Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Podcast Cumbria Chamber of Commerce

A conversation with Tim Bloomer, co-founder of Fell Brewery, about the business's project aimed at bringing down carbon emissions at their brewery in Flookburgh. We cover:
How the business started from two friends brewing beer into a well-known brand with over 40 employees Tim's thoughts on carbon offsetting  Carbon accounting - identifying which parts of the business produce the most carbon Steps to reduce emissions including solar PV Support from Cumbria Action for Sustainability's Westmorland & Furness Green Enterprise Hub  Electric vans  Donating to South Cumbria Rivers Trust  Tim's advice to other small businesses looking to become more environmentally sustainable Find out more about Fell Brewing here: https://fellbrewery.co.uk/about-2/ 

Our guest on the podcast is Veronica Waller of the Farmer Network, who joins us to discuss financial business support available to farms and other land-based businesses in the form of £500 vouchers to work with a consultant of their choice. We discuss recent changes to agricultural policy and subsidies and how farmers can use the vouchers to pay for consultancy to help them navigate these changes. Click here for more information and to apply for a voucher - https://cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk/repf-advice-vouchers
 

We're joined by Mark Bowman, CEO of careers advice and guidance organisation, Inspira, for a conversation on how the organisation supports people into the workforce and key insights on the current Cumbrian labour market in 2024. We cover...
Current challenges faced by clients and what this says about the wider labour market Changing application processes Inspira's work supporting young people  Inspira's work supporting older people back into work Inspira's work with employers Designing the ideal work experience placement To find out more and get involved, visit Inspira's website here: https://www.inspira.org.uk/ or follow them on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspira-inspiration-for-life/. 

We're joined by Kate Fraser of Chamber member Hutton John Estate. The family-owned estate is home to a range of luxury holiday lets which are busy throughout the year. The topic of conversation is on the business’s innovative approach to becoming more environmentally friendly. We also discuss the green business support Kate has received from the Westmorland & Furness Green Enterprise Hub. We cover:
The estate’s new environmentally friendly holiday cabins Balancing guest experience with conserving energy Using local suppliers Electric Vehicle consultancy support received through the WF Green Enterprise Hub Biomass heating Advice for businesses looking to become more sustainable Find out more about support on offer through the Westmorland & Furness Green Enterprise Hub here: https://cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk/wf-green-enterprise-hub
 

We're joined on the Cumbria Chamber podcast this month by Mel Kinsella, Director of Chamber member Kinsella HR Solutions. Our conversation is on theme of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), delving into definitions, combatting stereotypes, creating positive work environments for all employees, and the benefits to decision making of diverse thinking.
Find out more and contact Kinsella HR here: https://www.kinsellahr.co.uk/
 

We talk to Chamber members Julie Doherty and Helen Vanroose-Brydon from the Plastic Bottles Company about their work advising small businesses on the packaging they need; some of the unusual requests they've had over the years; the environmental impact of plastic packaging and how the industry is working to become more sustainable. 
Check out their website here: www.theplasticbottlescompany.com