Northern Lights

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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 location7 minutes The range the company produces and how it has changed9 minutes The rising prices of ingredients and how Bells manage changing conditions12 minutes Plans for 202614 minutes Exploring new markets16 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!

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.

So what reaction is there to the 2025 Budget in Cumbria?We've been  asking a variety of people from sectors all over Cumbria for their views on the Budget and how they see it making a difference - good or bad - to all of us.We'll bring you an overview from The Work Foundation and hear from the world of manufacturing, and two businesses involved in very different products.We’ll hear from a tax specialist, an HR expert and from the charitable sector too.Show notes:Ben Harrison director of the ⁠Work Foundation⁠, a think tank based at Lancaster University, offers an overview of some of the key points and an insight into what impact it may make.Mel Kinsella, HR consultantChris France, MD Jennings BreweryJayne Moorby, Oxley DevelopmentsGraham Poles, Armstrong WatsonMatthew Burden, project manager, Barrow Foodbank

The BECBC annual awards are a chance for companies, individuals and charities to get together and celebrate success in West Cumbria.Held at Energus on 20th November, a dozen awards were made in highly competitive categories.In the hour before the event began we went backstage to meet a variety of nominees and hear from Chief Executive Dianne Richardson and Head Judge John Grainger about what makes the awards so special.We hear from Dr Zoe Billings, Natasha Banks of Great North Air Ambulance, Clint Stamper, Adam Pearson of Adamedia, Mark Telford of Forth Engineering.Subscribe now to hear more from Northern Lights.

Between 2009 and 2019 Rory Stewart’s regular column for the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald was as varied as it was informative.From Eden to the Middle East, Roman history to super fast broadband (or lack of), his diverse observations and comments were unlike anything politicians normally write.Middleland is not just a compilation of these articles; it’s an insight into all forms of life at a time of major changes in what was Britain’s most rural constituency. He's been talking to Nigel Thompson about some of the highlights from a book that contains articles from his time as MP.Highlights:1 min 34" How Cumbria has changed and Rory's perspective.3 mins 22" During his time as MP he walked around his constituency to meet the people he served. Here he talks about what inspired him to do that.5 mins 30" He reflects on the farming industry and the challenges faced.9 mins 20" Trying to convert the PM to love Cumbria12 mins 20" Too many outsiders wearing fleeces telling farmers how to manage their land?15' 10" Working to connect Cumbria19'10" Why Middleland has been published now and what he hopes it will achieve.22' 07" Rory's view on the Cumbrian mayoral role - and is he interested in the job?25'14" Reflecting on the continuing role of the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald and the importance of local media.Thanks to Rory Stewart for talking to Northern Lights.

The Lake District National Park is the biggest in England. Home to the country's highest mountain and deepest lake, it's also not without its challenges.This summer has seen a spate of anti-social behaviour in beauty spots, budget cuts along with challenges to keep services running at a time when the area's five year plan is being drawn up.The chief executive of the national park authority is Gavin Capstick who began the role a year ago.In this edition of Northern Lights we discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the LDNPA now and in the future.

The first of a new breed of doctors who could make a major difference to the lives of people across Cumbria have begun their studies at the country’s newest medical school.The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine (PCSM) is the first graduate-entry medical school in Cumbria and the result of a collaboration between Imperial College in London and the University of Cumbria.Business Crack’s Nigel Thompson has met some of the first cohort and heard how it’s hoped they could soon be making a difference to the health of Cumbrians.

 Tourism is a major part of Cumbria's economy supporting almost 75,000 jobs and worth £4.6 billion.And yet there are challenges.Cumbria Tourism, the organisation which represents over 4,500 tourism businesses, says visitor numbers are still below those recorded before the pandemic.While initial soundings from the sector this summer show the fine weather has helped attract visitors back to Cumbria, final figures won’t be known until the autumn.For the newly appointed chair of Cumbria Tourism a busy time in office looks inevitable.Mark Holroyd has worked in tourism in a wide range of roles and is the head of recreation and communications for Forestry England in the north.He’s been talking to Business Crack’s Nigel Thompson:

