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We’re pleased to share that we were once again a sponsor at the 2026 Cumbria Food Awards, supporting the Casual Dining category — one of the most dynamic, creative and highly anticipated sections of the entire event. The awards, as in previous years, continue to shine a spotlight on the exceptional businesses, producers and hospitality teams who help make Cumbria such a remarkable place to live, work and visit.

Our sponsorship reflects something that matters deeply to us: celebrating and supporting the region’s independent food and drink community. Cumbria has built a national reputation for its outstanding artisan producers, imaginative chefs, and vibrant hospitality scene. Being able to champion the people behind that success is something we take real pride in.

The Casual Dining category showcased a fantastic range of businesses this year, each bringing their own character and commitment to quality – our congratulations to category winners Bar eS based in Keswick. From innovative menus to a focus on local sourcing and genuine community engagement, the finalists demonstrated exactly what makes Cumbria’s casual dining sector so strong.

A standout moment for us was seeing some of our clients — both past and present — recognised and winning awards on the night. Their achievements are a testament to their dedication and resilience, and it’s a privilege to have supported them at different stages of their journeys. Watching them celebrated among the best in the county is something we’re incredibly proud of.

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners. The evening was a reminder of the passion and talent that runs through Cumbria’s food scene, and we’re excited to continue supporting the region’s brilliant artisan producers, independent restaurants and hospitality teams throughout the year ahead.

We are proud to announce the rebrand of Enterprise Answers to Business Finance Cumbria — a name that reflects our renewed purpose, stronger focus, and unwavering commitment to Cumbria’s business community.

This change marks more than a new identity; it represents our vision to make access to finance clearer, faster, and more inclusive for businesses across the county. As Business Finance Cumbria, we are strengthening our core mission: to provide responsible, relationship‑driven funding that enables local enterprises to invest, grow, and thrive.

With a single, streamlined loan product, we offer a straightforward and flexible route to finance giving businesses and entrepreneurs an easier, clearer way to secure the support they need without complexity or confusion.

By focusing solely on Cumbria’s economy, we aim to amplify our positive regional impact supporting job creation, encouraging innovation, and helping communities prosper.

“Our new name signals our deep dedication to Cumbria’s economy,” said Grahame Latus, Chief Executive. “We exist to make finance more accessible for the businesses that drive our region forward, ensuring ambition is never held back by a lack of support.”

With an experienced team of James, Louise, Grahame and a sharper local focus, Business Finance Cumbria will continue championing growth, innovation, and long‑term prosperity across the county through the provision of access to simple, flexible finance.

Business Finance Cumbria is here to ensure that ambition in Cumbria is never limited by access to finance.

We are delighted to announce our sponsorship of the Casual Dining category at the 2026 Cumbria Food Awards, celebrating the vibrant hospitality scene and the talented teams who help make Cumbria one of the UK’s most exciting food destinations.

This year’s shortlist showcases three outstanding venues that have each earned a loyal following for their relaxed atmosphere, creative menus, and commitment to local produce. The finalists are Billy’s Bar & Restaurant, La Casita, and Bar eS Tapas. Each brings something unique to the region’s casual dining landscape, from bold flavours inspired by world cuisine to modern interpretations of much‑loved classics.

The Casual Dining category highlights venues where great food meets great company—places that feel welcoming, unfussy, and effortlessly enjoyable. As sponsors, we are proud to support an award that recognises the passion, innovation, and hard work that go into delivering memorable dining experiences day after day.

The Cumbria Food Awards continue to shine a spotlight on the county’s culinary excellence, and this year promises to be one of the most exciting yet. We look forward to celebrating with all those who contribute to Cumbria’s ever‑growing food culture and wish the very best of luck to the three impressive finalists.

Congratulations to Billy’s Bar & Restaurant, La Casita, and Bar eS Tapas—and thank you for helping to make Cumbria such a special place to dine.

As we step into 2026, all of us at Enterprise Answers would like to extend our warmest wishes to our clients, customers, and the entire business community across Cumbria.

We hope the year ahead brings you positivity, growth, and prosperity. Cumbria’s business landscape is built on resilience, creativity, and ambition, and we are proud to continue supporting every organisation that contributes to this vibrant economy.

Whatever your goals for 2026 — whether it’s expanding, investing, or strengthening your business — Enterprise Answers remains ready to help you on your journey. We are committed to providing access to simple, flexible finance designed to support your growth aspirations and help turn plans into progress.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.

Here’s to a successful and inspiring year ahead.

