Business leaders urged to attend crunch meeting as experts plan to regenerate rural Harrogate

A groundbreaking business support meeting has been arranged in Kirkby Malzeard for 10am on Monday, November 7, where all local businesses, large, small, sole trader, hospitality or artisan are welcome to attend and contribute.

The Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Business/Community Forum will also welcome David Kerfoot CBE – founder of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in North Yorkshire – who insists “regeneration is there for all - if they are prepared to organise!”.

As a champion of local enterprise with huge experience in developing and connecting rural businesses, Mr Kerfoot is tasked with inspiring local regeneration.

Ideas are already being discussed around bringing an agricultural show to the community, developing a funding aspect to the revamped KMLD Gala and developing a community arts centre as part of engaging more young people and visitors.

Jane Aksut, KMLD Parish Councillor and joint lead on the project said: “Post-Covid, post-Brexit, post Harrogate Borough Council – this is the time to reclaim our community; to aim for the skies! There's major funding and support opportunities out there and we aim to have our share of the pie!”

Richard Hughes, fellow leader sees this as an exciting opportunity to take KMLD to new levels as a rural hub and community/business development model.

“We are so much more than the sum of our parts, when we work together," he said. “The Covid support hub here was outstanding, centred around a brilliant website and community co-ordination. This had already been demonstrated in our response to the international bike races and to communal events, recently culminating in the brilliant Jubilee celebrations which blew us all away with a sense of pride at what we were seeing and achieving.

"We are a venue, a go-to place in which the growing population wants/deserves to work rest and play. Facilities, resources and opportunities for all are growing; we want to make sure that these exciting possibilities become reality for all of our brilliant community!'

Other key speakers on the day will be Simon Middleton from North Yorkshire Growth Hub and Steve Bolton, 'Welcome Back' advisor to HBC post Covid regeneration.

Simon leads on business growth support across the region and can advise on networking and funding as well as offering considerable support and expertise from the North Yorkshire Growth Hub itself.

Steve meanwhile is a passionate advocate for business and entrepreneurial start ups with a particular interest in the agricultural community.Whether you are a small business growing at pace or just dream of a business of your own, you are invited to attend the meeting where each advisor present will have a specialist skillset which allows you to hand pick what you need to specifically suit your business.

The Kirkby/Laverton/Dallowgill (KMLD B/C) Business Forward Forum, takes place on Monday, November 7 at St Andrew's Church, Kirkby Malzeard.

Email [email protected] for more information.