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Futurechoices Live: Terry Hodgkinson gives the regional perspective from Yorkshire Forward

Terry Hodgkinson, Chair of Yorkshire Forward, the local regional development agency gave an enthusiastic appraisal of the work they are doing to help local communities and businesses exploit their own  economic assets to bring opportunity and wealth to all.

Despite these uncertain times, he went on to say, the region is more prosperous than ever but the role of market towns like Skipton have changed, from hosting markets (like today’s - a coincidence or well planned by the organisers?!) to becoming labour providers, dormitory towns for commuters and tourist destinations.

He felt confident that rural areas offer something different to the regional economy (80% of Yorkshire Forward’s area is classed as rural) and urged delegates to find their Unique Selling Points or USPs to help create sustainable rural communities.

He also gave examples of rural areas as hubs of innovation, highlighting the redevlopment of Richmond station into offices, cafes, manufacturing spaces, even a cheesemaker and ice-cream company producing high quality local produce.

Finally in looking for this X-Factor, he hinted that the behaviour of local population can be achieved by thinking differently - why open a village shop from 9-5 in a dormitory town when most of the inhabitants won’t be able to use it?  By meeting the needs of customers, he said, could bring greater sustainability and for example by changing opening hours, more people could be encouraged to use these facilities.

David Wilcox was able to speak with him afterwards too: