Businesses are being invited to take part in a series of webinars to help them return to work as the coronavirus restrictions are relaxed.

Digital Cumbria is running the events in partnership with Cumbria’s local authorities and the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Digital Cumbria ‘Surviving, reviving and thriving - get ready for the restart’ webinar will consider what a ‘new normal’ may look like and how the pandemic could shape the economy, consumer behaviour and business practices.

Miranda Kirschel, head of business and innovation at Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “As lockdown restrictions are eased Cumbria’s businesses will want to get serving customers as quickly as possible whilst keeping people safe.

"We recognise that businesses will have to adapt the way that they operate to ensure customer safety and employee welfare and that the effective adoption of digital technologies is essential to achieving this."

The webinar will discuss practical examples of how businesses can adapt to re-establish themselves and grow during the recovery.

Zoe Wallis, programme director, said: “Businesses who have adopted cloud-based technology and who are already trading on line have proved more resilient, have been able to quickly adapt their operations and have found it easier to generate much needed revenue.

“As restrictions are lifted we want to put as many of Cumbria’s businesses in the best possible position to get up and running and generating revenue in the safest possible way”.

Coun Mike Johnson, deputy leader of Allerdale Borough Council which is the lead local authority on the Cumbria-wide project, said: "I'm very much aware of how the response to the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown is impacting businesses and how it has meant many companies are looking at how they operate.

"Technology has helped many businesses adapt to the current situation and be more prepared for what the future might bring.

"Therefore, I'd encourage every business owner who is interested to make the most of this webinar and sign up today."

The ‘Surviving, reviving and thriving - get ready for the restart’ webinar will take place Tuesday at 10am.

Businesses can sign up for the webinar by visiting digitalcumbria.c4dta.co.uk/events or via Facebook at facebook.com/c4dta