A scheme to help Cumbrian businesses access consultancy services is offering more support to companies.

Grants totalling £265,000 have already gone to 200 firms through the Cumbria Business Growth Hub's Subsidy Scheme.

Small and medium-sized enterprises that meet European Regional Development Fund criteria can claim up to £2,000 to cover up to 40 per cent of consultancy costs to help them grow and create jobs.

Consultancies eligible range from marketing advice to website development, accountancy and finance advice, social media consultancy, public relations and help to gain accreditations such as ISO and SALSA.

Suzanne Caldwell, deputy chief executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, which is the lead partner in the growth hub, urged more businesses to apply.

She said: “We’re keen to encourage businesses to make the most of the services available from private sector consultants in Cumbria and beyond.

“Our Subsidy Scheme supports businesses to do that, enabling them to spend more than they would otherwise and to try new approaches.

“This scheme is only running for the next few months with all claims to be paid out by the end of December, so anyone who is interested needs to act quickly.”

Outdoor bag brand Millican, of Braithwaite near Keswick, benefited from the scheme when it brought in a designer to revamp its Originals range.

Preserve and pickle firm Claire’s Handmade of Fletchertown, near Wigton, used a consultant to upgrade its website and Cleanroom Supplies, based at Cumrew near Carlisle, brought in a specialist to help it attain ISO9001 accreditation.

David Hamer, founder of Make Us Visible, a digital consultancy based near Grange-over-Sands, recommended the scheme to clients.

He said: “We’ve referred seven or eight clients. It’s great for them. In some cases it enables them to go ahead when they wouldn’t without the subsidy.”