The children’s book ‘Little Coffee Cup and the Big Surprise’ is the debut story from Cumbrian author and sustainability advocate Hayley Slack and follows the tale of Little Coffee Cup.Not only is the book written to spark conversations about waste and reuse but it’s made from recycled coffee cups by Burneside-based paper and packaging manufacturer, James Cropper.Each physical book is made from 13 recycled coffee cups, collected from across the UK and beyond.“Since January we’ve received 757 tonnes - that’s around 64 million coffee cups - which have been diverted from landfill,” Rob Tilsley Croppers’ fibre specialist told Business Crack as he showed me around the Burneside factory.In this podcast we'll hear from author, designer and manufacturer and their hopes that this Cumbrian collaboration could be just the start of a bigger success story.https://littlecoffeecup.com/products/little-coffee-cup-bookhttps://paperandpackaging.jamescropper.com/capabilities/fibreblend/

Is it possible to thrive in the world of animation when you're base is in Cumbria?For Lou Kneath, the co-founder and animator of Carlisle-based Plus 3K , the answer is a resounding 'yes.'The former University of Cumbria student and her team are flying high when it comes to commissions with previous work recognised with an international award.But with Artificial Intelligence and the need to remain visible vital in a competitive market, what is the key to success?Tenacity, reputation and a flying pig are among her top tips as she told Business Crack's Nigel Thompson for this edition of the podcast recorded in the company's Carlisle studio.Northern Lights is produced and presented by Nigel Thompson.Subscribe to our regular LinkedIn newsletter to hear more from Cumbria's business community.To get in touch contact us via [email protected]

As the weather finally heats up welcome to June's Northern Lights podcast!Once again we've travelled across Cumbria to bring you stories directly from some of the county's business community.In this edition we've visited Westlakes Science Park to meet Kurt Canfield, the Chief Executive Officer of defence and nuclear specialists Delkia. Hear how, in just a few years, the company has grown, his hopes for the future and why his family are helping bring back a much-loved Cumbrian brand.We'll also take you underground to hear how slate from Honister is in demand and see the careful process of extracting it.And we'll get to know the new owners of Hayes Garden Centre now running the site in Ambleside where a garden centre Northern Lights is produced and presented by Nigel Thompson.Business Crack is produced by Barrnon Media.To share your news and to hear about sponsorship opportunities get in touch, [email protected]

In a special edition of Northern Lights, Business Crack's Nigel Thompson is joined by a host of experts from all corners of Cumbria to assess what the government's Spending Review means for Cumbria.From new nuclear power stations and investment in defence to the impact on tourism and transport, we gain an insight from four people in the know:Dianne Richardson, the chief executive of Britain's Energy Coast Business ClusterSuzanne Caldwell, the chief executive of Cumbria Chamber of CommerceJayne Moorby, head of marketing at Oxley DevelopmentsPeter Fleming, business consultantWe discuss news that Moorside could become home to a new small modular reactor, hear calls for SME's to benefit from investment in defence, why bus fares boost tourism (and help those who work in the sector) and look ahead to changes that may well mean Cumbria can look forward to getting a greater share of government money.

In this edition we're joined by Suzanne Caldwell, the Managing Director of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce. Hear her take on Trumps tariffs, why collaboration is key in an area like Cumbria and how the chamber is working to bring the county's business community together.We'll also take you to Workington to hear how the port is undergoing big changes.And how cutting edge laboratory facilities around Morecambe Bay could be offered to entrepreneurs looking to make their technological breakthrough.This edition is kindly sponsored by Britain's Energy Coast Business Cluster.Northern Lights is produced and presented by Nigel Thompson.Business Crack is produced by Barrnon Media.For news and sponsorship opportunities get in touch with us: [email protected]

Quality news and interviews from Cumbria’s business community.We’re out across the county to bring you a true taste of what’s happening and gather opinions from those in the know.In our first edition Dianne Richardson, the  CEO of Britain's Energy Coast Business Cluster (BECBC), joins Business Crack's Nigel Thompson.We discuss the Chancellor's Spring Statement, consider Barrow port's new Royal name, hear from the award-winning (and fiercely Cumberland-based!) tailor and taste the innovative Lake District take on a Scottish staple.Get the Crack from Cumbria’s first choice for business news!Pic: J Wild

Think you know Cumbria's business community?Think again!It's been months in the making but in spring 2025 we're ready to share a new podcast that will shine a light on Cumbria's businesses, big and small.Business Crack already brings you stories from across the county and now you can hear directly from those making the news. With a guest joining us on each edition too, it's a regular business briefing for you.Subscribe now, wherever you get your podcasts!Picture: Courtesy of J Wild