Cumberland Council has launched a new Economic Strategy aimed at accelerating sustainable growth, attracting investment and creating high‑quality opportunities for residents and businesses over the next decade.
The strategy sets out a bold and comprehensive vision for building a thriving, inclusive and resilient economy, supported through strong collaboration across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
The Cumberland Economic Strategy outlines how the council will strengthen the local economy while ensuring that benefits are shared across communities.
At its core, the strategy focuses on:
- Boosting economic prosperity
- Enhancing Cumberland’s appeal as a place to live, work and invest
- Expanding opportunities for residents to improve their quality of life
Leaders say the plan is designed to combine economic growth with social inclusion, creating lasting benefits for both people and businesses across the region.
The strategy has been developed through extensive engagement with local communities, businesses, education partners, voluntary organisations and regional stakeholders.
This collaborative approach ensures that the priorities set out reflect the needs and aspirations of those living and working in Cumberland, while drawing on expert insight from industry and academia.
Council leaders said this partnership‑driven model will continue into delivery, helping to ensure strong local ownership and long‑term impact.
The strategy identifies several areas of significant opportunity for Cumberland’s economy.
These include:
- Clean growth, advanced manufacturing and the nuclear sector
- The visitor economy, leisure and culture
- The rural economy and natural environment
By focusing on these strengths, the council aims to position Cumberland as a competitive, forward‑looking region that can attract investment and support innovation.
Alongside sector‑specific growth, the strategy places a strong emphasis on community wealth building.
This includes ensuring that economic activity benefits local communities, supports local supply chains and creates inclusive employment opportunities.
Partnership working is also central, with the council highlighting the importance of collaboration between businesses, public sector organisations and the voluntary sector in delivering shared outcomes.
The Economic Strategy will be delivered through a series of targeted programmes, investment plans and cross‑sector initiatives.
Progress will be reviewed annually, allowing the council and its partners to track progress, adapt to changing conditions and ensure delivery remains aligned with priorities.
The strategy is designed to be flexible, enabling it to respond to both local challenges and wider economic changes over the coming decade.
Initial work to deliver the strategy is already in progress.
The first phase focuses on:
- Supporting local businesses
- Developing skills to meet future workforce needs
- Investing in key infrastructure projects
These early actions are intended to build momentum and demonstrate immediate progress while laying the foundations for longer‑term transformation.
Cumberland Council Leader Cllr Mark Fryer commented on the strategy, saying:
“This strategy marks a major milestone for Cumberland. It reflects our ambition to build a dynamic economy that works for everyone - one that nurtures innovation, supports local enterprise, and ensures our communities benefit from new jobs, skills and investment. Cumberland has enormous potential, and this plan gives us the roadmap to unlock it.”
By combining targeted sector development with a strong focus on inclusion and partnership, the council aims to ensure that economic growth is both sustainable and widely shared.
With delivery now under way, leaders said the strategy will help position Cumberland as a dynamic and resilient place to live, work and do business in the years ahead.
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