Rural Economy

Northumberland is home to a thriving rural economy with businesses operating over a range of sectors from an idyllic location.

RURAL AMBITION

Northumberland offers a unique market opportunity for businesses looking to operate out of an idyllic location and has a track record demonstrating the benefits of working out of a rural location for several different types of businesses.

The county has a growing base of hi-tech companies providing agri-tech services to land based industries including forestry and land management. These range from software companies to robotics and agri-drones.

Strengths lie in livestock farming, cereals, permanent grasslands as well as other uses; is encouraging the uptake of precision technologies. These monitor and enable more informed decisions on land and livestock management. This includes technologies such as: robotics; drones; farm management solutions and Variable Rate Technologies.

Escape the hustle and bustle of city life, build and grow your business in a vibrant market town, and gain inspiration from tranquil surroundings steeped in history and dusted with beauty.

A RURAL LOCATION WORKING ACROSS THE WORLD

Further examples of innovative technology can be found at companies such as Northern Space and Security, who specialise in developing the critical capabilities on near earth orbits reaping the benefits of a rural location.

Natural assets extend to Northumberland’s exceptional forestry sector cluster with companies ranging from forestry management services to saw mills; representing diverse opportunities for supply chain companies.

Kilfrost are an example of a company focussed on innovation, located in the rural setting of Haltwhistle on the border of Northumberland and Cumbria. Kilfrost supply customers across the globe with de-icing agents that stop ailerons from freezing-up, essential to aviation safety. The company’s incredible contribution to the industry has been recognised through numerous awards and accolades supplying to sectors such as rail aviation and renewable energy.

Opportunities for businesses seeking an innovative rural setting exist across Northumberland.

Check these stats out

£2.99m

Grants invested into rural business over he past 2 years

200,000

Tonnes of malt produced annually at Simpson Malt

ROYAL WARRANT

Agma Ltd, Bedmax Ltd and Pure Fishing Ltd are all Royal Warrant Holders

HOME TO

The Rural Design Centre

97%

of Northumberland is Rural.

“There are many benefits of being in a rural area here in North Northumberland, the quality and commitment of the people is very good, there is plenty of space, running costs can be considerably less and what I am most proud of is that we are stilling going 24 years after producing our first bags of BEDMAX and we are still growing.”

Tim Smalley
Managing Director, Bedmax