Happy New Year from all at Enterprise Answers

Our festive opening hours are as follows;

Monday December 22nd 8.00am to 5.15pm

Tuesday December 23rd 8.00am to 5.15pm

Wednesday December 24th to Friday 2nd January – CLOSED

Monday January 5th – Normal Office Hours Resume

Over the past year, Cumbria’s farming community has continued to navigate a complex and evolving landscape. Since I last wrote in August 2025, the sector has faced intensified financial pressures, regulatory shifts, and climate-related challenges — yet has also demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation.

One of the most pressing issues remains the accelerated phase-out of delinked payments, which replaced the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). In 2025, payments exceeding £30,000 were eliminated, and those below that threshold were slashed by 76%, capping support at just £7,200. This dramatic reduction has forced farmers to reassess their cash flow strategies and explore alternative income sources, such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). However, delays and uncertainty around the rollout of environmental schemes have left many farmers in limbo.

Compounding these financial strains are impending changes to Inheritance Tax reliefs, set to take effect in April 2026. These reforms could significantly impact succession planning, with many family-run farms facing increased tax liabilities. A recent survey revealed that while 55% of Cumbrian farms intend to pass their business to the next generation, a concerning number have yet to formalize their plans.

Climate change has also made its mark. The unusually dry summer of 2025 led to poor harvests and reduced crop yields, particularly affecting arable farmers. With limited irrigation infrastructure, Cumbria’s farmers are increasingly vulnerable to weather extremes, underscoring the need for adaptive strategies and diversified income streams.

Yet amid these challenges, there are reasons for optimism. Cumbria has emerged as a national leader in rural digital transformation, with 99% of premises now enjoying superfast broadband and gigabit access thanks to strategic investment and public-private partnerships. This connectivity is enabling farmers to adopt precision agriculture technologies, streamline operations, and access new markets.

The region is also positioning itself as a hub for AgriTech innovation, with Cumbria’s Economic Strategy 2025–2045 highlighting opportunities in plant sciences, robotics, and clean energy. These developments promise to create new jobs, attract investment, and enhance the sustainability of the farming sector.

In this dynamic environment, Enterprise Answers continues to play a pivotal role in supporting Cumbria’s farmers. As a local, not-for-profit lender based in Penrith, Enterprise Answers offers flexible finance solutions tailored to the unique needs of rural businesses. Their face-to-face approach and understanding of the sector have made them a trusted partner, especially for tenant farmers who often struggle to access traditional funding due to limited security.

Recent case studies highlight their impact: one tenant farmer secured funding to relocate from South Yorkshire to Eden, while another used a loan to purchase in-going stock for a new tenancy in Northumberland. Enterprise Answers is also an accredited lender under the British Business Bank’s Growth Guarantee Scheme, allowing them to support marginal propositions and unlock opportunities for farmers lacking conventional collateral.

Their commitment to Cumbria’s agricultural community was further demonstrated through their sponsorship of the 2025 Cumbria Farmer Awards, where they joined other key stakeholders in celebrating farming excellence. The event showcased the sector’s resilience, innovation, and community spirit — from young farmers and trailblazing women in agriculture to sustainable enterprises and local food producers.

As Cumbria’s farmers look ahead to 2026, the road remains uncertain. But with strategic support, local investment, and a growing recognition of the sector’s importance to food security and environmental stewardship, there is hope. Enterprise Answers stands ready to help farmers not only weather the storm but build a future rooted in resilience, innovation, and pride.

A food-loving couple who poured everything they had into their dream of opening a sourdough pizzeria are celebrating their most successful period yet. 

Partners Lucas Hogg and Caroline Davis have long been famed for their freshly baked produce through their business, Peace and Loaf. 

But more recently, it’s their sourdough pizzas that have had crowds flocking to their Barrow base – particularly since the February re-opening of their dedicated dine-in pizzeria. 

With sales rocketing by 450 per cent since the early days – when Enterprise Answers was a key part of their growth – it is now a case of grab a slice while you can for eager fans of the couple’s creations.

Caroline said: “We had pennies left by the time we’d invested in the work needed to bring our dream to life – but we were prepared to take a risk for something we passionately believed in. 

“We’ve always worked with real bread and good ingredients – no chemicals – and we’re lucky now to have some brilliant Italian suppliers. A lot of our pizza ingredients come directly from Italian markets: mozzarella and beautiful fresh burrata arrive every week. 

“We’ve been blown away by the level of support we’ve had from both the local community and people coming from much further afield. As proud Barrovians, it feels great to have created something like this in the town we love.” 

Peace and Loaf has been in business for more than ten years, starting as a bread stall on Barrow Market. 

Six years ago, they moved to a unit at the Trinity Enterprise Centre in Ironworks Road, Barrow, and – aided by a loan from not-for-profit business lender Enterprise Answers – bought their first wood-fired pizza oven. 

