Berkshire in top 10 counties for rural business

Rural business 'brings opportunities...and challenges'

BERKSHIRE has made it into the top 10 counties in England for running a rural business.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA)’s rural business county league table scores each county on some of the main criteria which can support or challenge rural firms.

These include the extent of broadband and mobile coverage; adoption of local plans by planning authorities; opportunities for development of rural skills; and entrepreneurial dynamism.

Top of the league table was Cheshire, with Oxfordshire and Cumbria in equal second place.

Berkshire was ranked in ninth place, with positive ratings for its digital connectivity and investment in rural skills development and research.

However, this was balanced by a low rating for the creation of new rural businesses – just 1.4 out of 10.

CLA spokesman Robin Edwards said: “Operating in a rural area brings opportunities, but also challenges and there is much that can be done to help them to succeed.”

For more information about the CLA visit the website at www.cla.org.uk