South Shropshire villages host first rural business event

Entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses gathered for the Rea Valley business breakfast, the first of a series of events held as part of the Market Towns Revitalisation Programme.

Sponsored by Minsterley and Pontesbury parish councils and organised by business coaching company Always Consult, the event was an opportunity Rea Valley businesses to network as well as hear about the support available for small rural enterprises.

Organiser of the event held at The Horseshoes Inn, Pontesbury, was Sheila Henshall, of Always Consult.

She said: “Very often, events such as these are held in larger centres but we wanted to be able to hold a business breakfast specifically for rural enterprises in this area, give business owners and chance to meet each other and seek out potential opportunities with each other.”

The meeting heard from Delia Yapp, from Shropshire Council's business and enterprise team, on grants available to support SMEs as well as guest speaker, Amy Bould, of Be Bold Public Relations, on the importance of business communication.

Shropshire Councillor Tudor Bebb said: “The Market Towns Revitalisation Programme is really making a difference to our area. As well as the Rea Valley Local Produce Market we are hoping that there will soon be major improvements to our footpaths and cycling infrastructure, both of which makes us more attractive to visitors and therefore boosts our economy. All the businesses which have attended found the event very helpful.”

Business owner Shane Yeomans, of Minsterley Decorators and General Maintenance, said: “It's great to have had a dedicated business event for our area. This business breakfast meeting is particularly used for people in my situation, which is leaving employment to start my own business.”

The second Rea Valley Business Breakfast Meeting will be held on May 28 at The Horseshoes Inn, Pontesbury. To book contact Sheila Henshall at sheila@shbusinesscoaching.co.uk