Something big is growing down on the farm

Down on the farm something big is growing and it’s not just the cattle, sheep and crops.

Businesses are thriving in redundant farm buildings all around Uckfield and across the whole Wealden area, writes Paul Watson.

The district council says 75 per cent of small business sites in Wealden are on farms:

Small and micro-businesses form a fundamental part of the Wealden economy;
Around 90 per cent employ fewer than 10 people;
Increasing numbers of people work from home.

The council said: “Seventy-five per cent of these small businesses are farm-based, and the diversified agricultural sector, therefore, makes a significant impact on the area both in terms of economy and shaping the landscape.”

On the outskirts of Uckfield at Little Horsted, Bradford’s Farm is a fine example of what is going on.

Here the farmer runs his own acclaimed butcher’s shop, there are two factory units, a caravan site and caravan storage.

Michael Fordham said the diversification lifted off after the floods of 2000. A firm moved to “high ground” from the Bellbrook Business Park. They were followed by another business four years later.

Michael said farm incomes in the mid 90s were good but a downturn began from 1996.

“We needed to have another stream of income which would support the farm and keep us farming.

“Whilst farming is still profitable it is not as easy to maintain that profitability."

The butcher’s shop opened in 2006 and permission has just been given to relocate the premises to Isfield.

Bradfords is a mixed farm – arable and beef – and Mr Fordham revealed 50 per cent of the income (not profit) now comes from the diversifications.

He said there were advantages for firms working from farms: a less crowded environment, rural surroundings but owners needed to be flexible. They could not always expect Tarmac roads with people able to walk up to the premises.

Farmers also needed to consider the impact the diversifications would have on their core farming activities.

Isobel Bretherton, NFU south east spokesman, said as many as seven out of ten farms in the Wealden area had probably diversified.

“It is not the best land for arable farming and livestock farming in the last decade has had a bit of a rough time,” she said.

She added there was now a vibrant rural business sector and that was why the NFU was urging the government to invest in the roll out of high-speed broadband to rural areas.

Planners, she said, had been fairly understanding on why farmers have had to diversify to bring in extra income to support their core farming business.

For many farms it was a significant proportion of their income and gave a stable income at a time when commodity prices had been quite volatile.

Wealden District Council has a whole section of its planning design guide devoted to the conversion and re-use of rural buildings.

The council says: “The desired aim is to achieve a viable new use for a building whilst maintaining its essential character. In some cases, the requirements of the client and Building Regulations can conflict with this aim. Although every effort will be made to find a mutually acceptable design solution, the council will determine applications in accordance with current policy and practice, both local and national.”

ITM-Soil appoints new chief executive

Uckfield-based ITM-Soil Group has appointed Mark Kirkbride chief executive officer.

He has been tasked to lead the group to grow and strengthen its market leading position in the field of geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring.

He has 17 years of experience within the tunnelling and civil engineering contracting industry and a background of geotechnical monitoring and practical experience of research, development and innovation.

He said: “The ITM-Soil Group is a well established and strong specialist business with huge potential, including fantastic people and a proven track record. As CEO I aim to lead and grow the group to become the clear market leader in the field of geotechnical and structural instrumentation, installation, monitoring and surveying.”

Unemployment figures fall

The Wealden area has the lowest rates of unemployment in Sussex. Official figures show just over 1,200 claimants.

Mark Froud, Chief Executive at Sussex Enterprise, commenting on the county total said: “These figures are better than expected, with a continual fall in overall unemployment in Sussex in recent months. However, there is no room for complacency with a rise in part-time workers nationally either because they can’t find a full-time job or they have taken a cut in the number of days they work.

“The main fear is that once the Government starts to cut public sector jobs, unemployment could start rising again. The recession may be over but its effects will be felt for many months to come.”

Social media workshop date

Wealden District Council is hosting a business breakfast for local enterprises, which will focus on how social media can benefit your business.

The workshop will focus on the potential benefits and risks of social media websites like Facebook and Twitter, and asks what works and what doesn’t.

It will also offer three top tips to help delegates make the most of the ‘big three’ – Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Cllr Roy Galley, Cabinet Member for Planning and Development at Wealden District Council, is keen for more businesses in Wealden incorporate social media into their marketing plan:

"Social media is a tool that businesses can't afford to dismiss," he said.

"Local businesses need to consider the benefits and the opportunities it affords them to engage with clients and increase their visibility in the marketplace."

The workshop is on Wednesday, September 22, from 7.30am to 9.30am at Buxted Park Hotel.

The cost is £10 per person which includes a full English breakfast.

Register your interest by contacting Claire McHugh at Wealden District Council; telephone: 01892 602886/7; email claire.mchugh@wealden.gov.uk.