Support for rural shops and pubs is working well
Friday, 29th January 2010.
An evaluation of the Suffolk Rural Economy Scheme (RES) has revealed that businesses assisted through the scheme have increased turnover, developed new supply chains, increased positive feedback and want to join with other rural shops to form a virtual support network.
The scheme has also created or safeguarded 31 jobs, created four new businesses and helped a further 27 to improve their performance.
The RES offers business advice as well as small grants for rural shops, rural public houses and rural and urban post offices that provide a service to their community and are economically viable and sustainable.
It is funded by Babergh District Council, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council, Waveney District Council, Forest Heath District Council, and Suffolk County Council.
For shops that have lost their post offices the scheme has helped the owners make best use of the vacant space. Rural pubs have also received help to diversify with new features such as a shop, an art gallery and even a community rambling base.
Many businesses have received small grants to improve access to their stores, to upgrade old equipment, replace signage and provide further services to their local communities.
Rural shops and post offices are also changing their services to suit their local community by offering prescription delivery services, book/puzzle exchanges, dry cleaning, shoe repairs, local deliveries, teas and coffees and social meeting spaces.
Customers have become more discerning and demanding wanting to know where products are sourced to save food miles. As a result many village stores work with local suppliers, not only to save money and to keep the pound local but also to explore what is available to them within Suffolk.
Over two-thirds of the businesses interviewed had local food strategies in place and further short-term business development plans.
The evaluation reported that ease of access for customers was a key factor and almost 60 per cent of customers had walked to the pub/shop or post office. A small percentage had used the bus and the remainder had travelled up to six miles by car to use the nearest facility.
Suffolk County Councillor Bruce Provan, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development said: “I am delighted at the success of the Rural Economy Scheme to date.
"Suffolk business leaders have fully engaged with the programme and have taken seriously their responsibility and opportunity to grow their businesses and meet customer needs in their communities. It’s a recession-busting scheme that benefits businesses and customers and adds stability and growth to our whole rural economy.”
For more information about the Suffolk Rural Economy Scheme, please contact the Dawn Turpin, Economic Development Project Officer on 01473 264817 or at dawn.turpin@suffolk.gov.uk . Information is also available online at http://www.onesuffolk.co.uk/suffolkbusiness/ruralbusiness/
The scheme has also created or safeguarded 31 jobs, created four new businesses and helped a further 27 to improve their performance.
The RES offers business advice as well as small grants for rural shops, rural public houses and rural and urban post offices that provide a service to their community and are economically viable and sustainable.
It is funded by Babergh District Council, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council, Waveney District Council, Forest Heath District Council, and Suffolk County Council.
For shops that have lost their post offices the scheme has helped the owners make best use of the vacant space. Rural pubs have also received help to diversify with new features such as a shop, an art gallery and even a community rambling base.
Many businesses have received small grants to improve access to their stores, to upgrade old equipment, replace signage and provide further services to their local communities.
Rural shops and post offices are also changing their services to suit their local community by offering prescription delivery services, book/puzzle exchanges, dry cleaning, shoe repairs, local deliveries, teas and coffees and social meeting spaces.
Customers have become more discerning and demanding wanting to know where products are sourced to save food miles. As a result many village stores work with local suppliers, not only to save money and to keep the pound local but also to explore what is available to them within Suffolk.
Over two-thirds of the businesses interviewed had local food strategies in place and further short-term business development plans.
The evaluation reported that ease of access for customers was a key factor and almost 60 per cent of customers had walked to the pub/shop or post office. A small percentage had used the bus and the remainder had travelled up to six miles by car to use the nearest facility.
Suffolk County Councillor Bruce Provan, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development said: “I am delighted at the success of the Rural Economy Scheme to date.
"Suffolk business leaders have fully engaged with the programme and have taken seriously their responsibility and opportunity to grow their businesses and meet customer needs in their communities. It’s a recession-busting scheme that benefits businesses and customers and adds stability and growth to our whole rural economy.”
For more information about the Suffolk Rural Economy Scheme, please contact the Dawn Turpin, Economic Development Project Officer on 01473 264817 or at dawn.turpin@suffolk.gov.uk . Information is also available online at http://www.onesuffolk.co.uk/suffolkbusiness/ruralbusiness/
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