You can see the full list of 'articles' at: How to start a business