Northumberland National Park Authority (NNPA) has joined forces with Advance Northumberland and Northumberland County Council to take rural support in the region to new heights.

Support will be given as part of the Northumberland Small Business Service, an initiative set to ignite growth, resilience, and sustainability throughout rural Northumberland.

NNPA's Farming and Rural Enterprise Team will offer much-needed farm enterprise support across the county.

This project will supplement existing assistance for small and micro businesses throughout Northumberland, while also maintaining NNPA's ongoing pledge to sustain farming and rural enterprise within the National Park.

This service, delivered by Advance Northumberland on behalf of the County Council, is part funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority Investment Fund and by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund with the North of Tyne Combined Authority as the lead authority.

The Northumberland Small Business Service emerged after a comprehensive rural review conducted in 2022 by Northumberland County Council. 

The programme boasts a capital grant investment fund of £2 million to supercharge direct capital investment, earmarked for expanding productive capacity and venturing to new markets and products.

Grants ranging from a minimum of £10,000 to a maximum of £300,000 will be awarded based on their potential to create and maintain jobs in the rural sector.

Pauline Wall, Director of Park Management at Northumberland National Park Authority said: "The Farming and Rural Enterprise team are driven by an unwavering commitment to the stewardship of Northumberland National Park’s diverse landscapes, habitats and species, and recognise the vital role that farmers, landowners and rural businesses play in conserving and enhancing Northumberland’s countryside and boosting the local economy.

"This commitment, highlighted in the National Park’s new Management Plan, is the backbone of their work and we are excited to take the team’s passion and expertise further afield for the benefit of the entire county."

Demand has grown for the Farming and Rural Enterprise team’s knowledge and advice as farmers and landowners navigate new agricultural policies.

Any farm businesses in Northumberland that could benefit from this support, should contact nsbsfarming@nnpa.org.uk