The Credit Crunch and Recession

At work in a rural manufacturing business

Contribute to our reports on the effects of the Credit Crunch

We’ve been asked by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to provide regular reports about the impacts of the economic downturn on rural businesses, employment and households.


These reports will help enable the rural voice and needs to be put to the National Economic Council set up by the Prime Minister in October.


We’re inviting rural and economic organisations, local and sub-regional authorities and partnerships, companies, professional and trade associations, housing and support groups operating in rural England to help us have a constant source of evidence.


Find out more about how you can contribute to our reports

Join in our discussion and share your experiences with us, email us at louise.rixham@ruralcommunities.gov.uk or make a comment below

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Comments

1

Hello

I run the home business website at www.enterprisenation.com and we are seeing nothing but confidence and optimism from our site visitors - many of whom operate in rural areas.

When we produced our 2008 Home Business Report in October, we referred to home business as 'the bright spot in the UK economy' - that's because more people are starting up from home (16% increase in the past 12 months) and those that are running businesses from home are optimistic about the future (72% of home businesses plan to increase turnover in the next 6 months)

At these times, home businesses do well because they are operating on low overheads and tend to be in niche markets, providing a solid client service.

My prediction? Home based businesses will ride this storm and come out of it with new customers and renewed strength.

Emma Jones

Founder, www.enterprisenation.com

 

Posted by  at 6:09pm on Friday, 5th December 2008
2
Thanks Emma, good to hear an optimistic view
Posted by  at 10:06pm on Friday, 5th December 2008
3
This is good news for everybody. Lots really need motivation to continue life with the economical situation we have right now. Also many are seeking for new opportunities to survive even with these hard times we are facing right now. Well, lots have the skill but those eager will surely succeed. Many small businesses have been reporting an upswing since the recession began, such as thrift stores, pawnshops, and payday loans businesses.  Overall spending had taken a bit of a nosedive, but it seems to be turning the corner. Many consumers are now realizing the value of thrift.  Getting the same stuff used at a fraction of the cost for new can really pay off.  It's no surprise that people would rather get a used sofa than get a new one on credit cards with ghastly rates or get payday loans for a sudden expense. 
Posted by Hugh J  at 8:18am on Wednesday, 18th February 2009
4
Thanks for your post Hugh
Posted by  at 9:41am on Wednesday, 18th February 2009
5
Rural people are a hardy lot, and when bad times come they always find ways of riding the storm. Many have diversified, or learnt new trades and adapted. One thing they could do with is broadband, as we have seen in our area that it throws a lifeline and makes a rural person part of a global community. This has so many good effects, it can help with isolation, health, education and innovation. Farmer's wives are starting farm shops, craft centres, tea rooms, walking guides, all sorts of stuff and they need an online presence to build their trade. Why pay advertising rates when you can do it yourself? A few tweets in the right place can pay dividends, running your own website these days is easy, and more often than not the kids can do it for you. If you have a connection.
and many don't.
It is a crucial factor for rural regeneration to have access to decent broadband.
Posted by chris doyle  at 10:12pm on Tuesday, 2nd June 2009
6
Thanks for your post Chris
Posted by  at 4:24pm on Thursday, 4th June 2009

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