Local councils have joined up to organise Cumbria Residents’ Week from the 20-26 February 2023, which is an event aimed at encouraging residents to support local business after Christmas and to help businesses recover from the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The week sees participating Cumbrian businesses that operate within the visitor economy (such as attractions, cafes, accommodation providers) offering residents a chance to win prizes in a draw. All the person needs to do is make a qualifying purchase of over £10. 

The first Cumbria Residents’ Week took place in 2021, aimed at reminding those who live locally of the fantastic array of tourist businesses and attractions that are available throughout the county. 

The initiative was also created to help businesses recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Like previous years, there is no cost for businesses to participate in the initiative – they simply need to donate a prize (e.g., free entry, an overnight stay, a free meal, or a gift voucher) for the prize draw and the scheme will be promoted by the project partners. 

The initiative will be administered electronically via the www.cumbriaresidentsweek.co.uk webpage with participating businesses simply needing to verify a qualifying purchase by providing each customer with a code, which will be provided to each business in advance by one of the organising councils. 

Once the customer receives the code, they must enter it online to be in with a chance of winning any of the donated prizes.

Councillor Anthony Markley, Allerdale Borough Council’s tourism portfolio holder, said: “Cumbria Residents’ Week is a fantastic opportunity for Cumbrian-based businesses operating within the visitor economy to promote themselves to residents throughout Cumbria. 

“The first couple of months after Christmas can be a difficult period of time for business owners, particularly those operating within the visitor economy. Participating in the initiative is a fantastic way to encourage visitors and promote your business during this time.

“I would encourage any business owner within the tourism/visitor economy to take part in this fantastic scheme”. 

Businesses who wish to participate in Cumbria Residents Week 2023 must complete an online form. Once they have provided their business details, their business will be added to the Cumbria Residents’ Week 2023 online directory. 

In addition to this, participating businesses will be provided with Cumbria Residents’ Week 2023 social media graphics which they can use on their channels and posters which explain the competition to customers. The poster also includes a QR code which customers can scan to direct them to the Cumbria Residents’ Week 2023 website for further information. 

Business owners can find out more about Cumbria Residents’ Week and how they can take part by visiting the Cumbria Residents’ Week 2023 website: www.cumbriaresidentsweek.co.uk/ 

Cumbria Residents Week is organised by Allerdale Borough Council, Carlisle City Council, Copeland Borough Council, Keswick Tourism Association, Eden District Council, South Lakeland District Council, Borough of Barrow in Furness and Cumbria Tourism.