BUSINESS leaders are stepping up efforts to secure government funding to create purpose-built premises for new and expanding firms.

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is today launching a major survey to gauge the needs of businesses in South Lakeland.

The findings will help to back-up the Chamber's case for financial backing to pay for so-called business incubation units or managed workspace offering easy-in, easy-out terms for fledgling firms.

The survey asks questions about the potential stumbling blocks to starting or developing a business locally; what kind of business premises are required; whether availability of funding is a problem locally; and whether businesses would benefit from links with a university.

Chamber officials are drawing up a detailed bid to DTI minister Stephen Timms for support after a delegation from South Lakeland received encouragement from the minister earlier this year.

Mr Timms was said to be impressed that the delegation had come up with a business-led solution to the problems facing the area. South Lakeland has the lowest average household income in Cumbria and has suffered 3,000 job losses in manufacturing and financial sectors. Graduates are leaving the area due to shortage of high-tech jobs and high house prices.

To arrest this decline, the delegation suggested making more land and premises available for expanding local businesses and inward investors, and creating incubation units for start-up businesses. They also proposed forming ties with Lancaster Univer-sity and improving transport and communi-cations, particularly Internet broadband links.

Forming an incubation business park is likely to cost around £1.3 million, but public money to pay for such facilities could be available through the North West Development Agency.

A number of potential sites in Kendal have been identified, including 70,000 sq ft of K Shoes factory buildings on Natland Road and the Cinderovens site near Kirkbie Kendal School.

Alan Varley, director of Kendal-based architects practice Derek Hicks and Thew and a Chamber member, said one of the biggest problems facing new businesses was finding the right type of office or workspace and there was an acute shortage of starter units in the area.

South Lakeland District Council head of economy and development Richard Greenwood said SLDC would be helping to put a convincing case before the minister.

"We can help facilitate development in terms of sites or buildings through the planning process and our knowledge of what's available, where and at what cost."

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce director John Ashcroft said the bid to Mr Timms represented "a unique opportunity" for the area. He hopes to get a bid on the minister's desk in time to secure a decision before parliament goes into summer recess, paving the way for work to start later this year..

The Chamber is working alongside a number of organisations, including South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria inward Investment Agency, North West Development Agency, Cumbria Rural Regeneration Company, Federation of Small Businesses, Lancaster University and Kendal College.

A recent economic survey of Cumbria highlighted South Lakeland as a major hotspot for business growth, with the area having more entrepreneurs than elsewhere in the county.

l To get a copy of the survey, fill in the cut-out slip above and send it to: Derek Armstrong, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Town Centre Office, 32 Market Place, Kendal, LA9 4TN.

April 24, 2003 11:00