Ryedale prospers as industry grows
‘Economic confidence in area growing’
RURAL: Historic market towns and surrounding rural areas are at the centre of an economic renaissance as new industry arrives in a North Yorkshire district, according to a council business chief.
Ryedale Council’s head of economy, Julian Rudd, said there was increasing confidence in the area’s economy.
HISTORIC MARKET towns and surrounding rural areas are at the centre of an economic renaissance as new industry arrives in a North Yorkshire district, according to a council business chief.
Ryedale District Council’s head of economy, Julian Rudd, said there was increasing confidence in the area’s economy, with several new firms moving in and existing ones growing.
His comments come after Coun Luke Ives, chairman of the council’s influential policy and resources committee, called for new, high-paid jobs to halt the eclipse of “a youth brain drain”, as so many young people were leaving Ryedale to find better paid employment and cheaper homes.
From Covance moving to the National Agri Innovation Campus at Sand Hutton to current or planned expansion of local companies, such as Hydramotion, Contract Production, Ellis Patents and Malton Laser, Mr Rudd said it was “really encouraging” to see growth now taking place.
He added that work was underway on the construction of additional business premises at the York Road Industrial Estate at Malton, and work would also begin this summer on units at the Malton Food Enterprise Zone and business park.
Located next to the A64 and Eden Camp, this is Yorkshire’s only Food Enterprise Zone and further evidence of Malton’s reputation as the “food capital of Yorkshire”, Mr Rudd said.
It follows the major success of Malton Food Lovers Festival, which was launched in 2009 and now draws in excess of 30,000 visitors.
Mr Rudd said: “Ryedale Council does all it can to support economic growth to lift local wage levels and improve job opportunities. We have seen a four per cent lift in mean pay for Ryedale-based jobs in the past year and the latest news of industrial expansion will further boost the district’s economy and good job prospects.
“North Yorkshire’s rural economies that are more distant from the Leeds city region can face challenges in terms of wage levels, with poorer connectivity affecting investor confidence and access to labour markets and supply chains. However, the quality of life in Ryedale and the character of our historic market towns, plus available locations for growth, make for an excellent environment to do business.”
Mr Rudd said Malton would see a doubling of rail service frequency and capacity to York and beyond from next year, with a train every half an hour.
He said: “Within the next few years train journey times to Leeds are expected to reduce to 40 minutes and Highways England will consult in summer on options for dualling the A64 beyond the Hopgrove junction bottleneck at York to join with the subsequent section of dual carriageway. We are confident these improvements will only add to the appeal of Malton and Ryedale as a wonderful place to live and do business.”
Ryedale’s economy boom was also referred to in a report to the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Ryedale Council does all it can to support economic growth. Julian Rudd, Ryedale District Council’s head of economy.
THE TRAVAILS of failing market towns as they struggle to attract young families, or keep those that are already there, because of a lack of decent jobs and local amenities, have become depressingly familiar.
Malton, though, appears to be bucking this trend buoyed by several new firms moving in and existing ones expanding.
With its stunning Georgian centre, flurry of independent shops and food festivals, the North Yorkshire town has long been popular on the tourist trail.
However, what is perhaps most encouraging about this latest stimulus, given the challenges facing many rural communities, is it’s being driven by business investment and not just art and culture.
Malton is a Yorkshire success story and one that not only benefits local residents but has a knockon effect right across Ryedale. It also offers, a compelling blueprint of how to be a thriving, self-reliant market town.