A TOTAL of 129 businesses were opened or relaunched in Copeland during the last year, new figures reveal.
Copeland Council has reported the figure based on those who registered for National Non Domestic Rates (NNDR), known as business rates, from May 2018 to April 2019.
The list includes shops, cafes, pubs, playgroups, warehouses, beauty salons, offices and guest houses, with July (13) and November (19) the busiest months for new or relaunched businesses.
Mike Starkie, Mayor of Copeland, said: “These figures show real growth in Copeland’s business sector, and it’s extremely encouraging to see so many new businesses – or existing businesses that have been taken over – during the last 12 months.
“It shows that despite some tough trading times, real faith is being shown by businesspeople whose firms in a range of sectors are sprouting up across the borough.
“We’ve shown our commitment to our business community with the Pride of Place building grants scheme which, so far, has seen more than £650,000 invested in the borough’s shopfronts.
“This positive news about business growth is timely given the announcement that budding entrepreneurs and established businesses in the borough can now access free support through the Cumbria Business Growth Hub.
“Copeland Council has a real growth agenda, and we want to see new businesses created and thrive alongside the established ones.
“I’d encourage all businesspeople to access this Growth Hub support, and I’d encourage our residents to shop local, support local tradespeople, and help us continue to regenerate the high street.”
It was announced last week that Copeland Council has advanced to the final stage of a bid for a share of the Government’s £675million Future High Streets Fund.
