Entec Bulletin
Market Towns
are the Business
Market towns are making a comeback at the heart of rural life, according to a new Entec-led study for Business in the Community, and the private sector is playing a crucial role in the process.
While market towns have traditionally been the central focus for rural communities, providing jobs, shops, local services and community activity, many have experienced decline and face challenges including lack of local skills, reduced local spending, and migration of young people to our cities. However, the report shows that companies are finding innovative ways to contribute to the sustainability of market towns and in doing so are gaining a competitive advantage.
The study, sponsored by Tesco and the Countryside Agency, explored how businesses from all sectors can contribute to market towns and the business benefits that are likely to result. Numerous examples of good practice are given, from actively recruiting older workers, integrating smaller local businesses within larger operations, diversion of landfill credits into local development projects, and much more. Overall it paints a positive picture of good ideas being put into practice, with businesses taking responsibility for shaping a sustainable future for rural communities, with market towns in their traditional place at the heart of the community.
The Positive Impact of Business - Putting down roots in market towns can be accessed via Business in the Community’s website at www.bitc.org.uk.
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