Rural business network

Central government have provided local authorities with a sum of money through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

East Hampshire District Council designated this money to help rural communities through the Grow Up! programme - and as part of that set up the rural business network.

The rural business network aims to provide opportunities for rural organisations and businesses to:

receive support and advice with running their businesses, and be signposted to the latest legislation, financial advice and training;
discuss the issues which are affecting local rural businesses and provide opportunities for likeminded land-based professionals to meet up;
learn about diversifying their businesses or exploring opportunities for growing new crops to be more resilient to climate change, and explore local outlets for their produce;
support the next generation of land-based workers by offering apprenticeships and traineeships;
support new land-based businesses;
help to develop local solutions to issues such as rural crime;
explore opportunities to improve digital connectivity for rural businesses;

Events

The rural business network held its inaugural event in Selborne in January 2023, and has since:

met at Liss Pavilion, Goldfinch Books Alton, Petersfield Museum and Merchistoun Hall Horndean to discuss sustainability in rural communities,
hosted a farm walk in East Meon and a farm walk in Wield
discussed recruitment in rural employment at an event in Privett and a funding opportunities event in Chawton
hosted the new directions event in Alton in October
sustainable business event in Passfield in September 2024