More needs to be done to revitalise rural communities (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

More needs to be done to revitalise rural communities

11:13am Friday 13th June 2008

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A BUSINESSMAN whose expanding company was forced to move from the heart of a dale has backed calls for better support for rural enterprises.

Wayne Edy, the founder of Inov- 8, had to move his specialist extreme sports shoe firm from Stanhope, in Weardale, to Wolsingham, and then to Crook, near Bishop Auckland, because of a lack of suitable premises in the dale.

Now he believes it is time to "stop talking and take action" if the next generation of youngsters is not to be forced from the area to find work.

Mr Edy's company was highlighted as an example of a good rural business in a report by Dr Stuart Burgess, the Government's rural advocate and chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities.

The report set out proposals for the Government to improve support for, and development of, people and enterprises in rural areas.

It said rural businesses had the potential to double their economic output to £347bn a year given the right circumstances.

Mr Edy fears that if nothing is done, the next generation will be forced to leave their homes to find work.

He said: "Who is doing anything for the youngsters? They want to live in the dale, because they were born and have grown up here, but they are being forced out because there is little employment."

Sue Dowson, assistant director of economic regeneration at Wear Valley District Council, said: "The lack of business accommodation in the dale has been one of the considerations in the development of Eastgate."

Ms Dowson said the lack of business and office accommodation in the dale was a real handicap, but said planning constraints were caused by large parts of the dale being a conservation area.

Dr Burgess' report followed a request from the Prime Minister to investigate ways in which rural economies might be strengthened in the wake of flooding and foot-and-mouth incidents last year.

Douglas Chalmers, North regional director of the Country Land and Business Association , welcomed Dr Burgess' realistic report.

He said: "A secure and thriving economic activity is what created our rural settlements and communities."

"It is right that we should worry that they simply become quiet refuges for those who earn or have earned their money elsewhere.

"Where we have seen business or industry failure in a rural community, the social implications can often be savage."

Mr Chalmers said some rural areas may never be able to match urban output, but policy and support must allow improvement.

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