Northern Lights

Nigel Thompson

Quality news and interviews from Cumbria’s business community. In each episode we hear from people in business across Cumbria to get a true taste of what’s happening. Get the Crack from Cumbria’s first choice for business news, Business Crack! Picture courtesy: J Wild

  1. 31 MAR

    In conversation: Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership

    A lot has happened in the decade since the Northern Powerhouse Partnership was formed and this year Cumbria is very much in the organisation’s sights. The business-led think tank for the north of England has commissioned a wide-ranging study to chart the county’s economy which it is hoped will provide the evidence needed to kick start a debate about the future of Cumbria. From transport to tourism, engineering to education, there’s work to be done if the county is to get its’ fair share of the spoils of devolution. Henri Murison, the chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, says he personally wrote to every new councillor in Cumbria to convince them that devolution was the way forward. So, with the election of a mayor just over a year away and the new combined authority now in place, how does he view Cumbria’s chances when it comes to attracting investment and building a reputation as a ‘can-do’ county where innovation thrives?

    24 min

  2. 10 MAR

    Windermere Lake Cruises

    It’s all hands on deck as the county’s most popular paid for attraction gears up what is hoped to be a strong main season. With Easter falling early this year and seasonal staff now in place Windermere Lake Cruises is preparing the 16 strong fleet that last year carried 1.2m people on Windermere. But with global issues already leading to cancellations what will the 2026 season bring? Business Crack’s Nigel Thompson has been behind the scenes at the company’s Bowness HQ.

    22 min

  3. 25 FEB

    The Lakes Hospitality Trade Show

    From rising costs and recruitment issues to changing guest expectations and business uncertainty, Cumbria’s hospitality sector certainly has a lot on its plate. For two days a year there is an opportunity for people from across the business of entertaining and looking after guests to come together and connect as a community. The Lakes Hospitality Show has been held for 49 years and is an event which organisers say is as much about collaboration as it is doing business with a wide variety of trades on show. From vital professional backroom services that help any business tick to those providing food and drink, decorating services, laundry, bedding and the myriad range of specialist support without which a visitor economy collectively worth £4.6 bn would not function. We report from the trade show and hear how hospitality is facing the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

    19 min

  4. 2 FEB

    In conversation: The National Trust in Cumbria

    The geese are making their presence felt on the shores of Derwentwater as watery sunshine and the odd crisp clump of snowdrops hint at warmer days to come. The National Trust is the biggest conservation charity in Europe. The breadth and depth of the charity’s role is varied and maybe nowhere more so than in Cumbria. Yet news that the charity had to cut around 500 jobs nationally to save £26 million caused concern about the impact change could have in the county. In this edition we meet Jez Westgarth, the National Trust’s Assistant Director Operations for Cumbria and North Lancashire, who talks to the podcast about the changes and challenges the charity faces plus his hopes for the future.

    33 min

  5. 16 JAN

    Reaction to the Tour de France coming to Cumbria

    No it wasn’t a dream, Cumbria really is set to host theworld’s biggest cycle race! The  Tour de France comes to the county in 2027. Not only is it set to be a major attraction but footagewill be beamed all over the world. In this special edition of Northern Lights we’ll hear fromsomeone who knows more than most about the draw of the event and what it could mean in the longer term for Cumbria. Prof Phil Leigh is Senior Knowledge ExchangeManager at the University of Cumbria and has a background in cycling at the highest level.

    11 min

  6. 4 JAN

    In conversation: Lord Case, chair of Team Barrow

    “The time for talking is definitely over and 2026 is definitely the first year of delivery,” according to the man behind the unique three-way partnership that forms Team Barrow. Simon Case is the chair of the organisation made up of central government, Westmorland and Furness Council and BAE Systems responsible for ‘mobilising the national effort’ to support every aspect of life in Barrow. In this interview he tells us why he wanted to chair the team he created, the challenges it faces and the determination he has to transform the town.

    23 min

  7. 12/12/2025

    In conversation: Rob Keeping, MD of Bells of Lazonby

    Passengers idly glancing from their train window as they pass Lazonby may wonder what goes on in the warehouses that run parallel to the Settle Carlisle line. Maybe the occasional whiff of fresh baking may offer some clue. The products emerging from the family-owned Bells bakery has led to the village becoming synonymous with tasty treats all over the UK and beyond. Next year the firm will mark the 80th birthday of a business established by John Bell in 1946. At the helm today is newly appointed managing director Rob Keeping who’s been sharing details about his background and his plans for the coming years with Business Crack’s Nigel Thompson: Show notes: 2 minutes Setting the scene at Lazonby where trains pass within feet of the bakery and passengers occasionally look for a coffee - and a cake of course! 3 minutes Bells is a family firm so how does Rob feel as the latest member of the team? 4 minutes The importance of maintaining the Cumbrian link in packaging and marketing. 5 minutes The importance of Lazonby as a location 7 minutes The range the company produces and how it has changed 9 minutes The rising prices of ingredients and how Bells manage changing conditions 12 minutes Plans for 2026 14 minutes Exploring new markets 16 minutes Do customers get in touch? 17 mins The key question; does Rob bake!? Thanks to Rob and to you for downloading this edition of Northern Lights. Subscribe now to hear more editions in 2026!

    18 min

  8. 05/12/2025

    In conversation: Planning for the future of the Lake District National Park

    The Lake District; 912 square miles, home to England’s deepest lake and highest mountain and on the ‘must-see’ list of millions of tourists every year. It’s also the home to a small and declining number of people who live there all year around. Less than half of the land is owned by members who make up the Lake District National Park Partnership. The majority - 63% - is in private ownership. The partnership’s new five year plan, a piece of work setting out how the 24 members will tackle the challenges the area faces, is now up for review. The partnership is chaired by Dr Celia Caulcott, an academic and an independent who’s urging people to have their say on a plan that will set the course for the park over the next five years.

    28 min
See All (21)

About

Quality news and interviews from Cumbria’s business community. In each episode we hear from people in business across Cumbria to get a true taste of what’s happening. Get the Crack from Cumbria’s first choice for business news, Business Crack! Picture courtesy: J Wild

Information

  • Creator
    Nigel Thompson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Nigel Thompson
  • Show Website
    Northern Lights

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