Calling all young rural entrepreneurs!
The Field and Lycetts run a competition called Young Rural Entrepreneur of the year. It was set up to showcase the best young entrepreneurs who are running a business in a rural area, or that benefits the rural economy.
It’s very refreshing to see a high profile competition for rural businesses - with TV programmes like Dragon’s Den and The Apprentice, the city lifestyle and cut-and-thrust of boardrooms is made to appear very attractive. Yet there are so many great businesses that are in rural areas - many of which are every bit as innovative, market-focused and customer driven as high flying city businesses…albeit with lower turnovers!
Last year the winners of the £10,000 cash prize were Ben and Charlotte Hollins of Fordhall Farm in Shropshire. The story of the saving of Fordhall Farm is an incredible one, a feat against all odds and it now exists as probably the best community land initiative in the country, whilst being a beautiful place and a profitable business. It is thoroughly inspiring and a worthy winner of the prize.
Young Rural Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 is now open for entries. The criteria are simple: you are eligible if you are under 35 and run a business with a rural theme in the UK. This is well worth entering…imagine what you could do with £10,000?