Cumbria Flood Support from WCBC

CLICK HERE to view list of support being offered to businesses affected by the latest Cumbria floods

A webpage listing help required direct from flood victims will be in operation shortly...

Last updated: 4 Feb 10 Webpage supported by AMEC

Click here for details about the NWDA - Flood Recovery Grant Scheme (link opens in a new window)

Click here for latest news - Support continues for businesses affected by Cumbria flooding - NWDA Jan 10 newsletter (link opens in a new window)

BUSINESSLINK NW

BusinessLink has the following web pages that may help businesses that have experienced problems with the flooding:

Click here for info on flood damage (link opens in a new window)

Click here for info on business continuity (link opens in a new window)

Business Link Tel: 0845 00 66 888 (extended opening hours 8.00am to 10.00pm seven days a week)

Telephone Support

BLNW Helpline 0845 0066 888 from tomorrow will operate from 08:00 to 22:00 seven days per week until Christmas. You can ask to be put through to a Cumbrian Adviser (we are on an on call rota) many of whom have previous experience of floods and all know about the help that is available.

FLOOD SUPPORT CENTRES

BusinessLink NW are manning information desks in the following Flood support centres from 25 Nov 09 (lead Adviser in brackets)

Christ Church, Cockermouth (actually inside the Church) (Philip Lee)
Town Hall, Workington (the old one) (Glyn Griffiths)
The Library, Keswick (Sarah Craig)

They will be there 9.00am- 5.00pm Mon- Fri for the next two-three weeks depending on demand.
Look for the BLNW Green banner!
This will be announced on local radio, TV and press over the next few days

By Friday 27 Nov 09 they will have the following at these centres and online:

Business Continuity Check lists (from Cumbria Chamber – updated from Carlisle Floods)
Business Recovery Pack (from Chamber/Lamont Pridmore – updated)
Application forms and criteria for the NWDA Grant funding for those affected (via Chamber)

BLNW Business Advisers will help with the application process. They will work cross-sector
An empathetic ear and advice on getting back on track or, hopefully not, winding up

HM REVENUES & CUSTOMS (HMRC)

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has a special Helpline for anyone affected by the recent floods, where fast, practical help and advice is available.

You can contact the Helpline on 0845 3000 157 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

Each call to the helpline will be handled on its own merits but HMRC may be able to help by:

agreeing a revised payment schedule when customers are unable to pay due to financial difficulties caused by the flooding
agreeing practical arrangements where individuals and businesses cannot comply with their tax obligations perhaps because their records have been lost or destroyed in the flooding
reviewing any penalties or not imposing additional surcharges that may be triggered where customers have missed deadlines as a result of the flooding
providing help and advice in dealing with other practical, tax related matters arising as a result of the flooding

The service is available for all HMRC taxes, including VAT, Corporation Tax, Income Tax and NICs (PAYE) and for individuals affected by the flooding.

ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY

The Environmental Agency has info to help businesses too:

Click here for info on clearing up after a flood (link opens in a new window)

FUNDRAISING APPEAL

The Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF) has set up a Flood Appeal.
Click here for further information or to donate to this appeal fund (link opens in a new window)

TRAFFIC - ROADS AND BRIDGES

Click here to find out the latest road and bridge closures (link opens in a new window)

OTHER SUPPORT

Flood bulletins from Cumbria County Council (link opens in a new window)

Business rates - latest news on exemptions for closed or unusable business premises (link opens in a new window)

Members of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) will be able to access a Flood Relief Fund
Click here for further information on the FSB Flood Relief Fund (link opens in a new window)