Enterprise Hub: Collaboration is Key

Cllr Virginia Taylor and Cllr Mary Robinson - Eden District Council: “The Enterprise Hub is the flagship project for Inspiring Eden, the Council’s plan for economic recovery, prosperity, and levelling up - achieving rural excellence for our communities and businesses. It will play a crucial role in placing enterprise and entrepreneurship at the heart of our communities. This ambitious project - and the wider Inspiring Eden initiative – demonstrates the council’s  commitment that communities thrive and that businesses grow and prosper. It is important when seeking Government investment that we bear in mind not only what Government can do for us but also what we can do to support UK plc on a global stage.”

Dr Neil Hudson - MP: “I see the ‘Inspiring Eden’ Enterprise Hub as a vital stepping-stone in the Government’s ambition for levelling-up across the whole of rural Eden. Countless numbers of people, young and old, will benefit from this grant for generations to come, boosting our resilience and also helping enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of our communities.”  Neil Hudson has spoken in Parliament and has met with a minister about the proposals.

Paul Foster - Development Manager (Lancashire & Cumbria) Federation of Small Businesses: “It is the kind of facility rarely seen in rural areas and will have multiple benefits to existing and prospective entrepreneurs”.

Jo Lappin MBE - Chief Executive Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership: “There is a clear need for additional business space in Eden, which the Enterprise Hub will help to address. Importantly, it will offer easy access terms to businesses and has been designed to meet a range of requirements from start up to grow on space across all of the sectors operating within the economy.” 

Professor Brian J Webster-Henderson: - Deputy Vice Chancellor (Health, Environment & Innovation) University of Cumbria: “We would hope that in addition to benefitting Eden’s economy, that this facility will be utilised by some of the University of Cumbria’s many entrepreneurial students and alumni thereby assisting with graduate retention in the county. There is further potential for businesses to benefit from local research & innovation expertise and to input into higher education agendas and priorities.”

Suzanne Caldwell - Managing Director Cumbria Chamber of Commerce: “Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is keen to support the Inspiring Eden Enterprise Hub, which we feel will play a vital role in driving the growth and success of Eden’s economy."

Jim Walker - Chair Eden Tourism Network: “Our members are by definition mainly small operators and this type of support for them and also new tourism businesses setting out, all within a modern facility, could make a real difference."

Linda Farrar - Chair Alston Fairhill Committee, Alston Recreation Ground: “We realise what an important asset this will be for the promotion of rural enterprise in Eden.”

Rob Randell - Chair, Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership: “The proposal meets with many of the aspirations we have in developing the World’s First Social Enterprise Zone.” 

Ian Grey - Alston Moor Business Association: “There is a clear need for high quality business support space in the area for both existing and new businesses. In addition, we recognise that this project would help businesses in Eden realise their potential and attract significant levels of inward investment which will inevitably benefit the economy across Eden."

Dion Williams - Director of Research, Enterprise & Innovation / Associate Dean for Enterprise & Engagement Lancaster University: “This fully aligns with Lancaster University’s strategic drive to work with our regional partners such as Eden District Council and local businesses to ensure that our region levels out as well as levels up, and that the potential for our more rural areas is realised and we achieve cross regional prosperity beyond, but complementary to, our major city regions.”

Michael Bell - Bells of Lazonby: “The Enterprise Hub will help incubate and support fledgling businesses that will be the reliable backbone of the local economy for decades to come."

Cllr Phil Dew - Chair of Eden Area Committee: “The proposal for the enterprise hub has a good strategic fit with local economic development strategies and the business support ecosystem.”