Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce that Made in Cumbria is to transfer from Cumbria County Council to the Chamber.

Over the past 20 years, Made in Cumbria has helped many Cumbrian businesses develop and flourish, helping to create hundreds of jobs and having a significant effect on the Cumbrian economy.

To enable it to take full advantage of the opportunities for further development Made in Cumbria will shortly transfer to Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, a commercial membership organisation which operates as a not for profit business.  This highly regarded organisation has a great track record of securing funding and running successful activities, and indeed, on the basis of this track record, has secured transitional funding from NWDA over the next two years to support commercial development of Made in Cumbria.  Keen to continue to support Made in Cumbria, alongside this the Council will continue to provide sponsorship.

This NWDA funding will help to support the development of Made in Cumbria into a sustainable commercial organisation, operating for the benefit of its members (as the Chamber does now).  Developments will include:

·          renewed branding, aimed at establishing Made in Cumbria as a statement for all that is best/unique about Cumbria, demonstrating creativity, quality and innovation supported by a strong sense of history of place

·          a new stylish, interactive website, creating more commercial opportunities for members through online retail sales

We are confident that this move is the right one to ensure a viable and successful future for Made in Cumbria and will result in significant benefit to members and the Cumbrian economy.

Councillor Tony Markley, Portfolio Holder for the Economy and Highways Cumbria County Council says, “Over the last 20 years Made in Cumbria has done a great job, promoting Cumbrian food and craft products and helping producers develop their businesses.  But there are many more opportunities that can be exploited and this is best achieved in a more commercial environment.  So we’re delighted that the Chamber has agreed to take Made in Cumbria forward.  We’re sure this is a great move for Made in Cumbria members and the Cumbrian economy more widely and look forward to seeing the results.”

Based on the Chamber’s very successful track record, NWDA has agreed to provide the Chamber with interim funding to help rejuvenate the brand and reinforce areas of activity, enhancing income streams for Made in Cumbria and business opportunity for members.

Rob Johnston, Chamber Chief Executive comments, “We’re really excited about this move.  We’re aiming to make Made in Cumbria a stylish and exciting brand, reflecting all that is best/unique about Cumbria, demonstrating creativity, quality and innovation, supported by a strong sense of history of place.

We’re honoured to have been given the opportunity of working on behalf of Cumbrian businesses to make Made in Cumbria really successful, in itself and for members and look forward to working with members and potential members to achieve this.

We’ve some exciting developments planned and will be issuing invitations to tender for activity to support this shortly.”

Ian Haythornthwaite, Executive Director of Resources, NWDA, says “The Chamber has done a great job supporting Cumbrian businesses in recent years, striking a great balance between commercialism and social responsibility.  So NWDA is delighted to support this latest move which we’re sure will be a really successful one for Made in Cumbria and its members, the Chamber and the Cumbrian economy.”