New support for South West rural land-based businesses

A new project that offers a region-wide business support package for the rural land-based sector is being launched next month (December)

The Rural Enterprise Gateway (REG) project has been developed as a key initiative within the region’s Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food.

It has been developed by a number of regional partners working closely together, including Business Links, South West Regional Development Agency (RDA), NFU, regional agricultural bodies and rural business representatives.

Aiming to give rural businesses streamlined access to information, training and business development support, it will be officially launched on December 2 at the Royal Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet.

REG project manager David Hynd said: “Managed regionally by Business Link Devon and Cornwall and delivered locally through all the Business Links, it shows how everyone working together can provide joined-up support to rural businesses across the region.”

Colin Molton, South West RDA Director of Operations and Development, said: “As the major funder of this exciting initiative, our priority is to help businesses take advantage of the opportunities presented by a changing rural economy. This project will make it much easier for rural businesses to access information, training and business development support, as well as address the priorities identified in the regional implementation plan of the Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food.”

Groups of agricultural and land-based businesses will receive funding and support for developing their businesses, training and other needs as well as tailored information reports from a Knowledge Network Service.

The REG will also provide free information and signposting for rural and agricultural business issues both online and by phone and act as gateway to other initiatives that help the rural sector develop its ideas and expertise across the region. In addition the project will fund an English Farming and Food Partnerships adviser to work with co-operative groups and on collaborative opportunities.

The launch event (9.30am to 3.30pm) will be chaired by John Lee, chairman of the REG Steering Group.

One of the highlights will be a talk by celebrity chef Rob Rees on the importance of local food. A governor of the British Nutrition Foundation and a director of Gloucestershire Taste of the West, he is also a member of the National SME Taskforce for the Sector Skills Council, a director of Stroud and Mid-Gloucestershire Education Business Partnership and a former board member of the Food Standards Agency.

Other speakers will include Sir Harry Studholme, chairman of the South West Chamber of Rural Enterprise and a board member of the South West RDA, and Gloucestershire farmer Colin Branston.

Said David Hynd: “The event will also provide vital networking opportunities and information on the wide variety of support available to agricultural and other land-based businesses in the region.”

The project has received funding from the South West RDA with extra support in Cornwall from Objective One via the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund.

Focus of the afternoon will be workshop sessions on Protecting Farmland, the Environment and Profit, Marketing for Rural Businesses and Benefiting from Collaboration.