Rural Economies
Economic growth is widely acknowledged as essential for national wealth and prosperity, and is a priority for political parties. Rural economies, employing millions and home to a higher proportion of small businesses, have potential for growth if barriers are removed.
30 Jan 2024
Rural Shops More Important Than Ever to Isolated Communities
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is celebrating the crucial role that rural shops play in thousands of communities across the UK as part of the launch of the 2024...
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22 Jan 2024
Growth opportunities for rural businesses, but long-standing challenges remain
Businesses in rural areas perceive new opportunities for growth but long-standing challenges such as affordable housing, transport and broadband capacity are hampering take-up, according to a major new survey from...
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22 Jan 2024
Rural Britain’s Hidden Struggles: Insights from North Cotswolds
The “Hidden Hardship” report, conducted by Dr. Stephanie Denning at Coventry University and vividly illustrated by Beth Waters, provides an in-depth and emotive portrayal of the challenges faced by rural...
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22 Jan 2024
Digital Disparity: A Closer Look at Rural Connectivity in England
The latest Connected Nations UK Report 2023 sheds light on the digital connectivity in the UK, revealing a stark contrast between urban and rural regions. The report shows a considerable...
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08 Jan 2024
RSN Seminar Programme open!
It’s time to get organised for 2024 and make some time in your diary to attend one of our rural focused seminars. Almost 550 of you attended an RSN seminar...
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18 Dec 2023
RSN welcomes NICRE report – Rural SMEs and the environment
Pic: Greg and Jade Pilley of Stroud Brewery in Gloucestershire The Rural Services Network (RSN) has welcomed the latest report from the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) which...
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11 Dec 2023
Step change in rural enterprise evidence base
Pictured left to right are: Jason Beedell, Strutt and Parker, Jeremy Phillipson, NICRE Director, Lord Curry of Kirkharle, Ulrike Hotopp, NICRE Policy Advisor, and Lee Davies, Department for Environment, Food...
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11 Dec 2023
Are rural areas getting their fair share of apprenticeships?
The Apprenticeship Levy was recently debated in Westminster Hall in which it was highlighted the great opportunity that apprenticeships offer to learn and earn and to keep talent in our...
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11 Dec 2023
Rural Economy Spotlight – December 2023
A quarterly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current rural economic development news, issues and opportunities State of Rural Enterprise report published...
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04 Dec 2023
Post offices providing more services but rural still struggling
The new Post Office service which allows customers to choose which parcel carrier to use has started to roll out across the network. Customers are given the option to send...
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