Northumberland businesses come together at rural showcase at Linden Hall

With inspirational guest speakers, experts on hand and a range of businesses supported by the RBGS service, the aim was to put rural businesses at the forefront, highlight successes and discuss the challenges and of sharing ideas and solutions.

RBGS beneficiaries had the opportunity to exhibit and showcase their growth and development during the past three years and to discuss challenges and opportunities faced by rural based businesses.

Additionally, two workshops focusing on business resilience, rural challenges, and success factors were held.

The RBGS has registered over 500 local businesses to their programme, which has provided individual tailored support developed and managed by a team of rural enterprise specialists.

The Rural Business Growth Fund has also approved over 25 business grants to date.

The project has successfully engaged with almost 600 rural businesses; given 1-2-1 support to well over 300 businesses; given grant commitment to support capital investment to the tune of £2m; leveraged a private investment match in excess of £3.6m; and created 190 new additional jobs to the region.

Cllr Glen Sanderson, leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “I was delighted to open this event which showcased some of the very best of our rural businesses.

“The RGBS has been instrumental in supporting and growing businesses in our county and creating hundreds of new jobs and it is good to see how strong the rural business sector is in Northumberland.”

Jonpaul Heron, programme manager for the North of Tyne RGBS, said: “It was fantastic to see so many rural businesses that have accessed the Rural Business Growth Service come together and support each other to achieve a common aspiration to grow and develop our region.”

The North of Tyne RGBS 2020-2023 is a £7.9m programme of investment part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020, and the North of Tyne Combined Authority.

For more information about the service visit www.ruralbusinessgrowthservice.co.uk