Funding for economic initiatives in Barrow

Barrow Local Committee today approved grants totalling £8,700 to help four economic initiatives in the area, which will create four new jobs. 

Councillor Alan Nicholson, Chairman of the Local Committee, said:   

"Helping people in Barrow find employment is a key objective for this local committee and Cumbria County Council. Any new job is a step toward regenerating the area and I am pleased we have been able to provide these grants, which will provide new jobs and new enterprises to help stimulate the local economy." 

Funding was given to four organisations, creating a new job in each. Grants were awarded to:   

• Sergeant Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band (£2,500) to buy equipment. 
• Steel in Art (£2,500) to establish a new enterprise in manufacturing wrought iron giftware. 
• A. Merrin Upholstery (£1,200) to establish a local upholstery service. 
• Designer Paving Products (£2,500) to establish local business to manufacture paving designs.    

The grants came from Barrow Local Committee's Economic Initiatives Fund, which was set up to help community businesses, the small business community and improve people's access to the job market. The fund has supported a total of 16 projects since April 2002 to the tune of about £40,000. Examples of projects to benefit include the High Tide Coffee Bar in Dalton, Forum 28 in Barrow and numerous other small businesses in the area. The fund has also contributed to employing a European Project Development Officer in Barrow, and supported the development of a number of new businesses and the creation and safeguarding of employment in the area.