Health and business benefit from the South Downs

Businesses in the South Downs National Park can help improve the health of the community – both physically and economically.

A report released by the park authority this week shows the area has the potential to “underpin a sustainable and resilient economy” through initiatives such as the Arundel Food Festival.

Jonathan Brantigan, owner of Pallant of Arundel delicatessen and wine merchants, and founder of the festival, said: “I see the South Downs National Park as a real opportunity to build my own business and support those around us.

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“We already stock and promote produce from within the national park, such as wine and cheese. Our food festival is a celebration of local farmers and food producers where we encourage our community and visitors to enjoy locally produced, seasonal food and, of course, have fun in the process.”

£2.23billion economy

The report sets out various facts and figures, such as the national park being home to 110,00 people, with a further two million living nearby, and having an annual estimated economy of £2.23billion.

Including farming and forestry, there are already about 11,500 business units operating within the park, between them employing up to 84,000 people.

Many of these small rural businesses show real potential for growth, said the report, with 32 per cent of jobs in firms of fewer than 10 employees, compared to national average of 21 per cent.

“Precious breathing space”

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Margaret Paren, chairman of authority, said: “The national park is a precious breathing space in this most crowded part of the country and provides vital services – such as clean water filtered through the chalk grassland, places where people can experience nature and improve their well-being, as well as food, for millions of people. Looking after its natural assets is the best way to underpin a thriving local economy.

“This report shows how the national park has the potential to provide huge opportunities for communities, businesses, volunteers and visitors to benefit from this special area while looking after it by, for example, using its resources more sustainably.”

Those opportunities are not only business-related, the report points out, as with a 3,300km network of public footpaths, the park also offers solutions to health problems.

For more details, see this week’s Littlehampton Gazette (Thursday, November 15).

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