Owner of recruitment agency believes some sectors are recruiting again - despite unemployment levels rising
Mark Connor from Six Degrees Recruitment is one of the new members of the ITV Business Club. Despite unemployment rising in Cumbria and southern Scotland, which is blamed on the end of festive temporary jobs. he says some firms are starting to recruit.
Construction is one of the sectors hit hardest by the recession and one builder has been telling us of the difficult decisions he's been forced to make. Joe Wilkinson is the third new members of the ITV Business Club. He's worked across Cumbria and southern Scotland for the last 12 years.
The ITV Business Club formed in 2012. Made up of business men and women from across Cumbria and southern Scotland, they meet on a regular basis to discuss the economy and specific issues. We'll be checking in with our 10 members throughout 2013 to see how the economy is shaping up.
Meet the woman getting Cumbria trending on Twitter
Michelle Masters runs a marketing and training company and is the woman behind #cumbriahour. Every week hundreds of businesses take to Twitter to promote themselves and network using the hashtag. Michelle is also a member of the ITV Business Club and has been speaking to Hannah McNulty
A Cockermouth coffee shop has scooped two awards. The Coffee Kitchen has won Best Newcomer in the Cumbria Life Food and Drink awards and a business acceleration award through the Times and Star. Coffee Shop director, Andy Walsh spoke to ITV Border.
Toy firm are newest members of the ITV Business Club
The ITV Business Club is back and has recruited new members. The panellists help monitor the strength of the economy throughout the year. The newest members are sisters who run MM Associates which owns Twoey Toys and Active Designs in Wigton. Our Correspondent Hannah McNulty has been to meet them.