Latest news with #ChrisSouthward
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cumbrian business celebrates milestone anniversary of supporting community
A Cumbrian business has marked its 175th birthday by celebrating with its customers at its flagship branch. On April 16, The Cumberland turned 175 having served Carlisle - and the rest of Cumbria - since its formation in 1850. The building society's flagship English Street branch hosted celebrations throughout the day with customers and the mayor of Carlisle Chris Southward popping in to enjoy birthday cake and sign a card. "It's a privilege to be part of the celebrations," said councillor Southward. "The Cumberland has always been part of life here. 175 years is a great achievement. "When we get all the town centre finished, it's right at the heart of the new developments in Carlisle." Ruaridh Kennedy, a Cumberland customer, said: "To reach 175 years is amazing actually. The Cumberland has come a long way since I joined ten years ago. You can tell it's happy, buzzing with lots of smiling faces. I was surprised walking in and seeing this, it's nice to be part of something. It feels very local, and a part of Carlisle.' Another customer, Colin Brown added: "It's quite an achievement and it's still going strong in new premises. We're happy to have our money in The Cumberland and support it as a local enterprise. And the cake is a bit extra." The Cumberland is the county's largest financial institution with more than 720 colleagues and 31 branches across Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland, and south-west Scotland. English Street branch manager Victoria Rose said the atmosphere at the branch was amazing with balloons, bunting, party hats and the cake went down a treat. "Six months ago we reopened our flagship branch at English Street and it's great to have another celebration," she said. "It's a day to reflect on how far The Cumberland has come and myself and all the colleagues look forward to supporting our customers and communities for many more years."
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major update on full fibre broadband roll out for Cumbrians
COUNCILLORS will next week get an update on Connecting Cumbria and the full fibre network roll out. Members of Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Council's joint overview and scrutiny committee are due to meet Cumbria House in Carlisle to consider the report. It states: 'UK Government policy is focused on the delivery of gigabit capable broadband, irrespective of technology, however almost all deployment of gigabit capable services in Cumbria is through the deployment of full fibre infrastructure. 'Digital connectivity is vital to support the objectives of local authorities in Cumbria as this infrastructure supports delivery of services, education, business, leisure and social inclusion. 'Therefore, over the past 15 years there have been a number of initiatives to encourage telecoms investment and augment this with publicly funded investment to help the county catch-up with the connectivity in the wider UK. 'The Digital Champions for Cumberland Council, Cllr Chris Southward, and Westmorland and Furness Council, Cllr Peter Thornton, assisted by the Connecting Cumbria team, are responsible for delivering the Cumbria-wide Digital Infrastructure Strategy which includes a strong focus on the expansion of gigabit capable broadband services.' According to the report In March 2021 the UK Government announced the Project Gigabit programme, managed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), with a commitment of up to £5 billion in funding, to expand gigabit broadband services through: Encourage competition and investment into gigabit capable infrastructure through the commercial telecoms market. Seeking to encourage maximum delivery at the maximum possible speed across the UK; Deploy gigabit capable services to all GP surgeries, libraries and primary schools; Fund gigabit vouchers to support rural community projects; Contract for delivery of gigabit connectivity to areas where commercial deployment is not planned. It adds: 'Across Cumbria there is significant commercially funded roll out of gigabit capable broadband with the majority of this work focused in urban areas. 'Work is also progressing, both as a result of the commercial deployment programme and some programmes managed through the Departments of Health or Education, on expansion of connectivity to GP surgeries, libraries and primary schools. 'Applications for new community voucher projects were paused by DSIT in 2023 but areas where a community project had already been agreed work is ongoing using this funding and top up funding provided through the Connecting Cumbria Voucher Top Up scheme.'