Covid-19 hit the business hard, but takeaway pizzas and that trusty oven kept them afloat – and helped spread the word. 

After the pandemic, momentum grew to the point that in 2023 they made a bold move – leaving their famous breads behind to focus solely on pizza. 

In their early collection days, with a Saturday-only dine-in option, the couple and their small team would make around 60 pizzas a week. 

Now, following a full revamp of the pizzeria, they’re making around 330 pizzas every week across three days – Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

Given their opening hours of 4.30pm to 8pm (with an extra half-hour on Fridays), that’s roughly one pizza every two minutes. 

For the couple, it’s been a journey of passion, graft and belief – helped by the right support along the way. 

Lucas said: “When we moved to this unit, we were chasing a dream that at times we weren’t sure we’d ever reach. But we really feel like we’re well on the way now. 

“Enterprise Answers supported us from the moment we moved here, helping us secure our first pizza oven and always being honest with us. 

“What could have been an overwhelming and stressful experience was made smooth and pain-free thanks to their guidance. We can’t thank them enough.” 

Their success hasn’t gone unnoticed. Grahame Latus, Chief Executive of Enterprise Answers, said: “Lucas and Caroline’s story is a perfect example of what determination and passion can achieve. They had a clear vision, and despite the challenges, they never lost sight of it. 

“At Enterprise Answers, we exist to support businesses like Peace and Loaf – those that bring something special to their communities. Seeing them thrive and create such a vibrant destination for Barrow is exactly why we do what we do.” 

If your business needs support, call 01768 867118 or email [email protected] for an initial chat. 

A FAMILY dairy whose flagship cheese is sold and served in the UK’s most exclusive restaurants, hotels and department stores has reached a major milestone. 

Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese – which can be found on deli counters in Harrods and Fortnum & Mason – is celebrating 40 years of partnership with the revered Neal’s Yard Dairy. 

The decades-long relationship has seen the Kirkham family supply Neal’s Yard with their signature products for onward distribution to an increasing number of high-end venues. 

Managing Director of Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese, Graham Kirkham, said: “I sometimes have to pinch myself when I reflect on how far we have come as a business. 

“We supply some fantastic household names with our signature products and the list, which includes Booths, Waitrose, some of London’s top department stores – and even Whole Foods Market in the USA – continues to grow. 

“That is possible because of the fantastic relationship we have with Neal’s Yard, who have been at the forefront of the dairy industry for more than four decades. 

“Whilst it’s the milestone with them we are celebrating today, it’s only right that we also note the fantastic relationships we have across the wholesale and retail sectors with partners including Courtyard Dairy, Chorlton Cheese Mongers, Fine Cheeses and Paxton and Whitfield. They have, and continue to be, a hugely important part of our journey.” 

Enterprise Answers has been proud to play a role in the continued growth and development of Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese. 

The company was founded on the rural outskirts of Preston, Lancashire, in 1978, when Graham’s grandmother, Ruth, first started to make the cheese. 

With the help of her husband John, Ruth turned an old piggery into a cheesemaking dairy which was their base until 2008, when production shifted to a purpose-built five-acre farm with on-site milking and cheese production facilities. 

The family now have 100 cows and produce up to 100 tonnes of cheese every year using traditional methods. 

In addition to top supermarkets and high-end department stores, Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese also features on the menus of some of the UK’s leading ‘A-list’ hotels and restaurants, including The Langham, Hampton Manor, the triple-Michelin-starred Moor Hall and Michelin-starred St John in London. 

For Graham, continued investment in the business is key to its ongoing success, with the most recent works focused on a state-of-the-art milking parlour system. 

That investment was made possible by working with Enterprise Answers, a not-for-profit business lender operating across Lancashire, Cumbria and Yorkshire. 

Graham said: “Enterprise Answers have a great approach to business lending and development. They are genuinely approachable, caring, easy people to work with. 

“They work hard to understand where you are, where you want to get to, and will work hard to support your vision through tailored business lending. 

“We certainly could not have upgraded our milking parlour without their support; they are fantastic business allies to have on side.” 

With the dairy’s on-site farm shop rapidly growing in popularity and trade demand for the business’s eponymous cheeses showing no signs of abating, the future looks bright for Mrs Kirkham’s as it cruises towards its 50th anniversary. 

Grahame Latus, Chief Executive of Enterprise Answers, said: “We love to work with businesses with vision, drive and ambition. 

“Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese is a perfect example of a family enterprise that has stayed true to its roots while embracing progress. 

“Their commitment to quality and tradition has created a product – and a brand – that stands proudly on the world stage. It has been a privilege to help support their journey.”